This week I wanted to bring you some more Eye Candy from Cuba!…specifically from Trinidad, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
I was so delighted with my daytrip to Trinidad on my recent group visit to Cuba, that I want to go back and spend some more time there on our next (and last) Cuban Arts tour in September.
As part of the UNESCO preservation of this historic town, the colors of paint are closely controlled in order to maintain the integrity of the original colors. Founded in the 16th century, it was the center of the Cuban sugar industry from the late 18th, to late 19th centuries. The colors certainly are sweet! Mint Green, Sky Blue, Banana Yellow, Cinnamon Red and Sugar Pink are part of this authentic color palette.
In both of my trips to Cuba, I was always on the lookout for ceramic painted tiles, and decorative floor tiles. If you watch for them, they are everywhere! Many of these remind me of quilt patterns, and some could inspire applique blocks. Between the colors and the tiles, there is plenty of inspiration for avid quilters!
Here I have made a collage with a Blue and Yellow color story, featuring the Hat Family in the middle. While in Trinidad, I wandered away from the center of town, and found this family sitting in their living room which opened onto the street, with a big table stacked with handcrafted hats.
They got so excited when I came in to look at their hats! I had 3 generations of the family fussing over me, and we tried on about 20 hats. The mama was the hatmaker and also the tastemaker. She would cock her head and waggle her finger, and make clucking noises as I tried on one hat after another.
Finally we found a hat that was approved by everyone, including Grandma. I was ready to pay extra because finding my perfect hat had become such a production, but instead they all gave me hugs and Mama cut the price, and would not take a penny more.
These are the kinds of encounters which I treasure in my travels. I plan to go back to visit the hat family in September. Our group will be staying in bed-and-breakfast historic homes there for 2 nights, so we’ll all have delightful encounters with the locals. That’s just the best!
If you are thinking about joining us, the time for registration is coming to a close, because we have to book the hotels in advance. Give our Cuba travel company a call today to save your place!
I have donated a quilt to benefit The Carter Center, and it is being auctioned off this week! President Jimmy Carter has autographed the back of this quilt, which was inspired by the wonderful work being done by this organization. If you are interested in bidding on this piece visit this page (item #2) and bid before the deadline at 2 p.m. EDT on Friday, June 24.
I was just tickled to receive the printed catalog for the silent auction this week, because my quilt was on the cover! What an honor!
sharing your Passion for Fabric…
~Luana
2016 Travel Calendar:
July 20-29 – Seville & Granada
Aug 6 – Intl Quilt Study Center/Museum – Lincoln Nebraska
Aug 12-14 – Festival of Quilts – Birmingham UK
Sept 18-25 – CUBA Arts Tour #2 – Havana, Trinidad & Varadaro – Now Booking – Space Limited!
Nov 11-13 – Color Marketing Group – Albuquerque
Nov 15-20 – Luana’s Polar Bear Tour
