@jessleigh.bsky.social
School teacher; gardener; enthusiast of events that require eccentric costumes; dabbler in sewing, embroidery, weaving, spinning and various other fiber crafts.
Even in such a bleak year, old garden roses bloom and reinvigorate heart and soul. These roses didn't bloom at all last year after getting transplanted the previous August. They are all the more beautiful and lovable becuase you have to wait for them, and becuase you know their bloomtime is brief.
May 6, 2025 at 11:31 AM
Even in such a bleak year, old garden roses bloom and reinvigorate heart and soul. These roses didn't bloom at all last year after getting transplanted the previous August. They are all the more beautiful and lovable becuase you have to wait for them, and becuase you know their bloomtime is brief.
So, I have a bit of a start on getting the treadle machine working. Gertie-- yes, her name is Gertie--seems to be in good shape mechanically. Mostly dirty, not rusted. She was made in 1906. She needs a belt, and her bobbin case is missing. But I may have her up and running before summer break.
April 20, 2025 at 12:38 PM
So, I have a bit of a start on getting the treadle machine working. Gertie-- yes, her name is Gertie--seems to be in good shape mechanically. Mostly dirty, not rusted. She was made in 1906. She needs a belt, and her bobbin case is missing. But I may have her up and running before summer break.
This is your laundry day on historically inspired handsewing . . .
April 18, 2025 at 1:01 PM
This is your laundry day on historically inspired handsewing . . .
Two sewing projects done. The first is a chemisette based on an 1840's pattern. The trim is a bad idea, but it looks cool. Hand sewn.
I blame the collapse of a much loved craft store for the sundress. The fabric was REALLY on sale. Machine sewn. Sometimes you just want to finish a project fast.
I blame the collapse of a much loved craft store for the sundress. The fabric was REALLY on sale. Machine sewn. Sometimes you just want to finish a project fast.
April 17, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Two sewing projects done. The first is a chemisette based on an 1840's pattern. The trim is a bad idea, but it looks cool. Hand sewn.
I blame the collapse of a much loved craft store for the sundress. The fabric was REALLY on sale. Machine sewn. Sometimes you just want to finish a project fast.
I blame the collapse of a much loved craft store for the sundress. The fabric was REALLY on sale. Machine sewn. Sometimes you just want to finish a project fast.
Having a cosy, remove myself from the systems that are killing us kind of weekend. Working on historical sewing. Found an antique treadle sewing machine at a thrift store. I plan to get it working myself so I'll understand fixing it. And I'm enjoying tea from a favorite small business and sunshine.
March 23, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Having a cosy, remove myself from the systems that are killing us kind of weekend. Working on historical sewing. Found an antique treadle sewing machine at a thrift store. I plan to get it working myself so I'll understand fixing it. And I'm enjoying tea from a favorite small business and sunshine.
So the world is making it hard to get things done. But I did manage this this week.
I finished the panniers I need to go with my stays. So now I'm ready to make the 18th century style dress I want for an event later this spring. Now I just have to be brave enough to try making the dress.
I finished the panniers I need to go with my stays. So now I'm ready to make the 18th century style dress I want for an event later this spring. Now I just have to be brave enough to try making the dress.
March 15, 2025 at 7:27 PM
So the world is making it hard to get things done. But I did manage this this week.
I finished the panniers I need to go with my stays. So now I'm ready to make the 18th century style dress I want for an event later this spring. Now I just have to be brave enough to try making the dress.
I finished the panniers I need to go with my stays. So now I'm ready to make the 18th century style dress I want for an event later this spring. Now I just have to be brave enough to try making the dress.
Finally finished (sort of) the dress. And I'm on my way to the spring fairy ball.
In hindsight, the blue hair powder was not worth it on dark hair. Would have looked awesome if my hair were lighter. Maybe I'll try it again one day when I'm fully gray.
In hindsight, the blue hair powder was not worth it on dark hair. Would have looked awesome if my hair were lighter. Maybe I'll try it again one day when I'm fully gray.
March 8, 2025 at 10:21 PM
Finally finished (sort of) the dress. And I'm on my way to the spring fairy ball.
In hindsight, the blue hair powder was not worth it on dark hair. Would have looked awesome if my hair were lighter. Maybe I'll try it again one day when I'm fully gray.
In hindsight, the blue hair powder was not worth it on dark hair. Would have looked awesome if my hair were lighter. Maybe I'll try it again one day when I'm fully gray.
Maudlin winter mornings. Thinking a lot about the etymology and current connotations of "maudlin" vs. "bedlam." And what that says about how we see mental and emotional struggles and breakdowns in terms of gender. Because I've been sad so long this winter that all I can do is analyze the saddness.
February 17, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Maudlin winter mornings. Thinking a lot about the etymology and current connotations of "maudlin" vs. "bedlam." And what that says about how we see mental and emotional struggles and breakdowns in terms of gender. Because I've been sad so long this winter that all I can do is analyze the saddness.
So this is what I've been working on for the last two weeks. So far, I've been sewing it entirely by hand. I had to break down and buy a dress form in order to figure out the sleeves, which are still very much a work in progress.
January 25, 2025 at 11:13 PM
So this is what I've been working on for the last two weeks. So far, I've been sewing it entirely by hand. I had to break down and buy a dress form in order to figure out the sleeves, which are still very much a work in progress.
The best things I ever get from students come in writing.
I keep all of them to look at on bad days.
And this one, that I found on my desk this morning, is one of the loveliest.
I keep all of them to look at on bad days.
And this one, that I found on my desk this morning, is one of the loveliest.
January 9, 2025 at 1:21 PM
The best things I ever get from students come in writing.
I keep all of them to look at on bad days.
And this one, that I found on my desk this morning, is one of the loveliest.
I keep all of them to look at on bad days.
And this one, that I found on my desk this morning, is one of the loveliest.
Snow day number two. The sun is out. I don't have to shovel again 🤞 and I'm getting a lot of sewing done.
But seriously, though, school needs to happen tomorrow. I'm going to start losing it.
But seriously, though, school needs to happen tomorrow. I'm going to start losing it.
January 7, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Snow day number two. The sun is out. I don't have to shovel again 🤞 and I'm getting a lot of sewing done.
But seriously, though, school needs to happen tomorrow. I'm going to start losing it.
But seriously, though, school needs to happen tomorrow. I'm going to start losing it.
Snow day!
So far, we are still in the charming, novel, and pretty phase of the snow storm. Hopefully, it will continue to pass gently.
And hopefully tomorrow will be a normal day. Winter break is lovely, but I need a routine or I turn feral.
So far, we are still in the charming, novel, and pretty phase of the snow storm. Hopefully, it will continue to pass gently.
And hopefully tomorrow will be a normal day. Winter break is lovely, but I need a routine or I turn feral.
January 6, 2025 at 10:44 AM
Snow day!
So far, we are still in the charming, novel, and pretty phase of the snow storm. Hopefully, it will continue to pass gently.
And hopefully tomorrow will be a normal day. Winter break is lovely, but I need a routine or I turn feral.
So far, we are still in the charming, novel, and pretty phase of the snow storm. Hopefully, it will continue to pass gently.
And hopefully tomorrow will be a normal day. Winter break is lovely, but I need a routine or I turn feral.
Dark and quiet and beautiful. We may even get snow today. This is the best of what winter can be.
January 3, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Dark and quiet and beautiful. We may even get snow today. This is the best of what winter can be.
Home at last from our holiday travels. And Theo is already taking over the bed. Very tired and very grateful to be home with a few days before school starts back up.
So much harder to travel back home this year. How many differences can shared DNA and shared childhoods reasonably paper over?
So much harder to travel back home this year. How many differences can shared DNA and shared childhoods reasonably paper over?
January 1, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Home at last from our holiday travels. And Theo is already taking over the bed. Very tired and very grateful to be home with a few days before school starts back up.
So much harder to travel back home this year. How many differences can shared DNA and shared childhoods reasonably paper over?
So much harder to travel back home this year. How many differences can shared DNA and shared childhoods reasonably paper over?
Surprising visitor to the yard this morning. I wish I knew more about birds so I could say what kind of hawk this is. But a beautiful bird.
I had to take the picture through the window, so it doesn't really capture just how majestic and strange it was to see a hawk in my little tiny backyard.
I had to take the picture through the window, so it doesn't really capture just how majestic and strange it was to see a hawk in my little tiny backyard.
November 30, 2024 at 2:04 PM
Surprising visitor to the yard this morning. I wish I knew more about birds so I could say what kind of hawk this is. But a beautiful bird.
I had to take the picture through the window, so it doesn't really capture just how majestic and strange it was to see a hawk in my little tiny backyard.
I had to take the picture through the window, so it doesn't really capture just how majestic and strange it was to see a hawk in my little tiny backyard.
Theo would like to spend this Friday patrolling for squirrels. I'm going to cook two dishes for a Friends-giving gathering this evening, but otherwise reading my new haul of books from my local library and sewing.
Today is a great day to buy nothing.
Today is a great day to buy nothing.
November 29, 2024 at 12:47 PM
Theo would like to spend this Friday patrolling for squirrels. I'm going to cook two dishes for a Friends-giving gathering this evening, but otherwise reading my new haul of books from my local library and sewing.
Today is a great day to buy nothing.
Today is a great day to buy nothing.
Went on a Transcendalist field trip with 12th grade today. Amazing hazy gray winter vibes.
November 22, 2024 at 11:47 PM
Went on a Transcendalist field trip with 12th grade today. Amazing hazy gray winter vibes.
One last rose I wasn't expecting. Maybe "Francis Debreuil" but probably mislabeled "Barcelona" snuck one last lovely cluster of blooms in this week.
(I'm inclined to geek out about old garden roses, so forgive the pendantry about correct names.)
(I'm inclined to geek out about old garden roses, so forgive the pendantry about correct names.)
November 18, 2024 at 7:17 PM
One last rose I wasn't expecting. Maybe "Francis Debreuil" but probably mislabeled "Barcelona" snuck one last lovely cluster of blooms in this week.
(I'm inclined to geek out about old garden roses, so forgive the pendantry about correct names.)
(I'm inclined to geek out about old garden roses, so forgive the pendantry about correct names.)
Winter sun.
Both the actual sun this morning and it's rose namesake. (The rose is technically 'Winter Sunset' but close enough.)
Both the actual sun this morning and it's rose namesake. (The rose is technically 'Winter Sunset' but close enough.)
November 17, 2024 at 9:29 PM
Winter sun.
Both the actual sun this morning and it's rose namesake. (The rose is technically 'Winter Sunset' but close enough.)
Both the actual sun this morning and it's rose namesake. (The rose is technically 'Winter Sunset' but close enough.)
Last year, the feeder mostly attracted our local gang of crow birds and the occasional brave sparrow or wood dove. This year, I have so many more visitors, this lovely, cocky little blue jay in particular.
There are lots of cardinals and a pair of bluebirds, too.
Excuse the quality of the photo.
There are lots of cardinals and a pair of bluebirds, too.
Excuse the quality of the photo.
November 16, 2024 at 4:25 PM
Last year, the feeder mostly attracted our local gang of crow birds and the occasional brave sparrow or wood dove. This year, I have so many more visitors, this lovely, cocky little blue jay in particular.
There are lots of cardinals and a pair of bluebirds, too.
Excuse the quality of the photo.
There are lots of cardinals and a pair of bluebirds, too.
Excuse the quality of the photo.
Good morning.
The sun is still rising, and that's at least something. A magical sunrise gives hope for a magical evening.
The sun is still rising, and that's at least something. A magical sunrise gives hope for a magical evening.
November 16, 2024 at 12:34 PM
Good morning.
The sun is still rising, and that's at least something. A magical sunrise gives hope for a magical evening.
The sun is still rising, and that's at least something. A magical sunrise gives hope for a magical evening.
This is my dog, Theo, sunbathing on his bed, where I am occasionally allowed to sleep and read as long as he gets adequate cuddles.
November 16, 2024 at 12:13 AM
This is my dog, Theo, sunbathing on his bed, where I am occasionally allowed to sleep and read as long as he gets adequate cuddles.
Last roses of autumn
November 15, 2024 at 9:50 PM
Last roses of autumn