Friday, May 11, 2012

Weaving




What have we here? Well, yesterday I had the pleasure of spending the afternoon with Anne Marie. And I had recently found this loom kit like I had when I was a little girl. This was all the big thing back then, and moms never ran out of the many potholders we all made. I hadn't seen one of these in years and years and was surprised that you could still buy them. Do you remember them, and did you have one?? Anne had never seen such a thing before and it took quite a bit of time and patience, but she made her first one and was so proud of it! I'm glad I was the one to teach her.


THE WEAVER
My life is but a weaving between my Lord and me,
I cannot choose the colors He works steadily.
Oft times He weaves sorrow, and I in foolish pride
forget He sees the upper but I the under side.
Not till the loom is silent and the shuttles cease to fly,
shall God unroll the canvas and explain the reason why.
The dark threads are as needed in the Weaver's skillful hand,
as threads of gold and silver in the pattern life has planned.
Benjamin Malachi Franklin (1882-1965)

30 comments:

SquirrelQueen said...

Oh my goodness, I remember those loom kits. I made bunches of pot holders on those. Anne looks like she is having fun with it too. The one in your header is so pretty. That is a beautiful poem Ginny, thanks for sharing.

DawnTreader said...

Never saw one quite like that but I did have a miniature loom in my childhood, only it resembled a big one in structure. I think I did some carpets for my doll-house perhaps.

Reanaclaire said...

oh Ginny, they look so nice.. I havent see any loom kits before over here..

Hootin Anni said...

Ohhhhhhhhhh, nothing but pure sweetness in this post. The smile on Anne Marie's face, and the pride both in her accomplishment AND your writing.

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

I had one of those as a kid - I still have one of the potholders I made. I love the colors she chose.

From the Kitchen said...

I do remember that activity very well. In fact, my sisters and I made them for family and also sold them door-to-door in our neighborhood. We planned to amass a fortune doing so but spent all our earnings on ice cream from Jerry The Popsicle Man who pedaled through our neighborhood in summertime. What a nice memory and was a darling Anne Marie at work.

Have a wonderful Mother's Day my friend.

Best,
Bonnie

Nikki (Sarah) said...

love the pictures of the weaving. When we visited Corrie Ten Boom's house, they read that poem and it really touched me. Wishing you a very happy mother's day Ginny...from my heart to yours.

MadSnapper said...

the first photo of Ann Marie is just plain gorgeous. she is so very beautiful. and yes, i had one of these and loved it and those pot holders lasted forever. had no idea they were still around and look exactly like what we had. i love the poem and have copied it to pass it on. Happy Mothers day, you deserve that for being Mom to Ann Marie and Ella bella if for nothing else.

FilipBlog said...

well done, it looks great.

Greetings
Filip

Rose said...

That poem is one that goes round and round in my head at times...it was one my mom loved.

Lady Jane said...

Oh yes made many many of these. Isnt it fun to share precious moments with your granddaughter!!! I took a copy of The Weaving" it is beautiful. Thanks for sharing. Love LJ Whoops, have a Happy Happy Mothers Day....

Stephanie V said...

I knew a couple of kids who had store-bought looms. We used to make our own with small nails on wood frames. I loved making potholders and place mats.

Lynn said...

I love them and yes for a few years I was very creative with those looms and you are so correct, mom's never ran out of our potholders! I have seen them, but cannot remember where, maybe Cracker Barrel??? Also believe they are not the steel loom but a type of plastic now. Could be wrong about that. Anne did a wonderful job with her first. She deserves to be a proud crafter. Such a nice way to spend the day together. Wasn't life so much simplier and in many ways, lovelier back then because people actually sat and talked to each other, had tea, did crafts etc. I mean these were highlights of one's days. Ok, before I get booted off for being an old lady, have to say this...my daughters used to buy me beautiful writing paper for Mother's Day, something I still love, but now my handwriting is "messier" and I can type so much faster. She said, she saw some but since I was so "21st century with a blog, FB etc, she did not think I like writing paper anymore or send snail mail letters" hehe. So while I do love the days long gone for their simplicity, I like digital SLR's and computers and email. Happy Mother's Day and Grandmother's Day Ginny!

Unknown said...

I love your pictures but I love the poem even more - how in the world do you keep coming up with such amazing stuff - it blow my mind! I would love to have that poem framed on my kitchen wall.

Anonymous said...

Hi Ginny, I saw this and got all excited as I used to have a similar loom. My brother-in-law does a lot of weaving and creates accessories for looms and spinning wheels. So, although I have not done any weaving for a long time, it is an interest of mine. Good you have taught your granddaughter so nicely. She is quite an artist! Have a great day!

photowannabe said...

Anne Marie did such a great job on her first pot holder.
I remember having a loom like that too. Lots of fun and so satisfying to see the end project.
I remember the story Corrie Ten Boom told about the other side of the tapestry. I always loved it.

Ruth Hiebert said...

Beautiful work. Now I would like to find one like that to create things with my granddaughter. Got start looking for it.

Anonymous said...

Yes, I fondly remember making these potholders for all my mom's friends. Wishing you a happy Mother's Day, Ginny. I love this poem.

Linda said...

Beautiful post, Ginny...and I love the photos! Happy Mother's Day. Thank you so much for sharing.

Fred Alton said...

Loved the post, and yes, I did have one of those small looms as a kid. I enjoyed making a few pot-holders for my Grandmother and Mother. (Of course, as a male child, I could not let my friends know that I actually liked doing this.) Anne Marie looks so pleased with herself. I also loved that verse about God seeing the necessity for the dark threads while we mortals could not.

Chatty Crone said...

That is one of my all time favorite poems. It means a lot to me.
Happy Mother's Day! sandie

Marie said...

Adorable photos! Hope you have a wonderful Mother's Day!

Shanda said...

I used to love those loom kits and then my daughter did too! Some things are timeless.

Ann said...

Oh yes, I had one of those and I used to have so much fun making the potholders. Anne Marie did a great job with her first one.
I love that poem. I've never heard it before

Thistle Cove Farm said...

40 decades ago, my mother sent me off to college with that poem. I still have the bookmark; it's stood me in good stead.
Lovely potholders...I make them and use them for mug rugs.

Ann, Chen Jie Xue ι™ˆζ΄ι›ͺ said...

what a good thing you kept the loom, and you can now spend quality time with Ann marie. A beautiful weaving too.

Anonymous said...

Very colourful...and it must be so exciting for Anne Marie. We didn't have these loom kits but girls did a lot of basket weaving with colourful plastic "threads".

Tanna said...

OH, yes, I remember those kits, Ginny!! Loved them. So glad you enjoyed doing this weaving with your precious Ann Marie! She is a doll. And, thank you for that poem... I have some weaving friends I will have to pass that on to. blessings ~ tanna

Alice said...

My daughter got one of these a few years ago for her birthday.

It does take a lot of patience, but I do have a nice potholder:)

Karin said...

This reminded me of a beautiful song with the thoughts of your poem in German. Just beautiful! Good job Anne!

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