One more rotation around the sun...

     Well, today is a big day. Today is my 25th birthday. I wasn't originally going to post on this, but the more I thought about it, the more I thought about it, I figured why not. For some reason, this birthday has bothered me more then the others. I"m assuming its because I've left the "college kid" zone. I've been working at the nursing home for a little over a year, I've graduated from college almost a year and a half ago, and Jehan and I are planning both of our weddings. Its a lot going on. I will say the best part of this day is the simple thought that its also Fat Tuesday. This is one of my favorite days of the year, simply due to my love of Fasnachts. They are a German Doughnut traditionally made from potatoes, and instead of frying them in vegetable oil, or sunflower seed oil, you bake them in lard. Yes its incredibly horrible for you, but one never hurt anything.

     In other news, I have made a lot of progress on my Pennsic wedding dresss. Maria and I have finished the hoopskirt, I just have to add the bum roll, I have my pearls and garnets for my jewelry, complete the underskirt and we are working on my corset. The next item on the list is finishing my corset, and starting the Chemise. At that point my undergarments will be finished, and I can work on the rest of the dress. Hopefully when I come to my parents house in the next few weeks, I can post pictures of the progress. Till then

Wishing everyone a fun Mardi Gras, and Valentines day!

~An

More snowy day's of winter...

     Well, here in Danville, Pa it is quite cold. I"m actually sitting at the local library watching it snow. Whats worse, is its supposed to get even colder. Due to being cold blooded, I don't survive in the cold well. Luckly, I"m able to keep our apartment very warm, and I am still able to get things accomplished. In the past few weeks since I've last published a few bits and pieces have been started. We are still helping Jehan's parents move, but this seems to be an ongoing project that will be done by the end of the month. I am currently working on a white snood to go with my lavender and silver Italian ren. gown that i was given for christmas a few years back, and I am still working on my ice dragon entry. I am also trying to organize our house, and fix our *slight* hording issue. I think the biggest accomplishment it once again recieving the acorn from the shire at our local 12th night.Since we are a shire, and are not allowed to hand out major awards like a barony or a kingdom, we hand out tokens to show our appreciation to shire members. The Acorn is an award for service in the shire.  Also on that day, I stepped up as our local Seneshal, and will be holding that position for the next two years. This will be a lot for me to handle, and I am very lucky to have such a supportive shire behind me.
     On the Elizabethan front, I have been working on my pin pillow which I will enter into Ice dragon this year. In the Kingdom of AEthelmearc, it is the largest Arts and Science event around. This week I have to start on my research paper and work on the project as well. With how cold it is, I'm also hoping to complete my spanish farthengale, and next week my Elizabethan corset. My dear friend Mistress Maria is helping me create a mid-Elizabethan cranberry dress for our Pennsic wedding. Hopefully I can have pictures of all these projects the next time I am able to write to all of you.

Until then, I"ll keep warm, and keep on working

~An

A look back while it snows....

     I just want to thank everyone who has followed my blog since it started on 8/27. It has been a joy to be able to document what I have done, and be able to show what I have learned. I am hoping this next year I can share more information as we go, and a little more consistently too. Unfortunately, not having internet is a real pain when trying to accomplish such things. I am hoping everyone has had a merry Christmas, and will have a happy new year since I don't know when I'll be able to post again.

     A few months back I posted about what I wanted to get accomplished this year, and I thought now would be the best time to update how the year has ended. I wanted to get my first Tudor gown finished our wedding in May. Since our plans have changed, I obviously did not get that done. What we have decided to do is have 2 weddings- One with our mundane friends and family, then have a second wedding at Pennsic this coming year. With the help of Mistress Maria, I am starting on an Elizabethan gown in cranberry velvet. We are planning on doing everything- corset, hoop skirt, kirtle, overdress, ruffs, and a hat. Its a lot to get done, but she believes with a lot of work and determination we can get it done. I also wanted to get a pair of Norwegian socks done for Ice dragon this year. When we moved, my pattern and cheat sheet were misplaced, so until I find that I can't finish my socks. They will eventually get done, so I'm not too worried. I also wanted to create a new cloak. I havn't started this project, but I'm hoping to get it done for our local 12th night on January 12th. At that time I will be stepping up as our local Seneshal, who is the legal representative of our local group.

     Since I didn't get the projects done that I wanted to accomplish, here's the new list for the new year. 1) make my new cloak 2)finish my Pennsic wedding dress 3) finish and enter my pin pillow into ice dragon in March. 4) start a new outfit for Jehan.

     I believe these should be easier to accomplish now, due to having a whole year to do and also...Jehan bought me a sewing machine! I still prefer to hand sew as much as I can, but unfortunately I don't have 8+hours to spend on one outfit. A sewing machine will make life a bit easier so I can accomplish items in a reasonable time.  With a bit of teaching, I think this will be set for the next year. I'm really excited for this year to come. This is going to be a great year...with the biggest joy going to be Jehan and I finally tying the knot.

Please let me know if there is anything you would like to see in this blog...a good word or question is always welcome :)

Here's to the future,
~Antoinette

How to build a card loom

Here it is: the directions to building a simple card loom. This pattern should only on average cost about $17-$20 a loom. In total we made 9. We were able to get the wood cut at the hardware store, which made life a bit easier. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask. If I can't answer it, then I'll hunt it down for you. I would love to find out if anyone else had the same results as us.

·         1    2ft. 1x6

·         2    6in 4x2 (can be created by gluing 2    2x2)

o   If using 2x2’s wood glue and c-clamps

·         4    5/16-18x41/2 carriage bolts

·         4   5/16-18 wing nuts

·         4   felt pads for furniture (optional)

·          Scrap leather/stiff fabric (non-abrasive) to pad loom

·         5/16 drill bit

·         21/64 drill bit

·         Hammer

1.       Sand boards

2.       If gluing 2x2’s start gluing process

3.       Cut and attach leather

4.       Drill holes through wooden blocks and main board (when dry)

a.       Use 5/16^th for main board

b.      Use 21/64 for top blocks

 

5.       Add bolts and wing nuts 

6.       Add felt pads to bottom bolts

*if making multiples, mark sides for they are individualized, and depending on your drillers skills

 Sorry if the Pictures don't line up straight: I tried to get them under each set of directions. Enjoy!

~An

A lot of news, in one little post

Well, I gotta say a lot has happened. All of my scrolls have been handed out, so that is done. Hoping to work on another scroll soon. All of my scrolls were handed out at the Barony of Endless Hills Investiture. Jehan and I also received our rain drops form the barony for all of our help...it always feels good to be noticed :)
We also had the shires event of F. This was my first time teaching knitting, and I had 2 people in my class. It was a great learning experience and I'm planning on teaching some more next year. I was able to finish my dress and Jehan's doublet for the event of F also. I learned the proper
way to attach a skirt to a bodice, and I'll make sure to post a picture of that later on. For the event of F, a few of us make some card weaving looms. It was a fun experience, and I"ll post how to make those, hopefully in the next week.
Speaking of the shire, we held our elections 2 sundays ago, and I was nominated to be the next Seneshal, who is the legal representative of the group. This will definitaly be an experience that I am looking forward to.

Now its time to get serious about Ice dragon. I will be entering Jehan's doublet and an embroidery piece in March. I will have to do the documentation over the next winter months, which will give me something to do when its cold and snowing. Until later, here's to the future

~An

and the heat is on...

I can't believe its October already. I feel like I have so much more work to do. I have finally completed Jehan's fencing doublet, now I just have to tailor it when I get a chance. It fits well enough he can use it....right now I have to get my dress done as well as some orders people have issued me over a year ago. especially since I have now been deemed a "garb wench" by some, and orders are coming in for fencing garb. I"m almost done with my dress. I"m to the point where my poor fingers just won't work anymore. I guess that's what happens when you hand sew everything. I"m still working on my bit of practice embroidery for my Ice Dragon project, and attending embroidery classes. In a few weeks some of my back scrolls will be handed out, so I'll be able to post them soon too...don't wanna potentially ruin it for anyone.

I just finished my last dose of antibiotics today...I've been fighting a sinus infection for a few weeks now. Currently the goals are cleaning the house and working on a class for FFF&F: I fiber event held by my local shire every year. I'll make sure to post more about that later. For now I"ll continue to plug away at what I have planned. Hopefully I"ll be more productive and will have pictures next time

Always,
~An

Barony Wars

Yesterday was Barony Wars. Luca, one of the college groups students and I went to the event in New York yesterday. Unfortunately, Jehan was sick and was not able to attend. I didn't get any sewing done, due to how busy it was, but sometimes you need a break. We spent the day fencing, and me retaining, and Luca guarding our dear Queen during afternoon court. While there, and I was relieved halfway through court, Her Majesty had me called before her, and presented me with my Keystone for service. I am deeply honored that they found me deserving of this award.

In other news, I'm still working on my dress. The original purpose for this fabric was to make curtains for our bedroom. after much debating, I decided to take the curtains, sew them back together, and make it into the over skirt for my dress. It won't be as full as I would like, but since its a fencing skirt, hopefully that won't make too much of a difference. I found a king size bed sheet in a pile of fabric I went through, and that will become the underskirt for the outfit. The hope is to get my dress and also Jehan's doublet done for FFF&F in November. Who knows if I'll get it done, but that's the hope :)

Well, this is another week of work. Jehan and I have been going through all of our boxed up things from when we moved in March. We have gotten through many of the boxes, but we have a bit more to go. He would like to set up a haunted house in October, so we'll really have to work on it in the next few weeks. Hope to get some more scroll cases done also. Until later, with internet and more updates!

~An