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! 

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!