Just completed: latest design for a child’s belly dance costume. The costume is made from suede. The skirt is chiffon. Both the top and belt are decorated with a self-designed trimming. I created the trim with my new machine. I’m looking forward to hearing what you think! You can see it here:

https://www.martathelegend.com/online-shop

Using Suede

It is the first time I have worked with suede. I never thought about using it for costumes and am happy to discover that I can punch holes around the edges, and they will not need finishing. Then I can embroider the pieces together or use a blanket stitch to create an edging. It is fun experimenting with this, for me, new media. That’s the latest costume design, there will be plenty more!

This also means I can use different types of threads, even yarns and ribbons to finish edges. Appliques can also be produced with suede and decorated in various ways.

Using Felt

I decorated a barrette using felt which I cut out with my welding machine. I folded the felt and stitched it onto the barrette. Lastly, I stitched plastic butterflies on either side. The result was cute and fun. Here is a photo:

The felt edging is in my online shop as well to use for scrapbooking, napkin holders, clothing and costuming, and other craft projects. I wrote an idea book to accompany the project packages. I am also compiling a costume idea catalog which will contain most of the costumes made in my atelier in Istanbul. The catalog will be available for download. Just another of the many projects on the planning board! I am sure some of you have the same dilemma: hours in the day vs. projects in our heads! LOL

Beyond the latest costume design, more will be coming to the shop as I design and experiment, time permitting. Read about my workshop and the welding machine.

About Post Author

Designer Marta

Pioneer type, fascinated by the latest and greatest developments in technology, web design and database management. I initiated the popularity of the bellydance movement in Germany way back in the 1970s through the guidance of my mentor and better half, Hans Hilberath. Performed throughout Europe and the Middle East, which greatly expanded my cultural sophistication. Worked with many talented artists, learned languages and developed many survival skills! Lots of highs and many lows. My insight: set goals and keep moving forward.

costumes4dance@gmail.com

http://www.martathelegend.com

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LOL, I wanted to write a new post about my recent visit to the Bay Area and instead got caught up in the technology of WordPress. Because there was an updated version, it was recommended that I backup the site. I haven’t bothered backing it up before, because there was not that much on here. In reflection, I realized there are now a lot of photos and posts which would be a pain to try to re-create if something got lost, so I started researching into apps for backing up WordPress sites. I ended up with UpdraftPlus. Then I had to decide where to put the backups, since they have options like FTP or using your email or various cloud options. I wanted to FTP to my computer so I could save everything on my external harddrive, but that is actually rather old-school. And I don’t have my FTP software on my new computer (Dell). So I opted for putting everything on my Google Drive, which had to be validated, of course, and my phone was downstairs. After making the trip downstairs and jumping through the rest of the hoops, I finally got my site backed up. So now I’m writing about that instead of my trip to the Bay Area! Jokes on me! Anyone else start out doing one thing and end up doing something totally else????

About Post Author

Designer Marta

Pioneer type, fascinated by the latest and greatest developments in technology, web design and database management. I initiated the popularity of the bellydance movement in Germany way back in the 1970s through the guidance of my mentor and better half, Hans Hilberath. Performed throughout Europe and the Middle East, which greatly expanded my cultural sophistication. Worked with many talented artists, learned languages and developed many survival skills! Lots of highs and many lows. My insight: set goals and keep moving forward.

costumes4dance@gmail.com

http://www.martathelegend.com

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It has been a non-stop, action week, to say the least. We started off on Friday driving to San Jose to the Levi’s stadium to see Elton John. Terrific musicians. I was delighted that besides the famous songs we all love, they also played some jazzy pieces and were able to show off how talented they truly are. The concert was a joy!

About Post Author

Designer Marta

Pioneer type, fascinated by the latest and greatest developments in technology, web design and database management. I initiated the popularity of the bellydance movement in Germany way back in the 1970s through the guidance of my mentor and better half, Hans Hilberath. Performed throughout Europe and the Middle East, which greatly expanded my cultural sophistication. Worked with many talented artists, learned languages and developed many survival skills! Lots of highs and many lows. My insight: set goals and keep moving forward.

costumes4dance@gmail.com

http://www.martathelegend.com

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What is going on with all these login attempts to my WordPress site??? I received 7 email notifications in one day. Each one said that there had been 9 unsuccessful login attempts from different IP addresses. I seem to be getting more of these on a daily basis now. Why don’t they go and get their own WordPress site and leave me to my meanderings??? LOL

The security is good though, no one has gotten through yet. Yay, WordPress!

About Post Author

Designer Marta

Pioneer type, fascinated by the latest and greatest developments in technology, web design and database management. I initiated the popularity of the bellydance movement in Germany way back in the 1970s through the guidance of my mentor and better half, Hans Hilberath. Performed throughout Europe and the Middle East, which greatly expanded my cultural sophistication. Worked with many talented artists, learned languages and developed many survival skills! Lots of highs and many lows. My insight: set goals and keep moving forward.

costumes4dance@gmail.com

http://www.martathelegend.com

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Do you ever have that day (or several days, months, insert time period) where you think, ‘ok, today I’m going to get stuff done’? Then you start to make a list in your mind of all the things you have been putting off; realize there are soooo many things that you get overwhelmed and don’t know how/where to start. Welcome to my day.

The To-List looks something like this:

Thinking about websites, CalPERS not updating my name, sell Rammstein tickets, move tiles from backyard into garage to store, but garage needs organizing so they will be in a safe place. So what did I do? I cleaned the toilets, drove to the dentist and paid the bill pending CalPERS, went to the pharmacy to pickup a prescription. Then in the afternoon, I actually got down to brass tacks.

1. Work on websites.

Plan out how to use my web domains. There are 5 (I used to have 11). Ok, I have been working on this for the past week. I decided to get rid of 3 so I can focus and hopefully make something out of the remaining 2. I got the three listed on sedo.com, jumped through the necessary hoops to get them listed with prices and proving my ownership. This morning, all three are online. Then thought, I should create a small ad for the sites on my other two sites to help along getting them sold. Ok, my hosting company has some new wizard or something like that which then was not so easy to navigate. At one point I thought I lost my post, but no, somehow it was saved. Luck.

2. Sell tickets to Rammstein concert because Ray doesn’t want to go and I agree, it will probably be too much hassle.

Well, Ticketmaster is my scourge. If they don’t want you to sell your paid-for tickets, then guess what, you are not going to be able to sell them anywhere. I can’t pdf them, can’t offer them anywhere because they cannot be uploaded. The Ticketmaster site will not let me sell them through their site. I went into the Groups for Rammstein fans and mentioned there that I have 2 tickets. And offered them on my own FB site.

3. Called CalPERS, got a very helpful person on the line who went and actually double-checked that my name was updated. It was not, even though they told me it was a month ago. She updated it, made sure it was saved in the system. I called the dentist and asked them to check if it is showing in their program.

oh, geez, I need to go take a pill. Well, it seems I did get a few things done today! Bye!

About Post Author

Designer Marta

Pioneer type, fascinated by the latest and greatest developments in technology, web design and database management. I initiated the popularity of the bellydance movement in Germany way back in the 1970s through the guidance of my mentor and better half, Hans Hilberath. Performed throughout Europe and the Middle East, which greatly expanded my cultural sophistication. Worked with many talented artists, learned languages and developed many survival skills! Lots of highs and many lows. My insight: set goals and keep moving forward.

costumes4dance@gmail.com

http://www.martathelegend.com

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Got a text message yesterday that my cousin Tom is having surgery today to place a feeding tube. He has Lou Gehrigs’ disease. He was diagnosed about 2 years ago, I think. We had this great reunion at another cousin’s memorial in Oakland 3 years ago. Ray and I visited Tom and Maryalice in San Jose. We had lunch together and talked, and talked, and talked. We had so much catching up to do. It was a great day. Then this. Sigh.

About Post Author

Designer Marta

Pioneer type, fascinated by the latest and greatest developments in technology, web design and database management. I initiated the popularity of the bellydance movement in Germany way back in the 1970s through the guidance of my mentor and better half, Hans Hilberath. Performed throughout Europe and the Middle East, which greatly expanded my cultural sophistication. Worked with many talented artists, learned languages and developed many survival skills! Lots of highs and many lows. My insight: set goals and keep moving forward.

costumes4dance@gmail.com

http://www.martathelegend.com

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Me and dad!

About Post Author

Designer Marta

Pioneer type, fascinated by the latest and greatest developments in technology, web design and database management. I initiated the popularity of the bellydance movement in Germany way back in the 1970s through the guidance of my mentor and better half, Hans Hilberath. Performed throughout Europe and the Middle East, which greatly expanded my cultural sophistication. Worked with many talented artists, learned languages and developed many survival skills! Lots of highs and many lows. My insight: set goals and keep moving forward.

costumes4dance@gmail.com

http://www.martathelegend.com

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1/30/2022

I was reading an article today in the Daily Maverick, a South African news site. The article is titled Reflection, May I buy you a drink? Well written and thought provoking:
https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2022-01-29-may-i-buy-you-a-drink-just-say-no-ladies/?utm_source=top_reads_block&utm_campaign=dm168

I grew up during the time the Gary Puckett song was popular and though aware of the message, took it in stride. By today’s standards, it would be completely inappropriate. It gave my realization, of the male-dominated world I grew up in, a deeper perspective and perhaps an additional angle.

At the time (in the 70’s) it was common for a man to offer a woman a drink in a pub, club or wherever. I never really thought of it as a ‘transaction’. But I see the implication. If, after some conversation, I was not thinking to pursue the interaction, I would not accept more drinks but would politely move on. Of course, by the time I was 21 I knew what men who talked to me or offered me drinks or asked for dates, were looking for. But the Puckett song indicates a woman younger than 21, it seems.

I listened again to the song on YouTube – a performance of the band on the Ed Sullivan Show. Gary was cute and harmless looking. The way he performed, the words did not seem dangerous and seemed to indicate self-awareness on the part of the man. I’m not going to go into the wearing of the confederate style jackets – a whole other issue.

Just some thoughts for a Sunday.

About Post Author

Designer Marta

Pioneer type, fascinated by the latest and greatest developments in technology, web design and database management. I initiated the popularity of the bellydance movement in Germany way back in the 1970s through the guidance of my mentor and better half, Hans Hilberath. Performed throughout Europe and the Middle East, which greatly expanded my cultural sophistication. Worked with many talented artists, learned languages and developed many survival skills! Lots of highs and many lows. My insight: set goals and keep moving forward.

costumes4dance@gmail.com

http://www.martathelegend.com

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1/28/2022

It is interesting how when young, we are often not aware of our talents. Of course not, only exposure to doing and trying different things makes us aware that we are good at something or that something comes easy for us. I believe everyone is born with multiple natural talents. Discovering them and developing them is our job in this life.

I was just having my regular fortnightly massage, which is my ‘me’ time. This time is so valuable for thinking through and reviewing recent happenings, reflecting on old memories, planning, dreaming. Yes, dreaming! I actually fell asleep today and was dreaming. I awoke to realize I was on the massage table and was quite surprised that I had fallen asleep. Galina and I had a laugh about it. It seems odd that people fall asleep while someone else is touching them. But Galina assured me that it happens from time to time. Any how, it is during this quiet, me, time that I reflect and develop my self-awareness. I critique how I may have handled people or a situation. And today I was thinking about how when I was younger I was just busy living and not always reflecting on how situations affected or changed my perspective about my life and myself.

Last night, Ray and I watched a film with Daniel Day Lewis called Phantom Thread. The heroine poisoned the hero to make him vulnerable so that she could care for him. It made me think of Michael and how he so tenderly cared for me when I had severe vertigo. He kissed me so tenderly, like at no other time in our relationship. It made me think that he needed to care for someone. That was what made him whole. So that was most likely why he did all the cooking and cleaning. Not because he was a control freak. It just made him look like a control freak. But actually, it was because he needed to care for his partner. I may have misunderstood his motives. I thought he was taking such good care of me to support my efforts to work full time and study accounting and database management. But it was much more than that. I am seeing the time we spent together in a slightly different light, with a different perspective. I am learning. I like that!

About Post Author

Designer Marta

Pioneer type, fascinated by the latest and greatest developments in technology, web design and database management. I initiated the popularity of the bellydance movement in Germany way back in the 1970s through the guidance of my mentor and better half, Hans Hilberath. Performed throughout Europe and the Middle East, which greatly expanded my cultural sophistication. Worked with many talented artists, learned languages and developed many survival skills! Lots of highs and many lows. My insight: set goals and keep moving forward.

costumes4dance@gmail.com

http://www.martathelegend.com

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