Quilting, viking shirts and nalbinding, oh my

I might be a lousy blogger, but I'm great at making stuff. Lots of stuff. That I then forget to blog about because ugh, I have to take pics of stuff and then I probably forget to post the bloody pics I've taken. So, here have everything at once. 

Somewhere during my last moving shenanigans I realised the morning robe I started in December was one of the things that just wasn't going to be finished. But since I'd quilted the whole thing by hand I couldn't get myself to throw it away. So I made a big pillowcase instead.

It's a bit ironic that the very thing I had great plans of wearing when I had somehow miraculously crawled out of bed early, has been turned into something that will probably make me want to sleep in.

I had a nap and woke up with lines from the embroidery on my face...

My stash hasn't shrunk a lot despite a move, so I've set goals to use as much of it as possible. This vintage fabric came from a curtain. I had enough for a tiny dress I've put up for sale on the Norwegian equivalent of Etsy.

The viking shirt I made from scrap fabric needed decoration, so I did some embroidery in wool. It turned out too short for me (as I said, made from scraps) and now it's on its way to a new owner in Denmark. Hope she'll like it!

I've a participant at a few viking markets this summer, and I needed something to do while I was there (and something to do while travelling there - the Norwegian railway is not among the fastest...). It resulted in these beanies, a few socks that has already been given to their owners, and some unshapely arm warmers that look weird when they're laid flat, so no pic of that.

The grey beanies are made in a ridiculously soft alpaca. I don't use beanies (long hair, static, nooo), but I'm tempted to keep one of them for myself.

Elven robe

Elves like flowers, right?

Somewhere around new year I happened to win hellofeanor's giveaway on Tumblr, and a few days ago this robe showed up at my doorstep! The costume maker has a site here, with a lovely costume gallery and tutorials worth checking out, and a tumblr here.

Iron Age Shoes & Hela's Crown

Beetlewings glued onto foam, nothing fancy. 

I have updated Hela's crown. The old one turned out too small and barely showed on the pictures. Hela will be my Halloween costume this year, so I'll add to it. So far I have plans of a flowing sheer and tattered cloak along with more embellishment on the dress - she is a queen.

Made my second pair of iron age shoes based on this tutorial. They will go to a valkyrie costume that will be used at conventions, so they're not exactly period correct. They're made from recycled pleather, taken from an old suitcase that didn't survive travelling with me. 

Since there was no need for period correctness, I put in grommets in the lacing. Hopefully that it will prolong their life. 

Linen thread for reinforcement and because it added detail.

Also pictured: my new needlebound socks. Comfy as hell.

Finished short film: G

The short film I made costumes for in February has been released! I gotta say it was something special to see my own name in the credits.

Without further ado, G:

Summer raid so far

After being a member of a reenactment group for almost two years, I finally went to my first viking markets this summer. We went to Trondheim and Borre, and after this I might just never go back to conventions and cosplay. (Almost.)

The people I met were awesome and spending the night on the market site in a viking tent was beyond amazing. When walking around camp about after nightfall, with lights in every tent and people in period clothing still milling about, I was halfway convinced I was a thousand years back in time. (You will have to pardon my enthusiasm, I'm still reeling.)

And, best of all, I still have one market to go. I'm moving south in August, which means a much shorter distance to everything, and so I can go to Gjallarstadir in September.

I forgot to ask the seller where the pendant comes from. Tell me if you know?

Troll cross in steel. Protects the wearer from the supernatural and malevolent magic.

I got some fabric at Borre, a thin white wool (serk) and a striped thicker one (birka coat) that will be turned into winter clothes during fall. (In Trondheim I learnt that market in summer can get fucking cold.) Also got some assorted embroidery and sewing thread in linen, silk and wool, along with some silk that I might dye. Wanna try all the things! 

Anyone who has been anywhere near a viking-related blog the last weeks has probably seen it, but here is Wardrunas' Helvegen performed at the burial mounds at Borre.

Lofotr

Lofotr, a replica of Gokstad ship, visited the island where I live a few days ago. People were encouraged to dress up as vikings and come greet it, and naturally I seized the chance to do something viking-related. (I moved away from my viking group a week ago and I miss them a lot.)

Andøya is such a wonderful place in summer.

Dverberg church in the background.

Someone onboard sang Rolandskvadet when the ship sailed into the harbour. I talked to some of the vikings, introduced some local people to nalbinding and cardweaving, and one of the arrangers came up to me and asked if I had come with the ship (which I'll take as a compliment beyond flattering - maybe I'm starting to look like a proper viking).

Bindrune amulets

These are no longer for sale! 

I made a bunch of amulets with bindrunes and icelandic magical staves for some awesome people I met at a course about PTSD. I expected at least one of them to reject this kinda superstition, and was nearly reduced to tears when everyone loved them. (I’m such a tough viking!) 

If you wanna know more about bindrunes, click here. 

Left: Bindrune for divine energy.

Middle: Bindrune for promoting assertiveness.

Right: Bindrune for peace, tranquillity and unity.

Left: Bindrune for medical healing.

Middle: Bindrune for personal protective power.

Right: Bindrune for realisation of ambition.

Left: Icelandic magical stave meant to end strife.

Middle: Bindrune for personal protective power.

Right: Icelandic magical stave meant to end strife.