A Happy Little Woven Piece

In my last post a few weeks ago, 

I was just beginning to work on a 

small tapestry face.

It was a project I had wanted to try

for such a long time.

I had recently finished weaving

my Eccentric Woven Eyeglass Case

and my sweet Mirrix Loom was sitting empty

and ready for a new warp!

I had just added the Spencer Treadle

(an electric foot pedal)

to my 22" Zach Mirrix Loom,

and I was eager to give it a try.

I put on a small 3" wide warp,

sketched a small face

(inspired by my sweet friend Mindy Lacefield)

you can find her online class on painting faces

right here

Instead of using paints, I was going to create with fiber!
(I even used some of my handspun yarn for her hair)

Each morning before work

I sat at the loom and wove a little before my day began,

sometimes a coffee and scone helped me along!

Boy did I learn many lessons during this tiny

weaving project ...  I didn't think something so

small could teach me so much!

It's definitely not as easy as it seems

I had to learn to adjust to an electric pedal for sure

Even with a small cartoon behind, the design might change

Tapestry continues to kick my butt

I am learning and growing stronger as a Tapestry Artist

I love this weaving process so much

Mirrix Looms are amazing for sure

I made some mistakes, but I also learned how to correct them

I am inspired by other Tapestry Weavers

that make this look so easy

So meet my little "Ruthie"

dedicated to the amazing

Ruth Collier Manning

who inspires me with her weaving,

her gentleness and her wonderful faces.

She makes it all seem so effortless!

One day I will have the pleasure of

taking one of her classes in person!!!

I'm kinda in love with her!

I wonder what my next little person will look like,

can't wait to start another one!

Have a great rest of your summer ...

I'll return after Labor Day with a more regular blog posting.

I told myself I would return to my big tapestry the beginning of fall,

and I have to put a new warp on my Mirrix to keep working

on my online class with the amazing Rebecca Mezoff!

Summer time is meant to have no rules and no deadlines!

It has been a special time of being with family, my puppy,

taking the time to rest the soul,

rejuvenate my spirit,

and prepare for the fall!

I did all that and more!

Donna Lee

Tapestry Artist

(well ... Learning and Discovering Tapestry Artist!)

Tapestry Teaches Patience

Beginning

I have been participating in a "Weave-A-Long"

with Mirrix Looms

for a little while now,

I thought this eyeglass case would be easy

and that I could just whip it out!

I had to think again!

I love working on my 22" Zach Mirrix loom,

while my big loom in the studio is occupied

with an even bigger project!

I have been working on Part Two of

Rebecca Mezoff's online Tapestry course

(another incredible learning experience)

for awhile now and just wanted to play with my loom

before diving into Part Three (can't wait)

I purchased the kit for the eyeglass case,

loved the colored yarn choices

and Claudia's hand dyed silks were beautiful

to blend in with the fibers.

I was ready to go.

Warping the loom is one of my favorite

parts of weaving.

It is a slow process; it requires lots of thinking

but the end result forms the foundation

on which to weave.

I love it.

Slowly tapestry begins to form

I was playing around with a process

called Eccentric Weave,

something I wanted to learn, 

but was afraid to try.

So when Mirrix Looms offered this

project and I could learn the weave structure,

I was excited to try!

My little Annabelle loves helping me weave

Beating is her favorite thing!

I am sure that many of the participants

in the Weave A Long have finished their

Eyeglass Case project,

I have not.

In fact, I have learned so much with 

each and every row woven in this project.

Here are my lessons learned:

Eccentric weave is beautiful and fun

I don't want to rush any project

because I am enjoying every row

Tapestry teaches me to slow down

and to enjoy the process of weaving

(It's not always about the finished product)

For me weaving along other people

is a motivator, but I still must go at my own pace

Tapestry weaving cannot be done quickly

I love weaving in the quiet with no distractions,

I can hear my inner voice coming through

I wish others could learn this amazing art

Tapestry allows the fibers to run through my fingers,

it's all about a sense of touch

Tapestry weaving is a meditative art

it forces me to slow down, think and take it in.

Tapestry speaks to me

Every row teaches me something new

As of this morning 4 1/2" woven ... 3 more to go!

On this quiet Tuesday morning with coffee in hand,

it seemed like the perfect time to write about something

I am extremely passionate about!

I love to weave quietly in the morning,

before things begin to happen in our household,

it is a gift I give to myself!

Perhaps this is why the words of

  Carole King's song Tapestry

rings so true in my own life . . .

I have certainly loved this song my whole life!

"My life is just a Tapestry of rich and golden hue . . ."

Me and my Hokett loom while traveling to Squam Retreat,

(Fiber and Weaving are always with me)

If you ever get the chance to learn this gentle art,

I encourage you to do so!

There are so many opportunities out there,

and weaving have had an explosion of attention lately.

I'm glad I have come full circle after 35 years,

and returned to where I began my own weaving journey.

Oh the lessons I have learned and I have so far to go.

I love to think of the yarn fibers that have passed

through my hands over the years.

I stand here grateful for having been drawn to this process

oh so long ago.

I am a better person today because of it.

Patience and slowing down is slipping away from all of us,

I'm just glad that when I sit at my loom,

even if only for a few minutes in a day,

it speaks to me ...

Donna Lee just enjoy where you are right here and right now

nothing else matters in this moment.

Relax and breathe it all in