Antique Woven Wool Coverlet in Blooming Leaf Pattern

I bought another antique wool coverlet.  Another one from the Godwin Guild in Blowing Rock, NC.  The woman who owned it had it since the 1970s at least.  This is “Blooming Leaf of Mexico” from A Handweaver’s Pattern Book by Marguerite P. Davison, pg. 162, though it goes by other names such as double bow knot.  It's one of the classic patterns for woven coverlets.    

[Also see The Book of Handwoven Coverlets on The Internet Archive.]

 

This one does have the label on it, though it would be nice to be able to guage the vintage of this  particular coverlet by the Godwin label.  I suspect they used slightly different labels through the years ...

In comparing this one to the Whig Rose coverlet (without a label), it makes me think they are indeed related.  They are about the same size, and they have the same finished edges, same colors (blue and white). They are about the same weight and pliability, though the Whig Rose coverlet seems to have used a softer wool -- though I suppose that's more a factor of what you have available for manufacturing at any given time.

It's neat to see these up close and in detail ... how the blue and white threads intermix.

It's what they call a double weave, meaning the opposite reveres the colors.  Put another way, the flip side is the negative of the top side; Where it's blue on the topis white on the back side. 

 

These are nice and light, yet they add warmth on a cooler summer night.  

 

For the record, here is the description from the Etsy posting from huntwoodantiques:

Vintage Jacquard Overshot Loomed Indigo Wool Coverlet/Goodwin Guild Weavers Coverlet/Blue/White Coverlet/Farmhouse/Primitives/Colonial

A wonderful Vintage Blue and White Wool Jacquard Overshot Loomed Coverlet. This is by the Goodwin Guild Weavers. Has the Goodwin Guild silk label. The Goodwin family started weaving in the United States during the Early 1800's. Goodwin Guild Weavers was established in 1952 in Blowing Rock, NC and operated until the 1990's. They specialized in jacquard reproductions of Colonial Coverlets. This is one is really nice with no holes or tears. I know the lady I got it from has had it since the 1970s. There are just a few light stains, probably so light you will have to look hard but you may be able to see in my pictures. Clean, no musty odors. From Smoke Free Pet Free Home. Not scratchy. I guess a cotton wool blend. Rather heavy.
Size: 98" long x 78" wide. If you have American Country, Farmhouse, or Primitives these are always fabulous for that decor. Also great to display on a ladder, antique bed, etc.

GrungeTextures from France 2022

A visual meditation, this video showcases some of the grunge textures I collected on a recent trip to France. These abstract images were mostly "as found" in their natural elements and otherwise straight-outta-the-camera.  For the most part, these were framed within the camera, with only minor copping or straightening done as edits.

What are texture photos?  [Or I thought you were going to how me pictures from France ...]   

Texture photos are abstract images.  They typically lack a distinct subject, but can be beautiful all on their own.  No message.  They speak to the wordless side of the brain.  Just visuals.  Eye candy.   The textures can bring up different feelings, though, even without words.  

They can be layered into other photos (with Photoshop or other tools) to add interest, or be used as a background.  I just like looking at them for themselves.  They can be very calming for stressed out nerves, and can have a therapeutic effect.  When I go on trips like the one to France (or anywhere else),  I look for textures.  Many of these came from old stones and stucco, the backs of gravestones, weathered paint on metal, stained concrete, etc.  

Read more at:   For the Love of Textures : Remember the Quiet Evenings

Feel free to click on the YouTube logo in the corner of the video to see it in a wider view.

I used ApplePhoto to create this video slideshow. 

If you want to use any of these textures, I have made them freely available via a Flickr album: French Textures 2022.

Have a look, enjoy and relax ...

Watercolors from France: Fourvier in Lyon

 

Just a few more watercolors from France.

Here is the waterlogued version.

 

These two are from The Basilica of Notre Dame de Fouviere in Lyon. It sits on top of the hill in Lyon, like a big wedding cake.  This time, we took the funicular up to the top of the hill, which was much easier than climbing all the steps to get up there!

 

 

 Here is the original.   

 

 

Here's another view of one of the towers, though the trees. 

It's been so dry in France, that some of the trees were already changing colors--or just stressed and dry due to the weather.

Watercolors from France: Windows and Doors

 

The waterlogued version of a window with a flowerbox in Cluny, France.

Flower boxes like this are very common in France.

 

Here is the original image.

 

 Here is another image of an old-timey door and window in Cluny, France.

Watercolors from France: Chatieau de Pierrieclos

 

On our way to Lyon, we stopped at Chateau de Pierrieclos in wine country.

Here is the waterlogued photo.

 

 Here is my original photo.

The grounds also has a chapel and bell tower.

 Here are two waterlogued versions:

Watercolors from France: Farm House Ed.

 

Here's another waterlogued image from our recent trip to France. 

 

This is a "retired" farmhouse that our cousin Laurent had previously visited.  It is somehow related to the family history. 

Watercolors from France: Church atop the Hill

Another waterlogued image from France.

 

Here is the original of a church at the top of a hill in the village of Suin in the Bourgogne, about 20 minutes from where we were staying outside of Cluny.  We attended a cello concert there--an interesting mix of Bach and something much more contemporary, featuring sounds you would never dream come from a cello.  August is the time for lots of summer festivals and music concerts.  Great views of the countryside from this perch atop the hill.

Watercolors from France: Still Life ed.

 

The waterlogued version of bowl of fruit.

 

 

Here is the original still life of a bowl of fruit randomly set up by our family friend Michelle DeBax in Toulouse, France.  This was part of a dinner party while we were visiting in the last few weeks.  

Just peaches and plums artfully placed.   And those plums were tasty! 

Watercolors from France: Dappled Light Edition

 

Here is the waterlogued version of a tree in morning sunlight.

Here is the original photo from a morning walk along one of the canals in Toulouse, France.

I was enamored of the dappled light through the leaves.  Gorgeous to my eyes!

Watercolors from a Trip to Bourgogne France

 

Scene from The Bourgogne in France.

I used the Waterlogue app to turn the photo below into a convincing watercolor.

 
 Here is the original photo of a working farmhouse near La Berge, which is near Cluny in the Bourgogne region.

We just got back from visiting family there.  We saw this on a hike not far from where we were staying.

I'll be posting a few others in the coming days.

Watercolors from France: Ribbon Work and Flowers

 

 Here is the waterlogued version. 

Here is the original photo of the ribbon work on display at a local quilt show in La Canourgue, France. 

Having just come from our own EAA Quilt Show in Oshkosh, I was pleased to see the work of French Quilters!  They said there were about 22 ladies in their local group.   They've been very productive!

Not only do they quilt, but they also had multiple examples of this type of ribbon work and embroidery, as well as fiber art beads, and more.

3rd Place Ribbon at the EAA Quilt Show for The Morning Star Quilt

The Lakeside Quilt Guild (website) in Oshkosh, WI, hosts an EAA Quilt Show during the Experimental Air & Aviation (EAA) Convention every year.  Since I rejoined the Guild last fall, I entered the Morning Star Quilt in the show.  To date, it has been the most challenging quilt I've ever made, and still there is room to improve. 

 

I got a 3rd place ribbon out of about 80 quilts in the show.  I am honored!  And still I know there are things that I'd do differently next time as far as technique to make it even better.