Summer and Schwalm

We have just returned from a summer vacation in Germany.  I had been looking forward to cool breezes, low humidity and spending time outside.  Surprisingly, Germany has been having a heat wave, and the day we arrived it was 40 Celsius in our little village.  Even the furniture was hot !  Fortunately, things cool down a little at night, but not much.  This became the pattern for the whole 2 weeks, and we really missed our air conditioning !

We visited the Landesgartenschau in Landau, very pretty but somehow I had expected more.  It is situated on the old French barracks property, and construction was delayed for a year while several WWII bombs were discovered and removed.

This trip I had a special visit planned.   I have long had an interest in Schwalm embroidery, and have followed Luzine Happel on her blog and website for some time.  Luzine has a wonderful collection of Schwalm work, most of which she has completed herself in her more than 30 years of perfecting

 this art.  The collection and exhibition are open by appointment.  Luzine has a wonderful website in English as well as German, so I encourage you to visit her and learn more about the Schwalm area and traditions.  These few photos were taken in Eschwege, where she lives.  The area is completely new to me, and the "fachwerk" (half-timbered) style of the houses is different to our area on the Southern wine route.
I could not resist purchasing a couple of Luzine's books.  They are so detailed, logical  and clear, it is a pleasure to read them.  She is also in the process of developing more detailed beginner guides, and is considering online workshops.   My personal interest is in exploring how to adapt some of these designs to boutis .....but I have to complete something in the correct style to understand the process first.  The appeal of Schwalm is that infinite variety is possible, so each stitcher can adapt the many patterns to develop her own individual taste.

The following day, we went to Eisenach, and visited the town and the Wartburg, which has long been a wish of my husband's.  Luckily, it was market day, and I could stroll around the colorful vegetable and fruit stands.  Another strong local market basket found its way into my possession, and now has quilts folded in it in Birkenhoerdt. 

 A particular highlight was visiting the Georgskirche (St George's church) on the market square, where Bach was christened, and where Martin Luther preached.  During the summer, there are daily organ concerts at 11am, and on this day 4 pieces of music were played accompanied by a wonderful soprano voice.  I was so happy, it is humbling how beautiful music can transform an ordinary weekday morning.

 And here we have the Wartburg, towering above Eisenach.  It is said that nothing has been changed in the room where Martin Luther was sheltered.

 

 

Happy Sunday to all !