After a couple of failed attempts,
I think I have finally found a classic design that suits the style of the pendant:
The beads that are showing up as brown are actually purple. All the beads are glass strung on tiger tail wire.
Thursday, August 29, 2019
Seahorse Pendant
My Baron gave me a gift of a beautiful seahorse pendant and I have been planning to string it for a couple of months, but I just hadn't found the right combination of beads.
Monday, August 26, 2019
Quince Tart
Quinces are in season at the moment here and I was surprised to find that she had never tried them, so I decided to make a tart.
I used spice very lightly as my sister doesn't have a taste for it, and omitted bone marrow (for the same reason). I also cooked the quinces into a puree rather than in slices or hollowed out because they are hard to cut and it was easier on my hands.
It was delicious!
I used spice very lightly as my sister doesn't have a taste for it, and omitted bone marrow (for the same reason). I also cooked the quinces into a puree rather than in slices or hollowed out because they are hard to cut and it was easier on my hands.
It was delicious!
Source [Two Fifteenth-Century Cookery-Books, T. Austin (ed.)]: Quynces or Wardones in paast. Take and make rounde coffyns of paast; and take rawe quynces, and pare hem wit a knyfe, and take oute clene the core; And take Sugur ynog, and a litull pouder ginger and stoppe the hole full. And then couche ij. or iij. quynces or wardons in a Coffyn, and keuer hem, And lete hem bake; or elles take clarefied hony in-stede of sugur, if thou maist none sugur; And if thou takest hony put thereto a litull pouder peper, and ginger, and put hit in the same maner in the quynces or wardons, and late hem bake ynog.
Source [The Neapolitan Recipe Collection, Terence Scully (trans.)]: Pastizi de Pome Codogne. Aparaghia la pasta como he dito de li altri pastelli; poi habi pome codogne bene mondate he nette he cacia fora quello duro de mezo, he che lo buso dove haverai cazato fora el duro non passi da banda in banda; et in quello busso ponerai de bona medula de bove cum zucaro he canella assai; et li diti pomi aconzaralli in li ditti pastizi sopragiongendoli de la ditta medula dentro he de fora; he fa ch'el non sia tropo salato; poi mettili de sopra una pasta, facendolo cocere secondo l'ordine de li altri pastelli.
Quince Pie. Prepare the dough as I have said for the other tarts; then get peeled quince and remove the hard part in their centre, and do not let the hole you make to remove it go all the way through; into this hole put good beef marrow with plenty of sugar and cinnamon; and lay the quince in the pies, adding the marrow to them inside and out; mind that it is not too salty; put another crust on top, cooking it as with the other tarts.
Recipes reproduced from http://medievalcookery.com/recipes/quinces.html with thanks.
Saturday, August 24, 2019
Freehand Embroidery Update #1 - The Dubious Rabbit
Recently I had an interesting conversation with some fellow embroiderers, and we challenged ourselves to try completely freehand embroidery after a discussion about embroidery techniques. I have been spending a lot of time looking at extant pieces on Pinterest, trying to find my inspiration piece.
I found this interesting English embroidered cover on Pinterest and really liked the odd little animals. They are quite different to most of the other extant Elizabethan pieces I have seen. The cover is held at the V&A museum (c. 1600, Silk, silver and silver-gilt thread embroidered on a linen ground, Museum number T.53-1926).
Image from: https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O130597/cover-unknown/
It looked to me like the maker was having some fun experimenting with different stitch types, colours and textures, and that seemed perfectly fitting for an experiment like this. (It also looks like they planned to put scrolling vines or linework in and never did.)
I particularly liked the rabbit - I liked the dubious expression on his face.
The ground fabric is mustard linen with no stabiliser. I decided to use grey linen thread instead of metallic because metallic thread can be challenging to work with and I wanted to focus on the process of the freehand embroidery and not have to wrestle with my threads.
I found this interesting English embroidered cover on Pinterest and really liked the odd little animals. They are quite different to most of the other extant Elizabethan pieces I have seen. The cover is held at the V&A museum (c. 1600, Silk, silver and silver-gilt thread embroidered on a linen ground, Museum number T.53-1926).
Image from: https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O130597/cover-unknown/
It looked to me like the maker was having some fun experimenting with different stitch types, colours and textures, and that seemed perfectly fitting for an experiment like this. (It also looks like they planned to put scrolling vines or linework in and never did.)
I particularly liked the rabbit - I liked the dubious expression on his face.
The ground fabric is mustard linen with no stabiliser. I decided to use grey linen thread instead of metallic because metallic thread can be challenging to work with and I wanted to focus on the process of the freehand embroidery and not have to wrestle with my threads.
Dubious Rabbit came out a bit thin looking, but I am happy enough with the result. Embroidering with no design marked was challenging and liberating at the same time. I had to concentrate much more than I usually do with non-braided stitches, and I found it much more tiring and time consuming. I already think it has been a useful exercise though and I'm glad I tried it, it has already made me more confident.
The next step is deciding what other elements to add and then I will think about filling stitches.
I already think I will do his eye in black because I think the silver metallic eye looks a bit crazy. Maybe Dubious Rabbit is reeling from a bad smell. Maybe the bird above is to blame?! Who knows?! I'm getting a bit of a giggle out of this piece and I like to think the original embroiderer did too. We are joined across the centuries by our love of needlework and our weird senses of humour.
I really like the trees in this piece and I'm thinking of putting one in. Choosing which one will be the tricky part. I'm already planning a bigger project using these designs.
Thursday, August 22, 2019
Barony of Southron Gaard Persona Challenge
I love Challenges; having a date to work to motivates me. I recently heard about this Challenge created by the Barony of Southron Gaard, and I must say it is very tempting. I need to think about whether I can participate (either formally or informally) without causing myself undue stress. Veeery tempting!
From: http://southrongaardarts.blogspot.com/
Nice Little Touches:the Southron Gaard “Persona Gubbins*” A&S Challenge
“The object of art is to give life a shape.”
We know that sometimes people find it hard to “use” their persona at events, or to make their persona relevant to their SCA “game play”. In this challenge we invite you to use your persona (or someone else’s) to investigate that persona’s world, in order to create small items that you might carry to or use at events to enhance our SCA “game”.
*Gubbins, meaning small items, easily picked up and carried about (mid-16th century word, from the obsolete gobbon ‘piece, slice, gob’, from Old French; probably related to gobbet). Not to be used in connection with live small animals.
Thanks to Shakespeare and others for the quotes used here throughout.
This Challenge is brought to you by Meisterin Christian Baier, Baroness Isabel Maria del Aguila, Lady Amabillia Threxton, under the gracious patronage of Her Excellency Baroness Ginevra.
We would like to thank Lady Cecily for the inspiration of her excellent and amusing A&S Pentathlon upon which we have shamelessly, but with permission, borrowed.
We would like to thank those Southron Gaard Laurels who have kindly offered to sponsor small prizes or tokens.
The Challenge:
What to enter:
You may enter the challenge by completing one (or more) small objects or items from the categories below. "Small" may be defined as you choose, and may include "medium", "large", and "gosh, look at the size of that thing" projects.
Entries should be new projects (i.e. not entered in previous competitions/challenges).
All items should be for use at an SCA event.
Items may be for your persona, or for the persona of the person for whom the item is intended.
Who can enter: Anyone!
Entries are welcomed from adults, children and youth.
For any who are not members of the populace of Southron Gaard, please note that her Excellency has decided this Challenge is also open to entry from those not resident in our fair Barony, as it is not your fault that you are so disadvantaged.
Items may be made or performed by an individual, or by a group.
How to enter:
Submit the following information
1) a photograph of the item, and
2) a few brief notes about the item and the persona that inspired it.
When to enter: Enter now!
All projects must be completed by Baronial Anniversary 2020.
Your recognition: All entrants will be awarded a special token at Baronial Anniversary 2020.
Those entrants who complete three projects, and those who complete five projects, from at least two distinct categories listed below, will receive an additional token.
Some of our local Southron Gaard Laurels have generously offered to award small prizes or tokens to the entry of their choice.
Categories:
1. Do you think because you are virtuous, that there shall be no more cakes and ale?
An item of food or drink your persona may have grown, prepared, consumed, or known of.
2. With silken coats, and caps, and golden rings, with ruffs, and cuffs, and farthingales, and things.
A garment your persona may have worn.
3. When I am forgotten, as I shall be, and sleep in dull cold marble, … Say, I taught thee.
The teaching or sharing of knowledge or skills that your persona would have had, for example, classes, published articles etc.
4. With scarfs, and fans, and double change of bravery, With amber bracelets, beads, and all this knavery.
An accessory your persona may have owned, made, used, or gifted.
5. All the world‘s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.
A performance of a persona-appropriate piece (song, poem, play, saga, tale, dance, etc); formal or informal, individual or group.
6. What revels are in hand? Is there no play, To ease the anguish of a torturing hour?
Games, toys, and other such entertainments.
7. 'Fore God, you have here a goodly dwelling and a rich.
Items your persona may have had in their home: housewares, furniture, feast gear, table wear, lighting, and such like.
8. This is the excellent foppery of the world
Develop a repertoire of vernacular language, appropriate to your persona, for use at events, e.g. oratory, witticism, oaths, braggery, vernacular phrases, boasts, etc.
9. To gild refined gold, to paint the lily, To throw a perfume on the violet,…
At your toilette: hairstyling, make up, beauty products, skincare, ointments, unguents, perfumes, etc. Also items associated with bathing, cleanliness, etc: e.g. soaps, cleaning tools or products, laundering, etc for people, houses, livestock etc.
10. Is this a dagger I see before me?
Items for self-defence or martial activities.
11. Get thee to a nunnery
Religious or spiritual items, e.g. momento mori, devotional items, etc.
12. A garish flag, to be the aim of every dangerous shot.
An item of heraldic display.
13. Throw physic to the dogs; I’ll have none of it.
Items associated with health, medicine, or wellbeing.
14. I do remember an apothecary…
And in his needy shop a tortoise hung,
An alligator stuff'd, and other skins
Of ill-shaped fishes; and about his shelves
A beggarly account of empty boxes,
Green earthen pots, bladders and musty seeds,
Remnants of packthread and old cakes of roses,
Were thinly scatter'd to make up a show.
An item used in an occupation, trade, or task, e.g. a tool, equipment, etc.
15. I'll note you in my book of memory
A written item or document of some kind, e.g. a letter, a piece of calligraphy and illumination, etc.
In particular, we would also encourage you to put together your own commonplace book or similar item relevant to your persona (a commonplace book is a collection of notable extracts from other works, and everyday handy knowledge for your personal use at events e.g. song lyrics, game instructions, recipes to share, etc).
From: http://southrongaardarts.blogspot.com/
Nice Little Touches:the Southron Gaard “Persona Gubbins*” A&S Challenge
“The object of art is to give life a shape.”
We know that sometimes people find it hard to “use” their persona at events, or to make their persona relevant to their SCA “game play”. In this challenge we invite you to use your persona (or someone else’s) to investigate that persona’s world, in order to create small items that you might carry to or use at events to enhance our SCA “game”.
*Gubbins, meaning small items, easily picked up and carried about (mid-16th century word, from the obsolete gobbon ‘piece, slice, gob’, from Old French; probably related to gobbet). Not to be used in connection with live small animals.
Thanks to Shakespeare and others for the quotes used here throughout.
This Challenge is brought to you by Meisterin Christian Baier, Baroness Isabel Maria del Aguila, Lady Amabillia Threxton, under the gracious patronage of Her Excellency Baroness Ginevra.
We would like to thank Lady Cecily for the inspiration of her excellent and amusing A&S Pentathlon upon which we have shamelessly, but with permission, borrowed.
We would like to thank those Southron Gaard Laurels who have kindly offered to sponsor small prizes or tokens.
The Challenge:
What to enter:
You may enter the challenge by completing one (or more) small objects or items from the categories below. "Small" may be defined as you choose, and may include "medium", "large", and "gosh, look at the size of that thing" projects.
Entries should be new projects (i.e. not entered in previous competitions/challenges).
All items should be for use at an SCA event.
Items may be for your persona, or for the persona of the person for whom the item is intended.
Who can enter: Anyone!
Entries are welcomed from adults, children and youth.
For any who are not members of the populace of Southron Gaard, please note that her Excellency has decided this Challenge is also open to entry from those not resident in our fair Barony, as it is not your fault that you are so disadvantaged.
Items may be made or performed by an individual, or by a group.
How to enter:
Submit the following information
1) a photograph of the item, and
2) a few brief notes about the item and the persona that inspired it.
When to enter: Enter now!
All projects must be completed by Baronial Anniversary 2020.
Your recognition: All entrants will be awarded a special token at Baronial Anniversary 2020.
Those entrants who complete three projects, and those who complete five projects, from at least two distinct categories listed below, will receive an additional token.
Some of our local Southron Gaard Laurels have generously offered to award small prizes or tokens to the entry of their choice.
Categories:
1. Do you think because you are virtuous, that there shall be no more cakes and ale?
An item of food or drink your persona may have grown, prepared, consumed, or known of.
2. With silken coats, and caps, and golden rings, with ruffs, and cuffs, and farthingales, and things.
A garment your persona may have worn.
3. When I am forgotten, as I shall be, and sleep in dull cold marble, … Say, I taught thee.
The teaching or sharing of knowledge or skills that your persona would have had, for example, classes, published articles etc.
4. With scarfs, and fans, and double change of bravery, With amber bracelets, beads, and all this knavery.
An accessory your persona may have owned, made, used, or gifted.
5. All the world‘s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.
A performance of a persona-appropriate piece (song, poem, play, saga, tale, dance, etc); formal or informal, individual or group.
6. What revels are in hand? Is there no play, To ease the anguish of a torturing hour?
Games, toys, and other such entertainments.
7. 'Fore God, you have here a goodly dwelling and a rich.
Items your persona may have had in their home: housewares, furniture, feast gear, table wear, lighting, and such like.
8. This is the excellent foppery of the world
Develop a repertoire of vernacular language, appropriate to your persona, for use at events, e.g. oratory, witticism, oaths, braggery, vernacular phrases, boasts, etc.
9. To gild refined gold, to paint the lily, To throw a perfume on the violet,…
At your toilette: hairstyling, make up, beauty products, skincare, ointments, unguents, perfumes, etc. Also items associated with bathing, cleanliness, etc: e.g. soaps, cleaning tools or products, laundering, etc for people, houses, livestock etc.
10. Is this a dagger I see before me?
Items for self-defence or martial activities.
11. Get thee to a nunnery
Religious or spiritual items, e.g. momento mori, devotional items, etc.
12. A garish flag, to be the aim of every dangerous shot.
An item of heraldic display.
13. Throw physic to the dogs; I’ll have none of it.
Items associated with health, medicine, or wellbeing.
14. I do remember an apothecary…
And in his needy shop a tortoise hung,
An alligator stuff'd, and other skins
Of ill-shaped fishes; and about his shelves
A beggarly account of empty boxes,
Green earthen pots, bladders and musty seeds,
Remnants of packthread and old cakes of roses,
Were thinly scatter'd to make up a show.
An item used in an occupation, trade, or task, e.g. a tool, equipment, etc.
15. I'll note you in my book of memory
A written item or document of some kind, e.g. a letter, a piece of calligraphy and illumination, etc.
In particular, we would also encourage you to put together your own commonplace book or similar item relevant to your persona (a commonplace book is a collection of notable extracts from other works, and everyday handy knowledge for your personal use at events e.g. song lyrics, game instructions, recipes to share, etc).
Monday, August 19, 2019
More finger loop braids
Well, the chest infection that apparently never ends turned into pleurisy, and that is why I have been feeling so decidedly ordinary. I feel much less guilty about getting nothing done; although the frustration never goes away.
I have continued to experiment with the five bow fingerloop braids, and I feel like I am starting to see progress. I want to really get the hang of this form before I branch out into other patterns and more bowes. Tension is improving.
I have continued to experiment with the five bow fingerloop braids, and I feel like I am starting to see progress. I want to really get the hang of this form before I branch out into other patterns and more bowes. Tension is improving.
Sunday, August 11, 2019
Personal Embroidery Challenge
Something that surprised me recently was that I am as excited now about embroidery and women's fashion accessories as I was all those years ago when I first joined the SCA and picked my garb based on embroidery styles and fashion accessories! Such a wealth of information to explore, and it is only getting easier as more pieces are released into public displays or digitised for viewing online. The to- do list will never end!
Another interesting consideration when looking back over my work in the last fifteen years or so is just how 'stuck' I have been on monochrome non-counted embroidery - particularly the Elizabethan style. I love it so much, but I do think I need to work a bit more on exploring other techniques. I'm going to challenge myself to try it. New skills will enhance existing ones, and it can only enrich my experience. Obviously (as embroidery takes so long,) this will be a long term project, but it is one which I am looking forward to. It might give me confidence to try some of the bigger 'dream' projects I have been thinking about for years.
This thought-thread made me think that I should go back and review some of my very early work so that down the track I can compare it to where I am now. A lot of the pieces were done pre-digital camera, so there are no photos (or at least no good photos) but it will be nice to do a review in a year or two and see how far I have got with the challenge. I've also noted that I haven't taken pictures of things that are not finished, and there are a lot of those.
(These headings are the categories that the Worshipful of Company of Broiderers of Lochac cover.)
Couching, Laid work
Beading, Pearling
Metal thread work, Purl work
Canvas work, including Slips
Applique
Cross stitch, including Voided work (Assisi)
Counted Thread work
Raised work, Padded work
Quilting
Whitework (not Hardanger)
Blackwork/Monochrome
Other
Construction sewing
Needlemade lace
Filet lace
Non-counted thread embroidery
Applique
Coptic embroidery and pre 1000 AD work.
Woolwork e.g. Bayeux Tapestry
Opus Anglicanum
Or Nue, Lazurtechnik
German counted work
Heraldic Embroidery
Elizabethan Embroidery
Canvas work, Table carpets, Slips
Polychrome Elizabethan Embroidery
Costume Embroidery
Embroidery for Household Linens
Sooo very many napkins! I won't show them all
Embroidery for Regalia
These are only a fraction of previous projects- ones where I had photos easily to hand. You can see the obvious gaps and areas of embroidery that I enjoy.
Another interesting consideration when looking back over my work in the last fifteen years or so is just how 'stuck' I have been on monochrome non-counted embroidery - particularly the Elizabethan style. I love it so much, but I do think I need to work a bit more on exploring other techniques. I'm going to challenge myself to try it. New skills will enhance existing ones, and it can only enrich my experience. Obviously (as embroidery takes so long,) this will be a long term project, but it is one which I am looking forward to. It might give me confidence to try some of the bigger 'dream' projects I have been thinking about for years.
This thought-thread made me think that I should go back and review some of my very early work so that down the track I can compare it to where I am now. A lot of the pieces were done pre-digital camera, so there are no photos (or at least no good photos) but it will be nice to do a review in a year or two and see how far I have got with the challenge. I've also noted that I haven't taken pictures of things that are not finished, and there are a lot of those.
(These headings are the categories that the Worshipful of Company of Broiderers of Lochac cover.)
Couching, Laid work
Beading, Pearling
Metal thread work, Purl work
Canvas work, including Slips
Applique
Cross stitch, including Voided work (Assisi)
Counted Thread work
Raised work, Padded work
Quilting
Whitework (not Hardanger)
Blackwork/Monochrome
Other
Construction sewing
Needlemade lace
Filet lace
Non-counted thread embroidery
Applique
Coptic embroidery and pre 1000 AD work.
Woolwork e.g. Bayeux Tapestry
Opus Anglicanum
Or Nue, Lazurtechnik
German counted work
Heraldic Embroidery
Elizabethan Embroidery
Canvas work, Table carpets, Slips
Polychrome Elizabethan Embroidery
Costume Embroidery
Embroidery for Household Linens
Sooo very many napkins! I won't show them allEmbroidery for Regalia
