Travelling Time and Space

So here they are, pictures of The Raspberry before set up showing the small carbboard box with the tent stakes, the mallet and the portable hole, the Raspberry itself and the center pole

And then the Raspberry in its full glory set up in our front yard.

and another shot from the side to show the roof and the valance

The Raspberry is unfortunately too small to hold my camping cot so I'll have to resort to air mattress and a ground cover which I'll have to whip up today or rather tomorrow. I have a tarp but I'd want to have something that's vaguely prettier than that and a bit nicer on bare feet :)

Considering this was an experiment with modern tent fabrics and a single pole construction without hub and spokes it doesn't look too shabby. 

Since we're approaching Christmas with huge steps [no kidding, there're home decorating stores here that are already in fullblown christmas-mode, decorated trees and cinnamon scent] I thought I could do a little pre-christmas post.

Good King Wenceslas is one of my favorite old-fashioned christmas songs and so the gfollowing misheard lyrics caused me to giggle amusedly so I had to share :o)

 Now, how to make sure I don't get the first line with the king backing out his car over the feet of heathens in my head .... that's going to be a challenge

Instead of strengthening over the warm waters between Cuba and the Keys Ernesto decided to whimp out and stayed a Tropical Storm that fairly quickly douses Florida with lots of rain and bringing some wind but no matter what he is bringing it'll be over in no time.

Gooooood Ernesto. Hurricanes baad, Tropical Storms not so bad, rain good :)

So it appears that Coronation this weekend is no longer in danger of being canceled and the Raspberry will have its debut on saturday. Since I'll be arriving on site early in the morning in order to make it to Gregory's and Maisie's last court the encampment set-up will have to wait until afterward but it's easy to pop up and it won't take me long to get settled in. Putting up the sunshade with its cloth slipcover actually takes much longer :) I'm really looking forward to it and it's going to be even more fun because there'll be at least 3 of the 4 of us and so we're having our nice little base camp again and our own little feast on saturday night with bacon-wrapped beef steaks, salad, bread and all kinds of yummy antipasti and M's [by now] famous homemade cheese :) Wheeeeee !

Of course there is one drawback *gravely* I have nothing new to wear - eeeep ! I know I still have time enough for a dress [once you've got a pattern and the dress all figured out it really doesn't take that long unless you want to add fancy embroidery or other kinds of embellishment] but I don't think I'll force it. It's not like I have nothing to wear. It's just nothing new :)

More later ! 

Finally it feels like summer. "Ernesto" is swirling just before the Keys and the 'good ol' routine' of reading up on it every morning on the webpage of the National Hurricane Center has begun. Despite the prophecies this year's season has been fairly quiet for us. Most of the storms have been building up way out on sea, twirled a little before sinking into the waves far away from causing any other damage than moving ship routes.

This time it's looking like we're going to get hit, one way or the other. Look here

 This is the 3-day forcast. Ernesto has been downgraded to a Tropical Storm but he is very likely just taking a quick break and is expected to strengthen to a hurricane again just before getting his feet sandy at the beaches of the Keys. Then he's expected to sail up the whole length of Florida touching the east coast of our State just a hair's width below Jacksonville on thursday morning. Meh :/

It's going to be interesting to say the least, if Ernesto decides to go with this plan. Are we going to get blown away at Coronation ? Looks like it ...

Or else I'd have noticed that I haven't updated this blog in a good 3 days, right ?

The Raspberry is completed. Today I'll hunt down a tent pole repair kit to extend the one I have for the shoulder ring and I'll possibly have pictures of a Raspberry in its full glory either tonight or tomorrow. It was a fun project, easy on the eyes and the hands except for that little accident with my favorite pair of scissors that I used to punch small holes into the valance for the grommets and very easy on the budget and best of all anybody can do it. I think the girls are already corrupted to the idea :) which is fabulous ! Now we're off fabric hunting. [And I still need to find a replacement belt for my beloved turquoise Singer *sigh* It's not looking good :(]

Thursday Night we had an A&S show and tell instead of a class at our weekly meeting. Only the usual suspects had brought some projects to show off but considering this we managed to create a nice display of a variety of crafts. There were shoes and pattens and scrolls and tapestries and glassbeads and garb abd chain maille and venetian masks and jewelry and embroidery and casting. Maybe next time more people will be willing to bring their projects; it's nice to know and see what everybody's been working on, especially for the new faces in the group. We had an overwhelming presence of new faces almost outnumbering the familiar ones. Considering that our city is growing at a rapid rate by law we -should- be growing as a group as well. In those hundreds of thouasand people who move here there's got to be more than one historically interested geek or two :)

I'm done with most of the blanks I created a few weeks ago. Darlene helped paint the majority of them and so I'll be able to send another nicely sized package of scrolls to our charming Clerk of the Signet. Once I get around to drawing a few new ones I'll probably have a bit of time to devote to my own studies. There are a few styles I'd like to try my hand on and I haven't had much time to try and improve my own techniques lately. I also would like to experiment with panel painting a bit but frankly it's going to be a bit tight this year, timewise *sigh* I wish there's more than an hour a day I could set aside for all the cool things I'd like to try my hands on :)

Loving the "Tudor Tailor" - it's a neat book with a great practical approach and instructions that sound simple enough for me to understand and make sense of *G* At this point I'm planning two "Hemden" - one with a wide finely pleated neckline and blackwork embroidery [or trim since I'm really not really capable of those needleworks *sigh] and another one with a simple collar, a wool gollar lined with linen, a butter-yellow wool dress with black velvet guards and a a simpler "everyday" dress in dark blue linen with possibly red guards. That should boost my wardrobe nicely, especially after refitting and mending the german renaissance dresses I already have :)

Names - still looking at names. While I really like "Ludovica" I just can't find any proper documentation for the SCA time period. Ludovic and Ludovico for men is fine but there's no sign of the female version until the early 1700s *pout* It's such a cool name, though. Anyways, considering that most people prefer "Maeva"  over my real name I'm trying to find something that again starts with an "M' and maybe sounds similar to my norse alter ego's name. So far I've found
"Mayken" which meets both criteria. Another name I think is cute and not quite as commonly known and heard and used is "Mabelien". Thoughts ?

Anyhow, enough rambling for now. It's time to hop under the shower, get dressed and brave the stores for some grocery shopping. TTFN ! 

While I don't consider myself a costumer by any means I do like proper garb and I do want to look as proper as I can wiht my meager sewing skills. It's been almost 2 years now that I've been oggling early german renaissance dress with its' puffs and slashes and embroidery and softly shaping bodices and pleated skirts, not to mention the funny headdress of Steuchlein, haube and Wulst, and it's been a constant challenge to my very basic sewing skills. Slowly I'm growing into it and I'm grateful for the patient assistance of my duct tape dress dummy that allows me to fit my own dresses without having to wait for help.

[My sewing bouts happen periodically and without prior warning. The sewing bug pinches me and then I have to sew it all out of my system :) ].

anyways, after catching a quick glance at "The Tudor Tailor" I had to have my own copy. While it doesn't cover german dress it does do a great job at explaining construction methods and what I really love about this book is how the authors approach the topic so I had to have it. Yesterday my copy arrived bought with birthday money and I'm loving it [so does the Finndragon who - clothes-horse that he is - oohs and aahh over the pictures with the nice garb *L*]. I'm actually -reading- it as opposed to my usual just looking at the pictures until the sensation of novelty wears off and they become familiar sights that do no longer distract from the accompanying text  ;) 

Hmm, whatelse ?

Well, there is an interesting discussion going on on one of my mailinglists and while it could be an even fruitful and healthy discussion things have been talked into a corner with apparently no easy way out anymore. Situations like this always make me remember the voice of a professional trainer I had the pleasure of attending some of his professional workshops. The one quote and I'm afraid it is only one out of 6 workshops with each of them lasting a whole weekend, paid by the company, is this one :

Don't show me how it does not work. Show me how it can.

Instead of discussing in great detail the problems and limitations you run into when dealing with a certain issue, brainstorm over solutions and different approaches that would make your goals come true. Try approaching things with a "How can I make this work" mindset and you'll notice the world can be a much more fun place to be and to do things in :)

Projects are lining up, one by one, but I feel as if I'm accomplishing a lot these days. That's something because there are those days - and nothing is worse - where you feel like you are slaving away and still the pile doesn't appear to shrink at all.

The "Raspberry" is almost done. All I need to do is add the loops for the tent stakes to the bottom and it's ready to go ! So far I've invested 8 hours of work and a whooping grand total of $15 *G* The heaviest part of the raspberry is the 9 ft center pole and the tent itself folds flat into a lightweight package of the size of a laptop or seat cushion :)

I have 11 scrolls sitting here all finished and ready to be shipped to our lovely Chart Signet and another 5 blanks that need a bit o' painting still :)

I finished editing my norse garb article for CAstlelore that I wrote up ....uh, 1.5 years ago for the Norse Garb Workshop I held during A&S Nights -and- managed to organize my articles and class hand-outs [and re-type those that have been lost to the Gods of the Computer Crash with no Backup] into a somewhat more sensible format. 

Our trip to "Ink & Blood" in Daytona has definitely renewed my desire to tackle a few insane projects even though finding some extra sparetime will be quite a challenge. At least I have ordered new gesso and gold leaf for those 'experiments' on my wish list - wheeee !

Once the scrolls are out of the house I have a few more things on my to-do list like :

- garb for my family

- mending old garb

- dig a little deeper into the icon business

Not to forget "Scriptorium" in November :) If you are in the area please swing by ! It's a fun event at a really nice site with lots of classes and plenty to do. For more information go here tinyurl.com/m64rh

After weighing the pros and cons and getting some design input from hubby I've decided to cut out the small gothic arches of the border to give The Raspberry's valance a more dagged look :o)

Backseam is closed, now it's on to grommets for guylines and stake loops :o)

Here're the first few pictures of my latest tent experiment *G* I proudly present to you :

The Medieval Groundwart !

Heh *L* The raspberry-pink pavilino is as big as the tiny groundwart hubby and I have been using on our individual daytrips but it's just big enough to either fit hubby or me and Finn at the same time. The medieval groundwart however is -much- taller and even hubby can stand up straight inside of it which is great and much better for putting on armour.

This picture was taken right after I'd closed the roof seams. I just couldn't wait to see what it'd look like and popped it up. The center pole is about 2.5 feet too short as you can tell by the fabric draping around the bottom but all in all it's looking fairly spiff :o) Next things on the to-do list are closing the back wall seam, adding toggles to the door and loops for the tent stakes to the bottom and a bunch of grommets for guylines - which shouldn't take more than a few hours, 4h at the most.

I slid one of the modern groundwart's shockcorded fibreglass rods into the frame tubing along the tent's shoulder and while it's a wee bit short it works really well. Maybe I can find a longer replacement one at the local camping stores.

Here's a close-up of the trim I painted with the little pattern and here

 a picture from the inside. The raspberry dream is 9ft tall total and measures about 5ft something to the shoulder.

More to come ! 

There is a phenomena I've encountered in various groups over a few years now and it still boggles my mind when I encounter is because I can't find a satisfying answer for it.

Whenever it comes to action, it comes down to the usual suspects.

If there is something that needs planning the same people will volunteer.
If there is something that needs to be done it's again the same people.  

Now, I have no problem understanding this when it comes to work life where oftentimes the weight of our pay check equals our enthusiasm and reflects our willingness to invest time and creativity and effort but I don't get it when it comes down to a hobby.

Isn't your hobby the thing you should be really enthusiastic about [or if you aren't why are you still bothering ?] by the very nature of the concept ? The pastime you try to find extra spare time for ? Where you are giddy with excitement over yet another project ?

For some odd reason it's always the same few people willing to do things and I'm not just talking about leading stuff. It does take a certain nature and attitude to be a leader and even more to be a good one but it is also always the same people who will simply attend group functions and workshops and meetings and I have yet to find the secret password to be able to communicate to those who are outside this circle of "usual suspects".

God willing and sewing machine permitting I'll be tenting in a dark raspberry pink round pavilion by Coronation *L*

In my experiments of trying to find an alternative to the rather heavy canvas [or the fact that I cannot set up the stupid marquee I stitched up 2 years ago all by myself without help, for the love of God] I came across a bunch of yards or something that is very close to modern tent silk. Or one of those protective tablecloths. Either way the color and the price appealed to me and I bought enough to make a small dayshode/1-woman camping pavilion.

I cut out the roof and wall parts and used some heavier cream canvas fabric for the valance for some additional stability and a nice contrast. I painted a little cross-trefoil-gothic arch border on the valance which looks really pretty and after sewing valance and walls together I'm now getting ready to attach the roof. It's going to be a miniature raspberry-pink pavilino and probably look absolutely hysterical but if this experiment works out I can see a bigger version in the future.

Writing up my third quarter MoAs report I realized once more that time is flashing by incredibly fast. It's almost the end of August and there aren't that many more months, weekends, days left until the end of the year. Summer is almost over and the nights started whispering promises of cool air soon after dusk.

Already the first few drafts of plans for Christmas are being shared and discussed and this year, for the first time after we moved here, it appears that we'll be staying home, having our own christmas tree and our own Christmas decoration and celebration instead of travelling the world to stay with grandparents and parents for the meery time of the year. No airports this year - hurray ! I can't wait.

It's the favorite time of the year for me. I love the sounds and smells and flavors that are Christmas to me [ and in Florida even the weather is bearable :o) ] and I've already plans for all kinds of Christmas crafts to do with Finndragon to decorate our tree with, not to mention the cookies and baked marzipan apples with creamy rich custard so sweet and warm like kisses.

Lalalalaala-lalala... 

Trying to find out more about the time between 1490-1520 in my home town/area nestled between the Rhine and today's border to the Netherlands I stumbled across this which I thought was a really neat starting point for persona development. I'd actually be able to tie all my major interests into one persona which I think would be great :o)

Alas, without further ado ... I present to you :

Verhulst, Mayken [Maaiken; Mayke; Meyken] [Bessemers, Marie de]

(b Mechelen, c. 1520; bur Mechelen, 1 April 1600). Flemish painter, second wife of PIETER COECKE VAN AELST I. She was the daughter of a little-known painter in Mechelen but became famous during her lifetime. Best known for miniatures, she was described by Lodovico Guicciardini in 1567 as one of the five principal female painters in the Netherlands. Despite such acclaim, no extant signed works are known. She had three children with Pieter Coecke van Aelst: Paul, who became a painter, Katherine and Marie (or Mayken), who married Pieter Bruegel the elder. Verhulst was documented by Karel van Mander as the first person to teach watercolour painting to her grandson Jan Breughel the elder. She may also have taught Jan’s brother Pieter Brueghel the younger. It was suggested by Bergmans that four works by the BRUNSWICK MONOGRAMMIST (see MASTERS, ANONYMOUS, AND MONOGRAMMISTS, §III) should be attributed to Verhulst.

As mentioned earlier I've been casually researching early Renaissance Germany lately starting with my sudden fancy for a pretty girly puff and slash German dress that I had to have for last year's summer Art-Sci to the realization that I actually enjoy wearing the German variation of late 15th/ early 16th century :o) It is very pretty and very comfortable which makes for a really tempting combination. Lately, early Renaissance german has been all I've been wearing to events and my Norse outfits have been collecting dust in the closet.

My latest wardrobe plans however do not follow the Landsknecht trend but rather aim at a very well off merchant/ minor nobility rank whose dresses come with nicely understated class and style [the only problem being that I still have the absolutely gorgeous gold brocade that doesn't fit in here].

Either way, I'm not going for "Kampfrau" chic and since Anna prompted some Kampfrau talk about the origin of the term here's my reply for your entertainment :

"Kamp" is a perfectly albeit old fashioned German word for "Field". Especially in the lower Rhineland area  toward the dutch border you will find many street names, etc. including the word "Kamp" for example in Moenchengladbach "Beeker Kamp", etc.
The word probably stems from the Latin word "campus" which translates to "field" as well. The dutch "kamp" is used additionally to describe a temporary encampment and of course the English "camp' has the same origin so this explains where the word we use generally to describe the women who followed the Landsknecht Army around comes from :

Camp follower
Kamp-Frau / Kamp-Frouwe

I personally would suggest using a more specific description, one that implies the social status as well as a possible profession because while a lot of women followed the (en)campment of Landsknechts some of them were respectable wives, smart business women, laundry wenches while others were prostitutes and thieves.

Examples
Marketenderin [one who tends the market - merchant]
Sudelerin or Viktualierin [one who peddles provisions to the soldiers]
Hure [prostitute]
or simply
Tross Frau [which IMO would be maybe a better word to indicate that it is indeed a woman who is following the baggage train "tross" of the army]

So far in all the regesta [official writs/documents] I have read from this time period refer to the women only as either Hure or Wib/Weib [ie woman, occasionally wife].

It is. Everywhere.

Every year Pennsic quiets down lots and lots of mailinglists and slows down local activities. Many people travelling to Pennsic the second week of the war are caught up in last minute preparations stitching away on the last bit of garb they have to have for the biggest event of the SCA.

Some day I'd love to go. Leave Finndragon with the grandparents and spend a week at War with hubby checking out the many cool classes that are being offered, watching armies clash and oohing and aaahing over all the cool merchandise praised by the marketenderei :o) Until then Pennsic and its centralized focus of activity that leaves the rest of the Known World in a Sleeping Beauty slumber allows me some extra time for projects [and updating my blog, of course].

The 3rd quarter is drawing to an end and it's again time to prepare another A&S report. Hopefully people will start sending in their own individual A&S lists soonish so I don't have to rush it at the last minute. The past two times they've all been really good. It's somewhat unfortunate that this week's meeting was cancelled because it'll keep me from reminding people who don't read the list. Also, it's oftentimes more effective to push a slip of paper and a pen into people's hands and make them fill it out right then and there. less hassle for them, less hassle for me - everybody's happy and I get to brag about all the cool A&S things we've done during the past months. I'm tickled pink that I get to brag about the scribes again; they have done so much work and good work during the past months and I'm just mightily proud of them.

D., after 2 years of trying to convince me that she cannot draw, turned in a scroll that she designed herself, did the linedrawing for and painted *GRINS* I'm absolutely thrilled because there was no prompting by Yours Truely involved there. She just did it - wheeeee ! 

This weekend we are going to have another tapestry painting workshop for Scriptorium. Those tapstries are based on the miniatures in the Tres Riches Heures de Duc de Berry and will be hung as decoration at our scribal event which is themed around the burgundian ducal court of the Duke of Berry. We began working on them last A&S Night and everybody had a great time and everybody is looking forward to this coming saturday. I have plans for another big ...well, much bigger group project but I need to dabble with the idea first before running it past the Shire.

What else is new ?

Not much, really. Finndragon's birthday is coming up. He will turn 3 at the end of the month and my mind boggles. Where'd time go ?

We checked out a new [and much bigger] church and while it was very different from our last church we might give it another shot to see if we really like it. Finn enjoyed his time in the nursery very much and people were very nice, we're just missing the beautiful pageantry of our former church [which fell apart after some in-church politics and wasn't much fun afterward anymore :o/] and sitting on the balcony in the sanctuary doesn't really make up for it :o) More on that later though. 

This one's for you *G*

www.warrenellis.com/?p=2871 

*giggle* 

Afterall, I'm a stay-at-home mom *G* and all that counts are survival skills :o)~

Your IQ Is 115

Your Logical Intelligence is Below Average Your Verbal Intelligence is Genius Your Mathematical Intelligence is Above Average Your General Knowledge is Exceptional

Go here

www.mydeskcity.com/DZFG20.htm