I can't even begin to explain the mix of emotions today as my Farmor's loom finally made it to its new home. Getting the loom here was a much bigger task than I had imagined. It all started back in July with a conversation with my Dad - what ever happened to Farmor's looms? In August, the conversation began with my Uncle Sten about Farmor's loom - he and my Aunt were so kind to pass the loom on to me. Then in September, the conversations began with freight forwarders, customs officials, customs brokers, banks, shipping companies, etc. My Dad and I logged countless hours on the phone and computer figuring out how to get this shipped across the ocean...safely and without penalties...we learned the shipping business has changed a lot in the last few years and I could not have done this without his help! The loom eventually was collected from my uncle's house, packed and put in a crate. On Wed, Nov 6th, the loom finally set sail from Gothenburg, Sweden. It spent nearly two weeks at sea, stopping in Liverpool, then Nova Scotia and finally unloading in New York. Technology made it exciting to track across the ocean. From there it was put on rail and arrived to Minneapolis on Dec 2nd. There were a number of bumps and setbacks on this great journey, but it was, without a doubt, totally worth it! On December 6th, a full month after it set sail from Sweden, I picked it up from the warehouse in Minneapolis. I couldn't help get a little teary-eyed when I first saw the crate come out on the lift. All this time waiting....and there it was! What a moment!
This made me a little nervous....the crate was only made to be held by the forklift on the wide side, but the truck opening wasn't wide enough. They had to balance it on the pallets like this and then slide it in the truck. I suppose they do this all day long so it was no big thing. They probably thought I was a little nutty to be taking pictures of it all....especially when it was only 5 degrees outside!
Home!
Can you tell how cold it is? Of course it would come home on the coldest day of the year!
They did a great job packing it. Everything was in perfect condition.
I thought this one was funny....I can just see someone standing there thinking, "now, how am I gonna wrap this one up?"
Oh look! The loom came with a little boy! Haha!
He loved playing in all the wrappings.
Setting out parts and pieces.
"This is a BIG guy!"
Sorting through treasures.
We had to do some rearranging to make room for both looms...but here it is!
This room is filled with my family - Farmor's loom, Grandpa's easel and paintings, Auntie paintings, Great Grandma's yarn basket and picture knitting, weaving supplies from Aunt Lena....I am surrounded by love and creativity each time I step in this room. Makes my heart happy. :-)
I chose to have the looms facing the windows so I can look outside. In the summer I have the front door open and can see out front...I love that.
I am just so happy to have my Farmor's loom...and I like to think she'd be happy that it's here too.
Welcome Home!
