macrame

macrame - noun - an elaborately patterned lace-like webbing made of hand-knotted cord, yarn or the like and used for wall decorations, hanging baskets, garments, accessories, etc; the technique or art of producing such a work.

I have always enjoyed knots. At one point in my life I could name off a couple of dozen knots, show you how to tie them, explain their use as well as the history of the knot. Macrame has been one of those endeavors in the knot world I've never taken to, but have always wanted to try. It seems to be going the way of tatting these days (which I have tried successfully, I might add), you just don't see much of it around any more. Still, I might have to find some time under a rock or something and give this a try. It might be fun.

shirring

shirring - n. - a decorative gathering (as of cloth) made by drawing up the material along two or more parallel lines of stitching

I'm back, too! I know you were dying to learn more sewing words!

This word is in the definition of my previous word "smocking". I'm guessing that means shirring and smocking are the same thing with two different words to describe it. Here's another picture to help visualize (it's not so pretty but I like that it shows the stitching):

Romanesque

Romanesque - adj - Noting or pertaining to the style of architecture prevailing in western or southern Europe from the 9th through the 12th centuries, characterized by heavy masonry construction with narrow openings, features such as the round arch, the groin vault, and the barrel vault, and the introduction or development of the vaulting rib, the vaulting shaft, and central and western towers for churches.

I can't let Jeff have all the fun, and I've got a personal anecdote bearing on today's word.

I'm not just being nerdish when I emphasize the importance of translation when you select a book originally written in a foreign language. I almost went nuts reading Regine Pernoud's excellent Those Terrible Middle Ages, until I realized that the whole thing made sense once I substituted 'Romanesque' for 'Roman'.

For an example of Romanesque architecture, here's the Cathedrel at Aachen.