Isabella's Project Diary

The SCA on exhibit at the National Zoo! It was really very interesting and a lot of fun. Well, other than my whole tent thing. You see, the frame, which is nothing more than a modern day shade has issues. It has had issues for a while but those issues were exaggerated last year when I guess one of the guys decided just to yank one of polls out that should not have been taken out...and now it's bent. The frame was having problems way before that but that really causes it to have issues. Once it got staked (thank you for everyone who lent me stakes!), it stayed up.

My tent became the "hiding" tent. It worked pretty well because, with the window flaps down, it's pretty dark in there. (Which is great when you are taking at nap, btw). So, all anyone could see was the tent, with the front flaps partially open, my two Savonarola chairs, my mother of pearl inlay folding table, and my basket(which was covered). I just sat down and embroidered most of the time. (I've been very very slowly working on a 16th c high neck early Elizabethan shift. It might get finished in 5 years or so...) I'd explain about my fan (peacock feathers! The peacock tasted good. :-) ), the Pomander, or about embroidery or knitting. I had a few things with me.

Most of the kids were pretty good. Only one was at the "I'm a brat!" age and then there was the high school senior at the end that re-enforced my idea of never, ever, sending any children I may have to public school.

I think we may have picked up a few new members. There was the lady who really just loved the Renaissance Faire and followed myself and Baron Jurgen up to our space. I gave her one of the Acorns I happened to have which should give her a bunch of information. There was also the lady who came with her daughter and I think she was with some friends. I talked to her a bit and she seemed like she might look into coming to an event in the near future.

All and all, it was fun just getting all dressed up and being able to just talk to people. I got to my parents' house around 10 and stayed until 11. Mom and Dad are in the Outer Banks but all my brothers, my sister in law, and a few of their friends were there. So that was great.

( Blogalyser )

So, I won't be at the last day of faire. I will be at MDRF for the Day of Wrong but not on Oct 21 (Sunday). This weekend I think I might go to Crusades for the day and then to MDRF. And then the 13th and 14th, MDRF. Assuming I don't have another one of my "I need to sleep!" days....::grumbles::

It came out looking very German. It's a front lacing gown done in the early 16th c style. I added black velvet trim from a project that went awry a few months back. I think I'll wear my green cap with it tomorrow. Feel free to take pictures but y'all have to post them or at least send 'em to me so I can post 'em.

I'm now convinced the purple part of the fabric is cotton/silk or some other silk blend and the gold is acrylic. I used up almost all of the material. The biggest scrap is about 3" by 6". I was going to add shoulder rolls to make it look Italian but I just didn't have enough fabric left over. So, it's German if anyone asks. It goes with the theme of the renn fest this year if nothing else.

Saturday was GREAT! I loved seeing so many of my friends at the Maryland Renaissance Festival. I wore my strawberry outfit which is nothing more than some old Laura Ashely strawberry print fabric for a bodice, strawberry pink silk for an overskirt, and green crinkle cotton (the heavy weight, not the gauze) for an underskirt. I made it back in 2003 I think.
Anyways, I wore that and I ran around the festival about three times. It was just fun to listen to the music, giggle and make snarky comments at certain individuals (will explain in a bit), and basically just be there.
Now, appearantly some people have yet to learn about this invention called a bra. ( lotsa snarkiness )

So for work issues, I am on a temporary transfer for the next two weeks because I volunteered to help out another unit. This means I'll be away from the jerk for two whole weeks and I'll also have "normal" weekends (sat and sun rather than fri and sat). It will be boring but I'd much rather be bored right now that irate. I'm much cuter when I'm bored and people don't tend to die....

It will be HOT. It looks like it will be in the mid to high 90s. Now, we've all dealt with the heat before but it's been really cool the past few days so I'm not sure how well many of us will adapt to this sudden heat surge. Because of the heat, I'm going in my handsewn pink/blue Italian. It's silk, it's light, and it's about as close to period summer clothing as you can get. (okay, so it's about 20 years prior to the timeline of MDRF but I'd much rather be comfortable than sticking to a storyline). I'll probably only stay part of the day. (I plan on being there for opening ceremonies and leaving around noonish) I'll probably have my parasol and fan with me because I know my body has already acclimated to the mid 70's temps we've been enjoying.

So things to remember for HOT days:

• Drink LOTS of water: No, Angie, cider does not count as water
  
  
• Bring a fan: guys, you can use a big hat if it helps...
  
  
• Wear long sleeves: if you have loose fitting longer sleeves, like those of a chemise, it really does help. Also, it helps to prevent sunburn
  
  
• Stay in the shade: Luckily, MDRF is well known for being mostly shaded. However, we all know that the joust field can feel like a volcano during the middle of the day. Bring a parasol or an umbrella for portable shade. You can also wear a hat but hats tend to trap heat in the body which is exactly what you don't want to do. There are some period hats that do not have a crown...one of which is nothing more than a straw hat with the crown cut out of it. You can easily buy a straw hat at a craft store for $3 and cut the crown out yourself. I've done that in the past and it does help...especially if you keep your hair over the hat and off your neck! (Again, period.)
  
  
• Wear suitable clothing: I realize not everyone has an extensive garb closet but do try to wear natural fibers as much as possible. Linen is the best; cotton is great and I personally love lightweight silk. If this means you don't get to wear your "prettiest" stuff tomorrow, that's fine. I certainly won't be wearing my most gorgeous gown out tomorrow.
  
  
• Most importantly, If you feel faint or dizzy, GO TO FIRST AID! They will give you nice cold water and you can even lie down in the back. They are very nice there.

So, hopefully everyone that is going will have a ton of fun tomorrow. Please feel free to add any other suggestions down in comments!