Ode to Loom

 

There comes a day when you just have to let go...................

You need to say good-bye to an favorite friend

A friend that has served you well

But, it is time for this friend to move on

and make someone else happy

and serve them well.

 

I'm saying good-bye to my 8 Harness Macomber Loom--

It has been working well, weaving many wearables, towels, rugs, etc.

There has been the happy sound of moving shafts

The tromping rhythm of the treadles

We have warped many a thread through those heddles

Oh, yes, there is tears in my eyes and sadness in my heart

It is time for #5816 to move from my home to another.

Good-bye good friend--you will be missed!  But, loved by someone else.

Happy tromping!

Urban Cowboy! 35 Years Old??

 

Here is the June cover of Texas Monthly.  I could not believe that it has been 35 years ago that this movie was released!

 

Yes, this movie was released on June 6, 1980!  Do you remember the dance craze from movie?

Well, in Texas--those dances have always been around. 

A night club went wild!  The movie spawned an outstanding music album.

 

 

And now there will be a special viewing in Austin, TX on June 16.  There is even a beer

named "Gilley's", made by No Label Brewery, Katy, TX.

There are rumors that there will be a reboot of the movie for a TV drama series-

will wonders never cease! 

I'm plugging into my mp3 player and listen to that music all over again and remember those days when we two- stepped across Gilley's dance floor!

Those were the days!

Under The Moon--Farm to Table Dinners

It's Spring time turning to Summer time

Let's enjoy a Farm to Table Dinner

The Tables are set

The chef is preparing the food

He has the grill hoppin' hot with sausage, pineapple, steaks

Now the tables are filled with hungry people

This was a dinner with beer tastings

Under the full moon.

Look for one of farm to table dinner in your area

 

Navajo Weaving Way

I've always had a fascination

with

I have several books on this topic

I read through them often; studying the patterns,

the thoughts behind the weaving,

the path of ancestry passing

from one to another

Oh yes, I've taken many a Navajo weaving workshop--

one with Sarah Natani

I spent a week with Sarah, listening to her lovely Navajo language roll off her tongue;

watch her as she placed the batten in the shed;

under her guidance we warp with handspun wool and wove our pattern in between the threads

I've sat with Sarah as she turned her spindle on her thigh--

there is never a better experience!

Unless............

you take another Navajo weaving workshop

with woolen yarns for weft

Handspun wool for warp

Ahh, yes the pattern looks simple and we

begin

We have woven only 1/4th of the pattern

and it ages.  Why wait?  This workshop our Navajo teacher was Belle Rosing.  Belle concentrated on traditional patterns, such as Two Grey Hills, but also sometimes made rugs with naturalistic animals, such as crows or cows. She was awarded an apprenticeship with Navajo weaver Mary Drake by the Colorado Council of Arts.  Sadly, Belle was taken from us in a 2003 tragic accident.  Belle would say "you must finish your weaving before you begin another".

Okay, Belle--I will finish to begin another!

Life goes on in our weaving patterns to remember those who are present and those who have passed.

One Million ..............

 

Yes, let's make some smiles!  American Patchwork and Quilting is challenging quilters, sewers and crafters to help us reach our goal of donating one million pillowcases to local charities.  Many charities can benefit from the donation of a pillowcase and the challenge gives you the opportunity to donate and make a difference in your community

This challenge is also a way to teach youngsters to sew--patterns are easy and free.

It's a way to put a smile on your face too! 

Up Close

It's okay!  Get up close to see what you can see!

How does this work in your every day life?

We can 'see' what we want to see and usually

we 'see' it from afar.

 

 

Take this cactus plant--we do not want to be too close--as we know adversity is within touch.

Looking closer we 'see' those little buds are blooming into lovely flowers

Small and tiny but growing into such wonderful life.

Is this how we 'see' people?  Glancing from afar, thinking we know what's inside

not looking into the depth of their personality.

on closer examination we just might find that life-long friend

hidden behind all those tiny stickers.

“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!