Back to sewing and writing

So, now that events are over I can go back to devoting more time to writing and sewing. I have picked up the ball gown again and just about have the bertha completed. I'll post pixs when done. Then it's the undersleeves and skirt. Then will be the conference dress. I have my inspiration and have pretty much worked out how to put it together, so it should go together well. Paper is moving along splendidly and it is also about done; then to develop the PowerPoint.

All on track and going well.

Box presentation

The box presentation went very well and was really appreciated by the unit that received it. It was a huge surprise and I think really added to their experience of the event. Here are a few pictures from the box presentation. More pictures from the Liendo event can be found here and a short AAR here.

...Well maybe not

Weather is looking better so I'm going to go ahead and head out to Liendo tomorrow morning. We had some last minute items for the box.

Sugared almonds, dried peaches, coffee beans and lemon drops.

We have way more than what will fit in the box so I put some of the items in a simple paper wrapping. Instead of tags, I just wrote out who the items were from on a card and stuck them into the packages.

Another washout

This weekend is Liendo. I was planning to go; however, the forecast as of 10:00 pm on Thursday is for heavy thunderstorms tomorrow (90%) and showers through the morning on Saturday. If it was just rain I'd probably go, but with 1-2 inches expected, and thunderstorms all day I've decided not to try it. I don't want to deal with the mud, potentially getting stuck, and possible flooded areas. So the soldiers' box will have to wait for Galveston in January. Bummer.

Soldiers' box

Next weekend is Liendo and the box we've been putting together at the Grange will be given to some lucky random unit. Here are some pictures of the contents:

Handmade shirt. This was made from a dress I no longer wore but the fabric was still in good shape; hated to waste the fabric and buttons so recycled!

Housewives. They contain some thread, buttons and pins.

Pencils, paper and some of the wallpaper envelopes we made at Texian Market Days.

Haversack. This and some of the bags are made from ticking I had. Not enough to do much but worked well for this.

Cotton handkerchiefs

Rice, black eyed peas and dried peaches

Goober peas (peanuts), pecans, dried apples and some pieces of home made lye soap

Tic-tac-toe and checkers. This was an amazing contribution. The markers are wood and painted. A lot went into these.

Neco wafers (yes period), peppermint sticks and another housewife

Poke bags. One of the ladies buys flowers bulbs and they come in these little cotton bags. She washes them and they are perfect tobacco bags or for whatever.

There is so much stuff it barely fit in the box.

There is no lid for the box but I wrapped the muslin used to line the box around the contents and tied it up with twine.

Then wrapped all that with brown paper and more twine. All I need now is a tag.

Not sure what I should put on the tag. Don't want to address it in anyway as we don't know what unit it's going to but want to be sure the Soldiers' Aid Society of Fayette County is noted as the sender. Need to research how to do this.

Fabric

The fabric has arrived. This is going to be fun. Have started the search for inspiration. I'm sorry to tease y'all like this; but I promise pictures right after the conference.

School Day

Tuesday I participated in a school day at a school in Round Rock, Texas. The school has a Veteran's celebration every year for their 8th grade. We had about six groups of about 30 each. The school provides us breakfast and lunch. I spoke on the Texas home front.

I started by giving information on what Williamson County was like according to the 1860 census: population, slavery, agriculture, education, mortality. I then discussed shortages and substitutions. Since we only had about 20 minutes it was pretty difficult to decide on what one subject to talk on.

Also present was James Rice discussing military medicine.

The Buffalo Soldiers from Camp Mabry and a cannon crew.

Package on the way

I just received notification from UPS that a package is on the way to me from Genteel Arts...I wonder what it could be :)

Another new forum

Thought I'd get on the bandwagon :). I've converted my Texas civilian Yahoo! list over to a forum. I think this will be more helpful as the messages will be categorized and easier to search. Not quite as friendly but more useful for research.

Antebellum forum

There is a new forum for discussion of the antebellum period and events. http://antebellumamerica.aceboard.com/. Also a webpage in the works http://sites.google.com/site/antebellumamerica/