Going to my cousin Gretchen Carew’s cabin in Bemidji is like traveling to a museum of my life and childhood. I’ve seen the same fish above the flagstone fireplace since I was small, looked at the same knotty pine walls. It is filled with Gretchen’s collections and treasures, including my weaving. My favorite piece is a rutevev, the first piece I entered into a Vesterheim exhibition. It even won a ribbon.
By the back door is a fairly worn rag rug, made in log cabin with inlays similar to Vestfold patterns. 
On a cart, a small mat I wove while demonstrating at the State Fair one year.
A bookcase display includes a small tapestry I wove of her father, my great-uncle Edwin, home from World War II. (More on that weaving here.)
There aren’t just my weavings, but other Norwegian weavings, too. Here’s a lovely skilbragd on a trunk. (And there’s Edwin’s fish!)
A krokbragd looks great with a globe.
Here’s a detail of the nice bands.
Gretchen is a talented rosemaler. Documenting the beautiful Norwegian rose painting in the cabin would be a much longer post. But here is her piece that is currently in the exhibition at Vesterheim, through this weekend. You should go there and buy it.
It’s a bit cloudy today, but we golfed 18 holes and have wine, Scrabble, an episode of “Game of Thrones to watch, and walleye purchased from the Bemidji Locker. This is the best spot to be.
Robbie, This is just lovely to read. Gretchen’s cabin looks gorgeous – as do your weavings and her rosemaling! Mary >