New Years Resolution and updates.

I am not normally the type of person to make a New Year's resolution, not because of failure. But more or less I don't always have time to commit to a New Year's resolution. Though I have to say this year I do have one. Which is to complete the Elizabethan embroidered jacket that I had finished the sleeves on earlier last year. I went ahead and took a look at my pattern pieces last night. The gore pieces that I have for around the waist and body for well despite being sized wrong originally.

I do believe it's going to take several months until the jacket is complete especially with getting it lined and already to go. I think I'm at least to the halfway point or real darn close to it. I found a few pretty snowflake pillows on clearance recently, that remind me of Elizabethan flowers and are giving me some inspiration to start embroidery on this jacket again.

In the meantime I created a silk pouch to go with a few mother of pearl purse closure pieces that I bought for Christmas with the money my mother gave me for a present. The silk was salvaged from a shirt, so I could create the blue background and use the Elizabethan costuming groups device so I could use that as a way of showing that group that I belong to online. I admit might be looks a little bit big in the body but at this point it's at least a good attempt at doing one. Accented it with gold colored glass beads to give it a little bit of shine, as well as scissor charms that are also red presented on the device. I have currently been using up some of the last of the pre blackwork fabric, shown in previous posts, in an attempt to make a partlet. I have the face pieces beaded already to go I just have to line it and attach a collar as soon as that is done I will post some photos is looking very nice.

As far as the holidays go everything went pretty well. I am still waiting for the book to come in on
London lost jewels for the Cheapside hoard. I had ordered it well before Christmas and I'm not exactly sure since it's coming from England it's taking a long time. That was the main item that I got with my money my mother had sent to me and the other part was some embroidery tools and supplies. I also ended up trading some gift cards with my hubby to get some other books. I had ordered him a box set of books he was looking for a while as his gift.  So I ordered myself the one book I was needing, 17-century dress women's patterns book 1. I received book 2 at a great discount at an SCA event. I enjoyed the book so much, decided that I needed to get the first one to add to the collection.

In more history were cool pattern book news, I found out that they are putting out another addition of a Janet Arnold book for ladies patterns. I believe that this one is to deal with farthingale's as well as bum rolls and other types of stays and corsetry.   I am sure it is going to be a long while before this book comes out. And I have heard that there is a lot of effort to preserve a lot of the notes and original items that Janet Arnold used in all of her lovely research. So from what I gather there is going to probably be other volumes of her books coming out, postmortem. It would've been one awesome experience to meet her, it is unfortunate that she had passed while I was still in middle school. For those of us who make historical clothing, We salute you Janet Arnold.

Other than some recent books, getting through the holiday season, things have been going smoothly at home. Just a lot of prep work and concentration on my new job which I'm very thankful for. Battling the usual chores schedule, trying to get everything done between work and home. The kitties are doing well and avoiding any illness so far, fingers crossed. Hopefully with the added wet food I've been giving them during the winter to help them keep their amino acids and other nutrients up that'll help. Hubby is doing good as well, we just both got over a couple of head colds. We are happy and healthy so far this new year. That in mind, want to wish all of my dedicated readers a belated
Happy Holidays.

Regards,

Maureen

Christmas Decorating and Early Gifts

Haven't made much progress with crafts, been helping Justin with his very strong cold. I had it last week so one reason for not being as busy as usual. He took a long nap after work, I took advantage and quietly decorated the kitchen, hallway, and dining room. When we woke up I just finished putting garland on the Christmas tree, Jasper likes to rub against it. Though so far the cats have the sense to leave the garland alone, fingers crossed. They went right for it and had to get scolded several times, I think they are learning. They like to pull the wired branches down and rub on them but its hard to catch them when I am asleep. All I can do is catch them in the act and correct the behavior.

I was able to get alot of mending that needed to be done, completed this week. Also made some small progress on embroidery. Justin, Jason and I exchanged gifts early, saved me from wrapping them. I got my Furby I asked for, Justin got a new board-game; Walking Dead, and Jason got a role-playing book. Furby really annoys the cats, Jasper especially makes low growling like noises at it. So Justin distracts him with lots of play and attention. All the presents are wrapped, finally! The cats liked the shiny paper as you can imagine, part of the reason for Justin working on distraction for them. Furby makes a great paperweight, especially like to talk to the Scotch tape. Really funny it was liking that particular noise. So yes lots of insanity getting all the shopping done but its complete.

After Christmas we got some money for buying of gifts. I bought 4 lace-making books, 24 lacing making bobbins, 1 large illustration book on Fashion though History, and bought supplies and made lacing making pillow and wooden cradle stand. Still have a few gift cards to spend but finding ways of getting them done too. Guess we will see how it all turns out, but for now here are pics showing the total effect of all my efforts with decorating.

Enjoy,  Maureen

A Look Back...And Looking Forward

Well looks like the sequential dates will be done for a while, which if fine though they were very amusing to post things on dates like that. Its 12/12/12 today, kinda funny how this year has come and gone. Its been one busy year, got married is my big event. Many friends and family had children this year, sister moved back to the states, lots of nice get together with friends and family. Hope 2013 is full of many more life milestones and improvements.

There was much crafting in 2012; may there be much more epic handicrafts in 2013. I like to get thinking early on these things even though there is still some 2012 left to finish. Like to keep motivated so here are the list of Resolutions for 2013; score new and better paying employment, score same great employment for Justin, find a place we can reasonable afford or make a large dent in saving to build our own, make final plans on family planning, buy a new to me car that runs and works well that isn't overpriced, spend more quality time with Justin, finish the Elizabethan Embroidered Jacket, make the Epic Late Elizabethan Gown, take Chancellor Minor office to new and better heights, train new folks interested in becoming Youth Officers, and get some kingdom award for my many toils in the SCA society. I hope that folks have noticed my efforts, though that is yet to be determined.

Well that is all for now I will post some sewing and crafting related things as I get them done. Which there will be some soon. Been working on needle and shuttle tatting, weaving, and embroidery all at once, its pretty neat! Can't say that I am bored.

Back to Work,

Maureen

A Furby for Christmas 2012

Voodoo

Greenman

      

Completely off topic, but its fun to find things that are fuzzy and amusing.I have a habit of collecting fuzzy non traditional pets, that affinity has led me to seeing these little guys and just gushing over them.

  Well found something really cute and fuzzy for Christmas, the new Hasbro Furby for 2012. They come in really cute textures and fur colors, have moving expressive glowing LED eyes, can more more than the old ones. They have the capacity to change personality depending on treatment, so the learning capacity is more developed. As well as they changed the design on how they look and interact. You can get a free app for Apple products and later aftermarket Android app for Furby. I hear the app works well to get Furby to try different foods and hear the reaction, though you can also feed the traditional way.

Totally remind me of the 80's flick Gremlins, but in more bright colors and missing arms or legs like appendages. Found out the resemblances had the movie production company considering a lawsuit back in 1998, fascinating. They are not the same though makes you think. Anyway I really like the "Greenman"  the most, reminds me of a baby abominable snow-monster. Told my husband and good pal about these though not sure if I will end up with one.

Not sure how the cats will react to a noisy moving ball of fur, theory is Jasper will run and hide and Tabbi will attack them. Would love to get two so they can talk, but they are pricey at 69.99 retail. You can find them cheaper but it takes work. Well guess I will have to see what Santa brings.

Still have to decorate the house, not motivated or in the spirit much this year. I think its melancholy left over from the new job not coming the way I wanted this year. Figured out what I am getting Justin, checked and he doesn't have what I am getting him. Looking forward to seeing his reaction on Christmas day.

Got to get Motivated,

Maureen

Elizabethan Gown Available for Christmas

I have this gown available for sometime and its in need of a home. A home where someone can wear it without squeezing into it, just doesn't fit me right. For sale through Ebay here is the link, SCA Elizabethan Renaissance Gown . I have two days left and would really like to make some room for new creations that will fit properly.

If interested you can email me, faerydustcollector@gmail.com or message me through Ebay itself.

Hope to Make Someones Christmas,

Maureen

Christmas and all that Loot

Well it was another good holiday this year everyone liked the gifts I bought, so success! Food was great at both places we visited, didn't expect anything less. This is the way the Holidays should be every year. Here is the list of loot we receieved and bought with money and or gift cards: Strike Up the 12 Days of Christmas Carol!

Justin got me a sterling silver necklace and bracelet set, Katana handled chopsticks and a CD from our friend"Fig", got a copper colored silk scarf from my sister Melissa, Walmart Gift card from my Sister Teresa; which bought a lovely turquoisey-teal queen size fleece blanket for the couch. A Gift card from my Parents, which bought me some gold hoop earrings with fresh water pearl dangles and 18 inch freash water pearl necklace. Hmm dare I say real jewelry for Tudor Garb? Another Walmart gift card from Justin's aunt (not sure what to get with this one), a Joanns Gift card from Justin's uncle( you know what that will be used for;-) and two festive bath washes, loofa, and sewing bobbin with needle ornament from Justin's cousin. Money from Justin's Grandma, money and lottery tickets from Justin's parents, which I won $59 total on the lottery. Justin won money off his tickets too $29, we are just a lucky bunch. What can I say my future in laws are good to me, they picked the good ones.

Justin got gift cards to Books-a-Million, Cracker Barrell and Applebees, same gifts from Jason as I got, as well as money, lottery tickets, etc. He got a Arabian Dagger from my sister Melissa. He used his gift card from my parents to purchase a new pair of boots for work, I got him two hard to find Deadlands RPG books for his collection and a pair of fuzzy dice. He was very happy with them both, also his other Gram found some of his old comic books, so those are going safely away in his trunk. So a lost and found gift ;-)

We both got gifts from our job, nice throw blankets and gift cards to Dunkin Doughnuts, haven't used all mine from last year but that is ok lots more money for fancy coffee ;-) I still have gifts from the roleplaying gaming group to disperse and my local 12th night to attend, so there is more gift giving on the horizon.

As far as the money is concerned, I am using some of the money to buy two costuming books online from Tudortailor.com, they have two patterning books called King's Servant and Queens Servant(which just came out this month) so I am picking up both of those. I also am looking into a dress watch online, ooo sparkly. Also thinking of 5 real golden rings with gemstones, yet more real jewelry to wear with garb, and well anytime actually. That will probably use all my money but its well worth it. There are a few things I am considering, like some other Tudor garb online also but the books are a definite.

As far as sewing garb, I have made some real progress on my black velvet gown. The bodice fits properly and trim is sewn down on the bodice. I have the skirt pleated and ready to add trim then attach to bodice. So hope to have it all together today and add fur sleeves tonight. When Melissa goes back to Saudia Arabia, I want her to pick up more of that wonderful fabric to make more embroidered renaissance shirts. Decisions, Decsions am able to get alot done in peace while things are slow over the holidays. Oh to be done and take pictures of this and my other recent creations would be lovely. Its a goal for sure, well that is all that is going on right now.

Best Holiday Wishes,

Maureen

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree and other photos!

Pictures of this years Christmas Tree, I put my woodbaby puppets in for something different. Its a fantasy theme, turned out really cute. Love all the gifts underneath, looks like a happy Christmas for all.

Though I lost my tree topper, I plugged it in and it made a popping noise, so its done unfortunately, going to have to pick up another with the after christmas sales. Will have to check Walmart and such. It was a really cool color changing 8 pointed star. Hope I can find another one just like it, its so pretty.

I included a picture of my new drabbit, this is Tourmaline the Glistening. The check is cashed and she should be on her way. I hope to see the UPS man soon so I can find a spot for her on the entertainment center with her brothers and sisters.

I also got my Citrine jewelry in the mail, looks lovely as ever. More updates on presents to come.
In the Spirit of the Season,

Maureen

Preparations are as planned

Well I was able to get the tree set up two days ago and finally decorated today. It seems that Tabbetha has the sense not to climb it for now. I will be able to tell when I get home, by the hang of the branches and the bits of chewed tree. Though there is an army of paper wrapped gifts on floor level that I am sure are more interesting and easier to accquire. Today I was also sucessful in wrapping all our packages, save two large ones I ran out of gift wrap paper:-(

So I am picking up odds and ends at Walmart tomorrow, I know madness! I find that the last minute odds and ends will not be a bad afternoon outing, after being the house all day. Also have to go to the bank, pay rent and other similar errands before the holiday, sure I am not the only one tiding up the before holiday errand list.

I work all night tonight and will keep occupied with my sewing. I have to put the fur sleeves on the gown and trim on the bodice and attach the skirt, the rest is hook and eye closures. Though sleep will be the goal when I get home. Dishes, check the tree for disturbance, feed cats, clean litter box before I can hit the hay.

Speaking of odds and ends that is what you see pictured above is a lovely trim I found in Walmarts ribbon section, I am thinking of making ruffs out of it. Though I only have 6 feet to work with. If I can find two more rolls I will be happy it was fairly cheap too. So for now its fun to look at and wait to see how it presents itself in one of my sewing masterpieces.

I am determined to make our gold with blue floral pattern curtains in the bedroom into a gown. Have had my eye on this for a while, the fabric was orginally purchase for the intent of a gown. I have other ones with insulated lining to put up in their stead but will have to find time to get them out of the shed and put up before I head back to work again in the evening. This is not supper pressing

Though I have Friday off which is a delight, I should have everything done for the holiday by then, fingers crossed. I think I will take pictures of a few of my new and never seen gowns in the bathroom mirror. Post those along with Christmas photos of the tree with woodbabies in it, and find time to do some more decorating with garlands if time permits. I will let Justin have the car, don't mind being a house bum for a day ;-)

Well if I want to take a picture of this gown by Friday I had better get cracking. I will post a whole picture gallery soon. Until then have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year my fans and followers.

Regards,

Maureen