The Dahomey Appliques

I have wanted to acquire a Dahomey Applique for at least 30 years since I first saw one in a book on applique.  This week I was fortunate enough to find two to purchase.

These (Fon) appliques were made in Dahomey a West African country that was re-named Benin in 1975. The kingdom of Dahomey was a powerful West Africa State that was founded in the 17th century and lasted until 1894. From 1894 to 1960 Dahomey was part of French West Africa and named The Republic of Dahomey. In 1975 the country was renamed Benin. The red border and the yellow border were machine stitched  and the rest of the textile was made by hand. The appliques were made for tourists in the 1960-1970s.

 Handmade appliques were used in banners, flags, tapestries, royal umbrellas, hammocks, ceremonial cloths representing Dahomey oral history. All Fon appliques include animal figures. Elaborate large applique tapestries were reserved only for royalty and detailed life events of the person were woven into a tapestry by a designated craftsman.

Cutting Up The Sari's Class

 Cutting Up The Saris Class.  The class was developed to demonstrate a method of making wearable jackets from sheer saris or quilted sari shawls which I have been purchasing recently in India.  The first order of business was to make a modified kimono jacket pattern for everyone from their individual measurements.

Beth was using a quilted sari and examining some coordinating fabric choices.

 Jenna also had a quilted sari.

 Liz and I were sharing the beautiful brown/gray sari on the wall.

Marcia looks for some coordinating fabric for her black and white zebra jacket.

And Frances was making a jacket from a sheer sari.

Cleaning My Sewing Room

 Usually when I clean my sewing room I am just trying to make enough space to get around.  This time I dug a little deeper into drawers and boxes.  I unearthed this great batik from China.  From 1993 to 2004 I traveled to China at least once a year.  By 2004 in Beijing the old city was being torn down (for the Olympics) traffic was terrible and the crafts were all disappearing so I stopped going there.  In previous years I used to find wonderful batiks which I brought back.  This one was intended for a jacket or coat. I think I will see if my grandson wants it for his room.

I have no idea where this big piece came from.  Definitely Asia.  I think it might make a wonderful jacket. 

E.A.T. Day in Ithaca

 After a great lunch at the Ciao Restaurant in Ithaca we retired to Tracy Mclellan's Beautiful old house in Ludlow.

The task for the day was stamping with leaves.

 We managed to make quite a mess in two different rooms.

Hmmm. Not too bad but still needs a bit of work.

Shipshewana Indiana Quilt Festival

My quilt "If Leaves Were Blue" won third prize at the Shipshewana Quilt Festival in Indiana.

Sewing Day at Marcia's Studio

 I wanted to try out the Seminole Patchwork Strips I had been sewing and see if I wanted them all the way around or just on the top and bottom.

And Nancy is still working on her Kodak piece.  This time she was adding words made from Scrabble pieces.

Wolcott Annual Strawberry Festival

 After the yard sale I just had time to catch a quick glimpse of the Annual Strawberry Festival in Northrup Park in Wolcott. 

 Lots of vendors and food.

 A Jazz Band is preparing to play

The audience waits patiently under a shade tree.

 Ahh.  Here was what I was after.

A delicious strawberry sundae in the park under a shade tree.  That's what summer's all about.

Wolcott Yard Sale

It was a beautiful June day in Wolcott and my daughter Barbara and her husband Michael took advantage of it to hold a yard sale on their lawn.  Setting up.

The customers begin to arrive.

Two adorable little girls came by to pet Charlotte, Barbara's dog.

Who later collapsed on a chaise from all the strain of the day.

Penny's Wedding Part 4- The Reception

 Setting up the reception

The cake of course

 Michael gets ready to give the traditional toast.

Aunt Elizabeth gets to spend some time with her great-great grand niece Lily

Dominic and Kaelyn  have to dance , of course.

And Dominic always dances with his grandmother.

 Carlos's Step-father, Eli Arout attended with his daughter and three sons  and their children from all over the country

 The married couple's first dance

A time for lots of photo's, of course.

 Then its time for more dancing

Balloons are always fun

 Michael and Carlos share a good laugh

 A threesome works

The bride throws her bouquet.  The party's over.

Penny's Wedding Part 3

 Kaelyn takes her place with the women

 And Penny joins Carlos

Lighting the Unity CAndle

Kaelyn and Dominic get to sit down as the ceremony progresses.

 Barbara reads the I Do Poem

And Carlos kisses the bride.

The receiving line

Leaving the church

Its time for the confetti

 Time for one more kiss