Yet more projects and plans...deadline Nov. 20 :)

I had a perfectly lovely day running errands with Ken yesterday. We ran all over hill and dale (namely Atlanta and the regions around it). Our goals were to hit the army/navy surplus stores hoping to get lucky and score some cheap camping equipment for the November SCA event we want to go to. While we didn't score cheap camping equipment, we DID pick up some nifty things for some sewing projects for that event.

• 3 tropical weight, British wool army blankets: These have GREAT drape and are now destined to be dyed black and turned into a circle cloak for Ken and a Spanish loba with sleeves for me.
• 2 white bunny pelts (poor little bunnies!): Destined to become the inside of a muff for me. The outer shell will be red velveteen with gold couching on it, the inner will be wool batting, and the inner lining the white bunnies.
• Plastic storage bins: YAY!! We can finally start cleaning out the 2nd bedroom and getting stuff organized so that we can USE that room again!

On the plus side, we did stop by a couple of camping stores and get some ideas for the November event. Now that we have the stuff to make warm winter woolies, we can turn our attention to what we need to make the November event happen.

What we absolutely MUST have:

• Camp beds or a non-air mattress: We have lovely sleeping bags and extra blankets, so all we need is something to give us some padding and get us up off the ground. At Dick's Sporting goods they had a Thermarest self-inflating, semi-foam mattress for around $40 each. These are similar to the mattresses we had in Australia, which were quite comfortable, even in winter. They also had nifty camp beds for $70 each. At this rate, we prefer the idea of the camp beds, but, due to budgetary constraints, will probably end up going with the Thermarest mattresses.
• Tent: We have the offer to borrow an Army tent from Cillian & Sirona (huzzah!), but we are concerned about having to set it up in the dark since apparently it is a bear to put up. On the other hand, we spotted a 6 person 'hobbit hole' at Dick's for $80. While we object to hobbit holes (dome tents) on authenticity grounds, we would be happy to pay $80 for something we could use to camp at state parks and Fort Wilderness. Someday we still hope to buy a period pavilion for SCA use. If we do the dome tent, we plan to hang our painted banners all around it to kind of hide it. The downside to the dome tent will be heat, as the heavy canvas Army tent would be quite warm. The plan then is to get a mosquito net and using a cheap flat queen sheet, make a 'cover' for it which will provide a bit of extra warmth over our bedding -- the trick here will be working out how to hang it up. Hmm...will have to give this further consideration.
• Dutch Oven: Yes, we will have to do some outdoor cooking at this event as there is no feast. We have invited to 'dine' with another group and may do that (we have yet to figure out what the budget will allow). If the budget constraints do not allow, we think we have the food thing covered, while being reasonably period. Heat up some lentil stew or pea soup for dinner on the Friday night after we get the tent up and settled. Oatmeal for brekkie on Saturday (with some dried fruit and honey thrown in). Cold quiche, meats, cheese, bread and fruit for lunch. Mid-afternoon chuck some lamb shanks, veggies and broth in with the remaining soup from Friday night and let it stew down until cooked through for dinner.

Optional items that we'd like, but can live without:

• Wooden folding chairs from Ikea: While clearly not period, they look more acceptable than the folding camp chairs we have...and they would be easier to cover with a fabric chair cover.
• A small folding table: Preferably wood (we can get them from Ikea too) although we would do a metal one, but just make a cover for it.
• A hammered dulcimer: What can I say, I miss making music for my own enjoyment at events and I don't have the breath control (or power) for a recorder. That said, I've got enough nails to play a harp now. Hmm...wonder if I can talk Ken into one of those instead??
• Boots: for Ken...he has his eye on a pair of knee high leather boots for fencing and general SCA wear.
• FlipFlops: We need something to wear in the showers (icky floors!!)

Projects to finish before the Nov. 20 event (and for once I swear I will NOT be sewing on the way to an event!!!)

• Wool coat thing for Dani
• Wool circle cloack for Ken
• 2 heraldic chair cushions
• 2 heraldic lumbar roll cushions
• bunny fur and velveteen muff w/ couched cord motif
• wool underskirt (optional but would be nice)
• cotton flannel nightshirt
• Finish Ken's painted banner
• Cooler cover (heraldic if possible)
• Plastic bin cover (also heraldic if possible)
• Finish corset (nearly done, just need to finish eyelet holes, add binding and make shoulder straps.
• Make farthingale
• Put cap sleeves & trim on purple dress
• Put black ribbon guards on the hem of the olive dress
• Put eyelet holes in shoulders of dresses for tying on sleeves (the lacing rings just won't stay put no matter HOW tightly I sew the buggers on!)
• Make a set of tie on, black wool sleeves (can be worn with either dress).
• Make black velvet hood for me (still decided what to line it in, probably burgundy silk satin)

UGH!! Looking at that list makes me tired already! Guess I'd better get off here and get the house picked up so I can start messing it up again with all of the projects!! :)