Gathering Supplies

 Things have been quiet lately regarding life in general, as reflected in the recent gap of content in this blog. Mainly because I have been working on lucet cord and that doesn't warrant much of an explanation. I do have a video on my YouTube channel on this process. Although making daily progress on each the black and white silk colors is relaxing. 

In the meantime, I have received a few supplies and tools from The Tudor Tailor shop. The mail service is slower but that is because of the large bulk of items now floating through the system due to Covid-19. I purchased one of their doll making kits as inspiration to make a doll of their style for my collection.  Plus its nice to have their wonderful pattern on hand for reference.  Considering making a 1650 dutch doll in this size but have not made final choices on the time frame yet. I have and extra set of head and hands to use with my own on hand materials for making an additional doll. So more future dolly goodness. The tools I previously mentioned are a Printing Tool set and and the other is Pinking and Buttonhole Cutting Set. So one helps with standardized pinking decoration or standardized buttonholes and the other can be heated and stamps a pattern in fabric. I doubt I will use either of these tool sets on the doll's outfits but if carefully planned could be useful.

 Small side projects give me a rest from the large amount needed on the Dastardly Doll project. Although I have gathered some supplies for this project as well in the recent two weeks. You can see my Vintage Sewing Notions Thrift haul video on YouTube for more information on this.  

There will be some Dastardly Doll Updates soon, stay tuned.

Stay sane and safe,

Marrin

Rapunzel, Rapunzel, Let Down your Long Hair...

To use up some fabric I had left over from my most recent projects, a gift from Lady Aibell Dimarta had me inspired. She found a lacy edged doll gown. Its looks like a Victorian nightgown, but also like Renaissance chemise ready to be matched with a a gown and something more grand. I did not know exactly how I was going to make the outfit. At the time had not clue about the accessories. Though I had lots of options to work with, which is always fun. Lets make something out of this baby doll clothing. At the time I was totally unsure of how the whole doll would look.

 So I knew of a blank muslin doll I could buy from one of my local craft stores that would really suit the bill. I am making a costumed doll and I am almost done, one problem she has no face. Until today that is, when I decided on brown eyes and larger features. I have a small section left of fabric that I am considering making fabric shoes to show as much fabric use as possible, its a only a 4 inch piece, so did really well with my goal of using the fabric.

She is going to be the princess Rapunzel from the fairy tales. I am thinking of having her be a reading doll prop for me. Thinking of story-time at SCA Coronation or for Rapunzel. I wasn't expecting the hair to turn out so nice, its artificial and from and existing pieces used for SCA events.. I got the hair pieces from Duchess Tessa, I liked it but thought it make a more striking appearance on my doll after I tried it on. Looked good but knew it would be very hard to not get unwanted attention at events well I do tend to make an entrance of sorts. 


Job update, I got my service vehicle on Friday after much rescheduling.  I am to work with a supervisor all this week and slowly incorporate skills and knowledge over the next 3 months. Pretty surprised at myself all the work I put in and did a hands on learning and fast paced. I pray to find something as nice of a  Slowly learning all the ins and out of my job, glad they try to be throughout and not to expect me to know it all in a week. Its sheer amazement still managed to sew something this week.

 Well back to it all,

Maureen

Taber Museum Demo

Well this Saturday, my local SCA group, The Shire of Abhainn Ciach Ghlais worked at the Taber Museum Yesteryear Event in Williamsport Pa, a first time we were there. We displayed a medieval encampment showing heavy weapons fighting, various things you can do with string, illumination, weapons making, music, costume, and archery. Fun was had by all!

I would say the day was a success, despite most of us having a later start than we would like. Personally this is how my day went. I got up at 8 am, later than I wanted but needed the sleep.My husband and I arrived home late from the tournament up in Williamsport for Magic the Gathering. I then had to gather the items I wanted to bring and pick out a full Tudor garb to wear. Which I didn't have the hat that I planned to wear so I ended up picking something different than I planned. Which I need to do some fixing to get the underskirt and hat up to par. I repaired the skirt, needed a new drawstring, which took about 5 minutes to pull through the skirt. The hat I worked on while at the event, it was bothering me most of the day, I had problems arranging my hair with no mirror and getting the hat to sit comfortably on my head, though I got it secured 1/3 through the event.

Normally I pack the night before a SCA renaissance event, but that didn't happen this case. I didn't get on the road to pick up a friend till almost 10am, which she slept in and was later than she anticipated. Though I was glad that I was behind, becasue she was ready to go by the time I arrived for pick up.  I wanted to be there by 9am, thought the event didn't start till noon. So we got there around 10:30 or so, and other folks were just getting set up and such, so I didn't feel to bad on being later than I wanted.

 It took a while to get dressed but my part of the demo was set up before I changed. Which means as soon as I was ready I could get right into the things I am working on. Which was working on one of the embroidered sleeves for my jacket, I did get some details done. Though I did have lots of talking and explaining for the large amount of folks that came to our mini medieval encampment, its much smaller than what we are used to putting on for the Lewisburg Demo.

 I fixed my hood after we got started since the people didn't get back to us till well hour after the event started. The staff was super helpful getting us unpacked, dressed if needed, and making sure we knew where to park. We had to vacate our tents when the civil war group was firing the cannon many times throughout the day, was a great chance to take a bathroom or food break . Which either was not very far from the backyard location. So all in all a good day, I included some photos of me at events recently I haven't posted yet. They are action shots and are not that great, plus I am scratching my nose in one, so laugh.

Looking forward to FFF,

Lady Mairin

O'Cadhla Castle Pictures

Well here is O'Cadhla castle so far, in its various stages of construction. This is a dollhouse that I am making for and Arts and Sciences project, showing that there are roots for this eventual toy in the 16th century.
Which there is documentation I found in an inventory of Duke Albrecht the V of Bavaria showing he had a collection cabinet of miniatures, inventory was taken by his chancellor Johann Baptiste Fickler in 1598. In this period from the affluent noble class, had collections of what was interesting to them and eventually founded alot of museums all throughout Europe. Duke Albrecht actually has most of his art collection in the National Museum of Antiquities in Munich, Germany. The dollhouse replica I am making is meant to look like a castle, though in period these were kept in regular cabinets of the time period. The height of the rooms are meant to accommodate 11 dolls or smaller and I hope it have it finished by Ice Dragon next year 2011. It will contain furniture and decor all in a medieval Tudor theme and meant to look like a 16th century castle. There is lots to be done yet hope you enjoy the progress so far. Thanks for looking.

Blessings,

Lady Mairin O'Cadhla

Its July already?

Can't believe this year is half over already. I don't feel that I accomplished much my SCA crafts, though I know logically that I have done quite a bit of things this year.

Makes me ponder with how slowly it look things to get done the "old fashioned way", which I am learning first hand by making the crafts I do. It makes me feel like time must have run slower back then. There definitley is a sense of urgency and immediate appeasment in todays world, that would have been very foreign to the Tudor mind. Things got done when they got done and no sooner, which is my theory on all things when it comes to deadlines. Luckily I dont have anything much improtant to worry about deadlines, lol. I know first hand rushing makes lots of waste and mistakes so there must have been more patience all around back then. Wish that everything was not so much rough and tumble in this dog eat dog world. I do take things on the slower side and rarely rush, but I do definitely stop to smell the roses when I can.

Speaking on things that are taking time, I am still working on the Tudor castle dollhouse that I named O'Cadhla Castle. I did get it to the point of being displayable so it is partially done. I have some brick painting on some walls, attaching the side walls to the center tower, work on fine tuning the furniture in decorating it, making all the seat cushions and backs, curtains, pillows, blankets, tapestries, and other fabric decor that needs all embroidered. So lots left to do, though I know it will got buy quickly when it is all said and done. I am taking pictures all the way so there will be an album of just those that will show it from start to finish.

Right now I was able to find some books that contained alot of information on the history of dollhouses to make my paper better when I do get around to typing it up. Well that is about it for now hope everyone has a happy 4th of July and summer.

Your in Service,

Lady Mairin

So Far So Good

Well I got to a reasonable point on my Tudor castle done. Its not finished by any stretch of the imagination. Probably not til the end of summer at least, though it is keeping me out of trouble, lol.

I am pleased with all the progress that was made this week. It was just a pile of plywood with lines drawn on it last friday. Now it is nearly all complete and painted. I have yet to finish making cushions, bedding, curtains and the other plush features of the castle. Plus finishing touches on the decor and furniture. I have it completed enough for display. Which is how I wanted it to look in progress or under construction, whatever fits your fancy.

I will write a small amount on what I am building and why. Let alone the details yet to be finished on the castle, its purpose and its creation in the 16th and history there of in turning into a child's toy.

Everything is packed and in the car, thank goodness. I am not sure if I am going to change on site or not at this point. Though I am as ready as I am going to be. There is now way that I am going to get my bookmark embroidered in time for this event. Really sad about that though kids things came up quickly for a general plan on what they would be doing and such. So I had to look to my office first and then to my A&S display that was already in progress.

Wish I had time at work to craft, though it would be frowned upon. Alas living the dream can be hard when the mundane interferes with the imagination. I am sure that is a very Scadian feeling that crosses the minds of others like me from time to time.

Excited for my class tomorrow, hope it goes well. Got lots of information and visuals for the class. I know the A&S display will got well, just got to get the small article done. I am taking my Tudor Barbies for the class and for the A&S display they are always a hit. I know the kids will have fun there is lots of things I have in mind that will be good for them to do.

Well that is all for now. Hope to have more pictures and such to post soon.

Blessings,

Lady Mairin O'Cadhla

Mairins Crafts

Here is some photos of the various projects I have worked on in the recent past.
There will be posting more photos of projects in the future.
Enjoy,

Lady Mairin O' Cadhla

So Many Projects So Little Time

I have had so much on my mind as far as new things to do it has been dizzying. Unfortunatley no time or the lack of materials to do them. So sitting and spinning and getting no where has been a constant lately. The list of to do things are as follows:

Work on rolled edging for silk veils and pearl edges, blackwork embroider my ladies pockets, finish all the embroidery for O'Cadhla castle's interior furnishings. Finish and stain all the interior furnishings and get all the windows and interior walls drawn on the plywood and sent to get cut. Put together the caslte and texurize the walls for the stucco look inside and brick look outside. Work in Embroidered bookmarks for largesse. Make a crewel work Elizabethan Ladies Jacket, Coif and Kirtle. Knitt socks from spun wool, dye and ply wool for crewel embroidering.

That is all I can think of off the top of my head for now but I know the list can be more than a mile long. Now that my work schedule has changed and there is less time to work on SCAdian things I am feeling a bit of a pinch. Though I just need to strictly dedicate some time to getting some things done and I won't feel the pressure as bad. There really isn't any time limit for most of those projects, I just want to get them done and enjoy them sooner rather than later. Guess I have no choice but to be patient.

Patience is a virtue,

Maureen

Tudor Castle Doll House

Well I have been having a fun time the past week, lots of planning and brainstorming.

I have yet to write up the handout for my class I will be teaching at Aethelmearc Academy, a SCA event that is coming up in two weeks. Nothing like procrastination, lol. Took forever to decide what I wanted to teach but I made up my mind to give a Tudor Roundtable. Which will allow those interested in Tudor times or making a persona to voice challenges, problems, and allow group discussion, questions and resolution on some persona building issues. I know it took me forever to get into the swing of things when I first started up, and something like this would have helped alot. So I want to give a brief time period discussion of what happened in the whole of the Tudor Dynasty and then give my own challenges and open the floor to the class for questions and queries. I am looking forward to this, hope I get a good group of interested quizical tudor nuts, lol.

On another Tudor realted topic I had an ephiphony for using the plant stand my sister gave to me, the original plan was to use it for a book shelf. Upon inspection it is way to flimsy for the weight of books. Later on I had a light bulb go on in my head, now I plan on turning it into a Tudor Castle for my Tudor Dynasty dolls. These are the same dolls I made for Ice Dragon all outfited in Tudor clothing. I got the plywood the other day and drew my pattern for cutting out the exterior walls, and floors done. A friend of mine is going to cut it out on a table saw for me, saves me from doing the whole mess myself. I will be challenging since the stand is not square so neither is my measurements, should be interesting to attempt. I still have to measure and draw out the pattern for the interior walls and windows yet. So there is some left to be done, though I got a majority of it taken care of yesterday. So details, details, details, lol.

Of course I will have to put it together, paint and furnish yet, though I won't take me long to do that with some evenings to myself, it will be a fast process. I plan on taking photos and posting them when it gets far enough along. I am really excited about this project.

On the reaserch side, I knew that most dollhouses weren't really documented till much later in the 17th century. So this started out as a project just for fun. Though with some determination and luck I found a 16th cenutry source. The Duke of Bavaria, Ablrecht the V, had several interesting collections of fine art, books, and historical artifacts. In his area of curiosities there included one "baby house" that was a miniature version of his exhisting home found, which was held in a cabinet. Most of the previously mentioned collections ended up in various museums in Germany. Though the baby house and the other contents of the cabinet do not exhist due to a fire at the the noble residence in 1647. Though it's grandeur is forever detailed in an inventory of the Dukes Estates by Johann Bapist Fickler in 1598. Thank goodness someone wrote it down and within the period, I am trilled. So that is at the end of the Elizabethan age but I still counts in the SCA timeline. Of course, this is all going towards a forthcoming research paper and most definitely a Ice Dragon entry for 2011. I think this will upset the common knowledge community in the A&S area, I look forward to the reaction. hee hee.

As you can all tell I am working on more doll things. So I have not made any new garb, though there is no real need for me to make too much more. With my Garb trunks all full I have some exception pieces that I want for a later Elizbethan and French styles, but that is the extent for now. I am very happy with my garb wardrobe right now, how it fits and looks. As with alot of my arts and crafts I go in seasons so I won't come back around to garb till sometime later on maybe nor for six months. Maybe I will have more silk from my source by them, hmm?

I am however working on more embroidery, so that has come back around. Now that I am in the Embroidery guild that helps me out a lot with motivation and projects. I hope to do some black work eventually but there isn't any pressure to get something done now. I made a bookmark for a feast basket and I will have to make another one for the next event so there is lots I still have to do yet. Procrastination as I mentioned before, lol. This won't take me long to do though.

Well that is all the Tudor related things I have been making lately or that are in the works. I will hopefully be back sooner than later to post pictures and comments on the above mentioned projects.

Have a blessed day,

Maureen