VPC2017: Master Bernard’s 14th C Hood

Master Bernard from Darton submits this entry to the Challenge: a 14th century hood, with the pattern and colours coming from the Romance of Alexander. It is for the categories The Neck Best Thing, Cover Me, and One Metre Material Project.

As Master Bernard is the first entrant from outside the Barony, he will be receiving a spot prize of some Southron Gaard themed items. 🙂

A brown medieval hood with an approximately one metre long liripipe. The hood is laid out flat.
Master Bernard, a male, is wearing the brown hood with pink lining
Master Bernard wearing the brown hood in the lowered position

VPC2017: Lady Melissa’s Painted Shield

Lady Melissa’s first entry for the Pentathlon Challenge is this painted shield. It is entered in the category Embellish It – adding decoration to an existing item.

She says:

This entry falls under the category “Embellish it”. Nathanael had gone through two previous shields, and I avoided anything fancy on this third one in case it met a quick end like the others. However, as the improved construction and quality of material appeared to be holding up, I decided that the pentathalon entry was a good excuse to get it looking flash. The design is my own: a white stag done in an approximation of the Mammen style (with some deviations to ensure that it was obvious to the viewer that it is a stag and not a generic knotwork beast). Modern paints.

A plain shield
A glorious one

VPC2017: Her Excellency Ginevra’s Pin Book

Her Excellency Ginevra has completed this project for the Challenge: a pin book to hold veil and sleeve pins.

It is entered in the categories of One Metre Material Project (definitely less than one metre of fabric here!) and Containment System.

Categories 12 & 25- a book to contain veil and sleeve pins. Made from remnants of velvet, linen and felt.  I put pins on the felt to figure out what size it needed to be, then cut 2 pieces of felt- one that size, and one 1/2 an inch larger on both sides. I wrapped the velvet around the larger piece, cut away some excess fabric, and sewed it to stay put.  I then sewed a piece of linen to cover the edges of the velvet and the middle section of the felt.  This made the cover. I sewed the pages to the cover along the spine of the book, and made some cords to tie it closed out of silk embroidery thread.  It was a quick and easy project, and something I’d been wanting for a while.

Pin book closed
Pin book open

VPC2017: First Entry! Mistress Taddea’s Knitted Bag

Congratulations and thanks to Mistress Taddea, for the first entry to be received for the Challenge.

As a small thank you for kicking things off, she will receive a $20 gift certificate to Hands craft store.

The entry is this little knitted bag, featuring the Baronial heraldic colours and a bee, part of Taddea’s own heraldry.
It has been entered to meet the categories Out Of Your Comfort Zone (medieval knitting), String Theory and Show Us Your Arms. Cecily notes it is also appropriate for Fly The Colours.

Southron Gaard Baronial Variety Pentathlon A&S Challenge

As announced in court at Baronial Anniversary, this year we will be running a Baronial A&S Challenge. The terms of the challenge are set out below.

Each entrant must complete five projects that each meet the requirements of at least one distinct category of the thirty available. The projects must be begun after Baronial Anniversary 2017, and completed by Baronial Anniversary 2018. Projects must be submitted to the A&S Officer – summaries and photographs as appropriate, reviews of comestibles/potables by consumers and performances by those present etc. Submissions/progress submissions will be featured on this blog by the A&S officer throughout the Challenge, if approved by the submitter. Spot prizes/awards will occur throughout the challenge, and successful completion of the Challenge by Baronial Anniversary 2018 will earn a special token from their Excellencies’ hands at that event. There will be a special display of projects as they are at that point during the A&S Display at next Canterbury Faire, and a display of the available projects at Baronial Anniversary 2018.

For any who are not members of the populace of Southron Gaard, please note that her Excellency has decided this Challenge is also open to entry from those not resident in our fair Barony, as it is not your fault that you are so disadvantaged.

Projects may meet more than one category, but each one must meet at least one distinct category. Shared projects may count towards the Challenge for all participants.

Categories:

1. Child’s Play
Any item intended for a child – clothing, accessory, toy, game, wrap, cradle etc

2. Out of Your Comfort Zone
An item from a time or place or material or skill set you have not previously explored

3. Hitting Below The Knee
An item intended for use below the knee

4. The Neck Best Thing
An item intended for use on, around, or above the neck

5. Here Be Monsters
An item featuring or incorporating fantastical mediaeval beasts and creatures.

6. For Science!
Arts and Science often focuses a lot on the Arts side. Make a project that is more related to the Sciences.

7. Show Us Your Arms
A project of heraldic display.

8. Break A Leg
A performance based project – learn a new dance, sing a song, do a performance etc.

9. Tool Me Once
A project to make a tool to be used in other projects (not necessarily for the Challenge).

10. Cover Me
A project to make an item intended for protection: from the elements, from other people who want to hit or poke you etc. Suggestions include: wet weather gear, armour, tents and shelters

11. String Theory
A project significantly incorporating some form of string – weaving, knitting, ropes, nets, knots etc

12. One Metre Material Project
A project made of less than one linear metre of fabric, wood or other material that usually comes in larger quantities.

13. Century Time Traveller
A project from exactly 500, 600, 700, 800 years etc in the past. Make something from in period, from a year ending in 17.

14. Back To Basics
Ever wanted to undertake a sheep to clothing project? Mine your own clay for bricks and build an oven? This is your opportunity. This project will be made as much as possible from unprocessed elements, from the beginning to the end product.

15. Those Who Can, Also Teach
Pass on your knowledge! Present an A&S class or run an A&S activity outside of Canterbury Faire or activities you usually run, or write an informative article for an SCA publication or similar.

16. Give What You Get
A project to be given to the Barony or Kingdom (check they would like it first!), or to be given to Their Excellencies or Their Majesties to be given out as largesse, or as a gift for a relative newcomer.

17. I Can’t Believe It’s Not Out Of Period
A project that includes accurately documenting something often erroneously considered naff, out of period or otherwise wrong for the SCA.

18. Tis the Season
A project specifically related to a particular season or Saint’s day or holiday.

19. Embellish It
A project to add embellishment or decoration to an already existing item

20. With The Grain
A project featuring grains – of wheat, of rice, of paradise or any other grain

21. Fly The Colours
A project based on the primary Baronial colours – Red, White and Gold.

22. Oh Say, Can You Sea?
A project related to the high seas – something nautical, related to ships, made of shells or pearls etc

23. Togs, Togs, Undies
An item that could be considered an under thing. Or an item of clothing intended for a specific purpose: eg, swimming, cooking, hunting, hawking, sports.

24. Remake, Reuse, Refashion, Reconsider
A project to remake or complete an item you or someone else has previously made, or halfmade and abandoned.

25. Containment System
A project to make something designed to hold other things – boxes, bags etc.

26. Forget Me Not
A project related to death/mourning. Memento mori, mourning clothing or traditions etc.

27. Counting (on) Sheep
Ovines were significant to medieval life – providing meat, milk, wool and the imagery of lambs. Incorporate one into a project.

28. Fire Burns
A project using real fire. Cook on it, forge with it, make it in a period manner.

29. A Bird In The Hand
Of or relating to birds – feathered accessories, quills, roasted birds, raising chickens, falconry projects etc

30. An Essay Of A Thousand Words
Research and write an essay on an aspect of medieval life. Topic of your choice, minimum of a thousand words.