Moving!

I have decided to try this blog on wordpress, as the posting of pictures (which I seem to be doing quite alot of lately) is much easier over there. Join me there for the journey!

http://pragueparchments.wordpress.com

Twisted Cord

So I decided to take some of these miles of embroidery floss and make some of my own twisted cord for my next 8 tama kumi project (since I still haven't gotten my damn book). I'm NEVER ordering from that frigging Amazon vendor again!!

Wasn't sure how to make twisted cord (using embroidery floss for anything other than, well, embroidery or cross-stitch is completely new to me), so I googled it. I love the intarwebs! Found a seriously easy slideshow how to from an Aussie here.

Pic of the twisted cord:



Started with a 6 ft length of two strands of #5 DMC in "blanc" and "498". Twisting them yields 2.75 feet of usable cord.

Will take another pic once I've braided it.

My Kumi spirals

So I have started working these patterns, yo. The book I ordered still isn't here after three weeks, so I'm just experimenting, trying stuff out. I'm also documenting it.

Here are the pdfs for the "Chaos Braid" and the "Ocean Spiral".

Braids - the Genoese Bar (1st attempt)

Since I'm into Kumihimo now, when I purchased my kit, I also bought a couple of books, one of which is this one by Jacqui Carey.

On page 37 is instructions to make the "single Genoese Bar".

My first try:

Kumihimo

A year ago to the day since I last posted! Weird!

I know I said I'd do better, but mundane life is...well, mundane.

The good news is that with the Queen Pig Bitch of the Universe gone, people who should have known better have realized I'm not a cheating whore, everything seems shiny and new, and I can have some fun again. Huzzah!

My latest infatuation: Kumihimo. 'Manda brought it up last time she visited, and well, you know how I am. I got this kit on Amazon and these books, and have completed the following projects:

First: the "test" I did on 'Manda's loom while she was visiting me. It's now on my keyring.

This is an 8 tama (strand) spiral round braid using fibre cord obtained from Wal-Mart. It has a firmer, matte finish because of the cord.

This is the first thing I did on my own loom. It's a half round braid, 12 tama. It's ECU colors: Royal Purple with Gold hearts. On one end is a split ring (like keychain ring) with a bulldog clip on it. The other end also has a split ring and that has a plastic "snap strap" on the end.

You clip the one end on the baby's shirt, unsnap the strap and put the pacifier handle through then re-snap it. Voila! Pacifier leash! Thinking about selling these at ECU home games.

Then I made a flat braid on the flat loom and sent that to my daughter before I took a picture of it.

Then I decided to try a purpley-green braid, where the green is varigated thread.

Which becomes this --------->

Then I made an all black spiral and a red and black spiral (don't have a pic of the black one):

And now I'm working on the "Cathanar Heart". This is a 12 tama half-flat braid.

Here's how to thread the loom:

(Blue lines indicate white thread).

To make the pattern:
32 - 10
1 - 23
16 - 26
17 - 7
move 31 to 32 and 2 to 1
move 15 to 14 and 18 to 17
8 to 15
25 to 18
9 to 2
24 to 31
move 7 to 8 and 10 to 9
move 23 to 24 and 26 to 25
repeat, do not rotate disk.

This will produce this braid:

I just got the pattern for the Atlantean Opal pattern from Dar at Raven's Cove, and will work that up when I'm done with the Cathanar Heart pattern (once the bobbins are empty). Still have loads of patterns to try, and I have a Kumihimo book on the way. Will post when it gets here.

(Update: Opal Braid with pic of my Opal badge, cross-stitched:)

Persona explanation

I have been asked, Why 1360?

Because of Charles the fourth, Holy Roman Emporer.

He remains to this day a Pater Patriea to the Czech Republic and I wanted Eleonora to be a Lady during his reign of intellectual, creative and economic prosperity.

My time is also right before the birth of Jan Hus, the first Czech Protestant, who later had a direct influence on Martin Luther, which means I'm right in the middle of religious reformation.

In 1360, I have missed the Black Plague that swept through Venice (my mother's hometown) twelve years earlier.


Eleonora is the a daughter of a wealthy merchant, who plied his wares from Constantinople to Paris.  This backstory allows me to wear pretty much anything I want in European fashion in the mid 14th century.

I was really stuck on the name Eleonora, and started out as Eleonora z Praha (Eleanor of Prague) but the Herald (God bless her!) advised me that Eleonora is an Italian name.  I couldn't find an Eleonora in the Bohemian countries until well after her time, so I was forced to go Italian.  And since I had an Italian first name, I had to have an Italian lastname.  So I chose Pragensis, which is Latin for "from Prague".  Now that I'm an SCA Lady (big L), technically, to be in line with my Italian name, I SHOULD be "Signora Eleonora Pragensis" but I'm INSISTING on Dáma ("DAH-ma"), which is the Bohemian (Czech) version of Lady. 

The end result is that I had to explain why I had an Italian name if my father was a Czech merchant based in Prague.

Simple: my mother.

My mother was the daugher of a Senator on the Great Council in Veniti (Venice).  Wiki says:

With the elimination of pirates along the Dalmatian Coast, the city became a flourishing trade center between Western Europe and the rest of the world (especially the Byzantine Empire and the Islamic World).

The route my father took on his travels from Constantinople to Paris and back.

Wiki: 

In the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, Venice was a major centre for commerce and trade, as it controlled a vast sea-empire, and became an extremely wealthy European city, a leader in political and economic affairs and a centre for trade and commerce.

Meanwhile, over in England in 1360, Edward III was signing the Treaty of Calais.

Household

I just wanted to mention (since this IS my SCA blog and I've been horribly, horribly bad with keeping up with it, something I'm intending to remedy) that I am officially part of the House of Sullivan (vivat!) and said House's design is provided below and has been sent to Kingdom for approval.

Love you guys!

Vnuška's blanket

I have a grandchild.  First of the bunch.  Her name is Harmony, and she has so many grandparents I wanted to come up with a name for myself that she could use and there be no confusion.  So I chose the name Babiška.  (Pronounce that "bob-EESH-kah".)  It's Czech for grandmother.  So I have taken to calling her, in turn, vnuška. (It's pronounced "vuh-NEWSH-kah".)  Czech for granddaughter.

I started it when they were here on Labor Day weekend (when we had no Air Conditioning).
Finished it last night.  That's exactly one month.  Now I just have to finish Jared's blanket, Bryan's blanket, and redesign the two "jackets" I was making, since I can't figure out how to make the pattern work.    I tried making TWO of them, because I thought I might have messed up the pattern, but it was wrong on both of them, so it's not me.  So no jackets for joo!  I'll make something else out of them.  What, I don't know.  I have plenty to do.  I'll post pics when I'm done.

Promised pictures of projects

Old Newspaper articles

So I found some newspaper articles that were written when I was in Drachenwald 12 years ago. I have re-typed the text on the color photo one, since it's hard for me to read.


Enjoy!!




HUNTINGDON WEELKY NEWS
Thursday, January 16, 1997
22p where purchased

Society steps back in time.

HISTORY fans took a step back in time at the weekend for a medieval celebration to mark Twelfth Night.

Members of the Society for Creative Anachronism dressed in period costume for the event at Great Stukeley Village Hall.

The group, founded in the United States 30 years ago, is dedicated to researching and recreating the period 1066 to 1600, including its weapons, clothing, and crafts.

Nikki Smith, who has taken on the persona of Kiarah, a woman from the Isle of Man in the early 1300s, said: "We sew our own garb and we do medieval cooking, we make our own meads, ales and wines and study arts and crafts. Anything they did then we do now."

The group's local "shire" runs from Cambridge to York, and has both American and British members.

~Nikki is pictured being defended by Rudolph Ramsey (real name Randy Rainbow) against Fritz the peasant (Ted Zimmers). Also pictured is Beth Porter, playing Alexandra the Eclectic.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



MIDDLE MEN: The Society for Creative Anachronism recreated the Middle Ages at Great Stukeley Village Hall last Saturday for a special Twelfth Night Celebration. Tid Zimmers (bottom), is seen here with Rudolph Ramsey (Randy Rainbow), Kiarah (Nikki Smith) and Alexandra Eclectic (Beth Porter).

The Society is a non-profit making educational organization dedicated to the researching and recreating of the customs, combat, courtesy, and arts of the middle ages. Local events include fighting practive, parades, and medieval tournaments.

CONTACT: For more information telephone Nikki Smith on (01480) 497388.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



ST IVES TWON CRIER
FRIDAY, Jan 17, 1997
MEDIEVAL REVIVAL by Veronica Webb

How would you like to belong to a society where you can work your way up from peasant to become the king or queen of a country the size of Europe?

As good citizens of Drachenwald it is within your grasp to climb those dizzy heights, as long as you join the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA).

So I was informed by Kiarah, the historian of the Shire of Pont Alarch, alias Nikki Smith, of Virginia Way in St. Ives.

Nikki (26) is a lady from America whose husband, David, is in the USAF at RAF Lakenheath. Both are enthusiastic members of this intriguing society, which was founded in the United States in 1966 and has since become a worldwide organisation.

Nikki explained that the society is basically an educational organisation, dedicated to 'researching and recreating the customs, combat, courtesy and arts of the Middle Ages.'

The merry band build weapons, armour and shields and enjoy many a battle at their medieval tournaments and revels. Nikki said, "Our guilds study and practise brewing, calligraphy, needleowrk, armoury and many other 'lost' arts."

Incidentally, the world is divided into Kingdoms. There are 13 at present and her in Britain we are ing the Kingdom of Drachenwald, which encompasses Europe. Apparently we just are not big enough yet to qualify as a kingdom.

Advancement

Nikki - as Kiarah - is hoping to eventually raise her status from lowly lady historian to the higher nobility. it is not easy, but it is possible for advancement in the heirarchy by wielding a sword well, embroidering superbly or designing and making bodkins, wimples and dresses and so on.

Nikki described the whole process as being "lighthearted but authentic". Incidentally there are equal opportunites for both sexes on the field of honour, so ladies don't have to sit embroidering. They too can become champions alongside the chaps.

Nikki and David (Othello the Wanderer) were married in Arizona two and a half years ago. They had a full medieval wedding with swords and oath of fealty to the bride - the works. I know, I watched the video.

About 25 people in the Huntingdon and Cambridge area 'play' - 'both Brits and Americans,' said Kiarah. They meet on the fourth Thursday of every month to discuss business and forht coming local events, such as parades and feasts.

The Shire of Pont Alarch historian said, 'It realy is more than just a hobby, it has become a great part of my life. If for any reason we had to leave it for a while, it is nice to know it will be the same when we return."

The Smith family, who are expecting a new baby soon, will be leaving our shores this year to return home. However, ther are happy to know another medieval kingdom awaits their arrival.

If anyone would like to join the SCA they can ring Nikki on 01480 497388.

Update

I've been a baaaad girl. Last post was in July. Let me update you.

First: A&S challenge went off, and I got a $25 gift card for Hancocks. That was nice.
I made mittens, and I still have to put fur or other trim around the cuffs.

Second: I did not make anything besides the salwar for Midnight at the Oasis, so I didn't go. *shrug* I'm sure I'll get to it eventually or use the fabric for something else.

Third: Angus has been drawn into the fold. We made him a pair of salwar out of the hunter/burgundy plaid fabric. He likes them. He's not sure if he's going Scottish (Angus) or Viking or Russian or what. We'll see.

Fourth: We hosted and I autocratted University, where I learned to Knit and Nalbind. Now to get a nalbinding needle!! I finished my first knitting project: a cream colored hotpad. I'll snap a pic and post it.

Fifth: The butterflies band on the sampler was completed last night. I'll post another pic tonight.

Sixth: going to work on finishing some crochet projects (steve's blue/black block blanket, bryan's spider red/black blanket) and finish the beast before I start anything else. I need to set up another band design for the beast. I'll prolly work on that today.

Seventh: I'm holding a "learn how to crochet" class tomorrow night at my home. It's not SCA period, but it get's people interested in yarn/fibre arts. Interest is one step toward learning new and more.

Hot A&S challenge

So!

Lady Masina has posed a summer A&S challenge: to make an accessory for winter wear. (Whenever I hear "winter wear, I think "Ymir", but I'm going to try to attend War of the Wings in October, and that COULD get pretty dang-gone cold.) I've narrowed it down to either an embroidered coif or mittens. I think I'm leaning towards mittens. I have some upholstery fabric that I can make for the outside, then line them with fleece to keep my hands toasty warm. (I can only use fabric from my current (meager) stash, plus a max of $10 for trim, etc. The severely limits my options, since I don't have that much fabric "stashed".) This makes mittens not only do-able, but practical. The challenge for me is to get them done before Mid-August.

I've also thought about cutting the pointy ends of my parkas off and making THAT the outer layer of my mittens, and lining them with fleece, so they will be as waterproof as my parka, (and match!) but I'm not so sure I want to be mucking around with that, especially considering how much it would cost to remake them. (OY!) AND I have to take the hood off and sew it on the right way anyways (I sewed the hood on with the circle part out, rather than the flat part out. I switched Steve's hood over and it works SO MUCH BETTER.)

Anyway, I've also been asked to make two wrist bands (about 10" each) of blackwork embroidery on linen bands, for use by a dear friend who is going to become a preacher on August 9. She said she doesn't have to have the bands by August 9, but it's another project I will be working on once the A&S thing is completed, before I continue on with the beast.

Beast update

So both butterfly outlines are complete and the first butterfly is 3.5/5 complete on the fillwork. I have also designed my next band that goes underneath them. Will post pictures when I can.

Beast update

Even though I'm working on crochet squares for the expansion of my daughter's afghan, I did get a chance to finish the outline of first butterfly and get the upper wing portion and head done on the second. I think once the whole crochet thing is out of the way I'll be able to get it finished pretty quickly. Then I do the fillwork on both butterflies, and start the interlacing borders around each.

The Beast

The first butterfly has been centered and I have most of the outline stitched. Just need to finish one wing, then do another butterfly on the right side.

They will both have an interlaced border. Go me! Pics when I can, moving this week.

Middle Eastern

So the next event I plan on attending is Midnight at the Oasis. It's a 2 hour drive, and sounds fun. Since it will still be hot as heck here, I really didn't want to go in heavy Tudor/Ren garb. So I talked to Layla and Saffiya and they are helping me out with ME garb.

I've already created the pants, called Salwar, from the black linen I was planning on using for my overkirtle. (Ask me about why the plan changed for that sometime.) Anyway, they turned out VERY comfortable.

Now all I have to do is make a Choli, which is like a long, tight sleeved bra (open back), a light, gauzy shirt to go underneath it (with sleeves that dip to my knees), an over vest for extra cleave support, and a circle skirt over the whole thing.

Since I have plenty of time, and the Salwar are already made, I'm confident that this will all be completed well in time.

HA!!

So I bought a floor stand from E-bay for $15 and things are progressing nicely on the "beast". I will work on it most of the day today, and should finish it.

I'm coming into a busy few weeks where I won't have time to work on it, but after things calm down, I plan to place two butterflies, in boxes framed by interlaced borders, on the next row. The butterflies will be an experiment in fillwork of all different types, and this is when I'm going to start working on the Holbein stitch, which up to now I haven't been using.

I want to center them on the piece, which means I'm going to have to count the width of my workable area on the fabric, then count the width of the butterfly + border, multiply by 2, then add a center clear space. Then divide by two, then count that number of stitches into the middle, mark the border lines, then stitch from the middle to the right, then from the middle backwards to the left.

Did you get that?

Yeah. And I suck at math. Pray for me.

oooh lookie!

And it's RED!

And now for something entirely different...

My dream camp at Pennsic will include:

My "tent", which is completely screened in, and has walls that convert to awnings in daytime. Optionally covered in sheet-weight fabric, to make it look more period, of course.

Inside the tent you have the painters tarp on the ground, followed by wall to wall rugs. Then you have a wooden pallet with fabric over the top of it, which serves as a box spring for the queen size air mattress. That has a large sheet over it, and then many blankets and things so I'm toasty warm at night.



Deluxe Camp Kitchen

with additional:





And a campfire grill thing.

And of course, I'll need a truck to haul all this crap in....

Hey...I said DREAM!

More Italian Ren Dresses I Like

NEROCCIO DE' LANDI, Portrait of a Lady, 1480s
National Gallery of Art, Washington








Dress cropped from:
GHIRLANDAIO, Domenico, Resurrection of the Boy (detail), 1482-85
Santa Trinità, Florence

I love the pattern on the dress (damask? jaquard?) and the layering effect, plus the low neckline and the poofy dress which hides fat. The lower sleeves are tight (they look laced on to the upper sleeve over a thin chemise).








Different Dress, same Fresco.
GHIRLANDAIO, Domenico, Resurrection of the Boy (detail), 1482-85
Santa Trinità, Florence

This looks simpler, but essentially the same style. The sleeves are obviously laced over a chemise here.