To Do List take 2…

 Well, It turns out I didn’t take into account everything else in my schedule on weekends as well as how much I didn’t write down for each person so my “to do” list for Crown has been shortened considerably. Here’s where it stands now:

1)      Kirtle with corded bodice in blue Linen for Sarah. (Everything is done except for hand sewing the       eyelets then attaching the skirt.)

2)      Coif in white Linen, Flat Cap and Pin On Sleeves in wine red Linen. (The coif is done but I’m not sure of the fit – it may need to be remade. The sleeves are done except for the wrist hem and the flat cap is cut out.)

3)      Kataginu Kamishimu (that’s a matching hakama [pants] and kataginu [sleeveless robe]) in blue Linen for Tim. (The Kataginu is done other than the hem and the hakama are done.)

4)      Kosode in white Linen for Tim to wear under his Kataginu. (This is done except for the hem and the wrist opening.)

5)      Flat Caps and/or coifs for Katie and BJ. White for the coifs, I’m not sure what colors for the caps yet. (1 coif is done)

6)      4 Banners (just color blocks – no devices)

7)      Dobuku (jacket) and cloaks if there’s time. (The Dobuku is cut out.)

At first glance that doesn’t seem like it’s any less work than before but I broke out a few of the projects that were implied/grouped into the previous list. I also took my garb out of the equation since I actually still have stuff that fits and I cut down what I’m making for the other two girls to just headwear. I most likely won’t get to cloaks but the Dobuku is a possibility since it is almost the same as the Kataginu with sleeves. We’ll see how it all goes. I’ll get pictures of the progress up as soon as I get some taken.

On top of the sewing I want to make some food up to take with us just in case. I know there will be an extensive (and it sounds like very yummy) dayboard but I’ve learned it’s safer to at least bring a little food and something to drink.

Once this event is past we’ll take a look at what I can accomplish before Yule…

Hello,

For many years when my kids were younger we took part in the Society for Creative Anachronism and my favorite things were always costuming, cooking, calligraphy and illumination. We dropped out for the last 5 years but now that the kids are old enough to enjoy the events without me having to give up enjoying the events we’ve decided to start playing again. I’m really enjoying it! My son is now old enough to fight and is enjoying learning that aspect (he really just doesn’t want to get stuck in the kitchen). My daughter is very art oriented and has discovered calligraphy and illumination. It is very fun to see how excited they both are. Of course the difference between what a 10 yo girl and a 16 yo boy can and will wear compared to a 16 yo girl and a 23 yo man mean more garb is needed fast!

I started with a basic Ren Faire outfit (since we were going to a Ren Faire with some friends). Considering I made garb for 3 girls in a little over a day I think it turned out pretty good.
Sarah used that garb and I pulled out my old Viking garb to wear at Hunter's Moon over Labor Day weekend but I’ve promised everyone new(ish) garb (as well as banners to make our EZ-Up a little prettier) for the East Kingdom Crown Tourney on 11/5. So that’s 3 – 5 outfits in 1 month, 1 English Tudor, 1 Japanese, 1 Southern German and possibly 2 that I’m not sure about yet. Time to get cracking…..

To do by 11/5:

1)      Kirtle in blue Linen for Sarah (+ coif, cap, smock and sleeves)

2)      Kataginu Kamishimu in blue Linen for Tim (he’s decided on Japanese)

3)      Kirtle in green Linen for me (+ headwear and smock)

4)      Make sleeves, coif and cap for Katie

5)      Do repairs on BJ's bodice and make sleeves and some kind of headwear.

6)      4 banners (just color blocks no devices)

7)      Dobuku (Japanese jacket) and cloaks if there’s time…

 Other than Tim’s Japanese everything is actually the first layer for the garb we want for Yule but I’ll make that list later….

 

Wow it's been a while!

It's been a while (a very long while...) since I posted anything here but I thought I'd give an update on what projects I'm working on (or am planning). Hopefully all of these will end up here.
10 different Anime costumes for my daughter.
2 Anime costumes for my son.
7 Steampunk costumes (3 each for my daughter and I, 1 for my son)
1 set each Ren Faire garb for my daughter and I (mainly reworking pieces we already have)
Rev War garb (this one is just for fun - not sure who I'll make it for possibly my husband)
15th Century Pleated German Dress (I made this a few years ago but it needs rework)
Some skirts and pants for everyday wear plus a bunch of mundane mending
a slew of scarfs and wristlets
homemade soap and candles
An enchilada making tutorial for my niece (since she's not close enough to just have over and teach)
Hmmm... That's a lot... And there are more non-sewing projects that are planned but have no set time frame.
We'll just have to see how this goes and how quickly I can get them loaded up. Several of these are near completion but I haven't been taking pictures (shame on me).
 Time to get organized!

Knit Wit - take 2

I've learned to knit several times in my life. Tension is something that has always caused me headaches - sometimes literally. I've tried again every few years because I really love cozy knit scarves, hats and gloves. I also like to use knitted washcloths and they aren't always easy to find. It just makes so much sense to be making these things for myself. I'm really good at sewing, I can do calligraphy and illuminate it, I can piece and patch, make my own soap, weave a belt or garters on a tablet loom, cross stitch and do other types of needlework - I should be able to do this! And in reality I can.... I can knit and I can purl but usually too tight - sometimes too loose. And being the perfectionist I've always been craft wise it's made me crazy. Well, I'm trying again. I'm knitting a scarf in my favorite fall colors and I think it's actually working this time. I'm using a set of needles that's much larger than I normally would have but I like the effect I'm getting. I've even managed to keep the tension within reason. Of course I pulled out and redid the first inch or so at least a dozen times. I don't know if I'll ever move up to sweaters but I've actually gotten this long enough that it looks like a scarf. I think part of the secret this time is the fact that I'm treating this as a stand alone thing. If I never knit anything after this plain garter stitch scarf that's okay. It's taking me longer than I was expecting but that's okay too. I did have to stop in the middle to make a dress for my daughter to wear in my son's wedding. I'll post some pictures of that soon. Actually I think most of the month of September just disappeared on me.

This is Love....

The Zucchini That Ate Western MA

Every farmer knows that the best vegetable grown in western Massachusetts that won the blue ribbon at the county fair got a good cash award and bragging rights until the next county fair the next year. Cletus Courgette knew all too well about the contest. Ever since he started his own farm 7 years ago he tried and tried and tried but the highest placing he ever got was second place. He knew that this year he would win. He had tried a new method of growing and ALL of his crops were going so well, especially his zucchini. He KNEW he was going to win.

Since he was so confident, he decided to go on a little trip to Niagara Falls (something he had wanted to do since he was a little boy) with his dog, Stump (named for the fact that he loved to sleep on an old stump since he was a puppy). He left the care of his farm to his neighbor with detailed instructions on the specific amount of water, plant food and general care for each plant. But the neighbor, not being a farmer, disregarded all the instructions and gave them all random amounts of water and plant food every day and then left. That had made all the crops grow irregularly. And when Cletus returned just two days before the county fair, he panicked and doubled the food and water on his prized zucchini.

The next morning, Cletus woke up to Stump barking at something. He just shrugged it off and tried to go back to sleep. Then the floor started rumbling and then everything was shaking and a low noise that sounded like a roar came from the field. Cletus quickly ran out to the field and looked up at the source of all the rumbling and roaring. His zucchini had grown extremely large and mutated into a monster! It roared again and started eating some of the trees and then rolled away. Cletus quickly jumped into his truck and followed it as it caused much destruction. It occasionally stopped and ate the closest thing to it and then rolled off again.

Before Cletus knew it they were at the fairgrounds and the judges were judging more vegetables. As the ground started shaking they stopped and looked up just in time to see the giant zucchini right before it crushed them. The zucchini continued on but Cletus stopped. He got out of the truck and looked at all the chaos. The screams of terror were all drowned out by a different noise. It sounded like… music… and beeping…

Cletus then woke and looked around. Everything was fine, no damage, and when he looked outside he found, not a giant monster zucchini, but a perfect one, fit for judging.

Cletus finally won the blue ribbon after all these years. He gave his winnings to charity and sold the zucchini to a bake shop for them to make zucchini bread, he put his earnings into expanding his farm and putting in a play area for Stump. Cletus lived a happy life… and he never grew zucchini again.

THE END

The raspberries
are teasing us
with what's to come.

This is our crazy "Three Sisters" experiment. The beans are doing okay, the peas (I know not traditional but we love them) are going crazy and the squash are taking over. The corn on the other hand hasn't grown any where near as much as it should. By now it should be twice as tall as it is but it's been too wet for it to be happy. We'll see what we actually end up with once the season is all over.