iWants

I have book lust.  Again.  This time the book that I am desperate for isn't even out yet (and no, it isn't by Geo. R. R. Martin).  No, I'm going crazy in anticipation of Sarai Mitnick's Colette Sewing Handbook. (Why did my fingers want to type Sewing Handcock?)

I am still struggling to finish my fall wardrobe.  I seriously suspect that it'll be winter, or GASP! spring before I'm even done, but this book has me slavering to get back into the groove.  Five patterns, lots of tips and tricks... I so want this book!

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Oh, and yes.  I do envy all of you with iPhone 4s.  I waited since June to upgrade and now that it's here, I don't have one.  I tried to score one earlier this week with no success.  Everywhere is sold out and I hate the delayed gratification of ordering one online when, in theory, I should just be able to pop into a store and buy one.  Some theory, though.  No one has any.

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Lastly, I have a silly desperate desire to buy an airbrush make-up kit.  Why, no, I haven't done professional make-up in ages.  Sure, I used to do make-up professionally, but do I really need an airbrush kit now?  Of course not.  Which is perhaps why I want it all the more.  Sheer silliness.

So, you know what to do--send me cash. ;)  Or, write me a check just like this busty gal is doing.

Oh, yes.  I can be bought.

  

GWW Photos

Below are some random photos from Great Western War.  I was not able to capture too many shots this year, was a bit occupied with Declan, but the shots that include me were stolen from Facebook.

La Famiglia Gate (entrance to our camp spot)

View into camp from the gate

Camp view from kitchen

Declan and I (photo by Jen C Kelly)

Company of St. George Procession begins

Elizabeth of Gyldenholt wears daddy's death mask

Sir Gavin's armor

Death Helm

Rommelpot! (photo by Kristina Gundersen-Rudmann)

Dylan, Padraic, Morgana, Declan and I (I hope I spelled the names correctly!) (photo by Kristina Gundersen-Rudmann)

Great Western War 2011

It's true that I spend most of my free time playing in the past.  Typically, I lounge around in the Art Deco era, sipping cocktails, and oozing glamour.  (Well, at least trying to ooze glamour.)

Last week, however, I set foot even further in the past--the Middle Ages.

Our home away from home (on left)

I am a card-carrying member of the Society for Creative Anachronism, a group of historical reenactors who study and seek to recreate the best parts of medieval Europe.  Throughout the year, local SCA groups put on various events, such as tournaments, arts competitions, feasts, and even wars.  Last week was one of our local wars, Great Western War.

It's a camping event that includes large-scale battles, one-on-one tourneys, archery contests, arts classes, brewer competitions, et cetera.  We pretty much treat it as our annual family camping trip.  But by no means are we roughing it.

Kitchen

Our campsite includes a medieval-style kitchen (with modern sink), and communal dining pavilion, courtesy of our camping group.  We camp in our own medieval-style tent (pictured) with a full sized four poster bed.  No ducking and stooping to dress each day for me!

This year, our camping group joined up with a couple other SCA camping groups.  One of the groups, a fourteenth century company, hosts a themed Pas d'Armes each year.  This year the theme was Memento Mori, remember death.  Perfectly ghoulish for an October war!

I was able to capture a lovely snapshot of "death" before the company processed through the war marketplace in order to drum up attendees for the Pas.

Memento Mori

Alas, I failed yet again to capture any photos of yours truly this year.  Perhaps I'll find some favorable ones on Facebook to share here in a separate post.  But before I sign off, I do have this gem captured by a friend of Declan:

The Declan Witch Project