Lucia Tapestry
- By Karen
- July 29, 2016
- 2 Comments
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.
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.
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)
2 Comments
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Tapestry While Waiting
- By Karen
- July 26, 2016
- 13 Comments
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 my small travel tapestry frame loom.
Observing a newborn infant is observing pure trust. She completely depends on her mommy and daddy.
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)
13 Comments
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Congratulations, Peace Love and Happiness to Grandma & Grandpa
Mom Baby and Familly -
Congratulations! A beautiful little girl!
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Happy news – many congratulations! The waiting is difficult but worth it
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Congratulations! A beautiful baby, with a beautiful name. We had a Lucia in our family too!
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What beautiful little girl, congratulations!
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Beautiful!
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Congratulations!
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I can imagine you can’t wait till her first weaving experience with you!!! Congratulations. I truly enjoy your website. I wish I could complete half the projects you do but I will keep trying!
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Welcome Lucia and congratulations to parents and grandparents!
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Congratulations! They both look so serene.
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Congratulations!
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What a beautiful baby, congratulations! What a wonderful tapestry with her name! Love your blog!
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Quiet Friday: Thirteen Cushions
- By Karen
- July 22, 2016
- 17 Comments
There is always room for more cushions and pillows. What better way to use handwoven fabric? Making cushions puts the fabric to use where it can be seen and touched. The very first project on my first floor loom was fabric for a throw pillow, with a cottolin warp and 16/2 linen weft. Unsightly selvedges are nowhere to be seen!
From the all-linen blue and brown dice weave cushions to the wild and hairy pillows with rya knots, each one makes a statement. Each one says, in its own way, “Welcome to our home.”
Enjoy this little slide show video I made for you.
May your handwoven fabric be put to good use.
Happy Weaving and Sewing,
Karen
17 Comments
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I loved the slideshow! The pillows are so pretty…enjoy your Friday!
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BRAVO!
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Love your slide show, Karen! Your pillows are lovely……….just like everything you make.
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Karen, I adore those dice weave pillows especially the beige and cranberry version. Lovely work!
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the 3 chairs reminded me of Goldie locks and the 3 Bears.. great pillows!
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Love your slide show!
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Just lovely! May I ask if these are plain weave? and what your epi (or epcm) was? And did you beat firmly? Or equal to warp?
I don’t have a Glimakra – yet. Hoping to find one in the next few years. VavStuga biased me.
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Very inspiring. Thanks to you, I’ve decided to weave the fabric for pillows for my loveseat. Thank you!
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Thank you for your information! And congrats to you for a new beautiful Lucia in your life.
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What Rag Rugs Should Be
- By Karen
- July 19, 2016
- 3 Comments
My goal for every rag rug I weave is to make a pleasant footpath that lasts through many, many seasons of wear. What makes an exceptional rag rug? Quality of workmanship and design. Tightly-packed weft, snug selvedges, and high quality materials produce a strong rug. And, great design includes an interplay of weave structure, color, detail elements, and functionality.

Tightly-packed weft in a double binding rag rug gives no hint of the opposite colors that show on the reverse side.

Double binding uses a two-block threading that determines where color changes can occur in the weft pattern.

Two ski shuttles are used for weaving the two layers of a double binding rag rug. Consistent tight selvedges contribute to a long-lasting rug.
Strength is like a quality handcrafted rug that handles daily foot traffic. And joy is like the artist’s design, the colorful pattern, that is woven into the rug. Strength and joy go hand in hand. We see this in creation. And in our Creator, who gives of himself to those who come near. Be refreshed with strength and joy.
May you be refreshed.
With you,
Karen
3 Comments
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Karen-
I don’t know the term double binding. Do you have a draft I can see?
Thanks,
Tobie
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Second Half of the Rug
- By Karen
- July 15, 2016
- 6 Comments
I have five yards of the blue fabric, and no more. I’m in a pickle if the blue runs out. The pile of blue is dwindling fast. No worries. Two simple habits resolve the issue. I don’t have to wonder if I will have enough blue to finish the rug.
My secret?
1. Mark the halfway point on the measuring ribbon. This gives a point of reference.
2. When cutting fabric strips, divide the strips into two piles. Put one pile aside, reserving it for the second half of the rug.
This practice enables me to adjust the rug design, if needed, before it’s too late. On the current rug, the wide stripe across the middle just became a little wider.

Marked measuring ribbon shows I have passed the halfway point of the weaving. The rest is all downhill!
What point of reference is there for leading a fulfilling life? Can we know if we have what’s needed to finish well? Our hearts search for truth. We know we need a reliable point of reference. Search for the Lord; seek him. He is the reference point of truth that brings coherence to our existence. We can trust our Grand Weaver to put aside for us everything we need to live a fulfilled life, all the way to the end.
May you have what you need when you need it.
Happy weaving,
Karen
6 Comments
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Good morning, Karen,
I love your illustrations. They are so clear and to the point. Great ideas. Well thought out. This shows that you have much wisdom, not just with weaving but with the LORD as well. I always say that every thing we do has a little secret to teach us. Thank you for the blessing and the teaching. I receive it. -
Love this in all levels, thank you! God bless!
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I love your point of reference comment at the end. So TRUE. God Bless
Oh what a beautiful way to express the weaving in our lives. Being a new parent is so difficult, so much to learn, so much to do, and so little sleep. I know they will be blessed through all of these days ahead.
Liberty
Liberty,
Yes, there is so much for a new parent to learn. It is a challenge that brings a lot of joy. The baby is a blessing and such a wonder.
Karen