Wow...has it really been that long ago?!...

Greetings to you all!
I've been a bit busy over the past several months. I'm adjusting to increased hours at my main 'big boy' job. Ergo, I've not been able to tat and socialize as I would like. But, not to worry, I'm still tatting.

I've got alot of catching up to do and will be reading blogs and seeing what ya'll have been doing over the winter holidays.

For me, I'm a bit frustrated with a pattern. I finished another Sunflower doily by Blomqvist and Persson. That one is always a bit of a challenge. But, I started their Ice Crystal pattern and have had to trust that it is going to turn out alright.



The completed (unblocked) doily is the Sunflower doily and then there is the other mess. I realized after two trips to the center rings I was supposed to join the last chains as I tatted toward the center ring...oops...so, I'm working to keep the consistency throughout the doily...have I made a major mistake?...the jury is out.



And THEN, as I was tatting this morning I found that I joined the previous center ring in the wrong picots....UGGhhh! I'm ignoring that one and tatting as if nothing ever happened.

So, has anyone worked this pattern before and what was the outcome? Did you have the mess going on that you see above? Please send the good vibes my way.

It's great to be back in here and a giant HAPPY NEW YEAR!
john

Happy Halloween to you all!!

I've been quite busy and unable to spend alot of time tatting. However, I did finish the second round on the wedding hanky.



This hanky is for the daughter of one of my co-workers. I was going to add a third round until 'mom' said she liked it just the way it was presented....so, here is the completed project.




The corners were challenging. I increased the number of double stitches between the picots by one and added one small ring. The unfinished thread space was the biggest challenge. I learned as I tatted. I will wash, block, and press the linen. The thread is size 80. I'm happy with the final piece.


NOW, here is a recent find. I found an abalone shuttle. There is some worn writing on the front. I wanted to show you all to see if you have any information as to the origin of the shuttle.



You are able to see the writing in the previous picture and here is the back side.



The middle is metal and pictured here.



So, what do you think? I haven't used it yet but I'm sure I'll try it out sometime soon. I hope you have a wonderful evening!
john

A Seminar Created Just For Tatting

Good day to you all!
I've been sitting in a seminar for continuing education credits focusing on couples therapy. The greatest part of the seminar....It's a live video web cast. SO, I get to tat and watch. I've been working on the edging and finished attaching the edge to the handkerchief. Now I'm well into round two. The pattern is from an Anne Orr book. I believe the pattern for this is out there all over..that's just my source.





I also wanted to show you all the desk on which I take most of my photos. Many have asked over time what piece of furniture this might be...well here it is. After receiving my Ph.D., I gifted myself with this wonderful desk.



The artist is Linda Van Gehuchten. She is the premiere, female wood turner in the U.S. and created the desk out of a single piece of bubinga wood. She called me one day with urgency stating, I needed this piece of wood. It is absolutely gorgeous! The grain in the wood undulates in a way that, under the right light, appears to be three dimensional. So, there you have it...just thought I'd show and tell.

Now, it's off to 8 more hours of tatting and learning.
I hope your day is grand!!
John

Out With The Old

Out with the old and in with the new...well, sorta.

I've been tatting for 1.5 years with the Boye shuttles. Recently there has been an unexpected shift in the universe and I'm losing the battle. I've benched my Boyes for the current project. Below is a picture of the lonely boye...



I'm working on a hanky edge using new tools; a small shuttle, size 80 thread, a crochet hook, and measuring gauge. Here they are and the result of these surgical, precision tools. Should I admit it's not been too painful? I'm actually seeing the difference.



The Current struggle is starting new thread when there is space between each ring. I think I'm going to experiment with each new addition.

And now...proof of my addiction....the stack of hankies. I'm amassing a fine stash of pulled thread hankies. I'm open to intervention if anyone out there knows how to procede...OR, are you all contributors and enablers?



Have a Wonderful!!
John

Tools of the trade and more!

As you know, I went on vacation and rifled through several antique stores. I was so very excited to find tatting shuttles. I never thought of buying post shuttles because I've been stuck in my preference to use the metal boye shuttles. That bias was infiltrated by Nina Libin at TAT days. She suggested wonderful wood shuttles made in Russia which are perfect for her beading technique. The shuttles I purchased for her class are wonderful!



Ergo, a new addiction. While strolling through an outdoor antique market on Saturday morning of my vacation, I found a vendor with wonderful antique and vintage tatting tools, crochet works, and the hankies you've already seen. In this picture are three shuttles you probably have seen in the stashes of many tatters. BUT, I went overboard and purchased a sail makers shuttle. I'm thinking it will come in handy for something at sometime. (See, I didn't need it...I need rehab)



The crochet and bobbin lace pieces were in a pile and were being sold for pennies in relation to their value. I chose several which I believed at the time, were of higher quality or quite unique. (I may be wrong...but, I'm still learning)



I have this idea I'm going to accumulate wonderful works by many people in our past and who currently display their love for the art of lacework. I'm going to enjoy them and then, when I'm gone...(bless their hearts) my niece and nephew will have to figure out what the heck to do with it all. I'm already cuing them up to appreciate, preserve, and forward the group of work.



Now, living with a person who prides himself on being a minimalist (personally, I think that's a cover for obsessive compulsiveness), this 'accumulation' does not mesh well. That's where my creativity comes in and with a little help from the ladies at TAT days, I purchased a tatting tool organizer. They are out there. It's a fishing tackle box.



It even has room for a cooler. Large enough for a six pack of my favorite ginger ale or lunch...see?!



Well, I think that's enough a dose of my rambling for another day. I hope your weekend is grand and happy tatting!
j.

Call Me Crazy.....

The wanderer has returned. What a wonderful vacation I had. It began at the Palmetto Tatters Tat Days where I was finally able to put a few names and faces with my blogging friends. What a great time for laughing, tatting, and learning! Here are a couple pictures taken during the event (thanks to Hegla and her husband).



The class with Nina Libin was amazing. She is brilliant with her jewelry patterns as she makes a complex idea simple for the tatter. The end product is exquisite.



As for this pic,... Krystle's mama (Karrieann) is pictured. Our project was challenging and full of new learning... Karrieann was wonderful and laughter was enjoyed by all.

What a hoot!

Then, it was off to Boston and a high speed ferry out to Provincetown for a great week.



Cape Cod is as beautiful as ever. I enjoy the early mornings as the community awakes. I sit in the town square watching the window washers, street cleaners, and fishermen begin their days.



Now, for the crazy...

I have been on a bender searching through piles of vintage hankies. I purchased several hemstitched hankies which I hope to edge with amazing tatting. Here are a few examples of my recent finds. Is this part of the tatting addiction?...do I need a support group?







This is just a glimpse into the tatting craze. I'm home now....working to detox, sitting in my chair, one & two & one & two and picot. Give me a few days...I'll fill you in on the rest.

Happy tatting!
john

Avoiding the heat

Sooooo....I mailed off my apprentice pieces for the TAT program. I really have enjoyed the learning. The use of split rings was a large part of one piece. As a result, I pulled out Georgia Seitz' Cathedral Window Doily Pattern. It is such a wonderful use of split rings and negative space.



However, as you see, I used bulky thread and therefore the negative space is not as pronounced as I hoped. I will definately tat this pattern again using smaller thread. The tatting went quickly and overall I'm happy with the final project.

yeah, yeah I've still got to block it.



On another note, I'm looking forward to tat days and hope to see many of you there. Please introduce and reintroduce yourselves! I will be attending on Friday only...maybe one of these years I'll be able to stay for the full two days.
Have a great day!
j.