Online and in-person sewing Thursday, March 21st, 7:30-10pm

There will be online and in-person sewing this Thursday March 21, from 7:30-10:00pm. If you plan to attend in-person, the address is 1105 Shady Ave., Pittsburgh, 15232. There are sewing machines, a large table for cutting out fabric, and an ironing board. If you would rather join by zoom, email sewing (at) debatablelands (dot) org for the zoom information.

The Barony-Marche goes Marching on, Hurrah, Hurrah

Hello friends!

How’s everyone doing? Wanna do some SCA demo stuff in public soon?
Well, March is marching along towards the Pittsburgh St. Patrick’s Day Parade and you can, too! The Barony-Marche of the Debatable Lands will be marching and riding in the parade on Saturday, March 16th. It’s always a fun, silly time and we’re routinely a crowd favorite.

All you need to join us is the low, low entry fee of, “Show up and enjoy yourself”

Check out this facebook event so we can get organized and plan out who, where, what, and when everything takes place! https://fb.me/e/1Y8StRnG6

You can also email the chatelaine office directly!
YIS,
Svava

Fiber Guild March Meeting

The fiber guild will be hosting a fiber movie night, showcasing fiber art techniques from around the world.

It will be on Monday, March 18th from 7-9 PM at our usual place, 5167 Rosecrest Dr, Pittsburgh PA.

As per usual, please be courteous and stay home and join us on zoom if you are not feeling well. If you have been exposed to large groups of people or other high risk situations, please test yourself for covid as we have several vulnerable folks in the group. I will post the zoom links on discord and facebook as we get closer to the event, please email me at friendlyfirerabbit@gmail.com if you need the link sooner.

This activity was closely tied with the fiber swap, so we’ll do that next month as the weather warms up. Please start digging through your stashes and make a pile – if you have things you wish to swap. It’s perfectly alright to be in love with everything you have.

If you have any movies you like please send me links to them, otherwise I will draw from my sources and find some more European and international ones!

Baronial Champions & Thanks

Congratulations to out newest Baronial A&S Champion, Alric Smith, who won with his humble, yet beautifully-made knife, and our second, Lady Lisabetta de Rossi, with her impressive Florentine Lady’s Outfit.

The theme our Lady Elinor chose for the competition was “Pastoral”, which she chose in the hopes that it would attract more entrants with articles from everyday life. She succeeded in her goal, and we were overjoyed to see so many first-time entrants not only in the display, but in the Baronial competition, as well. You didn’t make it easy for us, and we argued back and forth for a good while before deciding on our Champion!

Alric Smith’s knife, while at first glance a simple thing, truly demonstrated the amount of time and effort that goes into the creation of such a mundane item. He smelted the iron, forged the blade and crafted the scales before assembling the final product. Lady Lisabetta’s outfit was almost entirely handsewn, and not only featured fine stitching, but clever assembly, with hidden structure in the shoulders and excellent fit. She has graciously posted the documentation for her project here.

We also had a selection of knitted mittens from Ceindrech verch Elidir, wax tablets from Oyama Michiharu, clothes and accessories from Turlough Feolain and tallow candles rendered from deer by Finé Faílaín. Vivat to all of our skilled entrants, and we look forward to having Alric Smith represent us at Seven Pearls in September.

Shortly after 12th Night, the Stellar Tournaments resumed at our winter practice. February’s tournaments were fantastic to behold, with the winner of the Sun List being Lord Dagon the Ordained and the winner of the Moon List being Don Robert MacEwin of Thornhill. We’re excited to see who the March winners of the tournament are!

We also want to take this moment to thank Brehyres Muirgheal Inghean Dubhghaill for all her service these past many years as our Baronial Seneschal. We feel extremely lucky to have began our tenure with her wisdom and guidance. Our Barony is a better place because of her hard work.

In Service,
Baronessa Violeta de Valencia & Praetoria Aurelia Argentia Prima

Third Thursday Sewing Thurs Feb 15th, 7:30-10:00pm

The next third Thursday sewing will be next Thursday Feb 15th from 7:30 to 10pm. This is both online and in-person. If you are coming in-person, the address is 1105 Shady Ave.,Pittsburgh, 15232. Feel free to sew, iron, cut fabric, draft a pattern, or just hang out. If you have questions contact or want the zoom inforation, email sewing (at) debatableland dot org.

So long and thanks for all the fishes…

Sharing my thoughts after Debatable Lands Twelfth Night; my final event as Baronial Seneschal.

This event … my final in service as the Seneschal of the Barony-Marche of the Debatable Lands; Four years is a very long time for all of you to put up with me and suffer through my difficult work schedule. You have shown me every kindness and lifted up our group even in the most challenging situations; not even plague was able to kill your spirit of service and dedication to each other! We have grown in our awareness of each others comfort and found ways to make our Barony more welcoming, more aware, more accessible, and just all around kinder. There are not words enough to express my gratitude.

Your Officers are taking steps to bring in new ideas and easier methods to do the necessary mundane things in the most advanced technology! The Group has collectively been made up of more and more newer faces and each of our Business Meetings has seen an increase in the members of the populace taking an interest in how things are running.

You have found more ways to do Art and Science! I didn’t know that the report could continue to three pages… but you’ve even grown past that. The caliber of work, the documentation, the beauty and the joy… it seems you’ve found endless supplies of inspiration.

Our Archers have proven their aim and arms are not stretched only to the target but also to service! The Skyguard has been an ever present force anywhere and everywhere they have been needed. Ever aimed towards the next highest star. You are incredible.

Our Throwers have welcomed faces off the street to our Dream bringing in more and more new people who have become dear friends. They prove that each of us is a chatelaine and secretly longs to throw axes.

Our Heavy Fighters and Fencers have grown in number at practice and soon we may be legions! Your enthusiasm and prowess continue to grow. You welcome all that come and each week I see those newest faces and those most senior laughing; pausing to give constructive feedback and share smiles. Your courtesy on the field of battle shows bonds of siblings and makes me proud to be among your numbers.

Each and every one of you has stepped up to serve Our Barony in ways small and seemingly unnoticed or in grand ways that could not go unseen. You are doers and dreamers who have pushed Our Home to do better, who have sometimes challenged each other to Be Better, and who have certainly made me stretch and grow to keep up with you.

What I am saying is; I am happy to see the end of my term arrive but only because each and every one of you has made it a true honor to serve. I am confident that the Debatable Lands remains a thriving force for positive change and will continue to show compassion and thoughtful judgement. I am blessed to call you my chosen family and friends. I could not be more proud of you.

Thank you for sharing The Dream with me and for trusting me with Our Home and Your Friendships.

Lastly, Thank you to Her Ladyship Ceindrech verch Elidir who has served as my deputy, sounding board, second brain, sanity check, kick in the tuchus, extra hands and legs, and very dear friend. And most especially thank her for her willingness to step into the role of Seneschal. I know she will help us grow and change and stretch. Not only that, she will do so with kindness and caring. Vivat Ceindrech! Vivat Debatable Lands!

In Service,

Muirgheal