First of all, I would like to share with you another 12th Night pic, courtesy of Bill Frazer (Baron Bardulf), this time with my sweetie and me. Bardulf rocks and when I grow up, I want to take pictures like him. Thank you Bardulf!




Of course, I am still working on that dress and stitching decorations to the hem, but that will be a picture for another time. Next year's 12th Night, if Bardulf is there perhaps? I can see another photo session in our future. By then my sweetie will be sporting a collar or ruff. At any rate, he looks fabulous with his black velvet doublet (which he made himself!)

In ballistabob's words, "Real men know how to blind-stitch."

Amen.

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In other news, we made it yesterday to Tournament of Love and Beauty. We had a blast. My poor sweetie was feeling like crap due to a really bad cold. He was supposed to run the rapier, and I was supposed to run the A&S. We ended up switching duties since the rapier took place in a cold and dusty barn and thus not good for someone with a bad cold, whereas the A&S took place inside. This arrangement worked very well.

On the rapier side, we had a small list, but with a fantastic quality of fighting, and everyone had a great time. I, of course, enjoy the rapier field in any capacity so I had a lot of fun. Ballistabob, on the other hand, although an accomplished artisan in his own right, had not had the opportunity of running an A&S display before. Much to his delight, he discovered that this endeavor was great fun and enjoyed himself immensely. He's threatened with doing it again.

Be afraid. Be very afraid.

At the end of the day, we had Court, and I ended up becoming the new Baronial Bard. I am very excited. My Laurel was not in music. It was in clothing. But I am a ham, and I love to perform. Heck, anything for an audience! This will give me the perfect excuse to go and represent the Barony and invade as many events that feature performing as I can.

My reign of terror has begun . . .

But wait! There's more! There were seven entries at the A&S Display, four of which competed for Baronial Artisan. They were awesome, and I am really happy that folks came out and showcased their work. The ladies of Alle Psallite, Rhiannon and Emma, simply rocked with their pomegranate syrup and 16th Century gown respectively, while my apprentice geoffreyapclwyd became the new Baronial Artisan with his astrolabe and his tabula board.

There was also a very nifty piece of poetry by The Mighty Thomas, a fierce young rapier fighter -- of whom we are particularly proud since we trained him in the use of a sword from the time he was 14. Now he is a young man in college and kicking butt with a sword *and* a pen! Who would have thunk? Said poem was on a beautiful scroll with calligraphy and illumination by Metylda the Cunning and Maerwin of Rannowe (sp?).

Last but not least there was a pair of nifty leather mugs by Henry West; an awesome painted hand pavise in the 16th Century style by Connor Sinclair, and a lovely plucked and hammered psaltery by a gentleman named Arthur of Linden.

EDIT: I had forgotten to give credit to Connor Sinclair for the pavise. Mistake corrected!

All I have to say is that these guys really rocked and that I was very pleased to see so many entries!

After the event, we stopped at Logan's Steakhouse for a quick bite with the fabulous melaniesuzanne, pirategirleee, and penguininarmor, who caught up with us. We were extremely tired, but happy. Best of all, it was early enough for Ballistabob to enjoy a nice dinner and still go home and take care of his cold.

Today, I am giving a shot at putting together the gothic fitted dress.

Will it be ready for KASF? Will it fit me right?

Don't miss the next episode of, As the Wardrobe Turns!