Studio Update and other Ponderings

So Bella Lucia da Verona has announced the Italian Renaissance Costuming Challenge #3 (IRCC3) over at Realm of Venus.  These challenges have done a LOT in promoting Italian costuming/dress, and Bella is to be commended for her amazing work on these projects.  I've been thinking about entering, if only to push myself to actually finish some projects this year.  I hesitate though, because I have promises out for 3 scribal projects, and 3 sewing-related things for my hubby already (and clearly suck at getting anything done, whatsoever.  One of those scribal projects has been in the hopper for nearly a year - a wedding gift that is seriously late.

What do you think?  To enter, or not to enter?

I'm nearing completion on my studio space (two boxes left to unpack, and some final decorative items to go up).  What do you think (aside from the fact that I need to finish that Kirk tunic already)?

View from Stairs

Sewing and Serger Desk

Adjustable table and storage!

Adjustable table, art desk

View from rear corner

Art desk with light box

Scribal Resource - Puzzle Initials

As found via the Known World Scribal List (which is awfully quiet anymore), Aryanhwy has done an amazing job indexing "Puzzle Initials" from the British Library.

Burney 212 f. 14

Her generous project introduced me to the term "Puzzle Initial," though I'm far from an expert in this style.  I did, however make some inquiries a number of years ago about this style via the same list when it was more active.  I've heard the terms "Egg and dart," and "buttonfern."  Obviously Puzzle Initial is the term used by the British Museum, making it far more likely to be official.

The speculation given to me years ago was that as the calligraphy was typically immaculate on this style, and there was little illumination, so it was possible that many illuminators died in the plague, giving birth to this style.  A pretty bit of storytelling, but the dates don't quite line up with this sad tale, as the above example is from Valerius Maximus's Facta et dicta memorabilia, c. 1471. The Black Death peaked in Europe between 1348 and 1350, killing between 75 million and 200 million people.

Whatever its true history, I find this style to be elegant and both complex and simple in one fell swoop.  Aryanhwy's index is a great tool for scribes to create versals, and you can bet I'll be using it in the future. Thank you for this great tool and resource!

Studio Update

This weekend the husband and I went out to Ikea to finally pick up my new sewing desk.  I picked it out several months ago, but decided not to bring it home until after we'd moved.  Well, the moving took way longer than we thought, then winter settled in to make life and the long drive less desirable.  But we bit the bullet and did it.

No pictures of the studio yet, but hopefully will be done within the week.

In the meantime, here's an awesome video of Rakim, who is now sick with a respiratory infection, bless his heart.

Name Change + Largesse

Firstly, you may note that I've changed my blog name from The Path Within to Cobalt-Dragonfly Creations.  I made the change because this blog has become much more public than I first thought it would be.  I thought it would remain just a log of my personal projects, but now the name seems...off.  I think it's a good thing, to progress forward and move with the times.

I doubt this will require anything of you, though your blogrolls may or may not self-update.  I don't have a clue on that.  The URL did not change at all.

Secondly, a common practice within the SCA is to provide largesse, to show your skill and generosity to the crown / coronet / etc.  About seven   years ago I created Kingdom flag fans which were then taken to a large war for distribution.  I honestly can't remember if it was Estrella or Pennsic... oh brain, how I miss thee!  Either way, I was not in attendance, more's the pity.

I worked on these with Lord Grifon, and I think we got most if not all Kingdoms done, even if they aren't pictured.

I'm trying to determine what my next largesse project will be.  What's your favorite thing to make and give away?