July 2010 - Posts

• Summer is super busy with African Folklore Embroidery

  It was such an honor being invited by the South African consulate to exhibit my art-quilt, BEADED AFRICAN VILLAGE, for the hosting of the final game of the world cup soccer.  I got to meet and spent time with the delightful Vice Consul general as well as other African consulate members who were thrilled with the lectures, workshops and classes that are taking place to educate people about South Africa through the fiber and needle art, African Folklore Embroidery.      July is a busy month for quilt, craft and beads trade shows and African Folklore Embroidery will be a vendor at the International Quilt show in Long Beach, July 22-July 25th at the Long Beach Convention Center.    Over 500 vendors and hundreds of quilts will be on display. Last year over twenty-five thousand people attended the show, hosted by the same company that sponsor the Houston Quilt show in the fall.   A few days later I will be teaching and vending at the Pasadena Bead and design show at the Pasadena Hilton. http://www.pasadenabeadanddesignshow.com.  Two new classes we will be offering are at the Pasadena Bead & Design Show are – Beaded Safari through African Folklore Embroidery and the second class, Appliqué and Embellishment with African Folklore Embroidery.    For those visiting California during the summer, these shows are creative, exciting and inspiring.     If you do attend these shows, our booth number is 1729 and we are offering a 15% discount off when you spend $30 or more.   For those not able to attend these wonderful shows, you can receive the same discounted offer by placing an order on AnntheGran.com between July 26th-July 29th . African Folklore Embroidery kits are  perfect to take-along with you where ever you go, easy to follow and no experience is necessary. Completed craft kits can be made into purses, pillows, quilts or wearable art. You DO NOT need a hoop and your stitches do not need to be perfect to make this beautiful!   Wishing you a safe, happy and creative summer, Leora Raikin   Posted Jul 23 2010, 05:00 PM by lraikin with no comments Filed under: Africa, needle art, African Folklore Embroidery, leora Raikin, hand embroidery, south africa, African, African art

• South Africa, soccer, art and culture.... African Folklore Embroidery Exhibition and Competitions

  In the next few weeks’ world attention will be focused on South Africa as a million visitors arrive for the FIFA 2010 world cup soccer. Not since the release of Nelson Mandela in February 1990 has so much attention been given to this country of forty-eight million people at the southern tip of Africa.     While many dream of going on an African safari the twenty-six-hour flight and cost of an air ticket can make such a trip prohibitive.  Through my African Folklore Embroidery lectures and workshops people will be able to experience the wonder of an African Safari, learn about African tribal traditions and wildlife through a creative and culture needle art called African Folklore Embroidery.   In the past few weeks I have had a wonderful time teaching workshops in all parts of the country, Naperville, IL, Anaheim, Esconido and Tehachapi, California. I am always amazed at the spirit  of people who quilt, embroider and do other hand crafts.  There is no such thing as a generic quilter, but what they do share is a love and appreciation of their craft and passion.    In this blog, I will be sharing some pictures of some our workshops. There are many workshops and classes scheduled for the summer and if you would lke my schedule please do not hesitate contact me.  The only thing you need for an African Folklore Embroidery workshop is a pair of scissors and if you can not attend one, buy a kit (they come with a needle, African threads and easy to follow instructions) which mean you can take them with you on a road or plane trip, beach, RV  and you DO NOT NEED a Hoop. Even if you have never held a needle or stitched a stitch you will be stunned at how easy it to do and how quickly the chain stitch flows and goes ( chain stitch is the dominant stitch)   For the past eight weeks I have been teaching thirty home schooled Children the art of African Folklore Embroidery. A reporter and photographer from the Ventura County Reporter came to interview the kids and take pictures. I thought you may find the article interesting, how craft and education can be combined in a fun manner.  Click here to read about these kids.    In celebration of the world cup soccer taking place in South Africa, and in celebrating America's birthday - 4th of July,  we are offering  a FREE kit of your choice with every three kits you purchase. In addition when you purchase three or more kits, you will receive a FREE copy of my book, Safari through African Folklore Embroidery. Is that a great offer or what?   There are a few more weeks to enter your completed African Folklore Embroidery designs in the $500 challenge.  Entry forms and details are online and the closing date is July 17th, 2010.  Entries will be on display at the African Folklore Embroidery booth at the Long Beach International Quilt Festival, Long Beach Conventrion Center, July 22-25th, and the Pasadena Bead and Design show, July 20 - Aug 1st at the Pasadena Hilton in California.  I am teaching several classes at the show and I look forward to seeing you there.  For class details and registration email info@aflembroidery.com or call for questions, (818) 999-6094.   Hope you all had a great July 4th, Leora Raikin, www.aflembroidery.com    Posted Jul 09 2010, 04:55 PM by lraikin with no comments Filed under: Africa, needle art, African Folklore Embroidery, leora Raikin, hand embroidery, south africa, embroidery, African, African art