Outfit Post - WW2 Soldier

 I finally finished my M-1941 jacket! It went easier than first two I made for sure. I still have to make a sample welt pocket every time a pattern calls for one! I had the fabric lying around for ever, it was almost right, so I dyed with Dylon. The lining is cut from a sheet, and all the notions I bought at Dressew in Vancouver. I think it conceals my girliness, or at least I hope it does! I have to take the carbine back to my dad on Saturday :( Flying with a firearm is no fun, they make you feel like you're committing a crime. My exact helmet is selling on Ebay right now for $410, I paid $40 at the surplus store in Fresno! Please ignore my peeling deck - I sanded and painted it last summer, and already it's awful! 

Max helped me dye the fabric!

Conneaut, Ohio Graveyard

On my trip to Ohio, I had originally wanted to go to Champ Chase Confederate Cemetery in Columbus , but ran out of time. Instead I stumbled upon a Cemetery in Conneaut, located conveniently enough next to the Dairy Queen (they had mint dilly bars!) . It seemed pretty well tended, but they had some anomalies I've never seen before:

Broken stones piled together & one upside down! The upside down one worried me a bit. I'm sure Mary would not approve!

Some lovely, thoughtful graves.

 

Revolutionary soldier and a super nice font.

There were several that looked like they hadn't always been flat, and now were being eaten by grass. The one on the right was so lovely, it could have been made by Tiffany.

DDay Ohio!

I just got back from my trip to Conneaut Ohio. Words cannot describe the fun & food I had there. For a history lover like myself, living entirely in the 1940's for 3 days was heaven. Also, being around people whose dedication and attention to detail rivals my own was amazing. Some highlights: riding in a motorcycle side car, getting hit on by a Nazi (although that was more of a nightmare), eating in a mess tent, meeting wonderful people, toting around my M1 carbine out in the open, swing dancing with a 87 year old WW2 vet & seeing a great lake for the first time. It was strange/scary seeing people dressed as Nazis, but you get used to it when you talk to them. Without them, there could be no battle. The men of the 29th division, 115th regiment, C company were the absolute best, though. Next year I'll be dressed as a boy and storm the beaches with them!

Looking over the battle site.

Reading in my tent.

Visiting the Canadians.

Eli & I in camp.

 The French Resistance! They were so nice!

 A German general. I was scared to talk to him, but he was super sweet.

 Ready for grim business before the battle.

 A German guard, he would not let me go!

 In front of the Allied Headquarters.

 A German and I with stick grenades.

 Dancing at the USO. It was like 90 degrees and 100% humidity there.

Various weapons.

Revolutionary war soldier's graves. A first for me.

Off To D Day Ohio!

I am off to Ohio tomorrow! For some reason, when people have asked where I am going on vacation, and I answer Ohio, they look at me like I must have had a recent concussion. But to Ohio I am going - to a reenactment of D Day on the shores of Lake Erie. I've got all my vintage 40's dresses ready, been practising my hair styling and taking swing dancing lessons. Unfortunately, it is like 98 degrees there, so I am taking my parasol!

By The Way:
Have you seen the Disney Dream Portraits? Check out this one of Gus, Ezra & Phineas, the three hitchhiking ghosts from the Haunted Mansion. It's Jack Black, Will Ferrel & Jason Segal. It's awesome!