Biruta Friemanis

Tumshevic family portrait. Seen here parents Irma and Janis with children Biruta and Ilmar. Janis is decorated with, left to right: The Order of the Three Stars, The Order of Viesters, The Aizsargu or Home Guard Cross of Merit, an unconfirmed commemorative medal and an unknown badge (below).

Traditional Latvian patterned blanket made by ethnic Latvian Biruta Friemanis of Calgary, Alberta.

Textile on construction paper; school project created by Biruta Friemanis' grandson.

Knitted socks created by ethnic Latvian weaver Biruta Friemanis of Calgary, Alberta. Photo taken November, 2011.

Wedding portrait of Biruta Tumshevic and Eduards Friemanis, Edmonton, Alberta, 1948.

Custom-made loom used by ethnic Latvian weaver Biruta Friemanis of Calgary, Alberta. Photo taken November, 2011.

Recent photograph of childhood home in Leipaija of ethnic Latvian Biruta Friemanis of Calgary, Alberta.

School report written by grandson of Biruta Friemanis. See Friemanis 69 for extra text and Friemanis 68 for project image.

Ethnic Latvian weaver Biruta Friemanis showing her knitted, wool blanket. Photo taken in November, 2011.

The "sun" pattern shown here in bookmarks woven by ethnic Latvian Biruta Friemanis of Calgary, Alberta.

Traditional Latvian mittens made by accomplished weaver and ethnic Latvian Biruta Friemanis of Calgary, Alberta. Photo taken November, 2011.

Latvian belt woven by ethnic Latvian Biruta Friemanis of Calgary, Alberta.

Crocheted blanket woven by ethnic Latvian Biruta Friemanis of Calgary, Alberta.

Socks made by accomplished weaver and ethnic Latvian Biruta Friemanis of Calgary, Alberta.

Custom-made loom used by ethnic Latvian weaver Biruta Friemanis of Calgary, Alberta. Photo taken November, 2011.

Ethnic Latvian weaver Biruta Friemanis shows her woven belts, November, 2011.

Samples of Latvian mittens created by ethnic Latvian and accomplished weaver, Biruta Friemanis of Calgary, Alberta. Latvian mittens have significance apart from design and function; they were traditionally given as wedding gifts to the bride and were in ancient times, tied to the festive costumes and worn as decoration. Photo taken November, 2011.

Text written by Biruta Friemanis' grandson, Christian for a school project.

Detail of knitted blanket by ethnic Latvian weaver Biruta Friemanis of Calgary, Alberta. Photo taknen November, 2011.

Latvian mittens knitted by ethnic Latvian and accomplished weaver Biruta Friemanis of Calgary, Alberta.

Label indicating the quality of wool used by Latvian weaver Biruta Friemanis of Calgary, Alberta. Photo taken November, 2011.

Traditional Latvian mittens created by ethnic Latvian and accomplished weaver Biruta Friemanis of Calgary, Alberta. Latvians have been knitting and weaving for so long that archaelogists have found mittens dating ten centuries back! The multicoloured fringe on the top mitten is a motif common to the Vidzeme Region but the colour choices are common to Latgale. Floral patterns are most commonly used in Kurzeme and Vidzeme.

Biruta Friemanis on her wedding day in Edmonton, Alberta. 1948.

Ethnic Latvian Biruta Friemanis showing her scores of hand-made mittens. November, 2011.

Knitted blanket designed and made by ethnic Latvian Irma Tumshevic, mother of Biruta Friemanis, for her athletic grandson. Photo taken in November, 2011.