Another Post of Many Things

-Bethaval and CeeCee are heading over in a little while to come and play in my sewing room….I’m so excited!
-Holly may be able to come down and visit for a few days next week; there are so many things that we’ve been talking about doing, we seriously need to write up a list and prioritize our various projects!
-Because I had to skip Costume College this year (BOO!), I'm going to re-think my costume calendar for the rest of the year. I’m hoping to be able to make it out to Dickens Fair this year. It’s been on my ‘wish list’ for a long time, so I think this year may be the year! I have a couple of gowns in my closet that would work, but really, any excuse for a new dress, right?

From Augusta Auctions - it appears the original image is no longer available online.

Also from Augusta Auctions (I believe!) - also no longer available online.

Women's Day Dress 1867
The Bowes Museum

A third gown from  Augusta Auctions (I think) which appears to no longer be available online. 

-I’ve more or less decided on doing a ‘fancy’ brocade gown for the ACC; now I just need to settle on a fabric and exact design details. More details to follow.
-I really want to make sure that another costumed tea happens before the end of the year, more on this to follow as well!

PSA: Jewelry

A website called “Sweet Romance” has some awesome stuff, and is currently having a sale on some pretty rad swag!

These ‘Jewel Pear Earrings’ are particularly lovely, and come in multiple colors.  (Though of course, the teal/peacock is my favorite…

p.s.  Be sure to scroll through pages, the “Next Page” button is kind of hidden at the bottom right; it’s kinda pinkish….

Tip courtesy of Jannean!

PSA: Silk for under $19

Bangkok Thai Silk appears to not have been hit as badly with rate hikes; their silk taffeta is mostly $9.99-$10.99.

And OMG, do I want this SO bad……it’s gorgeous!

Tip courtesy of Jaquelinne!

Chocolate-Dipped Turkish Delight Crème

Sounds yummy, right?

I went looking through my lotions to find something super-moisturizing for my ill-fated pedicure yesterday, but alas, there was nothing to be found. Holly and I have been discussing doing another skincare cooking day (we are just now running out of all the lip moisturizer after many, many years!), and that got me thinking….

I didn’t have too many supplies on hand, but I managed to concoct what I’m calling “Turkish Delight”, due to the chocolatey-smelling cocoa butter & yummy rose oil. It smells so delicious, I can barely keep from eating it! It smells just like the little tray of chocolate turkish delights that sat by the register at the corner market in Pennard….oh memories!

Turkish Delight Crème

• 7 oz. cocoa butter
• 7 oz. coconut oil
• 1 1/2 Tbs. Jojoba oil
• 8 drops rose oil

In double-boiler, melt cocoa butter & coconut oil. Add jojoba oil when melted, mix well. Take off heat (if very hot, let cool a bit before adding oil), and add rose oil. Whisk periodically while cooling. OPT: beat with mixer to make light and fluffy! (Beating also lightens the color)

 

 

ETA: I now have my feet all wrapped up and soaking in my new crème and massaged the extra into my cuticles and elbows and spread the last bits on my slightly sunburnt arms.....I smell like a candy shop! My new favorite lotion/body butter!

AC Challenge

I’m just now able to sit down and ponder my options for the upcoming ACC.  In my stash, I’ve been collecting fabrics over the last few years for specific gowns, which fits into the challenge nicely. 
There is a $100 limit to spending, so choosing something I’ve had on my mind over the last few years makes a lot of sense, although may not be the most ‘wow’ thing in the world.
Here’s the basic information for the challenge:

• Layer 1: The skin layer.  Create underclothes that someone from your selected time period would have worn. Examples include braises, drawers, smock, chemise, camacia, shift, gomlek, corsetry and so on.
• Layer 2: The main garment. Create the main garment from your selected time period. Examples include kirtle, gamurra, kosode & hakama, chausses, sarafan, bliaut, cotehardie, doublet, the toga and so on.
• Layer 3: The outer layer. Create a garment that would have been worn for warmth or formal occasions. Examples include ropa, saia, surcoat, jerkin, coat, peplos, kaftan, entari, a stola and so on.
• Layer 4: An accessory. This could be shoes, jewelry, a hat, stockings, a handkerchief, gloves, a suit of ruffs, an almoner’s purse, and so on.

Blue gown ( s )

It’s on the plain side, but I love, love, love this outfit.  I have the perfect velvet and linen to do this outfit, and I’ve been meaning to do it ever since I saw it a couple of years ago.  What makes me hesitate is the plain-ness of it…..for a competition, it’s not very flashy, but it would be so nice to have the ‘excuse’ to hand sew the whole thing.

I recently found the second portrait, and would probably ‘steal’ the sleeve treatment for the gown underneath; not only is the color scheme remarkably similar, but the neckline and sleeves would lend itself fairly well to the over gown.  (I think…..)

Carracci, Agostino. Portrait of Anna Parolini Guicciardini. 1598. Oil on canvas. Gemäldegalerie (Stiftung Preussischer Kulturbesitz), Berlin.

Anguissola, Sofonisba. Bildnis Eines Paares. 1570. Oil on canvas. Uffizi Gallery, Florence.

Have	Don’t Have
Blue velvet (coat	Embroidery floss (buttons, loops, trim on coat)
White Linen (camacia/sleeves)	Silk (veil)
Blue Linen (kirtle)
Organdy (partlet)

Brocade gown ( of some sort )

I really want to have a fancier brocade gown of some sort.  I’m not sure exactly of what style, but something with lace and awesome accessories.  Even if I don’t do this for the challenge, I’ll be doing this soon.

Vecellio, Cesare. Habiti Antichi, Et Moderni Di Tutto Il Mondo. In Venetia: Appresso I Sessa., 1598.

Have	Don’t Have
Various Green Brocades (gown)	Gold bits (belt)
Linen (camacia)	Fan bits
Organdy (partlet)
Lace (shoulders & partlet)
Pearls (jewelry)

Teal Gown

I’ve had this gown on my mental wish list for a very long time, and have had the teal silk in my stash for at least 2 years.  I’m slightly worried about the off-the-shoulderness of it (which is why I haven’t done it yet), but the portrait has lovely accessories, and is of a type that not a whole lot of people do.  I’d have to do some research on appropriate “Layer 3”.

De Kempener, Pieter. Portrait of a Lady. 1530. Mixed media on poplar wood. Städel, Frankfurt.*

I have this one listed as “Portrait of a Lady”, but no further info – googling has proved unhelpful, as has tineye.com. Would be grateful if anyone has further info…..

Have	Don’t Have
Teal silk (gown)	Gold bits (jewelry)
Linen (camacia)	Silk (partlet)
Gold cord (couching on gown)	Fan bits
	Glove bits

*Thank you to Hastings, who not only told me what my ‘lost’ portrait was, but about Google Image search!  WAY better than tineye.com!  (It’s Google, of course!)

Incommunicado

So, my phone decided it needed a dunk, and took a header into what what supposed to be a relaxing foot bath.  I have a replacement phone on the way in the next few days, but until then, if you need to contact me, email/google talk are the best methods.     :|

Barons War–”The Big Day”

 

This weekend has been absolutely magical; I cannot express how much I appreciate all the hard work and effort so many people put in to make this day so special.  I am so very grateful for everyone who pitched in and volunteered their time, efforts and skill.  I love you all so very much!

 

		Vigil & Nibbles VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

 

 

 

		People VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

 

Caught with a goofy look on my face during vigil (the heat was too much to bear with the walls up, so I took down as much of the wall as I could while maintaining a modicum of privacy):

The food provided at the vigil and subsequent feast was all so delicious, I was in serious peril of not fitting into my dress properly

 

		Feast VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

 

I managed to have my eyes closed, or a goofy look on my face just about every picture taken in my gown – I’m hoping that someone else caught me looking less…….

 

My sisters’ whole family was there, minus my sis – I missed her so much, but I know she was there in spirit. (Besides, she’s being paid to bum around London, I can’t feel to bad for her….):

 

Don Vilhelm heralded for me, and I processed with a whole gaggle of my (quail chickies) friends, and escorted by my husband. You may wonder why in the world I have this picture in here; Johanne provided last-minute candles, as court was pushed back and I ended up processing in the dark….it’s funny how things happen; one of my original ideas involved candles, but I cut it out for simplicities’ sake…..but I ended up with candles after all! It was beautiful!:

 

The last moments before the ceremony:

 

….Called before TRM; I have my Apprentice belt slung over my shoulder as I hadn’t at this point been officially released from my Laurel:

I don’t have pictures of everyone who spoke for me, but I am hoping with all the cameras around, I can grab the remainder!:

		Speakers VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

 

Swearing my oath:

Laurel regalia (Especially special as Aine, Bethany and Lisa all collaborated on it!):

 

Dubbing:

Presentation of the scroll:

 

Most beautiful scroll in the history of EVER.  I cannot express how much I love this piece, it couldn’t possibly be more me, all done in my favorite colors, and each little element was so lovingly thought out;

 

The two baby pygmy goats at the top:

 

the two quail (chickies) in the left margin:

 

Cozmo and Demitri as supporters at the bottom:

 

Tiny Barsky taking a nap in the bottom of the right margin:

 

and me in my blue silk Italian gown with my crazy veil (if I had one that long, I assure you, I’d wear it!), with various implements of my favorite artistic endeavors (I’m pretty sure I’m sewing on the PPoD!!!)