Be a doll

My friend Ahmie has passed, but her suffering little sister is still here and needs our help.

Apparently Aishah's 18 inch doll is in desperate need of clothes and shoes. 

Can you help? If so, please email me at steampunkaddie (at) gmail dot com.

Thank you, from the bottom of my Build-a-Bear heart, thank you.

The mother of invention

I do not know how this was released without My Notice, but look at this new steampunk pattern from Pixie Faire!

It is the Inventor who uses their talent and imagination to create the marvels of the steampunk world. Ceaseless tinkering, designing and occasionally blowing things up – the Inventor is a quintessential steampunk archetype.

The steampunk movement is built on Victorian science fiction. As such, steampunk fashion uses the Victorian and Edwardian eras as a basis and builds from there. One steampunk blogger advises "dress Victorian and then add". It's the additions – gears and gadgets - that make steampunk so fun. This pattern bundle includes not only the basic clothing pieces – Knickerbockers, Shirt and Utility Bustle – but also some fun goggles!  This PDF sewing pattern is designed to fit 18 inch dolls such as American Girl®.

http://www.pixiefaire.com/products/steampunk-inventor-bundle-18-doll-clothes

Adventure now or tea first?

Ahh, there's nothing like a relaxing Sunday at home with my Big Sister, a bracing cup of tea, and watching Jason Isaac's delicious performance as Mr. Darling/Captain Hook in the 2003 moving picture Peter Pan to cheer one up.

We'd been kind of melancholy about Ahmie's death, when Momma's sister-in-law arrived with British tea fresh from her European vacation.

Ahh.

Then my Big Sister started watching Peter Pan, the first authorized and faithful moving picture or television adaptation of J.M. Barrie's 1904 play and 1911 novel since Disney's 1953 cartoon version.

Jason Isaacs (whom we met at Phoenix Comicon 15!) is amusing as Mr. Darling, but he excels as Captain Hook. 

Yes, life is good.

Friends

Rest in peace, Ahmie, and rise in glory.

Aug. 2, 2000 - June 14, 2014

Packing up the dreams God planted
In the fertile soil of you
Can't believe the hopes he's granted
Means a chapter in your life is through
But we'll keep you close as always
It won't even seem you've gone
Cause our hearts in big and small ways

Will keep the love that keeps us strong

And friends are friends forever
If the Lord's the Lord of them
And a friend will not say "Never"
Cause the welcome will not end
Though it's hard to let you go
In the Father's hands we know
That a lifetime's not too long
To live as friends

With the faith and love God's given
Springing from the hope we know
We will pray the joy you'll live in
Is the strength that now you show
But we'll keep you close as always
It won't even seem you've gone
Cause our hearts in big and small ways
Will keep the love that keeps us strong

Friends

Michael W. Smith

Keep watch, dear Lord

I ask your prayers for my Dear Friend Ahmie, her mom Gienna, and her sister Aishah. Ahmie has bravely battled Desmoplasic Round Small Cell Tumors for a year and a half, but it appears her fight is almost over.

Ahmie is 14.

Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love's sake. Amen.

http://www.youcaring.com/help-a-neighbor/operation-love-for-ahmie-miracles-for-ahmie-/114272/update/330091

The exquisite adventure

Momma and I are at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, waiting to get my Big Cousins from their whirlwind Grand Tour, and look at what we found on display!

Steampunk: The Exquisite Adventure
Nov. 8, 2014 – June 21, 2015 

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Terminal 3, Level 2, display cases

Steampunk is an inspired movement of creativity and imagination that combines science fiction, history and art. It includes literature, artwork, music, film, design, and for some, a lifestyle.

Artisans reimagine modern technologies as elaborate works of art, fashion, and mechanics, most often with the backdrop of the Victorian era. However, in the spirit of fantasy and time-travel there is artistic freedom to create Medieval, Wild West, Industrial/Modern or an alternative world which is known as the Steampunk genre.

The "Steam" in Steampunk was inspired by the extravagantly inventive age of steam-powered machines, dirigibles, brass diving bells and analog computers. The "punk" in "Steampunk" typifies going against convention through creativity and making a declaration of one's individuality through style, gadgets and attitude.

It is the story and thus the characters that drive the artwork of Steampunk. Alter egos are created in costumes complete with top hats, waist coats, corsets and bustles with accompanying gear. Steampunk projects aspire to make something elegant out of random "bits and bobs": creating brass goggles, wings made with pulleys, steam-powered gadgets, clockwork pendants or a ray gun dangling at the hip.

The Steampunk artist is on an Exquisite Adventure of intrigue and discovery in a world of their own making.

Steampunk: The Exquisite Adventure was originally co-curated by Scottsdale Public Art (SPA) Curator of Collections and Exhibitions Wendy Raisanen, and artist and Steampunk enthusiast Susan Rubin.

Scottsdale Public Art (SPA), in partnership with the Scottsdale Public Library, presents exhibitions and educational programming in the gallery in the Scottsdale Civic Center Library that strengthens awareness of the arts and stimulates community dialogue. The 2500 square foot gallery provides ample space for SPA to bring engaging artistic, visual, and educational experiences to the public—building community through free, accessible, quality exhibitions. The gallery is also used as a gathering space for informative and participatory events such as artist talks, lectures, and workshops.

Photo caption for photo above:

Nola Yergen, Copperhead Kate, 2013, life-size costume, image by Steven Goldstein

Where should we go next?

"Where should we go next?"!

Scottsdale, of course! It's coming soon!

I. Can't. Wait!

Praying frequencies open!

Please keep actress Nichelle Nichols, most famous as Nyota Uhura on Star Trek: The Original Series, in your thoughts and prayers.

Her representative Zach McGinnis announced earlier today,

"Last night while at her home in L.A., Nichelle Nichols suffered from a mild stroke. She is currently undergoing testing to determine how severe the stroke was. Please keep her in your thoughts."

I'm sure my doppelgänger in Los Angeles is worried.