Greetings from the Twin Cities

You know you're in a really posh hotel when...,they have ducks in the lobby. Not only is this a beautiful courtyard styled hotel but there happens to be a waterfall with little ponds in the courtyard, it happens to be some ducks to live there.What a fantastic place to spend a relaxing week of study.

 The flights and were not very long but I found out that the pressurization of the cabin is something that I can't stand. It makes my head feel like cotton and turns my stomach. I did get sick on my connecting flight unfortunately, not pleased at all. I liked my lunch very much where it was, in my stomach.

Other than that I was able to meet one of my other district teammates to here for

training. It is good to get to know one another, he's newer so to try to help him as I can. I will still have a week full of classes and plenty of training for myself to do so we will see how this all works out. I don't know what it is going to look like in the evenings but other than studying, I do hope to get a little bit of embroidery time while I'm here. I did manage to bring all of my supplies with me on my carry-on with no issues. Realized I forgot my non slip work shoes. They are at home in the living room, some good they are doing me at home. In the mean time, I have black satin slip-ons that fit the uniform standard.

After getting my clothing ready for tomorrow and getting settled then it's a time for a long nap. I will see if there is any crafting based things I can find or historical items I might be able to repurposed while I am out here in St. Paul. They will have to fit in my carry-on bag and fit TSA criteria but you never know what one can find.  I just hope that after visiting the mall and things like that, I will be able to get everything in my bags. I know that I have a three ring binder with information I get to take with me . And a 3 ring binder with pest ID to got to put in my bag as well. I think a lot of these things will have to go in with my embroidery.

I can see Ecolab corporate office from my balcony, very neat! Lots of studying and information to learn . It's gonna to help me be a better employee. Went to the Mall of America, nothing like seeing  an amusement park in the middle of the mall. There was a lot of interesting things that you got to see, do other than shop  and lots of different stores. Found out the entire loop of the mall was about a mile and a half . I walked the whole first floor than headed to some shops I wanted to see.  I found out that the craft stores about 7 miles away from where I'm staying. To get to them would take a lot of time and effort in the evening,  they didn't seem to be any uniquely interesting fabric shops a lot of them are your general chain stores.

Though I was able to fine are few unusual things, like a llama for example. I found a stuffed animal made from a skin and from wool of a Llama.  Sales of items are used as direct donation to lama herders to provide them ways of affording what they need.  Such wonderful store, great items out of wool. Wish I could afford a flock, these are the llamas really cute. So i took opportunity for some charity.

Most the stores I went to visit happened to be ones that were already closed or were not available the time that I visited. So there's was a bead store in the mall; bought some unique cloisonné beads I can't get anywhere else. On my list was an European import store was closed, one another is going out of business.  So as you can see my visit to the mall was pretty short.   They did happen to be Lego world and amusement park in the middle of the mall but I was not really interested in those particular. I was looking for some interesting and unique, which there were several stores.  Definitely a lot of territory to cover. After my visit to the mall a few things, I went and to my company store to get myself polo shirt and other branded items. Around other items I can use for work.

17th century Respite

Machined Embroidered Jewelry Box

You never know what items you may use until you find a use for them. My poor home has a collection of various different items that I found it through the years that I knew I was going to use for project in the future, I just didn't know when. Mostly when I am out shopping for various different pieces of needlework notions, beads and other findings inspiration strikes and another project is added to the already long list of items I want to create. Luckily I do my best to try to make sure the items that I purchased our ones that I will eventually use. A lot of them came together with the 16th-century embroidered waistcoat, that I am still working.

Embroidered Waistcoat 

I have's been seeing a new project put on by a great site; thistle-threads.com, about a course called cabinet of curiosities. Though unfortunately I do not have the amount of money to take the course or for the materials. However I do like the idea of the course topic, and it has inspired me to see if I can make a needlework sewing box of my own. This is going to be somewhat of a spinoff on the same themes as my embroidered waistcoat and will be 16th century needlework heraldry based themes and motifs.

Found the wooden box that I needed for the base as a piece that I had picked up for dollar at a thrift shop, it is a small slatted display box for soap. I am going to get all of the exact measurements off of this box, drawout on my linen the exact measurements that I need to create a needlework outer cover for this box with lining. Then after all the patterns are laid out, I am going to needlework them on the frame, then pad the work with a thin layer of cotton batting. Then stitch all of the pieces together around the wooden slatted box. Pad also the inside with the same cotton batting and then lined the lid and line the interior of the box. This box is not nearly as deep as I would like. Though I'm not finding the other varieties of a deeper box that I feel I could sufficiently needlework in a timely manner.  This would definitely be a useful piece for me to store my small sewing items at home and have it near my favorite sewing chair.

17th C Embroidered Casket

It however will not be a 17th-century replica, as well as the fact that it would not be something that I could document for an SCA related project. These sewing caskets made by young ladies in the 17th-century are post period. Would not be very good to document for the SCA since these are post 1650. This would be one of those projects I would keep to myself and making enjoy as a inspirational-based project, and might be used for gifts for friends and other inspirational based needlework. It seems for some reason I am really inspired lately by things that are passed 1650. I'm guessing that it is a phase, and  I'll be getting back to finishing off my SCA related projects. All artists go through a creational respite from the normal routine. That it does not hinder my ten year long fascination with Tudor and early Elizabethan topics. I found a fun one made commercially that I plan on using for more sewing supplies, which will still be fun to use. Not sure if I will add stumpwork elements or not, will decide when I get the

Besides this gives me another wonderful used to do more fantastic ideas with stumpwork as well as a excuse to use more peacocks, and put my heraldry on something which is always fun. This larger project may give rise to smaller decorated trinket boxes, I could see having something like this with a very personalized name put upon it would be a great gift.

In the meantime I am repleating my ruff and cuffs, resetting then in their bands and we will see how it works out.

Regards,

Maureen

In Love... With Books

Looking at the various different types of embroidery out there. I am focusing on new techniques, new materials, and interesting compositions and design layout for inspiration. And I have come across this wonderful book as a suggestion. This comes from online costuming friends who do various time periods of embroidery.

The Complete Book of Stumpwork embroidery by Jane Nicholas is a really fantastic guide to show how to create stumpwork type of embroidery. Stumpwork is a type of 3 dimensional embroidery that occurs in England from about 1650 throughout the 1700s. It builds upon various techniques and stitches from crewel embroidery. Like the buttonhole and detached buttonhole stitches, goes from there and takes it to a new level with adding different materials focusing on three dimensional aspects and texture.

Not only is the book showing you how to create different types of animals plants and flowers, it also shows you various different designs.  From simple small compositions that would make great gifts with embroidering the name of the recipient, to larger compositions that take on a tapestry like feel.  There are many projects shown in this book, there's a list of materials needed for each project, and it goes over the techniques on how to create the project step-by-step.  Love books laid out well showing you exactly how to make the projects that occur in the book. I really look forward to seeing more work from this author.  I found out that this manual is a combination of two different books; one focusing on Medieval flowers and the other one focusing Medieval fauna. These two books were created a paperback format previously they combined them together and put them in a complete manual.

In creating my polychrome embroidered jacket,  I worked with various buttonhole stitches to create levels of texture, and build up upon different levels and different stitches. This takes that and really runs with texture and dimensions. I may be using some of the techniques in very small applications on my jacket, stumpwork would be very hard to wear. Due to the three dimensional aspect, it could get snagged often on a garment-based project and destroy the embroidery or garment. So I will most likely use some of the beading techniques or maybe a few berries for interest but I won't be using three-dimensional leaves or other elements because of the snagging problem. So this gives me a lot of  information and inspiration to continue with more fascinating needlework!

Embroidering like Mad,

Mairin

Crafting Storms

      Not that I am powering powerful have to craft up some amazing weather. Even though we've had

some wonderful snow to make it a very festive December. In Central Pennsylvania we got about a good 6 to 8 inches worth of the white stuff have enough to shovel. Heavy enough for me to only get a part of a days work in over the weekend. Was a little worried considering it was my on-call weekend the case I was going to have to run out to customers.  Luckily with all of everything else going on no calls really came in.  More snow is supposed to be coming in tonight. I know that it's going to be a real challenge to get all of my stops completed before the holidays. I do have a majority of my work to do this week, praying the weather holds.

In the meantime I have been crafting like a mad woman. At this point I am in the process of making a blackworked pouch with beading on it. It is in the same pattern as my black worked chatelaine from previous post. It is all drafted from the same piece of fabric with black embroidery, believe it or not was a short skirt. And unfortunately did not fit me so I found better uses for the fabric. I didn't find very many black embroidered type of cotton fabric,  it's was a great find.

     Besides making a pouch and working on the other blackwork

pieces to go with it. I have also been making stands for my linen ruff and cuffs. These are to help me better iron out my ruffs as well as for display purposes when I take them to competitions. What I did is I took wooden loops, there were letters from a craft store. Sewed a pouch of cotton fabric, inserted the wooden ring, and then stuff it with polyester batting. Proceeded to sew the back closed, glue them to the base piece of wood. And then glue that piece of wood onto the top of the wooden candlestick. I am going to paint the wood a beautiful gold color..

For more interest in not having a plain piece of white cotton fabric on top. I sewed the  heraldic patches on, from my peacocks as well as my heraldic shield to give it a unique look. Looking to see if there's some edging that I can do around the side with other needlework pieces. Though I have to be careful, because there's edges really are going to be used to help hold the ruffs to the stand. So more decision-making to be done though as you can see there has been some major progress

In my crafting moments, I been working on assembling the sleeves to my 16th-century embroidered

jacket. I have the sleeves pretty much completed this point and assembled with the guards on the top and a little bit of the shell beading.  I was planning on using some extra peach pink pearls with the gold spangles. I'm wondering whether not I want to make on the teal edges some very pretty snakes or salamanders out of these pink pearls to give it some extra interest I would only maybe put one or two. I don't plan on doing too much with the real edges. They already have coral stitching to keep them together and I do not want to hide all of that work.

I still have a lot of embroidering on the body of the particular piece. I've been working a lot of pattern

issues with this project. It's been a real challenge to make sure that everything is going to fit right and the gussets are going to lie flat and be the way that it was designed. So if all works out it's going to be one very stunning jacket. unfortunately my documentation on this is firm but I did not follow the period materials as much in making this. So I'm afraid that if I do put it in arts and sciences competition it is not going to score very well. Though I did learn a lot from making this particular project and that might be the only saving grace my documentation. To make more progress that I can post on this soon.

For now I got to get back to what I do best work, 

Maureen

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Pocket Paradigm

Embroidered Appliqués

     Well I had a very productive weekend, despite being on call.  I have finished my pocket and I wanted to elaborate more on all of the work that I have done. It's time to get my work on the erect projects completed to be documented.

     I started with a linen base on my pocket which was made with a running stitch. The shape of a pocket traditionally is pear shaped. Mine is shield shaped, compared to the traditional. I wanted to go with something that had a longer top edge so I have an easier time putting a drawstring it though the top to be reinforced better. Though plans changed in the end on the strings. If I was sewing two corners, I wanted to really give it a little extra support in the pattern.

Linen base pocket

     I had made the original linen sometime ago and had not picked it up to do needlework, was going to make blackwork this originally. original in linen sometime ago. After having done some research even despite the pattern being a little bit different for my pocket. I will still wanted to use the linen that I already had. So I went to look and see if there was different types of materials I could use for the outside. And I found the documentation on Italian Soccici.

     Basically there wasn't any English version of these pockets until the 17th century. So the Italians were using a decorated pocket for ladieswear in the 16th century. I was basing my pocket on the extent example still exist, as well as a reference to a Italian fresco that shows a lady laundering items and has one of these pockets while she works.

Assembled Pocket with Embroidered Appliqués 

       After I studied the period examples, I looked at my stock of fabrics and chose the following materials; orange gold silk fabric and coral velvet fabric.  I had embroidery that I made on silk chiffon blend fabric and appliquéd it to the surface of my orange silk. Then I used the same unplied filament silk embroidery thread and made a border of floral accent in orange with a green herringbone stitch, where the velvet met the silk fabric. Then added pearls to the edges blending some into look like buds in the design.

The embroidery pattern is based from the painting of the Marchioness of Northampton; Helena Snakenborg circa 1569. This is the embroidery pattern that you see on her shirt in the painting, I enlarged it to look at the pattern. The  arrangement of the roses depicted is what I used as the basis of my embroidery pattern. It's an unplied filament silk embroidery on silk chiffon backing with fresh water pearl accents then appliquéd to the  pocket.

Added Appliqués and Pearls

       I had every intention of fingerloop braiding the tie strings and accents on this pocket. Unfortunately the unplied filament silk tangled as I was trying to create the fingerloop braiding. So I opted for a handmade version of some two colored twisted trim that you would generally use for edging and other purposes with garb making. I'm not exactly sure the time period in which this was created. I do know that you see similar treatments done for strings on 16th century purses and other accessories. In this case, this treatment worked really well with the silk and allowed it to slide past one another without tangling.

Completed Pocket

       What project would not be complete without pictures. I'm including that various
different photos  showing the progress that I had made despite working the weekend. Now to get the rest of it documented properly on paper  plus get the documentation done for the ruff and cuff suite as well as the gold work and pearled French Partlet.

Well that is it for now, I must get back to the mundane. I will be lining and adding the tie strings to my French partlet.

Until next time,

Mairin

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

Productive Weekend Crafting

Well been busy with things I want to get done for a change. Besides getting the required chores done that need to be completed by weeks end, I was able to get some crafting completed too. I have had a collection of feathers meant for Elizabethan fans for sometime. I decided to finally make the hat pins and fans I was wanting, though not without complications. I had bought a finial to make a handle for one of the fans, thought to my misfortune  I cannot find it anywhere in my craft room. Necessity is indeed the mother of invention, so I modified some broken wooden handles from some household tools. Though I will buy some decoration for either side of the handle to give aesthetic appeal and cover my glue joint to the handle.

Also on the Tablet Weaving front, I have made some garters in a coral wool yarn. Wasn't sure how the much thicker yarn was going to hold up but it did well. I am now working with another yarn in lavender and using a metallic weft thread, sparkles on the ends of the weave. Looking really cool, hoping the rest of the weave turns out pretty. I am thinking of using my single ply wool on this and seeing how it all turns out. Hmm should be interesting. Thought I would share my progress so far with a few pictures...

Below is an Elizabethan Feather Fan

 Below is a Feathered Hat Pin

 Below is another Elizabethan Feather Fan

 This is the second Feathered Hat Pin 

 Last but not least Tablet Woven Coral Wool Garters

... well that is what I have been up to this weekend. I hope to get pics of the lavender tablet weaving and such when its done. I also started small leaves on the back panel of the Elizabethan Jacket, baby steps I suppose. The jacket is one long and daunting feat, though it will pay off in the end. Well back to the workweek and hoping for some evening time to work and finish the weaving and embroidery.

Crafty Thoughts,

Maureen 

Elizabethan Jacket- Panel 4 Completed

Well just finished Panel 4, all the sleeves are now done! Super excited and happy with the progress so far. Am using more filling stitches and less other decorative stitches to make more progress faster, though I look to add more detail when I assemble with some herringbone stitches, some more finishing stitches and such. So more things to come.

So total for this project I have all the collar, sleeve tabs, gussets, and sleeves all embroidered. Now on to the body panels. Right now I decided to work on the back and see how it all turns out. I still have assembling and lining the whole outfit yet to do, that will be a feat all in itself. So a few down and lots more to go! Though I am happy with now fast and unique each panel is and now awesome I know they will look when put together as all one unit.

I am thinking some of the cohesive colors and panel assemblage will make this very challenging and unique project, beyond me putting my own personal spin on the flowers, edged pattern pieces, color choice, and design decisions for individual pattern panels with nothing repeating from panel to panel expect trailing vines. Yeah its based on an Elizabethan Embroidered Jacket, though its taken on a life all its own in the embroidery process.  

Well time to get to bed for another exciting day of work, its been a busy night. Hope to make more progress tomorrow. Beginning to see the light at the end of a very long tunnel.

Dreaming of stitches,

Maureen

Elizabethan Jacket- Panel 3 Finished

Well I have the major parts on this embroidery laid on this sleeve. Now on to the next one! This one I was able to leave some more space but and planning on filling some areas with leaves and more detail. Though I think it is turning out really nice so far. The next one is more cramped with spacing due to the gold work, so I will have to get creative on some of the size and copy some flowers on this one to the next sleeve. Though I am very interested in seeing how this all goes, will have to roll with it.

Thought you would be glad to see I didn't forget with all the happenings and holiday, about this project. Well back to getting the next sleeve done.

Embroidering some more,

Mairin

Bonnet Bonanza

Well I decided I wanted some Elizabethan Style bonnets also called a snood, and cauls. Since I have the gowns to wear, its time to have proper headgear. So I am making a few heart shaped style hats, and will see about some coifs too. Here is what I have done so far. I also bought some rat like hair accessories, to get the smooth Elizabethan hairstyle. Though I am not sure if I like them as much as teasing up my curls and spraying them to shape. Guess we will see, both methods are perfectly acceptable means to the look.

Thanks,

Mairin

P.S. This is my 150th post! Thank you all for reading the ravings of a woman mad about Elizabethan and Tudor Historical Costume.  Your insights make this blog so much more enriched.

Sharing Progress with Embroidery

Well I finally stared working up the embroidery. I decided not to make a repeating pattern of florals on this Elizabethan Embroidered jacket. I want to really have fun and keep it random with as many flowers, berries, nuts, and insects as I can concoct. Considering putting a praying mantis at the top of this as well as caterpillars and butterflies all over. I do have peacocks on the bottom but not sure if I want to add any other birds to this garden. We will see how it all goes, want it to be very original and garden-like.

Since i took this photo the empty spot at the middle bottom is transforming into a pomegranate, a strawberry leaf near the strawberry blossom, small oak leaf near the acorn, and berries near the holly leaf. I am going to make sure my shapes are going to fit in the space, though its going to be a challenge. Though I am up for that anytime.

Well back to it,

Maureen

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

Quit Hitting Yourself...Quit Hitting Yourself!!!

I pinned on all the lovely trim on the Turquiose gown yesterday, oh my it looks rich. Posting pics when its all sewed down, which will be a while. I am finally running low on some of my gold trim, but that is expected that I have trimmed 5 gowns now. Still have to rework the black doublet gowm, the coral fabric is going to look smart against the black and gold. Oh so excited to get it done, but patience will make it work out, no rushing!  Also have to figure out a plan for the billoughy sleeved black gown, though I have time to ponder.

On a modern note, I love sun dresses! Its been humidly warm and I have been uncomfortable, silk sundresses are the best keeping cool and comfy. Plus they look good too ;-), the husband says.  Oh wedding announcement is in the newspaper today, May 13th.

http://www.sungazette.com/page/content.detail/id/578161/Benfer-Plotts.html?nav=5018

Though on a life note, our roleplaying gaming store is back in the area! Our good friend reopened his store now that life and his personal econmy have worked themselves out. Yay! We have visited twice and just amazed with the selection of vintage gaming books, supplies and all over cheer we feel with hanging with our good friend.

I bought some big dice for my card games as life counters and for roleplaying. Picked up two cards for Magic the Gathering. I still have 4 decks from my college days back in 2005. I am reworking them since they are older just to get some older rares in them for spice. Been playing against myself and kicking my own butt, lol. They are all pre 10th edition but hey that is fine, the whole name of the game for me is theme decks. So the newest cards I could really careless about. I might get some newer decks down the road, but I am just happy playing my revamped older decks. Afterall don't want to blow alot of cash getting back into it. Only spent $7 at the store, so nothing earth shattering. I found cards online to work up my decks without going broke, nice when no one wants the older stuff. Never been a tournament junky, just not my thing.

So that is how I have been beating myself, lol. Though I am sure more trips to White Knight Game Room are in our future. Well that is all the crafty and gaming things for now, updates as things get done. Looking forward to somemore gaming fun.

Busy as a Bee,

Maureen

No room in June

I had a surprise last week, my first commission for a custom Tudor Gown. I ordered the customers fabric and planning the lining according to the measurements provided. So I am going to be busy with getting the gown done most of the month. Though it going to look stunning, the color combination is going to work nicely together. The auction was for an outter gown, underskirt, foresleeves and hood. This week I hope to set up the dress dummy and make the boned lining of the gown. Then by the time the fabric shows up I can dive right in. The customer know that these will take more of June to make and complete the gown. I know she will love it when its done.

In the meantime waiting for the fabric in the mail I have been keeping busy with embroidery. I finished my right hand glove and an working on the left. Thought I would share my slow but steady progress with some pictures. Not touched the Italian gown or the hat for the blue Elizabethan yet but they are something I want to draw out first before I start sewing on those. Though I have been contemplating making Justin a doublet and possible pants from the blue fabric so I am not sure what I want right now. So I am holding off till I make a decision. I have time I think our renaissance faire trip will be till September.

Hope this glove turns out as nice as the first, better get back to it.

Embroidering,

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