2016 Projects In Review

It can be a bit disheartening when you are not well and feel like you never finish anything. So I decided to compile a bit of a list of the projects that I completed last year. It certainly is a helpful tool to make me feel better about the state of my ''to-do'' list. I will try to keep a running record this year as well, so I don't forget that I am making progress, even if not as fast or as far as I would like.

 

A range of necklaces to use as largesse and gifts - as well as some for myself

  

A new girdle of porcelain and glass beads

A small heraldic device for a friend to use on a cloak

A large indoor wall hanging with applique and embroidery on velveteen

An embroidered napkin

My first attempt at leatherwork; a cutlery pouch

A handsewn linen chemise with embroidered knightly virtues on the neckband and embroidered cuffs
(Hemming by Baroness Linet atte Falcon's Nest)

 
A large number (12+) of scroll illuminations - most of which cannot be shown as have not been presented yet
(Calligraphy by Lord Derek of Innilgard)

New striped tie on sleeves

Embroidered Mouse Guard pouch

Velveteen caul

Participation in the Innilgard Girdle Book project

Creation of the Innilgard Championship Cloak

Embroidery on a hand made napkin (made by someone else, embroidered by me)

A new front lacing tourney dress

Another heraldic device for the Innilgard device banners

Design and illumination of 'Households of Innilgard' scroll (Calligraphy by Lord Derek of Innilgard)

A new front lacing court dress

Participation in the Innilgard tablecloth project (doing background patterns of grape leaves and borders)

Another heraldic device for the Innilgard device banners

New billament

A man's fencing doublet with removable sleeves

A child's Italian style dress with hand sewn pintucks

Another heraldic device for the Innilgard device banners

A heraldic token embroidered in split stitch

 

A Viking style tunic for an infant (with split stitch embroidery motif)

A new forepart for front opening dresses

Another heraldic device for the Innilgard device banners

Alcoholic liquors

More heraldic devices for the Innilgard device banners

Two entirely hand sewn Roman tunicas

Another embroidered napkin

First attempts at narrow band weaving and hand-making spangles

Two more cauls

I am sure that I have left some items out, and I never did find time to write up the dress diaries for the garments. I will try to work on that in 2017. Although my unfinished item and to-do lists are as big as ever, I do feel that I have improved in terms of prowess and franchise. I will continue to strive to improve all aspects of my SCA game this year. 

Projects for this year include another Roman tunica, some new camicias/smocks, a new tourney dress (or two), continuing service to my Barony/Kingdom and helping other people with projects, and working on reducing the Unfinished Items pile.

Noble Pilgrimage - January Update

Image source: http://wpms.freakwebdesign.co.uk/abbothouse/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2014/04/73-pilgern-15.jpg


Time for an update on how the Pilgrimage challenge has been going.

Like everyone, I have a lot of other SCA responsibilities that I had already committed to and which take up a lot of time. These include re-jigging the Cooks' Guild records and website, running classes, local scribal warden, local A&S deputy, and contributing to group projects including making devices for our device banner and working on the Innilgard tablecloth project. Of course I will continue with these projects and they will take priority over my Pilgrimage projects.
I have been playing for quite a long time so I have a lot of the basic equipment sorted. I need to work on the extra details and not being sloppy due to overfamiliarity. I have an illness which impacts on my time, energy and finances, and I can't travel. I will be doing the challenge ''in spirit'' but will be unable to attend the events. This list might seem really easy for regular people but represents a huge challenge for me.

Here is my list of goals for the Pilgrimage:

Prowess:

* Learn a new skill - basic leather work

* Improve my illumination skills - practicing with new designs, painting scroll blanks and developing confidence by "doodling" 















* Develop my sewing skills
- try new ways of bodice construction

Bodice edged with bias and unlined for summer (in progress)




* Develop my embroidery skills
* Enter more A&S competitions
- viking saga poem
- siege warfare research
- recipe redaction
* Try and blog more regularly

Franchise:
* Make badge banner and pole for outside events
- begun
* Make a new hall banner
- begun

* Make a new bottle cover, napkin and cutlery pouch
- cutlery pouch complete
- one napkin complete

* New tourney dress
- begun
* New feast dress
* Make more accessories

new girdle

new necklace

* Work on cutting out slang and mundane talk
* Try harder to speak nobly
* Read ''The Bard's English'' - completed
* Work on moving more gracefully
* Continue with existing projects and commitments - ongoing. Completed a scroll personalisation, illumination on 3 AoA scrolls, embroidered napkin for a friend, WCoB presentation piece, finished a banner device, working on tablecloth project

Piety
* Continue teaching classes
* Continue with regular service projects: device banner, mouse pouches, award cords, Baronial projects, scribe work etc.
* Run an event
* Make Primus Agmen award pouches
* Learn the duties of a Lady in Waiting
* Help people with individual projects
- embroidery project for a friend: design started

Largesse
* Continue teaching garb skills
* Make more effort to chat to newcomers at events and training
* Try harder to make people feel relaxed, welcome and comfortable
* Donate coffee and cake money to charity at least twice a month
- 6 donations recently
* Make largesse items for Gift Box
- made several jewellery items this month

 

Prudence 
* Re-read Knowne World Handbook

* Read The Treasure of the City of Ladies 

*  Re-read A&S Handbook
* Read "At The Court of The Borgia" by Johann Burchard
* Try to learn more about combat
-  watched an introduction to heavy session with one of our talented local fighters

Courtesy
* Work on shyness and awkwardness
* Make an effort to speak to people I don't know/well
* Introduce myself to strangers
* Learn to accept compliments graciously
* Learn to ask for help
* Stop avoiding Peers and Pointy Hats
* Write more recommendations for worthy individuals
- I have written 3 recommendations recently

* Write a resume of SCA achievements to help develop confidence within the game

- I have started to write a list of my achievements and roles in the SCA