Balancing Act

Well it turns out that organizing really makes a difference. I have reorganized all of my costuming and historical research books. As well as all of my personal novels. So my library is much more categorized and easier to view all of the titles in my collection.

I am now able much easier to find many items on hand. As well as able to reorganize my extensive costume and accessories collection. Now searching is easier in my trunks and my closet, select an outfit with accessories under an hour.

After having lost so much weight, many of my outfits are loose. Which is not very accurate depiction of the clothing of the time. so there will be a lot of time this winter adjusting the fit of my clothing to make sure that it is up to proper standards. In the meantime there is a small selection of historical clothing outfits that will now fit.

More or less the month of October has been a fall cleaning of sorts. I was afraid with all of the changes that I would not be able to attend  SCA events. However I had filled a need at the most recent event called AE war. I was able to fill in for Chatelaine, which was a great experience to try to help in a different way. I also brought some examples of period embroidery, since this topic wasnt on display this event. What was nice to be able to educate on embroidery and help newcomers that would be interested in this immersive experience.

Recently found out that my commission for having my heraldry done in stained glass is complete. I am hoping to pick this up at my next event. And looking for a safe window space to display how gorgeous this custom work of art is. Speaking of custom things, I have a few commissions I am also working on. As I find time, I also have a piece of clothing I am working on for a friend for upcoming festivities.other than alterations, and the gowns that I have spoke about over the past several months. I do not have any additions to new gowns that I want to add.

Howwever, there is always a possibility of finding a new historical portrait to be inspired by to make a creation of a gown. In the meantime I'm going to try to focus a little bit more on embroidery. There are some research projects that I'd like to complete in regards to it and just to become better versed in this skill.

I feel very blessed now to have space to safely display all of my spinning and yarn creation items. I have also found some time to figure out the inner workings of my yarn Swift. It needs some work to make it do what it supposed to do, which is measure about 80 yards of yarn and then click to indicate that there is 80 yards on the winder and a skein is full. At this time I would have to count the revolutions of the yarn winder to fix approx figure out the amount of yarn that would be on the arms. Having the clockwork gears inside carved and working properly will make this a much more functional piece. My spinning wheel is still in fantastic shape and now has a space that it can be properly displayed and used. I am noticing however that many of the working parts are fatigued when I purchased them, and have become more so since I have been using the wheel. So I am having some spindles and spools made for my spinning wheel that are going to be representative of the current equipment, but will be new and be able to put up with more use.

Tabitha has recently adopted the chair is one of her new favorite locations. Along with the new to me reclining rocker wingback chair that I was able to procure. the Jasper and Tabitha take turns sitting on the new chair. They are finding life much more calm than they did last week during all of the moving. Other than their normal running around the house at full speed playful times, things are much more calm.

So other than working my normal busy schedule for work. It is been nice to be able to come home to some very happy cats. Be able to relax a little bit and unwind in the evenings. Some days are longer than others so there is less time in the evening to arrange chores. But at least I am able to make it work on my own schedule. Now that my personal life is much more in my own control, I hope to get my work life back up to the standards it needs to be. Unfortunately I only have so much time during each day to focus on certain things.

Regards,

Mairin

Pear Drops of Fickle Rain

Recently participated in the Lewisburg arts festival with my shire, hosting the medieval encampment

16th Century Replica Paternoster 

that we do every year. Was well organized, though it being the weekend had a little work I need you before I left.  The call did hold me up though there was a spot waiting for me I was able to set up some youth activities like our heraldry game, coloring and heraldic color matching. Wore my teal Elizabethan with Mary Queen of Scots heart shaped hat gown and got to work a little bit on my embroidery on my waistcoat in between families visiting.

 A beautiful demo is always the weather was very fickle. It couldn't decide to rain or if it wanted to be sunny out. This concern caused a few of us to pack up a little bit earlier than expected and then the sun came out for the rest of the afternoon.  So we finish up the day on a high note and luckily not a wet note.

Tricolor Pearl Necklace

On another note while I was at the festival, I did  get a little bit of shopping and I only found one item that I wanted to purchase which was a strand of pearls. Though these are three color alternating strand of pearls with lavender and light pink pearls as well as white pearls. So this gives me something to kind of play with and enjoy there in fantastic shape and I got them for less than I bought my white pearls a Ice Dragon a few years ago.

As far as my pearls go I do want to get a pair of black pearl drops to go with the black pearl strand that I have so I can use that with garb. I have to figure out whether not I want to get a different color drops earrings for this strand. I'll have to check about colored pearls in renaissance period. Whether not I may want to matches up with some of my shades of pink garb.

Playing with some more  beads I also decided to look up and create a replica-based 16th-century

Teal Silk Elizabethan Gown

Paternoster.  The strands of beads are the precursor to the modern-day rosary. Most of them tend to have a 50 beads, though there are many period extant pieces showing beads in various different numbered strands. Most are strands are on silk thread, with no knots in between each bead, there looser set so you can move the beads as you pray, a large majority have have a tassel on the end. Extant show straight strands and other ones were looped and later paternoster a have a small drop of about five beads. This was not added till about the 15th or 16th century.  Some paternoster had larger or different colored dividing beads between the decades of 10. These were for the our father, still others do not even have this feature at all. I went for something I was a little bit fancier since my persona is 16th-century so I have three decades that's 30 beads plus the our fathers that is 33 on the loop and 7 on the drop. I was using all of the available freshwater pearl, brass filigree, and coral rose carved beads that I had available. Might be total on the strand is 43, but I need to see if I can find more of these rose carved coral beads, planning on restringing this paternoster to have the 50 beads. Since that is common set up, is still debatable whether not I will use the drop at this point but right now I'm just kind of playing with the concept.

Special thanks to Livia for taking this photo at Lewisburg Arts. I tried to crop out the background a little bit and it's a tad bit blurry but you get the idea.

Regards,

Mairin

Best Year Ever!

     I have been plugging away on a comission, nearing the end. I have hat and beading then its all done and soon ready for shipping. Will post photos when done with the gown, I am testing it now to make sure all the seams are tigh. In the meantime I have been organizing Lewisburg Arts Demo and so begins the Scadian Spring and Summer busy season.

      This is the time of year my shire works on Public Relation more and really we pull out all the stops for making the demos amazing. This year was no exception, I was able to put out a small advert in the booklet this year about our new activites. Also was in more than one location as well as featured times for dancing and fighting. We had a stand amongst other no profit organizations in Hufnagle Park near the beginning of the vendors and our usual interactive medieval encampment in Soliders and Sailors Memorial Park at the other end of the festival. So I floated between both all day, was well tired, sweaty, sunburnt, and had a headache by the end of the day. Though it was well worth the effort, because I think it was one of the best public concenious festivals we have worked in many years. The day was a sucess though still alot of work for folks, though I feel that this is just the way this demo goes. I heard nothing but good from those who saw us and the public is always curious to talk to us at both locations. I consider it a triumph, and my first time Democrating an event was not easy. I couldn't have done it without the aid of my local Senechal who is just wonderful, Lady Anoinette De Lorraine.

     Its turning out to be the best year ever, aleast Scadianwise.  I won Ice Dragon Novice Pent Award, Baroness Choice Award, I am new companion to the Order of the Sycamore, was accepted into Haushold WeisserLowe received my favor, and now found I won two 2nd Place Sylvan Quill awards! I am just speechless with all this happening within the past few weeks, its alot to take in.

       The Sylvan Quill is recognition in many categories showing excellence in writing, content, layout and for authors and newsletters AE Kingdom wide.  I recieved Best Article and Best Article in Kingdom Newsletter both 2nd Places. 2nd Place Best Article was for A Home of Their Own; Aricle on 16th Century Dollhouses and 2nd Place Best Article in Kingdom Newsletter was for Evolution from Fashion to Toy: 16th Century Dolls. Three other shire mates cleaned up with Sylvan Quill Awards: Lady Vivienne Yardley recieved 1st Place in Best Article with an article on Modern Medieval Traditions, Matire Gille Beauchamp recieved 1st Place for Best Regular Feature with his continuing Dietary Series and Lady Ariel Grenwich recieved 2nd Place for Best Over All Newsletter.  This has been my first time putting in articles and have been new to the whole process, it was just an honor to get one of my articles asked to be put in the Kingdom Astel.  I am just in total shock really and very flattered everyone thought so much of my articles to vote for them.

     I wish my mundane life could be so cheery, my personal finaces continue to be a struggle with limited hours at work.  I am working very hard to find better paying employment, that doesn't want to own your soul for working at their place. Its a tough job market, I feel lucky if I get an interview. That "good job" itself seems to be a challenge of the ages, and the goal of countless. All I can do is pray for blessings in this area as I have been blessed Scadianlife.

In the meantime I look to Living in the Dream,

Lady Mairin

New Books and Documentation

Well had lots of progress this weekend, its good being busy. Its been whirlwind with my local SCA meeting this weekend, being in charge of a demo is taking up some time, though its not that bad. Now just have to figure out who can make it and who cannot.

  I just finished three documentation papers for Ice Dragon this weekend. All edited, citations, and sourced to perfection. I now just have to put them in folders for display and bring items with me in two weeks. More worried with getting the car all up to shape before I leave, have to get the struts done and inspected. I changed the rear brake lights this weekend, saved lots of cash doing my self best thing is  they work! Wish I could change the struts my self but that is unlikely.

Its nice to have one big hurdle out of the way, cut it closer than years before. Don't want to run this close again. I do still have to string and weight my marionettes, but its a minor compared to the big documenting pressure. I have time now to get some commission work done and proceed with getting it done as much as possible before I leave in two weeks. 

In the mean time, I recieved the new book The Tudor Child. Its very throughout, excelllent photos and references. I think it is just as well detailed at the Tudor Tailor, if not better. There area few ideas for expanding clothing for pregnancy, and a one early Elizabethan gown I would like to make for myself, that is listed as teenage gown.  So good things all around, was so pleased getting it in the mail this week. Well worth the wait and the money.

So here it goes, best get back to doing more comisson based work,

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

All Things Great and Small

Well been busy with little things here and there since getting married. One of those is changing my last name, I got it done with the Social Security Admistration by the Friday of getting married. Not too shabby, but I took advantage of sometime off over the past two weeks to get things done with the Department of Transportation, my job, and working in on getting it switched with all of my bills and such.

I haven't worked on much sewing, though it did make some progress before Lewisburg Arts. I did finish up the gold trim on the dark blue gown and was able to wear it for the Lewisburg Arts Festival. It looked lovely! I want to post pictures but haven't been able to track down the person who had taken some good ones of me. Guess we will see, my camera needs a new rechargable battery so it was useless toting it along. The battery won't hold a charge anylonger, though as old as it is, I have a feeling that will be a tall task to find a new one. Guess that is what ebay is for, without the flip design of the screen on my camera even with it being older, is the only way I can take pics of myself in the mirror.

It was the best $10 purchase ever, next to my wedding gown. It came with everything; charging cord, leather bag, extra battery that is now dead too and three memory sticks. I will need to get a new one before we go on vacation to Virginia want to take it along for photos of course. I know an all new camera will cost more than I am willing to spend and my camera on my phone is not that good. Hmm well guess I'd better get cracking.

Lewisburg Arts is a fun Demo as always, I did work with the kids in the childrens tent making heraldic shields. I then did a walk about drawing people to the encampment while showing off my pretty garb. There was some beautiful handmade arts and crafts by local artisans, but really didn't have money for things, beautiful things none the less. I did get food but that was about it. Let alone I don't have much more space at home for anything extra. The wall space is full and I will have to do a spring cleaning to get things back into a organized manner. Glad I bought the door hooks, they have paid for themselves holding extra clothes and garb. Its saving my silk lovelies from wrinkling up like a crushed flowers.

In the spirit of getting things done, I have finished my wedding scrapbook, It was a predesigned book that was bland in color and design but had potential. It turned out super nice and was able to add lots of creative details to the plain pages. Speaking of scrapbooking, I found a really neat storybook fantasy themed scrapbook and decided to make one for my gowns and SCA interests. So far so good, I am about 1/3 of the way done. I am creating a poem so I can tell my personas story through my work. Its very challenging but if I can pull it off, it will be one awesome book. It will take a few years to get everything done printed and added to the book, though it gives me some major goals to look forward to filling the pages.

In getting pictues printed out for the wedding and scrapbooks, I have discovered the awesomeness of walmart photo online. Its great to pick them up right up from work and just paying with my debit card, makes life easy. No extra effort in going there to download photos, crop, adjust exposure, and then print. All done from the ease of your desk, really cool. I have to say modern technology is super nifty, makes life easier but does come with its own set of challenges.

I got my prints back at the end of the week of getting married, its amazing how fast now with digital photography how easier it is to get things around. I am super impressed with how they all turned out, just lovely. Was able to get my mom to pick up some preprinted photos and she was able to enlarge some of her 4x6 and 5x7's to 8x10's. I know she is as pleased as I with how they turned out, she is sending them to friends and family.

So I know I have to pick up the sewing needle again to make progress on decorating the silk gowns. Oh speaking of silk gowns, I was able to purchase the Turquoise gown that I was interested in sometime back. The person who purchased it found she was needing a colonial gown and wasn't going to use the Turquoise gown, so she sold it to me for the price of my last bid. Not bad really, very happy to get it tried on the sleeves so I know they fit. So other than some decorative puffs and trim there should be no altering to fit. Oh I am going to be good and lay off the sweets to make sure I fit all these lovelies, its worth it. Just have to get back to the gym routine.

Well more things than I thought, but that is pretty much it for now. On the job market I am hoping for some new change of pace and praying for something better in the job department, here is to hoping its sooner than later.

Wishing, Hoping, and Waiting,

Maureen

Success is sweet

Well I have gotten back from the Festival of the Passing of the Ice Dragon for 2011. Tired and stiff from lots of walking but happy with how things turned out all in all. I only entered the doll castle since I was fussing with it for a while, there was no more time to enter anything else and I didn't have much done besides. Though there is always things to make and research for my Tudor habit, lol.

My documentation won me a blue ribbon and captured first place in toymaking, second year in a row:-D I also recieved a favor and recognitnion in court from the Princesses Royal for the doll house, they are very sweet good girls and a delight to be around. Jaqueline got a green ribbon for her unicorn blue velvet embroidered pillow and a red ribbon for her pearl bedecked red velvet hat. Though she was very suprised to win Kings Favorite for her hat, which I was happy to see. Wonder how my full scale marionette will do when done for next year. Its funny but it seems to help getting a start before the winter, gives me less to do when the spring comes to finish my project. I think I am getting the documentation down to a science, thanks to Mistress Alicia for her tips on documentation writting. Its helps keep my papers simple and answers the questions the judges are looking for in a proper research paper. Hope I do this well next year.

Well onward to local events there is Penn College Demo on April 10, Lewisburg Arts Festival on April 30th, and Wills Revenge on May 6-8. In the fall there is Ladies Event, Fabric Fiber and Fighting so very excited things are more spread out which is helpful to me don't want to take alot of time off from Justin's fantasy roleplaying games. Looking forward to participate when I can.

Smiles,

Maureen of Abhainn Ciagh Ghlais