'The End Is Here'

It has been a while since I wrote anything for this blog. I am very disappointed that I didn't write more and include more photos. I am hoping that this entry will make up for my lack of blogging! I set out on this journey to explore and experience the world of the Regency period and within the body of  10 000 words, I feel I have achieved what I could in the time frame we had. There is still so much to do if I want to turn this into a book and I know that although I did not get all the tasks completed I will eventually get them done.

I have learnt a lot about myself  this past year and I feel that I have grown as a writer. Understanding oneself is no mean feat and with all the added workload I have had, I think I have done well!

Now away with the moaning and groaning!

This semester I hoped to achieve enough words for assessment and I did that. I hoped to have had a finished project worthy of a readership and I have done that.I hoped if any to learn that I can write well and that I can push myself outside my comfort zone and I think I have done that. So, where to now with The Jane Austen Experience; well I want to continue my journey and complete what I think would make a great book and if not get it formally published, I would like to look into self-publishing it.

So as the 2011 academic year comes to a close, along with completing my Diploma of Professional Writing & Editing, I am grateful to all those who had to endure workshopping this project! I hope at least that you learnt something because that was what I was hoping to do. Or at least evoke some passion and motivation for your wonderful projects! I would like to thank Irene for her continued support throughout the last two years and for giving valuable feedback that has helped me to write something with merit!

Finally I hope that everyone has been able to achieve their goals too!

Enjoy some of the following photos of someone I do not quite recognise!

'Lost Momentum'

It has been a while since I wrote anything for this project, however I know that I have enough words for the assessment. I am a little upset with myself because I haven't completed what I wanted to get done. This year was mapped out and I was adamant that I would get at least the activities done. I am left with five tasks not done and about five hundred words left to write.

All the research is done and the first drafts of that are completed, ready for workshopping. I have more of the  fictitious letter writing (with a quill and ink) to do so that they fit within each chapter. It is hard to do these letters because it physically hurts if I go beyond a page. There are nine left to finish!

So, what have I achieved from this project? I think it has been a difficult process and I am now understanding that it could go beyond what I have already achieved and become something much more in-depth. I also think that I have learnt some valuable lessons about taking on a history based topic that involves role-playing and learning new skills.

I want to say that I also feel, that even though I have lost some of the momentum I had at the start of the year, I have learnt  a considerable amount about putting together a project that may one day turn into a book. I have also gained an insight into my strengths and weaknesses and how I can utilise and develop my skills in order to finish a project such as The Jane Austen Experience.

So, where to with The Jane Austen Experience?
I hope to finish it one day and self-publish it.

To all the writers who are working to achieve their goals, I feel a kindred spirit with you all!
It is hard work!

'Enough Words'

What is enough words? I have almost written 10 000 words for the assessment but I am realising slowly that this project is becoming something that could exceed my wildest dreams in terms of word count. Yes I know I have been a bit slow at catching onto this concept, but it has now become enormous in my projections and I am feeling a little overwhelmed!

The research for all the tasks I set for myself has now almost got to 5000 words and I haven't even completed the second set of activities. I think that I may not get them completed as I have so many other assessments that are due around the same time.

Don't get me wrong I still want to finish this project but it has just dawned on me as to the many sections that I still hope to achieve. Cramming is not a strong point of mine and I know that even though The Jane Austen Experience is nowhere near where I wanted it to be, I hope that I have completed enough coherent work to achieve a pass in class.

You are all probably thinking that Nicole's had a meltdown;  you can rest easy, I haven't!

I was just looking at my diary: nine weeks left! Arghhhhh!

Oh well! Atleast I have almost finished 'enough words'.

Happy writing!

'Lost the Momentum'

It has been a while since I wrote in this blog because I have been in procrastination mode. Unable to get motivated I think I now have a second wind and am hoping that I can move forward with the next set of tasks for this project.
I have been contemplating how to move forward with The Jane Austen Experience and I think that it would be useful to talk about the obstacles that I didn't see coming. Once I have got those out in the open I can move to create the new.

I think that I have spent the last six months trying to get the first activities finished and now it is my own self-doubt that is getting in the way. I spent the whole holiday break thinking I would find some time to dress up and photograph myself doing the tasks but instead I had to run around doing other things.
So how do I motivate myself?

I think a deadline always helps but I need to regain my interest in this project. I am also trying to find a way to incorporate the interviews I did with two very knowledgeable experts. I want to find a way to place them into the project and also retain the overall goal: that is to experience some of the home duties for a woman in the early nineteenth century.

I think I could do this if I could work within any part of the text. For example, I work in a linear manner. This means that I have to work in order which is sometimes very obstructing. It becomes too hard to pull out any section and just complete it. So I will now have to organise myself so I can get on with the job at hand!
I need to start on one activity at a time and continue so that the next 5000 words get completed.

This has turned out to be a blog about venting my frustrations but I hope that I will have something more interesting for you to read in the coming weeks.

'Letters to Elizabeth'

I have started writing my fictitious letters to a friend for this project.

It has been quite difficult because writing with an ink and quill is not only messy but it really hurts the wrist. I have only been able to write three so far and within the first five-thousand words there are nine letters to Elizabeth.
Each of the letters has been alluded to within the project so now I have to finish each letter.
What I have found is that when I write with the quill it is hard to keep the direction of my writing straight.
Paper in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries didn't have lines as such. Paper and ink was expensive and therefore they sometimes wrote on cloth.
I still think that I have been able to achieve some success with this art and that even though the writing is not neat and straight, it doesn't look that bad. Anyway, I have had fun doing it and I will continue to finish each of the letters. One of the other interesting developments is capturing the language. I have been able to develop my language skills and my vocabulary. I have learnt more about the way in which Jane Austen was able to write with such romantic notions because the language (the way they spoke and the use of manners) allows it to come through. I was able to capture as much of those romantic notions as I could without bringing too much of twenty-first century language into the letters.
I must say that this part of the project has been extremely worthwhile and I am enjoying it immensely.

'Busy Writing'

Sorry I haven't blogged for a while, I have been busy writing about this project; obviously not this blog!The Jane Austen Experience is slowly turning into a project

worth bragging about. I have been getting many good comments about the detail and structure of it and I have almost hit the five-thousand word mark needed for assessment.

Much of the detail included in this project is the way in which I have put it all together. Much of what I have is in book form and the photos I have placed in complement the text.

So far, it has been fun to do all the activities and I am looking forward

to completing the tasks allocated for next semester. This includes washing with a wash board and tub; living a day and night without modern conveniences; reading in candlelight; recipes and more letter writing.

As you can see I have included a photo from the activities I  have already completed. I will post more soon!                                     

Dearest Elizabeth,

It has been an arduous few months and my attempts at such

past-times constitutes relaxation and your good company...

'A Little Closer'

It has been a while since my last post and rest assured I have been busy writing and costume wearing! It has been such a busy time putting together 5000 words for this project but I can now see the end

of the tunnel.

I have photographed three of my intended tasks which include: quill and ink; wax seal and needlecraft. As you can see I have included a photograph of myself in costume. Yes, that's me!

What was astounding to me was that I enjoyed dressing up and performing each task; I like how the dress feels. It's liberating yet confining! I can see why this era stepped out of such restrictive garments to much more freeing materials and pattern designs.

While in costume, I wrote each letter and conducted each task with ease as if I had always been doing them. Writing with a quill and ink was incredibly satisfying, I felt calm and happy as I was using this very old and out-of-date form of penmanship. After visiting 'Booktown' in Clunes Victoria and the Heritage Weekend in Ballarat Victoria this month I have realised how there are many people returning and learning the art of using a quill and ink and how using a wax seal makes them feel like they are a part of a bygone tradition. 

What I wasn't prepared for was my feelings about experiencing each task. I got lost in the idea of being in the Regency period and seem to relish in the everyday activities. This has made me more determined to finish the first 5000 words and develop this project!

Dearest Elizabeth,

It is with your confidence and support, that I have found myself enjoying ones daily tasks. You are a friend indeed. I look forward to our correspondence, it frees me from the drudgery of ones wintery existence...

'Dialogue and Jane Austen'

Today in class we discussed dialogue and how to place it into our projects. Some of my fellow students are writing fiction with a little history included and I thought about how the use of dialogue was appropriate for The Jane Austen Experience. This project does not contain direct speech but it does contain letters to Elizabeth.
I started to think about how Jane Austen incorporated dialogue in her novel Pride and Prejudice; of course she mastered the art of dialogue and the narrative combination easily.

"Dear Ma'am, do not go.-I beg you will not go.-Mr. Collins must excuse me.-He can have nothing to say to me that any body need not hear. I am going away myself."
"No, no, nonsense, Lizzy.-I desire you will stay where you are."  (Chapter 19)

There were many tips to help me work out how good dialogue works well and what mistakes we make when writing a piece of work. Interestingly, I thought that the main tips (from Pam McCutheon's website: www.pammc.com/dialogue.htm ) appropriate for this project would be 'to reveal the character' and 'establish tone or mood'. This could be achieved by developing the character of Elizabeth; maybe including some letters from her instead of just including the ones I write to her.

Some of the common mistakes attributed to writing dialogue in Pam McCutheon's piece, included the use of 'too much dialect' and 'sounding too stilted'. In the case of The Jane Austen Experience, dialect or the sound of the language is what I am trying to capture, so I think that within the context of this project, the use of dialect is important; used at a minimum. I do not feel that within the letters that I will sound too stilted. During the Regency period, letter writing was an art form and punctuation was minimal. Long drawn out sentences were used and commonly sentences were likely to continue for sometimes more than three or four lines. The detail was immense with many descriptive words, which was hard work for a reader. Imagine reading a sentence that continues for more than four lines without any punctuation; when did they take a breath?

So although I will be using a little creative licence in my work, I think it is important to look at how dialogue can or cannot be used in this project. The letters although are not direct conversation (which includes both parties one after the other) but if I include the return letters of Elizabeth; they become a running conversation and therefore dialogue.

Dearest Elizabeth,
It is with anticipation that I wait for your next letter to arrive...

'Writing Vigorously'

It has been a few weeks since my last post. I have been writing vigorously to combat the looming 5000 words needed by June. I have written just over 2500 words so far. Of course what I have done is only a first draft but I am finding out what it is like to be on a deadline. I have tried to write this project in the form of a book because I know that is how I work best. Each section is set out and I have started with the introduction and continued from there.

So let's run through where I am up to: I have finally finished the costume; bought several items of interest such as ink wells; quill; wax seal; a cast iron; copper wash tub; washboard; paper and now I have bought a trivet to stand the iron on. I have taken a few inital photos and am now contemplating the fully dressed versions of the tasks.

I know I have talked about 'preparation' before but this project has turned out to be all about preparing. What seems to be happening at the moment is that I am preparing more than I am doing, but I guess it is warranted. I was hoping to get some of the photographs and writing done over the Easter break but it seems like it has flown by and now I have run out of time.

I have had to move my internal calendar to compensate for not getting some of what I wanted to get done. All it means, for a organiser such as myself, is that I will try to get the first task (writing a letter to a friend) done as soon as possible.

The other thing that has been held up is the interview process; no fault of mine or the interviewee. The person I am interviewing has been busily preparing and delivering all her duties towards the ever popular Jane Austen Festival in Canberra. Whilst jetsetting off to the U.S.A she had started to do my questions but unreliable wireless internet prevented her completing it. Then when she returned the festival was in full swing and needed her undivided attention. So after some emailing back and forth, we finally were able to catch up and she can now complete the questionaire I sent her.

As you can see,  I am slowly getting things done and I hope to get stuck into the fun parts of this project soon.

Stay reading!

Dearest Elizabeth,
It is with great regret that I tell you of my troubles...

'The Costume'

It has been a while since my last post, but be confident that I have been working hard to achieve my goals. Here is a photo of the finished product. This costume has been made with love but it has also been made from a lot of hard work!

The cutting of the material was the easiest part to do; it was harder to put all the small fiddly ties and making button holes from scratch.

Again I reinterate, that I am not a sewing enthusiast and that this has been a very big learning experience for me. I must say though that I have loved every minute and that each step that I progressed I got more and more excited.

One of the best feelings was simply that I had achieved what I set out to do, even if the costume is not to seamstress level. Once done I was able to try it on and see if it fitted me properly!

I thought before I set out on this journey, that the costume would be somewhat freeing!

My first thought when I finally put it on: I cannot believe that women in the 18th and 19th Centuries wore such heavy and confining clothes. The bodice is tight and restrictive, yet the skirt is literally the only part you are free to move in.
The most important thing to know: I couldn't get into it without someone helping me. I now can see why a dress maid was needed because without them it wasn't possible to dress yourself or de-robe at all.

What I love about the costume: The wooden buttons; the ties that puff each sleeve and the way the dress falls and lines your body. I do love the material!

Now that I have achieved this step of the project, I can move onto photographing my first activity. Writing my dear friend Elizabeth a letter!

Dear Elizabeth,
It has been far too long since my last correspondence. I hope this letter finds you well....

'The Art of Using A Quill"

I thought writing with a quill would be hard, and it is! I began by preparing with a bit of newspaper underneath and then I removed my quill from it's covering. I placed the ink in my new ink well and grabbed a piece of paper from the printer to practise with. The results were a little different than I thought.

I started out writing and the words resembled the font of my own pen, however, I did progress with a more stroke driven action, which resulted with a more consistent line. I found that writing with a quill can take a lot longer than I anticipated. I needed to refill the quill every couple of words; which of course was extremely annoying!
I must say though I was having fun and I now am a convert to using a quill and ink.

What I have also found is that ink is very messy; I cannot even contemplate what it would be like to write a whole novel this way! I am now very appreciative of the intense pain Jane Austen must have gone through, to pen her wonderful works!

I am entusiastic about how this activity will fit into the project and I am also happy that maybe my dearest friends will receive letters from me, hand written by quill and ink.

My practise letter begins like this...

Dearest Elizabeth,

I hope this letter finds you well. I have thought it unfortunate that you have been ill in recent days. With the season change upon us, it is without malice that I plead for God's good sense that he gives you a reprieve from your ill health... 

' Old Copper Washtubs'

It has been a while since my last post, but I was waiting till I had something more interesting to show you. I had sent out emails; I had searched between Ballarat and Castlemaine for the one item I do not have for The Jane Austen Experience.

I was hoping to find a washtub I could use for one of the activities. I searched again high and low, to no avail. I had given up all hope in finding what I needed. We did come across an old steel washtub but at the price of $95, it was out my budget.

So by this time the likelihood of finding one in the vicinity of Ballarat was poor and I thought I would have to use a very modern bucket instead.

During the week, I was busy reading for other classes when my husband turned up with this wonderful original copper washtub. As you can see it has seen better days but it is perfect for washing my clothes with the washboard. After a bit of high pressure washer action, it has come up trumps! I am proud to say I have an original copper washtub!
Instead of it being $95, it was a cool $50. It may need a bit more tender loving care before I use it, but I think it is pretty good!

So as it stands now, I have been accumulating many props for this project and I am looking to photograph each activity as soon as I finish sewing! Hopefully by next weekend!

Dearest Followers,
I dare to dream that my journey is of substance to your sensibilities.

'Ink Wells All Round'

I ventured out to the antique shops

to browse; instead I came out of

there with two ink wells for the price

of one. I didn't really want two,however,

the man at the store said I could have

them both!

Each one is the exact replica of the
other, but one has a large inside crack
that allows it to have a very slow leak!
Not good when I planned to put ink in it!
The other has no cracks in the glass,
thank goodness or I would be out of pocket $40.

The ink well has a rim of silver at the top; the glass is very thick and shape like a diamond. I am excited that the quill I have, will stand up nicely inside it.

All I have to achieve now is to learn how to write an 18th Century inspired letter; with all the curves of artistic writing and the joining of letters that flow so beautifully together.

With some luck, I will have a talent I didn't know I had!

To My Dearest Followers,
I will endeavour to correspond when time permits me!

'The Costume Takes Shape'

Sunday began with the alarm going off at 6.30am. Climbing out of bed to take my son to catch a bus for 'Boatrace'. After a bit of breakfast, I started getting things ready for the all important 'sewing experience'.

As we know I am definitely not a sewing person, however, I think I am becoming a convert! Although this whole experience has been somewhat painful for me(needles), it has been rewarding at the same time.

I was so glad that Mum came to 'supervise', because I do not think I could have done this on my own! Everything from the pattern to cutting the right pieces out, and not to mention actually sewing the bodice to the skirt; with nerves of steel I proceeded forward!

There was a hiccup; the pattern wasn't very clear so we had to add material to the very bottom of the dress; thank goodness it doesn't look out of place! Considering the photos won't show the very bottom of the dress, I am sure all will be okay!

It now resembles something like the 18th Century picture on the front of the pattern. All that needs to be done is, to sew the sash onto the waist; add the nice brown wooden buttons; fix the sleeves and finally I must hem it to fit!

So, with the first task sort of finished, I can move onto the next.

I must consult my notes!

'Sunday is Sewing Day'

Decisions had to be made, before time gets away from me and also before I get bogged down with other assessments. I have been excited, but I have also been dreading anything to do with the sewing part of my project.

Well the time has come; this Sunday I will be re-introduced (with only High School experience under my belt and a pair of sheepskin mittens) to the field of sewing or dressmaking, to be exact. All aspects, including the cutting out and especially the pins; I hate trying things on when they are full of pins!

I am lucky to have a very capable person to help me with the sewing! What would we do without our Mums! I know what would happen; it would be a disaster. So Mum and I will be spending the day navigating our way through the maze that is the pattern and attempting to come out at the end of the day with something that may resemble a 18th Century garment.

My first idea was to try and sew the costume by hand, which is historically correct, but with time pushing by, it was clear I wasn't going to have enough time to learn and perfect this very tedious art. So we will have a go at sewing the costume on a 20th Century electric sewing machine. I know its not very authentic but it will have to do!

Oh well! Here's to Sunday; lets hope the costume atleast fits me!

'Folding An 18th Century Letter'

I have spent the morning searching websites for answers. I knew I would find a solution eventually and I have. Folding letters in the 18th and 19th Centuries was obviously easy for those who lived in those times, however, for me, not so easy!

Well, I started out with a video that showed me how to fold a letter; I thought I was going well until, I realised it was a Japanese website detailing the art of 18th Century Japanese letter folding. After mastering Japanese letter art I moved onto finding what I needed.

Before long I found a PDF file containing instructions. It was a teaching tool for how to take a class in folding 18th Century letters. So after taking the option of printing it off, I began developing my folding skills.

After a few tries at it, I was able to fold my first replica of an 18th Century letter. I am proud of myself, even if it is a small accomplishment.

So now I have to master the art of putting both the folding with the actual letter writing.

Before I know it, I will be writing letters to all my friends. I am not sure they will be able to read them, but they will receive them nonetheless!

I have the quill, I have the ink; now all I need is Jane Austen's desk to feel exactly like I am in the 18th Century, somehow I think the last request is not possible!

Folding letters is a dying art! It is fun to try though!

'The Expense of Props'

I knew when I started this project, that to make things authentic I would have to purchase some props. This weekend has started out with some more purchases. A feathered quill, blotting paper and a beautiful wax seal stamp can be added to the collection.

I am excited about how the project will turn out; it helps, knowing I have the right equipment. I want the photographs to be as true to the experience as possible, allowing for the reader to gain a sense of the 18th and 19th Centuries.

It is with these extra props that I can experience what Jane Austen wrote about in her novels; the domestic rituals of the middle class ladies of that time. Although, I will be re-creating some of the domestic duties associated with the housekeeping staff.

I am hoping to gain new skills in writing; which would include being able to master the art of writing with a quill. I hope to get a new appreciation for my washing machine by experiencing the washboard option and as I have stated before sewing is not one of my strong points. As I already wear glasses, I am sure that reading under candlelight will be a challenge.

I am still unsure as to how I will heat up my cast iron so I can iron all those pieces of lace I have lying around! I will, however, find a way. The only thing I haven't purchased as yet is a needlework project I can do. I will try to find something simple! Again I am not particularly gifted in this vocation!

With these small activities in mind and a few more lined up, I will start my project as soon as I have my costume made!

The expense has been high, but I think it is going to be worth it!

The Jane Austen Experience is coming slowly together!

'Deciding On A Title'

Today's class was about decisions; what to write as a proposal and a working title for our projects. Although I had, what I considered to be the title of mine, I was taken back by the thought that maybe, just maybe my title may not be one which would sell.

I sat there trying to think of an alternative. Without any success, I again tried but all I could come up with was a switch around of the words I had already chosen. So I have come to the conclusion that I should stick to the original.

I am quintessentially a visual person, so to have a title ready makes sense to me. I cannot work on something if it does not have a title ready. I know this about myself so it wasn't really a surprise that I couldn't come up with anything!

I have also decided to work on some written content before trying to set myself a proposal. I did try but unfortunately, no go. With this idea clear in my mind, The Jane Austen Experience must have some structured writing before I will officially call it a project that is worthy.

So my goal this next coming week is to write something interesting; something someone would like to read!

Well here's to hoping!

'All Things Sewing'

In my past few posts, I have been a little stressed as to how I was going to sew my costume. Well all is not lost when you have been offered help from many friends and family.

I was lucky to get an amazing offer from someone who is extremely skilled at sewing and dressmaking. I did have to turn them down because of schedule problems, but I am endeavouring to soldier on and sew it myself.

So, where am I up to?

My Pride and Prejudice costume is still in the development stage but it is also one step closer. I have just gone out and purchased the material, the colours are beautiful; creams and browns. I also bought the ribbons and braids in same tones and some very modern but interesting wooden buttons. I have also bought some calico for practice; which I was advised was a good idea!

The thought entered my mind that I may need a bonnet; because I am doing household chores for most of the activities, I thought a very stylish muslin cap was more appropriate. With this in mind I purchased the very light material needed to sew one.

I am getting excited about this project and all that is involved in creating something unique. I think I will even gain some new skills. So before I know it, I will have my costume ready and we can begin to photograph some of the tasks.

All I need to do is brush up on those sewing skills I learnt in High School! I hope they help! Anyway, I am looking forward to trying.

So stay reading to see how it all turns out!

'Interview Questions'

Since my last post I have been working on my interview questions. I started with a nice thank you and got straight in with a famous quote from Pride and Prejudice. The first question is their thoughts on the quote and whether they have a favourite quote from Jane Austen's novels.I always find it difficult to ask the right questions; although I have succeeded in writing sixteen on the page.

It is also hard to know what questions to ask, when you are interviewing the person by email. There are things you think about when you are face to face and you ask them, then and there. This email interview is rather unorthodox but it is my only option; unless I want to fly to Kenya and Canberra whilst trying to study.

To include the results in my project will however be a dilemma: where do I put it? What chapter? Well, I am thinking the interview may best be placed just before the photo/diary chapter. This will flow easily from one to the other.

I am also thinking about whether I should ask the same questions for both interviews. I am sure if I ask the same questions then it will be easier to combine into the chapter.

Jane Austen is now included in every waking thought and I am even dreaming about putting together this book. I am getting closer to maybe sewing my own costume; I was able to gain the support of my mother, who can read a pattern in 'yards'. Of course as we know I cannot!

Well, today I am going to continue the interview process and hopefully finish the first draft of the questions.

All is quiet in the house! Quick, get some work done!

'Costume Dilemma'

It has been an interesting time this week, trying to organise what I am going to do about a costume. The original plan was to sew my own, but I am finding that task a little daunting.

I have been able to chase up some costumes that are relevant for the Regency period, but again these will cost me money anyway, so I am torn by the decision.

Yes, to hire such a costume would make my life easier; but who said this project was suppose to be easy! I have already purchased the pattern off Ebay and was intending to sew my own. What does all this babbling mean? Well I expected a few hiccups along the way, but not this soon.

This must be one of those times where I am second guessing myself. I will however, overcome this small but intrusive hiccup and move forward.

It is clear, that to be in this project, I need to envelope myself in the difficult parts so that I can experience all that Jane Austen's characters and the women of that time experienced.

I guess I have answered my own question!

Sewing a dress cannot be that hard! Can it?

Onward and Upward!

'Resources and Sources'

Jane Austen's writing as we know, was and is exceptional. I must say that this project is fun but there is a downside to all this fun. My doubts do not lie with putting together the information I need, however my doubts come from, the idea that will anybody want to read my opinions!

Since my first post, I have been overwhelmed by the support I have had from fellow students and family. It has been extroadinary how much people are willing to help me.

I was just starting to think about what resources and sources I could find, when, out of the blue, Kate Smyth jumps to the rescue with several books belonging to her, and some belonging to her mother. Also Adelle Brereton has been able to add to my props, with an ink well and pen.

I greatly appreciate all the support and I now understand the power of Jane Austen and her writing. Jane's influence stretches far from her writing desk and into the hearts of 21st Century readers and of course writers.

It is clear that this task lays heavily on my shoulders: to not damage the reputation of this incredible writer; to somehow entertain those who also love Jane Austen and to create something that I can say I am proud of.

So, where does this project stand at the moment. I have been in contact with a lady who resides in Kenya, who may turn out to be the person I interview; she has also given me a contact in Australia. I have also sent an email to this lady and I am hoping to get a reponse.

I have not yet been to purchase the material for the costume; however I am also chasing up some other options.

I did say that I was intending to include a chapter on the adaptations of her books to films; I have decided to put this together as an opinion piece; what I think of the films including the BBC series and how much of the books contents are excluded.

So I think at this stage I have a plan! I hope it is a good plan!

'Searching High and Low'

Well my search for props began yesterday when I found myself at two different material retailers. I seemed to walk for a good hour in search of the right material. I did find some interesting fabrics; but I am not quite sure what I am looking at!
I gave up after an hour at each store and headed home for a well earned cup of green tea!

The search continued today (Sunday) for those elusive props needed to ensure my project did not fail. This time it was not material I was looking for, but objects of heavier weight.

First; we (my husband and I) went to the local market in search of an old cast iron for ironing your clothes; although of course we could not find one. Instead I bought a lovely trinket box for $4 and a souvenir Eiffel Tower for a $1. The search then continued at the Mill Markets in Ballarat, but unfortunately no luck! We then headed for the large Antique Centre in Humffray Street North to no avail.
By this time my stomach was crying out for food so we headed for Craig's Hotel for some lunch and then a cuppa. When we were almost on our last legs we headed to a crammed but incredibly interesting antique store in Lydiard Street North; at last we were successful!

I was able to find all that I was looking for: an antique cast iron;a wooden washboard; and a 'Wee-Willie-Winkie' candlestick holder! Above all the man at the store was extremely helpful and I got a discount too!

So, at this stage all I need to do is somehow interpret the pattern and get sewing! Above all it was a fun day searching through the mounds of antique items to find what I needed.

My tired legs and sore feet tell me it was a productive day! My husband; well he is stretched out in his recliner snoozing!

The Jane Austen Experience is one step closer!

'My 'Pride and Prejudice' Project Begins'

With a pattern in hand and some interesting ideas, I will embark on a project that will take me into the world of Jane Austen.

What sort of project you ask?

A journey into the experience of Pride and Prejudice, Emma, Persuasion, Sense and Sensibility, Mansfield Park and Northanger Abbey. One which will take a lot of perseverance and some Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century know how! Considering I never lived two hundred years ago; this will be a challenge.

I will need to research all I can to succeed!

The project will run over a year and throughout the year I will gain a small glimpse into Jane Austen's world.

I guess you are wondering how I am going to do this in such a technologically advanced world; I won't be experiencing it twenty-four hours a day for the whole year. I will just experience different aspects of that time in a 24 hour period.

For instance: I am not a sewing person! I will however, be sewing my own costume; wearing it for a day, to see what it was like to be constrained by so many layers.

There will be failure; there will be tears; I am sure I will want to give up, but I will be writing this blog (as a diary) to document my journey; my research and my year!

My first hiccup has already revealed itself! I am baffled at the pattern details: I cannot read a pattern! What does 3 3/4 Yd mean? I am sewing illiterate! Anyway that is what Mother's are for!

So I hope you will stay tuned; take the journey with me and experience a little of Jane Austen's world!