Showing posts with label Dancing Capra. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dancing Capra. Show all posts

Saturday, March 16, 2013

The Capra Blanket II

Though not as elaborate and extensive as the very first and famous Magical Capra Blanket, Capra II is finally finished.  Intended for Wee Baby Alice, who chose not to be born this year, the Capra II will grace my newly adopted baby Annabelle Flopsygoat of the Romanian Flopsygoats.

Half gypsy and half silent film star, sweet Annabelle has become *mine* by default.
She just happened to be that new kid with the wonky legs who didn't mind snuzzling while I waited (and waited!) for Darla's kids to be born.

Now, four strong legs and one week later she's mountain climbing my head and runs to my voice when I get to the barn.  So, yeah.....I'm thinking we are going to have a very good relationship!

Dancing Capra is a Romanian tradition of rebirth and celebration.
Blankets are worn by the children, bearing goat head clackers, as they dance in honor of all that is caprine.

The Capra II has some interesting fabrics.
The rosebud background is 70's vintage Waverly gifted to me by my dear friend Sue Matthews.
The bottom lace and crocheted center are some vintage pieces gifeted by my dear goat sister Claire Moxon.
The crochet edging is from a doily crocheted by my grandmother.
(My Mum is 101 years old...so, that a little math to do.)   ;)
I believe that blankets containing pieces of the past and love and Blessings from friends are the most magical of all things.

CAPRA II


Tradition dictates that my heart and soul, my dear Yellow Dog, model each and every piece I produce.  Now that's a faithful dog.  ;)


It will be some time before the Capra II graces Annabelle.
Her first event is scheduled for Gooseberry Fair on April 27.
In the meantime, tell me she doesn't look like silent film star Lillian Gish!
:)









Saturday, December 17, 2011

THE CAPRA BLANKET THAT WAS: A YEAR of MAGICAL WONDER




The Capra Blanket That Was:  A Year of Magical Wonder
by:  Mimi Foxmorton

Once upon a time, in a wee house, in a tiny kingdom, there lived a Girl.
It wasn't a large and grand house and the kingdom was quite small.
The Girl lived there with her faithful Dog and her snuggly Cat.
And all was quite peaceful.
And the Three were very happy.

One day, quite out of the violet sky, the Girl decided that Three would no longer quite do.

"We need a goat." the Girl said aloud one day to the faithful Dog and the snuggly Cat.

But the Dog and Cat just smiled and went back to napping and dreaming.
They had no idea exactly what a goat was but always trusted the Girl to work these thing out.

"Hmm." thought the Girl.  "But where to get a goat?"

The Villagers laughed.
"There she goes again." they said.  
"You can never get a goat!"

"We shall see." said the Girl.

And so, one day, on the Magical Wish of a friend who said,
"I wish for you a goat."
the Universe took heed and granted the Girl a boon, for that very day the Girl was
 sent to a Farmer who had goats!

Sometimes, if you have Faith, it's just that simple.

The goats were fun to play with, to be sure, but still, something was missing.
"I should like my own goat, please." said the Girl.
And again the Universe took heed and granted the Girl a boon.

One day the Farmer said,
 "There is a Magical Goat growing inside of another goat!  When it comes out it can be yours!"
(Ok.  Well, maybe the Farmer didn't say exactly that....but that's what the Girl heard.)

And so the Girl rushed home to wait.

And while she was waiting she thought.
"This Goat will need a blanket.  A very special and magical blanket.
A blanket worthy of a wondrous gypsy dancing Capra in the Yule moonlight!"

And so the Girl had Faith and petitioned kingdoms far and near for scraps of Fabric of Intent
 with which to make the blanket.

And the Universe took heed and granted the Girl a boon.

All at once, quite out of the violet sky, the Fabric of Intent began to arrive!

Big scraps, tiny scraps, shiny buttons and elegant tassels!
Fabric from Thither and fabric from Yon!

And lo' and behold, quite out of naught it seemed, the Sisterhood of the Goat was born!

And so was the Magical Goat.

And the Dog and the Cat smiled.

The Girl rushed to sew the scraps together and each time she joined a piece to another her fingertips tingled and she could feel the magic sent to her.

And so, in that way, the blanket was completed.

The day came for the Yule Ceremony in which the Magical Goat would wear the fine creation.
Some saw only a blanket on a goat but, there were Others, others who saw the Magic and you could tell by the sparkle in their eyes.

The moment came for the Lighting of the Tree Ceremony and the revelers went hand
 in hand to gather 'round the darkened Yule tree. 
 On cue, the chorus began to sing very softly the tune Silent Night.

"How could this be any better?" thought the Girl in wonder.

And the Universe took heed and granted the girl a boon.

And as the chorus sang, the Magical Goat did, too!

And it sounded like this:

Si-lent Night......
Maa-maa-maa......
Holy Night......
Maa-maaaa.....
All is calm.....
Maaaaaa.......
All is bright.........
Maa-maaa.........

And on to the finish of the song.  Ne'er missing a line.

As the song came to a close, Old St. Nick threw the switch and the tree blazed in all its magical glory!

The Villagers were amazed.
The music director said it was-Call & Response. 
The chorus couldn't believe that a goat just sang with them!

But the Girl did.
And she silently thanked the Universe.

"What's next?" the Villagers inquired.

And the Girl replied:
"A Magical Cow."

And the faithful Dog and the snuggly Cat smiled.

c. 2011 Mimi Foxmorton
**********************
The story you have just read is all true.  
The details are all within this blog.

Darla really did sing, exactly that way.
For reasons of her own I would imagine.
Call & Response is of tribal origination.  It's probably in her DNA.
Each line I kept holding my breath thinking it
was mere coincidence but she continued to the end,
standing with the teens in the choir and belting out
her Maa's like she'd done it a million times before. 

I cried. 

My favorite quote:  (from a teen choir member)  "A goat just sang with us!  That is the coolest thing that's ever happened!"

My sincere thanks to not only the Sisterhood of the Goat, who have given me such love, friendship and support unconditionally throughout the past year but to each and everyone of you who shared a scrap of fabric to make the Capra Blanket happen.  On January 1, 2011 when I began this blog it was with just a dream.  And here we are, 11 months later with so many friendships sewn together....much like the Capra blanket.

The Universe took heed.....and seemingly, out of the violet sky,  granted us a boon.

xoxoxo
~Mimi

And-

It is my intention to pack up the Capra Blanket with a journal and send her off into the world!
The Sisterhood will grow stronger as each adds to the journal and shares photos and stories.
It is my hope that the Capra Blanket will go on to have many tales to share with us and use her Magic as was intended....to bring Unity to our wee kingdom.

The original Sisters begin the list and it will go on from there.

If you would like to be on the list please private message me at
foxgoddess44 at yahoo  (I didn't put a link because of robots but you know what to do)

Again, my sincere gratitude to all who made the Capra Blanket happen.
Bright Blessings to you this Yuletide.  May your traditions be honored and respected
as your heart desires.  xox   ~M.



My favorite of the capra photos!

On the red carpet with the paparazzi!

Oh, my Darla.  Oh, my Darla.  Oh, my Darla clementine!

My friend who wished for me a goat.

That smile is the reson I do this.

Magic comes in all forms.





Thursday, November 17, 2011

DANCING CAPRA


The CAPRA and the MAGICAL GOAT BLANKET PROJECT draws nigh.
I can't believe that in a few short weeks (December 5th) the Capra Blanket will be complete!
As I laid out the fabric I was reminded of all the scraps from this year that have led to such wonderful relationships, most importantly, the Sisterhood of the Goat!

And so, I sew........and leave you waiting to see the final results!

Darla is bragging in the barn because SHE gets to be the Yule Princess!

It's going to be a BEAUTIFUL evening!

And, while you wait for December 5th to arrive please take a wee peek at the link below.
It is the most wonderful representation of Dancing Capra that I have even seen.
Enjoy!  xoxo

And.....just so everyone knows.......I'm still (pout) open to those scraps from Heidelberg, Germany and Anywhere in Romania...........just sayin'............     ;)  


And.....if you happen to be just stumbling across the CAPRA PROJECT, please click on the link below the goat to see how it all started!




I'm TOTALLY getting to be the YULE PRINCESS!


Thursday, February 3, 2011

OF CAPRA AND THE SEA

The Historic Collection

The precious fishnet

What was inside the fishnet: A wee baby cap.


Ahoy Friends!

Darla and I are doing well but we are negligent bloggers are we not?

But rest assured, we're still going strong it's just that life gets in the way of living (and blogging!) sometimes. So stay tuned for more Darla Tales to come!

I have a Capra box to share this day that arrived the other day and was filled with a most wondrous bounty of treasure! I can only say to read the letter reposted (with permission) below. I will freely admit to being humbled at this grand gift and got a wee tear at the line: Do what you may with it-it is yours now.

The box held such grand history of sailors and life and death and the sea and wee babes, long since taken by the waters, who I feel somehow are now in my care.

I am humbled beyond words. I am honored that such a gift should be mine.
The history, energy, love and life in this package is overwhelming.

For those of you who might wonder, I am a pirate in my Other Life so this package had
particular meaning. You can read all about that if you like at www.mimifoxmorton.blogspot.com

But whether goats or pirates, I adore a good tale....and this one has touched my heart. I bow to the sender.

My thanks to all of you have given a scrap of your life to the Capra Project.
Surely the combined energy will be felt for a long time to come. I hope to one day return the gesture to you all.

Stay tuned for Hawaiian sails and Gothic lace in the next Capra post.

Have a magical and creative day!
~Mimi
xoxoxoxox


*************************************


Dear Mimi,

I have coveted this scrap long enough and feel the need to pass it on to a kindred spirit that has a love of the sea and an old tale. It came to me with an assortment of my great grandmother's sewing archives. Tucked away carefully amongst her tools was this tiny bit of fishnet. It was customary for sailors to carry a talisman with something from home for good luck as they ventured out on the seas. I untied a single knot and left it free for you to do the same so you can see the precious bit of home that one of her men or boys tied up inside and carried over the waves close to his heart for many years. She married a man that was a sailor and ship builder like his ancestors for generations and bore him 7 sons. She lived to see them all die on the waters. This is the token so carefully saved by the widow Susan Collins Veltman, 112 Ocean Ave. Bay Shore, NY. She was born the year that Lincoln was inaugurated. Do what you may with it-it is yours now.

Also find enclosed:

Some of her hand tatted lace and crocheted lace. I wouldn't hesitate to soak it in some tepid water with a little whitener and it should clean up fairly well or keep it vintage if you choose.

A hand crocheted collar made by my Mom.

Also some older collars that I thought you or a friend might use as patterns as they are the real deal. My grandmother always dresses in black and changed the white collars and cuffs daily-her ghost is regularly seen in the old family ship yard paint storage room that used to be her kitchen and she is always dressed in this manner.

Happy Sewing
Sue
Oswego, NY

Friday, January 28, 2011

CAPRA and the MAGICAL GOAT BLANKET PROJECT


MAGICAL CAPRA TREASURE

PRICILLA the BEAUTIFUL GOAT BEAD

SEIKA GYPSY WEE CAPRA GOAT
(didn't she get the tail absolutely perfect?!)

Huzzah!

More treasure has arrived at the Goat Borrower's barn for the Capra Project!

I can't tell you how exciting it is for a package or envelope to appear on my desk!
It changes my whole day!

Booty displayed this day is from:

Seika Gypsy, Ontario Background swirl fabric which, if you look closely, is
from the wee capra goat ornament that my lovely Seika also
sent me!

Pricilla and Patty, MT (from the Maaaa! of Pricilla)
Well, first I have to point out sweet Pricilla's face
on the outside of the package! I'd know that kissable puss
anywhere! Inside I found wondrous, magical beads! The
most beautiful ever! Pricilla said they were for extra
"sparkle!" Then...if you look in the middle there is sweet
Pricilla's face on a goat bead!

Again, my thanks to all who are participating in this project. Everytime a new scrap arrives I picture Darla wearing the most beauteous and magical Capra blanket ever made.....because it was made with love........

xoxo
~Mimi

Friday, January 14, 2011

More CAPRA PROJECT Treasure!


It's really so exciting to wait for the mail everyday and have someone put that special envelope on my desk! It makes me feel special. Thank you so much, friends.
Some come with stories...some with blessings but all, I believe are sent with caring and love. I've set down below the latest.
~Mimi

*Deb Liverpool, NY
~Victorian Button from Grandmother's button box 1875-1955

*Susan Wolcott, NY
~A piece of the cover from the schooner Sarah B
who I have sailed, taken lessons and reenacted upon!
~A piece of the mains'l from an Alden yawl named High Heels.
She sailed the Great Lakes about 60 years. I have never sailed upon her.
She ended her days about 10 years ago in Fair Haven, NY

* Helen Liverpool, NY
~Embroidered flowers
Colleen Liverpool, NY
~pink watered silk

* Anon St. Paul, MN
~Hand dyed batik
"Discharged with love and a bit of magick"


I am loving this project. It's a really nice to feel connected to another soul on a chilly wintry day.
xox

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

IT'S HERE! IT'S HERE! IT CAME! IT CAME! THANKS, MILLIE!


Huzzah! and what a most excellent day!

I just returned to my desk to find the VERY FIRST ENVELOPE
in the Capra Project! I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am!
And it came all the way from IA and....MILLIE and her Mom! :)
I know, right? MILLIE! (for those of you who haven't had the pleasure...Millie is a very lovely and very smart goat! See, she even signed with her hoof print!)

I've been excited from the start of this project a mere 11 days ago
but I don't think that I really understood, or sincerely thought it would work out, until I was actually holding in my hand the scrap of fabric from a person completely unknown to me yet who graciously thought to take the time to partake in a bit of my project dream. I will freely admit to the sting of several tears. ;)

The Capra Project is, indeed, an adventure into the creative world of fiber arts but it's also so much more. Unity...diversity....a celebration and coming together of our different stories as well as different natures. And, ultimately with the finished blanket, a celebration of tradition and rebirth with the dance of Capra.

My sincere thanks to Millie and her most excellent Mom for sending me a special part of your lucky goat world! You really made my day!

And to all of you considering...please feel welcome to join us!

Love and goat snuzzles,
~Mimi

ps. Millie-you little sneaker, you! You SAID a goat was going to knock on my door!


(You can read about the Capra Project by clicking on the wee goat at your right.)

Saturday, January 1, 2011

CAPRA and the MAGICAL GOAT BLANKET PROJECT


CAPRA & the MAGICAL GOAT BLANKET PROJECT
By: Mimi Foxmorton c. 2010

FOXMORTON’S CAPRA PROJECT
~A Universal and Creative Adventure
Won’t you join me?


Hail Fellow Goat Lovers!

Welcome to my CAPRA and the MAGICAL GOAT BLANKET project!

After 50 years of never taking much notice, the Universe gave me a (firm) nudge in the direction I now know I was meant to travel. On a rare Autumn day the Universe sent me...goats! Lovely, wonderful, snuzzly, wise goats!

But there’s also a catch. I live in a townhome. Uprooting, selling and buying a farm isn’t something that can be done in a weekend...especially if you live alone. And while I have no doubt that the Universe means to see me through to goat fruition I’ve been forced, in the meanwhile, to become a Goat Borrower. Not all that easy.

Luckily the Universe sent me a life long, area goat farmer, Lyle Young, who turned out to be pretty amiable about letting me Goat Borrow. And, fortuitously, was agreeable to working together to combine my costumed storytelling career with his goats. You really have to thank a guy who’ll let you put a hat on his goat.

In the first of my crazy adventure we appeared with one of his billys at a Yule Goat event I designed. (Which you can read about at www.thegoatborrower.blogspot.com)The rest, we’re hoping will be history.

So...here’s my plan:

It is my intention to make a wondrous CAPRA BLANKET for use in the upcoming 2011 Yule Celebration. A Capra Blanket is a colorful cover for either the actual goat or a Symbolic goat and used in the honorable Romanian tradition of Dancing Capra. (There are many, many wonderful videos that can be seen on YouTube...a raw and beautiful ceremonial dance which celebrates and honors the rebirth of living things and the eventual coming of the sun and the renewal which is Spring.)

When I first set out to make this blanket I knew I’d have no problem as my scrap bag is chock full of fabric and trim from past projects. If you sew at all you know what I mean! But then I got to thinking how wonderful and magical this blanket could be if it were created from scraps of fabric from the Four Quarters! That is, the smallest of scraps sent from people from Thither & Yon who would like to be a part of this goat magic!

So...I send this request out to the Universe and ask that anyone who would like to be a part of my Capra Project please send me a small scrap of fabric , trim or bead that has special meaning to you. It needn’t (nor shouldn’t) be bigger than a basic envelope size and should pose no problem to send. I ask for no last name or return address and want to be very clear about that as I seek no personal information regarding the sender. But if you would like to include a story about the history of the scrap that would be wonderful as I intend to keep a log of location and story to post on my blog as the blanket progresses.

It is my hope that the final outcome will tell a story of unity.

Why? While I was sorting scraps to begin the blanket the idea came to me and I thought how grand such a blanket could end up being and how like the tradition of Yule. A simple joining together of those near and far into a blanket of peace, love & celebration. I’ve found that goats are wise and open their hearts to all who seek to know them. Perhaps this blanket could be a reflection of that.

And that’s my story. As simple as a scrap. And as big those with stories to tell.

You can read my story and follow the progress of the Capra Blanket at
www.thegoatborrower.blogspot.com and contact me there.

Scraps can be sent to:
The Town of Clay
THE CAPRA PROJECT
Att: Recreation Department
4401 Route 31
Clay, New York 13041

If you like this please feel free to pass it along so we can make this project as Universal as it should be.

My sincere thanks for indulging me in this project.
*Mimi Foxmorton


*Mimi Foxmorton is in reality Chrissy Clancy, a Recreation Department employee at the Town of Clay since 1991. She thanks the Universe, and the town, every day for allowing her the freedom of creativity in her job to bring unique and diverse programs and projects to the community. She believes that discovering new cultures and new stories is the key to a better world. She also believes in the power of the oral tradition of folklore and thinks we can become all the better for discovering new tales. The Capra Blanket Project, she believes, will be a tangible joining together of the many stories that make up our community and our world.

This project is dedicated to The Town of Clay Wanderers, her group of wandering senior citizens, who follow her each week on a new adventure of discovery. She appreciates their support more than they can imagine as they indulge her in each new journey and keep to their motto: “All who wander are not lost.” (Tolkien)

This is not the first of Chrissy’s wild adventures...nor will it be her last. C.2010