Trundling Through Time

It's that time of year again - Forces in the Field! Despite returning for the third year in a row, we had a blast (no pun intended). It was a cooler day than last year, which worked in our favour as Missy was happy to trundle about and look cute in her costume.

The event was definitely more focused on the World Wars this time and even had a competition for the different reenactment groups. (Although I voted for the NAFFI, I was absolutely delighted that the Women's Institute group won, they were a delight last year). NAFFI I hear you say, we'll, yes, this time the food was brought to us in good old British style:

A fun change to the burgers and chips normally on offer at Duncarron! Missy sat out of the gun demo, chilling with us girls instead as we tried to learn some crochet (it's still the devil's art, my poppy is most definitely a red sunflower) and Hubby watched the guns. He was very impressed at the display which included a mortar, which he hadn't seen go off before.

We did all manage to dress up, Hubby reused last years Home Guard costume and I went as a WW2 Propaganda Poster Nurse again. I was both flattered and mortified when people asked to have thier photo with Missy and myself! Our friend also joined in the fun as a WASP. Don't know what that is? Look them up, some very kick-ass ladies! 

I'll leave things there, it's been a very busy week, but I shall share the details at the weekend! 

Leaping Through the Year

How is it almost the end of August?! How is it my birthday tomorrow, already?! 

We had a nice weekend - hubby was off yesterday and, whilst he was keen to make it a special day owing to him working today and tomorrow (and myself working tomorrow too), I just wanted to have a nice day together.

He convinced me to open my pressies and we took Missy a nice walk with my new Pokemon GO+ (yes folks, I'm playing Pokemon Sleep and, whilst it's not really helped me get more sleep, it's provided a night time routine that certainly seems to be helping me get to sleep). We then did the shops for me to get my ironing board which is what I had asked for for my birthday (I'm too old to iron on the floor in a towel any more - too many ambitious projects!).

Look at me, totally rock and roll! 

You wanna know what else is rock and roll? Vikings - that's right, I finished my sisters outfit and got it in the post in time for her birthday. 

It came out perfect. I held off on a post last weekend as I wanted feedback from her reenactment group first. I pleased to say it was well received with enquiries of commissions. If that's not the highest compliment, I don't know what is! 

Well, I can, but you'll have to pop over to Roxys blog to see her becoming a viking! 

Needless to say, seeing her gush over it all has been a highlight of the week. As is her response to Munin, her actual birthday gift:

Because every viking needs a dragon. 

To top off the weekend, the chefs kiss, was what I suspect will be our final dog show of the year:

There was ice cream for humans and doggos. Tombolas. Raffles. Hotdogs. And hot dogs. Despite a poor forecast, it was glorious! 

My older sister came with me (and nephew and Wee Ben in tow) and we all had a great laugh. Missy and I won best costume in our pirate regalia, and she was also in for Golden Oldie and Best Rescue (I think we would have placed in best rescue as I was asked if I had won something already, and I was honest and said we had!). 

Wee Ben went in for dog judge would most like to take home, but sadly the judge didn't want him. He did meet a pair of elderly ladies with a fleet of spaniels though that I'm sure would have had off with him! 

(Wee Ben peeking in on the right).

And that's that. Next weekend is hubby's birthday weekend, so expect more adventures then! 

A Tale of Two Kirtles

So last weekend was a Tale of Two Cities as we packed up the car for a flying visit to Liverpool. Missy was very pleased to see her buddy Ren and the hubby and I caught up with my oldest friend, her hubby and kid who, about to turn 2, was definitely the epitome of toddlerdom.

It was a mixed visit. We managed to play on the switch a bit, had a long chinwag and some walks. Both hubby's we're out of commission - our friend owing to a lads night the day before. My Hubby was out of action after a foul pizza (he has - 2 to dairy atm, and he rolled a critical failure against that pizza). We've been experimenting with a suspected dairy intolerace for a few months now - he was never very good with digestion, always being bloated, but has gotten significantly worse after a really bad stomach bug. 

And to top it off, both myself and my friend have had really bad news regarding the health of a parent recently.

I won't go into detail here. Out of respect to her privacy and also because I'm still not really done processing things on my side. Just understand some cathartic tears were shed. Not all visits are sunshine and daisies, but we both definitely needed to see one another.

Hence no update last week. This week has been a quiet one - hubby went off on his own boys break Friday through Saturday, so I got to work on one of my most ambitious projects to date. 

So ambitious in fact that I made a mockup! 

 

Ignore the neckline. I'm that happy with the mock up I'm keeping it for myself so will change that.

Roxy, my Manchester based sister, has joined a viking reenactment group. Which, in and of itself is super cool, but that means she needs a historically accurate costume. Which is where I come in. Despite Roxy more than having the skills to make one herself, she's a knitter. Even though she rarely follows them, she likes to have a pattern in front of her. She likes adjusting patterns into new things. She does not like squiggles on a scrap of paper like so:

She also lacks the complete unbridled enthusiasm I have to take on a large project that I can sink my teeth into and have examined by masters of thier craft. The above mockup was indeed based on the above squiggles and I now have a proper paper pattern. So I made this:

A (as far as matters) historically accurate under kirtle. Think viking underwear. The long seams are serged and machined, with the neck, cuffs and hem hand stitched using linen threads picked off a scrap peice of linen.

Such tiny stitches and I am beyond pleased with the result. The decorative overdress is next, which is in cranberry, and I am twice as excited to make that one. Alas, the weekend is over, so I'm gonna chip damage that one during the week. 

I did manage to get out the house this weekend and met up with my local friend for a dog friendly lunch and walk. We had a catch up and it was good to touch base and have a normal day following last weekend. So all in all its been a proper reset of a weekend. 

Missy was not ignored for all the sewing - and her patience was well rewarded. She definitely approved of her pupcakes, as you can see! 

Until next time!