Thursday update

I did get some knitting done in the last week, but not a whole lot else.  

Current project list/status (SCA/Historic):

• Applique piece for C&L -- I may have fallen down the research rabbit hole and really need to settle on something.
• Couched cord piece for C&L -- I have looked at a few design inspiration ideas for something to do on my husband's tunic for this element.
• Class this is (mostly) done, for now.  I do have some more work to do on the sample and the re-write on the handout.  
• Marshall Hanging -- No, nothing new.    
• Hem stitched square -- This is officially my current "work on at events" project.  At the same event last weekend I learned some more open work, and am now deciding whether to make this square an overall open work piece or do that on something different. I learned some pulled (diverted thread) work at the Embroidery Schola in February, and this piece has a nice big central area just asking for some decoration.
• That silk tunic I did for my husband -- still need to pull that out and get the seam finishing done, and maybe plan some more embroidery for it. 

• Other garb waiting in the wings... Also in planning are a couple more coifs -- and shifts and shirts.  
• Research.  I've started trolling for inspirational ideas.  My Pinterest boards are overflowing with "oh, that looks cool...."

Current project list/status (Modern)

• Bay of Fundy Scarf.  Done -- Just have to block it and then photos will be posted
• Hat for my husband.  Done.  Photos will be up soon.
• Northern Lights Cowl -- This one is being done with a beautiful color changing yarn and is a nice simple pattern.  I did make one small change to make the counting a lot easier, and I don't know that I'll use this yarn again, but it's pleasing me, and going nice and fast. 
• Clothing for work.  This may have to be moved up a bit, as one of my favorite skirts just gave its last.  Now I really need to find pink fabric I like because I cannot imagine not having something in that dark rich pink in my wardrobe.  Of course, I *could* get around to doing the hem on the black and white, that would help.  
• Studio project. A number of things have migrated back to the studio (where, admittedly, they belong), and a few things in the studio need to come out.  I need to determine a day each month for specifically concentrating on getting everything back to where it belongs, which should help keep this room organized. This did not happen in January, or February, or March... Help me April, you're my only hope!

Future project plans: (look, a new section) AKA "In the queue"

• Additional C&L work to do includes an underside couched piece (having been reminded of a thing I knew of one that is not metal thread).
• Knitting plans include  fingerless gloves with more of the alpaca that I'm using on the Bay of Fundy scarf.  I also got some lovely blue silk/wool blend that I'll need to find "just the right pattern" for.  Also, attending Maryland Sheep & Wool this weekend will undoubtedly produce *something* new for the queue.... 

Blog notes:

• Still working on a three day a week pattern -- Monday for SCA/Medieval/Renaissance related; Tuesday for post 1600 to modern related and Thursdays for status updates.
• I'm also considering a couple other pages -- one for links to museums and other excellent web resources, and one for a bibliography (with appropriate links).  Any requests? 

So, that's it for my plans for the coming weeks.  

Sheep & Wool -- Maryland that is.

This weekend is the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival.   We're heading down on Saturday.  My husband is, once again, a competitor in the Grand Lamb Cook Off.  Last year he took 2nd place in the Adults category.

Meanwhile, I'm heading out to the festival itself to enjoy looking at fiber in all its glory.  Everything from fiber producing animals to finished products will be available.

This festival is a bit smaller than New York, but it certainly doesn't skimp on inspiration.  I spent a large part of my lunch hour today looking over the vendor list. I have started my "to look for" list also, but I'm sure there will be things that simply insist on coming home with me.

We'll be on site really really early (hubby has a very early judging time), and probably won't be leaving until they make us.  There will be pictures posted, but until then, here are a couple of ones I got last year:

Randomness - German Altar Frontal - maybe not the one you think

Many people who study medieval textiles are familiar with this late 14th Century piece at the Cloisters. A quick look back, I'm not sure I've talked about it, but that's for another day -- I certainly have photos enough of the piece which incorporates brick stitch in a different manner than the bags, pillows and box covering I've talked about lately.

Today, I decided to turn to LACMA (L.A. County Museum of Art) for a random piece.  I entered the search phrase "Embroidery medieval," and this was the one hit. (There are other pieces within "SCA  Period" but that's the one that came up for that particular word search.) It has a very different style to the background, yet it does have those lovely figures with the brick stitch fills, and very similar colors.

I will certainly be giving this piece some closer study soon.  I was going to do some of that study and say more, but I want to get this posted -- running late because my cat decided that this evening was the perfect time to learn whether she can be in the exact same place as a (full) glass of red wine.  Hint: no.  Good thing we had an extra keyboard around the house.

Germany, Lower Saxony, circa 1380 LACMA M.79.48