A royal visit to the Renfest

Last weekend, we made our annual trip to the Rennesaince Festival.  We always love going, and since Sugarwings was born, I rarely miss it.  Before that, it had probably been 7-8 years between visits.  But seeing it with my very own little fairy by my side, has made the experience very special.

This year, I had both girls with me.  They decided they wanted to be princesses, not fairies, so I created some gowns for them.  We had some ivory satin dresses in the play cabinet, but they'd seen better days. Around here, dress up clothes get a heavy duty workout.

So, I stitched bundles of white tulle around the waists, and took the plastic innards out of silk roses, and sewed them on the bodices.  It's not a great sewing job, I just bunched up the tulle and pushed it through the machine. I was pretty pleased with myself for not sewing the back of the dress to its own front, with so many layers of bunched up fabric in those full skirts, I was impressed that I could do it.  And I ran the pedal right over the silk rose and leaves, no careful hand stitching here.

After that, we threw them both in the washer with a half bottle each of pale pink and fuchsia Rit dye (because that is what I had), along with a few stained tee shirts, hoping to salvage the shirts by hiding the stain under a coat of pink.  Anytime I dye stuff, I fill up the machine with as many things as I can find, kind of to see what can be repaired that is stained, but also just because it's fun to see a new color emerge.

Dewdrop and I sat in front of the washer and watched the clothes spin as the color sunk in.  I'd say we watched it at least 10 minutes, until I started to wonder exactly what had become of my life, that sitting in front of a washing machine was now entertainment...

We arrived at the festival just in time for the beginning of the Dance of the Fairies going on right inside the gate. It's always the highlight of our day there.  I was glad we started with that, I had my hands full with these guys, so it was nice that I didn't have to keep my eye on the clock to make it across the park to get to a showtime for the dance later in the day.

Uncle Ryan came along to help me out, he hadn't been to the festival since he was in high school. Ry has some social phobias and doesn't enjoy crowded places. But his near death experience seems to be opening him up to new adventures. 

And I needed the backup.  My husband was out of town, all the parents were working, it was just us.

While these princesses are adorable, lovable, and the lights of my life, they are still not easy for me to handle alone with all the crowds and excitement.  Sugarwings especially thrives with one on one attention, and that isn't  possible, when there is a two year old who needs caring for.  Usually, my husband and I "divide and conquer" on outings.

Ryan was  handy to have, although, he has his own issues, and needs tending also.  He has to be cajoled and joked with, to keep his mood up and his mind calm. 

I'm glad he came, we had some laughs, and even when one little girl would get distracted by something shiny and the other one would be angered by something not quite going her way, he managed to hold it together despite the crowds that bother him so much. I was proud of him and thankful to have his help.

I might have been even more impressed with his attitude than with my ability not to sew the bunches of skirts into a big wad.

I recommend this event so highly. 

It is set in a lovely, wooded park and has permanent buildings that are as cute as can be. A pretty little fantasy to join in on.

This wasn't my favorite visit there, but it wasn't the fault of the park, it was me trying to juggle too many special needs at once. I'd like to take each girl on her own, to really enjoy the days with them. Plus, going to that festival is always such a special time for me, that I feel like I missed out on some of the joy this year, our trip wasn't a typical one for us, it had it's stressed moments.

 

I want a do-over!!

Isn't this entrance to the play area cute?  I wouldn't mind taking ONE girl at a time there, just to hang out at the play place for a couple hours. Their father is selling his jewelry and managing a booth there this season, so we have free passes for his kids to go. 

He is also helping a friend build a castle there. The guy my son is working for, is a talented stone mason. This is an ongoing project, in it's third year, and still has a few years ahead of it till it is completed.

Here he is, his name is Forrest.  I'm not sure you can see all the detail of his work from my photos, but it's quite intricate and arty.

Cool, huh?  At this point, it is more like a courtyard than a castle, very open. I think it's magical as it is, but am looking forward to watching it grow.

That column and window are fantastic.

I'll leave you with some more photos of our trip.

PS- Thank you for all of your enquiries about Ryan. He is doing well, is working at the new job while still going to cardiac rehab.  That job is kicking his butt, it is very hard work, but he is happy to be there.

Comments

[suzeeez]

Your little Sugarwings sure is turning into a beauty ! It's been so much fun watching this beautiful little grabnddaughter of your grow. Little Dewdrop is so adorable as well and changing so fast . Looks like a magical time .

[Tessa]

What a beautiful day at a beautiful event. Thank you for taking us along.

Everyone looks simply purrrrfect! Who could ask for more magical Princesses. :-) And their Uncle/Knight looks handsome too.

You are so brave, to take on so much. I do hope that all, will eventually appreciate, all you do.

Gentle hugs, to the Lady who made it all possible...

Tessa~

[victorian tailor]

Beautiful job on the sewing and dyeing, and the pics of the girls! I went this year after not for 10 years, see my post if you have a minute, http://thevictoriantailor.blogspot.com/2013/09/renaissance.html

[victorian tailor]

Our nearest Ren Fest is in Holly, Michigan, kinda near Detroit, Pontiac area, and it is a permanent town, every weekend August through October, so fun, I was with my daughter and grandson, would love to take my granddaughter next year, she would love to dress up!!!

[Gayla]

I have always wanted to go, but now I doubt it... I don't walk because of arthritis... But oh, your girls! And I know Ryan had to be proud the could help. Magical days aren't usually the easy ones... But the ones where memories are made... Good for you, Karla, for making a beautiful day and keeping it real...and magical at the same time!

[leann]

Hi Karla

I always enjoy seeing your photos of renfest. Ryan was very brave to go with you - I know someone who suffers from the same type of phobia. The girls must have loved having him with you all.

Big hugs to you for all that you are dealing with.

[Linda P.]

This post was full of humor, love, sweetness, beauty, honesty, struggle--real life-ness. I always like that about your blog. : )

I hope Ryan was able to feel proud of himself, that he went and endured and was able to help. Sometimes getting out of our comfort zone and managing to get through the toughness of that can feel like quite an accomplishment. I hope he was able to feel that about himself!

Staring at the washing machine's swirling watery dye while it was transforming the fabric--hey, that sounds fun to me! Of course, I am a fellow artsy sort, and we are sometimes attracted to things others aren't! : )

The little princesses are lovely. You did a great job seeing that they were beautifully attired!