Graduation Mandolin

I Graduated.

I walked on June 8, 2012 in a stuffy burgundy cap and gown and everything.

My mom, stepdad, sister, and a bunch of my friends were there. A couple of them were even walking with me... There were four of us graduating together.

My grandma got me a mandolin for my graduation present.

Did I play the mandolin 2 weeks ago? Nope. Not even a little bit. The only time I had even touched one was when Zach had me hold his for like 2 minutes at the Big Bear renfair.

My mandolin arrived Monday afternoon. I knew how to play 2 songs by the end of the evening.

Today is Wednesday, and I play mandolin as well as I play the guitar... Better, in fact. It is a smaller instrument, so the frets are closer together. This means that chords that I couldn't play on the guitar because my fingers didn't reach are no longer a problem.

I love this thing!

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Big Bear Pirate Faire, June 2-3, 2012

Was a blast.

My band had 5 sets a day for 2 days and started selling our first full(ish) length CD.

I met new people, hung out with my friends in Gallows Humor, had hot tub time and hotel room parties after hours. What more could you ask for?

Northwoods Resort in Big Bear is amazing, by the way. If you're ever looking for accommodations in Big Bear, go with them.

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Big Bear Victorian Faire, June 9-10, 2012

My band was only up there on Saturday. We had 5 sets again, and sold a few more CDs.

Most of the band was costumed out of my closet. Perks of having a band mate who makes costumes I guess.

We stayed at Northwoods again, had more hot tub time Saturday night, then a few of us invaded Denny's.

Sunday was awesome too. It has been a long time since I had a whole day at a renfaire that I had NO obligations, and could just run around and do what I wanted.

So I filmed Gallows Humor shows.


OH. My band's website is now up and functional... although a bit skeletal still.
Pardon My French

Halloween

Finally know what I'm doing for Halloween.

My church is doing a masquerade. We decided to use Labyrinth as the theme (I am aware, it's been done. we're doing it different) and my friend ORDERED me to go as Sarah.

In the big fancy ballgown.

At least I have the hair.

The fabric and beads for this thing are already creeping up near the $100 mark though, and even WITH the hoop-skirts, I think I will be wearing more tulle than we are using to decorate the hall.

I am SO not just wearing it for Halloween - this is going to have to be a multi-event dress.

And I HAVE to go to Labyrinth of Jareth next year.

HAVE to...

Fabrics-Store.com Blog

Was interviewed for the fabrics-store.com blog during faire this year. Just found the article. They messed up Mat's name more than once, but I'm re-posting anyway.

http://www.fabrics-store.com/blog/2011/05/11/192/

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May 11, 2011
Meet Mortimers Skully and Katie.

Mortimers Skully & Katie

Name: Matt Graves, aka Mortimers Skully
Occupation: Plays with the Belles of Bedlam at the Faire. A massage therapist outside of the Faire.
How many times have you been to the Renaissance Faire? This is my fourth year.
Did you make your costume? No, actually my costume was made by a friend.
Does it incorportae the use of linen? Yes, for the shirt and other parts.
What is your favorite dessert? Creme brulee. (Mortimor also suggested we try the "Sin on a Stick" sold at one of the food booths. It is chocolate covered cheesecake on a stick. Yum!)


Name: Katie
Occuation: Plays in the parade at the Faire and is a retail associate at JoAnn's Fabrics.
How many years have you attended the Faire? Ten years.
Did you sew your own outfit? Yes.
Did you use linen to make some articles of clothing? Yes! (Katie is actually a huge fan of Fabrics-store.com and used some of our linen in her ensemble.)
Why do you like shopping at Fabrics-store.com? Because its cheaper than anywhere else and it's all 100% linen!
What is your favorite dessert? Chocolate mouse and German chocolate cake.

Has wool. Has a happy

Sewing is not just a hobby for me, it's an addiction.

I think I spent about $300 on fabric in the last 24 hours, and that's WITH a whole stack of 50% off JoAnn coupons.

BUT I WILL HAVE NEW COSTUMES THIS YEAR!

That makes me happy.

I bought this stunning blue wool, that I really hope gets approved - it will be great with my brown skirt. I also got a nice dove-grey that will pass without a problem. I'd like to do a burgundy linen skirt to go with it, but I don't have that fabric yet.

I got the wool to do my "trade for trade" project, so I can have new shoes this year.

and I bought almost $100 in white linen, because I'm a sucker, and Tigh asked me to make shirts to put in the store.

My tax return went so fast :(