It started with a prickly pear cactus in the front yard of our Texas hill country place, and then a photograph. Now, I have a woven representation of this interesting specimen of our Texas landscape! I am hoping that Steve will whittle a rustic rod from which this cactus banner will hang in our home.
Eager to hang this transparency, I didn’t want to waste any time. I finished the ends of the piece with a zigzag stitch on my sewing machine. And I sewed casings at the top and bottom. Now, in full view, a little back lighting reveals the complete picture of the woven threads.
We weave thoughts and ideas in our heart. And when we speak, we bring those thoughts out into the open. Words reveal the treasures of the heart. When we speak words of value, we bring our choicest treasures out in the open. And what a welcome picture that is.
May your words be received as treasures.
Love,
Karen
Wow! Looking back at your June 30 post of the photo and how you started this project is fun. The details in the shading create an amazing effect. Great job!
Hi Barbara, I’m thinking about framing the cactus photograph to hang near the transparency. The light plays off the yarn and gives it a feel of realism that surprises even me.
Thanks!
Karen
Thank you Karen! I am not a weaver, but my daughter is. Each time I read your blog I have been blessed not only in seeing what you are weaving/teaching/learning, but the words you use to share bring it all to life and encourage not only the weavers but those who are blessed in seeing the work of the weaver unfold. May He bless you, encourage you and fill you with wisdom and much joy to continue the work He has to do in you and through you.
Hi Deborah, Thank you for sharing the treasures of your heart with me! Your words have ministered to me today more than you know.
Blessings,
Karen
Karen
Well done! The cactus is so realistic with your use of shading. I want to keep clear of those prickers.
Hi Betsy, Haha! Yes, there’s nothing as irritating as a cactus pricker. 🙂
Thanks!
Karen
Karen- it is absolutely fantastic. I have never done a transparency but I now would love to try . What an inspiration! The stickers on the cactus are so realistic.
Just fabulous!
Hi Maria, I hope you do try it! This project has been great fun. Transparency weaving is quickly becoming one of my very favorite things to do. It makes me happy that you like the finished piece. That means a lot!
Happy weaving,
Karen
Your piece turned out incredible.
Cindie, I appreciate your compliment. Thank you so much! This was so much fun, I think I’ll do another. 🙂
Karen
Beautiful! Weaving transparencies is rather fun! Did you use something other than wool for the spines? Just curious, because sometimes when I weave white wool into a transparency it doesn’t show up very well. One other question – what brand and type of wool did you use for the greens?
Hi Lynette, I have to agree – weaving transparencies is fun indeed!
I did use wool for the cactus spines. All of the wool in this piece is 20/2 Mora. I used 4 strands of yarn in each bundle, which gave me a lot of opportunity to blend colors. Most of the white is white and off-white blended together. By blending 4 strands together, it greatly multiplied my palette of greens. As much as possible, I tried to combine colors that are close in value, so they would really blend together well.
Thanks for sharing your transparencies with me. Your work has been a huge inspiration!
Karen
The spines definitely look 3D! Great job!! Hope you will bring it to WOW sometime so we can see it in person.
Hi D’Anne, I will bring it to WOW so you can see it close up. I learned a lot with this project.
Thanks!
Karen
Thank you for showing us the finished piece. It is lovely! I find your whole process of transparency weaving to be fascinating.
Hi Cindy, It is certainly a fascinating process. I have started planning out my next one!
Thanks!
Karen
Hi, I came across this post while searching for information about using linen weft for tapestry. I had never heard of transparency weaving before and it has spurred a huge interest for me! I bought a book– I forget the author but I believe it’s the only one in English– and have been learning a ton. I can’t wait to try this out. I weave on a Mirrix, and don’t have a floor loom, but I am fairly confident I can make that work. It will be strange for me not to really pack my weft, and to put two wefts in the same shed. Can’t wait!
Hi Emily, How exciting! The book I’m familiar with is “Sheer Delight: Handwoven Transparencies,” by Doramay Keasbey. It’s an excellent book, and very inspiring.
I don’t see any reason why you couldn’t weave a transparency on your Mirrix loom. I hope you enjoy this type of weaving as much as I do!
Happy weaving,
Karen