Outlandish Geillis Duncan Cape

The Outlander series is such a hit right now. I, too, have been watching to see how the novels play out for TV. In episodes 3 and 10 Geillis Duncan wears this wonderful wool cape that I absolutely fell in love with so I set out to make one of my very own.

Geillis Duncan on the right wearing THE cape.

 I have minimal felting experience - I've made two pieces of flat felt, two felt flowers and one nuno felted scarf before undertaking this process. With a pretty picture in my head I ordered the wool I wanted.

I ordered Gotland wool in both locks and roving - a pound and a half combined. The color is such a pretty grey with white, black and silver mixed it.

 I spent a lot of time (5 hours) laying out the wool and the fringe. The above picture is after hand felting for several hours which I had to do the next day because I ran out of daylight to work.

The nearly finished cloak drying outside. All that is left to do is add the ties to keep it closed. It is extremely wet in this picture so the locks look all skinny - they really aren't. I got just enough texture and was able to make my cloak a bit longer than the one Geillis wears. I could have shrunk it more but I like this size. It's 78 x 30 inches when laid out flat.

WOOHOO! Success! It turned out just how I pictured it in my head and I'm super happy and proud that I made this. I can't wait to show it off in the Fall.

In Memoriam Gobie

It is with a heavy heart that The Wayward Pussy Inn says goodbye to one of its crew. Gobie passed away here in the van on 4/25. He was surrounded by the other kitties and in my arms when he took his last breath. Gobie will be severely missed. He was my rolly polly, squidgy kitty. With his huge owl eyes (that didn't always point in the same direction) he always looked amazed at the life around him.

Always a sound sleeper

Gobie didn't have the easiest start to life. He was found in someone's backyard when he was about 7 weeks old, his tail was all but severed from his little body. The doctors assumed that a bird of prey attempted to make a meal of him because he also suffered head trauma, which is why his eyes didn't always point in the same direction. He tried to pass away several times during surgery to amputate the tail but thankfully survived. When he was old enough to be neutered he tried to pass away during that surgery as well as the surgery to close a hole we found in his palate. I always called him my special kitty because he never had full kitten or cat qualities. He was content to sit in whatever spot you put him and was always grateful for a cuddle. He loved snuggling to sleep and had a terrific purr.

Gobie and Tadpole snuggling

He also loved the other cats and they would often be found sleeping together. His silly, sweet and gentle soul will be greatly missed here at The Inn. I hope where ever he went someone is cuddling him.

His favorite sleeping position

Outlander and New Garb

I have read all 8 Outlander books by Diana Galbaldon and while I took some serious issue with some of the writing the story itself is a wonderful one. Starz has brought the books to life with the series of the same name and while I still have many of the same issues with the show I am glad to see it. The wardrobe of some of the actors is simply amazing. The capelet Geillis Duncan (played by Lotte Verbeek) wears in the picture above (she's on the right) is so yummy - I WANT ONE!

Once I saw this capelet in episode 3 and then again in episode 10 I decided I simply had to have it. I can not, however, find any information about the thing online. But from my exceptionally untrained eye it looks to be wet felted from raw wool fleece. I have since decided to make an Outlander inspired cape (mine will likely be longer). I ordered a pound and a half of grey Gotland sheep wool with a pound of that being uncarded curly locks and the other 8 ounces in carded wool. I'm so excited for the project and IF it turns out like I hope it will I am planning to make several more to sell. Selling price will likely be around $240 shipped since wool isn't cheap and the time it takes to make a large wet felted piece of clothing is immense.

In other renaissance garb news - I am having a custom cotehardie made from a wonderful Etsy seller. This will simplify my garb so much when it comes to working for The Rogues AND it will match The Rogues tartan wonderfully. This is made by the fabulous Melinda from Camelot's Closet. Melinda has been super helpful in getting me the correct size and color to match the tartan as well as being the most reasonably priced custom clothier for this type of dress that I could find during my extensive internet searching. $57 shipped for a custom dress made in the USA. If you are not as tall as me yours wouldn't even cost that much but since I need a dress to fit a 5'9" body mine was a little more costly. The dress is 100% cotton (she also offers linen as an option) and will be great for covering my tattoos without roasting me during the summer festivals. You can see this outfit in person by coming out to the Virginia Renaissance Festival the weekends of May 30 - 31 and June 6 - 7 where I will be selling merchandise for The Rogues.

Now I just need new renaissance shoes and I will be all set for faire!

Custom cotehardie

The Rogues tartan

The Road to 40

I haven't updated here recently. I'm still kickin'!

After the Maryland Renaissance Festival ended I gathered myself up and headed to Delaware to spend some time with my mom. I've been here since November.

Not much to write about being here. Delaware life is slow. There's not much to do here unless you want to gamble at the casinos but it's nice hanging with my mom and helping her out with some things.

I turn 40 in two days. I just can't believe that. I'm not feeling stressed or sad about the new number mostly because I don't FEEL 40. Tonight it looks like we'll be heading out the the MD Live Casino to celebrate my b-day. Hopefully a good time will be had by all.

I'll be spending some time in VA for the VA Renaissance Festival working for The Rogues as well as maybe the PA faire working for a different vendor.

I'll try to be better at updating here, it's just hard when there's not much to write about.