Crown weekend October 8 2011

It was a lovely day at Crown on Saturday, October 8th, full of lovely garb, wonderful conversation and gifts. I was able to gift Rick his cuffs (celtic knotwork on red linen) as his birthday gift-they were finished on the trip down in the car. What is a roadtrip without sewing.

The other part of my garb was in repurposing. As most of my fabric is in storage, I took apart a silk/wool finnish overdress and turned it into a viking apron dress. The straps were card woven by my friend Dawn in a lovely green with a white fleck. The headdress was a lovely scarf I found a few years ago with metal embellishments from my friend Asny. I felt like a beautiful norse woman and was proud to have Magnus fight for me.

Gimli weekend and buckets of inspiration

I find whenever I come home from our Gimli weekend (Labour Day wknd) hosted by our group, Castel Rouge, that I have laughed and found amazing inspiration to move my projects forward. Whether the inspiration comes directly from an artisan like Athena with her fibre arts knowledge and gentle nature that shares with so many people or Karel, my friend who is a woodworker and can make the most amazing things from wood. Or, if it's the friend's child who revels in the feeling of a new piece of garb. Inspiration surrounds us and we need only sit back and take in the great feeling.

I've come home with great ideas on how to work towards the remainder of my 50 for 50 plus find some time to work on a new persona for myself and the garb to go with it.

Vivat to friends!

How long has it been?

I can't believe it has been almost 4 months until I posted last. Work and life have been so hectic. I moved at the end of June and have put a lot of my fabrics and supplies in storage until I get settled.

But in the meantime, Gimli looms around the corner and the raffle needs preparing. Plus I have promised projects I need to finish. I am starting work on a cloak for a friend that was promised last Gimil, plus a black silk organza veil with beading.

I got inspired when I spent most of my recent vacation in England at the Victoria & Albert museum. Now I'm ready to get back into sewing and creating ans sharing.

Thank you to everyone for their support over the past few months.

Patty Anne LeProject results 2011

In this post I'm showing off my new set of Elizabethan garb that a wonderful group of friends made for me. I was touched beyond belief by the generosity, time and energy expended by my friends to gift me with this wonderful outfit. Now I have the opportunity to continue the project to a new recipient-HE Ekatarina. She is a great friend who volunteers her time readily and has given service selflessly over a number of years. If you are interested in helping us, please see our event page on facebook.

Designs by Cristinia

Attached are pictures from my friend Cristina de Bagenold and her most recent project. She has a real knack for adapting the patterns so they curve well for necklines. She granted me permission to post these pictures as I love sharing information, new pics, etc, of other peoples projects to help inspire both myself and friends. The talent that exists amongst friends, both SCA and in mundane, is truly staggering at times.

She calls the dragons Trigger & Nutsy.

Enjoy these beautiful pictures and if you would like to get in touch with her, please let me know and I'll be happy to forward your contact info to her. She is great at sharing her gifts.

Inspiration

I have written a few times about where to find inspiration or how it comes to you. This past weekend was our group's 12th night event. Talking to friends and spending time laughing reminded me that inspiration is all around us...we need only keep our eyes open to it.

Consider the beautiful blue glass stone handle on a pate spreader from a friend that gave me an idea for a new embroidery pattern based on a 14th century picture I had seen. The realization that machine embroidery for a large project is a better use of time than my trying to embroider 10 feet of trim for a friend's cloak. Better to focus on the small details that will be seen more often. Watching a friend explain a new piece of garb to someone who has not ventured into that era yet.

Inspiration is not just what you find but what you give. Give lots!

Blackwork Sampler

Good day everyone,

I know it's been ages since I have posted and I apologize. The new job is keeping me busy and the holidays were great but hectic.

Today's post is to show you HE Gabriella de Clementina (SP?) blackwork sampler that she designed. She was hosting the NS one recently and I encourage you to try it. Consider what you can do with your own blackwork.