Wednesday, September 25, 2013

COTTON - FROM SEED TO FABRIC


Cotton is something we all love. We clothe in it, we sleep on it and under it, we enjoy it as tablecloth and pillows, and we love to dress our windows with it. Cotton provides comfort, is versatile and performs in many ways. It can be woven or knitted into a variety of different fabrics and it has a wide industrial use in the manufacturing of a large assortment of wares as well. Cotton is present even in some banknotes. Cotton is not only a fiber but also food. The cotton seeds are fed to cattle. They are also crushed to make oil for frying, baking and salad dressing.

A week ago we passed cotton fields on our way to Jerusalem and photographed the fluffy white gorgeous balls that occur when the flower matures. I showed you the beautiful cotton flowers two years ago in the month of July. The cotton blooms very briefly, after a short while the blossoms develop into pods which finally over a period of about three months ripen, then split open and reveal the cotton balls. The fields are left in the sun for more time to dry the balls and harvested before the rains start.


I picked a ball and felt the softness and the seeds in my hand. I was amazed how many hard little seeds were inside, I counted at least forty and I wondered how are they taken out? The process is called "cotton ginning", the fibers are cleaned from dirt and lint and the seeds are removed. Then the fiber can be spun into fine thread. From this all the wonderful goods labeled "100% Cotton" are created.

Photographs by Uri Eshkar.

Friday, September 20, 2013

RECYCLING - AGAIN :-)



I have some quilter friends and they give me their smallest scraps, because they know I enjoy transforming them into practical and beautiful things, like these pouches.






This time I picked all the reds and blues and adorned them with pretty yo-yos.






Friday, September 13, 2013

WATERLILIES - Botanical Garden Jerusalem








Some days ago my blogger friend Hilde from Norway posted photos of waterlilies with some interesting information, have a look here.
Yesterday we visited the Botanical Gardens in Jerusalem. There is a little artificial lake at the entrance and we spotted red waterlilies there. I wonder if they are one of a kind! :-)

GMAR CHATIMA TOVA - גמר חתימה טובה



Tuesday, September 10, 2013

LIFE - DEARLY BELOVED


I found this on Facebook today and was so amazed to watch in five minutes what happens to us over a life time. Have a look and be stunned too!
Unbelievable!  
Well, actually it is quite believable, I can testify to that, how about you? (That's me 1949 - you remember the very fashionable bow on the head? I don't remember that doll, but I do remember the dress!)

I would like to see more photos with the bow on the head. Who has to show one? We could have a bow gallery! :-)

Monday, September 9, 2013

RESCUE of something pretty and precious



I rescued an old beautiful piece of embroidery and gave it new life - that feels really good! :-)



The embroidery was too wide for a pouch, so I cut off a small piece on the right side, took out some stitches, and voila, it was just enough for a little pocket on the back.

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

SHANA TOVA - שנה טובה ומתוקה


Shana Tova Umetukah  
(Hebrew for "A Good and Sweet Year")