This is such a marvelous addition to my day! I am not a weaver.....or a spinner.....or a dog owner. But this was just such a joy to read and savor. Thank you.
You're woven tapestries are out of this world. I have no concept of how you even make those. I imagine it takes a lot of patience. Absolutely love your newsletter. I found it about a month ago and open it as soon as I see the new edition in my inbox. I love how your illustrations invite your reader into your thoughts and your world (and your dog's world).
Thank you Aimee! Oddly, I'm not sure I need patience for the weaving itself. Or even the design--I just get engaged and am in if, if you know what I mean. I have to practice patience much of the rest of the time though!
These are absolutely beautiful and I appreciate all the steps you took to produce these masterpieces from the inspiration, the planning, the dyeing of threads to the execution despite all the business of everyday life. Thank you for sharing your memories and your past work. We definitely need some beauty in the world these days.
How true Lynda -- finding beauty and moments of mental (and physical), rest amidst all we have to absorb every day is so important . So glad you can find a wee bit here.
Sarah, I just love that your dogs feature prominently everywhere. I find that I am tracking through memories and parts of my past based on the dogs we had at that time. Thank you also for the nod to Kids Weaving! I bought that book this summer, thinking I'd work through all the projects, and am mid-way through the friendship bracelet, and looking forward to winter days to work on other projects. Cheers!
Whoot! Thanks for playing with Kids Weaving. What delight to know that. Fun to make the friendship bracelets too cuz no loom or anything. Isn't it interesting that we can remember the date/ time of a certain thing because of the dog(s) who lived with us at that time? Such a great memory boost.
I tried weaving on a Swiss “school” loom during our first Corona lockdown. It was a pretty strict lockdown and I didn’t have internet. So I made everything up based on the lone picture on the box. I haven’t... progressed beyond that. But I am still interested in the last footnote expansion.
The Gussett just helped me get more enthusiastic about this gloomy day - thank you! And I was going to ask about the itty bitty leashes, so please do tell whenever you get to it. Thanks for all of it, Sarah.
I might have gasped a little bit when I got to the loom you just built. I mean, the tapestries you made so beautifully - yes, I paused to take those in. Looking at the threads, the mastery, imagining the joy of creating these magnificent works! In fact, yours are high up on the tapestries that I saw which further fueled my inspiration to make my own. Not so many months ago, I was filling my brain and working with my hands to learn ALL THE THINGS. All the techniques. The how of it all. I'm still finding my weaving identity. Yet something weird has happened. Weird and wonderful. I started a couple of sampler tapestries to try out said techniques. And then, I sat down with some bags of various yarns - off cuts from previous learn-by-doing works - and I just started weaving. No plan. No technique in mind. Just letting whatever yarn I pulled from the bag do what it wanted to do. And then, it was so strange... techniques I really thought I had barely a grasp of started appearing from my fingers. Wedge weave, something I'd wanted to try but hadn't learned yet, appeared. Eccentric weaving started happening. Flow started happening. So I reckon, seeing that loom you made me, with a strong dose of giddiness, think of possibilities. What a delight you are! I love that you jump in with both feet. I love that you plan. You're making me see there's a place for both. I think I always knew that. And now I know it better. Thank you so much for sharing these writings with us. They are truly wonderful in a myriad of ways!
Oh Ellen, what a delicious feeling to slip into the flow almost accidentally. I"m thrilled for you. And thrilled too, that I get to play a tiny part in that. Because of course it is your hands secretly knowing all about wedge weave. I heard the other day that while our brains take in a certain amount of information ever minute (or hour or second or something), our bodies take in about 20 times that in the same time span. So it's like your brain has been creating some general guidelines and absorbing what it can while your hands are just like: "Sh.....thanks but right now I"ve got this. Just give me a quiet moment and some yarn."
When you have an idea for a cartoon or something, your brain can come back later and help out again.
More ear scritches to Beryl, please. And, as I'm very new to tapestry (and often seduced away by my rigid heddle looms), I would love to learn more about the heddles and lengths and the why of which ones you used where. As always, a lovely read - thank you!
Oh, Sarah, you never fail to brighten my day with your emails! And since I just decided that my old shoulder and neck can’t manage the shed handle on my Zack Mirrix anymore I would love to see how you use your short heddles.
I'm absolutely inspired by your willingness to be open to whatever the loom tells you! I can't wait to watch the evolution of this tapestry. In the romance-writing world, there are "plot it all out before writing" people and "write by the seat of your pants" people, who hate plotting. They are called pantsers and plotters for short. You've been a plotter--and now you're wandering, happy, into pantsing. I, for one, am eager to be a fly on your wall!
Pantsing bigtime --even as I wrote out the seat of many a skirt and pair of trousers sitting at those plotted tapestries. But gosh -- WHAT a glorious word.
Which are you? (I have my suspicions given your incredible and wondrous output, but you crack yourself up so much I kinda suspect a fair bit of pantsing happens every day)
hi Sarah, I think I know why you use fairly short heddle strings but I was wondering what the 3 sticks at the bottom are for? thanks for another fabulous letter, I enjoy all your writing, painting and weaving.
YES! Absolutely interested in the technical stuff. Lovely edition as usual, Sarah. Thanks for putting these out every week. They really are a treat and each is a treasure.
Yes, I definitely would be interested in learning more about the "technical stuff". Why have the shorter heddles?
Warping the loom and not having a cartoon...I am excited to see just what you do. Whatever it is, it will be such fun to watch the process. Thanks for taking us along on this adventure.
This is such a marvelous addition to my day! I am not a weaver.....or a spinner.....or a dog owner. But this was just such a joy to read and savor. Thank you.
If I may make a suggestion, start with a dog. You can’t go wrong with a best friend
tee hee!
Gosh Mary, thank you! What a delicious compliment. Thanks for being such a nice human.
You're woven tapestries are out of this world. I have no concept of how you even make those. I imagine it takes a lot of patience. Absolutely love your newsletter. I found it about a month ago and open it as soon as I see the new edition in my inbox. I love how your illustrations invite your reader into your thoughts and your world (and your dog's world).
Thank you Aimee! Oddly, I'm not sure I need patience for the weaving itself. Or even the design--I just get engaged and am in if, if you know what I mean. I have to practice patience much of the rest of the time though!
These are absolutely beautiful and I appreciate all the steps you took to produce these masterpieces from the inspiration, the planning, the dyeing of threads to the execution despite all the business of everyday life. Thank you for sharing your memories and your past work. We definitely need some beauty in the world these days.
How true Lynda -- finding beauty and moments of mental (and physical), rest amidst all we have to absorb every day is so important . So glad you can find a wee bit here.
Sarah, I just love that your dogs feature prominently everywhere. I find that I am tracking through memories and parts of my past based on the dogs we had at that time. Thank you also for the nod to Kids Weaving! I bought that book this summer, thinking I'd work through all the projects, and am mid-way through the friendship bracelet, and looking forward to winter days to work on other projects. Cheers!
Whoot! Thanks for playing with Kids Weaving. What delight to know that. Fun to make the friendship bracelets too cuz no loom or anything. Isn't it interesting that we can remember the date/ time of a certain thing because of the dog(s) who lived with us at that time? Such a great memory boost.
❤️❤️❤️ Wow. Wow wow wow.
And. I love your footnotes.
I tried weaving on a Swiss “school” loom during our first Corona lockdown. It was a pretty strict lockdown and I didn’t have internet. So I made everything up based on the lone picture on the box. I haven’t... progressed beyond that. But I am still interested in the last footnote expansion.
Wow. That is a serious lockdown. And much applause for even beginning from nothing more than a picture! Well done you.
The Gussett just helped me get more enthusiastic about this gloomy day - thank you! And I was going to ask about the itty bitty leashes, so please do tell whenever you get to it. Thanks for all of it, Sarah.
Aaandddd, the sun just popped through!
Ahhhh -- sun. Is glad. And thanks for asking about the "itty bitty leashes!" Best description ever.
So, so, so beautiful. Your life always seems so rich to me!
Geez, and I always think that when I read your work. Those hours by the creek at the FS cabin.... ahhhhh.
it's kinda the only thing I want to be doing anymore 😂🥰
I might have gasped a little bit when I got to the loom you just built. I mean, the tapestries you made so beautifully - yes, I paused to take those in. Looking at the threads, the mastery, imagining the joy of creating these magnificent works! In fact, yours are high up on the tapestries that I saw which further fueled my inspiration to make my own. Not so many months ago, I was filling my brain and working with my hands to learn ALL THE THINGS. All the techniques. The how of it all. I'm still finding my weaving identity. Yet something weird has happened. Weird and wonderful. I started a couple of sampler tapestries to try out said techniques. And then, I sat down with some bags of various yarns - off cuts from previous learn-by-doing works - and I just started weaving. No plan. No technique in mind. Just letting whatever yarn I pulled from the bag do what it wanted to do. And then, it was so strange... techniques I really thought I had barely a grasp of started appearing from my fingers. Wedge weave, something I'd wanted to try but hadn't learned yet, appeared. Eccentric weaving started happening. Flow started happening. So I reckon, seeing that loom you made me, with a strong dose of giddiness, think of possibilities. What a delight you are! I love that you jump in with both feet. I love that you plan. You're making me see there's a place for both. I think I always knew that. And now I know it better. Thank you so much for sharing these writings with us. They are truly wonderful in a myriad of ways!
Oh Ellen, what a delicious feeling to slip into the flow almost accidentally. I"m thrilled for you. And thrilled too, that I get to play a tiny part in that. Because of course it is your hands secretly knowing all about wedge weave. I heard the other day that while our brains take in a certain amount of information ever minute (or hour or second or something), our bodies take in about 20 times that in the same time span. So it's like your brain has been creating some general guidelines and absorbing what it can while your hands are just like: "Sh.....thanks but right now I"ve got this. Just give me a quiet moment and some yarn."
When you have an idea for a cartoon or something, your brain can come back later and help out again.
Please pass on to Beryl that I think her comments are the best bits. (And I cant wait to see what your tapestry turns into too!)
More ear scritches to Beryl, please. And, as I'm very new to tapestry (and often seduced away by my rigid heddle looms), I would love to learn more about the heddles and lengths and the why of which ones you used where. As always, a lovely read - thank you!
Will do on both counts!
Oh, Sarah, you never fail to brighten my day with your emails! And since I just decided that my old shoulder and neck can’t manage the shed handle on my Zack Mirrix anymore I would love to see how you use your short heddles.
That's a great point Lynn -- the shed handle approach vs the string heddles. Thanks!
I'm absolutely inspired by your willingness to be open to whatever the loom tells you! I can't wait to watch the evolution of this tapestry. In the romance-writing world, there are "plot it all out before writing" people and "write by the seat of your pants" people, who hate plotting. They are called pantsers and plotters for short. You've been a plotter--and now you're wandering, happy, into pantsing. I, for one, am eager to be a fly on your wall!
Pantsing bigtime --even as I wrote out the seat of many a skirt and pair of trousers sitting at those plotted tapestries. But gosh -- WHAT a glorious word.
Which are you? (I have my suspicions given your incredible and wondrous output, but you crack yourself up so much I kinda suspect a fair bit of pantsing happens every day)
hi Sarah, I think I know why you use fairly short heddle strings but I was wondering what the 3 sticks at the bottom are for? thanks for another fabulous letter, I enjoy all your writing, painting and weaving.
OK! Thanks.
YES! Absolutely interested in the technical stuff. Lovely edition as usual, Sarah. Thanks for putting these out every week. They really are a treat and each is a treasure.
I found a copy of Kids Weaving and found it very helpful as a beginner a few years back. It was just what I needed.
Yes, I definitely would be interested in learning more about the "technical stuff". Why have the shorter heddles?
Warping the loom and not having a cartoon...I am excited to see just what you do. Whatever it is, it will be such fun to watch the process. Thanks for taking us along on this adventure.
Great! I"ll see if I can be clear about it.