Scribbles

Highway 24 the last few miles from Orinda to the tunnel was a winter wonderland... it looked like the Misty Mountains from LotR...
Wow!

I finally FINALLY managed to enter "The Zone" with this 12th nite project!!
Just sitting in the evening, chatting with the Redhead on my headphones and stitching and it finally all just clicked.... the undefinable "yes" that allows the project to go forward with speed and clarity... I'm so not saying this right, but there it is;
Good Thing Happened For Project

Go Me :-)

must not engage in time consuming incredibly fun looking Borg memo...
work
stitch
work
stich
(snuggle... ;-)))

Now, we ALL know that I have a horrible habit of biting off way more than I can chew in projects, which leaves me hanging in the "oh shit this will take years if at all" wind...  or I hit a complication wall, understand that I can't make it perfect and thus loose the drive to finish a less than perfect piece.

Because everything is ALWAYS more complicated than it looks, and I ALWAYS have to reach too high (sigh).  On occasion I do dream longingly of the early happy t-tunics J

So my over all pattern for years now is that it only gets done if it's for someone else or a service project.  If it's for me? ouch.  Comes to a screeching halt at the test piece…

Not this time.  Just this once, I'm working very hard at being realistic.

After my usual grandiose "I want to make (insert way too labor intensive project here)... I came back down to earth.
I picked out the embroidered stockings from the new  "janet arnold" book.   The actual stitching techniques here are straight forward and understood, no cutting edge 'did they really do it that way' let's spend a year or two on a project only to have people still argue it's wrong...  No.  The goal here is start to finish display piece in a given period of time that will give me my 'okay I feel good about this' feeling.  That's all.  The "Controllable Project"

So I drew out the design straight from the photos of the original piece.  I measured what length I think I will need for the stocking to fit my own calf (because I intend to wear them someday), folded over a garter with the extra couple of gathers at the back as shown in the photo.  Taking measurements from the photo (vertical and horizontal) and that measurement for me (horizontal and 'X"), it was a simple algebra solve for X  and the use of my happy grid paper to bring the pattern up to a real world will fit me size.  Had to use a magnifying glass to get all the details, but I'm rather confident of the design as a faithful reproduction.

I've a good solid high quality linen (can't remember the thread count off the top of my head but it's higher than the 30s... I bought it years ago from Lacis  - I'll need to do a final check on that thread count).  I'm confident that the linen weight is appropriate for the piece (which has been a stumbling block for me for embroidered chemises up till now - the correct materials are just so important to achieve the correct end result). 

I then transferred the pattern onto the linen by placing the linen over the pattern over a light source.  We have period sources showing the use of candles below the design transfer - me?  I used the window on a bright shinny day :-)  So by the end of that day I had two strips of pattern drawn out on one large piece of linen.

I was going to mount it onto one large frame, following the period sources that we have.  In the end I borrowed a wonderfully convenient little frame from Aldith that I can carry with me, which allows me much more freedom regarding where and when I can work on this... after all, I work full time and commute for several hours a day;  I have very little time to get this done.  So she helped me mount the first strip on to this clever little frame and I'm off and rolling :-)

A trip to Lacis for the silk was a bit of a disappointment as I couldn't find the stranded silk I really wanted to use... but they had Eterna, and I was already resolved that I would probably have to used that for the padded satin stitch anyway, simply due to availability issues.  Color wise there are also some compromises due to availability issues - I will not set this project aside because a color or a material cannot be found... not this time.  So compromise will be had.  I chose to use the color photos from both the embroidered breeches from the same book and/or my original project's photos as the source for color choices.  They are contemporary pieces of the same style.  I am confident that if a color or material was available for one of the pieces it would have been for use on the other.  I can do little about color variations from time or photography and I can't afford to go visit the original pieces, so I'm going with the sources that I have.  Between my trip to Lacis and my stash at home (all hail the stash!!!) I feel good about all but one of the colors... I need a brighter more acid yellow than what I have but I'm working on that.  As for the couched gold and silver, I plan to use what I have in my stash for this too.  I still have rolls of the stuff from our Benson & Johnson order years ago in several sizes.  I haven't decided on if I'm going to use the real silver yet, as it tarnished.  I've been successful at cleaning it, but hey... it will tarnish again, and this time on my finished piece??? not so sure I like that... so we shall see.

The project has reached the enjoyable "working" stage (Yay!!!!).  This is that wonderful stage that you take it everywhere with you, curl up on couches to movie marathons etc... and stitch stitch stitch...

Step one is to lay down the white cotton "padding" stitches to the areas that will be finished with the stranded silk padded satin stitch.  Step two will be the silk layer, then step three will be to couch down the gold & silver for the vines.  

 I have enough of the linen in the end to make the full set of stockings, but my focus is on one for 12th night.  I am now willing to admit that my wild ambition to make the bobbin lace to go with it will have to wait a bit, so I'll have to find something comparable for now...

Anyway, that's the status report for the 12th night project.  Now on to the stitch stitch stitch... :-)

By my count I have sewn no less that five blue houpplandes since joining the SCA... yet I have nothing to wear to Mists Investiture!
You know, I may just dive into gold key myself...
(sheesh)

Is anyone at all camping????
I can't find anyone for the kid n' I to camp with... seems everyone is daytripping this even.
This could get a bit lonely.

I am one confused puppy...
I question and question, and I can just FEEL the answer is out there, just past my reach.
tickling the tips of my brain but I can't quite grab hold of it...
and damn it!  I'm far too old to not already have these answers.
(sigh)
patience is a virtue and all that   :-(

so I'm focused on projecty goodness!
My 12th nite display piece is chosen, sketched and the pattern transfered to linen.  Next step is a trip to Lacis for the silk and much larger stretcher bars!
mom, you are gonna love this :-)))))))))

 head
ouch
tummy
ew
throat
waaahhh
are we done yet???
(pout)

This was one very busy weekend. 
On several different fronts in my life I've been kinda blindly feeling my way along, following the heart, but not really seeing where it might be going or what might be required of me.
I had more than one revelation this weekend.  All good.  All a tad scary, all a challenge, but all good.
And all are going to require a lot more of me than I thought.

SCA Involvement: I'm back!  And it's a good thing :-)   While I enjoyed my 'lazy guest' status since stepping down from Kingdom Chatelaine (12th nite 2007), I'm ready and eager to be a part of things again. I was a bit worried about taking on two offices; did I really want to pour that much of my self into this yet?  Answer - yes!  I realized at the KOM yesterday how much I missed it.  Being a part of making it all go and making it a better place to play.  I was so burnt out that I'd forgotten how much fun it could be.  so yeah, I'm back, jazzed at some fun plots I want to put into play and quite please about being back in the game  :-)

Needlework:  IKNS - wow.  Our Guild ROCKS!  Isela and Francesca and Elaine and Catherine Lorriene and all the rest made everything run beautifully and I might add, made our guild look very classy :-)  But it was the display that really floored me.  I've seen the work of our Kingdom's embroiders before, but those women from Caid were amazing... also made me realize that I am a babe in the woods compared to these woman.  Yes, it's no secret I am Guild Minister for my chatelainy skills, not because I'm the worlds greatest needleworker or anything, but still!  I grovel.  I had NOTHING worthy to be display on the same table with some of those pieces...  but instead of being upset or overwhelmed... I feel challenged!  It's time to up my game.  Much knowledge is there, it just needs to be used, followed through on and then (and here is always the problem part) NOT GIVEN AWAY.  So sorry guys, the next piece or two is going to be mine all mine :-)

As for the personal life?  I do believe I just might be ready to take chances in that direction too :-)

Life is good :-)

... I miss placed my clue x 4 again... ah yes, there it is...
(bonk bonk)

There is a sweet little feast and tourney that the Shire of the Southmarch holds every year called the Frostbite Tourney.  This year it’s on Nov 14^th.  Archery, dancing, classes, heavy fighting, bardic competition, good food and did I mention the incredibly nice people???

It’s just over the border into OR, outside of Klamath Falls and they get so happy when Westies visit… anyone interested?

I'll be teaching the class this year :-)  Something embroidery... probably go over the techniques n' research from Kara's rose pouch project, since the Norse thing is so big up there :-)

As long as no storm is forecast for that weekend, then I'm driving up Friday night after work, and driving back Sunday morning (Leaving at 6 AM to get back for Golden Stags rehearsal - I promise guys! I won't let you down!!!). 

...cuddling little precious ones (sigh - how long must I wait to be a grandma??), laughing at dog vs fur puppets battle, singing with new friends, playing 'dress up' again with an old friend (let's not wait another thirty - cough cough years ;-))... Gillian's laughing, Kathe 'almost' crying, beautiful music perfectly blended, being greeted at the Saint door like a rock star by a drunken mob (big grin)... and having a blast.  Yup, I'd call this weekend a win :-)

Cross posting my response to Juan's post;

There is not a one of us who hasn't failed to live up to the higher ideals at one time or another.
Sometimes we just need a little bit of time to realize that is what we are doing.
In my confusion and in my need to understand what was happening around me and to people i care about, I was less discreet than I should have been. 
I failed too.  I'm sorry too.
I can't change the past - no one can.
All I can do is try to do better now.  I think other people are trying to do that to.
I have hope that we all can get through this.
I have to hope.

I want to camp and hang out with friends this weekend.

But I don't want to pack, set up, tear down, unpack and clean up.

hmmmmm.... wonder how I'm gonna pull this one off ??  

Time to get creative  ;-)

So maybe I'm a failure at the 'sit down and shut up' thang ;-)
so sue me.

Find something nice to say about someone, post it in your blog and pass it on....
Let's take back our community, at least for one day!

(cross posted from my FB, edited...)

In yet another one of those “it’s all about me” memos was a question that caught my attention: ‘Are you jealous of anyone?’

Inspiration hit, no doubt touched by Teresa of the Blessed Memory…
So I’m dumping the rest of the memo and just answering that one.

I am so very jealous (I so admire)…

Laurie Humpin – of you ability to organize and inspire – for being able to walk in a room and fix anything…'
Tim Converse – of the depth of your thoughtfulness – about the world and about the people next door….
Valerie Frasier – okay, it’s your collar… I’m jealous of your wondrous collar… and the talent and determination that it took to create it.
Carolyn Eaton – of your ability to define and discribe anything and anyone in words so succulant as to leave all occupants of the room in stitches….
John Schmitt – of your ability to live, REALLY live every moment of life.
Fransis Classe – of your endless energy and productivity. How do you do all that you do, so well and so fast??? You’re not human – admit it.
Kaaren Bragg – of your ability to inspire young and old with a gentle smile.
Conny Fizsimmons – of , well please, we all stand in awe of your talent… and your willingness to share it with so many.
Heather English – of your strength, wisdom and goddamn it lets get it done attitude!
GinaMarie Rice-Moffit – of your amazing beauty that shines so brightly from within.
Katie Herling – of your courage to try anything, anytime, anywhere and succeed.
Harmony Satre – of your fearless attempts to heal with love the small broken little souls…
Trish Blazina – of your smile. You take on the good, the bad and the everything in between with that smile.
Cathy Blanchett – of your ability to DO anything…
David Davis – of your ability to pour your heart into words that weave a spell of beauty and leave the reader breathless.
Racheal Zavala – Darlin’ the simple hotness of you … nobody compares! And your ability to open your heart and your home to all.
Rhawnie Pino – of your grace, your beauty, your voice, your flirting skills… (MUST I continue???)
Rich Templeman – of your ability to give… and give… and give…
Laina Worth – of your incredibly life; the one you fought tooth and nail to build… and never gave up. You inspire us all.

 Say something nice about somebody.  For the next 24 hours, I DARE EVERYONE to find something nice to say about somebody else and post it publically.  I double dog dare ya….

interview suit - check
references given head's up - check
read last years annual report, proxy and sec filings - check
check out hiring manager through network - check

Okay, bring it on, I'm ready....

I made a rather startling discovery over the last week... I turned around and found that I was happy.
yeah... go figure, when did that happen?
And I was even more surprise to note that I've kinda been happy for several months now... not all perfect and sunshine and roses and all that but...
Yeah
Cool
Happy
I'll take it  :-)