Dispatch no. 65 - Updates Podcast

Try to find a Re-Store (Habitat for Humanity) to look for kitchen units. Much cheaper than big box stores

I started listening to this, then something happened and I forgot to finish it, or more I thought I already did and was impatiently waiting for this months because I love to just listen to you ramble about life. (I love the videos but I think the podcast might be my favourite perk) I felt embarrassed about this so thought I'd just won't comment but then you mentioned the books, I can't not comment about the book! I can't wait for you to publish it! Doesn't matter if it's traditional or indie, I will be here waiting to pre order. That indeed will not make you a living but I just wanted you to know that people are really looking forward to you releasing your writing!

Secret Life of Books (podcast) did an episode on Dracula recently and it was so interesting - it answers several of your questions!

Mary Shelley came up with the story of Frankenstein one weekend while she and Percy and Lord Byron were exchanging scary stories which might have influenced how she wrote of men’s relationships. It’s been years since I read the book but I think of it as part of the “scientist goes too far/mad genius” genre of books that are a commentary on the perils of scientific progress in the absence of moral considerations. Or, as Dr. Ian Malcolm puts it in Jurassic Park, “Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should".

"Is it me or is the Dracula movie just bad?" THANK YOU! I despise this film. I have no idea why it is such a classic. Is has very little to do with the book. Like, okay, you have to make changes for film, and yes, you have artistic license. But I find it very sad when movies totally miss the point of their source material. Same for the Frankenstein movies, except the one by Kenneth Branagh. This one really focuses on the tragic story instead of the horror elements.

I never heard anyone say “catty-corner”! I’ve always said “kitty-corner.” Maybe a Canadian thing. Hehe. Meow! I wish you lots of strength and positive thoughts for all you want to accomplish in life. It’s so difficult these days.💙Oh and I thought it funny how the algorithm sometimes finds me movies it thinks I will like and that happen to have similar decor to what you’ve been doing in your house. Just the other day, I watched a Shelley Winters movie from the early 70s, and her 1880s house had a very similar stained glass window and staircase area to yours.😅 I read Frankenstein for an English Romanticism class in university and I remember devouring it late at night, in my dorm room while listening to Rachmaninoff’s Isle of the Dead, conducted by Rachmaninoff, on repeat. I’ll never forget that night.

Bianca, please continue the DraftingDangerous-series. I, too, think, they are a long haul flight. It's easy to consume the sassy coach videos, and to feel very(!!) motivated, hooked and encouraged by them. The actual do-something-by-myself-videos however are very dependent on the schedule in ones life. They want to be planned into and they take time to go through.

Agree on all literary/movie points. Especially on coppola's dracula

Bianca, please please continue the drafting dangerously series! And also any series you fancy making. You are a great inspiration to me, you got me through my costume degree both with your teaching and also your company. You mean a heck of a lot to this little stranger. Your drafting course is fantastic, you honestly are a better instructor than any of my past tutors. You are also beautiful to look at, as is your home, so it's just a delightful watch everytime with you. Sometimes I am watching for info, most times I am watching for comfort. I think the drafting being so informative rather than being a project might be why the views aren't so strong, but like someone else said it will be a slow burner. And in regard to production value in the decorating videos, I like the pretty intro in contrast to you in the baggy t-shirt getting twisted over how long it all takes!!! Anyway all that to say, thank you for your work, it is cherished by me, you have been a teacher and a comfort, I now own an alterations shop and I often refer back to your videos for guidance, I am so very grateful to you. Love Abi xx

I’m sorry the drafting dangerous series isn’t doing so well. I love watching them. When my latest blouse is finished, I’m going to put a few weeks aside to do my bodice block. Yeah I’m totally dreading it. Last time I tried it, I got so burnt out over it I never finished. This time I’m going to treat it like a process and not a destination….like an old guy tinkering with his car every weekend. Hope your neck is feeling better 🩷

I really want to learn pattern drafting, REALLY! Promise I'll go back and watch the Drafting Dangerously videos again (which I frequently do stop and start them to study details). Please, please don't stop.

Third comment, Im sorry should make notes and just post at once.... On the topic of Frankenstein; I read the novel rather than listen to it, and found it to be a dreadful read. Funnily enough, I did think to myself - why is he doing all this if he already has everything on a platter? The edition I have has a post word in which several themes are discussed, one of them being his relationship with his wife. They have a very tender friendship, very intimate, yet as soon as they are married he shrinks away from her, and offers no physical intimacy l, and rejects his duties as a husband and refuses to be a father like his father was. Instead, he goes through a process of trying to establish his self sufficiency in the production of a living being without the need for a woman, or female?, and creates a monster in the process. As you noticed yourself, the men in the book are very expressive and warm with one another, and similarly, I also wish modern men embraced that at least a bit; but in the context of the book I wonder if Frankenstein was actually gay, and being unable to express or understand that about himself, or accept it, it becomes a whole thing. Some food for thought perhaps.

Sorry for a second comment, but recently a content maker called Jill Bearup has self published a novel. She has a few videos of the process and her earnings after two years, and he struggles with audio books being published. It may be something that is of interest for you, so I thought I'd suggest it.

I'm so excited for a drafting video on trousers!!!!! Woven ones!!!! Please!!! Agreed with the other comments that DD is a long term project, I will definitely be revisiting them.

Yeah I think the DD series is a long game and you shouldn’t feel down on it. OBSESSED with that green shade in your last video. You’re really selling me on flock HTV. I love Gary Oldman in Dracula but I’ve never pretended to have sophisticated taste lol. I also recently watched the 70s Lawrence Olivier Dracula for the first time this year and enjoyed that one too! Happy Halloween!

I'm obsessed with the new Florence and the Machine album. I've listened to it 3 times and it's so good

Frankenstein is on my list of audiobooks to listen to. I love the 90s film. But also excited to see the Guillermo film

Try re-stores (habitat for humanity) for pieces from other homes people have donated. You can find entire sink units, not to mention other things, for decent prices.

Don’t stop the series! I haven’t had the chance to watch the last two because I watch them to ingest them so I need to be able to stop and pay attention. The decorating ones are lovely for easy watching but drafting dangerous is school for me and I gotta get my pencils and paper out (and my kid to sleep!).

Thank you, Bianca, for keeping on with the series. Truly. I am on board! I have big dreams for myself. 🧵🪡 I try to share because any sharing of my plans hinges on your teaching. And- I will also be re-watching videos when the time comes… spring, I hope? 🤞🏻 Altho does YT take later views into account?!

Loving the drafting dangerous series. Although I must admit I haven't watched the most recent installment. I've been feeling like I need to get my bodice block done before I keep consuming the content and not applying it in real life. That's probably a ridiculous reason, but hey that's what my brain is saying. And I've had so many other sewing projects to work on, like finishing a quilt for niece that will be born any day now, that finishing my bodice block hasn't been on my schedule. But please don't stop making the drafting videos. How you explain pattern drafting just makes sense to my brain and that's why I started watching your channel to begin with. ❤️ Yes, there are a lot of sewing youtubers but very few of them have the natural talent to explain pattern drafting like you do.

Re. Francis Ford Coppola’s Dracula, you’re right and you should keep saying it! I went to see it the cinema when it was released, and it was awful. The only thing that in any way redeemed it was how luscious it was visually.

i’ve got chronic tmj and perpetually tight shoulders and neck— and find these stretches from yoga with kassandra really helpful! https://youtu.be/IlplXfNE45U?si=lrWAr_PJnf-ViIyo also happy almost 1 year of home ownership! being immersed in perpetual projects, it’s perfectly natural to feel like you haven’t done enough. but look at how far you’ve gotten after one year, all on your own! looking in from the outside— i am certainly very impressed.

Every so often I set the Drafting Dangerous series to auto-play... like listening to you, and the further manipulation to the blocks is what's most interesting!

When you say "Velvet Pelmet" I hear "Damnit, Janet" - sorry! However, the pelmet and silk curtain did come out fabulous. The furry inspector did a stellar job, as well.

Have you read Carmilla?

I definitely feel like a manic husk a lot lately and giving myself some solid rest/no creating time has helped so much! Hope you get a break here and there and you are every bit as fantastic as you appear, I have no doubt! I think self publishing is a great idea! The industry is struggling now so will be hard to get a deal and I know I really enjoyed your sample chapters and would totally buy your book:) Happy Halloween 🎃 🖤

Your self imposed deadlines are hurting your body. Who says you can’t slow down? MAKE the time to enjoy the rest of the glorious fall.

Also I will definitely recommend the drafting videos to people!

Oh gosh, now I want to reread Frankenstein again. The people who did Re: Dracula and Re: Carmilla are just about to start on an acted audiobook of Frankenstein too, which I'm excited about! I doubt any movie version will ever compare to their version of Dracula. (Also Dracula did have a reason to buy a house - England has a lot more people for him to eat and they don't know about him or how to keep him away, unlike his home country where the population is sparse and they all have crucifixes. I have no idea why he focused so much on Lucy though, especially once they started to put a lot of effort into guarding her.) I do hope you allow yourself some rest! The foyer looks magnificent, and you got loads of stuff done. (But I can relate to being annoyed at having spent a bunch of time on something that wasn't planned. I meant to start a pants drafting video a couple months ago and then accidentally started an embroidered waistcoat one instead...)

Still here supporting you I love the drafting dangerous series it'll be something I go back to for years and years I'm sorry I think everything's a little out of whack right now in the world hopefully things will get better

If you are looking for maple syrup, hit the fall craft shows. You will get your fill of good maple syrup and other good things. The corn is called glass corn.

Please be kind to yourself (and your neck) with the upcoming house projects. I've found that bodies are extremely expensive to fix!

Regarding literary agents: https://querytracker.net/

Your alliteration is so fun 😊