I hope that your holiday preparations and parties still leave time to enjoy the articles in the new issue of the Norwegian Textile Letter. 

I wish I was closer to Philadelphia so I could see From the Heart, Made by Hand: An Exhibit of Swedish Textiles at the American Swedish Historical Museum before it ends on March 10, 2019. Maybe some readers will be able to make the trip, but the rest of us can get a taste with photos from curator Trevor Brandt. See them here. 

I was lucky enough to examine the historical båtrye (boat rya) owned by Norma Wangsness of Deborah, Iowa, described in “A Treasured Family Båtrye.” As Norwegian Textile Letter readers, we are also lucky it was examined by Marta Kløve Juuhl–a weaver, weaving teacher, and museum employee from Bergen, Norway. Marta wrote afterwards that it was a bit of a “høytid” (a special occasion) to see such an old and well-preserved specimen. 

We would love your help in locating a large tapestry by Frida Hansen, missing for decades. Perhaps you’ll help solve the mystery? See: “Frida Hansen: Will We Ever See her Woven Swans and Maidens?”

Lisa Torvik, author of “Playing at the Loom Together: The Scandinavian Weavers Study Group Tackles Skillbragd” and I both attended Valdres Husflidsskole as young women. We were in Fagernes within three years of one another, though we didn’t become friends until much later. The difference between our experiences is, however, that Lisa remembers EVERYTHING she was taught about warping and weaving. She was a masterful coordinator of a recent group skillbragd project at the Weavers Guild of Minnesota. Our group enjoyed it so much that we warped the loom a second time, and have a new group project in the works. 

And finally, TUSEN TAKK for those who have supported the Norwegian Textile Letter with donations this year.  For the holidays, there is a new incentive. For those who feel the holiday season leaves them sometimes ready to “Scream,” or feel the current political climate deserves this holiday sentiment, or those who are just fans of Edvard Munch, new donations in December will be rewarded with your very own Scream ornament, backed with fringed, handwoven fabric and beads. 

Remember, it is so easy to support the work of the Norwegian Textile Letter via this Paypal button–and so appreciated!