Karen – Page 162 – Warped for Good

More than Meets the Eye

May 3, 2013May 2, 2013 Karen

We are surrounded with ordinary things. If we focus entirely on the ordinary we can miss the extraordinary that’s right in front of us. Something amazing happens and we don’t even notice. I’m not just talking about everyday miracles — a baby takes his first breath, a rosebud opens, a butterfly escapes from its chrysalis. I’m talking about the hidden things that are only seen with a special lens.

handwoven band — Woven on a two-treadle band loom, this cotton/linen band will be used as trim, straps, and handles.
(Click to enlarge)

Anyone might appreciate a woven band like this, but a handweaver will see things about this woven piece that wouldn’t occur to the casual observer. It makes sense that a weaver would see threads and cloth with a different lens than someone without weaving experience. What kind of lens do we need in order to see beyond the surface of ordinary events in our lives?

Faith is the lens of spiritual eyes, and by wearing this lens we are able see the amazing things God is doing around us — things unnoticed by the naked eye. There will always be the everyday miracles that we don’t want to miss, but I want to be one of the few who see the back story of how the threads of life are intentionally being woven together.

May you capture the wonder of intricately woven threads in your life.

Constantly amazed,
Karen

When Things Don’t Make Sense

April 30, 2013April 29, 2013 Karen

I may not be a math or science expert, but I’m pretty smart, and can figure most things out. If I get stumped, I keep trying until I find the answer — usually.

handwoven rosepath band — For this turned Rosepath design, threads are sleyed unevenly through the 15-dent-per-inch reed, meaning the number of threads per dent varies across the width of the band.

I tried, but just could not understand the instructions for sleying the reed for this Rosepath Band. I did my best, but the start of the weaving revealed I didn’t get it right. When I examined the threads that were bunching up, I saw my error. Aha! The once confusing instructions now made perfect sense! In life, when we don’t understand the instructions, or can’t make sense of why things happen, our impulse is to question the instruction-giver.

I removed those first few inches of weaving, untied, re-sleyed correctly, re-tied, and then began weaving again. Beautiful! Once I got a fresh perspective of the instructions, everything fell into place. We have the false notion that the instruction-giver for the universe is like us, when he’s so much greater. His instructions are written with love, through a perspective that’s far above our humanity. And the results are beautiful!

May you enjoy instructions that make perfect sense — most of the time.

Still learning,
Karen

Quiet Friday

April 26, 2013April 25, 2013 Karen

threading draft for handwoven rosepath band — Weaving draft with complex threading pattern is hanging in view for constant reference while threading.

stabilize shafts for handwoven Rosepath band — Cords from the back of the loom to the front keep the shafts stable, made necessary by the very narrow weaving width.

handwoven rosepath band selvedges — First little bit is rough at the edges, but being my second attempt at starting, I’m simply thrilled it’s working! (First attempt had to be un-woven, un-tied, re-sleyed, and re-tied. Whew!)

weighted pattern threads for handwoven rosepath band — Slat separates the pattern threads (which weave in at a lesser rate of take-up than the plain weave threads) at the warp beam, and is drawn down with elastic cords. View is from the back of the loom.

Handwoven rosepath band on cloth beam — Woven band follows its path to wind around the cloth beam, layer upon layer.

Quietly yours,

Karen

Indirect, Irreversible, and Impossible

April 23, 2013April 22, 2013 Karen

The easiest and shortest route isn’t always the best path out of trouble. When I want to change negative behavior, I start out trying really hard; but when my effort meets resistance, I tend to go back to old habits.

removing Texsolv heddles — Texsolv heddles, tied into groups of 50, before removing them from the shaft bars

I removed all the excess heddles left from the warp rep rug. 2,760 heddles, reduced to 274. We want to improve, making positive changes in our behavior, but are we willing to remove the heddles that supported our old ways? The heddles that once served us well are now in the way. It’s silly, but we keep some of the familiar old ways, just in case we want to go back into trouble…

In the ancient story about rescuing people from slavery in Egypt, God chose a path for the escaping Israelites that was indirect, irreversible, and impossible. God opened up the Red Sea for the people to cross, and then closed it back up. He essentially eliminated a return route to captivity. If we let him, I’m sure he’ll close off our return route, too. It may be not be the easiest path, but freedom is never easy, is it?

May you find courage to leave old ways behind for good.

(I can hardly wait until Friday to show you what I’m weaving now! Hint: It has to do with Rosepath–my favorite Scandinavian motif.)

That’s My Story and I’m Sticking to it

April 19, 2013April 18, 2013 Karen

Everyone has a unique story. Most of us are engaged in our own narrative, watching the chapters go by. Discovering the meaning in our personal story is a lifelong pursuit. Where do I fit?… Who am I meant to be?… Do I add value anywhere?…

handwoven warp rep rug — After many hours of planning, warping, weaving, and finishing, this warp rep rug is ready to be put to use!

The colors and graphic boldness of this design won’t fit just any ol’ room. But don’t worry! This rug will be perfect for one special room, and we’ll all exclaim, This rug was made for this very place! Don’t we all hope to say that about ourselves? I was made for this… I’m in my sweet spot… My life is making a difference…

If I’m in a story, surely there is an author! When I delve into the author’s story, I end up finding where I belong. My story is being written within a much, much bigger story–one that I can base my life on. (Handweaving is one element in this current chapter of my story; and for that, I’m incredibly grateful.)

May you find your sweet spot in the bigger story.