The year in Review, April to December 2011

I can't believe it's been so long since I've added something to this blog. I have gotten some sewing done over the past year but it was handicapped by a long standing mystery muscle pain that began before Military History Fest in 2011. Finally, over a year later the doctor and I have found an effect treatment that will hopefully have be back to full in a month or too.

So what exiting stuff has happened in the last year. Well in April I went to a Steampunk Convention in Oklahoma. While I had fun, my booth sales didn't cover my expenses - one lives and learns. (photo right - booth @ OSPE)

With the continuing pain, I found that after April I couldn't wear a corset for very long so I spent the year going Private for my Civil War Reenacting Group, Company C, 1st United States Sharpshooters (Berdan's). I managed a corset only once for the Historical Timekeeper's fashion show in June @ the VA center in Milwaukee. (photo left - Carol and Dave Martin and myself in morning @ the Historical Timekeepers Fashion Show - photo by Jenna Theissen)

June was also a month of extremes. On the one had my husband and I got to participate in a filming for Fields of Valor, which played on the 3D Network recently. The other extreme was my father suffering from 3 strokes over a two week period at the end of the month. The third stroke was witnessed by my mother and I, and thinking back on it still upsets me. He is getting along very well, but is sure rough going there for a while. Between his and my illnesses, it's left little time for blogging. (picture right - left night shoot for CW3D)

The Berdan's fell in with the Battalion for the Lake County Civil War Days and it was good to get a refresher course on battalion drill, but we did a lot of running that weekend. We also met back up with friends we made at the filming. It's good to have others outside your camp to seek out and talk to.

July also the month of Breyerfest, and for the first time I headed down to Kentucky by myself. My dad was adamant that I go, but while I was away my Uncle Bob passed away and I missed his funeral. Breyer raffles off a horse each year to benefit several charities, and for 20 years I missed out on getting one every year, until 2011. While the Breyer name for him is Muse, my name for him will always be Uncle Bob. (photo right - Muse)

August was time for Muskets and Memories (Boscobel). I was honored to be asked to play Albert Cashier (74th IL) for after the Vicksburg "Battle" on Saturday, and ran around in green on Sunday. The trip is a little long but the scenery and friends are outstanding. (photo left - Saturday morning fog @ Boscobel)

Then there was Cyphan. While I helped with getting the games organized for the event, I did get some time to dress up. I placed in the Cyphan Costume Contest, and the winning bought our dinner on the way home that night (Claimjumpers on Route 59) (Photo - right - My facepainting experience - photo by Brandon Richard Barta)
On the cosplay side I did finally make it to Wizard World and spent much of my time chatting with people or making jewelry at the Gotham's Finest Table. I have to admit at WW I tried the corset on the outside for the first time....not sure if I liked it. (photo left - Gotham's Finest Booth - Wizard World)

Sadly the last Lake Villa Civil War Event was held in 2011. It was a great event and will be missed. (Right Battle at Lake Villa)

October is always busy between getting ready for Rock-Con and the season ending reenactments.

The Battle of Morseville (Stockton, Il) is always a great event to get pictures at and we saw not only friends in the Civil War Hobby but some of our SCA friends as well. The Ladies of the Berdan's Aid Society really stepped up and help sell event fundraising tickets just before and during the battle. (photo left - cannon firing on Sunday, Jim Planting)

October is also crazy due to the Rock-Con Preparations. Rock-Con went well this past year with a great variety of games, dealers and tournaments and it looks like 2012 will even be better. (photo right -games in session, 2011 - Jill Cohen)

Sliding toward the holidays the year wound down and finally we got a chance to take a break from the crazy schedule.

Lots of life since my last post, recap January to March

It's been a long while since I posted anything to this blog and this year karma has done a good job of running between my legs and tripping me up. I figure I will give a summary of what's gone on this year.

Blue Ballgown ~ I did finish one layer of trim on the bodice and skirt before the President's Ball in February. I decided to stop there for now. I will add additional trim when the Winter Season rolls around to give the gown a different look. I don't however seem to have any pictures of me from the Ball.....

Reenactor Fest ~ Feburary
Lace Presentation ~ I thought it went very well, I had a pretty full room of about 20 people for the 45 minute talk on the History of Lace. I still haven't converted my slideshow to .pdf form yet (that whole life thing again). Erik Moan was nice enough to snap a picture of me during the presentation.
Selling ~ I had a booth as well next to Traditional Treasures and Gallowglass Academy. I did alright for the show and had a great time talking with customers and hunting up bargains on the dealer floor.


At the End of March Mike and I headed up to the Kenosha Civil War Museum for the one Day Expo. We went up to "man" one table and give a short Sharpshooter Presentation and we actually filled two tables! One for the military side of our unit and the other for the civilian side. We had a great time and then got to chow down at the Brat House with our good friends, Serena, Justin & Baby Merri! We got out of there just before the bands started playing, but I did secure some Sharp Cheddar Cheese for mom.

Well that's the first Quarter of this year. I will continue bringing things up to date over the next few days and also writing up some projects I've worked on this year.

~Antina

Late January Update

I've not posted in a while but I've been busy trying to get several projects finished up.

Paternoster Class @ Maidens (Jan. 21st) - went well. I had 5 attentive students everyone finished the last knot before I had to run off to the Midlands Seneschal Meeting. I'm considering teaching the class again in the future and I hope to post the class on the this blog in the future.

Auburn School Talk (Jan. 27th). Miss Becker asked Company C/Berdan's Aide Society to come in and give presentations to 4 of her classes again this year. We had 4 Ladies and 3 soldiers come to the presentation and give information on fashion and military life.

Watered Blue Civil War Ballgown - There has been great progress on this new gown but it was not finished by the Midwest Civilian Conference in Springfield. (I'll blog a post-conference field report this coming week).
Last week I double-boxed pleated the waist and got the waistband sewn onto the gown before leaving for the Festival of Maidens in Champaign, Il. I finished sewing down the inner waistband by hand during the court.
I switched gears and moved back to the bodice to punch and apply the metal eyelets to the back of the dress. For Christmas, I got a new eyelet tool called a Crop a Dile by We R Memory Keepers. This tool was a great suggestion from Heather, and after very little trial I found this gadget is great for apply eyelets to fabric. Yes, yes I know I still have to cover all the eyelets...

Then it was on to applying the first row of white woven ribbon trim I've been making on and off since late November last year. I finished hand sewing this first application earlier today (Saturday). I have a second row of trim to start applying and I have a couple different motifs I'm mulling over; oval/round pattern or a clover/leaf pattern. I won't decide for sure until I start pinning the pattern on the skirt tomorrow!

January Project Mayhem

While I've not posted so far in the new year, I've been active getting new items done. The four hours per day New Years Resolution is going very well and I have new Chatelaines and Brooches to show for it; as well as some new concepts on the drawing board. The "Mary Project" is almost finished and I should have pictures to post soon.

As for sewing, my ballgown is coming closer to being finished, I hope to get the bodice fit on Sunday after the annual meeting for my Sharpshooter Unit. My other dress project hit a bit of a snag with the hem saver for my underskirt, but after a hour of fussing the 'saver is pinned and I should finish up the skirt this evening during SCA practice. The next step will be fitting the under-bodice. Both dresses are on track to make their deadlines. I'm also working on an 1886 bustle. the pattern is all finished and I plan to cut out the fabric for the test piece tonight.

Sadly, due to some weird stomach flu, Mike spent part of the week sick. He thought he had kicked it but when he tried to warm up during SCA practice last Thursday he got worse again. Since the only activity that wouldn't make him nauseous was sitting, we decided early on Friday to not attend the Timekeeper's Gala. Once Mike's fever broke for good we started for Hermann, Mo. to meet up with a couple of friends of ours. We checked in on Saturday and spent the rest of the New Years Weekend at the Hermann Hill Vineyard and Inn. Rather than staying at the inn proper, Mike and I held up in one of the River Bluff Cottages, number 402, while Alex and Jill stayed upstairs in 401. The rates are expensive, but worth every penny, and include gormet breakfasts, snacks and evening desserts for each day. This year they were a WONDERFUL GIFT from our friends (and we have ways of paying you back for your kindness!). Above is a picture of the suite from the Herman Hills Website, and to the left is a floor plan of our suite, and yes you see a jacuzzi hot tub and two fireplaces... While we were there to relax, I always bring some supplies in case inspiration strikes and as usual it did.
Jewelry parts and ribbon trim did end up getting sprawled on the kitchen table in the suite for a while. I've posted pictures of one of the completed projects.

Now it's on to editing pictures for eBay...back to the grind.

NYR Day 2

I've definitely met my goals for today, having worked 4 + hours on projects today.

At the shop desk, I worked on a new Steampunk Pin Prototype, but I'm not sure if I'm going to put the piece into production. I also packed a work kit for the weekend as I need to make new Chatelaines and Brooches for 2011.

I finished the hem saver on my blue moire Civil War ballgown and during the weekend I'll hand pleat the waistband and perhaps begin working on applying the ribbon trim (test example shown on the right), though I'm not sure the pattern...straight or curved lines, or perhaps a peyote or scalloped.

Tomorrow is the HT Gala and hopefully both my husband will feel better (bout of either the stomach flu, or flu-like illness) and the rain will hold off until after the new year.

NYR Day 1

I finished two Mary Todd Lincoln Brooch prototypes today. A simple version of the necklace; made of 1 large, 3 medium, and 5 small medallions is progressing well. I've got one more pearl medallion to bead before I begin setting bezels. I also spent a couple of hours getting my work area back in shape to begin jewelry production for 2011. A few pearl brooches and a at least one necklace should be ready for the Gallowglass Booth @ ReenactorFest 7


Tomorrow's project will be working on an bustle inspired from a 1886 Bloomingdale's Catalog (see image at the right) and putting together some more placket pockets, as well as working on the hem savers for two new hoop skirts, before packing my striped silk ballgown for the Timekeeper's New Years Eve Gala.









Photograph of Mike and I, President's Birthday Ball in Rockford, IL 2009

New Years Resolutions...early

If you are wondering why I've not posted to this blog for a while, let me catch up a bit. Back in August I injured my left shoulder and after a bit of medical mayhem the doctor's figured out I didn't have a sprained shoulder or thankfully a rotator cuff injury. Instead, I had to strengthen a whole group of muscles especially my left biceps. Since I'm left handed it made doing many normal things painful and I had to stop sewing until my physical therapy ended in mid-December. I'm still not 100% but I am able to get back to work on "stuff".

I've decided to make my NYR a simple one for 2011 - Sew new clothing and create new jewelry creations for at least 20 hours per week (in addition to the normal course of running the business including going to shows, new sales listings and of course shipping and receiving). It should add up quickly and I have a big list of projects and places to go over during the winter.

Projects for Winter 2011 (and the event deadline)

• Make sure the silk ballgown fits if the new one isn't done. Have the special pearl brooch finished.

• Get my brain in order for the Sharpshooter Winter Meeting (Jan. 9th)

• Make sure my dress fits for 12th Night

• Bead Stringing and Paternoster Class and Workshop to be taught at The Festival of Maidens (Jan 22nd). The class will focus what bead material and shapes would have been appropriate during the SCA time frame of 600 - 1600; while the workshop will focus on bead stringing techniques and period correct findings.

• Blue Moire Ballgown (ACW) with handmade trim by the Midwest Civilian' Conference (Jan 28 - 30). This dress just might get done this week......

• Check the Fabric and Trim Inventory for the Vogue Fabric Trip February 12th

• Burgundy and Floral Day Dress (ACW)
• Civil War Red Wool Soldier's Coat (ECW) - for Mike
  
• Lecture Notes and Examples for Creating a Mid-Victorian Wardrobe for Ladies and Gentlemen
• Lecture Notes and Examples for A Brief History of Lace
• New Stock for the Gallowglass Booth including petticoats, placket pockets, bustles, bustle overskirts, waistcoats, jewelry and hat pins
  
• for Military History Fest (aka Reenactor Fest) 7
  

Anyway enough about goals....here are some recent creations that will be available @ the antinasuniques ebay store sometime in January.

The Pearls of Mary Lincoln

I've been working a bit lately on some jewelry lately inspired by a Pearl Demi-Parure (picture to the left). This is part of the The Alfred Whital Stern Collection of Lincolniana at the Library of Congress. I'm mostly focused on the Necklace for right now.

I've also focused on another Tiffany Pearl Necklace that was made around the same time (picture to the right).

The picture with the green background on the left is my first attempt was to emulate the brooch in the right-hand picture. Since it's a test it's made from glass instead of real pearls. I will have to use smaller pearls for the 3-tier oval...but overall I'm happy with the first try. Overall the brooch ended up being being about 40 x 30 mm.

Learning from the mistakes of 1.0 I've recently completed several smaller 2.0 pieces (see picture to the right). The background is the printed picture of the first image used in today's blog post. I just ordered a bunch of Lacy Brass Bezel findings and some gorgeous flower connectors for version 3.0. I plan to order the Swarovski Crystal Pearls I need for this project next week.

New Steampunk Jewelry & Civil War Recap

I've not been posting much as of late. I managed to mess up my left shoulder on the Sunday of the Rockford Air Show and have been "hobbled" by it ever since. I begin physical therapy on October 20th and we will see how it goes. I thought I might post recaps for a couple of day to get back into the swing of things!

New Steampunk Jewelry
I do have to show off some of the new Jewelry I've been working on. My jewelry is available in my Etsy shop, and my Ebay Store. You can also Antina's Uniques and Costuming Jewelry @ Windy-Con in the Traditional Treasures booth. Also we will have some pieces at the Rock-Con Convention, October 22nd-24th, 2010.
both of these pieces will be available on Ebay by 10/21/2010








Civil War Reenactments
The 2010 Civil War season as draw to a close for Company C, 1st United States Sharpshooters. All of the tents and gear have been packed away for the winter and now it's on to winter projects. Here were the Reenactments we (as in Mike and I attended in 2010

Naper Settlement, Naperville, IL (May) (thanks to whoever got this picture for me)

Reclaiming Our Heritage, Milwaukee, WI (June)~see my fencing outfit for the Fashion Show in older postings....

Civil Wary Days @ Lakewood Forest Preserve, Wauconda, IL (July)~(where the truck broke down on the way home......)

We didn't do any Civil War in August due to my injury and a death in the family.

Lehmann House Civil War Event, Lake Villa, IL (September) (thanks to Michka Bailey for taking this picture for me!). We are brigaded with Company E/USS Carondelet.

Battle of Morseville, Stockton, IL (October). If you are wondering, Mike and I are drilling on the Stadia Sight after working on Skirmish Drill with the Iowa Battalion. (thanks to Kate Moan for the picture)



Our last event of the season was a Saturday Day trip to the Shadows of the Blue and Grey, in Princeton IL. (Thanks to Jamie Rott for the Photos)


~Antina

Fencing Outfit Completed!!!!!

Normally I've been posting a day by day account of my work, but over the holiday weekend I decided to wait until the outfit was finished. There were some nice breaks (such as a baby shower and the Southern Wisconsin Airshow).

In the picture research I've accumulated, it's hard to tell what lies under the Plastron. I've made some deductions based on some Late Victorian/Edwardian garments I have in my collection. Plus, since I also practice the Western Martial Art of Rapier, I've incorporated some of what I've learned in making Rapier Clothing.

I made the decision to construct a calf-length gored skirt with a double-width panel in front and 2 regular sized panels on each side, with the closure along the back seam. There is also an shorter, flounced petticoat under the skirt to give a little extra body and keep some of the material away from the legs.

For the shirt, I constructed a loose-fitting smock style shirt. I choose a smock style since I could close in all the seams, leaving less of a chance of a foil getting into places it should not. I cut the sleeve cuff on the bias to allow some stretch when pulling the garment over the knuckles, but still allowing the shirt to be tucked into my gloves.

All and all the project was an easy one for me. Sewing time for the skirt and shirt (including finished seams, and some handsewing) was just over 2 1/2 hours for each garment.

Since the project wasn't that intensive, I thought I would fix a sheer green plaid gathered bodice (Civil War) dress that I wore in England. The dress was pretty, but the bodice was much too big. So, removing the piping along the bottom edge, brought in the side seems and repleated/gathered. Now all I have left to finish tonight is the handwork-hand tacking the piping back in place.