My Weaving Project, Finally in Use

Almost a full year after finishing my weaving project, I finally found something to do with it. You may notice that it has no name, other than "weaving project," because I never knew what I'd do with it. I just learned and experimented with weaving techniques. I hadn't done any real weaving since I was a little girl and made "potholders." 

Because of the spontaneous, unplanned patterns I had fun creating, I ended up with a strange shape, rather than a rectangle. And as it "settled," it became even less of a rectangle. One of the enjoyable things about weaving was that I could even take it home as I worked on it. It didn't leave a mess, nor did I have to change into clothes that could get messy.

This year, cleaning for Passover and trying to get rid of things, I even thought of giving it to my son's dog. Yes, I was that desperate. One of the reasons I didn't give it to her is that she's much bigger and wouldn't enjoy or fit sleeping on it. Then, also as my pre-Pesach purge, throwing things away, I decided to dump our two bathroom mats. That's because every-time I laundered them dirt would clog up the washing-machine filter. So instead of either buying another mat or using floor rags in the bathroom, I decided give my weaving project a purpose.

What do you think?

Now I really have a reason to smile!

What can one do with a work of art like this?

Removing the "work of art" from its loom.

Weaving, "It's all in the journey..."

My weaving teacher pulled the whatever off of the loom for me and did some finishing on it.



So, now I have to figure out what to do with it.

I was getting pretty annoyed, or stressed from everyone asking me, so I began answering:

"It's all in the journey..."

Sounds flaky, but it's pretty accurate. In all honesty, I get more out of the creativity in the weaving, in figuring out where the colors should go and how to shape them, and then discovering techniques on my own. Besides that, it's very exciting to discover that there are art forms, art media that my particular talents can excel in after hearing how I'm "not talented in art" throughout my childhood. I feel like I'm making up for lost time, wasted decades and worse.

"Old age" is a "second chance" in a way. It's also a last chance, because we don't live forever. So I really enjoy and appreciate that now I can participate in the senior citizens activities on Sunday. And even more, I am so grateful that we get two hours of crafts. It's like a dream come true in many ways.

My new weaving project is very different. It is much smaller. It's round, and I'm using threads I donated from what's left after I had crocheted hats. And, of course, I'd prefer you not ask me what this is going to be, thanks.

Finally Finished, Sort of...

As many of you must know by now, Sundays are holy for me. I make no plans. It's the day I do my arts & crafts at the senior citizens club. I've always loved arts & crafts, all my life, for as long as I can remember. When my kids were little, I didn't buy them toys, but they always had papers, crayons, scissors, paste etc. Those were the best toys. And yes, the crafts can't be done on Shabbat. They did have blocks and permitted stuff like that, which are still in the house.

Most weeks we do mosaics, but sometimes we weave. Now, my weaving experience had been limited to those potholders we wove on a simple metal frame when I was little. And, yes, we got those for my children, too. And I even bought them for my grandchildren, but by then the frames were made of plastic.

One of my neighbors teaches the weaving. All of the "staff" are neighbors who volunteer their precious and professional time. We just pay a nominal fee to help cover costs of materials. There was a choice of large and small wooden looms or a round metal one. No surprise, but I chose the large one. And no surprise that I found weaving row after row horrendously boring, so I jumped from "first time beginner" to "intermediate" within minutes, not that I knew what I was doing.

As you can see, I started playing with the colors, not following a pattern or rules and figured out how to get two colors on the row. I also found it much easier to set the loom up as an easel and sit across from it. It's much more comfortable, at least for that size loom, and I can't understand how others bend over the table and survive.

I'd take it home to work on when I had time, though it was much more fun to do it with everyone else. And it did take a long time.

And now it is finally finished. I did the last few rows at home. But now I don't know which way it should go and what to do with it. It still need "finishing touches," which are beyond my capabilities and knowledge right now. The neighbor will do the "finishing" for me.

While weaving it I'd be asked what it was for, and I'd answer:

"Occupational Therapy."

That is true, but still I'd like to find a use for it. I've been giving the mosaics away as gifts.

Progress on Weaving Project

someone else's weaving project

Yesterday at the "senior citizens" crafts activities we were back working on our weaving projects. It had been a pretty long time since we did weaving. I had brought mine home and did some work on mine at home, but not the past couple of weeks. So I was really excited about having the opportunity to devote a solid couple of hours on mine and get some feedback from others. The night before I very carefully wrapped it up with all the yarns/strings I had, so I could take it to the club house.

Everyone was amazed as I unwrapped it. They hadn't a clue as to how it was shaping up.



As soon as everyone saw it, they agreed that it's "unique." That's probably the best way to describe it.

I definitely got a lot of weaving done yesterday and had a good time socializing too. Just another few hours weaving, and it's finished, Gd willing. Then I'll bring it to the teacher so she can tie up loose ends...

PS No, I don't know what I'll do with it. Honestly, I haven't a clue.

29 and going strong, bli eyin haraa!

Last night, we in Shiloh celebrated our 29th Anniversary of the return of Jewish Life to the Ancient Capital of the Jewish Nation!

There were two parts to the celebration. One was exhibit of the some of the various and varied Shiloh artisans. Pictured here is Gretta, who has been our premier art teacher since arriving in Shiloh. In addition, there were ceramics, weaving, woodwork, silk screen, graphics and more.

And then there was the party, which was attended by the young and young at heart. That's Shiloh.