After much hemming and hawing, the retinue was read into the court record, and though my name was left off the list, I was assured this was a simple error, and I was given a favor to wear to indicate my role. I wasn't needed for attending Her Majesty, though, so I spent the day doing what I do best, braiding hair (see photo below), teaching people how to spin, and chatting about upcoming art projects.
I was shy and unprepared, so I didn't get in on any fencing that day, but I've been to a couple practices and I'm enjoying it so far. I need to work on getting in better shape and getting through the last few weeks of the semester, but I'll definitely be sticking with it.
My laurel, my sister student Beatriz, and another friend of ours made plans to warp the loom at the end of this month, too, so now I just need to get my family room relatively de-cat-ified so that it doesn't kill Mistress Gilliana.
I started the hand sewing on my cotte/kirtle, and I'm really enjoying it. I needed more practice on my backstitch, and I even have some buttonhole silk in my stash that's the right color for eyelets and lacing. I think this dress and its accompanying bits will be my entry into the latest costuming challenge put on by our kingdom. Known as Hometown Pride, the goal is to make garb in kingdom colors (black and gold) plus an accent color of your choice if desired, to be completed by Barons' War in August. Though the dress is more buff than gold, I had talked about dyeing it to cover some stains in the fabric, which is now even more likely to occur. I'll probably do a black sideless surcote to wear over it, or maybe just a black hood and tippets. Not sure yet, as this style and period of garb is new to me.
Tonight I'll be going to another archery practice, and our household is having a craft day on Sunday to make benches for the upcoming camping events. This will be so nice.
In any case, that's about all the SCA news that's fit to print. Here's that photo from Crown featuring myself, Lady Simona, Beatriz, and her other half Nick . The setup was beautiful. Photo credit: Mistress Heloise de Bec