Another piece of HISTORY

 Right now I’m battling with a rather annoying flu. As I was lying in bed for past several days, doing absolutely nothing, I decided to work on the project I started a long time ago – putting on some of the traditional patterns online. 

Traditional crafts always fascinate me, from Scottish kilts to our mitten designs. If you look at the bar above, you will see few new pages there to look at - this, this and this. 

Many of the patterns come from the three thick volumes on our traditional costume, printed late 20; s –early 30's so quality of printing is a bit outdated but the wealth of information is still there. 

I believe that many of these patterns are still brilliant for modern quilt or fashion ideas. 

Just look at this linen shirt! I can imagine wearing it with my black jeans and looking fab. 

Or these knitted socks – while they are part of one of our region’s traditional costume, they can be a fantastic fashion statement. 

Whatever, I enjoyed putting at least some up and will continue when the next flu will hit me again. Hope you will find them as inspiring as I do.

Summer

The last few day we do have the real summer. I would even say - a tad bit too much of a summer. At the end of June I was still wrapping myself in leather jacket but today it's +33 C !

According to heat index, it's +40 C outside right now. I need to keep away from computer as I do not want the drips from my nose to overflow the keyboard. Today I probably would listen a story or two about global warming. LOL

So for today out of the drawer I decided to pick up two woolen blankets, weaven by my grand grandmother so they are at leas 120 years old.

Such will fit well for this nice summertime! LOL

Both are very similar and absolutely traditional. One has the gray backgrund with purple stripes - other is black with green.

As you can see, the purple one is well worn - I remember granny  using them still when I was a child.

There would be no point to show things done by some ancient members of the family if there would be no link for today. And there is - my youngest just finished her first traditional belt. Very simple one and not perfect but it was her first and she finished it.  Its nearly 3 m long and will fit perfect for her national costume.

 

Back into childhood

Do you have very special memories from your childhood? Special toys (other than favourite Teddy Bear) or special memories which comes with these toys?
Today I had a day full of memories, straight back into my childhood, remembering my granny. When I was about the same age as my youngest, she did a great job teaching me everything she knew - from needlework up to archery :)

Now my youngest decided that she wants the traditional costume. I agreed to help with more complicated items but some are quite simple even for her 9 years, and traditionally girls are making their costumes by themselves.

The simplest thing is a weaved belt to start with. We do have few at home, 100 + years old, which can be used for pattern. My little loom, suitable for such job, was lost in history many years ago, but I managed to find one, about 40 years old, still in working condition (THANK YOU, LAURA!), exactly like mine were.

 
So today I set everything up for my young lady to start with the basic technique, just to get the feel of weaving, and guess what? I had a fight 10:30 PM to convince her to leave the loom and go to bed.  "Pleas, just few more rows, PLEASE!"

She likes to make things. To make necklaces and earrings, occasional dress for her Teddy Bear or a little toys, some basic knitting and now she is keen to help with quilt, but weaving...  I was looking at her shining face and tried to remember myself when my granny was showing me the basics of weaving. The same feel, I do remember. :)

How much fun and happiness one old toy can give to multiple generations! I do believe now that my youngest will grow up to continue the traditions. My oldest already is into it - today she shared her latest yarn shopping stories and planned projects.  And now the youngest got the bug as well... Thanks to the old toy loom.

Of course, all this fun today means that no quilting was done at all... Small price to pay for all the fun. 


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