Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Quilted Nonsense: Akwaaba! means (Welcome!)

Quilted Nonsense: Akwaaba! means (Welcome!): It’s a brand new day and another art piece is born, this piece is called ‘AKWAABA’ which in Akan in Ghana means ‘Welcome’. In Ghana w...

Akwaaba! means (Welcome!)

It’s a brand new day and another art piece is born, this piece is called ‘AKWAABA’ which in Akan in Ghana means ‘Welcome’.

In Ghana we dance with vigor, we hold nothing back, we shake it down with everything our Mama gave us, plus we love to embrace everyone with that welcoming feeling of belonging, what an explosive way to express this but in DANCE.
This art piece is so reminiscent of the welcoming performances given to foreign nationals and dignitaries who visit Ghana and its communities.

I created this art piece for a very wonderful couple, a Ghanaian groom and his American bride, in a way all he says to her is ‘AKWAABA’ meaning Welcome home. 
I personally do wish them a happy married life, in Akan we say ‘Awareso’.

~~~~~~~~Wendy.

Please feel  free to like my blog and leave any interesting comments on any of my topics, I would love to read from you. ~~~~~Wendy.

Akwaaba!  means (Welcome!)
Dimensions 36" Wide/37" Long.
Original Design by Wendy Mamattah.

Original design -2014
Copyright © 2014
http://braidandstitch.com/ 

Saturday, July 26, 2014

Celebrating Masai. Now featured on 'The Quilt Show' June 2014!

The Massai are very ordinary people with a simple life styl...e, they have always reminded me that the simple and best things in life are free, and beyond all the hardship that Africa endures, they prove that you can find 'Happy' in any situation. They have they whitest smile, and the darkest complexion, characteristics so unique of people who reside along that part of the equator.

The Masai are semi-nomadic people located in Kenya and northern Tanzania. Due to their distinctive customs and dress, the Massai choose to reside near the game parks of East Africa, they are among the most well known of the African ethnic groups.They speak Maa, a local dialect. As well as Swahili and English.

They are live stock farmers, and I have always been intrigued by their unique appearance, the

stretching and piercing of the their ear lobes, including the thorns they use for piercing, as well as twigs, stones, the pieces of elephant tusks, and empty film canisters they wear in their earlobes. Red is the most favored color of the Massai men.
This quilt 'Massai' is up for exhibit in March and you just might see it at a show in you state, so keep looking!!

I created this abstract work to share the beautiful story of the Masai people of East Africa. Fabrics used are hand dyed fabrics and Kente prints. Work is machine appliqued, quilted,and lightly hand painted.
Massai 55W 261/2L

Braid and Stitch is happy to announce that 'Masai' was the first place award winner in 'Innovative art' and also the Presidents Choice at the Northwest Quilters Expo 2011 in Portland OR, which recently took place from the 10th to 12th of March.

We now carry Mudcloth! Visit us on Etsy!

Today in West Africa, just like the Adinkra symbols Mud cloth is very popular, it is woven into elegant textiles that have motif prints in them, leading to a cultural revolution where people have come to embrace the majestic art form of Mud cloth.

The patterns in Mud cloth, some similar to Adinkra Symbols, such as the hour glass motif have the same meaning “Time will tell” This is hand printed into the cloth. As a precaution Mud Cloth cannot be washed, but only dry cleaned.

Today we see Mud cloth being used in Interior decor, and the market now carries even Mud cloth prints in regular cotton fabric prints.
Braid and Stitch hopes to carrying a line of the regular cotton Mud cloth print selection soon.

• Dimensions: 36” Wide/45.5”Long per Yard.

They are eye Candy!
~~~~~~~~Wendy Mamattah.

http://braidandstitch.com/
Be our first order, help yourselves, make your choices, and receive these beautiful African Mud cloth fabrics from our hands to yours!

www.braidandstitch.etsy.com
http://braidandstitch.com/

Saturday, July 19, 2014

Quilted Nonsense: The new Asabone Patterns Series 2 now ready to shi...

Quilted Nonsense: The new Asabone Patterns Series 2 now ready to shi...: Yes! The new patterns are here!! Under our new brand   Quilted Nonsense , we have the New Asabone Pattern line Series 2 .  Braid and S...

Quilted Nonsense: African prints sold in Fat Quarters and by the YAR...

Quilted Nonsense: African prints sold in Fat Quarters and by the YAR...: At long last the Fabrics are here!! Braid and Stitch now markets a line of authentic Ghanaian Kente, Batik prints and African prints...

African prints sold in Fat Quarters and by the YARD ready to ship!

At long last the Fabrics are here!!
Braid and Stitch now markets a line of authentic Ghanaian Kente, Batik prints and African prints handpicked by Wendy Mamattah. 
Wendy is excited to share with you her fabric choices which she uses mostly in all her African Inspired art quilts.

By popular demand, Braid and stitch now markets the following items:
• Kente prints from Ghana.
• African prints from Ghana.
• Batik prints from Ghana
All fabrics sell by the YARD which is 36 inches WIDE, and 45 inches LONG. (36/45 inches)
If you want to purchase more than 1 yard of the same print, please click on the amount you want when ordering. We offer up to 6 yards, however if you want to purchase more, you may contact the the store.

Be our first order, help yourselves, make your choices, and receive these beautiful African fabrics from our hand to yours!
They are eye Candy!
~~~~~~~~Wendy Mamattah.
www.braidandstitch.etsy.com
http://braidandstitch.com/

Saturday, May 3, 2014

The new Asabone Patterns Series 2 now ready to ship!

Yes! The new patterns are here!! Under our new brand  Quilted Nonsense, we have the New Asabone Pattern line Series 2
Braid and Stitch has come up with a second great and authentic African silhouette dance quilt pattern line, an African Drummers silhouette pattern line, and also an African Sunshine silhouette line, also by popular demand, Braid and Stitch now carries a Masai pattern line. How exciting!
It has been such hard work curating this colorful collection. We now have 
a Masai pattern line in this collection. Braid and Stitch is ever so proud.

Thursday, March 6, 2014

The patterns are cooking!

Once again the silhouettes keep dancing! They even get more glamorous and gorgeous this time. I am coming out soon with a new line of patterns which will be the ‘Asabone Dancer’s volume 2’ and I am so excited!

Can’t wait for the publishers to get done and put them out on a very wide range, they will be all over quilting shops in the USA and internationally. So proud of myself!

The style themes this season will feature the Ghanaian line dance, the Ghanaian Twerk, Kpanlogo dance, drummer series, and many more depicting day to day living in Africa. They are designs to behold!

I have included a piece of mine now in a private collection for your viewing pleasure.   Enjoy! Wendy.

Original Design - 2014
Copyright © 2014