WARPED!

Well, I suppose that WARPED! is a strange title, but you'll see what I mean! It is my pleasure to announce the running operation of my newest loom--the Union 36! For those of you who read my blog often, you may remember seeing pictures of both my looms a while back. The reason I'm so excited is that warping is a BIG job and I have been trying for 10+ years--ever since we moved in here, to get the old loom warped and ready to make rugs again. I guess it took a winter storm to make that happen--though it is the new loom that is warped first!

Now with the Union 36 done, I have a new goal of getting the other up and running! It is an old friend and I don't intend to retire it permanently. However, the Union 36 is a great little loom and with all parts in working order, it was a pleasure to weave with it.

 

EXPLANATION OF WEAVING TERMS

 WARP--The threads that make up the front to back or "vertical" part of the weaving, they run the length of the project.

WEFT--The rags, yarn, or other material that goes back and forth (horizontally) forming the item.

SHUTTLE--the wooden device that carries the weft back and forth

SHED--The space between the warp threads when you press the pedals. The threads separate and allow you to put the shuttle between in order to weave.

REED--The metal device that is the final thread carrier for the warp. It is in the handle of the loom and beats against the weft. Reeds come in various sizes.

HEDDLES--The wire thread carriers that are attached to the "harnesses."

HARNESS--Frames that lift up and down (operated by the peddles) that separate the threads (over and under) so the weaving can be created. Looms with more than two harnesses can make fancier patterns.

SHOT--one pass through of the shuttle

 

This is the first of the weaving. Warp threads are tied on to the apron. I used a yard stick and some old socks (scrap rug material) as something to beat against to start the first rug. That will all be pulled out later when the rugs are cut off the loom. Warp is applied--20 shots--to create a finished edge for the rug. You can see that "see through" area in front of the rags. I never can get that to pack tightly down, but it will shove nicely into place when I tie the ends during the finishing process.

 

Pulling the beater bar back to force the rags into place. You can see the reed in this picture (red bar is the bottom of the reed). See the dark strip of fabric? It is positioned between the warp threads. It is rug material waiting to be packed into the existing rows. Four rows are in place in this picture. One harness full of heddles is clearly visible in this picture as are the pedals underneath the warp threads (near the floor).

The shuttle loaded with rags, the stretcher bar applied to stretch the warp threads evenly from side to side. This helps the edges stay even--an issue I always seem to have. See the black and blue pieces of fabric in between warp threads? You always leave an arc of fabric before packing it down. This helps alleviate stretched edges and allows for enough weft fabric to "take up" when beaten back.

Two shuttles wound with rags. The larger one is very nice and came with the new loom, however I switched to the other early in the process--it seemed easier to use. It is homemade and was given to me when I purchased the other loom. Maybe I'm just used to it--but it sailed through the "shed" easily with its rounded edges.

The first part of the rug all woven. It ended up being almost exactly 1 1/2 yds. long--a most desirable length for a rag rug. It will shrink up a bit when removed from the loom and tension is let off. The rug is about 29 1/2 inches wide. Most customers will purchase this size readily. Nice selvedge edges on the right, a little sloppy on the left--not sure why. I've got room to learn!

 

 There is something about weaving rag rugs that just makes me smile. I love it! It's like the spinning--I just love the craft. Maybe making something out of nothing and salvaging scraps to make a useful product is the beauty of the rag rug art. I enjoy seeing the colors as they appear before my very eyes and make lovely wavy patterns that can be enjoyed for years to come!

What has changed since I last wove a rug? My hair color--and it's now easier to see the work with glasses on! Blessings, LORI

TRANSITION SUNDAY

I've been wanting to make this happy announcement for quite some time! On January 5, 2014, in the midst of the big blizzard, Clint and I drove to Fremont, Indiana and were officially commissioned to the pastorate of Fremont Community Church! We are very excited to be serving and we look forward to what God will do as we minister there! The founding pastor and his wife, Greg and Ruth Chupp, have been so wonderful! They have worked to make our transition a blessing. Their love for the church is obvious and they have been our most dedicated cheerleaders and supporters as they transition out of the leadership role at FCC. Also, FCC has a wonderful group of people on the leadership team that have been so great during this time! We are blessed to have such couples working with us!

 

Our pastor and his wife, Pastor Ross and Jen Gerber, were in attendance to speak at the service and pray for us. Pastor Ross is standing with us while we explain why we have an old-fashioned plow up front for the event! His wife, Jen is in the front row. They just transitioned from the role of lead pastor to assistant pastor at our home church, Grace Christian Fellowship. For the past year our home church had been moving through a transition where the associate pastor and his wife would assume the lead role that Pastor Ross and Jen held for many years. It was a blessing to experience a healthy pastoral transition that went so smoothly. And we can say the same for our transition experience that began this fall. It's been a time of transition for many of us it seems! I guess January can be that way!

 

One day I awoke with verses running through my mind about "putting your hands to the plow." I knew we needed to get one of these old fashioned plows for an object lesson for this transition service. Amazingly, one of the congregation members had one and brought it for us to use. All of the leadership team "put their hands to the plow" along with us and we prayed for wisdom and guidance and committed to working together for the church's future!

January 2014 is three years since we finished our other pastorate and there were times when we wondered what the Lord had for our future. But through a series of very interesting events and prophetic words from people we trusted, we found ourselves being led to the ministry in this small Indiana town! At this point, we do not intend to move but rather we will make the commute.

We are spending one day/week at the church in addition to Sundays and we both are still working at our other jobs. I am enjoying being involved at the church. I help my husband make phone calls, visit people, and help out however I can. I have also done some decorating in the foyer and the area where we meet for services! What a blessing to serve the Lord!

Just wanted to share our joy with all of you! Blessings, LORI

SLEDDING IN A WINTER WONDERLAND

We had a fun time playing outdoors in the snow while the grandkids were home for Christmas! We sledded all around the farm and built a snowman! Good family times together. Making memories for the future!

Sophie and Huxley posing with our snowman! He has eyes made from walnuts and of course, the traditional carrot nose. We found a broom and hat for him and some sticks for arms! He began a slow melting process the next day, but the kids enjoyed noticing that some of the snowman was still left yesterday covered with several more inches of  new snow.

I even took a short sled ride at one point! Not as easy getting up and down on a sled as it used to be especially with layers of clothes encumbering me! Somehow more difficult to get around in the snow than when I was Huxley's age! Huxley really enjoyed the adventure though!

Aunt Rhiannon, me, and the oldest grandkids making cookies with my Mom looking on in the background. Four generations here in the kitchen all at once!

 

Looking forward to a prosperous, blessed 2014!

 

Blessings to you! LORI