Progress of cuffs-Sept 28

I finally got back to the cuffs as I want to have them finished by early October as they may be a gift for a friend. The next decision is the finishing colour. I'm thinking of a vibrant orange or purple. I realize the colour combinations may not be everyone's cup of tea but they are period and the choices are deliberate to make it "pop". I'm thinking of adapting the pattern for a collar as well.

The colours have not come out very well in the picture but once it's done, I'll be outlining it with black to make it stand out more.

Craft Day results

Saturday was a great day of A&S in Korsvag (Fargo) at a local church while the Knights School was going on at MSNU. There was knitting, sewing embroidery, banner making, garb making and more. Lots of ideas being shared and friends visiting. Often at events we get so busy we don't have the time to stop and chat so this was a lovely occasion to catch up. We had a potluck luncheon which showcased other talents our friends have. Thank you to Fina for arranging it.

The picture today shows my first attempt at a sock. I'm making it for a friend who I forewarned that they would probably be the ugliest socks in the world but he just laughed that off. I gather that I stitch loosely which normally does not matter for my knitted felting projects but for regular knitting, I may have to tighten up.

Persona change

When many of us started in the SCA, we were advised to look around at garb and see what appealed to us and consider that as a guide to our persona. I love early period, mainly anything Norse. That being said, after 8 years in the SCA, I find myself starting to get pulled to other periods. Embroidery is a passion of mine and norse provides some options but not as much as other periods.

I'm off to enjoy a work day with friends tomorrow in Fargo (Korsvag) and continue to investigate. Should I have a fun alternate persona or change altogether? I'll pose the question to others.

For those who read the blog, what do you want to learn more about? Garb, embroidery, embellishing, beading, blackwork, goldwork, stumpwork, reticella, spinning, knitting-please drop me a line and let me know!

Talent, talent everywhere

I'm back from Silfen Mere's Shades of Sherwood Demo near Rochester, MN. I have a number of friends in that group and decided to go down for a last camping event for the season. There was so much talented work going on including:

*Aig and her weaving-I need to look for the small rigid heddle loom she was using. It makes great wide trim and/or belts. She also taught kids how to make potholders with small looms that are made for kids.

*Karel-he has done it again-he made a great double bed that was made from wood and hinges. Ailinore teased that he uses more hairbands then she does as he attached them to his keys, etc which is a great idea.

*Alethia-was doing a demo of jewellery making and produced a lovely necklace for the silent auction coming up for crown.

*Ailinore-made split pea soup in the cast iron pot in the coals. Although not one of my fav soups, I understand from friends it was yummy.

*Cathy-Ailinore's mother-in-law made wonderful blankets and cards for sale plus she had supplies to help teach how to make your own cards.

There were many more things such as one of their members brought out two goats, someone was making beads plus she had been doing book binding as well. There were so many people participating in fun things and sharing their information. Bravo!

I gifted Karel with his first two pater nosters and he was thrilled. The second pater noster has a silk tassel that was made from 12 strand silk called Splendor. I recommend their fibres as they are consistent and cost effective. One the tassel was made, I separated the fibres with a small needle. It took a lot of time but it gives a great look so very worth the effort.

Aspiring to success

Today's post is about a friend of mine, Jes, who goes by Asny in the SCA. This past weekend she received an award called Bridget's Flame. It is for individuals who have shown, over time, that they are enthusiastic about their craft, that they share their craft and continue to research and strive for mastery. Asny demonstrates this in spades. I have yet to see her at an event when she is not sharing information whether it is someone who is admiring her garb or if she notices someone working on something and provides encouragement.

She shares her information with anyone who wants it and on a selfish note for me, is currently leading up a project to make me a set of Elizabethan garb. She started the project with Isobel (Debbie) and has gathered a small army of helpers. I am constantly impressed and amazed when people like Asny demonstrate chivalric qualities that we all strive for but rarely achieve. I encourage you to seek her out at an event and learn from her and I can assure you, she'll be wanting to learn your craft as well.

More about inspiration

It's been a short but hectic week and I must admit to not getting much done this week at least towards my 50 for 50.

Today I'm posting a picture of the dragon that Fernanda made for Erec & Amaryllis' wedding cake. She is so amazingly talented and took a basic structure of floral wire, tin foil, modelling chocolate, melted chocolate and gold dust. I hope you enjoy it and promise more next week fibre wise.

Gimli and amazing projects

This past weekend was our group's annual event in Gimli. We had a great event, weather was cool but pleasant. I got to see tons of great projects and here are just a few:

Satchel for Tarrach for his award of the Pelican. It was a group project and made from scratch for most everything. Really lovely!

Token for Tarrach made by Thunderbunny

Spinning of wool

Weaving

Silk Banner making (thank you Liz!)

Fingerloop braiding

and lots of discussions about projects to undertake. Here is a picture of Yngevar and his hood which is one of my 50 for 50. He hates wearing hats but this helps keep his head covered and cool. It's made from a lovely dark cherry linen and is cross hatched with an overdyed silk/cool mix which I know is not period but I like it!

Weekend of inspiration

This weekend is our group's annual Gimli weekend and this year, we are celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Barony of Castel Rouge. It should be a lot of fun, great friends and wonderful food.

I'm looking forward to seeing Liz's banner making class (her first time teaching), watching Athena spin (amazing fibres), see Ia's progress on her latest socks, help Asny figure out a viking leg wrap (14 layers?) that she found with a bells that looks like it will be amazing and see a lot of other great work.

I'll bring back lots of pictures and wish you all a happy and safe Labour Day weekend.

Blackwork Sampler

I'm attaching a picture of a blackwork sampler band that I work on from time to time. The reason for the sampler is to see the size of the pattern and how to adjust it to fit when I'm working on cuffs and collars or other blackwork related accessories.

There are 3 pictured here on a 32 count oatmeal linen. They were stitched with cotton floss but for garb, I would probably use silk or linen thread. For most of these patterns, I have used http://www.blackworkarchives.com/ which is a website by Paula Katherine Marmor. She has done an excellent job putting together some easy to follow patterns that can be adapted for your projects.