July 2013 – Page 2 – Warped for Good

Basic Plain Weave Rug Weaving Class

July 12, 2013July 11, 2013 Karen

I am learning how to weave rugs this week from Jason Collingwood himself! I know of no other name more associated with masterfully-woven rugs. I have found Jason to be very personable and humble, as well as an excellent, very organized instructor.

Jason graciously consented to sit down and have a conversation with me to share a few special tidbits. I will bring that to you next week! You won’t want to miss these personal insights from Jason, just for you, my friendly readers. (If you need a reason to sign up on the email list, this might be it. 🙂 )

Here are a few pictures, without captions, to give you an idea of the setting and some of my progress. The last picture is a view of Jason doing a demo on my cute little loom. (I have two more days of learning before I return home.)

May you find something interesting to learn.

Having fun,
Karen

You Were Made For This, Little Loom

July 9, 2013July 8, 2013 Karen

Remember that cute little Glimåkra Ideal loom? The one we re-sized so I could use it as a workshop loom? You can read about it here. Well, it is time to take the show on the road, so to speak. Time to go meet Jason Collingwood in his basic rug weaving workshop.

Rag rugs, ready to be hemmed. — Two new rugs, ready to be hemmed.

I wove like crazy to finish off another rag rug warp, yielding two more rag rugs. That gave me one more opportunity to practice taking everything apart (with a warp on the loom) and putting it back together again, before dressing the loom with the workshop warp. Done! And not a moment too soon. Whew!

Travel-ready Glimakra Ideal loom. — Side pieces flat on the bottom; with beams, loom parts, and tools organized into bags. Ready to go!

Okay, little loom, let’s go!

May you find fun in your week.

On the road,

Karen

Now for Some Sparkle

July 5, 2013July 4, 2013 Karen

You were created to live an exceptional life! Since there is only one you, this is your chance to shine.

Single-ply linen warp and weft, with glass beads to add to the weft. — 16/1 linen in saturated colors. The blue is for the warp, and the green and magenta are for the weft. Glass beads will be woven in with the weft. (At least, that’s the plan.)

These qualities are the glass beads that make your life sparkle:

Humility
Gentleness
Patience
Unselfish Love

And if woven into the cloth, instead of just loosely attached here and there, these light-reflecting beads will endure the test of time. Such sparkles, uncommon for many, will set you apart as one created for exceptional living.

May your sparkles increase and delight the ones you love.

For good,
Karen

The Windows Are Opening Now!

July 2, 2013July 1, 2013 Karen

Windows fascinate me. I even have a Pinterest board, Houses and Windows, because I enjoy images of windows. The windows in this cloth capture me! The fun part was seeing it happen. When I cut the cloth from the loom, I could immediately see the windows begin to form as the threads started relaxing. After letting the cloth rest a few days, the windows appeared even more. But the WOW happened when I gently kneaded the fabric in warm water, and hung it to dry. Seeing these handwoven lace windows made me silly with childish excitement!

Swedish Lace, also known as Mosquito Lace, or kneaded lace blocks — Handwoven Swedish lace, also known as mosquito lace or kneaded block lace. The spaces have opened up dramatically in the “windows” after having been gently washed and dried. Ready now for pressing.

(Compare these open windows with this before picture, while the fabric was still on the loom.)

What if we are little houses, and our soul has windows? Shall I keep the curtains closed, so no one can see in? But then, I can’t see out, either.

When I think of our grand weaver, and how he is so close by, I imagine him looking out those windows with me. He is not distant, but near. He stays involved, pointing out things he sees. Making the common and ordinary into articles of wonder and beauty. Stiff pieces of thread with a vague shape become wide open windows where the refreshing breeze blows through.

May the view from your windows be delightful.

Enjoying the breeze,
Karen