home again!

Returned once again from War. Nothing much to report, although, considering our history (broken leg, burned foot, spider bite), that’s probably a good thing. Initially the weather was not good. Rain rain rain. Which turned into mud mud mud. Dark, gooey, and thick. Not to mention stinky. We decided to try out a new block this year and the end we wanted was the “flood” end. It didn’t flood, but we did have to dig a trench for drainage. It was so wet in fact, there were crayfish popping up in the middle of camp!

I didn’t try to attend a lot of classes this year. There were a few that I really wanted to go to, but as with previous years, I made it to about half. For the past three years, I’ve wanted to go to the basket-weaving class. First try, missed it, second try, missed it. This year, I finally got in, not without some drama, and made my first basket! It wasn’t really that difficult. Now I’m going to use the kits I got at Christmas to make more!

Usually I’m not that great at budgeting myself, but this year I didn’t want to spend a lot of money. Luckily, I didn’t find a lot of expensive things I wanted, so I didn’t have a problem. I bought a mini nostepinne, fabric, spinning fiber, books, pottery, a brooch, a sock (yes, just one), and that’s it. I think.

Overall it was a good year.

something finished-finally!

Tuesday night I cut the two woolly seat cushions from the loom! Yesterday I finished tying the fringe and securing the edges, although there are a few loose ends to sew in. I’m glad to have these off my plate, as the loom as been warped and waiting for months. Making Tuesdays weaving night was the best decision ever!

I’m pleased with how they turned out, although the first one isn’t as dense as the second, meaning it might not be as squishy. I can’t say what the wool is that I used because it was unmarked when I bought it. Whatever it is, it doesn’t have a lot of lanolin in it. I thought the locks had been washed because they weren’t greasy, but after I had my hands on them for a few weeks (and gave them a sniff), I think they are actually dirty. Mostly they just seem dusty and stinky, so I’m going to wash both rugs before officially calling this project complete.

This weekend is the first BIG camping event of the summer. AETHELMEARC WAR PRACTICE at Cooper’s Lake, where we go for Pennsic War (hence “war practice”). Some of our household is going out tonight, but I have to work Friday morning, so I’ll be heading out in the afternoon. I’m bummed. I’m very curious about which merchants are going to be there. Will I come home with fiber? Fabric? Nothing? One never knows.

home from time travel

Luckily we had no problems returning from the 12th century to the 21st century. In past years it has been rather difficult and traumatic, but we managed it quite well this time. I’ve just been vegging out all day, although not everyone has that luxury. On my list of things to do: laundry. And if the sun cooperates, take photos of the goodies I brought home. A lot of them are packed away in the front of the truck, so it may be awhile. I took some photos of camp, although for those of you who don’t quite know what you are looking at, it may be confusing… I’ll just share a few; there are more on Flickr.

Front gate of Gryphon’s Rest, our household. The sheetwall panels have our arms painted on them. Mine is the one on the left: green top, yellow bottom, squirrel. Most camps have some kind of entrance like this, displaying the name, with sheets for privacy and dust protection. Also keeps wanderers out of camp.

This is our lovely new dining fly, seen a few weeks ago at the demo. We had one long table down the center where we sat for dinner. The kitchen area was also under there, which was a little bit tight. Next year we’ll move the kitchen out and get shelves for the storage shed.

Here we are, Lady Genevieve and Lord Rickard, standing in front of his pavilion before leaving for Midrealm Court. We had just gotten circlets (which we have had the right to wear for several years and didn’t), so now we look semi-important. I have lots of sewing to do now that I’m home. Most of his tunics need to be taken in, especially in the sleeves. Apparently I didn’t measure very accurately when I made them.

We had a good year. Rickard and I went dancing several nights, which was a great experience since in our home shire it’s really hard to get people to dance. I went to a few classes, some good, some lame. Mostly I get frustrated and give up because there are so many women trying to get in, they just elbow you right out. I didn’t do a whole lot of knitting or spinning, although I did buy a new spindle and some wool. I did a little bit of weaving and learned a new felting technique. It was good to get away and relax. We even had good weather.

I almost forgot! Today is my 3 year anniversary of spinning! In 2005 I took the Turkish drop spindle class at Pennsic and here I am today. It’s really amazing what one little thing can do to change your life. For spinning, HOOBAH!

expect me when you see me

So this is it everyone! I am heading off to Pennsic tonight, the excitement starts tomorrow and lasts for two weeks! I hope you don’t forget about me while I’m gone and be sure to return the middle of August. Hopefully I will have some projects and purchases to share.

A few things before I go. The Etsy Shop will be closed while I’m away. I’ll be putting all my items on hold so there aren’t any misunderstandings and lingering sales.  But as I mentioned a few days ago, I’ll be free from working when I get back, which means I should have *lots* of time for spinning and dyeing.  Speaking of etsy sales, I want to share this photo that Marion left in my feedback. She bought the Surf and Turf, which was two separate colorways that she plied together. It is so beautiful! Thank you for sharing that Marion.  Also, Silja bought some roving quite early on and has posted pictures of it here. Thanks for posting!  It’s very exciting to see what people are doing with my fibers. I get such a thrill.

Hmm.. was there anything else I wanted to say? I suppose not! Anyway, I’ll leave you with a few old (and not so great) photos from Pennsic 35. We have none from 36, last year, because it was the year from hell. Endless bad weather, dreadful land negotiations, RVs, migraine, BROKEN LEG… the camp was a mess and there were no good photo opportunities, not to mention no one cared much. So, here’s to a good year!

Lady Emeline standing at the gate of Gryphon's Rest

Dutch ovens over fire pit

a new fiber art

Sewing counts as a fiber art, right?

This weekend I attended Northern Oaken War Maneuvers and had a great time. Several friends camped with us, which made it even better. I shopped around, took a class, relaxed, got very sticky and stinky. Saturday night we had a terrific potluck feast in camp: chicken and lamb kabobs, couscous, cheese, fruit, veggies, bread, and cookies. We sat under the trees and enjoyed the sounds of a hammer dulcimer played by a fellow camper.

In my free time I hand-stitched some trim onto one of Rich’s tunics. I’d made the tunic last year some time (using a sewing machine), and after washing, the yellow fabric around the neckline began fraying. How embarrassing! I could not let him wear it until I had fixed the mistakes. So, at War Practice I bought some trim to cover up the edges of the yellow. I’d never sewed trim in a circle like that, so it was exciting. I’m very pleased with the way it turned out. Now I want trim on all my dresses!

Rickard’s tunic. Keyhole neck with new trim.

And one more thing… last weekend Thomas crawled into the window of car. He does that sometimes. I spotted him hunkered down on the floor, asleep under the peddles. He didn’t seem to mind a photo-shoot, although he woke up eventually. Someday I’m going to drive away without knowing he’s there!