Extreme Biking

mood: chicken nuggets from McDonalds when the had those Olympic inspired sauces from different countries. yeah, like that.

We dug our bicycles out of the basement in order to get into shape and save money on gas when going back and forth from GX.

My dad sent this extreme biking video. I started to cringe somewhere over the steep staircase.

And I've been complaining that my ass hurts from the bicycle seat =\

~N

Elijah

Now playing: Samurai Champloo

mood: long john silvers

During our April 2006 trip to Tokyo, we went to see a show hosted by Mishaal featuring Elijah Sound.

It was in a tiny bar/lounge on the second floor crammed full of people sitting on the floor and the few pieces of furniture.

After Elijah's performance we all vacated out onto the balcony for fresh air. Jman snapped this pic of Elijah with sweat literally steaming off of him from the temperature change. It was kind of trippy.

So I taped an "how to apply false eyelashes" video but my computer doesn't like my handycam anymore. There is a problem with the driver. I am going to have to do some computer magic in order to get it uploaded.

~N

Singing in the Rain

Now playing: Samurai Champloo
mood: Fishermen's Net

It has been raining about 16hrs. In the almost 8yrs we've lived here our backyard has never flooded this much.

So much for taking a bike ride after work.

Dahlal Lost Treasures Workshop 03/22/08

Take a workshop with Dahlal... Sell your gently used belly dance
costumes and supplies...Shop the great deals on supplies offered
from your fellow bellydancers...

Plan now to attend the sixth annual
Lost Treasures Workshop and Market.

Saturday, March 22, 2008
Kirkwood Community Center Gym
111 South Geyer Rd., Kirkwood, MO 63122
12 - 5 p.m.
Cost: $15

Deadline for table reservation: March 15.

Schedule of Events:
Table set-up: 11 a.m.
Shop the market: 12 - 2 p.m.
Workshop with Dahlal: 2 - 4 p.m.
Shop the market: 4 - 5 p.m.
Clean-up: 5 - 6 p.m.
Click link for info

Greek Night 03/08 Pics

Now riding: my bicycle!
mood: country fried steak, tators, gravy, black-eyed peas

Sa'dia and I got our Greek on this past Saturday. We had a lot of fun. It was a good crowd this time. Unfortunately, the next Greek Night is May 17th, the same weekend I am teaching the Buffalo workshop. It is Galloway's 5yr anniversary.

I love the 2nd pic. The face I'm making is classic. The costume is a Neckelmanns and I love it!

~N

Crochet Zill Muff Pattern

Now playing: LotR
mood: bacon and eggs

This pattern will fit Medium size zills, such as Saroyan, Nefertiti MC-100, approx. 2-1/16". You may change this pattern to fit your needs. I experimented until it worked for me. This is also my first written pattern. I am a novice at crochet. I will do my best to answer questions but for help I suggest you check out www.crochet.org and www.crochetme.com. You may copy this for personal use but please do not use it for profit.

Medium weight, worsted yarn (I used left overs). Size H (5.00m) hook.
Gauge- muffs will be stretchy, gauge is not really important

Ch=chain stitch
St= stitch
Sc=single crochet
Dc=double crochet
Tc=triple crochet
Yo=yarn over
Tog= working together 2st into one. Put hook through 1st st, yo and pull through. Put hook through next st, yo and pull through. You now have 3 loops on your hook. Now yo and pull through the first 2 loops, leaving 2 loops on hook. Yo again and pull through remaining 2 loops, leaving 1 loop on hook.

Pattern (make 4):
Make an adjustable loop with 6 ch. (Here is how to make the loop I used- http://crochetme.com/amigurumi-double-ring).

Round 1 – 2sc in each ch, (you will then have 12st).

Round 2 - ch 3 (counts as 1st tc), starting in 1st st from the 3ch you just made [tc in 1st st, 2tc in next st]. Repeat steps between [ ] all the way around. (you will end with 19st including the 1st ch).

Round 3 – ch 1, {tog into the next 2st, then dc into each of the next 2st}. Repeat steps between {} all the way around, stopping before the last dc. (you will end with 14st).
Finishing – slip stitch into the next st, tie off and trim.

New classes at Spfld BD Academy

Springfield Bellydance Academy will open an eight-week course, Bellydance Complete: The Beginning, starting at 7:15 Monday, March 17.

This comprehensive course will teach what every beginning or intermediate bellydancer would like to know, and serve as a good refresher course for more advanced students who want to re-visit the fundamentals. If you purchase all eight weeks at once, we are offering a SPECIAL PRICE OF $60 for all eight weeks ($30 per month)! The course will include basic bellydance movement and by the end of it, you will know a complete choreography! (Karen E. Culp will teach the class.)

Immediately following this class each week will be a SPECIALTY COURSE in folkloric dance. This is OPEN TO ALL LEVELS. Please bring a cane if you have one (we also have several to loan). It will also include combinations and a short choreography. The specialty class will be held each Monday from 8:30 to 9:30 at a COST OF $35 PER MONTH. (Karen is also teaching this one.)

Classes located at Danceworks Performing Arts, 3014 E. Sunshine, Springfield, MO.

Monday...

Now playing: Greek music
mood: spiced chai

I am writing up the crocheted zill muffs pattern. I will post it when it makes sense.

Getting ready for Greek Night this Saturday! Yay!

I went to Global Dance Collective's Student Night on Saturday. It was a welcome boost of inspiration. I got to see some of the ladies I don't see very often. Jemina reminded me how awesome Natacha Atlas is. I must dig out her CDs from my collection.

Later,

~N

Chiffon Skirt Ruffled Hem

Now Playing: Jim Henson's The Story Teller
mood: IHOP buttermilk pancakes w/butter pecan syrup

Have you ever wondered how to get that feminine ruffle at the bottom of a chiffon skirt?

It is common to use a "rolled hem" on chiffon, where the edge of the fabric is literally rolled up upon itself very small and tightly, then stitched down to prevent fraying.

Here is what a plain rolled hem looks like on the matching veil. It has a beaded edge but hangs flat and fairly straight. There is no ruffle.

(To interject here, I HATE when chiffon veils have this type of beaded edging. It makes them almost impossible to use for veil work. I have 3 veils like this that came with matching costumes. Not that I do much veil work, but when I do, I have to find another veil to use. The beading makes them too heavy and you can only really use them as wraps or cut them up to make more pieces for the costume. So it isn't really a waste of fabric but for me it usually means more work.)

Here is the ruffly hem of the skirt with the same style beading. A clear plastic thread (similar to fishing line) is threaded through the middle of the rolled hem. You can see how the hem begins to roll and coil from the tension of the plastic thread inside creating the nifty ruffle effect. That's it! No secret skills to make a skirt look awesome. Remember that next time you are paying more $ for a ruffly chiffon skirt versus a plain one.

~N

Fusion Fest II info

Kimono style dress made from a king size bed sheet = $12

Corset belt worn inside out on clearance = $3

Dude with mohawk asking if we'd like to borrow the full size coffin from the hearse parked outside for "ambiance" = priceless

Now playing: Aeon Flux animated collection

mood: Stouffer's meatloaf

Got a workshop flyer for the Kansas City area for Tribal Fest II, Mar 29-30th. Follow this link for info http://www.laylabintali.com/ .