Why is this photo on my blog? Read on...The story has a few beginnings really but I'll pick one for today. A few weeks ago while attending my spinning guild meeting at historic Slater Mill, I was milling around( pun unintended) and checking out a display of fiber equipment. There was a wonderful old Leclerc Tissart Tapestry loom and in passing said to another weaver friend, "Boy, do I want one of those". Then we went on our way, her to teach a dye workshop and I to my meeting.
Fast forward a few weeks and I settled down one night after a busy day and was reading a newsletter from the weavers guild I belong to. At the top of page 5 was the classifieds...and the first entry read: Tissart Tapestry Loom: 60 inches with new aprons, rods, and new reeds to anyone interested for free... Well, two weeks later and it now sits beside me. I followed the assembly instructions but the diagrams aren't the best. I think I have it right but I have a question or two. I have tried tapestry on my floor looms and want to do more but knew immediately I needed a vertical loom, so as not to be hunched over and I didn't want to have to hold on to a frame loom. Did I ever think I would have this opportunity? No, not at all. Loom buying, of any kind, is not in my budget...So I consider this quite the gift on so many levels. I love to draw and paint but always kind of wondered where am I going with all of that? So it appears I am on a journey of sorts. I am excited and energized. There has been a reason why I own and have read books about tapestry weaving on a regular basis for years. I subscribe to a tapestry list and just soak up the information and some of my favorite blogs are tapestry blogs. It is funny how things just kind of present themselves and it is up to us to respond or not. I am happy to say I responded. But that is not the end of the story.
The day before I was to pick up the loom was my birthday. During the party my son, who owns a pick up offered as part of my birthday gift to take me for the loom. Great! I do forget sometimes that he really is fun to do these things with. He understands my spontaneity and goes with my flow. The woman who kindly gave me my loom asked if I would like to look at a loom she had bought for her church a while back for the kids to learn on...the church desperately wanted it moved as they had other plans for the space. So we followed her to the church. There was a 45" Hollandia...I just stood with my mouth hanging open... My son said, Mom, I am here with a truck, you are a weaver, we are taking the loom today. At this point I was numb. The owner of the loom and the church sexton were happy, I was overwhelmed with an embarrassment of riches...So everything was packed by the weaver's son and off we went. But before going home the weaver's son said, I am taking you for a birthday lunch. So off to a restaurant with seats near the windows, where the truck is parked to have a much needed lunch.
This past few days have been spent with moving furniture and looms around and assembling and researching and I can be caught with a big ol' grin and even tears in my eyes, thinking what's up with all of this...on the other hand, it has been pretty comedic trying to fit these wonderful additions to my home and life. It is also a feeling of affirmation. Still sorting through it all.
So as this plays out I hope to write about it.
And just for good measure, a sleeping hounds photo...what a life to just crash a few times a day, warm, cozy, full and loved. What's better than that?
Have a great day and thanks for reading.
