Monday, December 29, 2008

The Transition from Nylon to Wool

I was pleased with the performances for Christmas Eve and for Sunday morning, 12/28. Each time is a monumental step for me since I've only been playing for 4 years. The big steps this time were in being better prepared and dealing with the nerves. I was the most prepared this time - even staying up until 11 pm see how the music goes that late. I've also learned recently that our bodies respond to being nervous and being excited in the same way - same rush of hormones and flutters in the stomach - it's what we think about it that changes it into something negative or positive. So, I would tell myself that I was excited - which I discovered meant I didn't have to control or eliminate the flutterings or the shaking in the hands. The "symptoms" didn't go away - but they also didn't control me - or get worse. Therefore, I was open to being relaxed and musical and that was appreciated!

In the congregation on Christmas Eve, there also was a harpist - and I am so glad I didn't know she was there until afterward! She owns a number of harps and rents out what is not currently in use. I've been wondering what it would be like to move to a pedal harp - so maybe in 2009 I'll get a change to try it without the huge investment! Hmmmm.... All I need is something new to pick up!

So now that all of those performances are over I can make a serious move from the harp's nylon strings to the wool of the weaving! I did finish the transparency sampler before Christmas Eve. I do like it in the fact that I did achieve the trans- parency and did get some definite lines between the blocks. The choice of colors and blending did hinder seeing all of the blocks. Still, the engineer in me was hoping for more definite lines just in this case. So I'm thinking of remaking the sampler with eccentricly woven blocks. I'm hoping the texture change would give better definition. That'll be the project the next few days.

One other weaving project I've been keeping secret can now be told since we are past Christmas! I have 4 nephews. We had found fossils sometime in September for them and learned in my tapestry weaving class how to make pouches by weaving around cardboard. On and off as we traveled, I would pull out wool from needlepoint days and made 4 pouches with their initials on them. Once opened, my sister even hung them on the tree - what a happy addition. Maybe she'll fill them up every Christmas....

However you decide to spend it,
I hope you have a happy new year!

6 comments:

Tommye McClure Scanlin said...

Jennifer,
CONGRATULATIONS all around...for your performance on Christmas Eve, which I'm sure was beautiful; for your transparency sample... looks good; and for the little bags for the fossils! I'm glad to see your wonderful results of that quick cardboard loom suggestion at Arrowmont.

Here's to a happy, productive and successful new year to you both!
Tommye

Jennifer said...

THANK YOU! I received a small digital comera for Christmas so I can readily carry it everywhere. I was thinking it also needed a pouch! That cardboard loom is great for trips!

Happy New Year!
Jennifer

OzWeaver said...

Jennifer,

How interesting to hear that you are a musician as well as weaver. I can't tell you how many times I find they go hand in hand. The harp is a beautiful instrument!

Great work on the transparency sample and the fossil bags! Lucky nephews!

Brenda

K Spoering said...

What clever gifts! I bet the boys will treasure them. Your explanation of how you dealt with your nerves sounds like how I have to do it - they don't go away, we just learn to 'do it' anyway. Good job! And the tapestry is looking good, too.

Jennifer said...

It's interesting that changing my attitude is letting the nerves be who they are -

I've been told I must have a "string thing" since I'm combining the harp and weaving!

Thanks for the encouragement on the tapestry!
Jennifer

Loree Jackson said...

Your tree looks very cool! But I love the abstract piece in the middle photo :)