Fort Fred

The 18th century market fair, Fort Fred, was, this year, at the end of April, exceedingly, unseasonably hot. I was pregnant and didn’t want to put myself through wearing a costume with stays, which may not have even fit. (Stays aren’t meant to squeeze the waist, Victorian hourglass style, so I could wear them very loosely laced - but my costumes weren’t likely to fit with them like this anyway.) So I wore muggle clothes, and a lot of my friends ended up changing by the end of the day anyway. Still it was fun to go and see everyone, even if it’s more in in costume.

Big Ass Hat Tea

I was invited to Jenny-Rose’s Big Ass hat tea in April and it was a lovely time. The food was fantastic, as were the costumes, and it was so nice to see so many people! Thanks for the invitation, Jenny-Rose!

I rewore what is now one of my fav jackets - the yellow and white silk I got in Germany. I also wore a petticoat I made and then never got around to wearing with it. Funnily enough I like the jacket better with the cream petticoat that goes with my francaise, which I wore accidentally the another party, thinking it was this petticoat.













Did I mention how good the food was?

Francaise Dinner 2017

A small affair this year. But it was a date and location that were easy for me to go, so I was glad to be able to make it! We were in Annapolis this time - the room was nice, but had some weird red lighting, so my pics aren’t great.

I really need to make a new Francaise gown - I have 4 of them, believe it or not, but I have worn them multiple times. I decided to go anglaise again, and pulled out something I haven’t worn in years, mostly because it’s too big and I had to take it in, plus a quilted petticoat I’ve never actually worn.

I also wore a pin on my sash that my lovely friend Gen made for me, featuring my girl, Mary Russell. And I wore an antique cameo bracelet (Victorian, not Georgian), a Dames a La Mode necklace to match my late Georgian earrings. And some of my Georgian rings.









Angela, who is incredibly sweet, had made Doug a gorgeous embroidered vest as a thank you for something, and since the poor guy has worn the same outfit to like every event because I am super lame about menswear - so even Doug had something new to wear. Thank you Angela - this vest is stunning!



The Annapolis Capitol Building:



A muff made by Stephanie:



Loved this mural:



Chelsea found a cat!







Thanks to Gloria for processing the group pic and removing most of the red light!











Gloria’s photos:











Chelsea and her sonic screwdriver!

20s tea

Just wanted to quick share this little painting my mom did from a pic from a holiday tea a few years ago!   I did go to AwesomeCon in June and my friend Gloria and I wore our League of Their Own costumes - but I have been lax on the sewing. Just too much going on in real life right now - and I'm still in this slump I guess. :-(

Riversdale 12th Night

At the start at 2017, we went to the Riversdale 12th Night Ball. The food was delicious - all period recipes - and the chef made all kinds of pickled products, which were all delicious. The gown was new - a simple drawstring gown out of an ebay sari. Not sure the shiny material is as flattering - but the bullion embroidery on the fabric is pretty. :-) I was also wiped out by the time we got to this ball, so I wasn’t as into the dancing.





Poor Doug still only had the one vest. No time to sew a new one, though now he has a few - our friend Angela, to pay back a favor, went above and beyond with a new fancy embroidered vest, and a striped one. I’ve started a silver silk one, but haven’t finished it yet.



And of course - the important stuff - the food!

Veal Loaf



Also, Mac & Cheese with a 19th century recipe, roasted vegetables, assorted pickles, and savoy cake wiith peach brandy syrup and whipped cream for dessert.







Doug was randomly chosen as king of the ball!









This is what happened after Mike jokingly asked Gloria if she could look less dead inside. ha! Also, we didn’t purposely color coordinate - but it’s funny we are each wearing a solid contrasting color.