Bamana Mud Cloth at the DMA

 The Cartier exhibit was wonderful, but I'm not finished yet.  Another spot I want to visit at the DMA today is highlighting Bamana Mud Cloth.  "What is that?" you say.  Well --- 

"Bogolanfini (mud cloth) originated among the Bamana peoples of Mali hundreds of years ago.  It was traditionally used to make tunics for men (hunters and warriors) and wrappers for women.  Women wore bogolanfini during crucial milestones in their lives, including coming of age, consummation of marriage, childbirth, and transition to the afterlife."

The geometric designs derived from mud cloth have been part of the Western visuals since the 1970s and an American fashion designer is credited with popularizing the designs in the U.S.; however, it was a Malian designer, Chris Seydou, who debuted bogolanfini motifs and fabric on the runways in Paris in about 1976.  Today, I've seen these designs on a variety of textile products - home furnishings to haute couture, by celebrated designers like Lauren, Givenchy, and de la Renta.

Quilts Etc. - Terlingua, TX

 Our vacation has us waaaaaay down south along the Mexican border in Terlingua, TX.  Driving along the highway, Mister spots this sign and instantly turns into the parking lot.

Antiquing to Sherman and Back

It's Mister's birthday and we are driving north towards McKinney, to start.  Parking on the square, antiquing is something he dearly loves and one store draws us in right away.  As we wander around, I see these little peddle carriages for children.  How fun!  It would be grand to restore one of these and gift BUT kids just don't play outside anymore. 

Texas Basket Company -- A Little Off Center of Quilting

Our adventure (I know some of you call it a vacation) begins today.  We are on the way to Louisiana, but I read about The Texas Basket Company in Jacksonville, TX and since it's on our way . . .  The only downside is that today is a Saturday and the factory is not operating.  However, that doesn't stop us from looking around.

Learning at On Rotation

While at On Rotation this evening, a local silk screen artist is making shirts on site.  I decide to investigate and get a chance to speak with Bryan from Pint Services.  He and a partner own the company and specialize in working with breweries and tap rooms.  The designs are his and after talking with him for a bit, I ask if he can do multi color.  He can and so we discuss creating panels on cotton for quilting/sewing.  He had no idea there was a market out there.  Keep your eyes open -- Bryan may appear on the quilt scene at some point.

I took a quick video of him applying the plastic to a couple of shirts.  Once the plastic is spread, it enters an oven and is baked at a temperature of no less that 370 degrees to set the plastic.  Anything less than that and it will continue to be wet.  It's always fun to learn in unexpected settings and ways.

Treasure Hunting w/Mister

Aren't weekends just the best?  I love time with my sweetheart and don't really care what form it takes.  Today, after helping his mom for awhile, we find time for an antique stop.  I wonder what treasures await.  Let's go see.

Oh wow --- first thing I spot is a Frister and Rossman handcrank.  The booth is having a 50% off sale.  Do I or don't I?  All the parts are there and the wheel moves so nice.  I let it pass, but it's hard.

Antiquing A Bit

We have been holed up in the house forever it seems.  I know, it's by choice but a wee bit of getting out might be nice.  We'll just be careful so that my sweetie doesn't have a relapse.  Yes, he is STILL coughing - since Christmas.  ugh.

First stop is Half Price Books where a lovely little coffee/pastry shop resides inside.  Black Forest Coffee is part of Henk's European Deli and Black Forest Bakery, which reside behind Half Price Books.  If you like German food, you'd love them.  Once our sweet treat and drink are finished, we make a stop at Home Depot for some bird seed to keep our feathered friends happy.  They start staring in the windows at us when it is out.  No joke.

Once our assigned errand is finished, we both come to the conclusion that it has been awhile since setting foot in an antique shop of any kind.  That needs to be remedied and right now.  City View Antique Mall is just down the street and a great place to begin.  We are only there a few minutes a I spot this case under a table.  Ooooooh.  The tag says $65.00 and I'm even more excited.  Then I pull out the case and although it is in remarkable condition, it is empty.  Just the case for that price and, again, it is in great shape and if you need one -- well here ya go.

Barbara Hartman - Transcendent Quilting

Our next stop on the Cross Timbers Artists' Studio Tour is at the home of Barbara Hartman.  I have my fingers crossed that it will not be busy here either and we will get a chance to really spend some quality time together.  My wish is granted and when we arrive, we are the only ones touring.  I am able to hand over the cheese from Richard Gatti and watch as she lights up when she realizes what it is.  How fun.  She then takes us into the front room where her quilt (that I JUST saw in Houston) is proudly being displayed.  It is entitled Autumn Evening and won the blue ribbon for Art-Naturescapes.  Woohoo.  I did take a picture of it while there but held onto it hoping to use it in this post as today has been planned since October.  All the stars aligned and I am able to take another picture with her in it.  Perfect.  I ask if I can touch it as no one gets to do that at Festival.  She gives permission for them all to be touched, turned over, and thoroughly learned from.  I am in heaven.

Lake Trail Studio Handwovens Tour

At the end of last month, we discovered the  Huffhines Art Trails Festival and met Richard and Gloria Gatti.  It was such a treat and they invited us to tour their studio today.  Ya'll know I am not one to turn an opportunity like that down so after a quick breakfast at home, we are on the road up to Double Oak.  They are part of the Artist's Studio Tour that is taking place in the Cross Timbers area and I have my fingers cross that if we get there right when it starts, we will have some time without crowds around.  It works and ours is the lone car in the driveway.  Let's go learn about weaving.

The entrance to the studio is at the back of the house where a wonderful garden and greenhouse occupy space on the property.  Oooooh, I wish.  As we walk up to the door, many of their products are displayed for sale.  It is those dish towels that I am really after.  I have wanted one every since Huffhines.

A Loop Around the City --- What Can I Spy?

A day with my sweet man is always fun and full of surprises.  Today, the mission is a loop around the city and stopping in at various events along the way.  Coffee first and then we are ready to go.  The first stop is at the downtown Garland Urban Flea Market.   You can check out ALL that we do by clicking on THIS LINK.  This post will highlight different things.

Check out this basket of pin cushions

New Year's Eve with Batiks at the DMA

New Year's Eve is upon us thus Mister and I are off to enjoy a wonderful day together.  The Dallas Museum of Art opens at 11 a.m. and since that's our first destination, I guess I should get dressed and ready to go.

The reason for the trip is that there are two exhibits ending this week and we have not yet been able to immerse ourselves in them.  The first is "Divine Felines:  Cats of Ancient Egypt" and the second is "Art and Nature in the Middle Ages."  Both are absolutely wonderful and as we slowly work our way through them, find numerous items to peak our curiosity as well as get me questioning.  Yep, that's me -- always wondering.

After those two exhibits, Mister tells me that he learned about a batik exhibit here.  What?  Oh goodness, lead the way up to the third floor.  From the moment the exhibit is spotted, I am in heaven.  It's glorious and goes into depth on the process used in Java, Indonesia.  I am enthralled with the ability to touch and feel each step of the process and see the intricacies used in creating elaborate and beautiful wrap skirts.  Feel free to click on these photos so that they enlarge and you can read all the great information.

Antiquing/Shopping with Mister

It's a "enjoy each other" kind of day.  We really don't have any set agenda and Mister doesn't have to work tomorrow so we are just chillin' around town, doing some shopping and enjoying all the day has to offer.  After a LATE breakfast out, we stopped in at a local antique mall.  I found a few items that might give you joy or a chuckle at least.

First up:  Santa out of a vintage quilt top that I'm choosing to believe was unrepairable.

A Day With Mister - Fun Stuff EVERYWHERE

Oh goodness.  My sweetheart actually is running away from work today.  And I do mean running.  We are out the door and away from computers.  Now what?  How about an estate sale or two?  There are a couple right near the house and we are off to see what treasures might be in need of a new home.  The first stop nets us a wonderful partially finished hand-stitched quilt top and the remaining pieced blocks.  All I have to do is figure out a white fabric to use with it.  We also locate a box of old thimbles and a beautiful scarf.  The second sale gives us two organizers filled with parts that Mister can use along with a TRAIN.  Total expenditure of these two stops is $34.49.  (The Spirograph came later)

Saturday Craft Show and Antiquing

I let Mister sleep in this morning and as a result we are now quickly trying to get out of the house and get to Debi K.'s craft show in Hurst, TX.  It's about 45 minutes away and we are late, late, late.  When we arrive, the only parking we can find is in the back 40 and our walk into the building takes us at least 15 minutes.  Goodness but there are a lot of people here.  First things first, we go find Debi and say hi before wandering off to get some coffee and a pumpkin spice cake for breakfast.  Her booth is already full of people and sales are brisk.  Nice.

Estate Sale Treasures

It's Saturday and that means time with Mister.  He asks if I would like to go estate sale shopping - well, of course.  We map out the 4 closest to us, make a couple of coffees to go and are out the door in time to make the opening of the first one.

The only thing I spot at this one is an O'Lippa ruler that is marked $6.00.  It looks pretty grimy so I check with Mister to make sure it will clean up and since it is last day, we get it 75% off -- 2.50.  Good start.

Across the street is a garage sale so we walk over just to check it out.  I am able to find 6 XXL cotton shirts and two of them are colors that are difficult to find:  pink and purple.  They are asking $1.00 a piece but I get 6/$5.00.  I'm pretty happy about that as we return to the car and head for the second destination.  (The chicken comes later as well as the drawers.)

Dallas Quilt Show

Upon waking this morning, I asked Mister if he would like to go to the Dallas Quilt Show with me.  It is my guild's show and I would love to go and check it out.  He readily agrees and off we go.  For the first time at a show, we start with the vendors.  It may prove to be a mistake, but we'll see.

I am always looking to learn new techniques (whether I ever use them or not) and spot this one where they sew a small piece of fabric on top of the blocks and then brush it with a steel brush to create a "chenille" strip.  Pretty cool.

We come across a booth that has featherweight light bulbs, yep need one of those.  Another booth has the seam ripper I bought a couple of years ago -- he has a stiletto point that fits my ripper -- yes, gotta have one of those.  I also find a couple of cute fabrics that are on clearance, so grab those to make a couple sewing machine covers for the machines that are always set up.

However, the bulk of our time is spent trying out various sit-down long arm machines.  Oh and the chairs.  Here are my favorites of the day:  This chair was incredibly comfortable and the Sweet Sixteen is my choice for machine as well.  Now -- will someone please give me five grand so that I can get one?  It would truly make me a happy girl.  Best part is that both the chair and the machine are in the same booth and the shop is really close to home for me.  Yay!