A few days in Athens
Last week I changed Sparta for Athens. The Hellenic Patchwork Guild had their annual festive meeting in Cafe Myrtillo. This is a coffee shop/exposition area that employs people from vulnerable social groups.It is a lovely place. Used to be a work rehabilitation center for handicapped soldiers after the second world war. There are still pieces of machinery exhibited.
We - my quilter friend Maria Kalamara and her husband - were early straight from Sparta, a three-hour drive. Slowly all the quilters arrived. In Greece people make a New Year's Cake with a coin in it for luck. It is called the Vasilopita. Every house makes one on New Year's Eve as well as every club, guild, society. The last ones celebrate the pita somewhere in January. Of course we had our vasilopita and besides from that a lot of presents. I was one of the lucky ones and won some hand-dyed fabrics from our chairwoman Mania Hatziioannidi!! We had a great time!!
Unfortunately my pictures were not good, all very flu. Have to read the instructions from my camera, one day!!!
A few days later I gave a lesson in English Paper Piecing at Doctors Without Borders, to a group African women. DwB run a rehabilitation program for victims of extreme violence and torture. The women liked doing the EPP and made a hexagon flower. They are going to make a placemat. With EPP you can make nice things at home, without hardly any cost. No need for sewing machines too.
It needs two lessons to make the placemat, so my good friend Theodora Badra will go the next time and do the second lesson. It was a real nice experience.
We - my quilter friend Maria Kalamara and her husband - were early straight from Sparta, a three-hour drive. Slowly all the quilters arrived. In Greece people make a New Year's Cake with a coin in it for luck. It is called the Vasilopita. Every house makes one on New Year's Eve as well as every club, guild, society. The last ones celebrate the pita somewhere in January. Of course we had our vasilopita and besides from that a lot of presents. I was one of the lucky ones and won some hand-dyed fabrics from our chairwoman Mania Hatziioannidi!! We had a great time!!
Unfortunately my pictures were not good, all very flu. Have to read the instructions from my camera, one day!!!
A few days later I gave a lesson in English Paper Piecing at Doctors Without Borders, to a group African women. DwB run a rehabilitation program for victims of extreme violence and torture. The women liked doing the EPP and made a hexagon flower. They are going to make a placemat. With EPP you can make nice things at home, without hardly any cost. No need for sewing machines too.
It needs two lessons to make the placemat, so my good friend Theodora Badra will go the next time and do the second lesson. It was a real nice experience.
I took this baby quilt as an example of what you can make with the hexagons.
And of course I a had a great time playing with my grandson for a few days!
Back in Sparta again!
Μάλλον τα περάσατε πολύ καλά!!!!!Και του χρόνου!!!Ωραίο το baby quilt με τα εξάγωνα.εύκολο και γρήγορο!!!
ReplyDeleteΚαλημέρα Άντα. Ωραία εμπειρία να συναντάς φίλες και φίλους με κοινά ενδιαφέροντα και για καλό σκοπό.
ReplyDeleteΦιλάκια πολλά.
How friendly to meet in a cafe. I love the artwork on the wall and think they are quilts. That is kind of the owner to install them for your meeting.
ReplyDeleteIn this era of acrimony I'm delighted to see a place that employs people from vulnerable groups.
How fortunate you are to spend some time with your grandson, too.
Dearest Ada,
ReplyDeleteHappy you got to go to Athens and playing with your grandson.
Bet he is growing fast as time goes so rapidly.
Lovely patchwork too and worthwhile programs you participated in.
Sending you hugs,
Mariette