Stefan Lochner

One of my favorite prayer books is the Stefan Lochner Prayer Book. I completed a Golden Maple Leaf scroll based on his most public page, known as The Flight to Egypt, about ten years ago.

Darmstadt, Hessische Landesbibliothek

Golden Maple Leaf Scroll, 2003

Stefan Lochner's organic sweeping movement captured my heart immediately.  I found this particular piece within the pages of Codices Illustres, easily one of my favorite source books.

I was thrilled when many years later I found a few more pages from the Stefan Lochner Prayer Book, and based another piece on one one of them (scanner bed cut off the edges!)

Laurel Scroll, 2009

Sadly, the file in which I found this source image is lost, and I can't find it.  I think it's saved on my laptop which is now no better than a large paperweight (May it rest in peace).

I just found out, however, that there was a facsimile book printed, and I WANT IT. *flail*  Rare book though. Also, it turns out there was a school attributed to Stefan Lochner, and there are manuscripts done in his style, painted by Franz von Retz (1343-1427).  I smell some new inspiration coming on...

Do you have a favorite inspirational artist or style?

Codex Gigas

My amazing husband, who is far more scholarly than I could ever hope to be, sent me a link to some images of the Codex Gigas aka "The Devil's Bible" the other day.  Codex Gigas, Latin for "Large book" lives up to its name being 890 mm tall by 490 mm wide, (35.04 Inches by 19.29 inches) and 310 parchment leaves thick.  That's nearly 3 feet tall by 1.5 feet wide.  Closed!  Just imagine how huge this thing is when open.  It is probably the biggest European Medieval manuscript to have survived.

There are many interesting stories about it, since it is said to have been created by one single man.  There is a legend that it was a monk who sold his soul to the devil and created this piece in one night after doing so.  Much of this has to do with the huge page donning an image of the devil.

It's an utterly fascinating book.  I urge you to watch this National Geographic piece on it if you are at all interested in manuscript arts.  You can also browse images of the manuscript at the National Library of Sweden.

Studio

Hey look, I've made some progress!

I have about six boxes left to unpack, so things are moving along pretty well.  My dear hubby bought me a serger... it was technically for my birthday, though I just got it this week.  We were packing up to move on my birthday, so it made no sense to buy something else I'd have to leave in the box and move.  Now I just need to secure my new sewing desk, and I'll be pretty set.

Interestingly enough, in the corner of this picture you'll see a cedar chest with pictures of kittens on it.  I was given that chest when I was 10 or 11 years old.  It's got all my old dance trophies, dance shoes, and other ancient memorabilia from my childhood.  I've hauled it around my whole life and only once every five years or so I open it up and peek inside.

Do any of you have a box of old memories you keep around?

Wedding Gown for Sale

I'm going to have to take some better quality pictures to show how truly beautiful this wedding gown is.  It is a Lady Roi gown, purchased in 2000.  It is a size 20 gown / 18 street clothes size.

This gown is customized with Italian Renaissance style sleeves.  It would be extremely easy to return the gown to its original tank style by unpicking the chiffon sleeves.  I'll even do it for you if you're interested and want that!

It is a princess ballgown silhouette in a gorgeous ivory satin with mocha satin details and embroidery that has Swarovski crystals accenting the embroidery on the bodice.  You will need your own hoop slip to get the full ballgown silhouette.

This gown has a Chapel length train with mocha buttons down the back, with custom french bustling added so you can dance in it (sorry I don't have any pictures of it with the bustle up, but will take some!).

This is the closest to true color - the other images are more pink than reality

This gown cost $500, and I'm asking for $300.  I'm willing to set up an account on etsy or elsewhere for safe transactions, and very willing to take better pictures as soon as I'm able.

Please spread the word to anyone you know who may be interested.  This is a great dress for a winter wedding with the sleeves as-is, or as I said before, easily converted back into a tank.

In the Beginning...

New craft/sewing/art space!  And yet with some dismay, I admit this is what it looked like as of 8:00 pm last night.

View from the Stairs

View from the back corner

It feels a bit overwhelming because one key piece of furniture is my sewing desk, which I don't yet own.  It's a Christmas gift from my wonderful husband, but we've yet to take the trip out to Ikea to pick it up.  I've already picked it out though, so that's half the battle.  It just feels awkward to try to unpack space when that is missing.  I'll do my best though!

A couple challenges:  The dark paneled walls. I hates them.  I don't have the resources or time to deal with that right now though.

Flickering fluorescent lights.  This is a major problem that MUST be addressed.  My brother is an electrician whom I hope to bribe into doing some work for me to fix this up (track lighting would make my heart so very happy!).  But I can't wait for that to be done before fixing up and unpacking everything.  There are tasks to be done!

I'll provide updates as I progress with organizing and putting this hot mess in order.

Hello???

Hello?  *tap tap*  Is this thing on?

Where did 2012 go?  Remember this post of not all that ambitious goals?  Time to lay it all out there.  Well, you already know the truth if you read this.  2012 has been a crazy year of change for me, steeped in both disasters and awesomeness.

The only thing I completed on that list was to do a little calligraphy teaching.  I almost feel guilty for my lack of product and momentum.  But I don't! Hah!

This year I got married, had a series of major home issues including a basement flood, kitchen sink flood/pipe issues, broken dishwasher, broken fridge, and spent time out of town for a wedding reception back east.  Oh yeah... and we bought a house!  Woo!  This of course meant packing and moving, which has consumed all our time for the last several months.

We're in the home-stretch now though, and I am so very relieved and excited to get back onto a regular schedule, and to feel at home in a place that feels safe from disasters, and spacious.  We went from tiny and cramped to this light and airy divinity!

It's a major breath of relief.  I swear I almost hear an angelic chorus when I step into the house.  Oh yeah.  And we adopted a kitten.

Note that Miss Sim Sim Salabim is not too pleased with the new baby boy as clearly shown by her look of displeasure above (She's on the floor, looking up angrily).

I will be working on my craft studio shortly, and I intend to take before and after photos because the space is awesome but right now it's FULL of boxes and bins.  I also need to change out the fluorescent lights for something much more easy on the eyes and color-true.

Wish me luck!

From the Archive...

Once upon a time there was this splendidly awesome woman whom we all lovingly call Beth-a-Val.  Valerie, known as Bethany in the SCA, who was asked to sit vigil for admittance into the Order of the Laurel.

For those not in the SCA, when one goes on vigil, it's similar in theory to a period knight's vigil, but without all the religious connotations and the kneeling all night part...  Ok, it's not at all like a period vigil.  But the intent is to prepare the individual mentally for the step they're about to take.  This includes being sequestered, and people come to visit you one at a time to give advice, ask questions, and occasionally provide gifts.

Part of the visitation is that people sign a book with their well-wishes while they wait their turn.  I was asked to draw artwork for the cover of Bethany's vigil book, which was intended to be tooled into a leather book cover.  The book never came to fruition, but I did complete the artwork request.

For those who know the Beth-a-Val, you already know her love of foxes.  She is also an accomplished musician, particularly on the recorder.  So of course I did a whimsical musician fox within the laurel wreath.  I'm sad this book never came to light, but here's a sketch for your enjoyment.  Because sharing is caring, of course. 

Versatile Blogger

Aww!

My beautiful Noelle-friend from Adventures of a Wanna-Be Seamstress nominated me for the Versatile Blogger Award.  Such a sweet thing, especially considering my activity here has been very slow ever since my basement flood.  Thank you, Noelle.  You have totally made my day.

Now we're in the process of buying a home, and will be moving in two weeks!  Eek!  But once things are settled there, I'm planning to be much more active here.

The rules are:

1) Thank and link back to the person who nominated you
2) Paste the award to your blog
3) Tell 7 things about yourself
4) Nominate up to 15 other blogs

Seven things about me!

1) I'm a member of the SCA, and have been for about 16 years. I became a member of the order of the Laurel for my calligraphy and illumination, but since about 2004 I've been obsessed with costuming (but not so quick with the learning and applying my education to making things).

2) I'm a newlywed, and my hubby is very supportive of my insanity.

3) I have a dangerous addiction to buying fabric. I'm going to have to put a moratorium on buying anything until I've used up stuff from the stash.

4) My mother taught me some basic embroidery skills when I was about 10; something I have built on a bit but have goals to use more in my costuming. Like my mother, however, I have a large unfinished cross-stitch project that stares me in the face.

5) My sewing skills are largely self-taught... I'm not sure I can count that 7th Grade home economics class too much. I remember sewing a "C" shaped pillow in that class, that most thought was a neck pillow.

6) I would love to start doing calligraphy on a professional basis. Not sure how to get to that point, but it's a goal.

7) I have recovered from Graves' Disease. One of my most prominent symptoms was hand tremors, which for someone who loves being creative with my hands, was most devastating. I feel very blessed that this appears to have passed without surgery or drastically killing my thyroid.

Nominate other Blogs

• Opusanglicanum - Aside from being delightfully charming, her embroidery knocks my socks off.
• Mistress of Disguise - Entertaining and ridiculously skilled at both costuming and prosthetic makeup. Quite the repertoire!
• Eulalia Hath a Blog - Her research is detailed, and she makes me want to do earlier period dress. Not many can do that!
• Romantic History - She does a wide variety of periods in her dressmaking, and her finishing work is impeccable, all while caring for a house full of children. Amazing!
• Dragon's Scriptorium - A place for the SCA Scribes of Drachenwald to post their works. I wish Artemisia would do this.
• Caravan of Elephants - Hannah's work never fails to impress me. I hope to meet her soon; we live in the same Kingdom, after all!
• See Jane Sew - Jane is a total riot, and ambitious as hell. Love this lady.
• TrulyHatBlog - Truly's skills as a hatmaker blow my mind. She has invested so much into her craft, I am in awe.
• HollyIggyMom - Holly's zibillino are THE standard to meet (except you don't have to, because she'll sell you one).  Her jewelry is seriously the bomb.  She makes me feel pretty.  If I manage to get myself together to do what I want for Solstice Court, I totally want her to make me one of her new bird guys.  Work on a bluebird, Holly!

I follow about eleventy-gazillion other blogs, and they all deserve some kudos, but this time, I'm hanging my hat up here.

When Costuming and Scribal Arts Collide

A while back I was asked to do a scroll in a "16th Century Dutch Style," which led me to doing some research to see if such a thing is feasible in the timeline desired. Most peeps in the scribal community are familiar with the Flemish style aka "squashed bug" style of illumination. The technical term is trompe l'eoile. So I had a vague clue, but didn't know a solid time frame on this style. The thing I found interesting is that this style is known as the Ghent-Bruges school. Many students of said school were from Southern Flanders and decided to wander further south, making a living in the fabulosity that is Italy.

The most notable Ghent-Bruges piece I've run across is the Grimani Breviary (yes, Italy, you soak up all that is awesome). (By the way, if any of you have a rich benefactor, please get them to send me a facsimile copy of the Grimani Breviary!)

So, here's the interesting part, for those interested in costuming. Check out fol 228 v. The clothing seems to be an interesting mix of Flemish and Italian... but what is up with the lady on the third row up, on the left? What is that on her head?

Details of fol. 228 v. from the Grimani Breviary

Thank You Cards

One important task after weddings is, of course, thank you cards.  My wonderful husband and I perused many options throughout several stores to find a thank you card that we wanted to use.  It was not an easy task.

We finally found a blank card with a silver foil border around a blank front.  I offered to hand-calligraph the fronts.  This became a bit of an arduous task in that as a historic calligrapher, I have tended to focus on hands (aka fonts or alphabets for those who are not familiar with the terminology) that are not commonly used on things like wedding cards.

Gothic Textura Quadrata didn't flow well with the foil card design, looking awkward and out of place.  Humanist is boring, and Uncial looked out of place, along with another handful of options.  So I took a bit of a risk and dusted off my skills at Chancery Italic, which I haven't used since college.  It was rocky to say the least.  I really struggled to get the letters to sit at the right vertical angle, and futzed for what seemed like hours to find a flourish design that wasn't over the top, imbalanced, and messy.

I have a new found respect for modern calligraphers now.  I also finally found a good reason to use my purple ink.

Unfortunately not all papers are created equal, and the card paper was not ideal for calligraphy.  It did bleed a bit, and didn't flow well.  But the job is done, and most of them turned out decent enough to actually use.