A&S entries question

Dear All

I would like to know, is it possible to enter an A&S project jointly with another person?

Many thanks,
Julian (Marian).

Newsletter - Insulae Draconis Fibre Arts Interest Group - October 2008

Greetings to Everyone,

IDFAIG held their first Display at the event of Ffair Rhaglan in early September. As reported by the ID A&S Minister The noble Jahanarabanu Vivana, it was very well attended and also very well received. There were stunning works on display and evidence of the very real talent in ID and in this group. I would like to thank each and every one of you for participating and making it a success. Even members of the public were appreciative of the works. It would be great to see more of this type of display at events as it really helps to inspire people to attempt things for themselves that they otherwise might not even contemplate doing. My list of “things to learn before I die” continues to grow with every display.

Upcoming A&S-heavy Events:
I sense that a large number of you are gearing up to either teach or learn at Kingdom University. This is an event that is hosted in ID only once every 3 years, and not all of us can follow it around the Kingdom, so this is an excellent opportunity to either showcase your knowledge or learn from those who do not often visit our shores. It could also be a chance to ask specific questions that perhaps you have been unable to answer yourself, or learn that elusive final step towards finishing that project, or maybe just gaining in confidence when you realize that you really do know as much as you hoped you did.

And in achieving that confidence, please consider teaching a class at the first ID University next spring. After showing off what you can all do for several months, it will be wonderful to then offer people the chance to learn how to do it. With my tongue firmly in my cheek and my fibre-arts hat firmly on my head, and if the class-list for Kingdom University is the shape of things to come, we can’t let these inky scribal-types outdo us!

IDFAIG Challenge:
From the parliament held at Raglan Castle, it appeared at least from those attending, that the reaction towards the possibility of ID becoming a full principality, was positive. While not wishing to pre-empt the outcome of the vote, I would like to say that this is the perfect time to see if there is any regalia lacking for Insulae Draconis. Whether we forge ahead or remain constant, additional items of regalia, or tokens to give out to the deserving are always welcome and can only enhance ID. I strongly encourage anyone who is looking for a project that would serve their region, to consider doing something of this nature.

WORK OF INSPIRATION:
As if watching the astonishing works and progress of all of your projects, whether on the blog or in real-life at events, was not enough. I would like to showcase a tapestry weaving project recently finished by Lord Rakonczay Gergely from Aarnimetsa. Even more wonderful is the sequence of photos he has posted illustrating the progress of his project. You can view it here:

http://www.kolumbus.fi/rauno.huikari/verdure.htm

For those who are interested, Lord Rakonczay will be teaching a class on Tapestry Weaving at Kingdom University.


I hope to see many of you this weekend at Viceroy Tournament.

Yours in Service,
Melisende Fitzwalter
IDFAIG Group Leader

The great cloak project

The last time I posted about the cloak I'm working on, the decision had yet to be made as to whether I was going to fill in the large design. We decided to fill in the cloak and now with some of it filled, I'm very happy about the decision. It's going to look great when finished. I just don't know how many years down the road that will be. I'm sure that with the baby due towards the end of the month, that my progress will be slowed down. Here is what it currently looks like:
The two heads:
These will be seen one over each shoulder on the front.












The tail:
I have only one tail finished at the moment and am working on the other. I'm finding that I don't like filling in circles with embroidery but now that the heads and this tail are finished, I only have the two circles on the other tail to do. After that, the stitching will be much straighter. These tails have been modified from the original design. My husband had decided that he likes these better than the original. They are quite similar to one of the tails in the original. The bit of red at the bottom of the picture is part of the neck carried over from the front of the cloak. The heads and tails aren't very far apart and were actually switched around from the original design to put the heads on the front of the cloak.

I like how following the outline of the design in my stitching has created a bit of a design within the heads and tail. It gives it a bit more distinction than just being a solid colour with no texture.

I realized after drawing the tails out that they don't really look like they fit the bits that lead out to them, but the original was like that too, it's just that the centre base of the tail is a bit more pronounced in this than the original.