Monday, March 26, 2012

Let the Games Begin!

Just some... of the poppy hats waiting for their final tizzying!

Hello Dhaaarlings...

Audition weekend has been and almost gone!

Final cast numbers are 60 players!

All 60 kids have been measured for costume sizing... and now the real work begins...

Princess has the job of creating

30! Poppies   24 girls/ 6 boys



6 Flying Monkeys


26 Winkies

8 Crows




24 Jitterbugs

That the team want to be lit with battery pack LED lights sewn in to the costume! I just love a challenge!




9 Cyclones



28 Ozians but more specifically the 3 Manicurists/ 3 Beauticians/ 3 Polishers That I'll be designing and making the uniforms for... 



Professor Marvel... Replete with Vest and matching turban





30 Munchkins! / Various including the 3 Lollipop Leaguers and The Coroner...




fortunately most of the munchkins will be dressed in costumes from previous productions with just a little tweaking...

Every kid in the Supporting cast has between 3 to 5 costume changes throughout the show!

So it will be Head down and Bum up from now to the end of July for this little Princess.

With somewhere near 200 individual costumes to source design and create I'll be hoping to co-opt some parental volunteers to assist me... 

Wish me luck Darlings!

Saturday, March 24, 2012

What if... Angry Birds Were Really Real?

Hello Dhaaarlings....

It just suddenly occurred to me....

What if those "angry avian entities" where really real?





















(all bird images via)

Green... Egg pinching porcine entities the world over should be very afraid!

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Public Service Announcement......






The last thing I want to see around here is...Drunken Fish Kissing!...




Step Away From The Pond!




Sandpaper Kissing however.... is encouraged...




Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Do You Want The Good or the Bad News Empress????

Hello Dhaaarlings...

Have a look at some of the architecture at Melbourne's Federation Square...
While I bring you an update on the Empress


Inside the Atrium Federation Square Melbourne




After another exhausting trip to the big smoke the Empress finally had some good news regarding the bone lesion in her skull... The Specialist is quite convinced that it is a benign lesion and there is at this stage no need for treatment. He would however like to continue to monitor the Empress regularly to note if there are any changes with time that may cause to rethink treatment options....


Federation Square Melbourne



A further review of the MRI Scan has shown a patch of ? low grade cancerous tissue in one of the ventricles in her brain. At present it is very small and only warrants continued regular scans to see of in fact it is growing. It may be slow growing and might not need further intervention or it might not and therefore may require surgery. Either way it is too small to even biopsy at present so again it is a case of wait and see. More scans at Monthly, 2 monthly and then 3 monthly intervals over the next 12 months to see if there are any changes with either of the problem sites. Unless of course the Empress becomes symptomatic ie starts to have seizures!


Federation Square, Melbourne


Last week I took the Empress again... down to the Big Smoke... For her annual review of her hip replacements. The right hip is fine. The left hip is showing some changes on X-ray and is possibly working loose, which would account for a recent series of jarring events while walking... leaving the Empress in intermittent pain.  So, again they want to continue to monitor her hip for any further changes via x-rays on a six monthly basis and any changes noted may lead to requiring more surgery. Mum doesn't seem too phased by any of this. I on the other hand am just a little stressed getting my head around it all... At this rate... Come Christmas...there will be no need to string up Christmas Lights as the Empress will be glowing after all these scans!


The Empress returns from the comfort station.... very much relieved....


Thursday, March 15, 2012

And What Have You Been Making This Week Princess???....


Hello Dhaaarlings...

On top of making preliminary costumes for the theatre group...

 Princess has been busy filling an order for Party Invitations! 

That's right darlings... one of the Empresses friends is turning 70!

The friend has commissioned Princess to not only make the invitations for her party... but as it is a "Witches and Warlocks" themed Costume Party...

 Has decided that she would like to have Witch Costume commissioned for  herself...



So after much "ummimng" and "ahhing" over designs we settled on the above and below... for the invitations...
A Witch on broomstick silhouette printed on glossy photographic paper and mounted on black card and matching black envelopes...
with the invitation printed on white linen finish paper inserted and fixed to the inside  of the black card.




And as the friend concerned has just survived a battle with breast cancer... a costume themed party was just the ticket for someone that has never had one before in her life... And has such a marvellous reason to go all out in celebration!




The costume is in the planning stage...Picture Black and Mauve Satin with Spider Web Netting over long floaty sleeves...
As always I'll post a picture or two of the finished product on completion darlings.




Oh... and the fabric you see in the left background in the top picture is another project on which I am working...

It is to become a blouse to be worn to a wedding for a grandchild  of another friend of the Empress... It's due to be completed by the end of next week!

So... For me... I'll be chained to the Phaff.... seemingly for the rest of the year at this rate!

But I can't complain... Both the party invitations/ Witch costume and the wedding blouse are paying customers!

Things seem to be taking off all of a sudden around here!

I think need a little celebratory drink!

You know you are always welcome to join me...



Bottoms Up Darlings....


Monday, March 12, 2012

There... But for the Grace of "Kelly" Go I...

Hello Dhaaarlings...

We have been graced with the ghost of Grace...



Flags adorn every entrance to town...



No it's not your eyes... the wind was blowing in the wrong direction... and I couldn't be arsed crossing the street.



The papers are a buzz with the news that the  "Bendigo Art Gallery" has another fashion coup on it's hands...

Another "F F E" or Fabulous Fashion Exhibition!...


 Following the raging success of both the 
The Golden age of Fashion Exhibition 2010 and the more recent White Wedding Dress Exhibition 2011. This year we are exposed to everything Grace.
Sponsored by the Victoria and Albert Museum, London and the Grimaldi Forum, Monaco

Bendigo is Host to "Grace Kelly:Style Icon"

Running from March through to June 2012... The Exhibition will display a range of Iconic gowns by Dior, Balenciaga, Givenchy and Yves St Laurent...

I'm quite beside myself darlings... I'm hoping to crawl out from under the pile of tulle and sequins for long enough to go and grab myself... 
.....a Look!



Sunday, March 11, 2012

Poppy Preliminaries....*UPDATED PICS*....


Hello Dhaaarlings...

The pandemonium has begun!

With auditions being in two weeks time for casting of "The Wizard of OZ" an introduction night was held to meet the budding hopefuls and their parents.

Princess had to participate in a presentation from the costume department, explaining things to expect when participating in a stage production.

How the "Department", takes great care in replicating the costumes from the original movie/ musical, fitting of costumes to suit the individual body shape of the kid, The fact that all the costumes will be individually named and therefore responsibility of the individual to ensure that they keep all their costume pieces together etc etc was explained... By my "friend" the head costumiere...
Funnily enough... I didn't have any input into her power point presentation and quite frankly didn't want to read crap off a screen that I hadn't written myself. 

So I took the leap and went for the "Adlibbed" approach.
I talked about how we go about taking body measurements from each kid so that we can make a costume that will a) Suit them and b) fit them! so that we can make a costume without having to try it on them again and again.

 Princess then presented....

"How to use a coat hanger! Or... Turning your "Floordrobe... Into a Wardrobe!"
By throwing a shirt onto the floor... closely followed by a coat hanger... Then asking for some audience participation as to how it should be done!


Much to the delight of the parents present

The Team thought it would be nice to have some of the planned costumes on display in the foyer of the venue so that patents could see the proposed standard of the costumes that their kids would be wearing...
This was a great hit!









Sadly... Not all the costumes for the production are being made... Many of the leads have been commercially bought or sourced from Opportunity/ Thrift shops. However... over the coming months as you will see... the bulk of the supporting roles and chorus costumes will be...












Princess Creations!

Starting with some Poppies.



Girl Poppies.... (1 down 19 to go)


And






Boy Poppies... (1 down and 5 to go)




Girl Poppy Sleeve Detail...


I wanted the sleeves to resemble leaves but also wanted to shape them in a similar form to how I'm planning to shape the Flying Monkey Wings.


The Poppies... like the Flying Monkey's are after all minions of the Wicked Witch of the West are they not? so I figured on creating a subtle link through the shape of the leaves and the wings...



Of course... These pictures are of "Costumes in the making"... without the
 Top hats, White gloves and Spats for the boys and
 large Poppy Flower Hats teamed with Red elbow length gloves for the girls.


 I will post the finished articles once they get to their completion!
Which... should be soon as they are both currently still on display in the foyer of the venue...




In the mean time if you are looking for me....
Princess will be under the mountain of red tulle satin and sequins that you can see over there in the corner!

Thursday, March 8, 2012

What The Cleaner Saw...


Celebrating

 "The Year Of The Arse"




Be daring Darlings...


Monday, March 5, 2012

Sun Frock Finale...


Hello Dhaaarlings....

I don't recall whether I mentioned that I've been making a sun frock for my Niece?


Well I have told you now!....


My Niece has just started a part time weekend job in a cafe... and is earning her own money! 


And as a result asked me 


" If I pay for the fabric Uncle Princess... Can you make me a sun dress?


How could I refuse?
We went along to the fabric store and after what seemed like hours of looking through catalogues checking out styles and patterns that she liked, walking up and down the racks of fabric... Comparing weights and textures, print designs and colours we finally settled on a pretty white based pure cotton "Tulip" print in blues and purples.... 

 You will be pleased to learn that it is now completed and residing with it's delighted owner...



Niece is tickled pink!

And now that it is done... I can start on some creations for 

Wizard of Oz!

I just have to remind myself that the making of costumes for the show is a Marathon and not a Sprint...

Remember....Pace yourself Princess...




We are off for "Round 2" at the Hospital in the big smoke tomorrow morning   for the Empress to have her MRI....


I'm hoping that things will be more straight forward this time around! 





Thursday, March 1, 2012

That Time Of the Month.... March...Let The Games Begin...

Hello Dhaaarlings...


[via]





Welcome to another month at The Palais...


Hold on to your hats as we could be in for a very bumpy ride!


Being the dutiful son that I am... I contacted the outpatient department
at the hospital we visited on Monday via the "land line" on Tuesday morning. After being initially given the run around... I eventually spoke to the Neuro-surgical Registrar on call and explained the situation to him. He said he'd investigate and call me back....
Needless to say... I'm still waiting for the phone call.
It is now Thursday

This morning I had planned to contact the Hospital first thing... But....

 Just as I picked up the telephone... I heard a very loud screech of breaks, skidding, thumping, shattering of glass and then silence. "That can't be good"
 I thought to myself as automatically I dialled "000" our emergency number and strolled up the drive way to investigate further.
Traffic outside the house had indeed come to a stand still and looking toward the vacant block next door I noted that a small silver car with a crumpled-in arse had slid down the embankment and come to a halt near the drain. Pulled up on the other side of the road was a very large bus. Fortunately empty... having just completed the school run but I suspected responsible for the  crumpled-in arse of the little silver car now lying in the ditch....

Other drivers had already stopped and were giving assistance to the driver and passenger that I could see in the small car. Plus at least half the neighbourhood lining each side of the street out gawking... Some still wearing their night clothes... and watching on like vultures around a fresh lion kill. 

"Police, Fire, or Ambulance?" says the disembodied voice on the telephone suddenly whisking me back from standing on the African savannah. 

"Its a car accident" I said... 

"Putting you through to the Police" said the voice.... dial tones and ringing...
"Hello? Police. Officer "Soandso" speaking" says another disembodied voice.

I report my observations of the accident giving its location to officer "Soandso" on the end of the phone who stated that they had not had a call regarding the crash, but would dispatch Police, Fire-brigade and Ambulance services after what seemed like a barrage of questions. 
"Was anyone trapped in the car? Was there visible fire smoke or fuel leakage? Are there any fatalities?  I couldn't confirm the fatality question  (There were enough people there assisting without me wandering over to ask"Is anyone dead? I'm asking for the police woman on the end of the phone)... but it was a no to the smoke and fire. As for people trapped I said that as yet no one had gotten out of the car. I'd better send the SES* as well she said.
She then took my details... thanked me... and hung up.

Within the next minute a cacophony of sirens rang out around the district. And a multitude of blue and red lights appeared. The Police and Ambulance arrived simultaneously closely followed by the Fire-brigade. Soon after that the Emergency service van arrived with their "Jaws of life" to cut the passenger from the car and both occupants were whisked off in the ambulance to the local hospital.

It all seemed to be done and dusted in a matter of half an hour.

Of course I just had to stand leaning on my side fence watching what turned out to be an absolute feast of hunky, fit and good looking men in uniforms! 
I had to pinch myself. After... the people from the car had been safely removed of course!


I lingered a little longer watching the beefcake show then thought... "Well that's my community service done for today... Now... what was I doing before being rudely interrupted?

That's right... phoning the Hospital to sort out some appointments for the Empress.

The call was answered by a lovely receptionist whom after I spent a little time giving her some background and expressing my concern regarding the rudeness experienced with the medical imaging clerks on Monday, the fact that I was still awaiting a call back from Tuesday's conversation with the registrar on-call and my general dissatisfaction with the service that we had received,

She immediately and profusely apologised on behalf of the rude staff members stating "You should never have been treated like that" And offered a "Plan of attack" for today to try and get something sorted. 
The plan was that she would attempt to contact the registrar on call and get them to call me back today before 2 pm this afternoon. If I had not head back from anyone could I ring back and we would start over again. I agreed to this plan and added that I was in the process of drafting a formal letter of complaint to the hospital, which I would be sending before the end of the week if the situation was not rectified.

By 2 pm there had been no response from the Hospital

I phoned again and after sating my name the receptionist, a different one from the earlier call, said yes Princess I'm familiar with the action plan, the receptionist from this morning filled me in. I'll put you straight through to the neurosurgery liaison nurse. I then spoke to the nurse, again, giving her the background and emphasising the urgency of the situation. She stated that she would contact medical imaging and get back to me.

Not 2 minutes later the phone rings and I walk over to the land line and pick up the receiver and say "Hello"

It was the liaison nurse ringing me back. I said "Gee that was quick!"

She said "Your mother didn't have a booking for an MRI on Monday"

I said "Yes I know that already, we were not there to have an MRI Scan on Monday... but we were sent there by the specialist to make an urgent booking for within the next few days on our way home from the appointment with him. And I just couldn't get the clerks there to understand the concept of the specialists request"

"Oh but they don't have any clinical skills" she says.   
" Well from my observation they are devoid of anything that would constitute a skill of any sort" I reply

"Well I've found out that they are fully booked for today and tomorrow" she continues seemingly oblivious to my astute observations...

 "That's quite alright" I say "We were not there on Monday expecting to get an MRI on the spot... we were just there to make an appointment within the next week or two so that we can then re-book another appointment with the specialist for the following Monday to review the results."

"Oh yes! That's right you will need the results to to see the doctor again won't you." The penny finally drops...

"Well I'll get medical imaging to phone you with an appointment date and time to have the scan done before the end of next week."


"Thank you for your help and if I don't hear anything by Tuesday next week I have your name... so I will be ringing you back to sort it out again!" I say as I hang up. 

I certainly won't be holding my breath.

How is it that things that seem on the surface  to be a simple and reasonable request. Turn into a major fucking palava?.... Anyone?..... Anyone? 

Anyway.... I'll be phoning again on Tuesday if I haven't had a call by then...  

In the meantime I'll be firing up the Phaff to create some boy and girl Poppy Costumes along with a Flying Monkey suit or two... That should take my mind off other matters of glaring incompetency... 
  


Stay tuned for the next exciting episode Darlings...


Hopefully without a car crash thrown in for good measure...


******UPDATE*****
The phone rang at 09.15 this morning.(Friday)


It was the Medical imaging Department.


We have an appointment booked for an MRI on Monday Afternoon next week!


*Momentary claw retraction is called for!*


Sometimes dogged persistence and nice manners pays off Darlings