Everyone's Blog Posts - The Steampunk Empire

"Carried Away (Love Song)" by Frenchy and the Punk

2015-02-18T05:51:52.000Z

"Carried Away (Love Song)" by Frenchy and the Punk is the Sepiachord Featured Video. http://www.sepiachord.com/index/carried-away-love-song-by-frenchy-and-the-punk-is-the-sepiachord-featured-video/ #frenchyandthepunk

Victorious RPG- Kickstarter

2015-02-18T05:12:38.000Z

Victorious RPG

Victorious RPG- Kickstarter http://www.victorianadventureenthusiast.com/index/victorious-rpg-kickstarter/ #rpg #steampunk #victoriousrpg

YA Steampunk Novel - The Flight To Brassbright

2015-02-15T18:00:00.000Z

What's this, yet another Steampunk Novel?

Absolutely! I've now published The Flight To Brassbright, a Victorian Era Steampunk-ish Carnival-esque Bohemian Urban Fantasy Comedy book (oh, what fun to try to niche me into a genre!), the first book in The Brassbright Chronicles.

Information here! http://www.brassbrightcity.com/books-products-and-services/

The Aether Chronicle #23: St. Valentine's Day Miracles!

2015-02-14T21:43:53.000Z

Extra! Extra! Read All About it!

Abigail Thompson Reunites With Husband on St. Valentine’s Day!

New Trend in Romance--Courtship by Post and Marriage by Proxy!

New Book: Steampunk Rules of Courtship!

Chronicle%20%2323.pdf

To Subscribe to The Aether Chronicle, click the link below and "Follow" this Discussion, which is kept updated with each new edition of The Aether Chronicle!

http://www.thesteampunkempire.com/forum/topics/reign-of-giant-octopus-plaguing-london-comes-to-an-end

Sepiachord Playlist for the week ending Feb 8th~

2015-02-11T06:17:19.000Z

Sepiachord Playlist for the week ending Feb 8th~ http://www.sepiachord.com/index/sepiachord-playlist-for-the-week-ending-feb-8th/

Chapter 23 Episode 10 Conclusion of Act IV

2015-02-08T21:45:47.000Z

SCENE II: The guest suite. The mantle clock reads 2150. All of CR&A+K, except Regnad, are present. The door opens, Regnad enters and closes and bolts the door.

A. (With mock annoyance) And just where have you been?

R. Saying thank you and goodnight to Luisa. You're right, Adele, she really has taken a liking to me. Why else would our farewell dinner be a pizza party?

M. I had a bit to do with it, as well.

R. More than a bit, I'd say, considering how much it tasted like a somewhat improved version of our own attempts to make a proper pizza. No wonder you were so insistent on visiting the kitchens! Good work, Marie. Now if only we can convince someone to open a pizza parlor in Denver.

C. It is good, but do you really think it can become a widely accepted food?

R. Well, when I was a kid, pizza was already one of the most popular foods in the United States that I come from.

A. I still say it's kinda like a lotta Mexican food, except the bread part's thicker, an' it ain't folded up.

R. There is a sort of folded in half version called a calzone-

K. (Interrupts) Please, enough about food! Aren't any of you concerned about the two 'surprises' for us that were mentioned?

M. Hmph! It's now obvious that you enjoy a good meal as much as anyone. Why won't you just admit it?

C. Yes, and I think 'concern' is the wrong word. I'm quite looking forward to tomorrow!

R. I agree. If the Sylothians were hatching some kind of plot, why would they say anything at all? Besides, if anything was amiss, Sabeetha or Marie should have spotted something.

A. Yup! Ain't you noticed that them two can pick up on all sorts-a things reglar humans miss?

M. And that you seem to miss, as well!

R. Ouch! I thought we had called a truce, here!

A. Marie, if somethin's eatin' ya, just come on out with it.

M. Well, it's just that Krancher has been especially mean to me, and I think I deserve a direct apology!

S. Yesss, I agree.

R. So THAT's why you gave him that elbow jab back on the road instead of just saying something!

A. Alright, Mister, you heard the lady! Better do it, if only t'keep the peace.

K. Oh, very well. Marie, I really have put the feelings that caused me to make disparaging remarks about you behind me. If my apology will make you feel better, then you have it.

M. (Hesitantly) Ah, I really can't judge your sincerity the way I can with humans... All right, I accept.

K. Good.

A. Whew. Fer awhile there, I was afraid I was gonna have'ta separate you two.

M. (Snaps) Mistress, I am NOT a child!

Everyone stares at Marie. She slaps her hand over her mouth.

R. (Looking surprised and pleased) That's right, you tell'er!

A. (Happily) Yeah, I sure had that one comin'! That was great, Marie!

C. (Softly, in wonderment) You're really doing it. You're overcoming your imperatives. That shouldn't be possible...

R. Well, Marie wasn't literally being disobedient or disloyal, but it's certainly another big step forward!

M. (Aghast) I don't WANT to be disobedient or disloyal!

A. A'course y'don't! But it should be by yer own choice, not 'cause-a some dumb ol' imperatives.

M. I still don't think you understand. And now I'm not entirely sure I do, either.

R. I might be getting an inkling. Caroline?

C. I'm afraid not. There's far too much about my fathers methods that are still unknown to me.

R. But you DO think this is all rooted in his 'balanced mind' concept, right?

C. Oh! I wasn't even considering that! Hmmm....

A. All right, all right, it's gettin' a bit late fer all this. I think we should call it a night, and worry about t'morra t'morra.

R. Sounds good to me.

C. Yes, well, I may not get much sleep. Suddenly I have a lot to think about. (Sarcastically) Thank you all so much!

R. (Grinning) Don't mention it! If it makes you feel any better, I'll be giving a few things some thought, myself.

A. OK, g'night everyone. An' congratulations, Marie, y'done real good all the way around!

Adele and Regnad stand up, and exit to their room. Caroline rises and heads for hers, as well.

S. I think I sshall take sssome air.

She exits to the balcony, closing the door behind her. Marie and Krancher sit well apart, but where they can still see each other.

END OF SCENE II

SCENE III: Adele and Regnad's room. Adele plops down on the bed. Regnad continues to stand and pace a bit, as usual.

A. I dunno about you, but I really enjoyed today!

R. Definitely! Great music, an interesting tour with the second half conducted by Luisa, fantastic food, and Marie really standing up for herself, not only with Krancher, but with you, too!

A. (Chuckles) Yeah, it's been slow goin', but that girl is really startin' t'come around.

R. It's funny, but I could say the exact same thing about Caroline.

A. Uh huh, and while I wasn't gonna say nuthin' in fronna Krancher, I really am wond'rin' about them surprises.

R. I'm not.

A. Not even a little?

R. Alright, maybe just a little. If I had to guess, I'd say one of them must have to do with the means of our departure.

A. Yeah, but what about th' other?

R. Hey, I thought I was supposed to be the suspicious one!

A. (Grins) Dang, y'got me!

R. And while I'm starting to really like some of the people around here, I am very much looking forward to going home.

A. (Thoughtfully) Y'know, yer startin' t' use that word a lot.

R. What word?

A. Home.

R. Oh, Adele... (Sits next to her and takes her hands) Don't you know I meant everything I said to Arianna?

A. (Softly) 'Course I do. But... I guess some-a it's takin' awhile t' sink in.

R. (Puts an arm around his wife) Oh. Is there anything I can do to help?

A. Naw, jus' keep on bein' you, OK?

R. That's easy, and be sure you do the same.

A. Alright. So... D'ya know what happens now?

R. (Smiles widely) I shut up and kiss you?

A. (Smiles even wider) What else!

They embrace and share a long kiss.

FADE OUT

END OF SCENE III

END OF ACT IV

Colorado Public Radio on the ‘Denver Sound’

2015-02-08T03:29:59.000Z

Colorado Public Radio on the ‘Denver Sound’~ http://www.sepiachord.com/index/colorado-public-radio-on-the-denver-sound/

June 6th~ The Cog Is Dead: Final Tour Show, Deland FL

2015-02-08T01:01:45.000Z

June 6th~ The Cog Is Dead: Final Tour Show, Deland FL http://www.sepiachord.com/index/june-6th-the-cog-is-dead-final-tour-show-

"Hands of Orlac" by Birdeatsbaby i

2015-02-06T07:13:32.000Z

"Hands of Orlac" by Birdeatsbaby is the Sepiachord Featured Video. http://www.sepiachord.com/index/hands-of-orlac-by-birdeatsbaby-is-the-sepiachord-featured-video/

Playlist for the week ending Feb 1st~

2015-02-04T09:36:10.000Z

Sepiachord Playlist for the week ending Feb 1st~ http://www.sepiachord.com/index/sepiachord-playlist-for-the-week-ending-feb-1st/

Steampunk Hands Around the World 2015

2015-02-02T16:01:19.000Z

For the second year, the monthly blog-a-thon celebrating the amazing creativity in our community has now started. Follow along on the Official Link List as it is updated daily with new posts from almost 60 creators around the world.

https://airshipambassador.wordpress.com/2015/01/31/hands-2015-official-link-list/

Django Kill - Giulio Questi - 1967

2015-02-02T08:08:59.000Z

Django Kill - Giulio Questi - 1967 http://www.victorianadventureenthusiast.com/index/django-kill-giulio-questi-1967/ #django #western #weird_west #spaghetti_western #elrey

My latest piece for sale!

2015-02-02T04:15:25.000Z

http://james-christopher-hill.artistwebsites.com/featured/nikola-telsas-work-james-christopher-hill.html

"Kali 47" by Savant is the Sepiachord Featured Video

2015-02-01T04:19:10.000Z

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"Kali 47" by Savant is the Sepiachord Featured Video. http://www.sepiachord.com/index/kali-47-by-savant-is-the-sepiachord-featured-video/ #steampunk #electronicmusic #savant #weirdwest #sepiachord

#savant #weird west #steampunk #sepiachord #skull #electroinic music

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sepiachord

Tea Rex

#tea #t rex #dinosaur #dinosaur art #bowler #monocle #steampunk

1 note

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sepiachord

"Kali 47" by Savant is the Sepiachord Featured Video. http://www.sepiachord.com/index/kali-47-by-savant-is-the-sepiachord-featured-video/ #steampunk #electronicmusic #savant #weirdwest #sepiachord

4RV Publishing's, 'Experiment 38', by Charles Suddeth, is at the printers!

2015-02-01T04:18:59.000Z

Experiment 38 has been sent to the printers. While waiting for it to be available in the 4RV Bookstore, and other online retailers, I thought you might like to see the cover and read the blurb. :D

Eighteen-year-old Emily, small for her age, lives alone with her scientist-father and learns too late that he holds a terrible secret, one that might destroy her life.

As she and her boyfriend, Nate, try to unravel the mystery behind her father’s secret, they face danger and uncertainty.

Be sure to keep an eye out in the 4RV Bookstore, and subscribe to 4RV's Newsletter, for availability updates.

If you prefect social networks to follow ...

Twitter

Facebook

Google+

Onto wrapping up the next book

Until next time ...

Aidana WillowRaven

http://WillowRaven.weebly.com

This post edited by Grammarly*

*Blurbs and quotes provided are not edited by WillowRaven, but posted as provided by author/publisher.

DJ Panix vs Bal des Ardents, Jan 28th playlist~

2015-01-30T07:30:58.000Z

DJ Panix vs Bal des Ardents, Jan 28th playlist~ http://www.sepiachord.com/index/dj-panix-vs-bal-des-ardents-jan-28th-playlist/

Steampunk Hands Around the World 2015

2015-01-28T03:44:17.000Z

Steampunk Hands Around the World 2015~ http://www.sepiachord.com/index/steampunk-hands-around-the-world-2015/

Sepiachord playlist for the week ending Jan 25th~

2015-01-27T05:49:41.000Z

sepiachord

Sepiachord playlist for the week ending Jan 25th~ http://www.sepiachord.com/index/sepiachord-playlist-for-the-week-ending-jan-25th/

Steampunk Wings - DaVinci

2015-01-27T05:23:47.000Z

Steampunk DaVinci's Wings

DaVinci's wings Steampunk Style - They do work and are computer tested and animated.

Updated Steampunk Works - NEW PIECES!!!!

2015-01-27T05:11:01.000Z

http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/james-christopher-hill.html?tab=artworkgalleries&artworkgalleryid=123812

"Intertwined" by Unwoman video

2015-01-27T03:05:26.000Z

"Intertwined" by Unwoman is the Sepiachord Featured Video. http://www.sepiachord.com/index/intertwined-by-unwoman-is-the-sepiachord-featured-video/

Reigning Curse -first two chapters

2015-01-26T22:29:37.000Z

http://aliceekeyes.blogspot.com/p/reigning-curse.html

Chapter One

As I arrived at the well, a woman, in a powder blue silk skirt and bodice, banged at the series of gears and pulleys covering the well with a black and white striped parasol. In her other hand, she held a silver teacup. The contraption frustrated her. When the queen had them installed six months ago, they confounded most of the citizens of Pembroke, Pembria.

"Pardon," I called out. "May I be of assistance in retrieving some water from the well contrivance?"

She turned and her gold guild pin of a shriveled apple glinted in the sun. She was a H.A.G. I took a step back. A member of the Hermetic Aphrodite Guild in Pembroke, Pembria. Astonishing!

"I would be ever so grateful having never encountered such a thing. I am perplexed and thirsty," she said, stared at my pin of a flat spring with a bee, and finished with, "Spring Guild Lady."

Looking at every detail of her dress, parasol, and perfect roses complexion, I wanted to ask her about being a H.A.G., but my manners suppressed the questions.

"The well contrivance is a bit tricky. The main thing to remember is a glass of water is the same price as two gallons," placing my bucket under a spout, I inserting a coin into the slot, and turning the crank once. "My dad and the Gear Guild built seven of the on the queen's orders."

The H.A.G.'s eyes followed the motions of the contraption as the gears and springs retrieved and poured water into a tube which directed the water into my bucket. "Exceptional," she said when the water started to pour.

"Everyone in the guild district has a pump for house water but this is an old well set over a spring. I think you will find the water cool and sweet," I said.

My hand shook as I took her teacup, dunked and filled it. She peered into the glass, sniffed at the water, and drank. Her every movement fascinated me as I couldn't believe a H.A.G. was standing before me. The well's purlieu was empty as if the business of daily life had stopped for my encounter with the H.A.G. She handed me her cup again. I refilled it and gave it back to her. She sipped the water like it was teatime and all the world waited for her to enjoy the water.

Smiling, she stared into my eyes. The teacup spun on her finger. The only sound for an extended moment was the chain creaking as the bucket returned to the bottom of the well.

In the stillness of the moment, in a voice of pure notes, the H.A.G. said,

"Spring Guild girl

with strawberry gold curls and emerald eyes,

for every audible resonance you make,

you will be rewarded."

When she enunciated the 'd' on rewarded, the sounds of the world returned. People moved along the streets and women carrying empty buckets headed towards the well.

She walked away after she placed the silver teacup into a carpet bag,, opened her parasol and swung it over her head at just the right angle to shield her from the morning sun.

I proceeded home in a daze and could scarcely believe I had spoken to a H.A.G. The stories about H.A.Gs I heard as a child were frightening. The H.A.G.s stole children to use in their experiments to create gold or some horrible magic potion. They were always describe as old and disfigured from years of experimentations. I found this odd because of the Aphrodite part of the name. The H.A.G. at the well personified Aphrodite with her stunning beauty.

My stepmother's voice greeted me as I walked into the kitchen garden. "Gerty, I thirst. Where is that bucket of water? You have been gone hours."

It had taken the usual twenty minutes to get the water even with helping the H.A.G.

"Yes, Good Mother Springflat," I said which was my automatic response to anything my stepmother said.

When I uttered these words while setting down the bucket, three jewels and one gold pebble tumbled out of my mouth. My fingers touched my tongue as the gems sparkle in the dirt. Perplexed, I bent to pick one up.

My stepmother walked toward me yelling, "What are you chewing?"

At the sound of her voice, I stood up with one blue gem in my fingers. The gleaming wealth attracted her attention immediately and she picked up the jewels and gold pebble at my feet. She was silent while she examined them. She bit the gold chunk the size of a chickpea. The nugget took on an impression of one of her teeth. I made a face as she did this. It had been on my tongue and on the ground. She saw the jewel in my hand and snatched it away.

"Where did these come from? Were they in your mouth? Why?" she said.

"I was-" I stopped speaking. Two more gems popped out. Stepmother picked up a ruby and an emerald.

"Prattle on, Gerty," she said staring the wealth in her hand.

Chatting with my stepmother consisted of her commanding me and my reply of 'yes, Goodmother Springflat', 'No, Goodmother Springflat,' or 'I'm sorry it took me took me long'. Telling her the story of the well and the H.A.G. was the most I had ever said to her.

It was an odd feeling to have jewels form in my mouth as I spoke the words of my tale. It was as if a tooth grew in the middle of my tongue. The gem or gold pebble was cold and hard. My tongue wanted to get rid of it and propelled it out at the end of each word.

As told her about helping the H.A.G. at the well and having the first precious stones pop out of my mouth, she picked up the gem and gold as they tumbled. A couple of jewels bounced off of her head as I spoke. I wanted to laugh but held it in because I wasn't sure how laughter would affect the spewing. Would it be gold, gems, or something else? Or, what would Stepmother do? If she was mad about something, she liked to stomp on my foot. She slapped me once but my father was angry about the mark on my face.

When I finished and she gathered the last of the jewels and pebbles into her apron, she said, "Quite a story, Gerty. A real H.A.G., with a shrived apple guild pin, left her lab, Gerty? Came to town in daylight, Gerty? A young H.A.G! If it weren't for the curse of jewels and gold, I would say you were lying, Gerty."

She often ended each sentence she spoke to me with her version of my name. My name is actually Eliza. I'm not sure how she got Gerty out of Eliza. Gerty must be the stepmother form of Eliza.

Once all the Gertys left my ears, the word curse entered them. H.A.G. curses weren't real. Hermetic Aphrodite Guild members were experimenters of the scientific arts. Their reclusiveness most likely led to the H.A.G. stories. I always thought the tales were to keep children on their best behavior. How could wealth tumbling from my mouth be a curse? Before my thoughts had a chance to work through what happened to me, from inside the house, Good Mother Springflat yelled, "Bring in the well water and the lettuce needs to be picked."

Without questioning her command, I did as she said. Picking up the basket for vegetable gathering, I walked to the garden to pick the greens. The words, 'H.A.G. Curse' repeated over and over in my mind. Again, I questioned in what way would gems and gold be a curse.

Curiosity and the idea of experimentation entered my thoughts. What would happen if I sang, laughed, or cried? How did the jewels and nuggets form? How had the H.A.G. created the curse or should I call it a gift? In the H.A.G.'s poetic farewell, she called it a reward. A curse that was a reward? Rewards were never mentioned in the stories. How exciting! Something different from my everyday life.

My first experiment I did while picking the lettuce was to see what happen when I sang. Singing the first line of my favorite song. 'Hey, ho, and a nanny no.' produced no different results than talking.The only difference was each held note sounded like I was gargling stones. I put the gems and gold in my pocket.

Laughter, what would laughter create? I laughed. Through the strangled laugh, a fountain of gold pebbles tumbled to the dirt. I laughed again. Emeralds hit the ground. How interesting I thought and noted laughter didn't produce a mixture of stones and gold. What would I do with this wealth, I questioned as I put the emeralds and nuggets in my pock?

The lettuce was picked and I looked at the rest of the garden to see what else needed tending. As I walked the paths, the line from one of my favorite H.A.G. stories shouted in my head, 'You have been cursed by a H.A.G.' In the story, the curse the princess endured was she turned into a wild boar for a full hour after she smelled a flower. Wanting to protect his daughter, the King had all plants removed from the kingdom. Within a year, the people were on the verge of starvation. The princess, saddened by what her curse did to the kingdom, went to the desert. She hoped the king would bring back the plants thus returning the kingdom to normal.

It was a typical H.A.G tale. The bearer of the curse always making a huge sacrifice. There was never a counter curse and there was never an end to the curse. None of the H.A.G. stories had a reward of wealth given to its bearer. Would there be an end to my H.A.G. curse, I wondered?

I went inside to wash the lettuce and Good Mother Springflat swept through the kitchen dressed her best dress, and she had fixed her hair.

"Did you say anything in the garden, Gerty?" I shook my head no. I hoped she wouldn't look at my filled pocket. "How rude, Gerty. Speak when being spoken to," she said as she tapped her foot.

"No," I paused but continued with, "Good Mother Springflat."

She picked up the four gems and put them in her embroidered-going-to-town pocket, "I have an errand to run. If you speak while I am gone, put the jewels and gold in the spice box. And, get to work on that flat spring order." She paused and added, "You might want to tell yourself a story, um, out loud, while you work. Um, it will make the time go faster."

I mumbled, "Yes, that's what I always do while I work. I tell myself a story...out loud." My mouth filled with stones making words even more of a mumble. At least, I didn't have to pick them up and now I knew mumbling kept the stones from propelling from my mouth. I spit them out and put them in the spice box because my pocket couldn't handle any more.

I loved creating flat-springs. My father, Good Father Springflat created flat-springs for large mechanical devices and medium flat-springs for clockworks. My mother learned how to wind the metal into flat-springs by watching him and refined it for delicate small flat-springs. Her flat-springs were very pretty and it became the fashion to trim a bodice or a pocket with them. Some dressmakers incorporated flat-springs into embroidery designs.

Wanting to create a special flat-spring guild pin for her husband, she fashioned a bee holding four flat-springs. She hoped it would represent a family of four but she passed away giving birth to my brother, Peter. Wealthy women saw the bee and decided they wanted the small ornamental bugs on their clothing along with the springs. My mother could recreate fireflies, ants, dragonflies, and caterpillars from bits of leftover metal. When the railroad and other metal machines became a part of Pembria, the demand for metal bugs and springs for clothing increased. The order I worked on today were delicate quarter inch brass flat-springs for a dress maker.

My brother, who is now twelve, has an apprenticeship to a goldsmith. He tried to be a good son and create flat-springs but he wanted to work with gold. He said he dreamed of gold spoons, gold goblets and gold jewelry. It was an odd wish because most boys in Pembroke dreamed of inventing steam engine gadgets. There were only two goldsmiths in Pembria and only one was in need of an apprentice. Because of the price of gold and the mistakes an apprentice would make, the goldsmith required a fee to take on an apprentice who wasn't a relative. With the money from the increased demand for springs, we paid the fee. I decided to save the gold for him.

In order to have a good pile for him, I would talk to myself as my stepmother suggested by reciting a childhood poem as I worked the metal ribbons into flat-springs. The work usually cleared my head and calmed my thoughts, but this time my head filled with anger for my stepmother calling me Gerty and taking the jewels and gold that came out of my mouth. The Hag gave me the ability to spew gems and gold when I spoke. Shouldn't the wealth belong to me?

I wound the brass and repeated the same poem, my anger grew towards my stepmother because she had never tried to learn how to create even the simplest of flat-springs, leaving my father and me to do all orders. I stopped reciting and screamed, "You are an ogre, Good Mother Springflat."

The ground around me was littered. The blue, red, yellow, and gold sparkled catching the sunlight from the window. The mosaic of light and color was beautiful and was hard to comprehend the amount of wealth laying on the floor. On my knees, I ran my hands over them feeling the sharpness of the gems and the smoothness of the gold. In the distance, the whistle for the eleven o'clock train took me out the trance. Thinking my stepmother would be back at any moment, I picked up and separated the gold pebbles from the jewels. The gold I placed in a box and hid it under my bed and the rest I put in the spice box. I hoped it would be enough wealth to keep her happy.

In the front room where the shop is, I hear a rattling at the door. I had told father when he made a device to open the door out of flat-springs that it would be difficult for people.

"Eliza," he said, "it is quite simple. Just pull this lever and it is open." Most people can't find the lever because of the ornate workings. Upon opening the door, I was hit by a barrage of chatter like a young girl telling you about her first sell on market day.

Chapter 2

"Good morning, miss, is this the flat-spring shop? The one that makes the specialty springs everyone wants? My sister, Princess Katrina requested me to find special mechanical springs for a dress she is having made. She demanded I retrieve said springs. She said, 'My dear brother, Prince Charlie, I can't trust anyone at the castle to do this right. I'm looking for a special pieces.' Is it?"

He finished by looking at me with a perfect smile which completed his perfectly polished looks. He wore a brown leather jacket and goggles over a blue embroider vest, white shirt, and dark slacks. I was dazzled by him even though we had important wealthy clients make their own purchases. But, they weren't the bachelor, Prince Charlie. His chatter and overwhelming perfect smile made me forget about the gems that would pop out of my mouth when I spoke.

"Is it?"

I replied to the second "Is it," automatically while curtsying, "Yes, your Majesty."

My tongue reflexed to push the precious stones out past my lips. I clamped them shut and couldn't imagine letting jewels and gold tumble out of my mouth in front of the prince. My tongue shoved them to my cheek like a squirrel with nuts.

"My sister described in detail what she desired," he said while pulling out a small note. "Five quarter inch flat spring with dragonflies. Five-eighth inch flat springs with bumble bees. Do you have samples because she had other instructions, but I can't remember all the details. She didn't include them in this note. But, I'll remember the metals and such in looking at examples." He smiled at me expectantly.

I nodded and went behind the counter and pulled out a sample tray of various decorative spring flats. At this point, with a customer, I would ask various questions such as color of the dress and where the springs would be placed. I hoped I would be able to conduct business with the handsome prince without speaking again.

He constant chatter, I hoped, would save me from spitting jewels and nuggets at the prince. Occasionally, he would stop and flash his smile. I knew he expected some kind of response and it was hard not to say, "Yes, Your Majesty" or "No, Your Majesty." The stones tucked in my cheek reminded me to nod my responses.

"My sister said the seamstress would need these by Friday."

I nodded to indicated the order would be finished on Friday. When I thought I would get away with not saying another word to the prince, he asked a question I couldn't nod yes or no.

"Will they be delivered or should they be picked up?" asked the prince.

I smiled and hesitated hoping he would make the decision and tell me the springs would be picked up or I should have them delivered. I calculated how few words I could say to answer his question but manners would demand me to finish any answer with Your Magistry. I hoped I would be able to keep the stones on my mouth.

I said as quietly as possible with barely moving my lips, "Delivered? Your Majesty."

"What? I didn't quite hear what you said," he replied.

I now had six stones in my mouth. "Delivered? Your Magistry," I repeated. The jewels and gold nuggets tumbled to the ground. He took a step back.

"Did those come out of your mouth? Were you hiding them there? Did you steal them? I never seen anything like it, is this some sort of trick?" he asked while picking up the stones and studied at each one.

I hesitated before I answered not wanting more jewels coming out of my mouth. My face felt flushed with embarrassment, but I had to reply.

"No, Your Majesty." I replied, curtsied and let the gems fall to the floor.

"When you speak, jewels pop out of your mouth. Have you always had this gift?" he said as he picked up the jewels and held them in his hand. "Probably not because if you had, there would have been rumors." He pause and counted at the wealth in his hand. Looking back at me, he flashed his perfect smile and spoke in the same chattering manner. "Please call me Prince Charlie. I hate that, "Your majesty" stuff. How did you come to have this gift? Will you marry me? How many jewels and gold nuggets do you have? Where are your parents? We can go to the castle now and tell them later. Shall we?" He finished his many questions, and poured the jewels and gold into his vest pocket.

"It's a H.A.G. curse; Yes, I'll marry you, Prince Charlie," I replied to his first two questions.

"A H.AG. curse? It seems to be more like a H.A.G. reward though it is a hassle to pick up the jewels and gold when you speak. I meet a H.A.G. once. She was telling the court our fortunes," he picked up what my last words produced and put them in his pocket. "I'll send a messenger to tell your parents once we reach the castle. King Father and Queen Mother will be so pleased. Especially, Queen Mother." We walked out the door and he asked. "What is your name?"

"Eliza," I replied a large diamond sparkled through the air. He reached out catching it and smiled with a glint in his eyes.

"Ooh, now this is a nice one. I think I'll give it to my sister or, we can have it made into your wedding ring. Can you control the size and shape of jewels? Those gold peas are something else. Can you spew only gold? This is great! I can't wait until Queen Mother watches you talk." He swung his leg over the steam powered motorbike, started the engine, and pointed to the carriage attached to the side.

While he waiting for me to stuff my skirts into the side car and settle, he pulled out a handful of jewels and gold and the other hand twisted the handle bar. The engine grumbled and steam floated out of the rear exhaust.

I tapped him on his arm to get his attention, so he would noticed I was ready. He was a little surprise at being touched and I knew touching royalty wasn't proper.

"Oh, quite right. You shouldn't speak while we are on the motorbike. It would take us forever to get to the castle if we have to stop to pick up jewels and gold nuggets along the way. Eventually, I want to listen to your life story and learn of your likes and dislike with perhaps you sitting with a cloth in your lap. Forget it, you don't want to be sitting all the time. I'll have a guard follow you and pick up the gems and gold. You should put on the spare hat and goggles," he said as an after thought and speed of down the road.

Followed by a guard, I wondered how that would work while I dug out the hat and goggles at my feet. Thinking about the wealth in his pocket and mine, I realized I had become the perpetual treasury. If I wasn't on my way to the castle and marrying the prince, I speculated treachery would befall me when my H.A.G. curse became public. As no doubt, tales of maiden spewing jewels and gold would quickly spread. I would be in constant danger from thieves, kidnappers, and bandits.

There were moments this morning, I dreamed about life as a wealthy women. Flying in a zeppelin to different countries was my first thought. I wanted to ask him if he would be keeping all of the gold and jewels but reality struck. I would be under royal protection and the wealth would be my perpetual dowry. The Prince of Pembroke would be marrying a maiden who spewed gem and gold and not a princess with a dowry of land and wealth. Though I wouldn't be living a life of adventure, I would be married to a prince and protected. It was never a life I imagined or dreamed, but I felt happy about it.

Shouting over the steam engine, he talked all the way to the castle. He pointed out the various places he liked and didn't like in the village as we rode through it. He pointed to a tavern and said the Princess Katrina had been in it, but he hadn't. I wondered how she managed it considering women rarely entered taverns, let alone the renowned Princess Katrina. We drove past the war which was a bustle of zeppelins and tall ships bringing goods and leaving with Prembia's export of steel and wood.

He talked about different hunting trips and what he had killed as we rode through the woods leading to the castle. He told me about his favorite pastimes, and about his favorite musicians which played during dinner for the court. I listened as I journeyed away from life of flatspring creator. It was the first time I had ridden in a mechanical contraption. I never went on the Pembroke trains, and I had never been inside the castle. The sound of steam engine percolating and the prince's chatter had me almost asleep when we went through the castle's fortified wall entrance.

The Making of a Bodice

2015-01-26T05:10:29.000Z

I'm not typically taking photo of my sewing process (lucky if I get shots of the finished products!), but for a change, a series of in-progress smartphone shots of my current project. I am making a day dress ca. 1896, based on an 1897 pattern and inspired by a 1896 fashion plate for a "travel costume". I think of mine as a "walking costume" more generally than for travel.

The skirt is a basic five gore, has been put together and seams pressed, I may take photos on the hem interfacing and facing, but no promises.

The bodice: the fun part is the front, which I drafted using as starting point the vest pattern that I had already fitted for a previous use of this pattern. The new front consists of two layers, a mock vest in a black, red, and brass colored brocade, simulating a vest worn under an open jacket/bodice of the main fabric, and black ottoman (ribbed) fabric with woven dots.

Pictures can be enlarged if clicked.

1. One side completed - the shawl lapel does not lie neatly because the piece is shaped with darts but laying on a flat table. I folded back and pinned the lapel with the cloth on the sewing dummy to get the right angle.

2. The second half, step 1. The bodice will closed down the center front with a row of small domed buttons (black glass or brass, still deciding). As a typical Victorian bodice, it is flat lined, I used a remnant of lightweight but densely woven, stable, cotton (the light cocoa plaid fabric). I used the brocade fabric to finish the front edge, sewing it onto the lining right sides together, with the brocade removed about 3/16 in. in from the edge. This allows for pressing so that the brocade only will show at the edge.

3. After trimming the seam allowance and pressing the brocade to the front, with the brocade spilling over onto the lining side a bit, so that the lining will not show when buttoned (a reverse facing, if you will), we get this:

Because I offset the brocade in the first step, the two pieces now line up perfectly, ready to stay stitch inside the seam allowance, to later be treated as one piece as in normal flat lining.

4. Now to take up the first dart. For this layered design I took up the first dart (closest to center) in the brocade+lining separately, and in black fabric separately. To minimize bulk but keep the brocade egde neat near the lower parts where the "jacket" layer will stop shorter, I trimmed the brocade so that it just got caught in the dart seam, about 3/8th in. past the sewing line. Above the dart, it is simply stay stitched near the raw edge, it will be covered and protected anyway. No need to add bulk by turning under the edge.

5. Because I have that extension at the bottom, where the vest will show under the shorter jacket front, I need to clip the brocade the the dart sewing line, so I can fold back that brocade flap and not have it get caught in the seam. I was a bit silly and made the flap in two pieces to have a seam where the dart would be, if this were actually a full vest worn under the jacket. But I wanted the brocade design to line up, so I pieced it together. Probably overkill on a detail no-one will ever notice! Anyways, clipping that flap:

6. Dart taken up:

7. Let's leave the lining piece for a bit and look at the jacket fabric. I have taken up the first dart, and sewed on a facing along the front edge/lapel. The bottom near the front is shaped in a narrow scallop - using the facing in one go from lapel down and around:

8. Lightly tacking the facing down with very fine (nr 80) black cotton thread. Tacking does not show, but will be behind the lapel anyway.

9. Next, to attach the two layers together. Being careful to line it up, a bit trickier now that the darts are in, stay stitch the pieces together in the seam allowance all the way around the raw edges. I tacked down the faced jacket flap with a few invisible stitched in the dart seam to keep it put during the work - there will be decorative buttons sewn on there eventually, that will also keep the layers together. Photo: checking, yay, the darts line up pretty nicely in the two layers. I also tacked down the top part of the black fabric just behind the lapel roll line.

That's it for now, to be continued (if I remember to keep taking photos of the process!). Man... it almost takes longer to write this than to sew the thing!

The Aether Chronicle #22: BURLESQUE!!!!

2015-01-24T00:00:19.000Z

Extra! Extra! Read All About It!

Burlesque Features European "Pony-Play!"

Scientific Community Refutes Professor’s Claim of Martian Life!

This Week in The Weekly Steamswaddle: An Unfortunate Invention

Chronicle%20%2322.pdf

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AnomalyCon 2015

2015-01-22T23:40:35.000Z

It is January and that means we are two months (or so) away from AnomalyCon! March 27 - 29 is AnomalyCon. It is the coolest Steampunk con in Colorado. I go to a lot of different cons, but this is by far my favorite! I am so excited for this year! It looks like it is going to be the biggest one yet. The one thing I love is that everyone is so laid back - and they are their to meet other people. It makes you feel like you know everyone there and they all want to talk to you. In fact this year I am going with friends I actually met at last years AnomalyCon. I love that the way that everyone's costume are just an extension of themselves. I love to meet the personality inside them when they are let go for three days. I would love to extend my personal invitation to 2015 AnomalyCon MArch 27-29 - Denver, Colorado!

For more info, check out https://www.anomalycon.com/