Autumn Cottage Diarist

It's All in the Detail

Red-thread cross stitch on white linen

I've collected textiles for four decades now and I have always been particularly drawn to the details of  traditional costume; in the use of colour, the methods of construction and also, more recently, the symbolic nature of much of the stitchery and other ornament. I thought it may interest some of you to see some details of the costumes worn by the folk dancers from several agricultural co-operatives (mostly from the environs of Lisbon and the Alentejo) , who gave a really exuberant  display of dancing in Rossio Square (Lisbon, Portugal) on May Day this year (2013)

Particularly intriguing for me were the gold frontal jewellery worn by some of the women - clearly as part of a distinct local costume (their garments were, in contrast to the other dancers, very plain and sombre - which only served to show off the gold to greater advantage). The gold was fashioned into many symbols - mostly of hearts but with some crucifixes, and also a number of gold coins set in filigree frames. It would be fascinating to discover more about the reasons why particular symbols are present and also how they may cross cultural boundaries and be used in many different ways and places.

I can see I have some reading, talking and listening (particularly, I suspect, to Rebecca ) to do - and also some hunting to find my books by the intrepid traveller, collector, interpreter of symbology and all round amazing woman Sheila Paine. So much to discover, so little time - but for now, enjoy these few images and a little of the flavour of Portuguese folk dance

Another example of cross stitched borders - this time white on black

A detached pocket (? - difficult to see structure) - note the revered heart symbol upon which 'AMOR' is stitched

A lovely example of simple smocking over the hip to contain fullness of fabric in the skirt

More red stitching on white - note the lettering over the left breast. Also a relatively modest gold frontal display

More stitch detail and a considerably more elaborate display of gold jewellery.

A closer look at the weath displayed on this woman's breast - many hearts and some crosses...what else can you distinguish?

Static images for the detail - but here is a taste of the atmophere  on the day, when the themes and colours came alive with music, gaiety and friendliness, all helped along with a generous helping of balmy sunshine!

 

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After a Gap, a Gathering of Thoughts (and Pictures!)

After a Gap, a Gathering of Thoughts (and Pictures!)

Painted Ceiling of the Swan Hall, Royal Palace, Sintra

Several weeks away from Autumn Cottage Diarist pages - during which I have waited for Springtime to properly arrive in the garden (it's been a long, long time a-coming!). I have filled the creative well by travelling to Portugal for a week, and have spent the gaps in between by listening to silence and discovering what it held for me.

Now here I am again, refreshed and renewed, to share some of these events and activities with you. A few weeks before I went away, my old camera 'gave up the ghost' - which was alarming in one way ('oh, no - I'm going on holiday in four weeks time!!) - but an opportunity if viewed from another perspective ('Oh, no - I'm going on holiday in four weeks time!! - perhaps it's time for a new camera??').

The old one was seven years old - ancient and hobbling in digital camera terms, so I awarded myself a new one - a Fuji Finepix S4500 - which has since been set on 'Auto' while I have got used to it, and with which I am - up to now - totally delighted. Don't be surprised if you see more pictures than words here for a while!

Here is a taster of what has been happening for me - in and out of Autumn Cottage - for the last couple of months…

A pheasant thought he was a blue-tit at our bird table

Pip decided that springtime HAD arrived ! 

 

I gritted my teeth to climb on a plane…landing in Lisbon

The view from our apartment

…all worth it, to enjoy café life and watch the world go by

Rossio Square

I was able to immerse myself in colour

and music

May Day celebrations in Rossio

Enjoy wonderful food and wine in tiny, local, backstreet restaurants

Walk in beautiful gardens

University Botanical Gardens, Lisbon

Gaze upon spectacular scenery

The Castelo dos Mouros, above Sintra

Tiptoe through a  City of the Dead

Prazeres Cemetery, Lisbon

...and sit in some rather nice places to do a bit of living...

The Church of Sao Vincente da Fora, from the Porta da Sol

Latin American music at the Porta da Sol

But after all my adventures, I've now returned to Autumn cottage and the springtime garden - which is where you'll  find me for the foreseeable future!