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.

Not Your Mama's Quilt Shop Spotlight - Plano, TX

 An opportunity to meet up with a treasured friend put me at Not Your Mama's Quilt Store and since I haven't been to the new store before, I thought I'd bring all y'all along with me.

We are greeted instantly upon our entry (which I LOVE) and after asking about taking pictures, Christina gives the go ahead and I'm soon clicking away.  There are the greatest displays all over the shop and my eyes are darting instantly.

Quilts, The Silk Road, and More Fiber at DMA

The Dallas Museum of Art is on the agenda for today with Jon.  He loves the Creative Arts Center and has made this request.  Once we get there, the center is doing quilting.  HAHAHAHA --- Just squares to lay out and not really challenging enough for him.  We do find a game to play in the center and he not only wins, but annihilates me.

All Things Fiber - The Christian Dior Exhibit at DMA

Back in May, Mister and I received an invitation (cocktail attire and all) to the Opening Celebration of the Dior Exhibit at the Dallas Museum of Art.  Things being what they normally are, we were in Montana for it and missed out.  However, today I am at least going to see the exhibit.  My daughter, Rhiana, and granddaughters, Elena and Malea, are huge fashion buffs so I have great company to share in this event.

I took A LOT of pictures so that I could share with friends who would likely not have the opportunity to see this in person.   I kept the event brochure so that I can share information with y'all as well.  It's going to be like your own personal showing -- how's that sound?

"For the past seventy years, the fashion house founded by christian Dior in 1947 has been the ultimate symbol of Parisian haute couture.  With his first collection, the revolutionary New Look, Dior established the iconic silhouette of the postwar era.  His unique style, inspired by art and culture, celebrated the triumphant return of femininity.  His vision of clothing based on strong, architectural lives resonated in a world rebuilding itself from the ground up after the devastation of World War II.

A pioneer in the globalization of fashion, Dior built an empire that reached around the world.  Six designers have succeeded him since his death in 1957:  Yves /Saint Laurent, Marc Bohan, Gianfranco Ferre, John Galliano, Raf Simons, and the current artistic director, Maria Grazia Chiuri.  Each has added his or her own personal stamp while paying homage to Christian Dior's legacy of original and refined fashion that wants above all 'to make women happier and more beautiful'."

Water Marbling Silk Scarves at Artscape

My friend, Bonnie, is in town with me today and we get to play at the Arboretum.  It has been planned as a day of just enjoying the scenery and no quilting involved.  You can follow all the fun in this personal POST.  However, somehow fiber finds it's way into our world.

The Dallas Arboretum is also hosting Artscape, a wonderful festival out in the garden.  As we are roaming the tents, we come to this one on water marbling and it stops us in our tracks.  Literally.

I am mesmerized and need to watch the entire process.  Notice, I said NEED.  It's just so crazy cool.

They had already started the first part when we arrived and so the paint feathers had been made before I got my camera out.  It was with a stick and a quick movement through the water.

Next comes a comb with a slight back and forth (narrow end to narrow end, not side to side) motion.

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.

Dallas Quilt Show

Today is "Fun With Friends" Day.  Or, in other words, The Dallas Quilt Show.  Each year Stephannie plans a meet-up that includes food and so much eye candy that I would be a fool to miss out.  The Original Market Diner is our meeting ground and when Tracey arrives, she has my new bracelet finished.  Ooooooh, I love it and can't wait for the first Red Hat event to wear it to.

Yes, I know this is about quilting, but my quilting friends are talented in so many way.  It's fun to see each facet and support one another whenever possible.  At first there are six of us at the restaurant, but we soon fill up the tables with the addition of three more.

Flower Mound Antiquing

With a quilt drop-off in Flower Mound as a task for today and a sweetheart who is off work, we are making it a "try a new quilt shop" moment.  It is actually in Lewisville and called the Antique Gallery.  What a fun place!  The first booth nets us a new rolling pin and Mister is pleased as it is a Foley and I have wanted one for a LONG time.  Check out these great alphabet block creations.  We are thinking grandkids could so something similar with just stuff we have at home.

A quick shout out to friends as well as  I spot sock monkeys and skulls, making me think Sherri, Stephannie, Ana, and Meri Roo.

Quilt Plano - Eye Candy Time

Nervous.  Yep, that's me.  I have managed to agree to attend a breakfast (what am I thinking as I can't eat?) with friends and then time at the quilt show where people will see me.  I'm so very self-conscious still and until this whole mouth experience is behind me in November/December -- well, let's just say I know how silly I look.  AND OLD.  So very old.  Mirrors and cameras don't lie.  At any rate, I am going to follow through on this commitment and away I go.  Breakfast is at Poor Richard's Cafe in Plano and soon we are seated and enjoying some catching up.  It's so great to see people again and I know just how much I have missed the sociality of being together.  We take our time and enjoy a couple of hours together before separating and departing for the quilt show.

BLRC Sew Day With Friends

This has been a whirlwind month so far and it seems as though the last thing I would need is a day retreat.  However, I believe that a day sewing with friends is therapeutic and getting through this month will require all the therapy I can get. 

Thus, I am off to the Best Little Retreat Center for a day with friends.  When we arrive, we grab a corner table and start stacking us in.  I have only brought handwork with me so a table is just not really required.  For the morning, we visit and stitch away.  It's so good to see some ladies I haven't seen in awhile and I'm loving the good feeling.

Around 11 I get dresses for a Red Hat event and will be back in a couple of hours.  If you want to see just what I did, click on THIS LINK.  In my own way, I'm saying that my camera didn't come out to play until I returned from that event.  I was just enjoying the time with friends.

While I was away, the rest went to lunch together and DID take a picture to share.

Upon my return back at BLRC, Lori is the only one sewing away and shortly after that she left for awhile too.  I look over at her station and have to smile as she has put her lady down for a nap while she is away.  The only thing this scene needs is for the soft blankie to be Red Sox too.

Blue Ribbon Quilt Shoppe

Today is a Red Hat Day and as I'm driving up to the cafe where we are meeting, I spot a quilt shop and suddenly I have an after-lunch plan.  Yes, a quilt shop two doors down really needs to be explored.  Look at the sweet entrance to Blue Ribbon Quilts Shoppe in Wylie, Texas.

As soon as I open the door, I am thrilled.  Oh my -- what an incredible place.  Color bursts from absolutely every corner.  Isn't that exactly what we all want in a quilt shop?

Girlfriends and The Dallas Quilt Show

Yay!!!  A day with Girlfriends is the BEST kind of day.  Okay, okay -- days with family are pretty amazing too.  Stephannie has put together a breakfast at Mama's Daughter's Diner for everyone to meet and visit before the Dallas Quilt Show begins.  Sherri and I are the first to arrive and followed shortly by Suzanne.

And then by everyone else.  Where is Stephannie, you ask?  Well, she didn't have nice words to say about the traffic when she finally did arrive, however almost everyone had already left to attend the show.  We'll meet up with her again later.  (Yes, two pictures.  I like parts of both so couldn't cut one.)

Starting in lower left corner and going around the table:  Kelly, I'm the empty space, Suzanne, Lydia, Kailey (being a bit shy with mom) Kelsey, Rusty, Anna, Debbie, Sherri, and Cheryl.

Treasure Hunting at Forestwood Antique Mall

It's Mister Birthday Season and he wants to do a bit of antiquing.  I think he is still on the hunt for a sherry decanter and we'll be on that hunt for a long time as he's REALLY picky.  At any rate, I love antique shops and today we are at Forestwood Antique Mall.  Here's a peek of what my little eyes spotted and I'm sorry to say that machines were not anywhere to be found, but lots of quilts and hats along with some other fun linen/sewing items.  Take a peek as I cruise through the mall.

So many hankies and ooooh -- Buttons galore!

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.

Warehouse Tour Guide

A couple of days ago I offered to be a Harry Hines tour guide for a group of wonderful ladies who have not been there before.  They took me up on the offer and after a wonderful breakfast chatting about our lives at Mama's Daughter's Diner, we are on our way.

Perth and Harry Hines is first up.  I plan to go to C & C first but neither they nor Super Textiles are open.  Hmmm.  I had been told that C&C had moved and the warehouse is for lease but there are not any signs indicating where they went.  Oh well, moving on --- into Wherehouse Fabrics we go.  When I am in the mood to buy --- this place is just so fun.  We have found the coolest backs among these tables.  Normally I crop the tops off of these pictures, but I want you to see just how big the place is.

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.

Huffhines Art Trails Treasures

We are out and about today at a new-to-us art festival.  Huffhines Park in Richardson has been hosting this for 41 years now and I'm excited to see creativity in abundance.  As usual, there are two posts about this and one is in my personal blog and will highlight different things than this one.  You can access it HERE.

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

Estate Sale in the 'Hood

As I am busy working away on the Surfside Beach blog posts, my sweet Mister asks if I'm going to run over to an estate sale in the neighborhood.  It's 8:45 and it opens at 9:00.  I'm still in my pajamas.  Of course I was planning on going.  Silly man.  I had forgotten all about it and since it is day 3 of the sale (he forgot about days 1 and 2) I'm pretty dang sure that the little Wilcox and Gibbs he wants is no longer there.  However, "Yes dear, I'll dress quickly and walk over there to check it out for you."

I arrive and am surprised that there are not more people in the house, assuming that most of the sewing stuff would be long gone.  I was wrong and the amount of machines and supplies still remaining make me think that two days ago this would have be so fun to see.  Oh well.

Naturally, the machine he was interested in is no longer there but I peek around anyway.  The first room has these toy machines in it.  They are cute but I certainly don't need to start a new collection.  Onto another room.

Heritage Village Treasures

We've opted to do a real step back in time type of Indepence Day celebration.  My sweet man looked into the Heritage Village in Dallas and found that they were doing things up right today.  Therefore, it' a plan and we are off for some fun.  With three grands in tow, I'm sure it will be a blast.

Upon our arrival, it's already apparent that this will be special and I'm in heaven.  You can read all about our day by clicking on this LINK and scrolling down to day two.  I am only going to highlight a few things in this separate writing.

Several of the old homes have great mementos of the past and I just can't stop my camera from clicking.  Take a stroll back in time with me through pictures.  It's pretty sweet.