Well, mid-July means a mid-year gear change for me.  Time to start getting ready for CRF.  This will be my 7th year on cast and 9th year overall.  I'm looking forward to the season, despite some trepidation about changes in management.  As it stands, I think I'll be allowed to continue doing the things that I love most about performing there.  Last year, I went back out into the streets as a Street Noble, and I loved it.  I missed being able to interact with the audience.  I'm planning on continuing the twice daily picnics, which went from a convenient way to conserve my energy to becoming mini-stage shows.  Having our fancy gowns carefully spread around us made for wonderful picture opportunities - even if no one seems to have posted them anywhere online for me to see!

I have lots and lots of new ideas for things to do this year - I just don't know how many I'll have time to implement.  The main priority for me is the new Christmas tree gown, which I hope to cut out this weekend.  I'll need time to get the lights wired in and the batteries set up - and of course do lots of praying for a dry weekend that weekend!  I hope that my friends and I will be able to get the lights wired so that I will be able to be seen all day long and not just at the end of the day.  I plan to hold at least one or two "decorating" times when children will be invited to decorate paper ornaments and hang them on my dress.  Fun for kids and a fun way for me to remember the weekend and all of the fun kids I meet.

I learned so much at the faires I got to visit and play with this year.  I went to NCRF in Raleigh, GaRF, and VaRF - and learned so much that I'm still processing everything.  VaRF especially.  I love you guys!  I found out that I can step out of my comfort zone at a faire other than CRF and be something other than a pretty person in the background.  I will never forget the "Great Pumpkin vs. Pearl" in the mischief maker debate, nor my knighting by one of the most gracious, giving, and welcoming Queen ever.  The favor I received as a part of the knighting is framed and where I see it first thing every day.  And since I took a picture of it on my camera phone, even the image goes everywhere with me!  Master James and the rest of the VaRF folks made me feel so welcome and taught me so much!  I've warned the folks at CRF to watch out - Pearl is going to be out there this year.

I'd love to have some official portraits taken this year - in each of the gowns.  Even if I had bodices made by the folks at White Pavilion clothiers (and one set of sleeves) - I do the rest of the gowns myself and all of the bead and trim work myself.  I put an awful lot of time and money into this gowns, and I'd love to have good pictures of them!

Well, enough writing - time to start sewing pearls again.