Downton Abby Comes to Delaware

 

This weekend I joined my daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter for a trip. We drove 3 hours north to Delaware’s Winterthur. Our purpose was to see the Downton Abby costume exhibit currently on display. The exhibit was wonderful beyond words. I have always loved making period clothing and costumes so this was a real treat. Upon entering the room was a large photo banner of the building used as the Downton Abby façade.  Many people, including ourselves, stood in front of it to have our pictures taken.

The clothing was displayed on manikins usually in groups of two to five items. A backdrop photo of the scene in which it was used was shown. Story boards explaining the process in the design or making of the item was displayed alongside. The insight to these garments is  inspiring.

When the season’s script has been completed, the costume department has 7 weeks in which to complete the entire wardrobe for the season. I find this feat amazing. The department often finds fragments of lace, fabric, etc. of the time period. Often a garment is made around the incorporation of the fragment. The colors, textures, trims can convene without words an emotion or mood of the scene. It is a science in its self. I cannot begin to pick a favorite garment. I loved them all.

The exhibit continues thru January 15, 2015, see it if you can.

Quilt Guild Anniversary

Quilt Guild Anniversary

One of the quilt guilds I belong to just had their 10^th anniversary and a celebration dinner was held at a local Country Club. We dressed for dinner and a wonderful meal. The tables were decorated with folded Fat Quarters to create an 8 Pointed Star and each guest at the table received a Fat Quarter to take home.

The moment a person walked in the room, they would notice a slide show presentation of photos flashing on a screen.  Hundreds of photos, which were taken during the 10 years of Show & Tell, workshops, and Retreats, were compiled together for the slideshow. We saw members who have moved or their hair styles that have changed. It kept drawing one’s eye back to the screen throughout the evening.

We had speeches from founding members and past presidents, some of whom have moved away. Comments were made about our hopes for the future. Some of the evenings show & tell were of first and recent quilts made by members. It was a perfect statement of how far we have come.

Estate Sale Tribute

Estate Sale Tribute

On Saturday my daughter and I went to an Estate sale.  The sudden passing of a woman created the need to sale the items of her many hobbies.  She had stated she wanted her things to go to people who also had the passion for the crafts. The adult daughter and her friends worked very hard on the best way to sort, price and display the sale. I think they did a terrific job.

Customers had been respectfully waiting for the ‘open for business’ call at 9 a.m. We had arrived at 8:30.  We all went straight the areas of our interest. The woman was definitely a quilter by the look of her fabric sash. All the fabric had been sorted by color and her Batiks rivaled a shop.  Her paper scrapbook supplies (my daughter’s interest) and unique cake pans were also impressive.

We all expressed our sympathies to the family. We thanked them for sharing their mother’s passion with us who also have a passion for crafts.