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Documentation Made EASY

  • Nov. 10th, 2009 at 11:30 AM


I have been approached by many people asking about the documentation for Arts & Sciences competitions. One does not need to do a 10-20 page thesis (think of the time a Judge would need to read through them). You can write up a nice 2-3 page document that will cover everything needed. I hope the following information will be helpful to those who do enter future competitions.
Documentation shall consist of, but shall not be limited to, answering the following questions:

  1. What extant item inspired your piece?

  2. Where is this piece currently located?

  3. What culture is the extant item from?

  4. How was your inspiration piece used in period?

  5. What century is the extant piece from?

  6. What are the materials used in the extant piece?

  7. What materials did you use, and if they differ from the extant materials, why?

  8. Where did you find the designs for your piece?

  9. What stitches and colors were used in the extant piece?

  10. What stitches and colors did you use in your piece?

  11. Remember to include a Bibliography/Resource section at the end of your
    documentation.

  12. a photo of the original piece is also a good idea.


Questions 9 & 10 are mostly for embroidery pieces, but you can adapt them for other topics (metals used, wood used, dyes, etc.). If you answer these questions, you will have a nice documentation with all the needed information. You can either 1) write out these questions and supply the answers, or 2) write them in a paragraph form; which ever way is easier for you. Permission granted from Katherine de Langelei, WK Needle Guild Minister to use questions (#1 thru #10) from the West Kingdom Needle Guild’s Broider Program.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me anytime at
pjbarnes1@yahoo.com or ans@cynagua.org

Sorcha Fhionn inghean ui/Ruairc
Cynagua Arts & Sciences Minister

Efreakinnuff!

  • Nov. 10th, 2009 at 10:11 AM
Things simply have to stop breaking/threatening to break/be wonky. ENOUGH already! I'm not made of money, nor do I have access to a nearby bank vault. First it was the windshield on the truck, then it was both of Donovan's computers, then it was the truck not passing smog, *then* it was the oven, and *now* the truck sometimes decides it doesn't want to start (and no, it's not the battery..that's fine..so far!).
Some time ago i posted part one of this two-part series, on carving a hat block from blue insulation foam. The bonnet is finally finished, so i've got some great info and images to share on the rest of the process!

First though, let me talk a bit about millinery structure from the perspective of patterning and geometry. (Bear with me here!)

Recall that this bonnet is a particularly challenging swooping "nuclear reactor" shape, which required the custom block to easily achieve. Traditional bonnet shapes are three pieces which can be flat-patterned: a brim (usually some variation of a crescent), a crown sideband (either a cylinder or a conic section), and a crown tip (a circle or oval). Most folks, even without much knowledge of geometry or drafting, can tape up a bonnet pattern sculpturally using trial and error--you put a seam in the back of the sideband cylinder or conic section, set the tip oval or circle in, fiddle with the brim crescent, and there's your bonnet, right? But with this bonnet, the shape of which is a geometric form known as a hyperboloid, there is no simple way to flat-pattern it. You *could* do it, but i felt it would be more valuable to just carve the block.

When last i posted, the hyperboloid was in a newly-formed state, shaped in the Fosshape on the blue foam block, but without a tip to the crown or trued up style lines. In the fitting, i consulted with the designer about where to cut off the brim--we drew the brim line directly onto the Fosshape--and at what angle to set in the tip. Then i cut it down to the final shape, wired both ends, and set in a tip of double buckram. I ultimately decided to mull the tip with icewool but not the hyperboloid, based on the hand of the cover fabric chosen, a monochromatic satin-face brocade with a motif of mums and bamboo.

Read more... )

Is it me?

  • Nov. 10th, 2009 at 6:47 AM
Just wondering. Are there more people on the road? I mean, seriously. What about conserving gas?

Sunday, going to Rehearsal in SJ there were a HUGE amount of people on the road.

Last night (a Monday evening) the traffic was really surprisingly bad. So bad, that [info]leohtulf was 45 minutes late for our get together in Dublin for dinner. Gad. Himself is usually pretty mellow about traffic, but ... (Good thing we didn't try to see a movie!) Coming home was almost as bad ... I hope it wasn't as bad for himself. Sheesh.

This morning at 6:15am our TINY Starbugs was packed full of people ... the line almost to the door. It's NEVER that busy at that time of morning (which is not to say it's never that busy ... it wasn't designed for that kind of traffic, though).

WTF?

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Happy Birthday, [info]madbaker!

  • Nov. 10th, 2009 at 5:12 AM
Hope you have a great day today!

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Berlin Wall 11/9/89

  • Nov. 9th, 2009 at 6:52 PM
20 years ago the Berlin Wall came down.  I remember what an exciting and scary time it was.  Would things suddenly slam shut again?  Would people get to the places they needed to safely?  Seeing families and friends reunited, smiling soldiers, picks and hammers being taken to the wall.  And then everything else happening so fast-all of Europe changing-watching the news on TV and being happy for people.  I am glad I was able to see that day.

The German in me was happy about reunification.  The French in me-a little bit nervous!  I thought of my 10th grade world history class and Mr. Flores telling the story of Bismark's schemes to unite the Germanic states that led up to the Franco-Prussian war in th 1870's.  My great-grandfather came to the US during that time from Saarebourg, Lorraine, France.  When he became a citizen here, his town was under German control and he did not like his papers saying he had been a subject of the Kaiser!

It has been interesting seeing all the changes-new opportunites for tourism, culture and friendship.

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Because the shows we are about to mount are set in the time of extraordinarily large and architectural hairdos, our Wig Supervisor needs frames on which to build the hairpieces. This fell to me so i took some documentary pix to share.

Here are a few photos showing how i made a mount for the frivolously fun "Apollo's knot" style, as well as a couple cool ones of an antique bustle-draping dress form!

Read more... )

Screw you too

  • Nov. 9th, 2009 at 11:12 AM
And I will be saving evn more money by cancelling my subscription to the Mercury News. With so many news sources available these days, I'd prefer to use one that does NOT condone animal cruelty.


http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_13743890?source=most_viewed

Latest PG&E attrocity

  • Nov. 9th, 2009 at 11:08 AM
OK, you bastards--you've just moved installing solar panels up to the top of my To Do list. I'm one of those low users you're screwing over.

http://kliv.com/PG-E-considering-rate-increases-for-low-energy-use/5621649

Spotlights: Homepage Spotlight 11/9/09

  • Nov. 9th, 2009 at 9:49 AM
[info]sixwordstories
Whether you're in the mood for a creative challenge or you're short on time or attention span, this semi-addictive community is perfect for those who find flash fiction way long. Once you get the hang of it, you won't be able to stop. The prince turned into a frog. The girl ran home to mother. Tough to write. Easy to read. It's a double threesome of fun.

Spotlights: Homepage Spotlight 11/9/09

  • Nov. 9th, 2009 at 9:46 AM
[info]dailyfoodie
Delicious, ambitious, and occasionally nutritious dishes make for an eclectic, all-you-can-eat feast. Whether you're searching for recipes for your next dinner party or you're jonesing for a late-night brownie fix, your cravings are sure to be well sated. A warm and inclusive community that welcomes all orientations, from carnivores to vegans, from gourmands to junk-food junkies. Guaranteed bias-free, food-positive, and pan-epicurian.

Two filks from the Bard of the West...

  • Nov. 8th, 2009 at 6:38 PM
I was asked if I would do a piece at the war about the fact that Prince Alfar of the Mist lives in Cynagua and Prince Eric of Cynagua lives in the Mist... and so without fanfare, two pieces of "humor":

The Ballad of Alfar and Kiffany  (To the tune of the theme from the Beverly Hillbillies)

Come and listen to the story of the Prince of the Mist
A poor Spartan boy who prevailed in the list,
Alfar is his name and a Misty he'd always be,
Until he met this girl and her name was Kiffany.
A Cynaguan she is, really blond, I think she likes him.... 

Well the first thing you know, Alfar's the Misty heir,
And Kiffiny said, "prince move away from there,"
Cynagua is the place where you really oughta be.
So he loaded up his stuff and moved in with Kiffiny.
Cynanua that is, swimming pools, air conditioning...

The Ballad of Eric in the Mists (to the tune of Turkey in the Straw)

Does my prince live in Cynagua, no my prince lives in the Mists,
He was fighting for Annora when he won Cynagua's lists,
He was prince twice before, and now he's prince again.
He's the prince of Cynagua, but he now lives in the Mist.

Eric, the next time you want to rule,
Live where you're ruling, that would be cool,
So the next time you enter the Coronet List,
You better skip Cynagua cuz your living in the Mist.

Eric's heart is in Cynagua, that's a fact you can't resist,
But dude, you live in Tueffelberg, you now live in the Mist,
So next time you really want to be the prince again,
Recall you live in Tueffelberg, you now live in the Mist.

Eric, the next time you want to rule,
Live where you're ruling, that would be cool,
So the next time you enter the Coronet List,
You better skip Cynagua cuz your living in the Mist.


A little of this and that

  • Nov. 8th, 2009 at 4:15 PM
It's been a quiet weekend.  I feel aimless; I"m sure it's because my life is changing in the work department and I don't know exactly what will come next.  I had coffee with friends yesterday morning, picked up drycleaning, took a nap.  Today I did a little more painting in the half bath, looked through the fabric stash for my next light-weight bedspread, started straining the peach cordial that I started back in the summer.  The green can is at the curb, and I should empty trash in the house. 

I will try doing some handsewing and contemplate what to make for dinner.

Millinery Makeover!

  • Nov. 8th, 2009 at 8:14 AM
Nearly two years ago, i made a post about a sinamay straw tricorne. The hat has been on display in the millinery studio area ever since, waiting for the perfect show and character to come along, and for a designer to see it and have an "a-ha!" moment.

That has happened on Nicholas Nickleby--costume designer Jan Chambers wanted the hat made over for the character of "Mrs. Crummles," the flamboyant wife of a theatrical impresario. I was thrilled the hat was going to finally make its stage debut, though i never would have foreseen what it would eventually become! This is what it was to begin with:

Photobucket
The original hat of cream sinamay straw, trimmed with silk organza,
a burnt black ostrich plume and a horsehair cocarde.


And this is what i made it over into: transformation photos )

Late Period Food Pictures

  • Nov. 7th, 2009 at 2:55 PM
 
A couple of months ago Y-sabella posted some lovely late (perhaps slightly post) period food based still lifes ... 
http://pics.livejournal.com/ysabella_dolfin/pic/0008t6gt/

http://pics.livejournal.com/ysabella_dolfin/pic/00090rqt/

http://pics.livejournal.com/ysabella_dolfin/pic/00091yt5/

I really like this style, genre, whatever of pictures. I think it might be fun to do a display where you select a painting of this sort and then re-create it. Sort of a little diarama-oid thingie. Here's a copy of the painting and right next to it is a display of food and tableware that is as close as possible to what the picture shows. Does anyone else think this would be fun? If there is space for such a thing, the Crosston Ball might be an appropriate venue for such a display ... then later we get to eat and drink the commestables in the display pieces :-)

First Pass ...

  • Nov. 7th, 2009 at 2:37 PM
... of photos from Dierdriana's stuff posted ... gad. I think my brain says if I keep going it'll jump out of my skull and run down the street ... (she's not a professional photographer by any means, they're poorly organized, etc.)

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Relaxing

  • Nov. 7th, 2009 at 9:35 AM
Today Josephus day tripped to Cynagua/Mists War (as he is RMIC) and I stayed home. Since I was up at 6AM I figured that I would work on my web site. I posted the two paternosters I made to my Projects page on my web site. Now I will relax on the couch and start back to work on the two haversacks that I need to finish. I can always work on the other Or Nue sample piece in between; not to mention two scrolls that I need to finish painting.

Of the 15 projects needed by January, I am now down to 13...LOL. Yes, they will all be completed and ready for delivery at that time. Have I ever mentioned that I love to keep busy??


  • Haversack-Ducal promissory

  • paternoster-Colorado

  • paternoster-Sir Gemini

  • finish Byzantine tunic trim

  • commission – pillow cover

  • commission – smocked apron

  • haversack – finish device

  • service project 1

  • service project 2

  • goldwork butterfly

  • aprons – smocked & blackwork

  • Or Nué – leaf & chalice

  • 2 scrolls – AOA & LOM


Bog Wood

  • Nov. 7th, 2009 at 10:08 AM
Have any of you access to pieces of bog pine or bog yew? Bog oak need not apply.

Nov. 7th, 2009

  • 12:25 AM
THURSDAY

Met with Gyda this afternoon and got her signature on the baronial account so she can assume her full duties and I'm only advisor, financial committee and co-signer.  I may be taking on Gold Key but that's still uncertain;  we'll see. 

At home I raked leaves and when Leofwyna woke up she mowed the backyard and front verge so the entire yard is looking pretty good.  The veggie beds could still use work but that depends entirely on what the weather does the rest of this month. 

Finally reached Luke at Kronberg about presenting a Cattle Raids proposal at the church council.  They'll be expecting us at the meeting Monday, and since it's Monday, not Tuesday, Sash can go too, thank goodness!   

FRIDAY

Today we cooked a pork loin roast in the crockpot with dried fruit.  I prefer my pork seasoned simply 'cause I like the tast of pork but Leofwyna likes it with fruit and we alternate techniques.  Tonight I cleaned up the kitchen but put off doing laundry as her stuff is still in the laundry room.

Two commissions completed

  • Nov. 6th, 2009 at 9:40 PM
Today I worked on two paternoster commissions (to take a slight break from my embroidery projects).

The first one was commissioned by my son's friend after he saw a photo of my skull paternoster. He wanted a 5 decade paternoster using bone skulls as gauds and red beads for the aves. He wanted to use his wedding band (his wife died and he wanted it as a momento) as the connector and a sterling silver crucifix.



The red beads are all garnet colored, but photo looks different.


My second commission was from Sir Gemini at Cynagua Coronet after he saw my skull paternoster. I offered to give him mine, but he wanted just a 4 decade loop using all skulls. I fingerlooped black silk thread (all 12 strands) for the cording and then made a black silk tassel for it. The aves are bone skulls and the gauds are date wood skulls.



(The skulls go with his device as there is no lower jaw bone on the skulls.)

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