Dispatch no. 7 - Updates Podcast

In the year 2026, I listen to these podcasts while I work as I now work from home and it takes a different routine to stay focused. It's always a bit surreal almost to listen to or watch things from 2020 even just 6 years out. And I also have the spoiler of knowing you do get your dream old house and that you are steadily working away in your own space. Anyway, back to it. Thank you for sharing

I haven't listened to the podcast yet but seeing the sewing machine makes me want to say that I researched it and bought one for myself. Look what you made me do. :-P ^^ I am very happy with it and happy that I found this machine thanks to your advice.

Yes to crafting Victorian accoutrements! And I love the vampire idea; I hope you will treat the fangs as accessories, to be added at the end...

I think that, in a way, you're my Christine McConnell. ;-) I get so much inspiration from watching you be creative and listening to you talk about life (the less positive aspects, just as much as the positive ones). And I think I get even more out of your podcast in 2020 than I would have in a less "dumpster fire" year, so I'm glad you started it when you did. I hope you're able to find some joy in this new season. P.S. I LOVE the "get ready with me, a vampire" video idea...with an extra "extra" voice over, of course!

Oh yes, I'd love to see crafty stuff....I'm sure I could learn a thing or two....yes please!!!! Sending best wishes and good vibes to you and yours from Down Under <3

First of all, I LOVE when you "do up" the voice-overs. I would totally love to see a beading and fan painting diy video. I'm so excited about your Victorian costuming project, I enjoy watching historical costumers on youtube (though I don't really have the money at this time to do much costuming myself) and I think other viewers would definitely enjoy your videos as well. I'm glad things on youtube are looking up for you. And don't forget, "this too shall pass". You may feel uncertain with the way the world is looking right now, I think we all are - everyone on all sides of things. All we can do is try to make the little world we are a part of, a better place. If everyone does that, eventually, we'll cove the whole earth. :) (I know I'm an optimist, but that's just how I was made) :) Thanks for the update!

Oh my god, so clique-y. And so much affectation. I’m not an introvert, but I still struggle to picture that community would be any different from being at school with people who really enjoy talking down to you from the corner... I much, much prefer your confidence + inspirational fantasy + storytelling approach. So excited about the Victorian vampire dress. Hope you’re doing well xx

The Christine McConnell show on Netflix is wonderful! I really think you'd like it. The story and puppets are not the main focus.

Fear and dread were my first emotions when hearing of RBG death. I say "yes" to all things crafty! Especially if historically inspired. Also, you could take your vampire persona though the years while doing a gothic take on the decades. Your look-books more than prove your artistry at that!

A miracle has happened! Seattle overnight became itself again with two days of drizzly rain. Clean air, fall leaves and the smell of rain. I went for a real drive in a car with my husband to pick up a vintage vanity! First drive in 6 months. I have always wanted one and Facebook Marketplace provided. An hour each way and getting totally lost but yay! Also: somehow my small package of poison green beetle wings also became a goth and French jet care package. With one very gay 1950’s brooch! I hope to ship it tomorrow. So check your PO Box towards the end of the week. Bianca - you actually went to college and studied abroad to design clothing. I’m sure it didn’t say in any fine print that you could only design vintage clothes. The world NEEDS a gorgeous over the top vampire getting ready with me ASAP!!!! It is “for Halloween” if you need an excuse, which you DO NOT! If I had a saint, it would be RBG. We honor her by living our best lives, because we have that freedom right now - and she fought for it her whole life. Be a vampire on YouTube. Sew anything that brings you joy. Making stuff for other people can destroy your soul. I know. I have done it when I had to in order to eat and pay my way through college. We don’t go into hand creation and art to make a million dollars. We do our art (which is your writing of course) but when it comes to our jobs, why not chose something you can be proud of and enjoy? And you don’t have to join “them” - why not join Rachel Maksey or Christine McConnell and forge your own place, and reach out to the talented outsiders to make videos together? If you think they are ready to be real with you, reach out, why not take a chance? Cross promotion is helping a lot of channels

I would love to see more crafts! I really enjoyed your DIY blog posts back in the wayback and it would be so fun to see it again

I have the name ViolettePlague and have had it for years never expecting an actual plague. I debated changing but all my friend said told me to keep it. Every year I get a new profile picture sketched based on a real life picture of me representing a special time in my life. The next one will be me in a facecloth mask. The Podlings, my children, keep on saying that want to go back to England or go to Japan again or even Canada. I’m lucky mine are at least older and I can’t imagine what it would be like to have small children right now. The RBG has me devastated especially since my oldest is a gender fluid pansexual. I made Podling 1 a rainbow skirt to go with their Love is Love shirt on days they feel like wearing a skirt but I’m terrified every time my Podling leaves the house with something Pride related. (Podling 1 recently came out as gender fluid so still struggling with pronouns a tad.) As far as costuming, I think it’s missing a lot of fun. It’s great when people want to do everything historically accurate. It’s not great when they put down others who aren’t 100% accurate. Today, I’m going to make an exploding Tardis print maxi skirt loosely based on a historical skirt pattern.

Oh please know that thousands of others are also feeling up and down frequently during this time. Having our lives thrown into the dumpster for months on end, will do that to us. I have been very down at times, just staring out the window wondering what it's like out there!! I am 68 and very high risk, so I am really in lockdown. I haven't driven the car since March! I used to be out at least 3 times per week. I feel like a caged animal. I have been experiencing being unable to sleep as well. Sometimes I only get 5 hours of sleep over 48 hours. It is completely not like me at all. I was a person who celebrated any nap I could get and anytime I could get one. I could sleep 10 hours at a time, no problem. Not for the last few months though. The death of RBG also made me scared. I felt as long as she was on the Court, I could count on her to fight for our rights each and every time. Not so anymore, and it's reasonable for all women to be scared now. It's a very valid feeling considering the mess our government is in right now. Considering 35 to 40% of our population seems to think that following the goofball we have now is a good thing, it is very valid to be scared. I routinely tell my husband that I'm not sure how I am going to last until election day. I have also called my cousins in Canada telling them that their doorbell may be ringing if T gets re-elected. Re: costubers...I think you may get another point of view checking out a youtube channel named, 'Costuming Drama'. Her name is Noelle and she is the most down to earth person ever. The top people seem to be Bernadette Banner and Cathy Hay. They both have huge followings but both are very open that they are not all that good at the craft. Cathy specializes in corsets and other era clothing that she lives in each day. Bernadette is the same but has more whimsy in her stylings. Both are very much introverts which is why they say they can do YouTube as they don't have to actually see people, but can communicate with them in a way they are comfortable. Noelle is quite the extrovert and is very honest about how she feels about things. But, she is also very empathetic and genuine with her followers. She is a T shirt and jeans kind of gal and is very comfortable with the look and the costumes are a hobby of hers. Everyone has been talking about how this year has been crazy for them and are all having ups and downs regularly. Anyway, I have written a book here, so I will sign off. You aren't alone. You have all of us supporting your efforts which I personally, really like! TakeGoodCare...P.S. try journaling daily. That really does help to get the feelings outside of ourselves and makes room for fresh intake of a new day.

I wanna see getting dressed as a victorian vampire. That would be awesome. 2020 is a dumpster fire. Trader Joes has pumpkin ice cream right now, and while it doesn't fix things, it is at least something...

I know what you mean about the "clique-i-ness" of some of the costume bloggers -- it seems like there's always some kind of hidden joke that I am missing out on. Some of the bloggers, while quite charming, just seem so whimsical and other-worldly that I can't see myself ever just casually hanging out with them. That's part of what drew me to your channel, you seem like an old friend that I haven't seen in awhile and we have a lot to catch up on. I literally listen to your videos while I am knitting or sewing, enjoying every minute of it. I've also felt down too, and was very sadden by the news of RGB. I kinda thought she was some kind of vampire who'd outlive us all. You're not alone and making "just pretty things" does make a big impact in the world. Teaching others to make pretty things gives others a sense of empowerment and control over their lives. I've gotten more courage to pull out the sewing machine, cut into fabric and wear things I make with pride even if they don't turn out perfectly. Keep it up, I love your videos and Podcasts because of who you are!

Big witnessing! Thanks for today's podcast, selfishly, it's just what I needed.

Leap and the net will appear. I would encourage you to try these new/crafty things out. You've got your core audience. These videos might even bring new subscribers! If the videos don't do as well as you hoped, you can always go back to your usual content.