Snow Storm in Connecticut

(Click on photos for larger view.)

 

 

When the storm first started.

Ledyard snowplow on the main road.

 

Taken in the middle of the night.

The white snow made this picture possible.

....by morning's light.

I was barely able to open the door to sneak the camera out for this view.

 

Two days later, the landscaper and his crew arrived (after 3 hours sleep).

Richard and his crew at
H and H Landscaping have been helping me out for the last 25 years. I couldn't do without them!

 

 

Mola, (Three Colors)

This MOLA has three different colors.

Background -- Dark Blue

Middle -- Orange

Front -- Magenta

All 3 layers are clearly visible from side view.

All elements are reverse appliqued.

Even the tiny circles.

Below:  Reverse side, showing small stitches

Applique Bag, Kuna Indians (San Blas Islands)

This is an example of basic applique the younger ladies do as they work on perfecting their art. One doesn't start by working on the more difficult Molas. These smaller applique pieces are made by the hundreds and are stitched as small 6 1/2 inch square purse/pouches that are finished with black nylon lining and matching small black zipper at the top and a black hanging strap to go over the head. The eye appears to be done in reverse applique, while the remainder is done in basic applique.

 

 

 

This close-up details the basic, decorative embroidery stitches.

                          Note: the applique is done all in black thread with very small stitches.

 

In addition to these pouches, the beginning applique ladies also make 3 1/2 inch square lined coin purses, complete with zipper. The subject of the coin purses and pouches are some of the 400  local, colorful bird species which populate the islands.

 

Next:  Mola example

 



RANDOM ACT OF KINDNESS 2013 (Pass it on)

On Christmas Eve, I took a fellow who bears a resemblance to Santa to the hospital for tests. We normally don't have breakfast out, but he had fasted for quite awhile. So we went to a local popular restaurant for a meal. There was a young couple (in their 30's) at the next table. They finished their meal and left. We took our time.

When we were done, the waitress said "There is no need to pay. The young couple at the next table paid for your meal." We thought what a lovely gesture that was.

As we were leaving, I asked the cashier if I could pay the bill of the people in the booth next to us. It was a father and his young son, so I just told her to say that Santa was sitting at the next table and saw what a good boy he was.

This is a rather fun concept.

Pass it on for 2013.

Meet the Kuna Applique Ladies of San Blas Islands

When I say "meet the ladies", this is an understatement.  When virtually all ladies (and young ladies) of stitching age work on the applique, I realize I am doing them injustice by showing you only three. And I am showing you only a very small portion of the hundreds (and more) pieces of  applique on display.

This lady was the first in line as we left the shuttle boat.

A very impressive lady.

This is one extremely talented applique artist. She worked her Molas in many layers.

The more colors in a Mola, the greater the value.

In addition to Molas, she had made numerous lined purses and appliqued wall hangings showing the variety of local birds using traditional applique techniques and adding a lot of embroidery highlights.

In order to display the items more effectively, they were basted together.

One was not expected to purchase all the basted items.

When you picked the one you like, she simply clipped the basting.

This is another lady with a lot of applique talent and a vibrant personality.

She was a lot of fun. You could tell she really enjoyed her applique and was delighted to meet anyone else who shared her passion. Note her wearing apparel. The Kuna ladies not only make applique to sell, but it is also an important part of their daily clothing style.

Note: When visiting the San Blas Islands, take a lot of USD 1's (to take photos), 5's, and 10's.

Next:  Close-ups of a few selected applique pieces.



Applique Paradise

(The computer I have been using was damaged beyond repair. Santa has brought me a new computer, so I am "back to blogging".)

 

I recently returned from a 5 week trip around South America, sailing from Boston on Holland America's ship, Veendam. One of the reasons I wanted to do this sailing was because it gave me an opportunity to visit the Kuna Indians on the east coast of Panama. There are approximately 378 small islands which belong to these people, but only 49 are inhabited. Because the islands are so small, it is necessary to take a boat from the larger ship.

 

These are the choices. 
Shall we take a dugout canoe, complete with modified milk containers used for emptying water from the dugout as it filled with water?  Or shall we use the shuttle boats provided by the ship? The shuttle boats were faster, so we opted for those.

 

Use of island land space was very efficient. On the island we visited there were living quarters compactly placed on all available areas with narrow passageways between the huts. The Kuna Indians were very pleasant and friendly. A few spoke a little English, and they all understood Spanish. Hanging neatly throughout the entire complex was a display of their specialty applique. It was apparent that virtually all of the female population was involved in needlework. I was told by the older women that the young girls are introduced to applique at a very early age. One sees all levels of expertise when viewing their applique.

 

Next:  Meeting some of the ladies and their work.

 



Computer is not working

I apologize for lack of posts, but my computer was damaged in transit, and I am unable to post photos on the ship's computer.