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Time for an update on how the Pilgrimage challenge has been going this month.....
I have been sick again, and there has been lots of plodding along and not much being actually finished (again). With time ticking away, I have been pretty stressed about getting it all done in time. I am trying to work on the way that I am thinking about it all so that I am less stressed. I think I can see a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel.
I am getting better at being assertive and turning down projects that I can't realistically manage (although I still hate to disappoint people.)
Prowess:
I have been using my cutlery bag, and I have cut out a bag to hold scrolls in, but have not yet had time to sew it up.
* Develop my sewing skills
Plodding along with bodices, fencing doublets, sleeves and jerkins.I am making a chemise for a friend and copying someone else's work, which expands your skill set.
* Develop my embroidery skills
New chemise project for a friend underway, it involves hand hemming, embroidery and a first attempt at insertion stitch.
No events at the moment with everyone preparing for and leaving for Festival. I have entered quite a few since this challenge started, and I now feel that I have the confidence to make it a regular thing.
* Try and blog more regularly
A little variable at the moment because I prefer to show the finished item and not much is getting finished yet.
Franchise:
* Make badge banner and pole for outside events
- delayed as hot weather was making my silk paint set blotchily, banner is half done.
- completed this month
* Make a new bottle cover,
- cutlery pouch complete
- another napkin complete this month, 1 more underway.
* New tourney dress
- begun
* New feast dress
- skirt panels cut and hanging. Bodice and interlinings cut and ready to sew
* Make more accessories
Several sets of sleeves cut and ready to sew - if I don't run out of time and energy before the project ends. This challenge is taking a lot out of me.
* Work on cutting out slang and mundane talk. Trying hard, but this will be a continual process.
* Try harder to speak nobly. Trying hard, but this will be a continual process.
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* Work on moving more gracefully, and work on posture
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This month I have been particularly heartened by the work of the two gentles that I have been teaching to sew for the last eighteen months. They are both coming ahead in leaps and bounds and are trying new techniques and patterning with confidence (and looking great in their new garb.)
Piety
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* Run an event (not sure if I will be able to do this prior to July as the event schedule is very full. May have to hold it later in the year, especially as we have had some events postponed due to hot weather.)
* Make Primus Agmen award pouches
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I recently stepped up as Lady in Waiting to my Baroness. What a huge step. )I didn't actually die from terror or fall over in court [YET] so I think that is a very promising start!)
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- embroidery project for a friend: complete
- jerkin for a friend- complete
-fencing doublet - almost done
Largesse
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Keeping an eye on newcomers and staying in touch electronically so that they know what to bring to events etc. I feel quite proud of myself for this as it is particularly and continually difficult.
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- still making regular donations
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- still making jewelery
Prudence
* Re-read "Knowne World Handbook"
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* Read "At The Court of The Borgia" by Johann Burchard - underway
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- trying to learn more about rapier and heavy by chatting to fighters and paying more at training, reading social media posts and internet information on this area. Ongoing.
I really feel that I have made big improvements in this area this month. All the information is starting to sink in, and I think that it will help me to improve my game.
Courtesy
* Work on shyness and awkwardness - this will be an ongoing consideration, I think.
* Make an effort to speak to people I don't know/well
* Introduce myself to strangers: working on this
* Learn to accept compliments graciously
* Learn to ask for help: I have done this a few times in the last month
* Stop avoiding Peers and Pointy Hats: improving
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- done! This started off slowly and was difficult, but actually turned out to be a pleasant exercise because I decided to add in dates of events and so the resume has also become a sort of timeline. Working on it has been a nice trip down Memory Lane and has reminded me how much my game has improved over the last fifteen years. I would recommend this exercise!
Although this area is probably going to be an ongoing challenge for me, I really feel that I have made big improvements in this area this month. What I have learned and achieved so far has really made this Pilgrimage worthwhile.
I am starting to see and feel big improvements in all areas, and I can feel that my attitude to the game is changing. I am handling the challenges better as well. My biggest problem is running out of time to finish all the projects that are for other people before our local big event in June 2016.
I am starting to see and feel big improvements in all areas, and I can feel that my attitude to the game is changing. I am handling the challenges better as well. My biggest problem is running out of time to finish all the projects that are for other people before our local big event in June 2016.
