This weekend was the Elizabethan RUSH I had promised to teach a class at on the history of blackwork. It was a good excuse to put all the odd bits together from some recent research and I have to say, once I got it all together, I made a few new discoveries so that was good.

Details behind cut, for those that might be interestd
I now have a very strong theory that Chaucer, the oft touted first reference to blackwork, was not talking about that at all.

Two of the earliest paintings with blackwork on clothing are spanish (1495/7ish and 1505) which, along with recent studies in Islamic embroidery, is supporting Catherine of Aragon as the person who introduced, and or popularized it, in England.

The fashion for natural forms filled with geometric counted-stitch designs seems to be uniquely enlish, plus these designs are not in any of the period pattern books

It was a nice little site for the event, which would have been really great if the weather had cooperated. Fortunately it was not spread out very much, with well-graveled paths, so it was still fairly easy to get around in the soggy surroundings. Had a small turnout for the class, but they seemed interested so we had some good discussion.

Didn't stay very late at the event, since I still have a lot to do for the next two weekends. Was going to get to the Y and swim on sunday but something I ate saturday apparently didn't agree with me so I was in and out of the bathroom starting early sunday morning. Decided this was not something I wanted to try and deal with while in a one-piece swimsuit :). Also ran a bit of a fever sunday evening. Feeling fine today but I am getting very tired of coming down sick after going to an SCA event. This is the third in a row!!

Still managed to get some quick errands run on sunday and will be down in the sweatshop at least a couple of nights this week before heading off to the EGA seminar this weekend. Came up with a last minute (naturally :) ) idea for some little workbags that could help us promote our seminar here in KC in 2011 (can't officially advertise until 2010, don't ask me why...) and I hope to get a couple of them done. Also a last minute (naturally :) :) ) decision on what to wear at the 'dinner' means a little work soooo, into the sweatshop I will be going! At least it is a bit warmer down there than it was a couple of months ago. Himself is going to try and squeeze in a deck cleaning and, hopefully sealing, while the weather gives us a break this week. Our neighbor has a powerwasher and lets us borrow it but in the past Mother Nature has not cooperated and it would rain before we had a chance to get the sealant on. Looks like we have several good days here though so keep your fingers crossed.

Signs of spring: the violets, lilacs and redbuds are blooming, the rabbits are hopping around in the backyard, and the housemate is starting to bring her large collection of plants back outside. She hauled the HUGE laurel bush out this weekend. Still going to wait a bit on the orchids however.