Faith is What We Need

This is from a little book called "Living Faith". This exert is written by Steve Givens

Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

From time to time I receive emails that say something like: "Read this prayer below. Make three wishes. Pass this on to ten people. In three days your wishes will come true!" I know these people mean well, but we need to remember that God operates on a slightly higher plain than: "Act now and you will receive...."

This beautiful and often-quoted verse from the letter to the early Hebrew Christians was meant to set them straight on this topic, just as it does for us today. Faith is not the same as hope. We don't get what we wish for because we pray harder or more frequently than others. Rather, when we have faith we already have what we need. Faith is what we hope for. Faith is not just believing in what we cannot see; it is evidence that what we cannot see is really there. Faith leads us to pray: Never mind what I want; give me what you know I need. Give me faith.

Quotes

I collect quotes. I write them on my walls of my studio. Here are a few of my favorites:

Hating people who wronged me only kept me in their power. Forgiving them and thanking them for the lessons they had taught me, set me free to continue on my way. Le Ly Hayslip

Art after all is the expression of sensations to subtle for words. Robert Henri

Art is a catharsis. Dorothy Parker

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined. Thoreau

New rugs

I've been working really hard over the weekend on two rugs. I really wasn't sure I liked the pink and brown until I took it off the loom. The other is a multi-colored one of just leftover colors. Kind of a go anywhere rug.

Twisted Weft

There is a weft technique used a lot in old Shaker rugs. I have yet to try it, but I was reading about it in the "Rag Rug Handbook". It looks quite interesting. Take two contrasting colors and wind them on the shuttle. Put that through the shed and then twist in one direction. Then go to the next shed and twist in the same direction or opposite for a different effect. It gives a speckled effect and should be fun to try.

I was featured on a Blog

I am so excited to be featured on a blog!! It is http://etsy365.blogspot.com/. She is doing a Valentine's giveaway and I sent her one of my handmade heart cards. So then she blogged about everyone's Etsy site who sent her stuff. She had some very nice things to say about me. So Check it out.

Rag Rug Handbook

Another great book I found is the Rag Rug Handbook by Janet Meany and Paula Pfaff. This is the greatest book ever!! It tells everything you need to know about rag rugs. How to prepare the material and what to use, how to put it together and all sorts of patterns. It has many patterns for two harness looms which is what I have. How to do all sorts of stripes both horizontal and vertical. 20 different rug projects and even a room sized rug. How to sew the whole thing together and make a 6 x 9 ft rug. There is even a great history of looms chapter. It tells about all the great old loom makers. This is an excellent book for anyone making rag rugs.

Antique rug

So now that I weave rugs, I have started a collection of antique rugs. One of my friends had this braided rug and I traded some cattle panels and a few hours of my time for it. I think I got the better end of the deal. It is 9 x 12.5 feet and is multicolored but soft colors. It is all sock tops braided and then hand stitched into this massive rug. It looks amazing on my wood floor. Thanks Winston!!