Downton Abbey Fabric!

       I saw it! It's gorgeous! It almost made me wish I knew how to sew...or quilt!
       Endless Mountains Quiltworks in Tunkhannock debuted the new line of fabrics based on the fabrics and styles used in the wildly popular Carnival TV/PBS series Downton Abbey this afternoon. For those of you who have been living under a rock for the past three years, Downton is an import from the UK, basically a costume drama, set in Edwardian England and carrying on through--possibly, according to creator Julian Fellowes--WW II.
       A dress form draped in a beige silk dress that had belonged to EMQ owner Jeanette's Great Aunt set the tone of Edwardian (1901-1914) elegance at the store this afternoon. And Jeanette and Carol did it up right, too: tea and little cakes were served at an elegantly appointed table large enough to seat the first dozen or so people who showed up for the 'Grand Reveal.' The other twenty people were happy enough to stand, surrounded by the beautiful fabrics and inspirational designs that grace the walls of EMQ.

       Carol and Jeanette had beautifully wrapped little gifts for everyone (a commemorative patch and a sachet of tea!) and they had even contrived a trivia contest. The winner snagged a beautiful quilted tote fashioned out of an art nouveau inspired teal based fabric from the collection. (Unfortunately, although I answered the question correctly, my entry was not chosen; but the girl who did win the tote seemed thrilled!)
       It was so generous of Jeanette to give this bag away, since it was a much coveted item given to the first 1000 shop owners at the Quilt convention in Houston this year where Andover Fabrics debuted the collection. Jeanette said she got up at the crack of dawn to be sure to be on line early enough to secure a bag!
       Andover Fabrics out of New York is the licensed US maker of the fabric line; they are associated with Makower Fabrics in the UK, who have the line in Downton's homeland.
Working with the costume designer for the programme, Andover has created four 'mood boards' for the Dowager Countess and the three Crawley sisters: Lady Mary, Lady Edith and Lady Sybil. Each has a different theme, and discrete overall colorways and prints: for example, Lady Sybil's 'board' has softer brighter colors like teals and peaches with art nouveau type prints, while the Dowager's 'board' is more stately and perhaps a trifle staid, in darker and blander colors like beige and navy and violet (pun intended).

       Jeanette pointed out that, as is historically correct, the Dowager is generally seen in 'half mourning' colors since she is a widow. Because her husband died several years ago, she no longer must wear black (even though it is a fashion choice for her quite often) but may wear softer yet still somber tones like navy,  violet and similar colors.
       And Sybil, of course, the youngest of the daughters of the Earl of Grantham and Lady Cora, gravitates towards more flowing, less structured lines and equally innovative prints.
       The middle daughter, Edith, appears to be turning into the businesswoman and possibly the suffragette of the family: her colors are bright and fresh and a bit bold.
       Lady Mary, the oldest daughter, wears a lot of classically inspired prints in clear, basic colors teamed with primaries like black or white/cream. One tip Carol shared with us that she learned from the costume designer for Downton is that if one watches Lady Mary, she is usually wearing burgundy or claret if the scene she is in is really crucial or important. I had no idea about that although I think I had realized that Lady Mary often wore that range of colors. So I'll be watching the series more intently now, to check on what color is being worn when!
       Additionally, there is the official Downton Abbey fabric itself: a cream based linen-cotton type cloth with milk chocolate colored pen and ink drawings of Highclere House, the famous residence where Downton Abbey is filmed, scattered throughout.

       On Andover's website, they have various patterns one can use to create Downton-themed quilts; however, some of the fabrics would make lovely outfits, either modern or period correct in design.
       Jeanette promises that her shop will offer a different Downton themed event or project every month for about a year. Making your own tote bag with Downton material might be an upcoming highlight, or making something less demanding, like a pincushion (that's probably more my speed!) Some of the costumes from Downton Abbey's third season are now on display at Winterthur in Wilmington, DE; a bus trip to view the exhibit might be in the works for spring 2014.
       Although Carol revealed that they had perhaps been a little unsure of how popular the new fabric line would be, the eager reception from the dozens of people who showed up to get a first look--and buy--of the bolts is certain to have reassured them.
       The fabrics all sell for $10+ a yard; packages of 'fat quarters'--which I had to ask someone to define--in each colorway are also available for easy creating of quilts or ensembles honoring one particular character from the programme. (Ah, yes, a 'fat quarter' is a quarter yard length measured in a more generous width than the usual, to make quilting squares. A typical quarter yard cut is nine inches by 44 inches; a fat quarter is 18 inches by 22 inches. So who knew? I learn something every day!)
       So if you're pining for the return of Downton Abbey (January 5, Sunday night, on your local PBS station) and you can't make a pilgrimage to Highclere itself, or Winterthur even, take a ride to Tunkhannock and immerse yourself in the lovely colors and sensational feel of the new Downton Abbey line of fabrics! While you're there, sign up so you are certain to receive notice of the special events coming up.
       Who knows? Maybe you'll even find me there one day, stabbing my fingers with the needle as I try to sew a Downton themed quilted placemat!

~DLC

And AGAIN...

Wow. Took a casual glance through what I was sure would be a perfect print proof of the second edition of A RIVER IN TIME and found a few errors!
Nothing egregious, with the exception of one verb/subject number disagreement in a phrase I had stuck in and hadn't really checked over. So I fixed that, and it was enough of an issue that I decided to send the file back for a second proof.
Before I did that, though, I went through the whole book AGAIN, and corrected some minor (really really minor) issues: stuff like single versus double quotations, making sure the apostrophe in front of words like 'tis is the right kind--in the font I'm using, apostrophes and quotes have little tails that go one way or the other, so it has to go the correct way! Exciting things like that.

So now that's done. I also made a change to the very, very end of the book--let's see if anyone spots this when the new edition is out there and being read. It took a bit of doing, but it's kind of a neat addition. And it may prompt more questions than answers!

That's it for now, sorry this is so short, but I expect I'll be posting again tonight after the Downton Abbey Fabric Show this afternoon.
~DLC

Sometimes, I Wish I Sewed!

Those of you who know me know I can sew on buttons, and sew up small rents in fabrics, depending on the fabric. But sew? No.
I remember suffering through sewing class in fifth and sixth grade. We made sleeveless 'shift' dresses: not exactly demanding, and mine came out all right although I didn't like the print I ended up choosing. But the tedium of sewing is what gets me: it seems that every couple of minutes I had to re-thread my needle because I had used up the prescribed 12-14 inches of thread the sewing instructor told us to use. And why did I have to baste a hem first, and then do the 'hem stitch?' Phooey! I could do just as well folding the material neatly and evenly and doing the hem stitch straight away.

Well, enough about my sewing skills: you get the picture. And I must say that I rarely wish I were a good seamstress--until just today.
I learned that a shop near me in Tunkhannock, PA has a new line of fabric in. The shop, Endless Mountains Quilts, specializes in quilts and quilting, as their name indicates. But they have expanded, and now sell all types of quality fabrics.
The fabric line they are getting in is--
wait for it, and sit down--
licensed DOWNTON ABBEY fabrics!
I spoke very briefly today with one of the sales people at the shop, and she said there are several lines within the overall fabric range: there's the Lady Sybil line based on her colors and style and fabrics, and I believe the Lady Mary line, the Lady Edith line, and possibly Countess Cora and the Dowager Countess as well! Maybe there are even fabrics for menswear.
If I sewed, I could make my own Downton Abbey style Edwardian clothing! I don't, and I've had great success with the outfits I've ordered from Recollections online. They are more than wonderful.
Maybe they should get their hands on some of this licensed DA fabric???

The 'grand reveal' as the shop is calling it, is THIS SUNDAY, November 17 in the afternoon from 3-5:30 p.m. and I plan on going. Not that I'm going to suddenly learn to sew or anything, but I want to see the fabrics, and see what they've come up with.
Apparently, the woman who has developed the range met with the DA people to be sure the fabrics were authentic and accurate. And since it's licensed, I imagine the new fabric range has the blessing of ITV and Julian Fellowes and whomever else is involved; that's good, because we want to avoid the 'Downton Abbey Jewelry' debacle that took place a couple years back.

So any of you in the Northeast PA area who are DA fans, try to set aside some time this Sunday to drop in at the Endless Mountains Quilts shop in Tunkhannock. It's in Tioga Plaza where the CVS and the Hallmark Store are. The woman I spoke with said they're even having tea and scones on Sunday...yum!
Maybe I'll see you there!
~DLC

A RIVER IN TIME, Second Edition

Hello dear friends and readers!
Well, it is pretty much finished: the second edition of A RIVER IN TIME. I'm pleased to say that instead of 42,000 words, it is now more than 54,000 words! I've added much much more authentic detail, whole scenes, made corrections, and in general turned the little novella into a real BOOK!
Next week I should be able to run through it one last time for any errors, and then it's off to the publisher. I anticipate a quick turnaround, so it should be available for the December Christmas Tea at the Oldest House on the 5th, 6th and 7th (I think those are the dates...it's the first weekend in December, Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday. I'll post more about the tea closer to then).

The second edition will also be available on Amazon, and as before the proceeds will go to the House.
I appreciate your support so very much, and if you do have the first edition, I would urge you to consider getting the second edition as well. Yes, it's the same story, but with more 'stuff,' things that, upon re reading it, I longed to know, I wanted to have in there. And I thought that if that was MY experience, having written the book, readers, too, might be glad to have more.

I am considering a way to make the second edition available to owners of the first edition at a reduced rate. Watch this blog, and also my twitter and Facebook posts for details about that.

But anyone who has not bought the first edition of A RIVER IN TIME, please wait just a few more weeks, and get the second, expanded edition.
And please, if you like the book, tell your friends.
Thank you. More later.
~DLC

'SHUT THE BOX!'

Okay, those of you who are expert in all things Colonial probably know what the game 'Shut the Box' is.
I did not (which shows the depth of my ignorance) until a recent visit to Colonial Williamsburg where I went 'gamboling' one evening at Chowning's Tavern. The verb 'gambol,' which in todays verbiage is mostly applied to sheep and their ilk: 'the lambs were gamboling in the field,' and so forth. However, its meaning is the same: to run about and have fun. And yes, it is related to the verb 'gamble' from a common ancestral root word.
But since this blog is not about linguistics, back to the gambol.
In Colonial Williamsburg, and presumably in Colonial times, a 'gambol' meant an evening spent at a tavern engaging in games, sing alongs, music and so forth.
Sounds like fun, right? Particularly on those long winter nights when the sun sets so early and, with no 'modern' entertainments like TV and the internet, there wasn't much to do.
The game 'Shut the Box' is one to which I was introduced at the gambol I attended. Colonials and post Colonials played cards, and a number of other table top games, of which Shut the Box is one, and one I like quite a bit.
It's contained in a shallow box not much larger than a shoe box and consists of a row of numbered (1-12 in the game I played) flip tabs of wood mounted on a spindle of some kind, and a small open space in which to roll the dice.
Let's remember that games of chance featuring dice were extremely common in Colonial and post Colonial times, as were card games. (See the comment above about the absence of 'modern' entertainment.) Wagering was done, of course, but one need not wager to play Shut the Box or any other game.
The allure of Shut the Box is that it can be played alone, as a test of wits and skill to some extent. The strategy is pretty simple. And of course, the game increases in competitive--shall we say, 'fun?'--when it is played with two or more people, as you all vie to get the lowest score.
Ok, let me explain. Player 1 rolls the dice. Whatever number s/he rolls, s/he flips those tabs to make that total. For example, if one were to roll a 1 and a 4, one would flip tabs that add up to 5 in the 'box.' Or, one could just flip the '5' tab.
And here's the strategy: since the aim is to end up with no tabs, or at least the lowest numbered tabs remaining, the best strategy is to flip the highest numbered tabs first.
In the above example, then, player 1 would flip the 5.
This player carries on rolling and flipping tabs until s/he rolls a number s/he cannot flip tabs to match. For example, if s/he were to eventually roll a 9 and have, say, the 1, and the 3 and the 4 tabs left, that only adds up to 8, so that player is out. Also, if in this scenario s/he were to roll a 12, s/he would also be out because all the tabs left are less than the roll.
Player 1 adds up her or his total score, which is the numbers on the tabs left un-flipped, added together.
Then the next player takes her or his turn and tries to beat Player 1's score.
When I played, the lowest score I ended up with was 14, but I only played a couple of rounds and wasn't really concentrating too hard: I was having too much fun!
Board games like Shut the Box would probably have been played not only at taverns, but in homes during Colonial and post Colonial times. To that end, I've written a new scene in my book about The Oldest House,  A RIVER IN TIME, in which Izzy, Josh, Elizabeth and Sam play the game.
It's an homage to the evening of gamboling I enjoyed at Colonial Williamsburg, and I think it adds wonderful detail of authenticity and fun to the book.
The new, expanded second edition of RIVER will be out in December. More news on this later...
~DLC