Long day on a Thursday?

[altivo]

Yep. Worked this morning as usual, then instead of going home to do animal chores and relax, met Gary for lunch in Woodstock and we both went to do my gallery-sitting shift. He practiced dulcimer (he'll be the live music for the gallery reception next weekend) and I sat at the desk and spun silk thread. We had only a handful of visitors, which is about normal for opening day. It's a weekday, after all, and people are at work or otherwise occupied. As usual, some visitors expressed disappointment that they couldn't just buy items out of the gallery exhibit and take them away. Somehow, the concept of "art gallery" as opposed to "retail store" is falling out of public understanding. Many items in the show are in fact for sale and do have prices on them, but they can only be purchased after the show is over. Would-be buyers have to contact the artist to arrange for the purchase, and business cards are available at the desk to facilitate this. Somehow they find that incomprehensible...

I was going to make felt boots to serve as a foundation for Argos' footpaws, but Gary said "Wait" and pulled out a whole cache of felt boot liners he has saved even though the boots they fit into have long ago disintegrated. I think I can use a pair of those instead. Short cut, yay! Now I need to find some white cotton gloves to provide a similar foundation for handpaws. Found that Tandy has plastic imitation wolf claws that are real accurate, but unfortunately overpriced. I won't be buying those. Probably I'll end up using heavy bits of dark leather instead.

Bedtime soon, tomorrow is another long day.

Comments

[goldenstallion.livejournal.com]

Dear Rider.

Bought a pair of $8, "Relaxed" style jeans at Wally World yesterday for my Steed partial. Many Alaskans wear jeans. These are a good fit but the leg openings are a bit small to fit nicely over my hoof-shoes. I bought a short length (29 inches inseam) purposefully so the legs won't wrinkle so much by being too long. BUT, now after trying them on with the hoof-shoes, have decided best to open the backs up about a foot and "flare" out like bell-bottoms with the longer, white, featherfur I used on the hoof-shoes. To allow a better fit and better flow of fur down over the backs and sides of the hoof-shoes to the ground.

If that makes sense. Think it will be ok and not look too weird, anyway. I will attach (sew/glue) the white fur to the bottoms of the jeans and add a tail hole of course. So these pants will work for doing any partials in the future for Steed.

Most fursuits are made like jumpsuits or coveralls with a zipper or other opening down the front or back. I am thinking seriously of trying a two-piece method/version with a pants portion and a "shirt" portion so I can go any way I want. I think a well-fitted "shirt" portion could even simply float over the pants part or be fastened with velcro or zipper or other method if necessary. Be easy to put on and take off, too, since the shirt part would be a slip-over-the-head and need no zipper or anything other than, perhaps, the very front top of the neck (throat) to close that off from view under my jaws and throat area.

Just having fun thinking and messing around. The "hands" will work again or I can make a new pair since the big fingernails are kinda weird and clicky.

Tail is pretty much figured out just need to dig out the materials and make it and attach it. Be a much better and more *ahem* permamently attached tail this time. Grin. Besides it will be nice to be able to actually take a seat on a chair or bench or couch, which was nearly impossible last time with those very tight old bell bottoms that *ahem again* used to fit me nice.

Have an Alaska flag I can fasten to a stick, and cute "Trapper" to add to the theme. Thinking of a plaid, felt shirt I already have, and am looking for an appropriate scarf.

Only thing remaining will be to improve Steed's headband so it is not so pressingly uncomfortable on my forehead and will not be using the fancy, beaded bridle this time (not very practical Alaskan).

Steed

[altivo.livejournal.com]

Yup, makes sense. :)

I confess I snickered at your admission about the bellbottoms being a bit on the tight side. Avoiding a "tail failure" is important, of course. A horse's tail is one of his glories.

I've been wondering just how many huskies wearing racing harnesses we will be seeing. A lot of them, I suspect. Maybe Steed should look like a musher?

[cabcat.livejournal.com]

Can I ask why you still had a heap of bootliners ;)

[altivo.livejournal.com]

Because we save things that might be useful. Living on a farm means you have room to do that, sometimes too much room.

Also, Gary is descended from a long line of string savers. They never throw anything out.

These are quite nice, actually. Half inch thick sturdy felt, already shaped and reinforced with cotton tape. All I have to do is cover them with fur and give them toes.