Ahhhhaha! More books

Well I went to Borders and found the last of the books I wanted to purchase. I know I said I was done with buying more books, but I wasn't expecting to find the titles I did still in the store. Most things are 50 to 60% off the original retail price. As expected things are picked over, but luckily the topics I like are one not alot of other folks like to read, mainly Tudor history and fiction. I got 4 books for $30. That is only about $7 a book, not too shabby if I do say so myself.

So I have one on Anne Boleyn and her daughter Elizabeth, one on Catherine De Medici for good measure to keep and eye on the French, and for good measure William and Kate to represent the modern monarchy. Way more reading that I can get done in a year but I shouldn't be complaining about being bored. If I do remind of the stack of period books I have yet to dive into :-) Friendly reminders are important.

So many books and so little time to read them all, the story of my life.

Curl up with a good read,

Maureen

Curiosity has Killed The Cat ;-)

I am curious to see what questions my readers have about my me, my topics, and other miscellaneous thoughts? The question forum is open, please leave a comment or message with a question. I will do my best to check everyday and answer in a timely manner.

I want to know more about you the reader. What interests you in my blog, ideas on future topics, and if you have a question about me. I ask since I am opening up to questions to please keep them appropriate for an all ages audience.

These will help keep the blog fresh with ideas and let me know what you all want to read about, besides my craft projects and reading books;-) I am looking forward to hearing from each and everyone of you, who enjoys my blog. Feel free to follow me anytime, I like to see all your emails comments and such on my list.

Thanks again,

Maureen

Its a Good Day When You Get Fabric In The Mail.

I was delighted to receive my faux ermine fabric yesterday from the UPS man. Happen to be coming home from the gym and was no expecting my package so fast and such a large package. I had to ask myself what on earth did I buy that was needing such a large package, then it hit me that it was the 60 inch wide 2 yards of fur that I have been dreaming about for the past two months.

I have looked at Joann Fabrics for a faux fur like this, they have lots of lovely shag but nothing that looks like ermine. Way too much Zebra, Cheetah, Tiger, and other foreign prints for me to even try to validate that type of fur sleeve on a Tudor gown. Though I may be able to get away with a cool gray and white leopard print but that would be stretching the boundaries to the brink of costuming decency;-) Though I may have to look into what would be considered exotic and would it be used in court at this time. I know the Southern Russian mountains in modern Mongolia were distantly known as an exotic place at the time. Though I am not sure if a leopard fur would have been traded that far west in England, probably to the elite only is my guess. I know it would look smashing for sure with a Tudor gown but I want to be correct. It will take a bit of research to see.

In the meantime I will have loads of fun with my faux Ermine, its just as gores as the photos I have posted, against black and royal purple velvet for two gowns this will be awesome. Well this all the sewing news for now.

Thanks for Reading,

Maureen

More New Books

The Mary Queen of Scotland and the Isles is the book I am reading right now and have less than 100 pages left and its at the good part where she is about to commit treason in trying to escape.

Though with the sales at Border's especially with the clearance is deepening cuts up to 50% off I was able to pick up a new book for after I finish my current selection. It is called Elizabeth and Mary: Cousins, Queens, Rivals. I believe it will compare the two reigns of the monarchs and see how their lives were intertwined with each there even if they never met in real life. Should be a real page turner, though I got to finish the one I am reading first. I'm not the type to read two books at once, I could keep the stories strait but I just don't have alot of time to read that much.

I picked this book up the other day along with another book on The Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Kings and Queens of Britain, it follows the English monarchy from ancient times to modern. It had alot of very interesting facts about some of the more obscure Kings and Queens, quite a few I never heard anything about. Its doesn't have William and Kate marriage and all that but this book is not all that new. I may pick one up one those two later, they are an interesting pair for sure. With all the research I do that involves the British Royal Family, it was necessary for me to pick up a quick reference guide like this one, it was under 4.00 so it was worth it. That is all as far as new Tudor and Elizabethan books right now, but as always more to come.

Passing along good reading,

Maureen

New Pictures I Want to Share

I posted updated photos of my woodbabies, drabbits, and my other fuzzy creature friends. They turned out so nice I wanted to share them all with you. They are totally off topic but are a fun edition to the other posts I made earlier. This should be it for puppet photos for a while until I get my fox puppet later this year.

We will see how it goes, though everything should sewing and embroidery related for a while just a FYI. Though I have lots to be done with gowns since I have two velvet Tudors and I finally ordered the faux ermine fabric, so its time to make them into gowns. I have way too much fabric laying around right now and need to make something. I just hope I can find sometime, I am thinking of tonight since Justin is going with Jason. We will see how its goes will post photos when I get something done;-)

Talk to you all later,

Maureen

New Creature Friends

I know I have been posting alot about the new OOAK creatures I have at home. Not sure if everyone was clear on why I am attracted to them and my purpose on posting about them besides being cool to look at.

Though they are medieval in inspiration, lots of gryphons, dragons, and unicorns. Its something I also do for the SCA Youth Activities believe it or not. Its a research of sorts to see if I could find ways of these being inspiration to make puppets of some sort for a take home craft. I also and researching the history of puppets myself for an Arts and Sciences project. Its been one that has been in development as long as my Tudor Doll A&S Project, about 5 years or so. I want to make a string marionette in full 16th century detail for a long time but have not found the time to hand carve the whole thing right now. Though I have plenty of ideas on how to go about making it work.

I would have to say the creatures I have are more of a modern take on a puppet and use cables to control their life like head movements. Fun to wear to renaissance fairs, great way to attract kids to the youth table, and all around fun to play and look at. With that, I have a new one for you all to take a look at, this one I received in a trade from my friend Genevieve. I had traded with my black and white gryphon for a posable gryphon stuffed animal, its not a puppet but is cool looking. Posted photo is above, he is really unique fellow. I am thinking about custom ordering a dark teal and green dragon from her but not till much later when I get the wedding payments underway. So many friends and so little space and money, ah its a catch 22.

Well nothing on the sewing front, I will not be able to get a foothold till my next day off. I have work over the whole weekend and that is cutting into my time but it won't be long till the extra hours is over and its back to regular paychecks. Guess I will see how everything measures out in the end. Though still excited to see how it turns out, thinking of working on the outter dress first, which will make up quicker than the shirt. After I am satisfied with the result of the outter gown; I am going to plot the pattern for my shirt, embroider the whole rose pattern on the silk, cut and sew the pattern and before full assembly add the gold lace trim as appropriate to the original painting shows. It will be one fancy shirt when its all done, at least that is the plan ;-)

Well that is all for now, can't think of much else I have floating in my mind to say that I haven't repeated from post past.

Make Your Day a Great One,

Maureen

More Drabbits

Well I recieved the drabbits in the mail the first two look just like the photos, hope that i can get these the blue and green drabbits above, though I am waiting till after we visit the Renaissance Faire this year. I want to get a Ruby Red drabbit of some form. I will see if there are any more left from this guy from craigslist afterwards. I like his yellow one too but not having to get it right away.

Decisions, decisions. Well on the sewing front I have been doing good. I finally finished my custom gown for the lady on ebay, it looks great but I want to get a photo of her in the gown not on my dress dummy. We will see if I get one from her later. As of right now no more custom orders have come in, though I have been posting on Ebay frequently for work in the aims of raising money for my wedding. I am also taking on overtime at my job as a back up. Hey every little bit helps.

On the new projects front I am available now to start my rose embroidered shirt and peach satin gown. Very exciting, been dreaming of this dress. I am making a hat for my blue floral Elizabethan, so it won't take me long to post photos of that. Debating between a French hood, Elizabethan riding hat or Elizabethan flop hat, I will have to see how much trim I have left.

Well that is all for now ttyl,

Maureen

Embroidery, Books, and more Embroidery and Books

While most of my SCAdian friends are off at Pennsic having a lovely time; braving the elements, shopping, and all out medival warfare. I have been working on my small crafts as usual; mainly trying to get my other glove completed. Using the completed right hand glove as my guide, the heraldic crest is done and I am working on the ribbon going around the outside of the crest. Its going to be a while;-) I have three gowns in the works as I mentioned; Peach Elizabethan, Ermine Black Velvet Tudor, Ermine Purple Velvet Tudor. Blue Floral is done thank goodness, its slow progress on my garb until the custom is done. Which is almost there hope to finish it this week:-D

I have two new books also on the embroidery topic. I tried to buy The Needlework of Mary Queen of Scots book on Ebay but the seller was out of this book. I consqently went to Amazon and bought it and another title, new to me copies of course;-) The other titled, Emblems For A Queen. They both focus on Marys embroidery work and what was happing in her life while she was making these amazing tapestry pieces. On Ebay, I bought a Compendium of Knowledge for 1550-1600 instead and was able to use my Ebay bucks to help save on the cost. So I have my "period"book buying done for a while. With Borders closing soon I have my eye on some more tudor books but more for leisure reading; mosly Historical Biographies or Historical Fictions. I am waiting till deeper discounts are taken, I am in no rush to get the titles I am looking at currently. If I can get them for a good price great, if they are sold no big deal I know where I can find them.

For a future embroidery project I want to crewel embroider some of Mary Queen of Scots patterns, maybe do a three dimnsional effect with them. Her designs are interesting and symblolic, its amazing that there are so many suriving examples of her work; such a good embroideress. I am also on my last 100 pages of the Mary Queen of Scots biography by Margaret George. Its great and I saw she has one on Henry VIII and Elizabeth I. No not two more over 800 page books, there are not enough hours in the day for reading ;-)

Speaking of books I got mentioned in a book for helping out. To Die For by Sandra Byrd, I am mentioned in the last sentence of the Historical Biblography as "Tudor Seamstress Extordinare" Its nice to help out others when I can, with the knowledge I have gained while making Tudor clothing. My remarks help her enrich the enviroment, proper dress description, and accessories of the time period. Well that is the book review and crafty updates for now stay tuned for more sewing insanity.

Sew Amused,

Maureen

Pictures my Drabbits

Smokey Quartz is the name of the beige colored one and Citrine is the name of the orange one.

Here are the pictures of the two drabbits that I got from cragislist, hope to post better pictures soon. Feel free to leave comments on what you enjoy about my blog anytime.

Thanks for reading.

More Woodbaby Puppets

Well I got two of my three woodbaby puppets.

The first woodbaby is an owl names Athena, which I have plans for her. I want to make some armor like in the Movie The Guardians: Owls of Gahoole. Which consists of a helm and foot claws, I want to make this out of aluminum since its light and won't effect the way the head will move. She is smaller that I expected but after working with her a bit her size is just right with her lovely tail.

The second woodbaby is my faerycorn; a unicorn with dragonfly wings, Onyx Jubilee. She has white fur, golden horn, golden hooves, and gold dragonfly glitter wings. I have plans to make a gold and crystal necklace, and bracelet cuffs above the tuffs on her hooves and tail rings for her long tail. She is going to be a sparkler;-)

I want to give the same cuffs to Mystic Topaz my other woodbaby unicorn. I find it interesting that I compared the size of unicorns; my Onyx is larger by 2-3 inches compared to my Mystic though I like the difference. It is sort of like adult versus baby size. They are a magical pair.

Picked up another woodbaby gryphon in the meantime off of Etsy. I expect this to be a pink variety, though it turned out to be a black white one. It matches Onyx so its not a big deal, his name is Marbles the Monochromatic.

Zorro Kitsune is still in the planning stages, I have to wait for Robert to work in a new sculpt for him. I was thinking a fox would have used the wolf template but he wants to give it proper justice. I am also having foam wings added to give Zorro an extra special look. I am looking forward to seeing what Robert can do, though Zorro won't be done till late September. Its ok things like this take time and rushing creativity doesn't result in good art.

I am in line to get two new to me drabbits, found a person on craigslist who is selling and impressive collection to meet bills. Hate to hear that people are having to make such sacrifices but the economy is making it tough for folks to buy things. What can I say its rough out there. I like the green and blue one this guy has but I won't get those till much later down the road.

So far the total is 11 woodbabies and 2 drabbits. I will post pics of them when I get them in the mail. I am debating taking one of my woodbabies out for a walk at Knobel's today. Though it all depends on the weather, I will bring a plastic bag just in case it gets sprinklely. Looking forward to spending time with my sisters, who are in from out of town.

Justin and I are debating to get more cards for Cthulhu CCG, I am thinking about a set on Ebay but have to think if I am interested in playing that much. We have been so far playing Legend of the 5 Rings CCG which I like, though our playing has slowed on this one. I have been wanting to play cards for the past two days but there has been other plans getting in the way.

Well that is all the side news for now. Will post more about sewing as I can find time.

Maureen

Mayhemfest Madess

Well got back from Mayhemfest in one piece, Josh, Jason, Justin, and Me . It was a test of endurance as usual but I loved it, the bands did really well, no crazy sound mess ups. Some lyrical errors on one or two of the singers but all in all it was good. I got Strait Line Stitch to sign their new CD for me and bought a T-shirt at their tent. I can't get their T-shirt at Hot Topic for some reason, so I knew to get one while I was there. They were all really nice folks.

The next day we went to the King of Prussia Mall as usual expecting to find Borders and our usual selection of stores. Borders is gong out of business running sales like mad 20% to 40% off. To our dismay the King of Prussia store was already gone, nothing replacing its space at the mall yet. We thought we would get different book selections at a lower prices but it look like we will have to settle with the books left at our local store. I have my eye on a few books but nothing I need to get now. I am holding out ;-)

I actually tanned this year, no burn. Which was a nice surprise, since it was full sun and no shade all day and it was in the 90's all day and sort of muggy. Nice not to be lobster girl because this friday I am going to Knobel's with my sisters who are in town for a few days.

Two new woodbabies are coming in the mail should have them by today. They are a dragonfly winged unicorn and an barn owl. They are quite cute and looking forward to seeing how they work out. I have ideas on making necklaces for them but nothing set in stone. I will work on those while I watch some TV today.

I have the gowns I have mentioned sitting off to the side for now except the custom which is done except for the hat, which is partially finished. Well that is the update for now will post soon with pictures and news.

TTYL,

Maureen