Yes, it's true. Things don't always work out how we expect them to; in art as well as in life. But, no matter the course--better or worse, there is much to be gained: experience, knowledge, forbearance, perseverance, wisdom. In life, as well as in art.
"We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28), "...And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;..." (Romans 5:3-4)
Speaking of art...I recently started this weaving project. I had picked out a variety of yarns of silk, rayon, cotton and some synthetic blends. There were different textures colors and thicknesses. I had an idea in my mind's eye, but one never knows how a piece will turn out until it's turned out.
I ruminated a while, then worked up the courage to warp my rigid heddle loom with this diverse menagerie of fibery goodness. Below is a picture of the result (I apologize for the low photo quality. My camera is lost and I had to use the web-cam on my lap top). By the way, I usually use the direct warping method with my rigid heddle, using highly technical equipment--including soup cans to hold the heddle up and a large jug of vinegar sitting on a dining room chair for my warping peg. I came up with it all by myself. Brilliant! I know, right?
Well, I wove about 4 inches and decided I wasn't really liking the results, so I decided to un-weave it.
Note to self: when weaving with multiple yarns on a rigid heddle, it is helpful to have a shuttle for each color that is LONG enough to go all the way across.
Another note to self: making such shuttles works well with wood from Menards, a drill press, ban saw and belt sander. Plan to make more in the future. (I did make one.)
I also decided I'd rather try my floor loom, though this would be a first for me--well, a few firsts: un-warping my rigid heddle loom, winding these sames strands as a mixed warp in a different order on my warping board without them getting all tangled in transition, and dressing my floor loom with the mixed warp. All things considered, most of that went pretty smoothly.
This time, I decided to go really crazy and try a twill pattern. Note to self: don't weave twill with such wide yarn, and with such a mixed up warp. After weaving about six inches of the pattern, I realized that what looks really cool on my little lap top using my weaving software (pixeLoom) does not necessarily look good in real life with big yarns. **sigh** More un--weaving. I'll have to photograph the floor in my studio now. It looks like a yarn hurricane hit. I'm sure many weavers can relate. :)
Moving on, I kept the loom warped as is was, but re-sleyed the yarn in the reed to condense it a bit where some of the thinner yarns were. I hit a local yarn shop to scout out different weft options, picked up a beautiful lace-weight silk to make my shawl warp-dominant, and hit the loom once more. This time I made it about two inches in and decided I needed to double up on one of my yarns. It turns out I had just enough! I threaded it through my loom, tied the front ends on to the lacing holding the other yarns. To provide tension on the back end, I experimented with different household objects and used little zip-loc bags with coins in them clothes-pinned to the yarn ends. I know, brilliant, right? It worked!
Once again I commenced weaving, this time with the turquoise silk yarn. I wasn't confident I had reached perfection, but I committed and wove to the end. I pulled it off the loom and hem-stitched it and wallah:
The result: greater weaving wisdom and a very colorful, drapey, highly textured shawl. I haven't decided what to do with the ends, and I may add some kind of embroidery detail. Maybe...
Next on the agenda:
1. Take a picture of the monster mess in my studio.
2. Clean up my studio.
3. Decide what to weave next.
4. Clean the house.
