By Craft and Violence

To slip upon a pavement is better than to slip with the tongue: so the fall of the wicked shall come speedily.
-- Apocrypha. Ecclesiasticus 20:18.

Sunday, June 15, 1997

I spent a good portion of the day making, making... I don't know what to call them! They could be described as epaulettes, but they aren't military in nature. Picture a small bouquet or corsage, or a medium-sized bow with fringe around it or miscellaneous items glued on. Depending from this are a lot of ribbons, many-colored, on the order of two feet long, with beads and sparkly things attached to some of them. The ribbons are attached on three sides of the main object, so that when attached to one's shoulder, the ribbons are on the front, side, and back of the wearer.

The idea for these (they are part of the Trollsylvanian native garb) came from two very strange craft books I found. Apparently in Texas it's the custom for pep squads or other groups to make the most outrageous corsages, and sell them for big games, or give them to the homecoming queen. One book gave details on how to construct these monstrosities, and I am adapting the techniques, though I am not using little plastic megaphones on mine. The other book was for making epaulettes with strips of cloth, glitter, ribbons, and other crafty items. I decided that this idea would be good for the Trollsylvanians, because it would be festive and easy to make, but not be identifiable as any particular national costume.

Then, when I was walking the three blocks to Taco Time (much better than Taco Bell! ask for fresh salsa on your chicken soft taco!) for dinner, I set a foot wrong and fell all over the sidewalk. The damage to my hands and dignity was minor, but my ankle really hurt! It took a few minutes for me to collect myself, and I actually had to grab onto a telephone pole guy wire and drag myself upright. I decided it would be the better part of valor to limp home, in case my ankle started swelling. So I didn't get dinner after all!

Looking at it some hours later, my ankle has a nasty bruise, but it's walkable. I won't be staying home from work tomorrow, but it is putting a crimp in my sewing plans! Rats!

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