Documenting one family’s path to steampunk – projects, rants and stories galore.
By Madame vonHedwig on Saturday, March 13th, 2010
In which Madame is fueled by desperation. And coffee.
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Madame von Hedwig scanned the street behind the administrative headquarters of the Armée Aeronautique. The grand façade opened to an expansive court surrounded by other imposing colonial government buildings. They had entered through the front, so she knew there would be no one of use to her there. The back door proved more fruitful.
By Madame vonHedwig on Wednesday, March 10th, 2010
The Schöneluft boiler crew have (apparently) unionized. Why? Who knows! (None of us can speak their language, after all.) Nevertheless, a shipment of their Official Union shirts was waiting for us when we docked in Copenhagen last week. They’re rather charming, and if you would like to order one for yourself, you may do so at the Steampunk Family Zazzle Store!
By Madame vonHedwig on Wednesday, March 10th, 2010
My sincerest apologies for failing to continue the story of our Voyage to Antafrica last Friday. Things were a bit hectic, as a large hole opened in the fabric of reality and our airship was boarded by the crew of Serenity. Lovely people, for the most part (although the fellow with the cunning knitted cap had to be kept away from Philomena), but returning them to their reality took up so much time! Our tale will continue this Friday. In the meantime, enjoy this rather clever clockwork rabbit of Adolphus’ design. He is so fascinated with animals! (Well, no doubt you remember what happened with those turkeys…)
By Madame vonHedwig on Wednesday, March 10th, 2010
I have a pouch on my adventure belt for a field observation notebook, but alas! none of my existing notebooks fit in my pouch. To remedy this I spent a snowy afternoon making myself a notebook to fit. I copied a wonderful technique from Meredith Scheff who blogged about it at Steampunk Workshop but did not include process photos. I took way too many process photos and have created a tutorial in the von_Hedwig Flickr photostream.
This is a great project to do with kids, even young kids, especially if you start with an existing notebook and cover it with this technique. I only had to buy one supply item, everything else came out of the recycling!
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Making a Notebook
the Camera case project
P.P. von Hedwig with Camera on Marscon '10 adventure
Some projects happen out of practicality, for example the need for a power supply with which to etch brass and copper. Others, come from the desire to make a cool piece of art, like the steampunk burlesque fans. Still others come from the desire for original and swank jank , as in decoder dials and Madam von Hedwig’s pouches. This project was motivated out of a mix of being too jaded by my digital SRL camera to use an Instamatic and being too vain to ruin fine steampunk outfits with gear so clearly of the wrong technology.
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Flash and Glitz
By Madame vonHedwig on Saturday, February 27th, 2010
In which our distraught parents race for help, and Madame and Chef reach an understanding.
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Only the Schöneluft had the fuel stores and engine power for a run from the Himalyas across southeast Asia to the French capital of Vietnam. She could fly nearly 80 miles an hour under the right conditions, but those conditions had not been met in years. The more children they acquired, the more comforts the von Hedwigs had deemed desirable, and the slower the great airship had become.
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Flight to Saigon
By Madame vonHedwig on Saturday, February 20th, 2010
In which, although the circumstances are dark indeed, a beacon of hope shines from afar.
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Madame took off the moment her husband was on board. Although she was agitated, her flying was steady, and they soon arrived at the mouth of the tunnel that had swallowed their children. There was no place to land. They anchored, to a stalactite above them and a stalagmite below. Herr von Hedwig rappelled down to the site, bathed in the Schmetterling’s searchlight.
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The Search is On
By Madame vonHedwig on Wednesday, February 17th, 2010
Here is my new utility belt in action, in the Peruvian jungle.
Hera von Hedwig, Botanist
Permanent link to
In the Field
By Madame vonHedwig on Friday, February 12th, 2010
In which the Fearless Fabricator and his intrepid wife find disturbing evidence.
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Herr and Madame vonHedwig made their way from the mad scientist’s underground lair, trudging toward the surface. They were tired, and mired in thought, but alert for any sign of Montesanto or yeti.
A distant throbbing broke the silence of the cave. Exchanging concerned and puzzled looks, they hurried toward the sound. Suddenly, bright white light flashed against the tunnel wall ahead of them as the throb became a roar. They ran pell mell toward the fading sound, skittering to a halt at the mouth of the volcanic tube they had discovered on their way in. The engine sound that had shattered the underground silence was only a muttering far below them.
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Breadcrumbs
aka
Swanking your jank
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Working hard in the lab, the corset post and exploring the world with the family have distracted me from posting the project I have completed. While I don’t apologize for my priorities, I do make an apology to those who have been checking in.
Not only did I finish the case for the ATX Power supply for myself, but I built a second for a good friend who is a fabulous tinker himself.
