So much for my blogging break–LOL

Tonight I skipped fight practice at Tirnewydd, thinking I should check with my physical therapist tomorrow before embarking on trying out rapier (aka Medieval fencing). See Azriel le Fey: an inspiration to try something new!

While I was home, I worked on my embroidery project and then decided to add to my garb for Saturday’s event.

I have a lovely fox skin that I got several months ago from a seller on Etsy in Kiev, Ukraine. His name is Yaroslav and his shop is Furlux Studio. Kiev is a place dear to my heart because of my research and teaching about the 10th century Viking/Rus’/Slav Princess Ol’ga.  See My article on Princess Ol’ga is published! and Post-event reviews are in!

I highly recommend Yaroslav’s shop. The fur I purchased from him was even nicer than I had expected, it was exactly the length that was promised, and the shipping charge was extremely reasonable. His customer service is excellent. Here’s the link to his shop on Etsy: Yarolslav’s Etsy shop, Furlux Studio

But I was having the hardest time trying to wear the fox skin. It simply would not stay in place on my shoulders. Finally, yesterday after I was looking at Kestral’s photo from Kingdom 12th Night 2017 in which she is wearing her own fox, I messaged her for advice. Here she is at that event:

It looked to me like she had pinned the fur with a second set of turtle brooches, so I asked her about that, and she said that she had indeed done just that. She also sent me a photo of her daughter Shiloh wearing a fox skin pinned at the center with one pin. Here they both are:

Tonight I decided that I would try pinning my fur on, much as I hate to put holes in it. While I was at it, I added the cloak that Jen Johnson (see Festival of Maidens 2018) said was necessary for Viking woman garb, and which I researched myself and corroborated. Here is Jen at Maidens 2018 in her garb with cloak attached to her turtle pins:

So here is the complete outfit for this Saturday’s event with the new blue smokkr, the fox skin, and the cloak. Please excuse the blurs!

Of course, I can’t have a photo session without a picture of Ophelia!