“Coton jaune - Acadian Brown Cotton - A Cajun Love Story”

In one of my past lives, I worked with many fine Acadian folks--I learned how to grow true Acadian brown cotton (a very short staple),  gin the cotton by hand, spin this home grown cotton, the difference in twist and angle of spinning and how to weave Acadian style.  Recently, my Louisiana friend sent me an update on the way this craft is being kept alive. 

She included a link to Hand Eye Magazine with the article that featured a recent documentary.   I've ordered the DVD so I can relive those memories

Many moons ago, we visited with Dr. and Mrs. Holden, who are collectors of Acadian textiles.  They have the finest collection.  Here are a few of the photos that I took on my journey through Cajun life.

These blankets are using natural white and indigo dyed cotton

Here are many brown cotton blankets along with some indigo blue creations

Acadians were very creative in their patterns--checks and stripes

Lovely blankets.

This was a patchwork quilt that used small scraps of leftovers--in fact, this quilt was analyzed by LSU textile students--I have the exact square by square thread count, ply direction, yarn sett, warp and weft. At one time, there was a thought, I would recreate this lovely quilt--

This is the poster from the first exhibit held on Acadian Textile Heritage in New Orleans, December, 1980- June, 1981.   

That recent email stirred up many great memories and cravings to spin that brown cotton I have been aging!  I'm anxious to watch the DVD! 

Frixion Pens

Have you seen these pens?  Erasable on Fabric? WHAT?

I didn't have any idea this type of pen was available until one day at our regular quilt gathering, Judy M pulled one of these pens out--did her little song and dance--mark on fabric, heat it and wow! it's gone!

Frixion Pens 

 

I had to have a set of these pens, just to say I tried them myself--and I can't just have one color, but

I went for the whole set of colors.  Let's try it.............mark on fabric

touch it with heat

and it's gone!  Like magic..........

Yes, it looks gone............but looks are deceiving.

I wet the fabric and you can see the line faintly. 

check it out for yourself.  There are some good researchers on the web--read all about

these pens there.  They have done better research than I have.

These pens are fun to have around though, if just to make magic!

Whew! Just Made It!

 

I'm trying hard to keep up with this Sew Along with Pat Sloan

Here we are down to the last of May

and I did it!  I got my two blocks done!

 

 

I really like the color combination on this one block

Not so sure I like this one though--but, that's the way it goes.

I think I need more solid colors to use with this western theme.

What do you think?

Book Con 2015

There is Comic Con, Quilt Con

why not Book Con?

Wish I could be here

May 30-31, 2015

Javits Center, NYC

But Alas, I will just wish

and look through the books

on the website

Their listing is 12 books you can't miss at Book-Con

so I turned to I-Tunes for my info

How cute is this!  A perfect read for youngsters

And this book is on it's way to my hands--

I usually like to read the book before it becomes a movie.

Take a look at the 12 books and see if you agree--these can't be missed!

One Bald Guy and Pointed Sticks

I seem to be back on a sock knitting binge.

Seeing some 'new' designers pop up on my radar,

makes one hungry to pick up the pointy sticks

and get busy.  I found two lovely solid yarns in my stash--

don't remember when I purchased them or where,

but, I must have good taste as these are

really yummy colors and yarns!

Here comes another creative designer

and he's male!  Does that make him weird?  Not in the least,

his sock designs are awesome!

Here comes That Bald Guy Knits

This pattern can be found on Knitty--not familiar with this site?

It is one of the best for knitting patterns--all free!

Great designers and super patterns.

I'm off to see what he's designing for Ravelry solid sock group June mystery--

this should be fun......................

My Feet Are Going To Love Me!!

Come Winter or that one cold day in Texas, my feet are going to Love me!

I finished my socks...............

from the Valentine blank

This blank came from Gale's Art  and she has several for other holidays

But, what will I do with the leftover sock blank I didn't use for the socks?

My problem when I begun these socks--since this is a single yarn blank, how much should I knit on my first sock in order to have enough blank left for the second sock?

well, guess that wasn't a problem!!

Independent Films

 

Have you ever attended an Independent Film Festival?  The last two years we have found time to hit this film festival--Hill Country Film Festival.  The Festival is well represented with independent film makers from many world countries.  I think that is the part we like about this event.

We usually like to see the 'shorts'--various small films that last less than 15 minutes.  We also have a chance to rate the films we have seen.  there are some really good ones here to view--only one that I disagreed with, but that is what the filmmaker wants--discussion on his topic of conversation.

I think our favorite by far was "Man in the Can"--a film about minor league rodeo clown with big dreams to make it to the major leagues before he gets too old or taken out by bull.  Check it out!

Recently, there was a film festival in Estes Park, CO, held at Stanley Hotel.  This was totally horror films.  Check out Independent film festival if one comes to your town--there is no better entertainment at a good price.