Never say that being a magpie doesn't pay off in a costuming emergency.

I gathered all my loose fabric and bellydance clothes together this morning so I could see how things looked together, and I'd know exactly what I have to sew tomorrow at Flissy's crafting tea. The red harem pants look great with a black skirt and a red panel, but something was missing. I feel like you have to be somewhat original to do black and red, and besides, I'm doing black and red as soon as my Scarlet's Lounge stuff comes in.

My current inventory: long orange skirt from last year's faire, 25 yard tribal black skirt, big silver coin belt, small partial mirror and coin belt, thin chain belt given to me by reedrover, a couple yards of black fabric, sari fabric, and red fabric, a gold velvet burnout scarf, a terrifying animal print jingly scarf, a brocade vest, and a Persian-sleeved U-top. Plus an in-a-pinch bra from Sirik on the way.

Thirty minutes later, I know exactly what I'm wearing next week, and it looks awesome. Colleen, let me tell you that that belt is the finishing touch-- thank you so much for your timely gift. I also have enough stuff left over to gypsify Brandie next week. The only extra thing I might add is a simple scarf cover-up for my tummy.

Okay, now for zill practice until Abby gets here and we commence with the brownies!

I spent a lovely day with tamnonlinear today-- we made some of the most decadent brownies I have ever seen. Ghiradelli double-chocolate batter with dark chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, and walnuts. Tomorrow, they will be garnished with an icing made of vanilla and raspberries, then sprinkled with rainbow jimmies and topped with a dried hibiscus flower. Faerie brownies! We also made damn good pasta with lemon-pepper noodles and a bit of pesto and scrambled egg.

Bellydance Superstars: Solos from Monte Carlo was not nearly as entertaining as the Live at Folies Bergere disc, but there were some great solos from Rachel Brice and Sharon Kihara, and of the cabaret ladies, I love to watch Amar Gamal dance. She brings such a joy to it.

Tipping the Velvet was indeed very good, but one thing niggled at me all the way though. At first, I thought of the actress who played Nan-- oh, she looks somewhat familiar. Then she cut her hair, and she looked even more familiar. And near the end, she took off all her makeup, and she could have been madmoisellestar's sister! The resemblance was a bit uncanny. Anybody else see it? At any rate, it was very enjoyable.

And I did some beadwork, too. _freyja_, your necklace is done. I also did some more cuffs-- one has a sterling silver and moonstone drop, and ever single swarovski crystal in it changes color. Depending on the light you are in, you will either have a blue and green cuff, or a pink and purple one. Very nifty. tamnonlinear got a peridot drop one with many shades of green. As for myself, I modified the cuff I made to suit the long-closed piercings I re-opened today:


The cuffs look very similar to this, only there's a cuff at the top instead of a piercing, and both strands of crystals join together at one bottom piercing. I need to figure out how to photograph the cuffs since I can't model them myself for hygienic reasons. youvebeenpixied, are you willing to wear your elf ears over and be my model so I can take pics for reference?

However, if you want a custom piercing piece like the one above, I can do that too-- let me know your piercing placement, color choices, which ear the piece is for, and ideas for the drop. Depending on what you want, they'll range about $15 to $20 each while I practice making them.

Anywhoo, I'm going to spend the rest of the evening relaxing so I can get up for crafting tea tomorrow!