Steampunk

Six word Saturday

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Fancy a little Steampunk for Christmas?

Teaparty bookcoverYou may remember, earlier this year, I was privileged to attend a book launch for Steampunk Apothecary?  It was a wonderfully fun occasion for dressing up and eating lots of cake.

The authoress, Jema Hewitt, is a hugely creative and multi-talented lady, who works extremely hard at making a living, and always with a smile.  Today she is at Waterstones in Bradford, signing her books and demonstrating jewellery making.  I wish I could be there, but this post will have to be my contribution.

Maybe you have a daughter or niece who would like something from her Etsy store?  I know there are a few pieces I wouldn’t mind.  And you can buy the book on there too.  The recipes are unique.

Mr. Woppit is adorable! Do you remember him?

Mr. Woppit is adorable! Do you remember him?

Some of the sparkly things Jema collects

Some of the sparkly things Jema collects for her jewellery

The red-haired lady is my daughter!

A page from “Steampunk Teaparty”.  The red-haired lady is my daughter!

Another Jema creation.

Another beautiful Jema creation.

If you ask for the book at your local Waterstones, even if you don’t buy it, the store will register your interest.  Every little helps!  I can claim no credit for the photos. They are all from Jema’s Facebook page.

Hope you’re all having a lovely weekend.  Many thanks to Cate for hosting Six word Saturday.  As usual, click on the links for more details.

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Tea duelling? I thought you’d never ask!
Ready, get set...go!

Ready, get set…go!

On Sunday I was finally introduced to the world of tea duelling.  My expectations were high, because, as I stepped on board the HMS Trincomalee, one of the first sights to catch my eye was a table full of pistols.  I was a little apprehensive as I hadn’t brought a swashbuckling hero to defend me.

The atmosphere below decks was ripe for a little duelling, but first I wanted to meet up with Lynne and Richard Hardy.  I knew they were exhibiting and giving lectures in the captains quarters.  Normally they like to play their table top game “Cogs, Cakes and Swordsticks” in a tea shop.  Well, that’s just the kind of people Steampunks are- never too far from cake, or at the very least a biscuit or three.

The captain was obviously a person of taste

The captain was obviously a person of taste

Up on deck, the cannon looked primed for action

Up on deck, the cannon looked primed for action

The harbour, not surprisingly, was empty of craft

The harbour, not surprisingly, was empty of craft
Even the quay seemed bereft of people

Even the quay seemed bereft of people

Below deck a curious accumulation of items for the "battle ready"?

Below deck, a curious accumulation of items for the “battle ready”?

Or had I got the wrong idea?

Or had I got the wrong idea? Still, that pistol looks tricky.

There seemed to be a little problem of a rifle misfiring, so I was greatly relieved when it was set aside, and tea duelling commenced.  The rules were carefully observed.  How glad I was to discover that tea duelling was simply a variation on the biscuit dunking that my very own swashbuckling hero was at home, busy practising!  In fact, he’s an old hand at it.

All in all, “Tiffin on the Trinc” was another example of the wacky, but harmless, exploits that I’m beginning to associate with Steampunk.  I hope nobody minds me poking a little gentle fun.  I’m withholding names to protect the innocent.

Lynne wrote a very nice piece on the event in her blog Cogs, Cakes and Swordsticks.  The snowy picture alone of the Trincomalee, at home in Hartlepool Maritime Experience, is worth a look.  Her explanation is one hundred percent clearer than mine.

Six word Saturday

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From one Steampunk Event to another!

Isn’t life strange sometimes?  Last Sunday I was in Nottingham, in the wonderful company of my daughter, Lisa, and her role-playing friends.  I was attending a book launch for “Steampunk Apothecary”, an enchanting collection of jewellery and fantastical tales.  Emilly Ladybird (otherwise known as Jema Hewitt, and the chief bridesmaid at my daughter’s wedding, if you remember that far back) describes how to make these beautifully curvy pieces.

You could create blood red ruby earrings

Blood red ruby earrings- Jema demonstrates how to make them

Or how about the mermaids?

Or how about these curvaceous mermaids?

The balcony in the Malt Cross Cafe

The beautifully curved balcony in the Malt Cross Cafe

We were upstairs in the uniquely beautiful Malt Cross Cafe, a grade 2 listed building.  Emilly Ladybird was our gracious hostess, and naturally, there was cake!

Lisa, Emilly Ladybird and Claire

Lisa, Emilly Ladybird, Mr. Woppit and Claire

Mr. Woppit and cake

Mr. Woppit and cake

Lisa was keeping cool most elegantly

Lisa was keeping cool most elegantly

And posing, when requested, with her husband, Leo

And posing, when requested, with her husband, Leo

Imagine my surprise to learn, during the conversation, that this coming Sunday my hometown is to host its first ever Steampunk event!  Lynne and Richard Hardy, designers of the game “Cogs, Cakes and Swordsticks” will be appearing on board HMS Trincomalee in Hartlepool marina.  “Come and say hello” they said.

Sure enough, on my return home I found “Tiffin on the Trinc- a Steampunk convivial”, advertised locally.

Tiffin on board the Trinc poster

Tiffin on board the Trinc poster

What’s a girl to do?  It’s Father’s day so I’ll be cooking lunch first.  For more details of Jema’s fabulous work, and last Sunday’s fun, take a look at An extraordinary, but delicious, affair.  Tomorrow?  It won’t be the same without my gorgeous girl.

Got your six words ready for Saturday?  With thanks to Cate at Show My Face.  And I really can’t resist a “two for one” approach this week.  I’m submitting this to the Daily Post Weekly Photo Challenge : Curves 

After all, what’s a corset without curves?

An extraordinary, but delicious, affair
A figurehead

A figurehead- courtesy of Martin Soulstealer

Some of you may remember my daughter from her vivid and beautiful wedding in February.  The photo above shows her in a slightly different light. (I really love the luminous moon effect)

This weekend I was invited to a book launch in Nottingham for “Steampunk Apothecary”, by Jema Hewitt.  The above is an illustration from the book.

Apothecary Jema, allias Emilly Ladybird, is a hugely talented costume and jewellery designer who loves Steampunk.  Step by step she guides you through the mechanics of making some of her creations.  Delightful little stories are accompanied by jewel-coloured illustrations.  You don’t even have to be interested in Steampunk to admire this beautiful book. (though it helps!)

The fairy wing tiara

The fairy wing tiara

An enthusiastic role player in the Steampunk world, Jema has used many of her friends to give an authentic feel to the book.  I was looking forward to meeting a few of them at the book launch.

Lisa advised me that I should wear clothing appropriate to a Steampunk afternoon tea. (but admitted that a pretty blouse and skirt would be fine)  Phew!  She added that she would be wearing her blonde wig, as that is how she appears in the book.  The result was quite amazing.  She was particularly proud of the fascinator.  There is actual tea inside the cup, but it won’t spill!  Lisa made the entire outfit, of course.  I was scarcely off the train and we were in Hopkinson’s Vintage store, purchasing a tiny antique teaspoon to sit on the saucer.

A quick photo in the kitchen- don't you love the outfit?

My domestic goddess in her kitchen- don’t you love the outfit?

She’d spent the previous evening writing cards to accompany the cakes which would be an essential element of the event.  Remember the wedding cake?  Well, Jema had made five fabulous new cakes.  The flavours :-  Rose and raspberry Dolly cake; Blood red beetroot and chocolate cake; Vanilla rainbow Fairy cake; The Kraken’s courgette and lime cake, and The Libraries Brandy and Ginger cake (my favourite!)

At this point you’re going to want to see the evidence, aren’t you, but it did start to disappear very rapidly.

Let them eat cake. They demand it!

Let them eat cake. They demand it!  With Lisa’s pretty cards.

They were just as colourful inside, but I was too busy eating

They were just as colourful inside, but I was too busy eating

After a while I went off to make friends and take some photos.  The official photographer of the book, (and of Lisa’s wedding), Martin Soulstealer, was busy setting up some shots.  Rather alarmingly, Lisa was balanced on a chair, poised over the balcony, above Jema’s husband Nick, recreating the scene from the book.  I had to try for a quick shot, nowhere near Martin’s level of artistry.

Recreating "the figurehead" from the book

Here are just a few of the “supporting cast”.

Jema eating cake, accompanied by Mr. Woppit
Cake and fascinators were everywhere!
Distinguished gentlemen and pretty ladies abound
Rebecca looked fabulous!
More hats!
Smiling faces!
Even children!
And newlyweds!

There will be more tales to tell.  Did you see Mr. Woppit cavorting on the table?  He is adorable!  Just one more illustration from the book?  You could be tempted.

Something for the gents

Something for the gents- delicious tiepins!

So, that’s a Steampunk book launch.  Do look out for Jema’s extraordinary book.  It’s a work of art.  In September there’s a new book coming, dedicated to cakes and sweets.  I’ve had a sneak preview, but I musn’t give any secrets away!  Here is the link if you want to purchase, or just have a look around Jema’s work.   http://steampunkjewellery.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/new-books-pre-order-offer.html

See you soon.

Six word Saturday

A dinner party!  Who to invite?

In time honoured fashion I’ve been invited by Just Fletcher to host a dinner party, with guests of my choosing, of course.  I thought it might make a diverting Six word Saturday post?

At the top of the table I’ve got Elizabeth 1, looking very stern, so I’ll have to mind my P’s and Q’s.  What a character!  What a life she led, though not one that you could really envy.  Will Shakespeare’d be good with the courtly speeches, and I might just get the chance to ask if he really did travel to Italy, and put paid to all that controversy.

I’m sure Michael Palin will be interested, and interesting too, travel being his subject.  In any case, he can charm the birds from the trees.  If Lennon gets a bit disrespectful, Palin and McCartney’ll do the soothing, diplomatic stuff, but rapier wit won’t be in short supply.

I’ve loved Paul McCartney and his music for as long as I can remember, and wouldn’t it just be great to have those two together one more time?  With both in mellow mood, now that fate has delivered both a punch or two.  Maybe a future classic will be scrawled upon the table cloth, as the evening wears on.

An avid reader, I’ve only recently returned to historical novels, and it’s the fault of Philippa Gregory.  She lived and worked for a time in my part of the world, so I’ve always been mildly curious about her.  I was checking out some books at my local library, and “The Red Queen” was on the counter.  I could resist no longer, and was absorbed by the storytelling.  Elizabeth 1st will surely be surprised at where women find themselves in society today.

Which brings us to Helen Mirren.  Well, every dinner party needs a touch of glamour, doesn’t it?  Maybe she can console poor Bonaparte.  Such a sad ending to all those aspirations.

So what do you make of my choices?  I’m not going to nominate anyone, but if you have an inspirational line up that you’d like to share, I’d enjoy to read your post.  Have a look at Just Fletcher’s Virtual Dinner for starters (or dessert).  Cate of Show My Face has been more than tolerant of my Six word Saturdays.  Follow the link or click on the header to see how it should be played.

Before I go, I’d like to share a follow up to my last week’s 6WS.  For anyone interested in Steampunk fashion, here’s the next instalment of Jema’s interview.

http://www.themuse.tv/2012/11/gothic-glam-steampunk-fashion-part-2/

Six word Saturday

Not going to panic, just yet!

It’s fun to shop for a wedding outfit, isn’t it?  I keep repeating that to myself.

The following video features Jema Hewitt (aka Emily Ladybird), who will be my daughter’s matron of honour at her wedding in February, explaining just what is meant by Steampunk fashion.

http://www.themuse.tv/2012/11/gothic-glam-steampunk-fashion-part-1/

I know- it stops short right at the point where you could look at some of Jema’s designs!  I’ll have to hunt down Friday’s edition of the show.

You see, I had in mind an Ossie Clark style, fitted, floor length frock, with tiny covered buttons, long close fitting sleeves, maybe in cream or a pastel.  Although I much admire my daughter’s style of dressing, I’m not sure that I can carry it off.

As Jema says, you can adapt it to yourself, but so far I’m not having much luck with the shopping.  Lisa has almost finished sewing her wedding gown, but then has a bridesmaid’s frock and waistcoats for the grooms to do, with Christmas looming.

I guess I just need you to wish me luck.  I don’t have any skills with the needle, and am online hunting for something suitable whenever I can.

Before I go this morning, I’d just like to send my very best wishes for a speedy recovery to Viv Blake.  I understand that she’s in hospital undergoing tests.  She’s too far away from me for a hospital visit, and will be sadly missed on this week’s Six word Saturday, so get well soon, Viv.  As always, grateful thanks to Cate at Show My Face for the opportunity to share my six words (and more).  Follow the links for details.

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