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African Threads

Valerie Hearder's African Threads

African Threads
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Silk Swaddling Blanket

African Threads Posted on March 27, 2019 by Val HearderMarch 27, 2019

I stitched a silk swaddling blanket from silk dyed with avocado stones, coleus leaves, onion skins and saffron. Our third grandchild is due next week, the same day we fly to South Africa for most of April. I wanted something … Continue reading →

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Posted in ecodyes, natural dyes, needle art, Quilts, Slow stitches, Uncategorised | Tagged avocado stones, babe, blanket, natural dyes, onion skins, silk, stitching swaddling | 10 Replies

Winter Light

African Threads Posted on December 31, 2018 by Val HearderDecember 31, 2018
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Posted in Uncategorised | Tagged 9 patch, linen, plant dyes, winter, woll | 6 Replies

November Light

African Threads Posted on December 21, 2018 by Val HearderDecember 21, 2018

                      It is Solstice, our darkest day and yet my soul still lingers in November light. It was a month of renewed creative energy for me. The darkening monochromatic landscape … Continue reading →

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Posted in Creative process, Inspiration, Musings, natural dyes, Nature, Uncategorised | Tagged blakc wallnut ink, gold, light, natural dyes, November, retreat, saffron.linen, Solstice | 6 Replies

Grace McKnight: Crochet

African Threads Posted on December 12, 2018 by Val HearderDecember 12, 2018

I’ve always been certain that needlework holds stories while nurturing the soul. This belief was happily affirmed while I was curating Grace McKnight’s crochet exhibition over the past 3 years. Grace took doilies made by her grandmother, found vintage doilies, … Continue reading →

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Posted in Community, Creative process, needle art, People, Quilts, Uncategorised | Tagged art, crazy quilt, crochet, doilies, fractals, needle arts, vintage, women's work | Leave a Reply

Eco dyes with Penny and Diane

African Threads Posted on September 30, 2018 by Val HearderSeptember 30, 2018

Visiting Annapolis Royal is always a treat, especially to visit Penny and Diane. I’d asked if I could come to one of their regular dye days to learn more about my new fascination with the alchemy of the dye pot. … Continue reading →

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Posted in ecodyes, Fabric, natural dyes, Uncategorised | Tagged blakc walnut, Dorr wool, dye, eco, leaves, linen, mordant, polypore, rust, sumac, thai silk | 1 Reply

Natural dyes from fungus

African Threads Posted on September 17, 2018 by Val HearderSeptember 17, 2018
dye colours from fungus

Dyer’s polypore fungus

I’d been thinking about using plants from my environment to dye fabrics. Literally a few days later, this large dyer’s polypore was there, steps from my door, a gift from the woods. It was a sign!  As a mushroom gatherer, I’m fascinated by theses intense little plants that I find scattered in the woods. I’d read that one could get a range of colours from them I’m resolved to learn more. My first excursion into natural dyes was with turmeric root.Dyer's polypore mushroom

Dyer’s polypore is a shelf fungus that feels velvety to the touch. It’s often found growing on a root near the base of evergreens. This one’s a beauty. It was a bit of pity to cut it, but it will be transmuted to make more beauty, so it seems a fair exchange. Depending on the mordant added, it can yield from creamy yellow through olive and khaki.

Dyers polypore fungus for natural colour

After slicing it up and simmering it in water for several hours, I left it to soak for several days.  I washed Dorr wool, silk and some beige linen that had been soaked in a solution of alum as a mordant to hold the colour. I set the simmered the dye pot on the stove, along with the fabrics for a couple of hours.  A range of really lovely soft buttery yellows emerged. It tuns out dyer’s polypore is a good mordant in itself. So once the dye was spent, I stewed up the remains with some sumac leaves to make a pot of mordant for more linen wool and silk. Here are some of the lovely yellows from this gift of the woods.

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Posted in ecodyes, Nature | Tagged colour, Dorr wool, dye, dyepot, eco dye, fungus, linen, natural | 10 Replies

Repair

African Threads Posted on March 23, 2018 by Val HearderMarch 23, 2018

The indigo cotton is soft, like faded blue jeans with the same comfortable worn-in feeling. I’m patching this baby quilt I made for Leitha when I was 28. The quilt is now used by Scarlett and is showing it’s wear. … Continue reading →

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Posted in contemplative stitching, indigo, My history, Quilts, shwe-shwe, Stitching, Uncategorised | Tagged baby quilt, blue, grand-daughter., homeland, indigo, memories, mending, patch, repari, work-in | 7 Replies

Healing cloth.

African Threads Posted on January 22, 2018 by Val HearderJanuary 25, 2018
wool cloth dyed with tumeric spice

I recently made my first natural dyed fabric. I used fresh ground turmeric roots and Dorr Wool. Links below. This colour enlivens me in the dark of winter. What to do with this rich cloth? It will be stitched upon, … Continue reading →

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Posted in Fabric, Musings, natural dyes | Tagged Cloth, Dorr, dyepot, healing, natural dyes, saffron, turmeric, wool | 11 Replies

My Perfect Day

African Threads Posted on August 13, 2017 by Val HearderAugust 13, 2017

It is Sunday and everything is moist and soft in the drizzle and rain of the past few days. I wake early and sit in the stillness to stitch. Simple stitching is restful, contemplative. Later, I’m keen to walk in … Continue reading →

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Posted in contemplative stitching, Embroidery/Stichery, Nature, Slow stitches, Stitching, Uncategorised | Tagged blueberries, contemplative, forage, mushrooms, Nova Scotia, stitching | 2 Replies

Sweet Scarlett

African Threads Posted on February 14, 2017 by Val HearderFebruary 14, 2017

It’s been a while since I posted, so I thought I’d catch up by showing you Scarlett’s baby quilt which I finished last fall. I began the quilt about a year ago and stitched on it slowly. My favourite stitching … Continue reading →

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Posted in Quilts, Slow stitches, Studio, Uncategorised | Tagged appliqué, baby quilt, Dorr wool, napping blanket, rugh hooking, stitching | 8 Replies

One for sorrow, two for joy

African Threads Posted on December 5, 2016 by Val HearderDecember 5, 2016

This morning as I watched the group of 5 crows who inhabit my garden every day, I thought of Susan Tilsley Manley. Susan was talented quilt artist who made fine art quilts about her country life in Nova Scotia. Susan … Continue reading →

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Posted in People, Quilts, Social Commentary, Uncategorised | Tagged crows, Nova Scotia, quilt, rural life, Susan tilsley Manley | Leave a Reply

Slow golden autumn.

African Threads Posted on November 14, 2016 by Val HearderNovember 29, 2016
Autmn colours on Maggie-Maggie brook

We’ve had a most glorious, golden autumn weather here that’s gone on and on. These photographs are of our daily walk along wooded paths and the Maggie-Maggie Brook. They were taken about a month ago, so there’s still quite a … Continue reading →

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Posted in Musings, Nature, Uncategorised | Tagged autumn, daily walk, fairy ring, mushroom | 1 Reply

Market Morning.

African Threads Posted on November 10, 2016 by Val HearderNovember 10, 2016

Thursday morning is market day for me. I fill up my African market basket with fresh, local, organic veggies. This is today’s haul.

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Posted in Musings | Tagged farmer's market, local, organic, veggies | Leave a Reply

New York!

African Threads Posted on November 6, 2016 by Val HearderNovember 6, 2016
New York's Garment district, Mood Fabrics.

This past week we spent 4 days in New York. We wanted to do something memorable for our 40th anniversary and New York was perfect. As our Uber driver said, as he forked over $15 for the Holland Tunnel to … Continue reading →

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Posted in art, Fabric, Fabric shopping, Travel | 5 Replies

Indigo stitching

African Threads Posted on October 28, 2016 by Val HearderOctober 28, 2016

I’ve been digging into my old treasure trove of indigo cotton prints from South Africa. Many of the prints were bought in the late 60’s and early 1970’s when I still lived in South Africa. The local blue print cotton, … Continue reading →

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Posted in Fabric, Fabric shopping, indigo, My history, shwe-shwe, Stitching, Uncategorised | Tagged cotton, fabric shopping, indigo, prints, shwe-shwe, South Africa | 7 Replies

Stitching on Spirit Island

African Threads Posted on October 6, 2016 by Val HearderOctober 6, 2016

This past week I was on Manitoulin Island to visit Judy Martin’s home with Penny Berens and Margi Hennen. Manitoulin is known as Spirit Island due to deep spiritual significance to the Indigenous People. What joy to be in this … Continue reading →

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Posted in Community, Creative process, Embroidery/Stichery, Inspiration, Slow stitches | Tagged Creative process, embroidery, indigo, inspiration, Judy Martin, Manitoulin, Penny Berens, prints, retreat, Spirit Island, stitching, stitching friends | 1 Reply

Stony Spine

African Threads Posted on September 20, 2016 by Val HearderSeptember 20, 2016

The stony spine of the river is exposed. The Maggie-Maggie is a torrent gushing through Mahone Bay in the spring and fall. In summer it is a lazy stream. But this is the worst drought since they started keeping records … Continue reading →

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Posted in Musings, Nature | Tagged drought, gravity, river, standing stones, stones

Telephone Wire Basket

African Threads Posted on April 26, 2016 by Val HearderJuly 7, 2016

We saw this large telephone wire basket at the African Art Centre in Durban, South Africa. Vibrant colour and textur

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Posted in AfricanThreads, art, Inspiration, South African Tour, Textured Tuesdays, Travel | Tagged basket, Durban, South Africa, telephone, wire | Leave a Reply

African Beaded Skirt

African Threads Posted on April 19, 2016 by Val HearderJuly 8, 2016

Detail of a beautifully textured Shangaan beaded fertility apron, Limpopo Province in South Africa.

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Posted in AfricanThreads, Inspiration, Social Commentary, South African Tour, Textured Tuesdays, Travel | Tagged beaded, fertility apron, Limpopo Province, Shangaan, South Africa | Leave a Reply

Indigo and Clay

African Threads Posted on April 12, 2016 by Val HearderJuly 8, 2016

Deeply textured hand built pots by a Zulu craftsman paired with indigo dyed cotton. Love being in South Africa.

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Posted in AfricanThreads, Inspiration, South African Tour, Textured Tuesdays, Travel | Tagged cotton, indigo, pottery, South Africa, Zulu | Leave a Reply

Scissors

African Threads Posted on March 19, 2016 by Val HearderJuly 8, 2016
Shangaan woman with carving

  We met this delight woman in Limpopo Province when we toured there last year. Her husband is a famous carver and she is is second wife. My friend Janine Hunt from Bainbridge Island was in our group and both … Continue reading →

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Posted in Fabric, Fabric shopping, Grandmothers of Africa, South African Tour, Travel | Leave a Reply

Textured Tuesdays

African Threads Posted on March 16, 2016 by Val HearderJuly 8, 2016

This stack of folded kuba raffia cloth exudes texture, colour and energy. Abstract designs are appliquéd on to a background fabic. The colours suggest the essence of Africa. I spotted these fabrics when we visited Kim Sacks Gallery in Johannesburg on our last tour to South Africa.

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Posted in AfricanThreads, Fabric, Fabric shopping, South African Tour, Textured Tuesdays, Travel | Tagged African, appliqué, Cloth, fabrics, kuba, raffia, Textured Tuesdays | Leave a Reply

Textured Tuesdays

African Threads Posted on March 8, 2016 by Val HearderJuly 8, 2016

The Tsukiji fish market in Tokyo, Japan. We got up at 4:30 am to get to the market and see the fresh fish ready for sale and distribution. it was full of pattern and texture. These are fresh octopus.

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Posted in Inspiration, Textured Tuesdays, Travel, Tuesday Textures | Tagged fish, market, octopus, textures, Tsukiji | Leave a Reply

Textured Tuesday

African Threads Posted on February 29, 2016 by Val HearderJuly 8, 2016

Whalebone vertebrae, many hundreds of years old. I found this at Red Bay Labrador at the earliest known Basque Settlement in North America. the Basque hunted whale and returned to Spain with the oil. There are 9 holes drilled in the centre of the vertebrae, perhaps made by researchers looking at the DNA of the whale, I don’t know.

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Posted in Inspiration, Musings, Nature, Textured Tuesdays, Travel | Tagged Basque, Labrador, Red Bay, vertebrae, Whalebone, whalers | Leave a Reply

Textured Tuesdays

African Threads Posted on February 29, 2016 by Val HearderJune 14, 2016

Detail of a stone wall built by Andy Goldsworthy at Storm King, New York.

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Posted in Uncategorised | Tagged Andy Goldsworthy, New York., stone wall, Storm King | Leave a Reply

Textured Tuesday

African Threads Posted on February 23, 2016 by Val HearderJuly 8, 2016

I photographed this detail from a piece of handwoven raffia cloth in a shop in South Africa. Decorated with beads and cowrie shells. Some of the squares are dyed with indigo. It has a kind of pom-pom edging.

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Posted in AfricanThreads, Fabric, Inspiration, Musings, Nature, Textured Tuesdays | Tagged cowrie shells, hand woven, indigo, pom-pom edging, raffia | Leave a Reply

Tuesday Textures

African Threads Posted on February 16, 2016 by Val HearderJuly 8, 2016

Cabbage field, Second Peninsula, Nova Scotia. This farm at the very end of the Peninsula is a sweet spot. I took this photo many summers ago when I spotted this field of crinkly cabbages, so like crushed velvet.

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Posted in Inspiration, Musings, Nature, Tuesday Textures | Tagged cabbage, crushed velvet, Nova Scotia, Second Peninsula, summer, textures | Leave a Reply

Tuesday Textures

African Threads Posted on February 9, 2016 by Val HearderJune 14, 2016

Dorr wool scraps for baby Scarlett's blanket. A contrast for this white snowy day.

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Jo Diggs | Open Studio – Yankee Magazine

African Threads Posted on January 1, 2016 by Val HearderJune 14, 2016

via www.yankeemagazine.com A wonderful interview and tribute to the work of Jo Diggs. The video shows Jo and her wonderful landscapes. I met Jo in the early 1980's and we became friends as we were both had a love of … Continue reading →

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Posted in Uncategorised | Leave a Reply

Stitched into this place.

African Threads Posted on November 17, 2015 by Val HearderJune 27, 2016

Today, when some in our world seem hungry to divide people violently along racial and religious lines, I find myself thinking about growing up in Apartheid South Africa. In Durban in the late 60’s, I was not supposed to go alone to the Indian Market, in the heart of the city. Here I found community and my world grew bigger.

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Posted in AfricanThreads, Community, Fabric, Fabric shopping, Musings, My history, Social Commentary, South African Tour, Travel | Tagged African medicine, Apartheid, bunny chow, culture, curry, Durban, fabric shopping, Hindu, Indian Market, Madrassa Arcade, Muslim, South Africa, tour, Victoria Market | 3 Replies

Slow Quilting

African Threads Posted on November 8, 2015 by Val HearderJuly 7, 2016

We gaze at the patchwork, the fine cotton, the tiny quilting stitches. Like sentences in a diary, each patch is a record of a childhood dress, a housecoat and scraps from dressmaking projects from an ear when women made all the families clothing.We sense the comforting continuum of the generations of women who stitch. And so it continues with Cooper’s quilt. We’re doing what women have always done…slow stitching.

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Posted in Community, Embroidery/Stichery, Fabric, Quilts, Slow stitches | Tagged bee, cotton scraps, generations, patchwork, quilting, slow stitching | 5 Replies

Judy’s Journal: I feel as if I know her

African Threads Posted on October 31, 2015 by Val HearderJuly 8, 2016

Judy Martin wrote a lovely piece about some embroideries I’d bought on my recent tour to South Africa. These highly expressive pieces were made by women in the Isipethu Sewing Collective in KwaZulu Natal. We visit this group each time we take our tour to South Africa.

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Posted in AfricanThreads, Community, Embroidery/Stichery, Grandmothers of Africa, South African Tour | Tagged embroidery, Isipethu, KwaZulu Natal, sewing collective, South Africa, tour to South Africa | Leave a Reply

Gathering

African Threads Posted on October 28, 2015 by Val HearderJuly 8, 2016

To gather with friends is a simple, rich experience and, when women gather to stitch, it is particularly special. Last week began with two days with my dear friends, Judy and Margi at Penny’s house in Granville Ferry, Nova Scotia… always a treasured and affirming time.

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Posted in Community, Embroidery/Stichery, Musings, Quilts | Tagged gathering, Judy's Journal, mantra, meditation, stitching, Tanglewood Threads, women | 6 Replies

How does a sewing machine work?

African Threads Posted on October 18, 2015 by Val HearderJuly 8, 2016

Ever wondered exactly how a sewing machine works to create a smooth line of loped stitches? The perfect video that somehow I can watch for ages.

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Visiting the Cradle of Humankind

African Threads Posted on September 19, 2015 by Val HearderJuly 8, 2016

Homo Naledi is the most ancient human species ever discovered in Africa. The scientific buzz from the discovery is shaking up our knowledge of the origins of humankind.What good fortune that we decided to visit this very area on our tour next year! On-site archaeologists will guide our field trip to a dig close to the Naledi discovery.

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Posted in Nature, South African Tour, Travel | Tagged archaeological, Cradle of Humankind, Cultural tour, Homo Naledi, lions, South Africa | Leave a Reply

More fabric shopping in South Africa! Part 2

African Threads Posted on June 11, 2015 by Val HearderJuly 8, 2016

I’ll write more about the various adventures we had in South Africa including more in depth information about shwe-shwe fabric pictured above, which is the iconic fabric of South Africa. I want to tell you about the herd of elephants that surrounded our safari trucks, the leopard we saw and the Zulu baskets and beadwork!

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Posted in AfricanThreads, Fabric, Fabric shopping, Grandmothers of Africa, South African Tour, Travel | Tagged African trading store, elephants, fabric shopping, iconic fabric of South Africa, Limpopo, printed blouses, safari trucks, shwe-shwe, South Africa, Venda | 8 Replies

Fabric Shopping in South Africa.

African Threads Posted on June 10, 2015 by Val HearderJuly 8, 2016

When we visited Limpopo Province this past April, our tour group was thrilled to stop at an African trading store. Three generations of an Indian family had owned the store supplying fabric to the various groups in the area: the Shangaan, Tsonga and Venda.

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Posted in AfricanThreads, Fabric, South African Tour, Travel | Tagged African trading store, elephants, fabric buying, leopard, Limpopo, safari truck, Shangaan, shwe-shwe fabric, South Africa, tour, Tsonga, Venda | 2 Replies

Visiting a Zulu village

African Threads Posted on May 30, 2015 by Val HearderJuly 8, 2016

In April I led an arts & culture tour to South Africa. Here I am, second from the right, sitting with our tour group while visiting a Zulu village near Eshowe, KwaZulu Natal. Behind us are traditional bee-hive huts.

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Posted in AfricanThreads, South African Tour, Travel | Tagged arts & culture, bee-hive huts, Eshowe, KwaZulu Natal, South African, tour, village, Zulu, Zulu dancing | 3 Replies

Tulips

African Threads Posted on February 19, 2015 by Val HearderJuly 8, 2016

There is something about tulips in all their stages of bloom, that I love. Buds, gently opening, fresh and offering hope for spring. Then, gradually, their stems lilt over the vase edges, and the whole bunch splay and droop. Still, I hold on to them as they start to wither and dry.

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Posted in Musings | Tagged dried flowers, Lunenburg County, snow, tulips, willow basket | Leave a Reply

Pine Tree Tones

African Threads Posted on November 17, 2014 by Val HearderJuly 8, 2016

I often visit this pine tree grove on my daily walks. There is an open meadow in the middle and the still strength of tree verticals are so restful. The strong verticals are obvious, but my eye is drawn to the soft horizontal lines in the pine needles and moss.

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Posted in Nature | Tagged horizontal, peace, pine needles, pine tree, trees, uplifting meadow, vertical, white pine | Leave a Reply

Embroidery Bearing Witness

African Threads Posted on September 4, 2014 by Val HearderJuly 8, 2016

On September 7th, a fascinating exhibition of South African embroideries will open at the Fowler Museum at UCLA, Los Angeles. It’s called, Bearing Witness: Embroidery as History in Post-Apartheid South Africa It will feature the work of two groups that I’ve been closely connected to over the past 10 years through my fair trade imports, African Threads and my cultural tours to South Africa.

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Posted in AfricanThreads, art, Embroidery/Stichery, Grandmothers of Africa, Social Commentary, South African Tour, Travel | Tagged African Threads, Bearing Witness, Cultural tour, embroidery, Fowler Museum, Kaross, Mapula, post-apartheid, South Africa, textile tour, UCLA | 2 Replies

Indigo-berries

African Threads Posted on August 23, 2014 by Val HearderJuly 8, 2016

Foraging and berry picking are things I love to do. I don’t have far to go. My own garden and nearby woods provide so much for our table.

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Posted in Uncategorised | Tagged blueberries, chanterelle, dyeing, foraging, garden, indigo, Mahone Bay, mushrooms, purple lacaria, saffron, temperate Acadian rain forest, woodland | Leave a Reply

Zulu power shoes!!

African Threads Posted on June 25, 2014 by Val HearderJuly 8, 2016

Step aside Jimmy Choo, these are Zulu power shoes! If it stands still, Zulu women will bead it! I’ve seen everything from beaded teapots to cars and suits.

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Posted in Uncategorised | Tagged AIDS, beaded chair, beaded teapot, beadwork, creative, Durban, Hillcrest AIDS, income, innovation, Jimmy Choo, power shoes, tour to South Africa, wedding shoes, women, Zulu | 4 Replies

150 pairs of Granny Glasses

African Threads Posted on February 22, 2014 by Val HearderJuly 8, 2016

Thanks to the Lunenburg Rotary Club and the Tantallon Bay Grans for donating 150 pairs of reading glasses. This wonderful pile of glasses is headed to South Africa with me next week. The glasses will be given to women artisans in South Africa.

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Posted in AfricanThreads, Grandmothers of Africa, Travel | Tagged African Grandmothers, artisan, economic empowerment, glasses, South African tour | Leave a Reply

November Retreat

African Threads Posted on November 24, 2013 by Val HearderJuly 8, 2016

November art retreat.

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Posted in art, Quilts | 1 Reply

The Quilts of Polly Greene

African Threads Posted on August 22, 2013 by Val HearderJuly 8, 2016

Polly and Val laughingI joined Barb Robson and Laurie Swim to co-curate this show of Polly’s personal collection of bed quilts, quilted wall hangings, woven coverlets. The quilts and woven coverlets are not all pristine; they have been put on beds, washed and used. When faded and worn, quilts still hold the process of making and gain layers of memories and stories.

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Posted in Quilts | Tagged and Cloths, Barb Robson, Bedcloths, curators, Halifax, Laurie Swim, Mary Black Gallery, Nova Scotia, of Polly Greene, Quilts, Val hearder | Leave a Reply

Fusing black outlines

African Threads Posted on March 5, 2013 by Val HearderJuly 8, 2016

via andsewitgoes.blogspot.ca Terry Grant recently blogged about an interesting technique she’s figured out. Using Liquid Thread, Terry creates dark outlines behind the applique shapes. It give a dramatic look and great effect. You can see her step by step instructions … Continue reading →

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Grannies in Solidarity

African Threads Posted on February 27, 2013 by Val HearderJuly 8, 2016

This hand embroidered square was made by the Intuthuko Sewing Group from Etwatwa Township near Johannesburg. There is wonderful solidarity between Grandmothers in Africa and Canada.  To learn more about the remarkable Grandmothers Campaign to support African Grannies, check out … Continue reading →

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Thrummed socks for cozy toes

African Threads Posted on February 9, 2013 by Val HearderJuly 8, 2016

I love my Newfoundland thrummed socks. I feel the cold terribly and am always looking for the best way to keep my feet warm. Our old farmhouse, while snug, has old wooden floors that can be a bit cold. Thrummed socks are just about the warmest thing I own.

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Posted in Uncategorised | Tagged blizzard, cozy, Craft Council, farmhouse, fleece, free pattern, knit, knitting, Newfoundland, socks, St.John's, thrum, thrummed, traditional, warm feet | 5 Replies

Ndebele village Scene

African Threads Posted on January 24, 2013 by Val HearderJuly 8, 2016

Intuthuko comission tapestry full size
It’s January, and freezing cold here in Nova Scotia. So when this tapestry arrived from South Africa the other day, it felt like a gift of sunshiny heat.

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Posted in AfricanThreads | Tagged African Threads, hand embroidery, Intuthuko, Ndebele village, South Africa, tapestry | Leave a Reply

Venice Floats Softly

African Threads Posted on October 21, 2012 by Val HearderJuly 8, 2016

Oh, the colors of Siena! So faded and gentle: muted amber, rose, tawny mushroom colors of earth. I want to make a quilt with Siena colors.

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Posted in Travel | Tagged Architecture Biennale, art, barge trip, Bertil Vallien, color, floating softly, Italy, old master, quilt, tawny mushroom colours of earth, Venice, Wales, Welsh lamb | 4 Replies

Dessert with an Extraordinary Quilter

African Threads Posted on April 27, 2012 by Val HearderJuly 8, 2016

Every year the Mahone Bay Quilters prepare an amazing feast of desserts that cover 2 banquet tables. We invite an Extraordinary Quilter to be our speaker and so, it’s the perfect combination of desserts and quilts. This event “Dessert with an Extraordinary Quilter” started 12 years ago and was the brainchild of Barb Robson.

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Posted in Quilts | Tagged Barb Robson, dessert, humour, Lynne Edwards, Mahone Bay, Penny Berens, quilt, wisdom | Leave a Reply

Heart

African Threads Posted on February 14, 2012 by Val HearderJuly 8, 2016

Here is my Valentine’s Day heart. I’m very taken with wool these days. It’s a dream to stitch and the hand dyed colours are lovely. I’m lucky to have two rug hooking stores in my town. The wool they supply … Continue reading →

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New take on the sampler quilt.

African Threads Posted on July 15, 2011 by Val HearderJuly 8, 2016

Marianne and I have a lot in common. Besides both being quilters, we are both originally South African.

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Posted in Books | Tagged book, dressmaking, Elna Lotus, Marianne Hatton, Sampler quilts, sewing machine | 4 Replies

Fantasy landscape challenge

African Threads Posted on May 31, 2011 by Val HearderMay 31, 2011

I had fun putting together this sampler of landscape fabrics from my stash. It was the prize offered on my Landscape Quilt Group.

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Posted in Landscape quilts | Tagged challenge, group, landscape, prize, quilt, teflon | Leave a Reply

Northcott steps up!

African Threads Posted on March 29, 2011 by Val HearderMarch 29, 2011

This just in from patti Carey of Nortcott Fabrics in Canada: Northcott has been contacted by several interested and concerned quilters asking if we would be able to assist in getting quilts to the earthquake/tsunami victims in Japan.  The answer … Continue reading →

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Comfort Quilts for Japan: Update

African Threads Posted on March 24, 2011 by Val HearderMarch 24, 2011

Quilters around the world are shipping quilts to easy the burden of the earthquake disaster in Japan. Here is information directly from Japan regarding the quilts.

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Posted in Uncategorised | Tagged from USA, Norway and South Africa, Shipping Comfort Quilts for Japan | 8 Replies

Quilt by Gayle Thomas – NFB

African Threads Posted on February 13, 2011 by Val HearderFebruary 13, 2011

via www.nfb.ca

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Soul soothing stitches

African Threads Posted on February 11, 2011 by Val HearderJuly 8, 2016

There are few things more nurturing and soul soothing than stitching with dear freinds. This past week I met with five dear fabric freinds to stitch and talk and eat and stitch some more. Bliss

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Posted in Uncategorised | Tagged quilting, retreat, snow dyeing, soothing stitches | 2 Replies

Art of the Grandmothers

African Threads Posted on January 20, 2011 by Val HearderJuly 8, 2016

Bonnie Samuel asked me to write a guest blog about one of the stitchery groups that I buy textiles from in South Africa. I chose to talk about Isipethu – Zulu for “going to the fountain” – as this group makes the most fascinating collages in appliqué and embroidery.

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Posted in AfricanThreads | Tagged African Threads, appliqué, Art of the Grandmothers, Bonnie Samuel, collage, embroidery, Valerie Hearder, Zulu textiles | Leave a Reply

Present from Sulky

African Threads Posted on December 16, 2010 by Val HearderDecember 16, 2010

A fabulous box of Sulky goodies arrived at my door recenlty. Joyce Drexler of Sulky America asked me to submit a project for her latest techniques book. I sent in this landscape.

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Posted in Uncategorised | Tagged hoop, Points of View: Small Quilts to Stitch and Embellish, project, Quilts, small landcape, stabilizers, Sulky of America, techniques, threads, water soluble | Leave a Reply

A Textile Diaspora

African Threads Posted on November 5, 2010 by Val HearderNovember 5, 2010

A Textile Diaspora. I am drawn to stories expressed in cloth and was delighted by this slide show and article about African textile artist, Yves Appolinaire Kpede and his fascinating appliqué collage quilts and hangings. The quilts and hangings talk … Continue reading →

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You’re invited to visit South Africa with me!

African Threads Posted on July 7, 2010 by Val HearderJuly 8, 2016

Join me on a tour of South Africa for 15 culture and adventure filled days!
April 2011

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Soccer and those vuvuzelas!

African Threads Posted on June 28, 2010 by Val HearderJune 28, 2010

Love those vuvuzelas no matter how loud they are – gotta love that soccer!

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Posted in AfricanThreads | Tagged appliqué, collage, FIFA, soccer, South Africa, vuvuzelas, world cup | Leave a Reply

Oh Mexico!

African Threads Posted on May 1, 2010 by Val HearderJuly 8, 2016

Inspired by the beyond vibrant colors of Mexico’s architecture and cemeteries.

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Posted in Uncategorised | Tagged cemetery, color, composition, graveyards, inspiration, Mexico, quilting patterns, texture | 13 Replies

Quilter’s Dessert Party. Yum!

African Threads Posted on April 11, 2010 by Val HearderApril 11, 2010

Sharon Pederson was our guest for Mahone Bay Quilter’s Guild 10th Extraordinary Quilter Dessert Party on April 8th. Quilters and great food are a match made in heaven! We filled 2 banquet tables with sweet bounty. Invited guest Johanna Alford, Pres. … Continue reading →

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The Weight of Their Stitches

African Threads Posted on December 18, 2009 by Val HearderJuly 8, 2016

My friend Bonnie Samuel asked me to write a guest blog for http://bonniesamueldesigns.com/blog/ /on my 6 weeks with women’s sewing groups in South Africa. I’ve talked about it here but I thought you’d like to read about some of the powerful … Continue reading →

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Bamboo bandwagon

African Threads Posted on December 1, 2009 by Val HearderDecember 1, 2009

Many quilters are concerned that cotton cultivation uses the greatest amounts of chemicals of almost any crop. So I was relieved when I saw new environmentally sensitive batt products appearing: Pale green batting from Quilter’s Dream which is made from shredded 7-up bottles, and also bamboo batting. But, I decided to investigate bamboo a little more.

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Embroidery Threads

African Threads Posted on July 10, 2009 by Val HearderJuly 10, 2009

I squished this enormous pile of embroidery threads into a large suitcase and carried them to South Africa; gifting them to the women I met. About 2 years ago packages of threads started arriving in the mail when word got … Continue reading →

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Mapula Cloth by Elizabeth Mogano

African Threads Posted on June 16, 2009 by Val HearderJuly 8, 2016

> Mapula Cloth by Elizabeth Mogan Originally uploaded by African Threads I’ve just returned from 6 weeks in South Africa. It was a truly rich and fascinating time. Veryan and I visited 9 women’s groups in various parts of S.Africa including … Continue reading →

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Granny’s Overwhelmed

African Threads Posted on January 1, 2009 by Val HearderJanuary 1, 2009

I received a shipment of wall hangings from KwaZulu Natal just before Christmas. This one is made by Sheila Msimbi and depicts a Grandmother with many grandchildren to look after: they're jumping, climbing and hiding from her. This small tapestry … Continue reading →

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My trusty, rusty sewing machine

African Threads Posted on December 28, 2008 by Val HearderDecember 28, 2008

Well … it's not really trusty! I found this treasure washed up on the beach in La Have, Nova Scotia and simply had to bring it home. I photographed it with  luscious organic silk squares from Thailand that I bought … Continue reading →

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Quilter’s Dessert Party

African Threads Posted on November 23, 2008 by Val HearderNovember 23, 2008

What cakes would "Piece O'Cake" quilt designers make? What does Darlene Christopherson bake to win her son-in-law's heart? Do you want to make Rum Balls like Lorraine Torrence or Pavlova like CBC radio's Shelagh Rogers? Find out in this exceptional … Continue reading →

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Landscapes to bid on

African Threads Posted on July 2, 2008 by Val HearderJuly 2, 2008

Ami Simms wrote the other day to say there is a special bid on a group of 4 mini landscape quilts all made by quilters Rosemary Garza and Noel Ann McCord of Beaumont, Texas. This is their Seasons Of Life … Continue reading →

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Almost

African Threads Posted on June 26, 2008 by Val HearderJune 26, 2008

I had a call this afternoon from my textile friends who collected the found quilts from the police. The police wanted to photograph all the quilts before they released them. It’s not a complete retrieval. None of my teaching materials, … Continue reading →

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Billy found the quilts.

African Threads Posted on June 22, 2008 by Val HearderJune 22, 2008

Billy Jordan found the quilts while walking in the woods. Apparently nature called……. read about it in the Chronicle Herald: (hmmmm, I can't get this link to work, but if you're interested, cut and paste this linkhttp://www.thechronicleherald.ca/Search/1063500.htmlinto your browser or, … Continue reading →

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Found!

African Threads Posted on June 20, 2008 by Val HearderJuly 8, 2016

Friday 20 June:  This afternoon a journalist from a t.v. station in St. John’s phoned to say that a young man had called the station to say he’d found my quilts. The journalist interviewed the fellow, and saw my quilts … Continue reading →

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Lost Quilts

African Threads Posted on June 13, 2008 by Val HearderJune 13, 2008

Yes, sadly, it's true.2 suitcases were taken from the locked trunk of my car just after the Quilt Canada conference here in St. John's Newfoundland. I've lost a significant body of work.FlamboyantTropic of CapricornFertility Several small wall hangings and collagesAlmost … Continue reading →

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African Threads Posted on April 14, 2008 by Val HearderJune 14, 2016

Warmest congratulations to Lynne Edwards, English quilter who has been awarded the highest citizen award in the Commonwealth: M.B.E. (Member of the British Empire) for her contribution to the Arts through her quilting. The award will be present by H.R.H. … Continue reading →

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Yikes! The “quilt police”!

African Threads Posted on November 28, 2007 by Val HearderJuly 8, 2016

Yup, that’s me, at Quilt Festival in Houston, handcuffed by Lieutenant J.R. Johnson of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office. I met the Lt. in Janet Rice-Bredin’s  booth where we were chatting with Sharon Pederson during Quilt Market. We offered him … Continue reading →

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African Threads Posted on August 22, 2007 by Val HearderJune 14, 2016

Points of View:My second book on small landscapes is hot off the press and in quilt stores as of  mid-September. I’m delighted to have worked with Martingale Publishing to produce this book. Points of View: Landscape quilts to Stitch and … Continue reading →

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Sketchbooks & Journals

African Threads Posted on May 9, 2007 by Val HearderJuly 8, 2016

Sketchbooks and journals are a dynamic part of the creative process. And judging by the new crop of books and web sites on journaling and creative sketchbooks, it’s obviously something that appeals to almost all of us in the creative … Continue reading →

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Creative Stretching: Creative Routine

African Threads Posted on February 10, 2007 by Val HearderJuly 8, 2016

So, we’re in the groove of 2007 and like many, I’ve started some new routines… well, not really “new”. I’ve re-awoken old routines that slipped by the way. I started yoga again and found a lovely teacher close by. It … Continue reading →

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African Threads Posted on October 18, 2006 by Val HearderOctober 18, 2006

People I meet: My nose has been glued to the laptop for most of the past 9 months while completing my new book, yet I’ve connected to some fascinating people and resources. In September had the great pleasure to spend … Continue reading →

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African Threads Posted on August 3, 2006 by Val HearderJune 14, 2016

Pencil Crayons on Fabric. Have you thought about using pencil crayons in your landscapes and quilts? I first used watercolour pencils in this quilt called East/West http://www.valeriehearder.com/variousquilts.htm. Click on the detail of East/West. After all, it’s a wall hanging so … Continue reading →

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African Threads Posted on June 10, 2006 by Val HearderJune 14, 2016

The latest edition of Quilter’s Newsletter Magazine is on the stands and it has an article that I wrote about the evocative landscapes of Karen Colbourne Martin of St John’s Newfoundland. I became friends with Karen when I lived in … Continue reading →

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African Threads Posted on March 29, 2006 by Val HearderJune 14, 2016

New book in the works!! I’m delighted to let you know that I’m working on a new book on embellished landscapes for Martingale, due out next summer 2007. I’ll keep you posted on how it’s going, but I’m so enjoying … Continue reading →

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Winter 2006

African Threads Posted on February 9, 2006 by Val HearderJune 14, 2016

Greetings from Nova Scotia. How to settle down to work after an exciting 6 week trip to Japan and Bali!? Well, as I write, Nova Scotia’s softly falling snow certainly brings me back to reality! No more warm Indian ocean … Continue reading →

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