Wednesday, April 29, 2026

Most Noble Order


I wanted to take some time to decompress from my elevation to the Most Noble Order of the Laurel in the past few months. In the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA), this is the highest order for arts and sciences. Mine is particularly for my research on fashion dolls of the 16th Century. This was my goal in the SCA starting from 2004. It's time to make a few new goals ;-)

  I like to have soft and firm goals to strive for and look forward to achieving. Success is not the same for the individual. People are on their own separate journeys, and comparison robs the joy of achievement, and there is no "one standard" life.  Still important to embrace the things that keep one motivated in life. Success is unique to each person and will vary individually.

Been very fortunate and count all the blessings, after 20 years in this SCA society, to have my research recognized outside as viable for citation and exhibition is HUGE. More on that later, as things progress this year, I will keep you posted on events for 2026. 

So I have so many thanks to folks who helped along the way. This will be a picture-heavy post. 

Many thank-ewes, I am sending out for my elevation this weekend. I had to take a few days to unpack, deal with some feline illness, and get my thoughts organized.
Baroness Antoinette DeLorraine for being my go-to person for organizing and the task of herding all the sheepies. Allowing me to share your brain cells for a few months, Ewe are awesome.
Baron Jehan LeBlanc for set up, tear down, and being part of the evening court sheepie entourage. Shlepping whenever and wherever needed.
Countess Elena d'Artois- for her heralding expertise in the evening court, with a stirring rendition of Hello Dolly. With sheep in the entourage was perfection.
To my worthies who spoke on my behalf: you made my day even more special. Thank ewe!
Duchess Anna Leigh
Duke Murdoch Bayne- Jason T Robson
Matriesse Elyse De Bref- Debi Dreese-Hoch
Cookies/ Mince Pie: absolutely delicious and I am enjoying the extras this week. I can taste the love in the cookies and mice pies. Thank ewe for making tasty treats for my guests.
THL Magdalena- Drea Choperena
Master Perote- Peter Lee
Baroness Revna Lunaris- Ivy Bruch Bender
Brother Valentine Garnett -also assisted with organizing folks and lining folks up for signing the book.
THL Maggie Rue- Jennifer Sadler was the keeper of the list, those folks to visit with me during my vigil.
Regalia and Garb: I felt like a queen for the day because of this team sewing within an inch of their lives.
Purple wool flat cap : Rhaeya R Mars THL Elizabeth De Salisbury
Purple silk Gown: Magifica Fede De Fiore- Dani Zemba
Suite of Ruffs: THL Lisabetta di Rossi- Ashley Carlton

Medallion- Master Artemius Andreas Magnus- Mark Schwartz
Capelet: Duchess Illish O’Donovan- Wendy Platz Meka
Scroll Mistress Abigail Kelhoge- Gail Kellogg Hope words by Master Cyrus Augur -Cyrus Augur
Wreath by Tomas the Lapidary's Jewelry
Doll Token Pendants by Lady Aurelie de la Rose - Dasha Linares
Lastly, not at all least, I would like to thank those folks who made an opportunity to come provide words of wisdom and encouragement on the day. Also, for those folks who knew that they weren’t going to make it and provided words of encouragement and wisdom during my vigilant period. I will keep all of this advice in mind for future reference.
The decor, vigil book, fabric, linen underpinnings, Juliette caps, red brocade morning court gown, pearled regalia belt, and jewelry were either sourced by me or made by me. 
Some words of advice from a baby peer. For those folks who have a grant level and are looking to an eventual peerage. Buy the things you want, fabric especially, certain accessory pieces, a favorite book, etc. Not only is it cheaper to spread out the cost of an eventual elevation. It makes organizing your special day a lot easier when you don’t have to invest as much by your future self.  Additionally, when you have it on hand already, you don’t have to wait for it to arrive in the mail. Be kind to your future self and plan if you can.
If I use the wrong title, please correct me. Want to make sure I was using the right one with each gentle that I was attempting to tag. If a tag did not pick up on FB and you notice it, please tag the correct person so it appears for them.

The question of sheep, they were a last minute idea of mine since I didn't want all the dolls to be mishandled during evening court procession. So this was a soft alternative that put a smile on all faces. Plus its good to keep everyone on their toes, also lots of punny Scottish sheep jokes to be had waiting to process in. Additionally, I do a goodly amount of fiber arts for my own garb and demo purposes, so sheepies for funzies.















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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