5/3 The event begins

 Most JASNA Southwest events start with a buffet breakfast with registration and socializing going on.

Most of them look like this with bagels, and assorted pastries. Notice the Regency wear in the back left.

Today's program consisted of Mela Hoyt-Heydon, a retired costume designer, discussing all of the things that go into this.  She showed pictures from many of the JA films and TV shows and explained where the costumes may have come from, where the fabrics are now sourced (China) and how vision boards were used.  I really really enjoyed this.

Our next speaker was Jossalyn Emslie.  She is a doctor and told us all about the various ways that fainting was depicted and also the CURES for them.  (Which may have involved enemas.)

Jess House was the 3rd speaker.  She dealt with the Darcy Wars.  There are definite camps for the heros.   Colin Firth does seem to be the winner.  All of them are HOT.

Lunch was the normal hotel banquet lunch.  I chose chicken.  It was fine.  The dessert was different and tasty, a little bowl of fresh fruit with whipped cream.

After lunch there were classes that taught how to make things.  I chose the reticule class.  We sewed by hand, but glued on the decorations.  Mine is on the top.  The one on the bottom was knitted by the teacher.

     

That evening Liz and I joined some others at an Indian Restaurant a few blocks from the hotel.  The food was delicious, but it is geographically undesirable.

We did not go to the ball, but I took lots of pictures:

Jane Boltz in one of her many many dresses.  She is the outgoing chapter head and is now on the planning committee for JASNA events.

Syrie James writes historical fiction and has written a very funny play, "Jane Austen in 48 Minutes."