William Penn Said It Best

"No pain, no palm; no thorns, no throne; no gall, no glory; no cross, no crown"- William Penn.

 On that note, I promised to post photos of my enteries once they were in the Novice Pentathalon.  Also mentioned their standing as they did in the Novice category.  I had two enteries that were cross entered into other categories with the appropriate information for the category.

 The Elizbethan Embroidered Gloves were entered in Needlework and Heraldic Display and won both categories. Very pleased these are finished, they were a sampler of sorts for me. I learned so many stitches while working on these that I was afraid the uniformity that is needed in a pair would be over shadowed from one glove to the next. So that was something I had to focus on while making the second glove and trying to keep them to match in stitch technique.Though I think they turned out really nice and they too garnered lots of compliments. I can't wait to accessories them with my Elizabethan gowns, they are just the neatest thing to brighten up the more somber colored Elizabethan gowns in my wardrobe.

 The String Marionettes were entered in Toys and won their category. I garned alot of complements on these. Childrens toys are a subject that takes alot of time to research. There are lots of out of period sources for later string marionette sources but I was looking for the medieval version and beginnging to their orgins to their secular use as a form of entertainement. The research is something I started in 2006 soon after I started in the SCA. These were the cullmination of many years of reasearch.

 The Tablet Woven belt was entered in Fiber Arts and Accessories and placed well amongst the other Novice enteries. This is my first tablet woven project, I recieved alot of very awesome comments on the handmade loom versus a commerically made loom. Which I didn't even think about it, but the looms we made would have been a very period act to make and then weave. So accidentally I did a period method. Which the handmade looms were much cheaper than the inkle looms I had previously thought of purchasing. Also got lots of compliments on my even and fairly distributed weft and warp, which Lady Aibell helped me get started on this so much, I can't thank her enough for getting me started on this weaving. Its a craft I have wanted to learn for a long time and now can make my own woven items to help accessorize my gowns and other accessories. I got to finish what is on my loom yet, though its going to look super nice when done. Been fun to experimnent with technique.

My Score was over 211 points which if placed with the Single Enterants I would have gotten Fourth place, still that is very good. I do have more to learn to get my documentation more finely tuned, though I am very happy with my Novice Pent win. Was totally in shock and didn't know how well I had done till Baronial Court to recieve my awards. I also recieved Baroness's Choice, which was also a total shock, what a wonderful story her Excellency told me about making her choice. I felt very humbled and honored she picked my Marionette Entry.  Thankfully I was in a great gown to go up in court too, in my full spring green Elizabethan floral embroidered gown with whisk collar and ruffs and nice long train, looked very period according my my good friend Lady Jaqueline. Looking period was my goal without looking garrish in the volumous dress and period hair. Both scrolls are framed, the Pent Scroll is in a shadow box with my three dragon medallions that denote my three category victories, thought they needed a place of honor next to the scroll, it is not glued in so it can be removed if needed. Got close up pictures so they can be read, click on them and they will appear bigger if needed.

 Also collected for fellow shire members who left the site for a party, so I was able to deliever good news when I got back to the hotel where we were staying. Its good to be a bearer of good news, it was a great day for our shire. We had a member become part of the Order of the Chivalry, a beautiful ceremony and it was witness by many but felt very intimate. We are so proud of our shire knight, Sir Havoc the Wild, Vivats!!! Thank you to Lady Antoinette de Lorraine for the pictures of my enteries and Lady Jacqueline of my court picture.

I also mentioned shopping in my previous spost, I will get pics of the neat things I bought. A few from folks I found out I know through Etsy, very cool to see their lovely items in person I must say. Will post more pics later on these awesome finds but for now its time to go back to the mundane.
Scadian Dreaming,
Mairin

Out with the Old... In with the New

Well 2012 is all done and on to new Tudor interests in 2013. Well I have a few project updates since Christmas. I received a commission for a Tudor gown from a lady in Sweden, really excited. In the planning stages right now and setting the dress form up with the proper measurements, making her custom pattern, etc. Bought some boning for the corset the other day, all the usual planning that a gown takes I am doing right now.

 As I find time between the commission, which is almost set up.  Currently weaving a set of lavender colored garters, and crocheting a lap blanket. Warm yarn based projects for winter, will return to my embroidery this spring. I think I will be making more garters with a multi-colored yarn when I get done with the lavender ones. This is my second attempt at something like a blanket, I made a really long trim in a seashell crochet pattern, it was supposed to be a blanket. Made about 6 inches wide by 9 foot trim and stopped working on it, now can't find the yarn I used for it. Typical of my luck.

I received most of my post Christmas books I ordered from Ebay on bobbin lace making. In the meantime I found instructions on making my own bolster pillow and holder. Also found also some guitar technique and beginner lute lessons by a person on Youtube. Who says the internet is a wasteland of information ;-)

 There are other types of lace making pillows but the roll shaped bolster pillow, I felt would work best for my needs of making trim like pieces of lace. I made the bolster lacemaking pillow from black velvet outer covering, muslin interlining, non-conbustable fused ploy stuffing, and glass beads in the center for weight. Its actually a very stiff heavy pillow. By the time the pillow was complete, the bobbins came in the mail, which I spent the next roleplaying session winding thread on them. The next step is to make some Prickings which contain your lace making pattern with holes for pins to hold your work. Prickings are made of either parchment/light leather pieces and are attached to your pillow. Will have to locate the mass of scrap leather I received from a friend, then I can make these wonderful patterns. Seen some starter lessons on the bobbin stitches, but am intimidated with getting started. Since I still have so much more to get done, between the housework, cleaning from Christmas, commission work, and current projects.. Though I think once I get a pattern worked out I will get the hang of it. Just one more thing I can do with string ;-)

Trying to make crafting progress,

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

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