Golden Sun in Splendor Scroll

I recently completed another Golden Sun in Splendor scroll, this one for a very deserving Hauk MacLean.  This was kind of exciting for me to do, because in my early scribal days (11 years ago!) I did his Golden Pillar scroll (as shown here).  Both awards are for service to the Kingdom of Artemisia.  The Golden Pillar is an "Award of Arms" level, and the Golden Sun in Splendor is a "Grant of Arms" Level.  I personally feel both these awards are so very important and love seeing them given out!  Recipients are true nobles who give back to this society.

The pictures looked fine on my phone, but here are a touch blurry - how disappointing. I worked with Hauk's amazing lady to personalize it for him, using his colors, his device, and the ladybugs are representative of his two adorable daughters, whom he calls "little bug," and "big bug."

It was requested that I use a hand that was easily read - not needing a translation just to understand what it says.  I'm afraid my Uncial and half-uncial are under-utilized and I'm sorely out of practice.  It's not my best calligraphy, but I think it met the request.

Thread Covered Buttons

Sometimes called thread-wrapped, woven, or thread covered buttons, I had fun this weekend trying this little skill for the first time.  I'd read several tutorials on how to do it, and then Lady Michelle demonstrated in person, which solidified to me how I had interpreted the tutorials.  I'm a hands-on learner, so I often struggle with written directions.

Example tutorials on how to do these are here:
The Renaissance Tailor
Article by Phillip Schillawski

In doing this write-up I've also stumbled on a you-tube tutorial.  I've not watched it, but look forward to doing so soon.

I worked mine up in ver à soie silk embroidery floss over a wood bead.  After trying a few, I decided to add the yellow splendor silk ridges and pearl at the top as finishing touches.  These buttons are going on my oft ignored, but never forgotten eggplant silk veste.  Yes, the "eggplant" silk is closer to the color of these buttons than the image on the aforementioned blog post.  The fabric detests being photographed.  The yellow will tie into my butter yellow sottana which will be worn under the veste.

 

I'm fairly pleased, considering I'm new at this.

Golden Sun in Splendor Scroll

The lovely and talented Mistress Bethany of Windermere asked me to collaborate with her on a Golden Sun in Splendor scroll for Cathryn Anne of Newbury.  Bethany provided me with inspiration piece she wanted to use, and asked me to do the calligraphy in the space allotted on her layout.  Of course, I forgot to note what the inspiration was in order to tell all you good folk, but trust me, it's pretty.

Since the inspiration was in a columnar format, I decided to roll with it and divide up the space provided.  I practiced several times to make sure the nib size and formatting ended in a balanced piece of calligraphy. Aside from a minor spacing snafu, it turned out pretty decent.

Then it went back to Bethany for illumination.  Obviously, it turned out amazing, because that's all Bethany does.  Cathryn Anne is mundanely from Australia, hence the kangaroo and other little references in the illumination.

Photo by Valerie Scarbrough

If you were given an award, what little personalized references would you want hidden in the illumination that makes it "all yours?"

Gryphon & Candle Scroll

I took notice that Michelle of Harris upon York had been improving leaps and bounds in the arts, particularly when she showed me the blackwork partlet she was making as a gift for the Baroness of Loch Salann, Jennet, as a stepping down gift.  It's truly lovely and documented.

I wrote a letter of recommendation for her to receive her Baronial Arts & Sciences award as a result of my observations.  Being a sneaky person, I offered to do the scroll if his was deemed appropriate.  I had several days off for Thanksgiving, and worked hard to get this done quickly in order to focus on other things (like the napkins I already posted about).

This is based on a page in the Master of Mary of Burgundy.  With the exception of the pink ink, of course, which I had to do because it's Michelle's favorite color.  Authenticity gods will have to forgive me for that move.  It's done in Winsor & Newton Scarlet ink.  Which, as you see, looks like a lovely bright pink that does not resemble scarlet in the least.

Showing different angles of photos so you can see how shiny the gold is.  For the curious, no this is not gold leaf.  I wanted to ensure proper shading of the acanthus, and my skill at leaf is not to the level that I can do this.  So I used a combination of gold gouache and gold inks which simulate shell gold, and added shading with ocher and brown gouache.

Thank you, Bethany and Vilhelm, for allowing me to make this happen.  It had been far too long since I've painted (shame).

Five Foundations Challenge

I have decided to join Mistress of Disguise's Five Foundations Challenge this year.

Unlike her awesomely impressive project list of doing five items in each category, I will aim for doing one in each category.  I know my speed, capabilities, and need, and one per category is sufficient for me at this point.

Challenge 1 - Shifts and Chemises

I have been working on embroidery for cuffs and collar for a high-necked smock, and hope to finish that in order to apply it to this challenge.

Challenge 2 - Stays and Corsets

My stays are about five years old, and don't fit well due to weight fluctuations.  I'd like to make a new set in order to make my wardrobe more versatile.  I have several boned kirtles, but that only goes so far.

Challenge 3 - Petticoats

I desperately need more petticoats.  I only have one, and it's getting pretty ragged.  No excuses other than laziness.  I have fabric in the stash - it's time to make it happen.

Challenge 4 - Skirt Supports

This one is a little tougher as I'm in no mood to redo my farthingale as much as it needs it... perhaps a remodel could count?  I need to remove the bones and bleach the living hell out of it, and re-insert the bones as well.  I may also make a corded petticoat - do we think this could count?

Challenge 5 - Finishing Touches

A new pocket needs to happen, and I'm also making several partlets (or at least plan to!)

Napkin Largesse

Or serviette, whichever you prefer.  I've spent quite a bit of time pricking my fingers lately, working on a largesse project.  I started by making a couple of embroidered medallions, which are done in satin and chain stitches. All materials came from my stash, so the embroidery was a mix of silk and cotton floss.  I then appliqued the medallions to hand-sewn linen napkins, made from 14"x14" linen scraps.

 

The gold embroidered napkins were given to Their Royal Majesties, Raven and Sajah at Solstice Court this weekend, within gift baskets full of goodies from the household I belong to, Sable Sun.  

Each napkin was carefully turned and hand-sewn, with mitered corners.  Of course, we couldn't leave out our Esteemed Barons and Baronesses of the Kingdom in our endeavors.  This happened to be an investiture event, meaning the Baron and Baroness of Loch Salann, the hosting Barony, were retiring, and the newly chosen Baron and Baroness were invested (the ceremonial term for receiving their coronets and taking their station).  The outgoing Baroness has a thing for dragonflies, just like me, so their napkins included some dragonfly appliques from my stash.  They are iron-on jobbies, for which I am ashamed but simply didn't have time to hand-embroider them.

Each of the Baronages in attendance received a gift basket including two napkins, and we also donated a basket that included four napkins to a silent auction.  This was an easy but time consuming project.  I could have done it much faster by machine, but there's something charming about little uneven hand stitches. It was also a great way to use up some of my scraps of fabric.

Vintage Sewing Patterns

I began sorting through my grandmother's patterns, and took pictures of some of the oldest ones I found.

THIS.  I want so badly to make an awesome apron to wear for Thanksgiving.  Timing-wise, it's not going to happen, but aren't these adorable!?

I'm completely lustful for the pleats on McCall's 4584.  I do not have the figure for this dress but I may have to figure out a way to make this anyway.

I spoke to Noelle on Tuesday, and we are in agreement.  Crinolines are back.  It's mandatory.  Everyone, spread the word.

Surprise! I sewed a thing!

It's been literally ages since I've accomplished much by way of sewing.  I have, however, been very busy doing embroidery.  Unfortunately it's not exciting to post pictures of yet a few more inches of the same boring blackwork pattern.  I promise I'll share images when the overall project is done though!

So this weekend I hosted an undy-making day, which ended up being a party of one for the most part.  Hah!  C'est la vie.  The good news is I have a shiny new pair of drawers.  This is a "warm" pair, being made of some soft cotton twill.  Not the most period appropriate choice, but these will never be seen by anyone but me.  I have found this fabric choice to be wonderful for cold-weather events.  To further laugh in the face of historical accuracy, they have an elastic waistband, and have some super cute vintage heart lace to adorn my kneecaps.  No apologies from me on this - my drawers = my business.  Well, perhaps partly your business now that I've gone and put a picture of them on the internet...

Family Crafting Fun!

This weekend I spent time with my family scrapbooking and having a great time.  While I was there, I finally picked up an exciting set of packages that my mom has been holding for me.  Vintage patterns!  These patterns are rescued/blatantly snatched from my amazing grandmother's stash.  They include well loved and used patterns from the 1950's, 1960's, and 1970's.

I must admit I'm not a big fan of 1970's fashion, so at this point those will be archived until I decide what to do.  I will, however begin cataloging each pattern by company, year, and pattern number and carefully transferring them into archive quality plastic bags so their delicate paper is protected. This project will take me a while as I have other things on my plate at the moment as well.

Old Calligraphy Pieces

Whilst strolling through the internet, I came across some photos of SCA Scrolls that I worked on, but never got pictures of because I only did the calligraphy on them.  Once I'm done with the calligraphy, they were given to Bethany of Windermere to illuminate and I often never see them again.  She's the main one I collaborate with because she's like a sister to me.  Also, she's really good at begging. Hah!

Most of these are several years old.  And again, illumination on all pieces are by Bethany of Windermere.  Hopefully next time I'll have something more exciting and recent to post.