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2018 Year 5

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Winter Sun Artisan Fabric

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I discovered Winter Sun Designer Clothing when a couple of gals started selling last year’s design at our little Cotacachi market. Wow, I was immediately hooked! I have never seen anything like the creative handmade design of the fabric. So I started to investigate where I could find the location.  Luckily we now have Bronco Billy for transportation and we finally found the workshop which did not have a sign posted. So speaking my broken Spanish I am not sure how we managed an invitation for a tour. There was a security guard at the front entrance but he waved us through and an introduction to an  American woman so no problem with the language. She gave us a wonderful tour of the open-air studio workshop that overlooked the beautiful countryside of Otavalo.  They use wax tiles to print some of the material. The dye is natural from local plants and vegetables. Other fabric is actually painted by hand by the local artisans.  Once the painting is complete the fabric is hung up to dry in the warm Ecuador climate.

The studio was started in 1983 by an American artist that created this special studio to design fabric and clothing for the USA market. She only hires local talent which is still true during our tour. Please click on the link below to go to their website for more information.

Winter Sun https://wintersunclothing.com/

Winter Sun staffs the designers, artisan painters, the seamstress from Otovalo. The paint is layered on the fabric and each piece is unique and one of a kind. The designs are simply breathtaking and it was love at first sight. Winter Sun features hand-painted fabric with a focus on a free trade environment.

We toured the warehouse where the fabric is stored. We could not purchase any fabric at that time because the manager was not there and she was unsure of pricing. However, we returned a few weeks later and the manager took us on another tour and allowed us to purchase the fabric.  I have some nice tops that a local seamstress designed for me out of some of our of the magical fabric I bought.

Update Winter Sun was recently sold to an American and I hope the tradition of artisan fabric continues.

Thank you for following our journey in little Cotacachi which we call the Mayberry of the Andes!

Texas Annie Ecuador

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Wedding in the Andes Countryside

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Catching up with March on my blog. So hang in there I am nearly caught up!

March came in with a roar and nothing like a lamb since I am busy beyond belief. Winky Boy’s favorite veterinarian is getting married! If you will recall from previous posts Winky Boy was becoming seriously ill last year and nearly died. Dr. Marcela saved his life so she is my hero. Winky is now blind and diabetic but a year has passed which I call my bonus year with Winky Boy. So in gratitude, we hosted a bridal shower for Dr. Marcela at La Mirage Boutique Garden Hotel & Spa in a combination style of American and Ecuadorian. I was so lucky that one of our friends is a renowned floral designer and event planner from Fort Worth, Texas.  Yes, that is correct from my hometown in Texas.

Yikes, the bride wanted the theme of the shower of Galápagos where they will honeymoon. So without the help of Philip Combs, I could have never pulled this off. He suggested I should go to the Otavalo Market and search for Galápagos animals and we need shells for decorations. I was lucky because I collect shells so we had plenty. I worked and learned with Philip to make the flower arrangements which were given away to the guests when the shower was over. La Mirage as always did an excellent job preparing the refreshments.  So what is a shower without hostess gifts for the guests? I decided to give out little-potted plants of Ecuadorian Lavender. The staff helped me wrap each plant in mint-colored paper with a  delicate ribbon bow.

A bridal shower is not altogether different in Ecuador than in the US. They play dress the bride in toilet paper wedding dress and other games. The greatest compliment I received from Marcela was that she felt like Cinderella and I was the fairy godmother.

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I was shocked to find out I was to be a witness at the wedding.  What a great honor this is for me! The wedding was over the top and I admit I have never been to a nicer wedding with attention to every detail. Doctor Marcela’s little dog was dressed as a bridesmaid and had the wedding rings attached to her back. So as they say a picture is worth a thousand words.

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Thank you for following our journey in Cotacachi, Ecuador.

Texas Annie Ecuador & Billy Boy

 

 

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Say Cheese

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Going back in time to February as I catch up on my blog posts.

So we are off to the Cayambe Cheese Festival which produces some of the best cheese in Ecuador. So we load up our trusty Bronco Billy with friends and head to Cayambe which is a small farming community surrounded by flower plantations. We sample artisan cheese as well as specialty yogurt, craft beer, and Italian limoncello & mandarin liqueur.  A great time for all and then off to a friend’s home that lives in Cayambe that our hosting birthday celebrations for February birthdays, which includes Billy Boy.

This is a photo from our friend’s house that happens to be in the middle of a dairy farm. On a clear day there is a magnificent view of Cayambe volcano.

Birthday celebration! Our friends make a point every few months to invite folks that are having birthdays with a wonderful potluck luncheon. Back in Texas we never had anything like this regarding making birthdays special and the feeling that you are not forgotten.

Thank you for following our adventures in little Cotacachi, Ecuador which we refer to as the Mayberry of the Andes.

Texas Annie Ecuador

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