tapestry – Page 20 – Warped for Good

Lucia Tapestry

July 29, 2016July 28, 2016 Karen

I added one more letter to the Lucia Tapestry. The back of the tapestry is pretty messy. Since I weave from the back, I see the reverse image as I weave; and the scattered threads clutter the view. I am spelling my new granddaughter’s name. Each letter comes about slowly. I know what to expect on the other side even though I can’t see it while weaving.

Small tapestry. Weaving from the back. — Weaving from the back.

Baby Lucia is only a few days old. She does four things. Sleep, eat, cry, and have diaper changes. What she thinks or dreams or feels is a matter of speculation. My daughter and her husband are learning the hard way, as every new parent does. They only see messy threads right now, but they know Lucia has a special purpose.

Spelling granddaughter's name. Lucia Tapestry. — Lucia in progress.

And they are trusting the Lord to show them the important things about parenting. Trust is the basis of faith. The Lord is searching everywhere to find those who trust Him completely so He can strengthen them in their faith. The tapestry He is weaving spells out the names of those who put their trust in Him.

May you see through the cluttered threads.

Love,
Lola (Grandma)

Tapestry While Waiting

July 26, 2016July 25, 2016 Karen

Do you remember the baby wrap I was weaving for my daughter and her coming baby? Baby Lucia has arrived! And she is already capturing our hearts. I was glad to have a small tapestry to keep my hands busy while waiting her arrival.

Weaving from the back on small travel tapestry frame loom. — Weaving from the back on my small travel tapestry frame loom.

Tapestry spelling out grandbaby's name - Lucia. — Weaving letters to spell the name of our new grandbaby, Lucia. L – U – …

Observing a newborn infant is observing pure trust. She completely depends on her mommy and daddy.

First Day — New baby and new mother. Trust and deep affection.

It will take days and years for Lucia to know her parents and learn to understand their deep love for her. Oh, to have the heart of a child. Trust in the Lord. Simply trust.

May you rest as you trust.

Love,
Lola (Grandma)

Quiet Friday: Small Tapestry Bridge

June 24, 2016June 23, 2016 Karen

The unfinished small tapestry went in my travel bag this week. Travel tapestry is perfect for those waiting times at the airport; and gives me something interesting to do in flight. Best of all, while visiting my mom, she and I sat side-by-side one afternoon “doing art.” Mom used Staedtler coloring pencils to color detailed flower designs in a fancy coloring book; and I used Fårö wool to weave colors in the tapestry. What a sweet setting in which to finish this tapestry bridge!

May all your travels be pleasant.

Happy weaving,
Karen

Tapestry the Slow Way

March 1, 2016February 29, 2016 Karen

I weave small tapestries from the back, using a blunt tapestry needle to go under three warp ends at a time. I love blending the colorful strands of Fåro wool to get the shading I need. Every pick is purposeful; and I turn the little loom over frequently to keep an eye on the front side. If I weave all the way across at once, the selvedges start pulling in, despite bubbling the weft. Going under just a few warps at a time like this is the slow way, but it helps me control the amount of weft being placed across the tapestry.

Weaving small tapestry on travel loom. — Upper part of cartoon is held out of the way to examine the front of the weaving. Bottom half of cartoon stays in position, being held in place with small magnets.

Small tapestry in progress, "Bridge." Karen Isenhower — Bridge progresses one row at a time.

We can often avoid big problems by saying fewer words. When we keep talking, we lose control of the words that come out of our mouths. Words can hurt or heal. Unlike erring tapestry threads that can be pulled out and woven back in correctly, words can’t be undone. A wise person errs on the side of saying too little. Three warp ends at a time, weave across the row, and check the front frequently to see how the words are coming across.

May you choose your words wisely.

With you,
Karen

Tools Day: Magnets

January 12, 2016January 11, 2016 Karen

I am trying a new thing–magnets. Little magnets hold a cartoon in place behind my small tapestry. The magnets need to be strong so the cartoon does not shift. Yet, I want to be able to adjust or to completely remove the cartoon easily.

Small tapestry woven from the back, line by line. — Small tapestry is woven from the back, line by line. Three strands of Fåro wool are blended for the weft.

I have noticed other tapestry weavers using small rare earth magnets for this purpose, so I decided to give it a try. “Steve, do we have any rare earth magnets on hand?,” I asked. Steve went out to the garage, and came back with these. Perfect! Finally, a use for the magnets he had salvaged from worn out electric toothbrushes over the years!

Magnets for holding a cartoon behind a small tapestry weaving. — Magnets, salvaged from worn-out electric toothbrushes, give an extremely tight grasp for holding a cartoon behind a small tapestry.

Magnets hold the cartoon behind the weaving. Old toothbrush magnets! — With magnets in place, it is easy to raise the cartoon to ink the warp at strategic points, and then to let the cartoon drop out of the way while weaving. The tight toothbrush magnets keep the cartoon from shifting out of place.

Bridge under construction... Small tapestry. — Bridge under construction…

May you know what to discard and what to keep.

Until next time,
Karen