Sunday, July 29, 2012

Custom Orders are Still Open!


Just wanted to let you all know that custom orders are still open till, Aug 9th when my ad on Etsy expires. Its a great chance to get a 16th century couture Tudor Gown made to fit your measurements made of quality materials. This is for the over gown, under-gown, foresleeves, and hat for 200.00 plus shipping is a steal. If you want underpinnings like a corset, chemise and hoop-skirt I can arrange to have them made for an additional fee upon request.

 Here is the link: Custom Order for A Tudor Gown

On a life note, the Mayhem Fest Concert was phenomenal as always, visiting Camden, NJ. Despite getting sunburn on my shoulders and upper back, it itches today though no peeling. King of Prussia Mall yesterday I was able to get some feather earrings from Icing for a 1.00, Sterling silver garnet necklace and garnet rings at my favorite silver smith at the fest for great prices, and bought some band t-shirts at Hot-topic with my birthday discount. So savvy shopping all around, food was a racquet as usual at the festival. Bought less because had to pay more for food, its sad when chicken fingers with french fries cost $9.75. Thanks before a drink, vendors know they have a captive audience.

Working on the "goldwork" with my Elizabethan Jacket, its going to be a while before it all is done. When I get sometime I still have to take and post the last of the Elizabethan Gown photos, didn't forget just busy. I have pictures to post of the fox when I get home, though I have to pick him up from the UPS office on Monday. Happen to miss the delivery man on Friday, so close. They don't leave packages due to theft in the past, not for us but the whole area we live in. Sad you can't trust your neighbors to leave things be.

Figured out a name, Foxy Loxley. A bit of a robin hood reference but wanted something fun, will have to come up with a forest-like collar for him when I pick him up.It will be nice to get back to the swing of things, have chores to catch up on at home. Roleplaying tonight and such so an interesting evening planned.

Back to sewing,

Maureen

Thursday, July 26, 2012

A Foxy Woodbaby, Concert, and Life Off Topic


I have a wonderful news this week, my fox woodbaby puppet is done finally. I ordered the custom sculpted puppet over a year ago, there was a backlog of custom order with the company. I sent a full fox pelt with an idea of making a full fox puppet to their office and had other repair and refashioning of other puppets done at the time. Thinking about peacock woodbaby puppet in the future, but its going to be a while.Looking wonderful and very realistic, including some photos for your enjoyment.

Going to Mayhem Music Festival, in Camden NJ soon. Looking forward to hearing some of the main stage bands that I haven't heard before. Not planning on buying anything unless I find some CD's I really like or an T-shirt, and paying for food of course. Though the ticket and hotel room are paid for and such, so that helps. Will let you all know how it goes.

I have 5, M13 mixed decks, they are mixed with  M12 and Avacyn done for the current block of editions. I am pleased with how they are working but I know they will need some improvement. Though since the concert is coming up, I don't want to put much more cash into the decks.  With my liking of theme decks, I was able to make the ones I wanted to try on my list. I have a white knight and soldier deck, a blue merfolk and drake deck, a red blue drake dragon deck, black blue wizard deck, and a white green elf cat deck. Though in Avacyn edition, I made a white angel deck, and a red green werewolf wolf pack deck, and green treefolk deck. They are all good fun though they win infrequently.

I do find a challenge in making a theme decks and make them work properly. Though I know changing my approach with some of my tatics and theories will help them work alot better. Sadly I find that the random draw of the cards is one factor you can't change regarless how awesome of a deck your create. Going back to the shop to play today, but that is just for something to do in the afternoon.

Well that is all for now,

Maureen

Monday, July 16, 2012

Birthday Wishes

I turned 29 yesterday, didn't do much for the day. Though I was happy it was a relaxing day once getting home from work. Justin bought me the full collection of Adele cds, which I listened to and they were excellent. Got birthday voicemails and texts from the family, which is always nice. We roleplayed as usural and had a quiet evening at home. I did finish a crewel work rose embroidery while roleplaying, so multitasking as usual.

Though birthdays always make me think of how I want the future to turn out. Well I have been thinking over the past week of special ways of saying goodbye to my twenties, though I do have one more year to do a series of somethings special to cheer in my 30's.

Some on my Before 30 Bucket List in no particular order:
1. Spend more time with family
2. Make my full Elizabethan Style Gown with all the frills
3. Spend more time with my animals
4. Finish all the gowns I have drawn out in my drawing books which are currently about 4 gowns.
5. Find more time to travel, non SCA related
6. Embroider more projects and find uses for some past embroidery
7. Make more money by finding a fullfilling new career

Well I amazed at how fast the time flies, though it doesn't take long for it to all add up. I was able to drop off the getting married list so, one at a time ;-) I am a goal oriented type person, it helps give me a sense of accomplishment. There are times that I do bite off more than I can chew, though I am pretty good at not taking on more than I can handle. Though the project list is never ending, luckily its full of things I like to do and lots of craftiness ;-)

Time to get back to the grind,

Maureen

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Elizabethan Gloves


Well I have been working on organizing things around the home. There is a difference in how I embroidered one versus the other and it does show a bit in the photos. Though right now just happy they are fully complete. I will have to see what I can do to work on some small details later. For one of my first big projects I have done, they turned out nice.

So here are the glove photos for now, there are still in the works for getting the Elizabethan gown photos. So one thing at a time.

Back to Work,

Maureen

Sunday, July 8, 2012

Survived My Honeymoon...

Well I am back in Pennsylvania as of suppertime last night. After a glorious week off in south western Virginia, it is nice to be back home. My cats are happy to see us and the house totaly needs cleaning but that is typical. We saw some lovely places, visited friends in the area, ate some wonderful southern cooking. I can see why they made the state tourism slogan, Virginia is for lovers. We know we will be back to visit in the future.

I have made some progress on the cleaning on the short-time that I have been home, put away my french hood rack in the closet with my other hats. They need to be protected from the cats, though they have the sense to leave them alone. Found some old pants of Justin's and going to drop them off at the office after work, they no longer fit him. Also cleaned out the cardboad boxes in the living and sewing room, they are going in the shed. I have to hang up some of my costumes on hangers but that won't take long. I wish I didn't have to work this morning, otherwise the cleaning would be all done by the time we would be gaming in the afternoon. Oh well should have requested one more day I guess.

After getting about half the laundry done from vacation, and dealing with a power outage when we got home. I have to say my week was pretty productive. While I was away, I found 100% wool crewel thread at a small shop in Abingdon Va, called Plumb Alley Stitchery. The wool thread is something the owner told me she doesn't normally carry. I would buy the rest off of her if it wasn't all white, a color I don't use much. Though I now have some authentic crewel wool, so very pleased and bought it for a steal. As usual the brick and mortar bookstores don't carry my type of books even if they are not in my area. I was able to find a new crewel embroidery book online and got a discount with my ebay bucks. Very much worth it and bought some silk embroidery floss on ebay too, so very much ready to do some awesome historical embroidery.

Speaking of projects, I am done with my left hand Elizabethan Glove, just have to sew up the lining and good to go. Finished the embroidery, sewed it to the leather glove, and sewed up most of the lining on the inside of the cuff. Will post picture of the pair soon.  On the other projects front, I did finish two Tudor Gowns before I left for honeymoon and do need to get photos of them and one that I have not gotten photos done with yet. So lot of pictures are soon coming, will have to post another garb gallery. I am thinking these may have to be done on my day off, may not have much time otherwise.

Well  I am working on some garb plans, something to use my new crewel wool on. Oh my going to be good, though will take a while to complete. Doing to do some research now and will get back to everyone with plans.

Concocting Something Good,

Maureen

Replica 1560's Venetian Italian Fashion Doll

Replica 1560's Venetian Italian Fashion Doll

Replica 1560 French Fashion Doll

Replica 1560 French Fashion Doll

Tudor Q and A

What is a Tudorosity?

A mashed combination of the words Tudor and Curiosity to create the word Tudorosity. Tudorosities is the plural form and the deffinition is as follows.

Tudorosity- an desire to learn or know anything about the Tudor dynasty associated with years 1405 through 1603.

Most people ask my why I make the Tudor garb ?

I find the clothing of this era not only beautiful but also challenging to sew. There is much more care and purpose put into making garments and wearing garments in the Tudor Era. I love the look of Tudor so much I wanted to explore the way clothes were made back then and the subtle changes in fashion and styles of time.

How did you get started in this interesting hobby?

I started with art first, I love to draw, paint, and sculpt all the traditional fine arts. So being able to draw helps me visualize the looks I want to create in my garb. History has always been a huge interest of mine and I've had a knack for sewing since I was 7 years old. It all started with doll clothes and I learned cross stitch embroidery from my grandmother when I was little. I am self taught sewer, crochet, knitting, embroidery and tatting. My methods are learned from books mainly and there is still so much more to learn.

What is my favorite outfit and why?

It would be like picking a favorite out of one of my future children, its impossible. I love all my gown creations and really like the distinct differences in all the styles clothing I make for the Tudor Era.

Do you make the whole outfit including hat, shoes, and undergarments?

I do have a goal of making a complete Tudor from the skin out. As of right now I make 90% of my gowns and accessories. The shoes and stockings, are bought online and the petticoats are a close reproduction but not made by me. .

How long does it take to make a gown?

It all depends on the type of gown. The making relies on the time period and class of the design. Generally if I work on it 8 hours a day on a sewing machine it will take 3 days to get the basics and another 5 days to do finish hand-sewing details and beading. So a week to a week and a half if working on it steady for that amount of time. I work a full-time job so it does take longer than a week to complete. I put over 40-100 hours per outfit depending on its complexity, its like its own full time job of sorts.

Do you make renaissance clothing for sale or custom orders?

No, due to new employment and changes in my lifestyle. Unfortunately, I have no time to support sewing for others. Though I recommend sewing lessons for those adventurous few. There are many fine folks who make and sell historical clothing. I suggest guidance with sew from many fine historical enthusiastic costumers out on the internet.

How long have you been making these elaborate costumes?

I have been in the Society of Creative Anachronism coming up on my 18th year. Active since 2004 working at demonstrations and volunteering when I could between working and other life's distractions. I really concentrated on Tudor sewing in 2007 and worked with patterns to learn proper fabrics, techniques, fit, and silhouette. I really enjoy the eras transition from a medieval form fitting layered cotterdie to the boned Tudor kirtle and then to structured Elizabethan clothing.

Replica 1490 Milan Italian Fashion Doll

Replica 1490 Milan Italian Fashion Doll
Based on art by Giovanni Ambrogio

O’Kealy Heraldry

O’Kealy Heraldry