Day 18 ~ In My Bag

This is just what's in it today. The bag is from Dolly as a Pay it Forward giftie. The embroidered zipper pouch (which contains things like a Swiss Army Knife, a nail file and such) is a gift from Peru. The amber necklace is a gift from my friend Kipp up in Estes Park. I really need to put that back in my jewelry chest. The knitting is the Outlander scarf in the Beauchamp colourway from Knitter's Brewing Company. What's missing is my current Moleskine as I was making notes in it last night and now it's sitting next to my sewing machine.

#97 of 365 - National and State Tartan Day

For as long as but a hundred of us remain alive, never will we on any conditions be brought under English rule. It is not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom — for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself.

From The Declaration of Arbroath 1320.


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April 6th is the national and state designated celebration of the contributions of persons of Scottish descent to the founding and settling of America. This date was chosen, as it was the date the Declaration of Arbroath was signed in 1320. Some of the wording of this document was used in creating our own Declaration of Independence. The Declaration of Arbroath was sent to the Pope in Avignon to tell him that the Scots were tired of being oppressed by the English. Obviously, that is a problem that still hasn't been fully resolved, even today.

I have been involved with the Colorado State Tartan Council for many years and this morning I attended the State House of Representative's reading of the State Proclamation. Lovely to see John Wallin, the Sargeant at Arms of the House of Representatives decked out in a Colorado kilt and carrying a two-handed Scottish Claymore. Most of the attending Representatives also were wearing either a Colorado State Tartan tie or sash. Even if you have no Scottish or Celtic heritage, as a citizen of the United States you are entitled to wear the Saint Andrew's or American Bicentennial Tartan as your national tartan. If your state also has one, you are entitled to wear it as a resident of your state.

Here I am helping out visitors to one of the State's celebrations, decked out in my Scottish attire which includes and arasaig (shawl) of Old Blair tartan.

As an aside: Scotland has co-opted our National Tartan Day and as of 2003 has started to celebrate Tartan Day.

#26 of 365 - Olio

This Moleskine spread says a lot about me. I haven't had a round robin Moleskine to work on in QUITE some time. I miss the incentive to make art when I don't have a deadline to create to.
Now for a completely different subject, this is the yarn that Erin dyed for me to knit my Bellatrix from. These stockings when finished will be a welcome addition to the "Kewl Sox" collection.

Putting on Another Hat - #13 of 365

Here is another of my hats. and one I truly love. It is from Swan Lace Clothier, a vendor at the Colorado Renaissance Festival. It has an Irish lace crown, so it vents my hot head very well. The other great thing about this hat is that it is SO packable, as it lies flat and I don't have to worry about crushing it. The big brim keeps me from sun poisoning as I am photo sensitive (for the rest of my life) due to chemotherapy. This hat does create a challenge, however, as trying get a photograph of my face by reason of the big brimmage is difficult.

With me in this photo, is my Dear Daughter Erin, in her favorite Faire hat from New Terradyctal Leatherworks (no web presence that we can find, sorry for that). Her's is leather and weighs a ton. However, it looks awesome on her and has a host of wonderful embellishments which change frequently.

In this picture, I am also wearing my silk and wool Clan Blair plaid, custom woven by Mark Riehm and Darla Landfair of Boulder. Erin is wearing her silk and wool handwoven Colorado State Tartan, which was woven by herself.

And yes, Diana, that is even MORE amber that I am wearing. Wait'll you see the suite of amber set in gold...