May 2010 a

Tue 18 May 2010
Soon after Steve got home from work Carmel and Julie arrived, all the way from Australia! Steve has four sisters, three of whom will be staying with us in preparation of Sophia's wedding. Soph is the daughter of Julie, Steve's sister.

Wed 19 May 2010
The jet lagged sisters spend some time resting while we're at work. 



Fri 21 May 2010
Julie's already been busy making the toile of Soph's wedding dress. Jen's had her oar in and suggests putting strands of pearls (which we happen to have left over from Dan's pretty red cloak) draped across the bare back. Pictured left, is the testing of how long the strands would need to be and placement thereof. Later thought leads to Jen threading the strands on jeweller's tiger wire and double-ending these with tiny necklace screw-clasps.... hence the strands can later be joined together to form necklace(s) of varying length.
Soph and Paul had a dinner party (as offered by Steve as the cook) for the bridal party to meet up and chat. (pictured left)

Sat 22 May 2010 - the weekend...
Soph and Paul's reception will be a High Tea. Thus, Soph has collected 17 teapots via ebay and charity shops. So here is the crazy tea pot lady  ;-)

Sun 23 May 2010
Touristing with the sisters..... here we are at Trafalgar Square London.

Wed 26 May 2010
(I think it was tonight that...)  Jenni B and Terry came around for a wedding planning meeting and dinner with Soph. Lots of planning was thrashed out!

Fri 28 May 2010
Last night Jen sewed the pearl drapes on to the dress and left it as a morning surprise for Soph to admire in the morning...

So this afternoon, we are both now on holiday for the next week, to help out with wedding prep for the niece.  But first, Steve drove us both to Winchester for the weekend. We booked into our B&B, which afforded us a much warmer and more comfy time in that city than we've had before. Nice one.

Sat 29 May 2010
So here is what the SCA medieval encampment looked like this year at St Cross, Winchester.

This evening was the elevation of Jen's scribal student, Melisende - made a member of the Order of the Laurel. Although not Jen's apprentice, Jen spoke about Melisende's skills.

Above: the new laurel


Sun 30 May 2010
This morning we enjoyed breakfast in the B&B, then headed back home to London. The final family installment, Colleen, arrives. The 3 sisters are here now hurrah!


Mon 31 May 2010
Today, the hen's party was a High Tea at Fortnum and Masons. Somehow the bride-to-be was already giggly and tipsy at 2pm, and really enjoying herself.

 

A bit later on, we all saw Les Miserables in the West End. 

We 3 Aunties and Mum took the tube home, and did a working bee until about 1am, once the wedding dress (and a few extra table cloths) are finished - Jen finished the dress off with a 3mm hand-sewn hem "biggest veil I've ever sewn" she says. Here's a thought... Hang on, isn't it traditional for a dress to still be being worked on, the morning of....?