Royal Birthday Boy

 

I wanted to take some time to wish Catherine and William Duke and Duchess of Cambridge a warm congratulations on the birth of your baby boy. Its not every day a royal prince is born. Happy Birthday Your Royal Higness Prince George Alexander Louis of Cambridge. In that spirit of this day, we wish you all the very best from Muncy in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

German Saxony Gowns

Wanted to show some German Saxony Renaissance Portraits that inspire me, they may not being exactly the time and coutry my SCA persona is located, this was her adopted home. Though I love well tailored gowns, hats and hairstyles of the 1540-1550 German. I wanted to share these jewels of clothing mastery with my readers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lady Mairin O'Cadhla Persona Background

           Over my 8 years in the SCA, I been working on the details of my persona. Wasn't sure in the beginning what I wanted to be, other than Irish in the 16th Century. When I started I also wanted a derivitive of my legal name, I like it so much I didn't mind having a version of it for the SCA.  I find that some of the research is good to show why I do certain things for my persona. After years of reasearching Ireland when Mairin was living there from 1509 to 1530. I discovered details about the invasion of Ireland by HenryVII and knew this was away to get my persona to England. So here is the story of Mairn and her family:

            Born 1509 the border of what is now Claire and Limerick counties, Ireland. Mairin O'Cadhla is an Irish shepardess aged 21 years. Coming from a large family of Irish Shepards, she knows how to dye, wash, spin, and knit wool to make clothing and thread. Mairin was taken from all she knew, during the invasion of Ireland by the English in 1530.

 Separated from her family and thought dead from the war, Mairin was captured and kept to be sold as a servant woman. Mairin was relocated in a large ship along with many strangers with odd accents and language going back to England. She was acquired and placed in the noble household De Vere’s of Warwickshire, who were prominent in the Tudor court.

 Over time as she worked in the household, Mairin showed her skills with wool in all its forms. Growing the favor of the lady of the house, Mairin was rewarded for her patience, diligence and knowledge, which was profitable for the household. Lady De Vere was pleased, and handpicked Mairin to be taught the skills to be a lady's maid. She eventually lost some of her Irish accent as she became accustomed to her new noble home.

 In exchange for her confidences, Mairin accompanied Lady De Vere to court on several occasions for many years. While attending her lady at court, Mairin learned many fine pursuits. She was expected to be mannerly, gain knowledge, and be devout just like many a fine woman. Mairin learned: prayer and devotion to the word of God, courtly dances, embroidery, sewing, playing the lute, care of fine clothing, care of fine jeweled accessories, keeping the company of children at court and keeping cheerful company to her lady and household.

She eventually wed to fine gentleman similar to her station, to a wonderful household master of horse Lord Justin du Plott. The couple had 6 children 3 of which made it to adulthood. Her husband passed in 1558 due to a bad bout with the pocks. Mairin passed in 1560 of illness due to old age, though it is said more to be of a lonliness for her husband. Their issue Mistress Marie Patrica du Plott,  Master Thomas Larue du Plott and Master Michael Joshua du Plott.

Her eldest daughter Marie Patricia grew up in the De Vere household and also followed in the footsteps of her mother plying her knowledges to gain postion. Spending time under her mothers tutilidge as a young girl. Eventually she went to court with the household with a comission to work as a lady in waiting in the English court.  Gaining more at court Marie eventually wed to a minor noble son, a 4th son of an Duke.

Her son Thomas Larue took on the family trade with becoming a Master of Horse. To which he became known throughout as an excellent breeder of hunting horses. A hearty breed of English horse mixed with some distant lines of the stockier breeds of Irish native horses. He married similar to his station with the lute teacher from the De Vere household.

Her youngest son, Michael Joshua also stayed with the De Vere household, but chose to become a master gardner. He had apprenticed with another household of Lord Cecil and was renoun for creating complex designed knot gardens and certain varieties of fruit trees. After the apprenticeship he came back to work for the De Veres providing gardens to set off the grandness of the De Vere Manor. He also married similar to his station to a well known court lace maker and embroideress.

Bon Anniversare On Oui!

 Is for Birthday! It is yet again that time of year where on turns a year older. Though every year is significant, we can only be an numerical age once in our lives. The emotional and physical are all together a different cup of tea ;o)  I am turing 30 this year, enter epic music here.Found out I share my birthday with another artist, the Dutch painter and etcher Rembrandt. One of my favorite comedians, Gabriel Inglesias, and many more artists, actors, and musicians!  Hey, creative greatness was made on this day it seems.

Though my 20's were alot of fun and a rollercoaster ride, I am glad to say things ironed out nicely. I feel full and ready to start the next decade ready to make changes in finanical obligations, career, and family in this next 10 years. I want to have a reasonably good new job for Justin and I, reasonable priced cozy moderately roomy house with a good size yard and large shed, and a would like to start a family after the first two are established. Let see if life goes according to plan, I think I heard the Lord laughing. ; -)

I did recieve some early birthday gifts, recieved season 1 and 2 of The Borgias from Justin, and bookshelves for the house that has opened up so much room in our crowded little home. We can walk through so much easier, and alot of things are up off the floor. I am happy with it all. There is still some space yet to fill on the shelves, which no doubt Justin will find ways of using. With the additional space made I was able to rearrange a few things in the sewing room. I am going to do more summer cleaning this week. Did finally get my smocking machine from Ebay. Now I can work on some aprons, smocks, and neck ruffs and wrist cuffs. So very neat little machine, can't wait to see how it all works out.  I did have a source for an overlock/serger for $25 but would have to pick it up from about an hour or so away.

Finished one of the gowns I was working on, the gold and red gown with rose accents. I also have the green and white one donet too. I have to put boneing and laceing rings in both but so far so good. Have to locate the bunch of boning I had but has seem to disappear for some reason. I have to work on the teal and coral creation starting this week. Also have some repair work for my father in law to complete too. Completed many beaded hair coverings made from lacy dresser scarves, will post pics with the gown details are done, they all sort of match which is neat.

This last month has been rough for me, family wise. I have been learning to cope with my mom's diagnosis with cancer. She has been in good spirits, but is concerned with how its all going to work out. I have been keeping touch with her via text message more than usual. She and I have been doing this for a while, and is a great way for us to touch base. I have been trying to keep her in good spirits and keep her mind off the obivous. Despite the prognosis, it was caught early and she recieved her operation to remove the areas affected. Visited yesterday, depsite being tired and tender she is doing well. Was nice to see my 3 sisters, Father, and to get in touch with them too.

So the family bit has taken wind out of my sails, some enthuisasim with some things. Though I want to be strong for my Mom and won't let it get me down. Things look good for her now, all we can do is wait and pray and hope it doesn't come back. Her type is aggressive but was caught early so the best prognosis all things considering.


Thoughtful Reflection,

Maureen

AE Academy

Well other than gushing over my Sycamore Scroll, I did alot for AE Academy. I put up my doll castle for display, which barely fits in the backseat of the car. Its magnificents is too much for my little car to contain I suppose ;-)

 Had to get to the Academy site at opening time to get it and the playroom set up. Which took sometime, then trolled in. Though the castle displayed nicely and such, was able to get it back to my front bedroom all by myself at home though, its easier with two people.

A&S Display at Aethelmearc Academy

Managed to get dressed and wondering why my waist is being trudgy in this weather, which is my summertime specialty. I managed to get in my gown and looked most amply put to place, which was  challenge with sweating so much. 

I started the day with my Elizabethan jewelry course attened by 8 lovely persons. The class is inspired by the Cheapside Hoard now displayed at the British Museum in London. Gave a full color handout showing detail of pieces from the archeological at 1015am. I also explainded looking for similar motifs in costume jewerly as in the pictures.  Explained the benefits of mixing matching, price points of replicas vs costume jewels. Shared my entire jewel collection to show my adaptions in late period jewelry. It was very warmly recepted and got lovely compliments about it all day.

Tudor Doll Castle at Aethelmearc Academy

I was so happy folks liked it and was suggested to do a make and take class to make a set of earrings and necklace. Which I am thinking of a English Hood class and the make and take for Fabric Fiber and Fighting for the fall. I will schedule playtime around those courses, depending on my decisions to teach.

 My afternoon course was well attended by 6 and lots of good questions. I had detailed images of the children at play painting done by Brugel. I want to find more on the political significance of  this painting to beef the content more. It just became an image search and discussion on the games shown really. Folks were kind about the class but I know I can do better.  Plan on changing a few things to get things a bit more interesting. Its a good topic and the pics were really good but needs more beef in the reasearch.

Abhainn Ciach Ghlais Shrine 

 



The food was superb as usual, the weather was warm the warcollege broke a new attendence record, you could tell how touched the organzers were with the turnout. I know the organizer of the Academy classes was happy with the wide range of courses for folks to try, which I was happy with the selection as well. Got to attend the heraldic fan class and the Henry VIII valentine course, both excellent! Was able to get handouts on the others I missed due to confict with my teaching, but its all good.  I wished there was A/C in the venue, it would have helped cut some of the humidity.

I was able to get time to shop, though I really didn't need to buy anything. Bought a book on English Royalty, a netted cault to add to an Elizabethan hat, some decorated pins and earrings. I saw my lovely needlecase full of needles, though I didnt need to get those. These items were to be sold and given to the Royalty for their travel expenses. So my $17 goes to a good cause, will show how the hat looks now in a future post. I plan on wearing it to FFF with my black Elizabethan with Erimine puff sleeves, should be epic.

Teal Tudor Gown

 



During court I was called up for thanks with my many efforts and escapades with the shire children in keeping them entertained.Their Royal Highnesses I know appreciate my efforts, wish I had something more organzied for the day but teaching consumed alot of my time. I did oversee some games and provided the playroom, didn't get used but was still there. Though folks told me the effort and space was thought out and that makes a difference. It is very nice to be appreciated {-D

I have a few pictures from AEcademy these were taken by Lady Livia Valenti, thank you for these.
The last one is an Lewisburg Arts but this is typical me, Tudor rose purse and all. This the wonderful Teal Tudor gown. Will be making another unique compliation soon. I thought you would find picture amusing. Speaking of the Tudor Rose purse, I have gotten more complinents over my creative use of craft felt, than any single piece of garb created. On that note time to get back to sewing I am currently in the midst of garb creation, pics forth coming.

Regards

Lady Mairin

Order of the Sycamore Scroll...Worth the Wait

     Well this is "the scroll", recieved via messenger at AE Academy. What a scroll it is too! I was expecting a lovely scroll but nothing as the masterpiece I recieved. I am crafting my words carefully for this email of appreciation for such wonderous work.
     All credit goes to THL Iohannes Weiswald for such masterful art and wordcraft.  It just so fits the 10"x 13" frame I purchased though I like my scrolls to take up a large amount of space in the frame, not a huge fan of matting want the scroll to speak for itself.

     I took a few pics to show what it looks like on my wall displayed with my Order of the Sycamore medallion. Which they really look like they go together, I chose not to wear my medallion this weekend to keep it clean since it was very hot weather but will at future events.          I love the blocked style of letters and this form of calligraphy is really beautiul close up, some of the other pictures show off the niuances that this british style creates. Also the picture is very personalized a depiction of me recieveing my order medallion.                        

As seen on the picture to the left, I am in the middle with a doll in my left hand an child in my right amusing him. Am wearing what looks to be a gold tudor like gown with red trim, its the right shape and  a english headress. My red hair and glasses are seen in this too, he captured my likeness for certain. His Majesty Maynard on my right it hand on my shoulder and Her Majesty Liadain holding a Sycamore medallion in her hands standing on my left. To complete the scene with a mannerly dog and cat at the bottom.

All the floral illumination work on the edges does remind me of English crewel embroidery and the large blocked M in the top left is just magnificent. I guess in closing, its just so much more than I expected.

Very Humbled,

Lady Mairin

Fabric Jewels Gallery

I recieved more fabrics to inspire my Tudor pallate. Some were gifts others were dollar finds. Oh my the stash is going to grow ;-) Well since I was showing the one fabric, I wanted to show the other fabric jewels from the past few events I have been to lately. Its amazing how fabrics just follows me home like a lost puppet. Those find their way to my house too, on a good note none named Jigsaw
 ;-) My friends do give me pieces they cannot use themselves for garb. Lady Aibell Diamarta keeps an ever watchful eye for handmade lace in its many forms for me to use with garb. I have used her various forms to make lace partlets, hats, and bun covers.

I love battenburg lace, its a tape lace and they are period but not woven into the shapes battenburg lace is done. Though its one of my few Anacronisms that I readily give. Though I do look to make my own lace soon. I have a lovely Mistress in the Barony of the  March Debatalble Lands (BMDL) to teach me bobbin lace. Which I should use for my projects, but just have not taken the time to learn. Was invited to take my supplies to her area at Pennsic for an impromptu class, sadly I am not going and have not gone to Pennsic for many years. Getting back to fabric, here are some shots to get a sense of the stash I am recently accumilating lately.

I have all my class information completed and ready for photocopying. Really excited also I received confrimation forn Sylvan Signet that my scroll will be delievered to AEacademy. So I will bring my scroll case to make sure that it can be protected, will have to locate a frame worthy of its maginificence. Which knowing Aethelmearc scribes oh yes it will be magnficent! Will post photos of it here just like I did for the Ice Dragon scrolls.  Keep this up and I will run out of wall space, but that is not a bad thing.

 With the comisson complete and mailed, I am working on more garb for me again. Am pleating a skirt for the teal and coral, cream and gold, and burgundy gowns. I am renewed and energized to make more Tudor gowns and French hoods. So I am going to roll with it and to figure out a plan of all this wonderful fabric.

Sewing Bee,

Maureen

English Tudor Gowns

Wanted to show some Tudor Renaissance Portraits that inspire me, they may not being exactly the time and coutry my SCA persona is located, this was her adopted home. Though I love well tailored gowns, hats and hairstyles of the 1540-1550 English. I wanted to share these jewels of clothing mastery with my readers.

 

French Renaissance Portraits

Wanted to show some French Renaissance Portraits that inspire me, they may not being exactly the time and coutry my SCA persona is located. Though I love well tailored gowns, hats and hairstyles of the 1550 French. I wanted to share these jewels of clothing, jewelry, and hairstyle mastery with my readers.

Fabric to Suit my Inspiration

Well this is the triumph in my most recent fabric shopping trip. Compared to the painting there is alot less coral color and more green acanthus. Though the background shade is perfectly right, the green is just glorious and the coral is really pretty, though it shows in a stripped coral color effect compared to the vining in the painting. Best part it was under 10.00 a yard, I found it locally, and had to pay no shipping.

I need to get to the Barn and Fabric center more often, though that is a double edges sword. Its very tempting and don't want to spend more than my small bit of personal spending money on just one bit of fabric. Which is very easy to do with, damask, brocade, and heavy decorator fabrics for costumes since they take a decent amount of yardage to create. This is why I mention curtain fabric more often, since its perfectly cut two panels will make a gown just right for my size. Though I may need to buy a third panel or complimentary color of fabric for Tudor hanging sleeves.

I had asked for some input through the Elizabethan Costuimg group on Facebook. At first I wanted to find a fabric close in green and blye and paint the more coral color in. Though very period technique to make fabric decoration, I didn't want it to effect the fabric negitively. Painting fabric can cause drape issues, possibilty of fade of paint over time, running of color, and other issues.  Though I have a plan, I will do nothing!

This fabric really has grown on me in the way it is and I think represents the painting without copying it verbatum. So the gown is inspired by the painting but not a complete copy, besides its nice having your own Tudoresque twist on things.

I am changing something else from the original painting, to bring out the much smaller amount of coral in this fabric. Devised a plan to make the underskirt, foresleeves, and French hood all in coral velvet or silk fabric. Non pattern fabric to really punch up the soft pink color color in this gown. I am considering using some of the velvet or silk from the underskirt, on the neckline and on the sides of the open skirt as a trim, thinking of some gold braid with pearl work to add some interest.

 I like the ouches and pearl neckline with matching jewel suite, though I am not sure if this is something I am going to use in my version. I do plan on using black velvet ribbon on the edges of the foresleeve as seen in the original.

So that is the news on the Tudor garb front. I would like the have this done by the end of June, though I have alot of overtime coming up and having trouble finishing projects already in progress. So this my not be ready by AE Academy June 29th. Though I have my other Teal tudor ready for a propery debut, so all is good.

I am above 17,500 page views  since starting my blog in 2010 when I started this blog and at the end of this summer I should be approaching my 200th post. I wanted to thank my 14 follower and invite those interested in costuming to come and stay a while. There are so many topics to talk about and I look forward to posting more interesting and educational information well into the future.

Until Next Time,

Lady Mairin