Very long time, no blog

I see it has been over 6 months since I last posted anything. Since May my computer had two meltdowns, the second requiring a new hard drive, so with all the excitement of saving and restoring programs, functions, and files, blogging was not a top priority. Hopefully no one has been holding their breath, though undoubtedly passing out would make their autonomic system kick in again and bring them back to their senses when they woke up.
I have no pictures today, nothing to show but a few words. Yesterday I watched Julia and Julie and reflected on that interesting combination. So I have decided to try to do something a wee bit similar though not with food. This fall I have embarked upon a course in making Finnish National Dress (Kansallispuvun ompelimen - pardon my bad Finnish). After a few tense moments the teacher - Ritva - and and I began to settle on a dress...
For those who do not know about Finnish National Dress, there are over a hundred different ones. They are linked to local culture and old handicraft styles. More on those in a later post. The important thing is to realize that in selecting one - no mix and match here - one must "do" the whole thing. Some people buy them ready made (the formerly rich - formerly because after paying for a ready made National Dress, one will no longer be rich!). Many buy a piece or two ready made and complete other parts themselves. Some buy the fabrics. The more daring (or those most desperately low budget) buy the yarns and do the weaving. I am condescending to buy the blouse material and probably the material to make the vest, but I might even buy the vest ready made. However, I intend to spin the yarn for the skirt, the apron and the belt, dye it, and weave it myself, and I will do the cut work lace for the blouse myself. So I will be giving progress reports as I go. Hopefully someone will gain insights and appreciation for Finnish National dress.
Here is where I start - Progress Report 1: lacking sheep of my own (and also lacking space to keep sheep) I have ordered the wool which I will spin. The patterns I need for all "parts" should arrive tomorrow. I have the cotton, needed for the belt, and have ordered a lace flier for my Ashford Traditional so I can spin the cotton - after learning to spin cotton. I am cutting my teeth on cutwork embroidery on various "practice swatches" of different fabrics. The "how to" details for the cutwork embroidery pattern(s) that I "need" will arrive tomorrow with the patterns.
As soon as I redownload and reinstall the program to download digital pictures again you will see "progress" pictures. Meanwhile I leave you to anticipate, while I go spin.
Smiles,
Susanne