[null, null, null, null, null, {"document_url": "https://tatjna.livejournal.com/917798.html", "unformatted_src": "https://ic.pics.livejournal.com/tatjna/1463047/342907/342907_original.jpg", "src": "https://ic.pics.livejournal.com/tatjna/1463047/342907/342907_original.jpg", "formatted_filename": "original"}, null, {"document_url": "https://tatjna.livejournal.com/917798.html", "unformatted_src": "https://ic.pics.livejournal.com/tatjna/1463047/343144/343144_original.jpg", "src": "https://ic.pics.livejournal.com/tatjna/1463047/343144/343144_original.jpg", "formatted_filename": "original"}, null, {"document_url": "https://tatjna.livejournal.com/917798.html", "unformatted_src": "https://ic.pics.livejournal.com/tatjna/1463047/342595/342595_original.jpg", "src": "https://ic.pics.livejournal.com/tatjna/1463047/342595/342595_original.jpg", "formatted_filename": "original"}, null, {"document_url": "https://tatjna.livejournal.com/917798.html", "unformatted_src": "https://ic.pics.livejournal.com/tatjna/1463047/343508/343508_original.jpg", "src": "https://ic.pics.livejournal.com/tatjna/1463047/343508/343508_original.jpg", "formatted_filename": "original"}, null, null]


In which there are studs and rivets, all in the same day - Tactical Ninja Aug. 2nd, 2013 08:00 am - In which there are studs and rivets, all in the same day I think everyone's pretty much over the earthquakes now. For a while I wasn't feeling them but in the last few days we've had a spate of them that have been noticeable, and the last three nights I've been woken by them - not enough to get out of bed and take cover, just enough to go "Are you awake? Good." ;-/

Thing is, broken sleep isn't just happening to me, it's happening to everyone. And even if like me you don't have a panic response every time the ground moves, the whole thing is a constant low-grade stress and it's making folks grumpy. People are getting sick and cranky and just enough with the bloody earthquakes already!

That probably varies from person to person, but as discussed the other day, lining up studs on fabric works for me. I managed to get the jacket outer sewn together enough to complete the stud application. It looks like this now: I only have to sew the sleeves into the lining, the lining into the outer, and add the front panel details (they are an extension of the collar) along with the leather strap that holds the whole thing shut, and this part is done. There's also a detachable hood, but I haven't quite nutted out the pattern for that yet (yay for having lots of brown paper at my disposal). Also, in the game the Cowl of the Silent One is a separate item, so I'm treating it as such. Yup.

The scales are looking quite a lot like a snake now: This piece is 50-55cm long, and that's about long enough to start checking against the required tabard length to see if it's enough. The problem is that this style of scale (attached to mail rather than sewn directly on) stretches when you pick it up, and ends up looking more like a centipede than a snake: This makes it really hard to judge whether it's long enough. What this means is that I will have to mock up the tabard and lay it on very carefully to check the length. While I'm at it I'll check to see if it'll be self-supporting when sewn on. I am facing the possibility that this method will be too unstable and I'll end up going back to the drawing board and possibly sewing the scales directly to the fabric. Which would make my authenticity glands have a hissy fit, but the last thing I need is a tabard that looks like a bird that doesn't know how to preen itself and to spend all my time fixing up misaligned scales. So we shall see.

Meanwhile, just to give you an idea of context, here is a picture of my work space: To those of you who are thinking "Hey Tats, your workspace looks just like your lounge!" - great spotting. That is in fact our lounge. Normally when I'm doing this sort of thing I tidy as much as I can away every day, but since Dr Wheel's not here to be bothered by it, I'm leaving things like the sewing machine set up overnight *gasp*. Also, the gesso-ing requires all that armour to sit there like that for 7 days. That will also be done and tidy before Dr Wheel gets back.

I am probably making it sound like he's all hoha about my projects making a mess. That would be wrong, he's not. He's supportive and enthusiastic about them. But as someone who likes a tidy environment myself, I'm painfully aware of how clutter can mess with your head, and I know Dr Wheel also likes order and peace over clutter and chaos. So I do my best to minimise the mess. With this kind of project that isn't easy, and with five separate mini-projects all going at once, it's impossible.

Have I mentioned how much I'd like a studio?

I'd like a studio. A lot.

Right, now I'm off to dig out the hessian I've been saving because it might come in useful for something.

This evening, we get a rivet. I have it on good authority (hers) that she will be at Fidels. I plan to be at the front of the tacklehugging crew, and am prepared to fight for that position. And I don't even have armour yet!
Tags: enough with the fucking earthquakes, fucking earthquakes, i make stuff, jodi yay!, regalia of weisshaupt
(24 comments | Leave a comment)


everyone's pretty much over the earthquakes now

Given that I'm far out the back end of Upper Hutt I haven't been feeling very many quakes, but I noticed the one at 6:39 this morning - the first one since last weekend. But then I'm twice as far from the epicentre as Wellington folks, which is helpful.

However this "working from home" lark ain't as much fun as it's made out to be. The company I work for has decided that the state of our building is such that, while the owners say it's fit to occupy, we, along with several other tenants, have decided to get an independent engineering check of the place and stay out until we are satisfied it's A1 @Lloyds... At least one other tenant has also vacated the building (they are Planners & Engineers, which is an added worry).

Meanwhile $wife thinks "working from home" means I can help with all those little jobs around the place that need doing...
One of my colleagues was asking after you, wondering if/when you'd be back at work. Apparently you are missed on the bus. ;-)
Tell Tash it's all down to the engineers, although apparently there is some consideration being given to an emergency relocation elsewhere (within the Wellington CBD).
also, i really like the coat thingo its going to look great!! hooray

hmm.. stuido.. i want one to... soooo.. *ponders this and how that would work*

*ponders more*

What we need is a communal maker space that we can all use.

I am a big fat hippie.
also *squee rivet squee*

*tussles for the front of the tackle hugging crew*
Squee! Tackle hugs <3
I hope the earthquakes subside soon and that you can get a decent night of sleep. Your jacket and the snake zipper look great. You're very creative. I like your work space, but yah, everyone would love a studio.

Failing that, I have finished all the sewing I can currently do (that means the jacket's now sewn up and hemmed and everything) so there's a bit more space and a bit less mess now. ;-)
hehe, once you get your PhD, you'll be able to afford several studios :)
Hee, that does look very snake-like!

I wants to pet them!
Everyone wants to pet my snake!


.. um...

I'm pretty sure my sleep was disturbed by earthquakes last night, too. I didn't consiously feel any but the 6.39 one, but the times match up. I'm feeling a bit under the weather today because of it.

So the rings behind the scales are arranged in a diamond shape, right? And the weight of it is pulling the diamonds into vertically elongated lozenges? Could you arrange something (2 or 3 linke rings like a short bit of chain, perhaps)to attach the top ring of the diamond to the bottom directly and stop the stretching that way?

It's not really a diamond, more of a square - each scale has two rings coming from the top, one each side, and when you lift it they all move just a little. Part of the problem is because it's only three links wide - normally it'd have more structure. The upside of this is that I finished preparing the tabard they'll be sewn to, and discovered that I need to make it two links wider. I expect this'll give it more support.

Failing that, I was thinking maybe a bit of florist wire might do the job - or as you suggest, adding some strategically placed links. ;-)
I'm going to get away from the earthquakes next week, by going camping in Northland. I have a hankering to see kauri trees. This time, I'll have a camera on me that actually works.
The kauri trees in Northland are big and impressive, and old. I think you'll enjoy them. Also, the Matakohe Kauri Museum is worth a look historically.
You'll have to work on getting the YoT out of the house ... ;-)

Heh, true. I don't think it'll take him long once he has a reliable income. He's about ready. ;-)
I experienced a small share of small earthquakes when I lived in LA, they never got me too upset, but they can be scary.

Those scales are amazing!
Yeah. This little spate we've been having has included some of the strongest ones I've experienced. I've lived in Wellington for about 10 years and in the last couple of weeks has been the first time I've actually taken cover for them. They're not exactly scary, but big enough to be a bit disturbing, and ongoing.

Also, the parking building next to my work is closed because of damage from the 6 we had a couple of weeks ago, and there are still cars in it. Yikes! By the way, I didn't realise LA had earthquakes - I thought it was SF that got them all. Silly me, they're probably on the same fault right?

I am most pleased with how the scales are turning out.
"For the sake of Tats, stop shaking her place already!"

I like the jacket and scales so far.
Hee, thanks!

I am looking forward to seeing the complete outfit now.
Overhere earthquakes are very rare, but I remember a nasty one 20 years ago. I woke up in the middle of the night and went to the loo (yeah for the instincts, they are still working)...when I wanted to lay down again everything started to shake and things threatened to fall down. I first thought: 'oh, I'm still dreaming', but no it was an actual earthquake, it's center being in Roermond/the Netherlands.

Gosh, I don't want to have that experience on many nights in a row...poor you!
Mostly they just wake me up enough to go "Uh, earthquake" and then they stop. And they are generally pretty minor. It's more annoying than scary, but I'm still looking forward to them being over. Christchurch's aftershocks kept going for over a year. O.o