Bands of Patterns and Color

 I didn't have much time

to search for quilt shops or even

to do much stitching during my little R & R.

This trip was more about

 

 visiting with our daughter Kate and

having fun.

This is who Kate works for:

She is the Collection Manager

overseeing the preservation and

 curating the Seminole Tribe of Florida's 

archaeological collections. 

So while we were there

she invited us to attend

a very special ceremony.

It was the installation of the first judges

for the tribe.

It was held near the Council Tree.

This awesome enormous oak tree is

 located in Hollywood, Fl.

The ceremony was attended by people representing

all of the clans of the tribe.

And what a special treat to be surrounded by

everyone wearing their 

beautiful traditional Seminole patchwork.

Men's shirts with colorful
symmetrical patterns.

Small intricate pieces carefully stitched
and then sewn together with other
bands of pattern and lots of tiny rick rack trim.

Look at all the different designs included in

these beautiful skirts.

Each of these patterns begin with strips of fabric

sewn together to create a strata of color.

This larger piece is then cut into different width increments

to create smaller segments.

These in turn are repositioned
and stitched into patterns.
 I don't know how someone is able to sew on
all of that rick rack so straight.  Beautiful.

These patterns have

 many different names

such as alligator tracks, panther eye,

 diamond back and scared fire.

At the ceremony, there were lots of preschool

children all wearing  their beautiful clothing.

This little girl wanted green shiny fabric

and this little boy must love 

Mater and Lightening McQueen

from the movie "Cars"

There was a recent exhibit at the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum 

 called "It's Not a Costume -  Modern Seminole Patchwork"

Co-curator, Rebecca Fell said,

"We're focusing on the idea of everyday wear and the 

importance of patchwork to culture and history-

that is what ties all of the pieces together.

But our real emphasis for non-Tribal visitors is to

help them understand that the clothing is not a costume.

It is what is worn as part of daily life."

"Patchwork is for everyday wear.

It's Seminole fashion. 

 It's identity."

Until Next Time-
 

A Little R & R

While snowflakes have been falling at home,

I have been hanging out 

in South Florida.

The weather there was unseasonably cool,
(cold for those who call Florida home),

but at least no snow.

We started and finished our trip

on the west coast, the gulf side.

We stayed in a cottage yards away from

the beach and slept to the sound

 of the waves.

 We searched for prehistoric shark teeth

along the beaches,

 

and

 did the shell seeker stoop.

We visited with friends who

thought the best way to get to dinner

 

was via their boat along the 

Intercoastal waterway.

It was the most interesting way I think I've ever
 

gone to a restaurant.

You couldn't worry about what

your hair looked like when you got there, though.

Our daughter met us over in Naples over the weekend

and it was fun to act like tourists.

First we visited

Thomas Edison's and Henry Ford's Winter

Estate and Gardens in Fort Meyers.

Really lovely gardens.

One of Edison's lab

These were two very interesting men

who changed the world.

And what else do you want to see when you're in 

southern Florida?

Why the Everglades, of course.

And what do you find in the Everglades?

Why alligators, of course.

Sometimes you have to wrestle them
into submission,

and other times just
quietly walk around them

when they're blocking the path.

The most exciting new thing we got to see

were the manatees.

Well, in reality
we saw their noses
and a shadow of their bodies.

But if I were underwater

 this is what I would see.
Aren't they cute?

 You also need to be constantly searching for
the illusive flamingo.

Boy, were we ever lucky
we saw a whole flock.

Until Next Time-

Pink and Red

My quilting buddies met last week

and we decided to share some

Valentine projects we had made.

I shared two,

one pink and one red.

 Cupid's Arrows

2001

41" x 61"

I'm not sure where
 this sweet Valentine quilt pattern came from. 

The fabrics are at least 15 years old.

Like any scrap quilt it was fun to dig in the stash
and find long forgotten
pieces that seem to just fit into the present project.

Cupid's arrows and hearts

just say love and Valentine's Day.

****

The second quilt I showed
doesn't have a Valentine theme.
But I wanted to share it because
 I still "LOVE" this quilt,
despite the fact,
that it's already 14 years old.

 

"Looking Back"

2001

51" x 51"

This quilt was in an early
American Patchwork and Quilting
magazine

The quilt was inspired by a
crib quilt dated 1865.

It's whimsical folk style

just makes me smile.

I think it was the cheddar and
turkey red together
that first drew me to make this.
It reminds me how much I like
cheddar in quilts.

The appliqued flowers

added to the sweetness.

The bright bold colors

are such a contrast to

our present day pastels for babies.

These colors just make me think that 

someone was very excited about 

the birth of a new baby.

 I hand quilted it,

which I did mostly back then,

at the turn of the century!

I really liked the red sawtooth border on the outer edge.

It was a strip cut into at regular intervals,

the flaps folded back and underneath 

to create triangles and then 

appliqued onto the green border.

I just had to pick a bright backing too.

I love the chrome yellow and orange along with

the turkey red flowers.

Roses are red,

and violets are blue,

Share some of your

Valentine's quilts 

with us too.

Until Next Time-

Do Not Attempt This

 Tip for the day.

Unless you want your

eyes to pop out
from eye strain,

 or 

if you want to 

go absolutely crazy,

Do Not

attempt to quilt on a black wool quilt 

with black perel cotton 

at night.

Do this

ONLY if you happen to be 

a cute little owl.

Until Next Time-

Look What Happened

 I know the Super Bowl is 

now history,

but the story of 

deflated footballs is still

high on the 

news media's agenda.

All of this hoopla has caused

a trickle down effect.

Look.

I have deflated footballs.

 They were suppose to be touching,

but I couldn't get any of them to do it.

The mistake has to be in my tracing. 

No wait,

I never touched those templates.

So in order to preserve

my applique prowess,

the only thing to do

is to create a cover up.

There,

 no one will ever know

what happened.

PS  This is no way a reflection

on real life football.

 Until Next Time-