seven things you may not now about me

A while ago I was asked by a dear friend to list seven things that most people would not know about me. It took a while to get on with it but here is the list:

1: I am a classically trained mezzo soprano with a long performance history mostly solo baroque aria work.
2: I love Gregorian chant and the mediaeval catholic church liturgy , you know bells, incense the whole works
3: Life gaol is to finish visiting the high spots along the pilgrims route across Europe, so far I have done Canterbury, Rome and twice to Jerusalem
4: I ride side saddle, its the equitation style I learned on.
5: PURPLE, love it especially purple silk velvet
6 I have made virtually all my major adult "life decisions" here at this place.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Orme
7: one of my favorite authors is Khalil Gibran
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khalil_Gibran

There hows that!

costume design

As many of you may know I have an deep interest in historical costuming. I have participated in a number of living history events ranging along the time line from Anglo-Saxon to English Civil war and 19th military, not to forget the SCA.

I thought it was be fun to share some of my favorite costumes here.

For years I have studied the fashions of the Court of Henry VIII. I have taught workshops, seminars, proofed patterns for companies and been the featured attire on this site along with some of my students at the time.

http://www.festiveattyre.com/feature/yr4/week150.html

One of my other favorite periods inspired by that wonderful film Henry V with Kenneth Branagh is the 15th century. This is a picture of Al and I taken at a local production of Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew. This is 15th century Burgundian style and we were the dancers at the wedding in the show. Both outfits are velvet and Al's boots are copies of 15th century riding boots and were made by a friend of ours who is a professional shoemaker.

Completely jumping era's brings us to the 1860's and a ball gown, using 27 yards of paper thin silk.

Of course all the costumes pictured here are complete down to the corsets and underpinning where required and yes I ride in a corset when in kit
Thats just a wee peek into my costume closet, maybe more later when I get some more pictures!

Something different

This past Christmas Al and I bought a loom. It is a 4 harness jack loom which while not exactly a style current in the middle ages none the less will reproduce the textiles commonly found in the period.

My good friend Nina has been patiently giving us both lessons and to date we have made three scarves.

The future plan is to start to weave projects using wool from our own sheep and homegrown dyes.

I had been learning the weave on a rigid heddle loom, perhaps a slightly more period contraption and certainly far more portable, so the jack loom seemed the next step up for us. This picture was taken last summer at our first Regia event at the long hall.

Cherrington Esther

Cherrington Esther and her family.

This is Esther ( Reg#.S8786) Though registered as a black she is presently all of the soft greys you get on tarnished silver, though she still has a black ruff.

Esther came to Earendel last September. At 9 years old she is another one of our seniors enjoying our full service retirement package

( home grown hay,special dinners, hugs, and of course treats) .

Although Esther is somewhat skittish she is making progress and is taking treats now from our hands.

This is Esther's daughter Kalwa Taure Esme (Reg# S15398) and her twin boys Cindread and Cinwulf whom are both weathers they were sired by Cherrington Merlin June 2007

The boys don't look at all like that anymore, here are the boys now:

They are both silver greys and have lovely crimp and whew, all those spots have gone!

Esme's boys have an awesome temperament and run to us when they see us for hugs and scratches. My husband Al confesses that Cindread and Rose are his favorites while I just love our little Grainney who will curl up with me when I sit in their pen.

More girls this time Cherrington Alice's kin

This was Cherrington Alice ( 1997-2008), a classy grand dam, well beloved and now sadly missed by our good friend Tammy of Kalwa Taure shetlands.

Alice's legacy here is very strong as she is the mother and grandmother of three of our most personable girls and a major influence for our white fleece line


This is our Kalwa Taure Minnie ( Reg#S16839) Alice's most mischievous daughter.


Minnie has it all great personality, a sense of humor, awesome fleece and a lovely daughter our Earendel Rose ( S # 26107) out of Cherrington Merlin

Rose is a treasure, friendly, hugable and true to her heritage with a good strong crimpy fleece.

The last one of Alice's family to reside here is her daughter Cherrington Jessie (S#10028).Jessie is a cream with beautiful crimp and handle to her fleece. I will have a picture of her up soon

Currently Minnie and Jessie are visiting Cherrington Merlin (Rose's dad) for a romantic winter break.

Introducing some of our girls starting with Brandy

This is one our grand old lady Cherrington Brandy ( Reg#S6030) she will be 12 years old this March and shows no signs of slowing down. She is a beautiful dark moorit with a fine fleece very suitable for drop spindle work.





This is one of Brandy's Morrit baby's (Reg# S16844). Kalwa Taure Elly.
Like her mom she has a fine fleece though is a lighter Morrit




This is Brandy's last baby Earendel Grainney ( S26108), as black as the darkest night.
Grainney has no white hairs through her fleece and has inherited her moms softness and good crimp. Her first adult fleece is long and luxurious and holding great promise.
She is a little camera shy so we must try again for a more current picture. Grainney is a darling and would rather be hugged that eat. We also have Grainney's identical twin brother Foote.

This is the view from the back door during yet another winter storm. Its all there howling winds, near waist high snow drifts and really disgruntled looking horses and sheep.
The only one happy about the weather is Milton who just loves the snow and cold.
All the animals are safe a warm in the barn. My husband plowed a path for the sheep so I can let them out for a little fresh air break ( NOT something they appreciate, believe me)
So far we have had almost continual snow since Nov.15!

On another note we will be taking some of our girls up to our friend and mentor Tammy's farm over the Christmas break to vacation with two of her boys, Cherrington Merlin and Cherrington Harry. We are taking Cherrington Jessie and Hopeful Gwinnie for sure maybe Esme (also Cherrington lines and mother of the beautiful boys out of Merlin who will be two on June)
All this in keeping with our hopes to continue to create a second generation of Skerryvore/Cherrington babies to carry on these lines for us.
Keep your fingers and toes crossed for a nice white ram lamb, hopefully out of Jessie!!!