Queen of Hearts

The. Queen. Of. Hearts.

This ensemble is so fucking ridiculous and I get so much joy from that. I want to show everyone I know but also don’t want to be disappointed in their response or lack-thereof (my favorite Studio Ghibli movie is Howl’s Moving Castle and according to Gen Z that means I have a praise kink okay) so, to the ethers of the internet, look at this thing I’m super proud of. 🥳

And AND all the fabrics are secondhand/thrifted. That is something I’m also really proud of.

“Just a few little things that need to be done for these outfits to be ready for the tea party.”

I really need to stop pretending like I’m not ridiculous and forgetful. I forgot I was going to make Joey a set of bunny ears for his March Hare ensemble and also have since added hip swags to the list of things I just NEED to do for Penelope’s outfit. Ya know those poofy hip things on Cinderella’s ballgown? Yeah. Those. It’s a need apparently.

Crunch time

The original day for the croquet tea party got postponed because the plague hit that friend as well. And of course, when the postponing happened the burn out of working on these outfits peaked. So I let them sit with no progress being made. But the day has been rescheduled and is in less than we week so here I am, working on getting outfits ready. They won’t be as in depth as originally planned because I’m exhausted but they will still be super fun. I mean, look at this Cheshire Cat inspired vest I am making my son.

To really be ready, I need to sew the buttons on the vest, sew straps to Joey’s teacup holster, put a waistband on Penelope’s skirt, and make a closure for their bodice as well. In 4 days. So, wish me luck and speediness. And maybe send coffee.

Ghost pipes

During the first summer we lived here, we stumbled across these ethereal beauties and I was instantly awestruck. I had never felt so held and seen but also slightly uncomfortable at the presence of a plant. Was it a plant? A fungus? A flower? A creature? Perhaps an alien? My mind raced with the possibilities and my soul knew these beings had lessons for me.

I find myself seeking them out every August, like clockwork. Joey will take me on hikes to find them so I can commune with them. And within the last couple years, they started growing beneath a tree which feels like a doorway to other realms, right next to our home. He let me know, they were starting to pop up yesterday.

I don’t know if I’ll ever fully understand the mystical properties of these ghosties but I do know deep in myself that they are portals and teachers and I am so honored I get to be able to sit and learn from them.