Goodies I brought back from 12th Night

I had my gift Visa from my mom with me and was happy that I had some $$ to spend. The last big event - September Crown/Autumn War I could drool but not buy.

In particular was Thistle Hollow. She had a bunch of spinning fiber I haven't spun yet. If I had more money to spend I would have bought more of course. I settled for some Manx Loaghtan and got two bundles so I can have lots of fun playing with the fiber. It's a Rare Primitive Breed that has a dual purpose. Meat and fiber. The fiber is soft unlike some dual purpose sheep where the wool is more intended for outer wear. (Or for you non-fiber people, what you'd want to wear close to your skin, or not. lol)

I can't remember the name of the booth, but it was just a few down from them and they were selling various fiber related supplies for weaving, but had books for naalbinding too. I found a nice little bone shuttle/beater:

top, curved

Underside or bottom, flat.

It was a steal at only $6!

In between the two was a knife dealer. I've been long wanting a knife. People had been talking a bodice knife, but all the pictures for the various German ladies have them hanging off their belt along with their purse.
Like these:

Grendel makes lovely knives, but I can't afford him yet. So had to make do with something that is half handmade. I went back and forth between two bone knives and had Ignatius come and look and give his thoughts. After a little price discussion with the vendor, we agreed on a price. (His wife had quoted me $10 less than what he quoted, so we had to agree with her price before it came home with me.) It included the sheath and is very balanced, if not 'pretty':

In sheath, you can see where there's a cutout for it to be attached to something. I think a leather cord attached to my belt.

knife and sheath, the handle is antler

He did have a few Red Troll blades that he had added handles, this blade if you look closely comes from Sweden

Now to make the purse!  I have some leather sew aside to do this. 

I hadn't posted my Christmas gift from Brandon. He made me a period box loom that I can use for weaving trim, doing tablet weaving and most like a little inkle weaving. 

The little heddle I had picked up at our first An Tir - West War when I took the board weaving class and made my pouch. I think its a 12 dent heddle. He didn't have it handy to make for it, but its pretty close in size I think. You can see the holes that he drilled so that I can tie on to the posts.

I'm looking forward to learning how to use it! It also explains why I got the bone thread winder above. ;-)

12th Night 2014

This year 12th Night was up in SeaTac at the DoubleTree Hotel. We were able to go because we shared a room with Dawn-Marie and Susan. Thus splitting the cost of everything. We bought food to eat in the hotel for breakfast and lunch and ate at Denny's for dinner. Still a little spendy but fun.

We arrived mid-afternoon on Friday and settled into our room. Went had dinner before changing for the ball. Millicent and Ignatius were looking forward to the ball. Millicent had a new Italian style dress she had made for her with bees all over, completed just the day before:

I have some velvet in the same color that I have planned for a German style dress. It's heavy! I had added a panel and some decorations to the belt of the dress I made for 12th Night last year. I also added a satin guard to the back neckline that I had done with a mink collar last year. Used some black velvet to make a little hat to wear with it and while not perfect, happy with how it came out, shows most of the front of the dress:

Ignatius had also spent time making a new doublet for himself. He's not too sure he's happy with the shoulders, so those may change. Standing next to Nicolai in his new 12th Night garb. One of the few times that Ignatius feels short....

The dancing:

The yellow is a big 'halo' for my 'saint' moment. You can also see the hat. 

Gwen and I checked out the Merchant's area. She found a basket. I was tempted by other things you'll see in another post. There were lots of Vigils going on Friday night for those being elevated to Laurels and Pelicans. We knew two of them and Gwyn had been asked to look in on one of the nine that were going on. Unfortunately we got up there late and missed the two and Baron Refr was acting as gatekeeper on the third. I did write a congratulations to Baroness Cristiana in her book though. Ignatius did get to chat briefly with her on Saturday and she did remember where we met her and her family - at Glymm Mere's Bardic Ithra I think three years ago. We had dinner with her family. It was a most delicious dinner! It's been fun watching her take part on Retinue for the Crown:

B. Cristiana's Laureling ceremony. 

I had woken up Saturday morning with a very swollen right eye lid and a slightly swollen left. I had not been able to find my make-up wipes and since it was late, and I was tired, I used the hotels wash cloth and facial bar to wash my face. Ugh! On the right I must have scratched the skin a bit and that allowed the allergic reaction. I took a couple of benedryls and tried icing them but they remained swollen for most of the day.

Since Saturday was also a court day, I didn't get down until much later than planned. Missed the Laurel Speed Dating, the Sable Lion Weaving meeting as well as the Embellisher's Guild meeting. So I went to court in 'comfy' clothes, but borrowed a veil from Millicent so I didn't have to put my hair up:

My Green Gates of Hell dress with my dusty rose dress you saw me wearing for Yule Feast with my honey-comb apron. Gwen was wearing a tunica that she had done all the hand sewing on. Millicent was wearing a dress that she had made by Windblown Whimsey.

I started a little project while in court:

It's in number 10 Crochet Thread and US 0000 needles. It only took me three attempts to get the cast on correct with 120 stitches. It's also interesting knitting with three colors in a row. Can't wait until I have all of them!

Court:

I think the combination of not getting enough sleep and those benedryls really got me though. I was only able to stay for a couple hours and did not see the step down and step up ceremonies.

Saturday after court we did get back down and saw some of the Rapier competition. Eoghan was able to compete and was wearing his new garb:

He had Guard duty during court

Then we popped up to the Penthouse floor and tried to find friends at the parties and while we did say hi to people, never did really settle into a party. A little too crowded and loud for me, so we ended back in our room. Ana and Nicolai did show up for the invited Cards Against Humanity game. It was just the five us and Ana was a little the worse for wear so only a few rounds were done before they headed off to put her to bed.

Sunday came all too soon and we were up packing, dressing and heading home. We'll skip the next one that is down in Eugene next year. We will be helping out with the one for 2016 as our Barony won the bid for that event. We are all on staff in some capacity.