Travelling Time and Space

Finally I'm allowed to show off pictures of my latest piece of work : Mistress Mairi Ceilidh's Court barony scrolls. I finished it last week, sent it off to Their Majesties as I couldn't attend the event and have been holding my breath ever since.

As promised here are pictures :o)

In its entirety and framed - the illumination measures 6.5 x 9 inches, WN Gouache, Sumi ink and 23k gold on Pergamenata. The swirly acanthus leaves are in blue and yellow in refernce to the recipient's heraldic colors and there's a little crow wearing a baronial coronet around its neck in the lower right corner swirl :o) You'll find Mistress Mairi Ceilidh's personal motto "porcina apes regnat" or "Porkfat rules" on the band in the miniature that shows her feeding the populace [and has another crow stealing a bone from the table and a little piggy watching from the safety from under the table cloth *G*]

Here's a close up of the upper part with the miniature. Isn't the gold pretty ? Looking at how nicely it shows on the picture makes me all giddy 'cause I think that's pretty much the nicest gilding job I've done so far.

And another shot from the bottom half of the scroll. 

Literally that's German for the state of having a good hat on his or her head but in fact it means that somebody is being kept safe and free from harm.

In the SCA I have grown to like hats, yes, even the occasional odd one. I love my pleated kerchief and my little Norse baby cap. I enjoy wearing my black velvet flatcap with its teasing feather bouquet at a rakish angle and would love to have a dress for fancy beaded and gem encrusted cauls. For now, however, it's back to the ever-funky German Wulsthaube and the accompanying Steuchlein.

Wulsthaube literally translates to "bulge cap" and refers to a cap with an attached and stuffed fabric sausage to form the bulge that is covered by the "Steuchlein", a veil worn over the Wulsthaube. The whole ensemble creates a very simple albeit odd look but it just adds that one extra odd detail that makes your dress look right if you are aiming for a more middle class merchant look rather than the fancy funky and feathery Landsknecht.

Anywya,s my first Wulsthaube was such a stuffed fabric sausage attached to a little linen cap and while it looked right it didn't consider staying put an option. My hair is very fine and straight and provided no hold for the little cap. Tightening it only squeezed my brains in a fairly uncomfortable way and the fix was usually only temporary - after a while the fabric softened and the whole shebang started sliding again. Bobby pins didn't help either.

Since the sewing bug is running strong right now I finally sat down yesterday and made another wulst, this time without the cap, based on the simple fact that my pleated veil-kerchief holds up nicely to whatever activity I indulge in at events. The wulst is now a simple stuffed linen sausage with ties at the tapered ends. I bent it to a tear-shape and then hand-stitched the natural creases into place - that way it keeps its shape all by itself and doesn't want to flip back into a straight sausage. That's it.

A quick test yesterday revealed that if I pin up my hair a little higher than I usually do I create just enough of a base for the wulst to rest upon and - once tied - it all stays put without a single bobby pin. Woot ! I took one of my pleated headveils and tied it over it, tucking the edges under and it worked :o) Now that the wulst holds all by itself the veil provides extra hold and the whole headgear feels sturdy and comfortable. 

Now I need one of those styrofoam heads so I can take pictures ...

To my knowledge the only primary source on making medieval brushes is Cennini's Ill libro del'Arte where he describes, short and sweet, the making of minever and hog bristle brushes.

Throughout the centuries the parts that make a brush apprently haven't changes much : a handle, a ferrule [now metal, sometimes plastic, then a piece of quill] and a bunch of hairs. Pretty straightforward. During munchkin-naptime today I grabbed beeswax, linen thread, a couple of sticks [you -always- have sticks in the house when there is a preschooler], a  Xacto knife, a couple of feathers and some sable fur since I'm not too keen on having to shoot squirrels for the proper minever hair :)

It's a fumbly sort of business and arranging the hairs in a way that'll qualify in the slightest as a brush shape is the hardest part of it but I think I did okay. Here're a couple of pictures

 The ingredients ...well, most of them. I forgot to take a picture of the beeswax and the thread ...meh.

Here the handle is already whittled into shape [you've gotta watch how much you're slicing off - you end up with a very very thin stick really fast *G*], the hairs have been fiddled into shape and tied to the handle and the quill ferrule is cut and good to go over the top.

Look ! It's a brush ! While the handle is not the Cennini recommended length of 9 inches [I love my handles short] it does look like a real brush. It's also not really unimportant to mention it actually works and keeps its shape fairly nicely :o)

So encouraged I made another one - a little fatter this time with a broader tip.

Now ... where to get squirrel fur ? 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSObdP0UoHI" title="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSObdP0UoHI" target="_blank"http://www.youtube.com/watch?...

Before you follow this link please be aware that it will show you a Picadero and his horse during a  the traditional Spanish bull fight. A Picadoro is a horseman who will plant short lances into the back of the bull, preferably the lower neck close to the shoulder blades.

Much can be said about bullfighting and I apologize if anybody feels offended/disturbed/whatev er about my posting this link. I'm neither supporting nor condemning bullfighting. This blog is as much a filing cabinet for me as it is a means to share my thoughts, impressions and experiences with my friends, and the beauty of the performance of the horse, the power, the agility, the splendor of life and the passion in those short moments are simply moving me to tears, leaving me breathless and my heart aching.

Wheeee, my mega scroll project is finally finished ! I have to wait yet another week before I'll be able to post it without spoiling the surprise but it's all done and I'm very happy with how it turned out :o)

It's based on folio 127 verso of the Psalter and Hours of Henry Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick, Ms. M. 893 and if you have the book "The Golden Age of English Manuscript Painting 1200-1500" by Richard Marks and Nigel Morgan you'll find the illumination that inspired the border on page 116. I changed the colors around a bit to match the heraldry of the award recipient and the miniature depicts a different scene. The painted area measures roughly 6x8 inches and there was just enough room for the calligraphy :o) The goldleaf sizing worked like a charm and I think that's been the best raised gilding job I've done so far.

I can't wait to show y'all some pictures *grins*

Soon ... 

So where were we ? Oh right, the church that didn't work out for us. Traditional, but not traditional enough. Some pageantry, but not enough. In the end it was a watered-down version of what we'd grown to love and that just didn't satisfy us at all and we drifted away.

Fast forward a couple of months. Hubby's sister spoke highly of the church she and her husband attend in Atlanta and wonder, oh wonder, they just started a satellite church here.

To make a long story short, we attended a service there and really really liked it. It is -nothing- like any of the churches we have visited before. It's entirely modern, fresh, hip with music that rock'n rolls and a sermon via big screen TV and satellite and you know what ? We loved every single moment of it. Even better, the service is in the evening which allows us to continue our traditionally lazy Sunday mornings and there is even room for Finndragon's afternoon nap. Even when we attend events we can still go to church and not look like slackers skipping yet another service because we want to sleep in *G* It's biweekly which takes away from the 'pressure' to attend, from the tendency to turn into a chore. I enjoyed the sermon a lot and in fact it's one of three I actually remember in detail. Down-to-earth yet filled with humor and understanding. For the first time in my life I can admit that I'm looking forward to the next mass.

Too bad there's no church this Sunday ... 

I'm protestant, raised ina christian family that was very casual about church attendance and while I went through all the somber and serene rites of passage at my church I never quite caught on. Church just wasn't all that exciting. In fact, it was rather lifeless. Not quite dead, but certainly no longer spring fresh.

Then I met my now husband, his family, their church. Holy cow - what a difference ! This was a living breathing thing, nothing dusty with the smell of waxed floors and wilting flowers on the altar, and it permeated life so thoroughly I caught me off guard. I was looking forward to finding something like that when we moved to our new home and we went 'church shopping' - the oddest thing when you are German, really. The many different 'flavors', the idea to pick a church to your liking rather than the one of your parish ... we found one and really enjoyed it.

Catholic pageantry and reverence mingled with protestant down-to-earth-iness  and we went almost regularly. Finn loved the nursery and beelined from the car to the kids' rooms every time we went.

Then, one day, our church imploded - an ugly stir caused by internal politics and it led to a split in the church. Afterwards, things weren't the same anymore, this church had lost its innocence, and we drifted away. Slowly at first, skipping the one or the other service, then sleeping in more often and missing church until we made no more conscious effort to go. Shame that, really. It was a good church with a lot of good people.

About half a year ago we started church shopping in earnest again and sparked by the hope to maybe maybe find something similar to my in-laws wonderful church we visited a sister church out here. Much bigger than our first church I was thrilled about the sheer size of the church, the massive choir, the professional attitude. The nursery was nice, well organized and  Finn liked it. The service ... well, when the first impact wore off we realized it was sterile. Too professional. Too big. Too ... I don't know. It didn't fit. Like a shoe that's a size off it was uncomfortable and ended up forgotten in a corner rather than worn.

Eh ...more tomorrow. I just noticed the time :o) 

St George's Tournament is one of my favorite events here in Trimaris and every time I find myself wishing that every tournament were a crested helm tournament. That every event were a riot of heraldic pageantry and ceremony. That we would more often try every thing within our means to create magic medieval moments.

It was a perfect day for a perfect event and fun was had by all. We can't wait to do it again next year and our brains are running wild with ideas on how to bump it up a notch or two :o)

Finndragon of course was in heaven. There were 'knights' [everybody in armor is a knight to him ;)] galore, banners, tents and lots and lots of fighting. At times I was torn between watching the tournament and just watching him seeing the genuine wonder on his face, the pure admiration in his eyes and the innocent reverence when the fighters allow him to hold a gauntlet or assist with a shield or sword for a moment. To Finndragon, the Middle Ages come alive - truly alive - each and every time I take him with me to an event.

Finndragon watching M'lord Tristan armor up for the tournament. He's wearing his new leather armor that Mommy made for him :) Mommy was declared "crazy" by several people for making it but their laughter and giggles spoke volumes.

Master Tally, M'lord Tristan, Baron Bernard de Barfleur, a gentle I don't recognize on my picture and Master Sebastian

And this is a picture I snapped of the illumination I contributed as a prize for the Tournament Prize Table. It's postcard size, 23k gold and homemade medieval paints on parchment. It found a good home with Mistress Elfwyn and Baron Bernard :o)

The weather was fabulous as you can tell by the pictures. Too fabulous actually and while I'd been mostly good during the day to stay out of the sun and wear my hat the bright light was getting to me after all. It wasn't too bad when I decided I could not allow the single lady to tear down her sunshade and encampment all by herself. We packed up her sunshade chatting amiably and having fun but when she left I realized how much the sun had fried my brain :o( During the past year I learned that lengthy exposure to bright sunlight triggers migraines for me. I grabbed Finn, stuff and fled home. We barely made it. Once home all I managed to do was schlepp myself and Finn upstairs and collapse on the bed. Hubby came home early though and took over Finn so I could die in peace [I swear that's what it feels like] until I finally passed out and slept for almost three hours. I woke up, a bit sore and feeling slightly raw, but the headache was gone and I was hungry again. Sunday morning I bought sunglasses.

I plan on spending lots of time at Scribes Point in the future :o) 

Steven got picked up already, the Friday-Night soup is simmering on the stove and flavoring the air with the aromatic scents of garlic, salmon and shrimp and a hint of saffron ....hmmmmm, it's  bouillabaisse night.

That also tells you that my stomach appears to be on the path of recovery. The idea of eating a spoon or two of said soup or even the simple procedure of cooking it is no longer forcing me into a mad dash to the bathroom. No, we're not expecting :o) Just in case you're wondering.

I'm all packed for St George's Tournament. Finn and I will be daytripping tomorrow. That way I get to have some much needed downtime on Friday night and all day Sunday while still getting the best of the event season. I think Crested Helm Tournaments are to die for. The pageantry, the splendor, the gallantry - it's all there. THAT is the SCA to me, not just a bunch of guys whacking eachother with sticks. That's Fighter Practice.

Anyways, all packed and set and all that's left to do is load the car and be on our merry way tomorrow first thing in the morning. I just took pictures of my contribution to the Tournament Prize Table : a little miniature measuring 3.5x4.5 inches. It's done with medieval pigments, real goldleaf [although not my best gilding job ever ...*sigh*] on real parchment and it's cute. Matted and framed it looks really nifty and I hope Mistress Ysabela will be happy about it and consider me a good Grandspawn :o) Pictures will follow Monday with pictures from St George Tournament [that is if I remember to use the bloody camera ...grrr]

Innis is fighting for the Squirrels so he gets inspiration from 3 ladies this time. Unfortunately that doesn't make him any taller which is quite an advantage in a crested helm tournament. A lesson we learned last time *G* Oh well, can't have everything, right ? 

I'm sick like a dog :o/ 

Reading books, watching movies and generally being as much of a couch potato as my family, especially the young and dynamic members,  allows me to be - the toll I'm required to pay for the project packed weeks before Coronation until the energy reserves are restored to normal level again.

Of course, the dreary cold rainy weather isn't helping - I run on solar energy.

We celebrated our Easter weekend together with Milica's family and had a lot of fun. I can't quite make up my mind what I enjoyed most, hiding eggs or watching the kids hunt them down. Finn bouncing all over the place squealing "I found another one" was just too funny a sight *G* We laughed, chatted and ate until we could no more and then fell dead tired into bed. Too bad Easter Monday isn't a holiday over here ...

Since I'm not really working on anything right now [other than organizing my Signet paperwork, embroidering 4 handkerchiefs for St George's and putting finishing touches on my contribution for the St George's prize table] I've had some time to poke through web pages, Interlibrary-loaning a couple of books and generally planning longterm projects for the remainder of this year. I think I'll forgo further additions to my wardrobe [dresses, not accessories] in favor of adding some spiff to our encampment. Next month we'll finally be ordering our canvas tent and I'd like to add two chairs, a trestle table and 1 or 2 knock-down chests along with 1-2 lanterns and possibly a little wooden bench over the next couple of months. The old marquee will be taken apart and turned into a little bell wedge for when it's just me going to an event :o) Ugly nylon groundwart be gone ! Heh :o) 

Oh, and I might have an idea for an A&S project for Art-Sci but that one has to stew in my brains for a bit longer ... so stay tuned. I'll keep you uptodate on my adventures into woodworking !

Time for a meme

You Are the Thumb

You're unique and flexible. And you defy any category. Mentally strong and agile, you do things your own way. And you do them well. You are a natural leader... but also truly a loner. You inspire many but connect with few. You get along well with: The Middle Finger Stay away from: The Pinky

Look ! It's a Gefrens and a little beaded headband-crown thing.

And that's the whole outfit. Simple but dressy ... I especially fancy the open sleeves but the questions is how do you pattern and attach those to the dress ? *scratches head* If I attach a normal sleeve to the armhole and cut it open there appears to be too much fabric under the arm ...*sigh* I'll never be a real seamstress 

In its full glory

A close-up of the miniature

Finneadan watching me trying to hop away :o)

Caught :o)  

Somebody - not too long ago - asked me if there was something that I didn't do in the SCA and frankly while there are things I'd probably not do, there are only few things I'd not at least try. Since I joined the SCA I've discovered so many hidden talents and skills on me and others it's mindblowing and each new experience is welcome and anticipated. The world is a feast if each little task is a flavor and each day a new discovery :o)

So today I ventured into the world of armor making. Not for myself, mind you. After seeing my now husband's, then boyfriend's bruises after my first event ever I decided that if I were to ever set foot on a battle field it would be as archer - death before blue and purple bruises and why wait to let somebody come up close and personal if you can shoot them from a distance. I know, I know, evil archer mentality :o)

Anyhow, Finndragon has been obsessed with anything knight and jousting and sword fighting and several friends and family members have gifted him with a variety of plastic swords and shields and armor. The best thing that can be said about those is that they are cheap and usually available all year round. The worst about them is that they break when it's most inconvenient. After the last sword broke at Coronation and Innis came to the rescue by generously allowing Finndragon to muck around with his gear I decided it's about time I check out if there was anything similar to regular sturdy SCA fighting gear I can create with my questionable leather working skills.

Another thing to keep in mind is that Finndragon is still growing, and in odd spurts at that, so whatever armor I were to whip up it had to be something that wuold allow it to grow with him for a bit. Again, Innis was the answer or more to the point his style of armor. The construction of various pieces of leather, riveted together, would allow me to add additional pieces later.

Said and done and about 3h later Finndragon has his very own leather armor, SCA style.

Finn checking out the new shield [completely worn out from helping as you can tell by the bane "pacifier"]. The lion is now painted black and outlined in silver.

Finn's body armor before decorating touches [black lion outlined in silver] 

Not quite done yet :o) 

At Coronation this past weekend I took over the office as Chart Herald [or Signet as it's called in some other kingdoms] for my kingdom and I doubt I ever expected to have so much fun being dragged kicking and grunting into court :o)

Finneadan and I had planned some court schtick. We feel that the office of the chart herald deserves a little bit of attention and so she put ina  court card to transfer the office officially in the presence of the Crown. While she walked forward to explain to TRMs that she had, after 3 years no less, finally found a successor, Vistilia and Martine helped me tie myself up and then I had two nice gentles carry me into court, arms flailing and legs kicking. As soon as they dropped me off in front of TRM I tried to 'escape' - some thing the guards hadn't quite expected - hopping away valiantly only to be caught and returned. Finneadan then took off quickly before I could say no. All in all, it was quick, to the point and a lot of fun. HRM Martin giggled so much he needed a moment to restore his royal regality before he could say something *giggle*

Finneadan and I had a blast and we had people walking up to us all day to tell us how much fun they had watching our schtick. I can't wait to see pictures - it's kind of hard to take any when your hands are tied up *G*

So now I'm Chart/Signet, I have a huge portfolio with completed scroll blanks that are only waiting for a name and a big box of doom with even more blanks that need calligraphy, I have pledges for more scrolls and more help and a many royal courts to look forward to :o) Thanks to the coaching of Mistress Melessee and Finneadan I was well prepared for my first court business on my own and as always my brain is running hot with ideas :o)

On a related note, during their last court TRM Martin and Islay awarded the Castlemere Scribes the Herald's Tressure for their service as individual scribes and as Scriptorium for their exemplary and continued service as scribes for our kingdom.  I'm soooooooo proud ! More later ... and hopefully pictures !

Gmail Paper

https://mail.google.com/mail/help/paper/more.html

Google TiSP

http://www.google.com/tisp/index.html" title="http://www.google.com/tisp/index.html" target="_blank"http://www.google.com/tisp/in...
 

You gotta love them ! *G*