Virtual Retreat 2016

[Scoopie]

Lotti, that looks like so much fun! I see confetti everywhere! I loved sewing my kids's Halloween costumes, but they weren't as good as some of those! Did you wear a costume, too?

Dawn

[genevacarroll]

Rosemary, thanks for the York video. I believe I drove around York.... and my left/right issues made it so much more interesting!

Lotti, what fun!! I bet the music sounds wonderful coming from those trumpets and the beautifully costumed people. I would love to see this some day.

geneva

[genevacarroll]

Lotti - Fun to see pictures of carnival week costumes!!

Barb :-)

[genevacarroll]

Lotti, what strikes me about your Carnival photos -- the difference in costume from Switzerland to Brazil! LOL!!! I'd not thought of what Carnaval would look like in a colder weather climate.....thank you! Equally elaborate, but much less skin showing

[lotti]

yup - carneval here is 75% outdoors - and it's always in winter - so...
i was speaking to a fellow from one of the bands - they (the more experienced) generally make the costume in layers - with the outer "coat" being warm, i.e. having a padded layer, a waterproof layer, the decorative layer. As these costumes are used for a good 2 1/2 months (generally on weekends from early january and then for the full 6 days (4 am on Dirty (fat) Thursday through till the early hours of Ash Wednesday when Lent starts), they have to be quite sturdy, definitely washable, practically all-weather-gear and COMFORTABLE. (my costume is nothing elaborate - just a quick fix - but comfy and easy - I took an old winter coat and sewed lots of sparkly fabrics all over it - then i add a wig or hat or whatever - and i'm good to go - sorry no pictures - as i'm generally behind the camera i again did not get photographed.

Carneval here is directly connected to Easter - basically the week before Lent starts when traditionally everything in the pantry was used up that could not be eaten during lent - hence all the deepfried goodies and the parties... here in Catholic Central Switzerland Carneval is observed to finish by Ash Wednesday - in the Protestant areas of the country didn't adapt to the Gregorian Calender Reform (1582) at the same time - and they then never bothered to change their carneval dates when they corrected their calendar in 1699 - this means that they start their carneval next Monday morning and finish next Wednesday night (only 3 days). (just a little note for those out there that love trivia).

anyway - where i'm getting at is that we have to adapt to the weather - and generally it's anywhere from -15 to +10 during the carneval time. this year we've been lucky in that we didn't have a lot of temperatures below freezing - but we did have quite a lot of rain and storms...

here a few more pictures for you showing some fabulous costumes...

this band "FIDELIOS" has been around since 1962 - they're no longer "active" but make a few appearances here and there every year - i was lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time last night :P

[lotti]

and because i think some of these costumes are so fabulous - you get a few more...
and yes - they bring their kids and let them participate in the "daytime" events - that's how they can keep the tradition going - i love it!

[lotti]

and to show you that one really needs to be weather proof...
yes - this is the last post - i promise















for a while there, it was pouring last night - and everyone but the most motivated took to shelter - no he didn't want shelter - he didn't want an umbrella - he wanted to stay and watch his buddies
and was still happy and motivated when i headed home a little after midnight

[lotti]

Great posts Lotti, thanks for the trivia & the pictures.

[Scoopie]

Yup, Lotti, like Heather said! A lot less skin showing. I almost cried for the poor guy in the wheel chair! What a great spirit! And, check out the cards in the spokes of his wheels! I can remember doing something like that when I was a kid! Thanks for sharing, Lotti!

Dawn

[Reetzbobeetz]

Fantastic photos Lotti. A riot of colour and such elaborate costumes, really beautiful, thanks.

[lorra]

Wow!! Thanks for the great pictures and the trivia. It looks like so much fun for everyone. I love the way they decorated their instruments too.

[lorra]

Wonderful photos Lotti!

Barb :-)

[genevacarroll]

Oh Lotti, You always show us such cool stuff!!! Thank you!

I love the costumes, the history, the family participation, just everything.

geneva

[genevacarroll]

I love all the photos, Lotti! Thank you!!!

Brazil's is, of course, at the same time, just southern hemisphere, so summer and they definitely take advantage. But it is fun, and I do miss it. We never made the big parades in Rio or anything while there, but several local parties near us.

[Marianne-is-sewing]

I have been out of the loo[p for over a month and cannot see myself catching up anytime soon but thought I would post a couple of pictures of the place mats I asked for advice about the quilting back in January. This is all I've managed to get done quilting wise.






The place mats are two-sided so saves on washing :silly:
I look forward to using them now although they are not exactly spring like but think they should be used before the autumn now they are finished
Next up for me is an embroidered skirt. We'll see if that gets finished before summer or I will have to wear a white skirt for Christmas :P
Marianne