August 19, 2011
lraikin
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The entries in this year African Folklore Embroidery $500 Challenge, were spectacular.
Congratulations to first place winner, Roberta Peterson from Woodland,
Washington. Roberta attended an African
folklore Embroidery class that I taught at Monica’s quilt and bead shop in Palm
Spri...
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July 29, 2011
lraikin
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The past four weeks of summer have flown. For the sixth year in a row I have been
teaching children African Folklore Embroidery at a summer art camp. The
children from ages 7-11 have from over thirty different arts related classes
from which to choose. It is an honor that African Folklore E...
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June 24, 2011
lraikin
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USING CREATIVITY TO HELP THE ENVIRONMENT
In the next few weeks many cities are enacting a law that
will allow grocery stores to charge for plastic bags. Some of you have already
been using reusable tote bags; some purchase these bland reusable bags from the
store at which they are shopping. Howe...
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May 27, 2011
lraikin
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Would you like to win
$500 Cash?
YOU are invited to enter your completed African Folklore Embroidery
in the upcoming challenge. Entry forms are on online
at www.aflembroidery.com.
THE GRAND PRIZE is $500 cash, 2nd prize $50 and 3rd prize $25.00.
All entrants will receive certificate of part...
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April 29, 2011
lraikin
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JUNK IN MY TRUNK and the African Folklore Embroidery Elephants
One of my favorite animals to observe while
on safari is the elephants. I love watching the baby elephant walk in between
his mom and dad and seeing how protective the moms are toward their babies. The
elephant is the largest...
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March 25, 2011
lraikin
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Teaching an African Folklore Embroidery class is one of my favorite things to do. In the last few weeks, I have taught workshops at quilt guilds in Washington, Visalia, Long Beach and Covina. I have had all types of people in my classes, from people who have been quilting for many years, but n...
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February 18, 2011
lraikin
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Doll Making and the Ndebele Tribe- a special African Art form
The Ndebele, one of the smallest
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February 4, 2011
lraikin
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Thread colors and names inspired by African Savanah
From The COLORFUL world of African Folklore Embroidery we bring you a complete selection of multi-colored hand dyed variegated threads from House of Embroidery, South Africa.
Our exquisite hand-dyed threads are suitable for all types...
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January 28, 2011
lraikin
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Mural Painting- The Ndebele women-Creative Inspiration- Enter to win 4 African Folklore Embroidery kits
While there are many tribes in Africa, the magnificent beadwork, doll- making and wall mural painting of the Ndebele tribe are a constant source of inspiration.
The houses of the Ndebele...
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November 19, 2010
lraikin
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Exciting New Holiday Designs from African Folklore Embroidery
We have several new designs just in time for the Holidays. Some of these include the new Hanukkah designs (this year Hanukkah starts December 1st.) Two special designs that celebrate this holiday include the Hanukah Menorah; it is custom...
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October 1, 2010
lraikin
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And The Winner is………
Over twenty thousand people viewed the African Folklore Embroidery entries at the International Quilt Show in Long Beach. As many of my readers know I travel around the country lecturing and teaching African Folklore Embroidery. I am always a...
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July 23, 2010
lraikin
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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...
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July 9, 2010
lraikin
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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...
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Any one up for a Bird Safari... introducing the SANUFU BIRD,Roosters and chickens... Bring your binoculars....
South Africa has a large and varied bird population. Over 3 000 birds (and small animals) of 400 different species are uniquely presented in more than 100 spacious landscaped walk t...
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June 5, 2010
lraikin
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Home can mean different things to different people. To many of us home implies the house we live in, with solid walls and floors. To many in Africa, home is a hut with thatched roof, known as a “rondavel’
South Africa, the country in which I was born and grew up, i...
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April 23, 2010
lraikin
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Nothing suggests spring more than flowers. Walk around your neighborhood and the beauty and colors o
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March 26, 2010
lraikin
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I recently began teaching a new class called: "The application and inclusion of silk ribbon in your African Folklore Embroidery design". The class focuses on using the silk ribbon as one would regular embroidery thread. Silk ribbon is wonderfully versatile and forgiving fiber. For those of...
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February 19, 2010
lraikin
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While I love teaching the techniques to complete a African Folklore Embroidery, I get even more pleasure in seeing how each person takes their design to a whole new creative level. Chain stitch is the dominant stitch, and any color can be used to stitch on the pre-drawn black fabric, however wh...
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January 29, 2010
lraikin
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I was so excited by the number and diversity of entries and the positive response from over 20,000 people that viewed the African Folklore Embroidery Exhibition at the Road to California Quilt Show. While the rules of African Folklore Embroidery are simple, (‘Whatever color you choose to...
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January 8, 2010
lraikin
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BEADED AFRICAN VILLAGE, - Positive beadwork and the Rainbow nation
Perceptions and associations of Africa frequently revolve around drought, starvation and AIDS. I wanted to design a piece that reflected the artistic and diverse cultural beauty of South Africa.
While I love living in Ameri...
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November 13, 2009
lraikin
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I used to be a really nervous flyer, every bump, thump, or noise would startle me. Reading just would not relax me and chatting to the passenger next to me would not succeed in calming me.
Things began changing for me once I started bringing my African Folklore Embroidery kit on board the air...
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October 16, 2009
lraikin
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Fall is my favorite season. I love how the weather changes from brutally hot to just perfect! I love being cozy and taking out my current stitching project, curling up on a chair beside the fire and watching how my African Folklore Embroidery design takes on a life of its own. My parents are current...
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July 24, 2009
lraikin
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When I was a little girl growing up in South Africa, Fridays were always special baking days and cupcakes were my favorite thing to bake with my mother and sister. Even better than baking the cupcakes was the frosting and decorating of them afterwards. My mother would decorate each cupcake with twir...
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June 5, 2009
lraikin
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Some people are surprised by our African tea cup designs... Why tea cups? What do tea cups and teapots have to do with Africa? Good question. What many people do not know is that South Africa used to be a British colony. For many years the British ruled South Africa and as a result many of the Briti...
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April 10, 2009
lraikin
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Dear AnnTheGran readers, thank you so much for your comments and your excitment regarding South Africa. I so enjoy sharing this information with you and giving you a small taste and experience of African art and culture.
I am always amazed how creative people can be with so little! Creativity does ...
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February 20, 2009
lraikin
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My Television experience on the show Uncommon Threads with host Alison Whitlock.Leora Raikin, African Folklore Embroiderywww.aflembroidery.cominfo@aflembroidery.com(818) 999-6094Click here to view clips from the HGTV show. Back to Our RootsDuring summer I spent seven weeks in South Africa, regroupin...
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October 10, 2008
lraikin
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TALL , GRACEFUL AND ELEGANT- GIRAFFES
The Giraffe, the tallest animal in Africa is both elegant and graceful. Its height allows it to keep in contact with other giraffes over large distances as well as spotting predators from afar. It is not uncommon to see other animals following a giraffe using i...
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September 19, 2008
lraikin
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Do you have your binoculars ready, camera and hat? Remember, keep your hands inside the jeep. While on this visual African Safari remember the animals are not in cages, do not pat or feed them and most importantly remember you are a guest in thier environment!
You can expect to ...
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September 1, 2008
lraikin
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Hi, my name is Leora Raikin, and my company is African Folklore Embroidery. I am so excited to be a new blogger on the ATG website. I have just returned from four weeks in South Africa,(incredible!). In this blog I will be sharing with you a little about my experieince there, my connection to S...
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