This is a record of gatherings of the Forest Court of Carolingia, a group of medieval forester enthusiasts, who are also members of the Society for Creative Anachronism (sca.org). Read on to learn what we do. And if you’d like to join us, please reach out to me. September 30, 2023: Saunter Gibbet Hill, Groton, MA. 11 am – 1 pm The clouds cleared just … Continue reading Gatherings of the Carolingian Foresters
November 12, 2022 Today we attended our first foresters workshop, hosted by Sylvan Thorncraft in Scarborough, Maine. We worried about rainy weather left over from a hurricane moving up the coast, but by noon the skies were clear, if windy. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect at the workshop, but it was lovely. A small, intimate gathering, relaxed, and focused on skill building. Several … Continue reading Foresters Workshop
With a new focus on campfire cooking, I need period recipes to try and perfect. Here are a few that I’ve found. BANNOCK Bannock is simple campfire bread. You can cook it in many ways: wrapped around a stick, directly on coals, or in a frypan with a bit of butter. (I prefer the latter.) I tried the following recipe, and I didn’t really like … Continue reading Campfire recipes
I attended my first overnight SCA camping event at the Endewearde Hunt in Newburgh, Maine, on October 7-9, 2022. I aspire to join the Foresters Guild, and so I must gain skills in forestry and medieval camping. As a Girl Scout leader and long-time car-camper, I have basic but modern camping skills. Now it’s time to streamline and simplify, and return to the roots with … Continue reading Campfire cooking
My dear and generous friend Peter the Red made and gifted me with an inkle loom in 2021. I was excited to have one and anxious to learn. Arlyana taught me how to warp it and weave on it. It took time and patience to learn how to manage the tension so the edges were even. I enjoy putting colors together to design patterns. And … Continue reading Inkle weaving
Birka 2015. For the complete story, see this page. Continue reading Celestial Cape
In October 2014, Dave made a leather cup for the cottonwood base turned by Bill Lyons of Cody, Wyoming. It was challenging to get the cup shape and size just right, snug enough to wrap the base without being too small. He stitched it the seam using waxed linen. Then to make it drink-worthy, he dipped the leather cup into melted beeswax, soaking it until … Continue reading Leather cup with wooden base
I made this blue linen dress about a year ago. The bodice is cut on the bias so it is just stretchy enough to pull over your head, no lacing required! And the sleeves are short so it is cooler at summer events. However, it was kinda plain and blah. After inspiration from another source, I decided to enhance the dress to simulate a layered … Continue reading Dress: plain to snazzy
In September 2016, I hand-sewed this blue linen liripipe hood for Dave. I embroidered a yin-yang dragon design (courtesy of Christa Percival) on the front of the hood using wool crewel yarn (chain stitch, split stitch). Here are some photos of the process. I am currently embellishing the dragons with gold and silver thread. (September 2017) Continue reading Blue dragon hood
In April 2016, Dave made this leather flask cover using vegetable-tanned leather, which he stained black. He used a Mexican braid to lace up the sides. Continue reading Leather flask cover
A Medieval Journey 