Let the 20s Roar! (Part 2)

I'm not going to the other Great Gatsby movie party tonight.  I'm just too worn out!
But here's the stuff from last night.

So basically, my thought process was "Have been invited to cool 1920s party and asked to wear costume.  ... I don't do 20th C.  What on earth am I going to wear?!?"

Finally in a desperate fit of win or die trying, I rummaged through my closet and came up with a black tank top and a swishy old favorite swing skirt that no longer fits because I lost 20 lbs last summer and it falls off.  (But being the sappy thing that I am, I couldn't bear to part with it, hence it being there waiting for me to pick it up again.)

The flash makes the top look faded, but they are actually pretty
close to being the same shade of black.

Convinced that I had at long last gone completely round the twist, I stood in front of the full length mirror and hiked the skirt up to my armpits to see whether my bust would hold it up and whether it became the right length and GIGGLING GUARDS AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE, IT WORKED PERFECTLY! I set about pinning it in place, using the tank top as a base:

I top stitched a half a yard of fringe on along the edge to make it look "flapper"- esque.  A length of stretchy sequin trim and a feather pouf made a headband.  I had a pink feather boa from a photo shoot I did a few years ago.  Done and done.

Gratuitous, if grainy, iPhone photo that went on my Facebook.

Unfortunately, the only {full length} photo I got of me is a little out of focus.  But who cares.  I clean up cute!  If a little awkward... I'm not used to wearing heels all that much.  I didn't even keep them on once I got to the venue.  I changed into my Bleyer dance shoes so I wouldn't break an ankle.

I only got a few pics at the actual event, of course, because I was too busy dancing and having fun to be snapping photos and blinding everyone with the flash!
Here's me with one my new friends from the venue.  We only met officially on Tuesday, but I've seen him there before, and he's planning on learning Lindy soon.  And all of the follows smirk with glee and go "Muahahahaha!" because we LOVE converting guys to swing dancing, because ultimately it means more dances for US!

Most of the other pics I got were of more friends dancing with each other, and I'm not sure if they would be comfortable with me posting pics of them on the internet without asking, so I won't.

All in all, it was a spectacular night, and I wish I had the energy to go out again.  But I'll spend a quiet night at home, rest up, and (as always) look forward to Tuesday when I get to dance again.  :)

Keep Swinging, readers.  You are fabulous!

Let The 20s Roar (Part 1)

Who is excited about the Electro Swing Soiree happening tonight??  THIS GIRL!  To celebrate the release of the new "The Great Gatsby" movie (see the trailer at the bottom of this post), the venue where I swing dance every week is hosting parties tonight and tomorrow in grand style!  There will be photos of course, and I've done a tutorial/process of how I did my costume.  YES, I'm going in costume.  You knew it was only a matter of time before I got something 1920s together! :D :D :D

But you can't see that yet!  Not until I have danced until I drop, recovered, and uploaded photos of everything.

But here's a clip of some Electro Swing to keep you happy until then.  It's a half hour long, so you can pick however much you want to hear, but I promise it's catchy!  Just let it play in the background as you clean the house or whatever and it makes whatever you're doing more fun x 100! :)
So much Lindy Hopping will be happening in the next 5 or 6 hours... :)

The Great Gatsby Movie:

Character Post

During the LetterMo challenge, the participants could earn different "achievement badges".  If you ventured to a new postbox drop-off location, for example, or sent a birthday or valentine greeting, you'd get to display your achievement for the rest of the LetterMo community to admire/envy/mirror with their own.

 One such achievement that I couldn't stand to NOT earn was the "Austen Style" badge.  This puppy could only be earned if you emulated Jane Austen herself and broke out the parchment, quill, ink bottle and wax seal, finally sending the letter folded up as its own envelope.  Bonus points if you wrote it in early 19th C language/subject matter.  I sent out a few- three, to be precise- but none of them as Lucy Jane or in 19th C character.  I just couldn't break into the time travel for some reason.  (Where's a Tardis when you really need one?  I ask you.)  But my usual vocabulary/style of writing leans to the old fashioned as a habit, so they really weren't that bad.

One of the three was replied to, in Regency character!  How could I not answer it back in kind*??  Finally, with her help, I had unlocked whatever the previous thing was that had blocked my writer's imagination.  Using this fantastic resource on my hometown area in the late 1700s/early 1800s, I was able to flesh out Lucy Jane more than I have ever done, and really develop her backstory and history.  It was marvelous fun to blend historical fact with fiction!  My creative brain, rather starved for that sort of exercise and entertainment of late, just bloomed with one scene and timeline possibility after another until I think I may have enough to write a novel if I get it all down on paper. (NaNoWriMo, anyone?!)  I always told myself I would never be a writer.  I'm a terrible liar to myself.  I'm not saying it will get published or make it to the NY Best Seller list, but who says it has to?  I'm enjoying it. :)

Here are a couple of photos of my "Austen Style" offerings.  I can't wait for Charlotte's next letter!

Have you ever sent a letter as a character? I'd love to hear about it!

*Although I have been SUPER busy lately and have not updated the website and/or blog in a few months, most of you know that I have a creative outlet under a pseudonym/character called Lucy Jane.  If you are new here, follow the link to see "her" wares. :)

He Who Would Pun...

I hadn't seen this in a while and a friend happened to share it on my social streams.  So now I'm sharing it with you.  *Raises glass* To Lord Nelson! (And Russell Crowe.  And Paul Bettany.)

Wood, Don: King Bidgood's In The Bathtub and Heckedy Peg

The illustration style of these two books draws me back to them again and again.

We LOVE "King Bidgood's In The Bathtub"!  The Cute Gremlins think it is hilarious!  The King is having fun in his giant, bubbly, massive bathtub and refuses to get out.  So all the court has to move whatever plans they had going that day- yep!  Into the tub!  I immediately thought of Lauren at American Duchess when I saw the fashions of the court as they waited in the hallway, trying to coax King Bidgood away from his bubble-bathy buffoonery.

I wonder what Lauren thought when she saw what the water had done to the Queen's gown after having lunch in the tub?

[Edit/Update: I tagged Lauren on Facebook that I'd written this post and posed a question.  This is her reply: "lol! Well I think the illustrator knew/knows fashion history! Very impressive, that's not so far off what Elizabethan women were wearing under their skirts :-D"]

********

Heckedy Peg is equally as charming with the illustrations, but a more serious tale:
A poor widow with seven children must go to the market and leave the children alone at home (think Europe mid 18th or 19th century/Grimms tales kind of setting).  While she is gone, the witch Heckedy Peg comes and tricks them, and they are transformed into food.  By remembering what her children had asked for from the market, the mother was able to correctly guess which child had been turned into what food and save them from the witch.

This is my favorite image from Heckedy Peg, because I've known the love and strong maternal instincts that turn the poor widow into a fearsome and formidable force to be reckoned with when she is protecting her children.

That stance and body language?  Just about every mom in the world, including me, has been there and done that and will on keep doing it, whenever and if ever the need arises.  But the illustration of her doing it gives me added courage.  This is a scary world to raise babies in, even without hungry witches named Heckedy Peg.

I'd like to find more books at the library that are illustrated by Don Wood.  If I happen upon any soon, I'll be sure to post an edit!

Just The Forty

I've been studying the costumes from the Three Musketeers film that came out at the end of last year.  Matthew MacFadyen has already made me swoony in turns as Mr. Darcy and Arthur Clennam, and now we get to add Athos to that list.  Yes, please!  (Oh, and the Queen's dresses are all pretty and stuff.  Lucy Jane'll get around to recreating one of those.  One day.  When she's had more education on 18th C construction techniques...)

Steampunk Opera Overture

This orchestration has been fueling my imagination for some Steam-punk plans.  I can't divulge anything else about the project just now, but suffice it to say, listening to this makes it easier for Lucy Jane to design things with leather, gears, and clockwork mechanics!  Enjoy.

JASNA

JASNA is short for the Jane Austen Society of North America.  I plan on officially joining when I have gotten more Lucy Jane things nailed down and in order.  As it involves costuming, I was going to use it on Lucy's blog, but I decided to go with my Janome sewing machine for that, since it spans more of what she does than just Regency.

As it's Video Wednesday, here is a series from YouTube about the 2011 JASNA AGM.  (Warning: anachronisms abound, but I think the idea is for people to gather and have a good time.)

Enjoy!

"And There Was Music..."

Yep.  Still on that "The Music Man" kick. ;)

Double feature this Monday for you: The Kristin Chenoweth/Matthew Broderick version (to match everything else I've been posting about it), and also a lovely (though very short) piano cover version I found whilst poking about on YouTube when I ought to have been putting away laundry.

Enjoy! :)

Come and Visit the Other Me!

As some of you know, I have an Alter Ego that is picking up steam as a business venture.  A lot of good developments are falling into place, so I want to shamelessly beg you to show some blog love and check out

from time to time.  Especially in the next 6 months, there are going to be all kinds of posts relating to costumes being constructed, Douglasville's Hydrangea Festival in June, and other various and sundry lovely things.  I'll be scheduling a photo shoot or two when the weather decides to cooperate, so you can see me in my natural habitat. (In clothing that went out of style at least 100 years ago!) :)

Dickens is still as popular as... well, the Dickens!

Today is the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Dickens, arguably the greatest fiction author of the mid 19th century.  Some of us were forced to read Dickens in school whether we liked it or not (most of my peers), but some of us not only read it willingly, SOME of us had voluntarily read it years before that and were re-reading them like letters from an old friend. (ME!!!)  Some of us also found out today that the phrase "like the Dickens" is of Shakespearean origin and has nothing to do with Charles Dickens whatsoever.  (Me again!  Who knew?)

I read and loved A Christmas Carol at the age of 9, after loving the "Mickey's Christmas Carol" movie  year after year until I learned to read fluently (hey, the exposure has to come from somewhere!).  I moved on from there to Oliver Twist around 10 or 11, and by the time we were collectively studying A Tale of Two Cities in high school, I'd already finished Nicholas Nickleby, The Old Curiosity Shop, David Copperfield, and Great Expectations.  (Yes, I was teased mercilessly by my peers for being a bookworm and an introvert.  Such is the social structure and pecking order of the public school system.)

Dickens has a way with the details of the scene that I love.  His minute descriptions draw me into England the way he saw it.  Every house, every carriage, every article of clothing is depicted to me in words that leave my mind's eye in no doubt as to the existence of every item and every action involved with them and the movement of the plot.  His characters are introduced in such a way as though you are sure you are in the room along side them all.

I have been a life long Dickens reader, although I did not read Little Dorrit, The Pickwick Papers, The Life of Our Lord, and A Child's History of England until I was in my 20s, the latter two appearing in my personal library in handsome hard back covers as a Christmas gift from my dad's mom.  Little Dorrit is perhaps my favorite curl-up-by-a-winter-fire read, excepting maybe David Copperfield.  

I will confess readily that Pickwick Papers was a HARD read, in that it had perhaps more to do with the differing social classes and customs and phrases of the day than any of his later works.  I got through it, but it was an arduous process that took several weeks (ages, in relation to my natural reading speed) and I was forever marking my place and having to Google something I didn't understand (Sam Weller's cockney speech, among others).  And although Pickwick Papers is praised for its accurate descriptions of the old coaching inns of England during that time*, not only have two full centuries passed and rendered such establishments a bit archaic, Georgia and its history bear so little resemblance to the England of Dickens' time, I have no reference point from which to understand the events of the plot which happen in the coaching inns, except what I learn about online and by asking my British friends who love and study the history of their own country.

On the whole, however, Dickens is beloved and cherished in our house, and many volumes of his work take their place on my bookshelf along side Jane Austen, Mark Twain, and various and sundry other favorite literary greats.

Also in my list of favorite things are several film versions of Dickens titles, produced by BBC and available either in their shop to order, or on Youtube if one doesn't mind the interruption of moving from one episode segment to the next.  They employ the top of my list of favorite British screen stars: Maggie Smith, Bob Hoskins, Daniel Radcliffe, Matthew Macfadyen, Alun Armstrong, Andy Serkis, and James Fleet (to name only a few).  Stellar writing combined with stellar acting performances = excellent entertainment for this grown up bookworm. :)

*taken from the first paragraph in the summary of Pickwick papers on Wikipedia article here.

Related links of interest:
Little Dorrit miniseries by BBC on Youtube, first part here.
Little Dorrit for purchase at BBC website here. Or on Amazon here.

David Copperfield miniseries by BBC on Youtube, first part here.
David Copperfield for purchase at BBC website here.  Or on Amazon here.

(Interesting note, both of these star Alun Armstrong in vastly different roles!)

My favorite versions of A Christmas Carol:
George C. Scott classic, on Youtube, first part here.  Buy at Amazon here.
A Muppet Christmas Carol, on Youtube first part here.  Buy at Amazon here
Jim Carey's version is too new to be on Youtube, but watch the trailer here. Buy at Amazon here.

I'm sure there are more great movie links, but that will have to keep you happy for now! ;)

May's Gratitudes!

After stealing borrowing politely asking permission to imitate stealing the idea of a daily "Things I'm Grateful For" list from Su over at Cheekyness, I decided to let the list show for 2 weeks at a time in the side bar, and then archive the month's worth (at the start of the next month) in a post.

It helps me to see how much chocolate I really consume  all the little things that make my day better. :)

Here is May's list, beginning at the end of the month and going backwards.  Unless you would rather see it in forward chronological order, in which case, please leave a comment indicating something to that effect.

Enjoy! 


(PS- I apologize in advance, but I'm going to be posting a ton of posts next week to catch up on all the stuff going on here.  I'll be back to a regular 4 day/wk schedule soon!)

• 5.31- Leftover Chili's tortilla chips
• 5.30- Husband's extended family
• 5.29- Self control. And a calm husband.
• 5.28- Pirates!
• 5.27- Last Day of School for Kids!
• 5.26- iTunes drowns out "Barbie" movie being played in other room for the millionth time
• 5.25- McD's caramel sundae
• 5.24- My baby boy turns 6 today!
• 5.23- The supportive text message I got at 3:30 today.
• 5.22- An awesome Sunday School class at the church we visited this morning
• 5.21- My Bible
• 5.20- Cooperative weather for a photo shoot
• 5.19- Nyquil liquigels
• 5.18- My sister in law came over today!
• 5.17- Easy to read patterns
• 5.16- Angel food cake
• 5.15- Sharing new favorite praise song on radio with husband (How He Loves, David Crowder Band)
• 5.14- Husband home safe from a work trip
• 5.13- Finding the fabric I needed at another Joann's store, to finish this dress!
• 5.12- Quiet time (even if it is only picking up milk at the store)
• 5.11- Grace and understanding from others
• 5.10- Watching my sewing project transform from shapeless mass of fabric to a wearable garment
• 5.9- Sunshine
• 5.8- My 4 beautiful children
• 5.7- Fresh groceries
• 5.6- Music to play while I work
• 5.5- Lemon and basil scented body wash
• 5.4- New blog friends who share their ideas

Hang on! I'm getting caught up!

So I completely missed Go Here Thursday (again) and Frank Friday today.  Well, I guess technically I haven't missed FF if I post it before midnight.

Here's what's been going on behind the scenes to make me miss blogging on schedule:

Lucy Jane was burning the midnight oil to get this gorgeous piece done in time for this weekend's event in North GA. It's done, lovely, and fits perfectly. :)

And for those of you who have been interested in the ballgown that I did for her, here is a shot of her wearing it.  Also done, lovely and fits perfectly.  Two for two! :)

I've also been spending a lot of time in prayer and reading a fantastic book on living up to my full potential.  The book is "Life Without Limits" by Nick Vujicic.  It's amazing.  Even when you take out the whole physical limitations thing, just reading such heartfelt encouragement from such a strong believer is so very humbling and healing.  You can't read this book and not be changed inside.  I'm loving it.  Please get a copy if you can, and be encouraged to live your life to your best potential!

Here's the Marietta Diner "Go Here Thursday" that I've been promising:

Just north of Atlanta, in the beautiful city of Marietta, is a 24 hour diner.

View Larger Map

This diner has been serving the best seafood bisque on the planet, and the most amazing every-flavor- imaginable-and-bigger-than-your-head cakes for the last 17 years.  It's been featured on Food Network's "Diners, Drive Ins and Dives".  It's marvelous, fantastic, wonderful, and a bunch of other adjectives.
Why don't I just stop and let the photos do the plugging?

SEAFOOD BISQUE!!!

CAAAAAAKKKKEEE!!!

Are you in the car headed up I-75 yet?

As promised, here is the recipe for the awesome seafood bisque.
Husband and I are going tomorrow night for a date to see Pirates 4 and will head on over to the diner for some of that bisque goodness.

I hate to have to do this, but I'm going to postpone the Frank Friday post til tomorrow.  I have to upload the photos off of my camera and I've got a migraine coming on.  Starting to make me a bit sick. Blech.  I'm going to bed.

Sweet dreams, my lovelies.  I'll be dreaming of that cake case.... :)

Did you miss me?

Due to work and Blogger being down, I haven't posted since Wednesday!  Horrors! :)

I don't know what Blogger's deal was, but I hope it all gets put back to rights soon!  At least I can post a quick update on a few things tonight.

We missed this week's Go Here Thursday and Frank Friday.

Go Here Thursday was going to be about the seafood bisque at the Marietta Diner.  I love that dish so much that not only will I give you a full length, devoted post to it next Thursday, but I will also find out the recipe!  After that I hope to review a couple of places that aren't food related, just to keep a good mix.

To be honest, you didn't miss anything for Frank Friday.  The extent of Frank's adventures have been to ride around in the center console of my van as I take the kids to school, and the occasional errand to the grocery store.  The rest of the time, he waits while I'm at the dining room table, sewing like a mad thing. I'm nearly done with the 19th C wardrobe that I'm creating for a client and friend, but any seamstress will tell you that it's all those little last thing details and trims that seem to take the longest time to finish.

If you want to see my progress so far, visit my alter ego's blog for stages of completion.  Monday night should have a huge post that shows the ballgown completely finished out, and the day dress at least at 90%, if not also completed.  These things are kicking my rear.  But they are sooo pretty. :)

In the midst of all this chaos, my alter ego is also sewing stuffed toys for a huge local festival that's coming up in 3 weeks.  The clock is ticking and the pressure is on, but I (we?) am (are?) doggedly determined to triumph and come out on top with this full wardrobe done, and an award winner of a festival booth.  June 6th will be the judge of how that all happened out, so stay tuned.

Really, that's all that I've been up to here.  I hope you've got all your Blogger posts and comments back and I'm looking forward to reading my bloglist more next week.

You know, when I don't have my foot on a sewing machine pedal and a bunch of straight pins sticking out of my mouth.

One of the elephants I'll have for sale at the festival.

Poetry Wednesday: "The Happy Seamstress"

An original composition, by my alter ego, as I sew a mid 19th C ballgown:

The Happy Seamstress

With patience and delight
I wind the thread through the sewing machine.
The strong cotton thread dances between the hooks
and the smooth metal spools
before slipping through the needle's eye.

It waits there, as though stopping for breath
before I bid it to dance again, in and out of the fabric.
The pedal makes a humming sound
and the bobbin twirls like a ballerina
to its electronic symphony.

I feel a creative bond with others who ply learn-ed trade.
The potter and his clay
The artist and her brush, loaded with paint
The blacksmith and his iron
The knitter and her basket of rainbow hued yarn, wools thin and thick.

Green satin slides across my table
as I guide it gently where I want it to go.
Inches and inches
Feet and feet
Yards and yards of it glide smoothly past three eyes, only two of which blink.

A ruffled trim now, and organza bows
Tiny pearl clusters in the centers
A waistband appears, and then a hem
This sea of green satin begins to take on shape and form
It is a dress now, almost.

One half of a beautiful gown, for a lady to wear with delight.
More satin waits expectantly for its turn to join the dance.
I smile with satisfaction and triumph as I try the finished part
on the dress form model- it's perfect!
More work ready for me tomorrow, I turn off the light and dream of things I love:

Thread, that holds my creations together.
Fabric, pleasant to see and feel.
Pins, that make my progress smooth and easy.
Ribbons, that tie ties and make pretty bows to decorate my fabric confections.
Happy and content, all of these await me when I wake.

Frank Goes Back In Time

It's Frank Friday!

Last weekend we packed up a bunch of gear, some out of style clothes, a black powder gun and Frank, and moseyed on down to Selma, Alabama for the 146th anniversary Civil War reenactment.

Frank enjoyed himself immensely.  I carried him in my work basket (alongside some quilt blocks I am working on, and my carefully-concealed-from-view-unless-I'm-using-it camera.) and we traveled around the sutlers, saying hi to dear friends along the way.

Here is Frank with Miss Mary of The Paper Lady sutlery.

The name comes from the pre-made paper cartridges that Mary makes and sells by the box to soldiers.  But what I love her sutlery for, is the corsets and sewing supplies.  I sew like a mad thing, and I'm working hard to learn more techniques and be able to personally make every piece of a 19th Century costume.  But those corsets are just beyond me.  Holy. Cow. All the boning and the lacing and the fitting makes my head spin.  Not to mention the materials it has to be made out of, which would surely break more than a few sewing machine needles if I tried it yet.  Therefore, I make everything else, and leave the corset to her!  I highly, highly, highly recommend her wares.

Here is Frank with Mr. Johnson of Rum Creek sutlery.

Rum Creek used to sell a variety of art prints, but lately have become purveyors of excellent 19th century related books and dry goods.  Mr. Johnson and his brother, Chuck, are some of the nicest gentlemen in the hobby and as I shop around their store I always hear them asking visitors if they can be of any assistance.

I can sew Jake's shirts, but it's actually quicker, easier and more convenient (since I'm up to my ears in ladies things, mostly) to purchase them here.  The tailoring is excellent and the price is very reasonable.  Plus, there is a large variety of colors to choose from, so Jake can find exactly what he wants.  At Selma, I also purchased a pair of reproduction eyeglass frames that I will get fitted with my prescription.  Like Mary's sutlery, I highly recommend Rum Creek's wares.  They will be at the Resaca, GA reenactment next.

Frank also posed with my husband and our friend Jesse before the battle on Sunday:

Frank then went back to the camp to "nap" in my tent, so that's all the photos I have of him at Selma.  Here are a few more photos of us and our hilarity, though. Enjoy. :)

This is generally how Marilyn and I start out a reenactment together.

The guys on Saturday

A friend and myself at the ball on Saturday night.
I have GOT to make a new ballgown! Ugh!

Best Friends

Period correct photo of us being serious

Us being friendly

Us being... well.  Us.

Jennifer and Shelby playing a period game called "Graces"

Yes, they really did burn the cabin down to the ground.  Every year. :)

Honoring those who lost their lives in the Tuscaloosa Alabama tornadoes last month

For more of Frank's Adventures, here is a previous post about him going to Florida for Spring Break.
I'll be sharing his other past shenanigans next week. :)

Reenacting

For the last dozen years or so, I've been dressing up in clothes that have been out of style for 150 years, to go out to a field and watch as my friends shoot at each other.

Before you get the idea that I'm some sort of masochist freak, let me explain.

In 1997, my boyfriend (who is now my husband) invited my family to come and see a reenactment of a Civil War battle in North GA.  My mom knew a woman who sewed Southern Belle style dresses for the Atlanta 4th of July parades and pageants and such.  So we rented a couple and went out to Tunnel Hill, GA for the day on a Saturday in September.

It didn't take long.  The smell of the campfires, the hay, the sulfur from the cannons, the leather of the horse saddles.  I was hooked.

Over the years, I've been to events in Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, South Carolina, and Florida.  We do at least one event a month, when we can.  There is so much to tell about them, so many stories about fun things that have happened, that I really can't do it justice in a blog post.  I love sewing costumes for, and going to, the events.  We take canvas A frame tents and camp out all weekend.  The kids have fun and it is really good for us as a family to be disconnected from the constant electronic buzz of cell phones, computers, cars and technology.  We connect with each other, and with our friends and always end up making new friends as well.

Though it hasn't been updated in a while (we're working on it), you can take a look at our unit website.  It answers a lot of general questions about reenacting, such as how we fire guns at each other without getting killed, what we eat, what we wear and other FAQs.

We portray units that were in the south-eastern theatre during the war: the 28th Georgia Heavy Field Artillery, Co. C; the 1st Ohio Light Artillery; and the 76th Ohio Volunteer Infantry.

We do both North and South impressions*, depending on what's needed at an event.  (Usually it's Union, though.  A good 98% of the time.)  It's a close-knit community of people from every walk of life.

If you are interested in coming to an event, or just want to know more, please feel free to send me an email or comment and I will do my best to point you in the right direction.

Our next event is coming up next weekend in Selma, Alabama.  There is a grand ball there, in a historic home, and I will try my best to finish my new ballgown in time.  I'll be sure to post pictures from Selma after the A-Z challenge is through.  In the meantime, here is a 4 part video of our group at past events.  It's the best way to show you what reenacting is like.  A number of the photos in it were taken by me. :)

Part 1:

Part 2:

Part 3:

Part 4:

Here are more photos on my Facebook albums:
Resaca, GA 2010
Aiken, SC 2009

*Even 150 years later, there are still high political tensions regarding "Yankees" and "Rebels", particularly here in the south.  Know in advance that our unit are proud Americans who reenact to educate the public on the way life was back in the middle 19th Century, for both sides, and I won't publish any comments that put down one side or the other. (No "Boo, hiss, Damn Yankees" comments, especially.  That's a typical reaction I get when I tell people we portray a Union unit.)

Lucy Jane

Wow!  I can't believe we're at the halfway point (more or less) in the A-Z challenge!

Lucy Jane Pennybright is someone I know better than anyone else.  She's me.  She's an alter ego I created for one of my artistic ventures. (No, I'm not crazy- keep reading! lol)

I'm an extremely creative person.  From the time I was old enough to hold a crayon (and make a rainbow on the wall behind my crib between the slats!), I have been involved in one art form or another.

When I was in college (an Art/Graphic Design major, naturally), my Grandmother taught me how to sew.  She was losing her eyesight to macular degeneration and wanted to pass the skill down to me before she was completely blind.  The first thing I ever sewed "by myself with help" was a WWII era skirt and jacket to wear to a history walk event in Columbus, GA.  I had just recently learned to swing dance and if we were going to be set up and talking to people with tanks and jeeps and big band music and Lindy Hopping, then by George, I was going to look the part as much as possible!

After I made that outfit, I went on to make a blue sun dress for my best friend's wedding reception/vow renewal (only stipulation: the dress had to be blue and summery.  Other than that, we were on our own.)

Holy cow!  Lookit how skinny I was before the babies!!!!

It was about this time that I got more heavily involved in Civil War Reenacting (more about that in the 'R' post).  But being just through with my college days and about to get married, funds were rather non-existant.  At least not for the stuff I wanted.  The sutlers who sell period pieces for the reenacting public deserve every penny they charge for the work they do.  But just a ballgown ran (and has only gone up with inflation) around $300!  I didn't spend that much on my wedding dress!!!

But I'm digressing.

I sat down with my friend Marilyn and learned how to sew.  With gusto and great ambition.  My first reenacting outfit fully sewn by me was a pale pink satin ballgown with rosette trim.  Boo-yah!  After that there was no stopping me.  I sewed dresses, haversacks, kids clothes (historic and modern), stuffed toys, dolls, sachets to be filled with herbs to make the dresser smell nice, curtains, you name it and I've made it!

Recently I sewed some stuffed elephants as gifts and my Facebook connections went NUTS.
"I want one!!!!!"
Well, alright then!

I already have two active careers going with my name on them: I'm a full time Avon Representative, and I run Jenny Ray Photography as well.  Being the massively creative person that I am, I thought nothing of adding a third to the mix! :D

But I didn't want it under my own name.  I wanted a persona, a character, if you will, that I could use when I'm out at craft fairs with a booth of my wares, or on a website.  So I chose names based on some of my favorite people and got to work.

Lucy is for Lucy Pevensie from the Chronicles of Narnia.  She's brave and loyal, smart and honest.
Jane is for Jane Austen, of course.  Jane is witty, a brilliant storyteller, and based on letters from her life, a good friend and sister. Not to mention, my distant relation.
That left a last name.  Something pretty and cheerful.  I found a new penny in my change as I was buying groceries, so I chose Pennybright.

It's still a work in progress.  I've got a few things up on the website, but not everything.  I still have photo shoots to do and right now, Lucy Jane Pennybright's main job is a commission for a 19th century wardrobe.  You can see the work as it progresses on her blog.  Lucy Jane also has a Facebook page.

That's it for today.  I'm off to do laundry and other regular work and then to the library - hey, another 'L'!  Tonight after supper we're going to shop for a new mattress and then tomorrow my plan is to sew the day dress and hopefully get photos up by tomorrow night. :)

Captivated by Costuming!

Unlike my last two A-Z Challenge posts, this one has to be short.  I have to get up at 5 a.m. to make my way down to Florida.  Well, I don't have to, but I don't like long car rides, so I want to get there asap and enjoy my week.

C is for Costuming!  Particularly 18th Century costumes.  I've been a Civil War Re-enactor (which could also have been my 'C' post) for just over a dozen years and while I still love it, I'm interested in trying out other eras of American history to sew dresses and get dressed up for.

In my internet travels last year, I found Lauren Reeser of American Duchess.  This woman is incredible!  She puts all of my sewing efforts to shame, and I'm not exactly a novice anymore, either!  I've made some undeniably beautiful pieces.  But her work is just... wow.  A "complete inspiration" is such an understatement!

Well, Lauren has worked with a shoe manufacturing company and designed PERFECT and GORGEOUS 18th Century shoes for re-enactors, costumers, thespians and lovers of historical fashion in general.  These are amazing. Want, WANT, WANT!

Sadly, I can't get any just now.  I've already set the budget for things that Jake and I are involved in and committed to, so there just isn't any extra for a pair of shoes that I don't have a costume made for (YET.) or a scheduled event to wear them to. (YET.)

However, as a re-enactor who must buy the things which I cannot make myself (mid 19th C work boots, for example), I am familiar with the general cost of such goodies and I can tell you that her asking price for these beautiful 18th C shoes is more than reasonable!  They are only $85 if you pre-order them before April 22.  I may not be able to get any at the moment, but I will shamelessly plug her designs with loving support and much gusto! :)

Here is the website where you can order your pair, guaranteed to fit and guaranteed accurate dye color.  A.Freaking.Mazing!

When my Regency obsession and Goodwill bargains collide...

I'm supposed to be working on Christmas gifts. I have a 16x20 counted cross stitch that is only 1/4 of the way done.I have a lap blanket to crochet. I have felt dolls, stuffed purple elephants, tins of cookies, glass bead bracelets and historic accessory replicas to make. I have only 2 weeks left, and I only have limited hours in the day because I have a job and I have kids. And I have ADD. (When pastor said at Thanksgiving to be thankful for all the things we have, somehow I don't think this was quite what he meant.)

But I love to sew soooooooo much. And I love Regency costumes soooooooo much too! So when I was at Goodwill yesterday and found these curtains/drapes for less than $10/pair, I just couldn't say no...

I've made 2 Regency dresses so far. The first one I ever did was for Halloween, to wear to the GA Tech October dance. (For more about the Tech dances, click here.) The dress took 2 days to make- well, a day and a half, actually, since I cut it out on Tuesday and finished it on Wednesday. I'd say total construction time was around 10 hours max. Here are a few pics of it:

I haven't had time to do any professional photos of me in it. (If you've read this far, I really don't think I need to explain why...) But I'm hoping to do some in the new year and also in the spring.

The second attempt at it was much easier after making the first. I made this purple one for a dear friend of mine who shares my Regency/costuming addiction and regularly supports my habit by letting me borrow the A&E version of Pride & Prejudice, etc., etc. I also haven't been able to take any photos of her wearing it, but those will come later. Here it is on my dress form before I gave it to her:

The construction time for this one was roughly 5 hours.

I have to FORCE myself to work on Christmas gifts instead of cutting out a Regency gown pattern from the new fabric! It's an amazing motivator. Which puts me in a rather desperate and pitiful light, but- meh, I don't really care.

So there is your sneak peek at what's keeping me busy. And a caffiene sustained insomniac. ;)

Stay tuned- I'm not going to be able to resist sewing the new gowns and posting pics for very long!