Monday Ice: How do you like Iceland - Part 2

I am enjoying this little documentary, don't agree with all the comments but some are spot on.

Monday Ice: How do you like Iceland?

A group of foreigners are asked about Iceland, quite funny in parts.  The film was shot in 2004 - so before the crash.  This is only part 1 of 6, I will share the rest in coming weeks.

Textile Museum Blonduos

I have been meaning to put this post together about a visit I made to the textile museum in Blondous last summer. It is well overdue. Also I am trying to publish this via the Blogsy app for ipad, to see how easy it is to post when I am traveling in the future. Apologies in advance if the formatting goes awry as the Blogger platform does not allow me to preview before publishing with Blogsy.

Ok back to the Textile museum.

Since moving here I have wanted to visit this place and eventually made the time, so Kristin (Olga's Amma) and I set off one morning for a fabulous day out. The textile museum is only open during the summer months although I believe you can view by appointment during the remainder of the year.

If you are interested in textiles or handcrafts then this place is certainly well worth a visit and be prepared to lose a few hours. I have always had an interest in not only handcrafts which over the years I have learnt quite a few but also through working in an antique business I developed a keen interest and appreciation of old lacework and hand crafts. It has been a much overlooked form of domestic artwork, one that woman were often only allowed to pursue.

What I love about many museums in Iceland is the hands on nature of them and particularly wonderful in a textile museum. When you walk through the door there is the opportunity to take a pair of white gloves so that you can handle some of the textiles...sometimes you do just want a closer look...to see how it is done or to check out the neatness on the back.

There are rooms filled with displays and cabinets with drawer after drawer of collections that you can freely browse through as you wish.

With many of the displays teamed with photos of the maker.

One area was filled with mannequins clothed in traditional Icelandic costumes, you entered the area and walked around the figures and able to get a close look at the spectacular decorations and embroidery.

The museum also hosts small textile exhibitions and there was a knitting display of slippers and shoe inserts when we were there.

Besides the textiles there are also displays of various paraphernalia associated with handcrafts and the implements required to do some of the making.

This picture in the museum is embroidered by Kristin's sister Gudridur B Helgadottir. She recently also published her memoirs Thessi Kona This Woman detailing her life and with images of many of her embroidered works who has over her life time created hundreds of these embroidered artworks all handwork not machined, she is well into her 90s and still creating. I have seen many examples of her work and it is quite amazing and beautiful.

There is so much to see, Kristin and I spent a good couple of hours wandering through the building before taking a break for lunch, there are so many areas to view. Sorry this post is quite picture heavy as there is also no restrictions on taking photographs. After lunch we visited their headquarters next door but that will have to be part 2.

 

 

 

Posted with Blogsy

My morning walks with you

The air is fresh and cool 

and I brace myself for the steps ahead.

Perla sniffs the ground.

I sniff the air, willing it to transform me with every lungful. 

As if its pureness will bring me peace 
And make less room for the sadness that now overfills my insides.

I look forward each morning to these moments. 

When the rhythm of Perla’s constant hunt for scent and the beat of the music

joins forces with the pace of my steps.

And the cadence of my breath unites to the pattern of just being. 

Which all aligns to the beauty of you. 

And we walk side by side.

I walk, music in my ears. 

It calms me and connects me to you.

I feel your strength beside me. 

Your towering shadow just out of reach.

We commune through the music and with each new track you have your say.

We laugh, we cry and we almost touch.

Sometimes we do not pass a thought to each other.

But are just present together and that is enough. 

We take in the grandness of the space around us and the intimate details of our downward gaze. 

Yet we know that there is no space, no details, no distance, no time. 

Just now and only now and forever now. 

And on we walk and walk and walk life.

Monday Ice: Dóttir

A gorgeous video created by Australian Donna Maree Robinson, an artist who stayed with her daughter Abbey at the Nes Art Residency for 2 months during winter.  A lovely duo, both who revelled in and made the most of their time in Skagaströnd amongst the snow and ice. Donna currently has an exhibition on in Mackay Queensland titled Far Away Here which was inspired by her residency at Nes. 

Dóttir from Donna Maree Robinson on Vimeo.

Monday Ice: Dangers on Icelandic roads - Driving with Elfis

A fun video on the hazards of driving on Icelandic roads.

Monday Ice: Dinner and Song

I am constantly amazed how many Icelanders sing...maybe that is their secret to happiness.

Edward Getley is entertained after dinner by his hosts on Westman Island.

Cellphone Vid- Westman Island, Iceland - June 2014 from Edward Getley on Vimeo.