Greetings, world. I promised a progress report, and here it is. Currently I am making an ivory mantilla with a wide lace edge for my niece Kate, who is getting married next month. The design of the lace is an elaborate re-embroidered Alençon rose, and I decided a few weeks ago that it would be best to handstitch it. So that's what I'm doing. Handstitching. And stitching and stitching and stitching. I don't mind it, actually - it has a kind of soothing, meditative quality, and it makes the veil drape really beautifully because I can make minute adjustments to the curve of the edge to account for its circular shape. On the other hand, I am sort of grateful she picked a fingertip length and not a 12-footer with a train.

The debate over what I'm going to wear myself still continues. Do I dare wear a black and white print dress, or would my bright coral one be better? Depends on the jewelry. I'll keep you posted. (But you knew that, right?)