Shoes

The quest is temporarily over! Now I can check off another thing on the A.S. 50 list. I found shoes for only $8. They are second hand shoes, but they are good second hand shoes. They are a pair of Naturalizer black Mary Janes with beige stitching. I'll have to see how they do when I wear them for a full day. I still plan on buying custom shoes, but I've suspended all major purchases in order to buy a new couch, which I haven't had in over 10 years. I'm paying cash for it instead of using the dreaded credit card so I've been saving money. That's not going to be for a little while yet, probably not until the Clothier's Seminar coming up in October or November. I still need to get my classes together for that.
Coming next time...shameless plug for The Four Firkins.

Camp Shui

Yes folks! It is finally here! Here's how you do it:

1. Finish a brand new trestle table less than a week before the event. Make sure the table is what you want. Mine is tailor made for me. It is exactly waist high to me. I put a tape measure at my waist while wearing shoes and let it fall to the floor, stepped on it and that measurement is how high my table is. The shelf is high enough to accomodate an 18 gallon rubbermaid box underneath it.

2. Arrive as early as you can when site opens. If you are on staff, get there the night before it does. If you get there the night before, go to sleep next to the ice machine on your camping cot. It's that white noise thing, like sleeping with a fan on.

3. Wake up inappropriately early (5 am) because the stupid birds are singing and go out for breakfast. Don't forget to have coffee. It's more important than food.
4. Come back from breakfast. Pick a place to camp that meets all your requirements. Don't forget to wander aimlessly for about a half hour before actually deciding where to camp.

i. In quiet camping. If you camp in loud camping, that's where you are at. I can't sleep with alot of random noise.

ii. Not too far away from where everything is happening so you don't have to walk a lot. A bonus if you have stuff to carry.
iii. Shade if there is any. Good for taking naps. Score more points for shade AND a shade

fly, and if there is a good breeze to keep you cool while napping.

6. Accessorize. Have a wooden frame chair or cover up your chair. Try to hide anything made of plastic or anything modern, like your cooler. It makes a great bench when covered. The weekend before the event I found a basket that I can crush and stuff somewhere which I used for fruits and vegetables. I also found a small wooden tray I can put things like spice containers or utensils I don't want falling off the shelf underneath the table. Second hand stores are good places for stuff like that.

7. Have a banner. People should know that is your camp, especially if it looks good. Don't let it sit in a puddle when it rains. Dyes can run.

8. Look good when sitting in your camp. If you have a well arranged, good looking camp, look good in it. Even if it is your worst, sloppiest clothing, look good in it.

I definitely met all the requirements in #5. I always make sure of that.

I failed some things in #6. I couldn't find the cover for the water cooler, butI didn't like the fabric I used for it so no big deal. I'll just make another. I didn't make efforts to hide the camp stove and modern cooking stuff. They're eventually going to have their own box anyway. The problem I discovered with the table is that it is too tall to cook with one of the one burner propane stoves on top of it. I put it on the ground and sat in my chair and cooked. I actually got compliments from people walking by when I was cooking saying how good the camp looked, even with the modern stuff out.

I have one picture I really liked of my campsite. I thought I took a closer one of the table itself, but I guess I didn't. The other one is of the view I had. Specifically, notice the long banner which was similar to my own. That made me happy.

What's Next on My Plate

After much toil, the work on items for the church are done, I can move on to things that have been set aside. They can finally have their curtains. It's not my problem anymore. I can finally get back to work on my embroidery which I have missed these past several weeks and finish rebuilding my Flemish underdress. I haven't got to the point in figuring out how it will fit after re-engineering seams. It was a little big and now it'll likely be two sizes too small. I can easily find ways around that. It shouldn't be a problem. I'm waiting for 20 yards of white linen for new underclothes to arrive from fabric-store.com along with 2-3 yards of blue linen for baldrics for Nordskogen Baronial Champions. If anyone has any good tips about making baldrics, let me know. I'm going to have a shoulder seam in them so they sit better. I have to make them able to fit a person from my size to Vlad's size to Ingus size. You never know who might have to wear them. I will be getting at least one new flemish chemise, a new Italian chemise, and one to wear under my lightest weight summer clothing (various robes). That will use up about 12 of the 20 yards.
I know all of you have been eagerly waiting to see exactly what Camp Shui is all about. Well, hold on to your camp stools and shade flys, because it will likely be coming this weekend! With pictures too!