Sabrina coat - complete! And a goodbye to 2021

It's done. I finally gave myself a slap and sat down to stitch and slash button holes (terrifying), attach the buttons, and tidy up the lining. To my great surprise, I managed to complete a major project before the new year. 

2021 was not the year we hoped for - restrictions were loosened, but life is still far from normal (and we're back to limited indoor gatherings of 10 in my province, just in time for Christmas and New Year's Eve T-T). I found it was still really, really hard to focus and keep motivation for projects, especially as I still had no conventions to attend. Learning Daishocon has now chosen to stop running was a big blow, too. It was my favourite one - and my birthday con!

Winter is another factor... I had made steady progress with Sabrina's coat until the days got so short that it was basically pitch black when I left work, and even weekend days were just grey and overcast. I'd get home and just want to nap. :( Trudging through snowbanks does NOT help.

I know most people are feeling this way. And right now, so many creators are posting their year-end roundups. Seeing "I ONLY MADE 6 THINGS THIS YEAR, BUT THAT'S OKAY 8D" - when I struggled to finish one - hurts. 

But look how far I came:

(Snapchat photos are mirrored, my buttons are on the right side lol)

Is it perfect? No, I wish I had found a better wool and made the sleeves wider. But it's a finished project - and one that can be used for both cosplay AND my own closet.

You may be asking - wait, weren't you also working on Megumi and Lenore this year? When will you finish those? I promise I am going to return to the vampire ladies - I hope to finish Lenore before the winter ends (at least her dress - not sure if I will make her fur cloak), and I have actually been picking at Megumi's stupid gloves. But BRUH, let me have my small victories. I DID SOMETHING.

To those of you who managed to scrape yourselves together and do something, you have my congratulations. And to those of you still working on it, you have my undying support. I am so grateful to have all of you cheering me on, and I want to return the favour. T-T <3

Now - here's to 2022. Third time's the charm? I would like to at least attend one convention before I completely lose my mind. PLEASE. (Another AirBnb weekend may be in order...)

Love you all,

Emma