Bad at this updating thing...

I'm sorry! Ok, so wasting no time, let's get down to business.

I'm investigating about 8 million things right now and have involved myself in rapier training. I missed fighter practice due to a debilitating sinus headache-cum-migraine on Wednesday. I'll be back at it on Wednesday barring another headache like that one. Not pretty. On that grain, I have some really great linen that I will hopefully be using for a rapier doublet so I can have my arms free. I like the protection a fencing shirt offers, but dislike the 4 layers of stifling cotton duck on my arms and torso. The linen should breathe easier and look better, and it'll be MINE.

Most important projects: the tent, the shower, and the class, all have to be done for Pennsic.

I've drawn up my plans for the tent. It's an a-shape (boy scout tent) tent with 8' tall poles , and a 10' x 10' footprint. I'm using fabric ties inside the tent to attach it to the ridgepole and stakes (store-bought that look like blacksmith made) to stake the walls down. I'm using contrasting blue material for the ties so I can find the ties in the dark against the light colored tent fabric. I'll be using 8 oz. cotton duck for the major construction, with additional strips of canvas on the underside of the sod cloth to protect against moisture. I'm waterproofing the whole thing after I shrink it on the frame and let it set for a few days. This means sewing will start next weekend hopefully. I'm still debating whether to use wind guys or not. I think I'll include them in the plans, but probably they'll be leftover cotton clothesline from the shower stall project. I doubt I'll need them, but better safe than sorry. I'm waterproofing the ridgepole and uprights so they don't warp. I'm still waffling as to what kind of wood to use. I may use bamboo for strength and lightweight-ness. I'm also looking at pine or hardwood, but I'd really like to cut my own poles from the woodlot, but they won't cure in time. The 14th c. structure this project is based on is thatched. next year, I'll upgrade and purchase some artificial hunting blind grass sold under the brand name: Killer Weed. It's a nylon product that never rots and is easy to bundle and apply as I want.

The shower is much easier, I just have to get off my ass and do it. I'm still looking for proper stakes to use for the frame, but I'll probably end up using the old fence posts in the garage for ease, and to get it done. I can upgrade later. Already have the shower bag purchased.

The class is the biggest problem. I have the main research and some of the handout written. I'm also working on choosing the fabrics from my stash and remembering what I paid for them. I still need display boards and pictures of everything, including the construction process. I need to put together 30 cartridge pleat demo strips and make the small handout for that. I need to laminate the pass-around Do's and Don'ts sheets. I also need to figure out a way to scan everything and get it into a pdf file to put it on the net for download for people who audit and I don't have materials for, just in case. Then I need to actually construct the damn thing and document the entire process. A lot of work for a class about making a 16th c. garb outfit on a budget and in the "easy" category. I guess it's all relative.

**********************
In other news, I'm researching my personal heraldry and getting ready to talk to the local herald. Des is great and she's really funny too. Hopefully, my peacock in his pride will get to live on his silver and red diagonally divided background with the line division dovetailed. There's an official blazon for that, but I'm not exactly sure what it is so I'll leave it out for now. Des can help me write it. She's doing this really neat research on a Jesus kite. Crazy lady, love her. I want to submit everything: my name, Gillian de Chelseye, my "arms" (since i don't have an AoA yet, they aren't arms, but you know what I mean), and my badge for identifying stuff. It'll cost about 36 bucks, but it'll be done and I love my name and I love my heraldry so I really want to get it done. I doubt I'll change it.

Another note, I started my warm weather early garb. Everybody needs an early British peplos and now I have one. It needs to be hemmed (spare me, everything I own needs hemming, I hate it!) and I need to finish the trim, and I should buy two brooches to put at the shoulders, but for now it stays shut with sewn connections and I'm happy with that. It also needs a belt, but I can use trim for that. I ran out of trim so that's all that's stopping this being done. So I have something ready for Pennsic!!! Yay! I'm thinking I'll make another similar garment, but it's called a chiton (it's greek and so is the peplos, sort of, but whatever, if I'm hot I'll go naked if I want). It has a different, but similar arm connection, so not that difficult.

Also, I'm trying to finish hemming everything I own. Everything needs to be fixed or hemmed or needs ties replaced that got lost in the wash. I also need to make several heavy fighting tunics, as well as a few favors to give out. I think I'll paint the favors if I finalize my "arms". If not, oh well, I'll blow kisses instead. HA!

I have several veils that need finishing and I need to try out some different hairstyles for underneath the veils. Also, I need to make some basic, front-laced cotehardies, which is relatively easy now. To go with that, I need a few sideless surcotes. This is really easy, but I'm still procrastinating. God I don't want to be sewing on the day before we leave.

I want at least one more chemise for underwear. That's easy too. I've also got plans for 7 days worth of hosen, as well as 3 pairs of braises and one pair of chauses. Maybe even a pair of paned slops (*shudder* I swore I'd never wear them, but my preconceived notions break down every day I find more information about the Renaissance) for rapier. As if my ass didn't already look big enough...

Oh and I forgot to mention that I finished everything but the ties for my wool hood. I hand-sewed everything and I had a blast doing it. I'm still thinking about covering the sew lines with bias tape, but I can do that as a hand project there. The ties will be cotton as soon as I can borrow/buy a lucet to make them. My makeshift pencil/duct tape lucet shattered so I'm done with that.

I also found my basket cane while my sister was cleaning for the garage sale and now I can make a basket at Pennsic.

I also need to start assembling all the crap I need to take and try to fit it into the least possible amount of space. Need to call Dad and Kelsey to see if I can borrow the explorer to take stuff down in. I'm still not convinced we can fit it all safely into Dan's truck. I've also volunteered to help Etain prepare the Clan food plan meals in July, so that's coming up too, as well as paying the deposit for the plan. I also need to pay for my site pre-registration, like next week. I need to also re-up my membership next week and sign my waivers.

Oh and there's talk in the Canton of possibly needing a new Chronicler and I may apply to do it. I like the idea and it's cool to be able to publish things.

*deep breath*

I think that's it, so for now, I'm off. I promise pictures next time around.

Yours in Service,
Gillian de Chelseye