All posts filed under: Miscellenia

Meat, fur, feathers & me

This post was sparked in part by a reader question, and in part by tomorrow’s terminology post (which means, in a way, you are getting a response from the future.).  It also interlocks with Steph’s post on taste, and judging (or not judging) other people by their clothes. First, the reader question: A reader asks “How do you feel about fur?  Would you use it if doing so was historically accurate?  Could you consider a reproduction with faux fur historically accurate?” As a bit of background to this, I have a very specific and defined attitude towards animals and meat.  I will eat local unfarmed fish as long as it’s not a species that has been identified as being at-risk (bluefin tuna, orange roughies etc.).  I eat wild game in areas where the wild game is an introduced species (so deer & goat in NZ & Hawaii).  I don’t eat commercial meat, even the ethically farmed stuff.  I just don’t like the idea of something existing merely to die.  I don’t eat pork.  The thought …

Up Te Mata Hill

On our last night in the Hawke’s Bay, before she left New Zealand, the Naiad and I took a ramble on Te Mata hill. The light was sublime, Bailey the Backpacker’s dog was frisky, the air had just enough of a chill to make tramping fun, and the scenery was spectacular. Best of all, when we got back to the car, just as it began to get really dark. the Naiad had packed a thermos of tea and a bottle of farm-fresh milk.  We sat on a log in the deepening gloom with cups of tea in our hand and watched the lights come on over the Hawke’s Bay, like the best sort of Christmas display.

2011: the year in review

Another year over, another just begun. It’s interesting looking back at 2011.  It was quite a year.  It was a year of trips: the South Island, Australia, Tauranga, the Hawke’s Bay, Taupo.  It was a year of commissions: Carolyn’s wedding dress, Polly’s wedding dress, Judith’s Panniers, Kerry’s Steampunk Bustle, Shell’s wedding dress, the 1932 White Zombie gown for PorcelainToy.  It was a year of research and information: Queen Victoria’s wedding dress, Jeanne Samary, textile terms, Ninon d’Ecolet.  It was a year of finished projects: the 1660s Ninon dress, the 18th century gentleman’s ensemble, the 1770s silver stays, the 1890s black corded corset, the 1900 ribbon corset.  Most of all it was a year of people: Shell, my sister the Naiad, Steph in Australia, each and every one of you wonderful readers, and darling, much-missed Jo-Anne. Here are some images of the year.  Each of them should link to a post if you see something really exciting and want to know more. 🙂                           …