martine

I've had a sewing machine for literal decades but only ever made simple totes, maybe a few repairs. I never really learned or gathered the patience to use a pattern for a more complex project, and when I didn't know how to do something I'd give up.

My first garment was a clown costume last year for Halloween, followed by a beach cover up. Both were very low-stakes projects and forgiving as far as fit. They both helped me build up confidence to actually finally try making a "real" garment.

I love it so much! The spooky fabric looks great and is so comfy (rayon batiste). The print is low-key enough that I would definitely wear this to work, but when you look closer the eyes have creepy veins haha. The fit is perfect. (I added one inch to the length because I cannot with too short tees.) I don't have a serger so I did French seams. They were so much less intimidating than I thought, and the finish is divine–so much better for me sensory-wise.

Show me some whiskers! Cheek whiskers, eyebrow whiskers, the little whiskers on the backs of their front legs. Whiskers that are very l o o o n g and silly little stubby whiskers. White whiskers, black whiskers, those whiskers that are half and half. Does your kitty have all white whiskers except for one black one or vice versa? Has your idiot child ever learned a whisker-related lesson about candles? Do you collect whiskers when they shed? (Lemme see your collection!)

😺

Several people used hibiscus flowers and the conditions and timing were perfect to show off the translucency.

Aside from the paper prints we do little drawstring bags, those ended up neat today as well. Sometimes it's trickier to get a good exposure on them.

Puerto Rico has far more rescue animals than can be adopted by the local population, and being an island it's much harder to transport them to other rescues with more space or even who already have an adopter lined up for the animal. It's not feasible for volunteers to regularly transport them.

If you are visiting PR, you can sign up to escort a cat or small dog on your return flight. A volunteer meets you at the departure airport with the animal in a carrier, and another meets you at arrival to pick them up. It's a very easy process since PR is a US territory. The rescue pays for any costs associated with bringing the animal as a carry on, and you get an adorable travel buddy.

This is a little guy named Halo that I escorted a few years ago 🥲 I still think about him and am so happy I got to help him to his new life.