Tah Dah!

I'm tooting my own horn a bit here...sorry.



Well, here it is. The finished leaf pattern (or finished for now). I adjusted the center by tatting a center ring with eight picots and ended that pass with the tail. The second pass just helps fill the center and stabilize the outer pass.



I figured out how to go from the center out and it seems to work well. The picture below includes the first leaf I posted several weeks ago and shows yesterday's leaf along with the finished product.

AAAAhhhhgggg!

AAAAhhhhhggggg! (ala Charlie Brown)

So, I measured the insert for the linen towel after the first pass. Just right! (yeah right!!). After completing the second pass and placing the insert on the towel it is about 1" too short. I can stretch it to be 'just right' but I've not washed it yet and really believe I've tatted a wonderful book mark and will need to begin again on the insert for the towel. That won't be too bad...it provides me the ability to gift something different. I think I've still got time.

Additionally, my evening with tatting went something like this...

ok. shuttle 2 r:4d+4d-4d-4d cl r
so, I start tatting 4d+ 2d-2d-2d-2d- Arrrggghhh! pick, pick, pick,
so, that's corrected...next time the ring with 4d comes around I tat 3d+3d-3d-3d and cl r ARRRRrrrgghhhh!!! must open ring, must open ring, (I hate opening rings)pick, pick, pick

so, you get the picture...I was a bit preoccupied. HAPPY TATTING!!

Back on Track

Well, the hospital staff party was a great success and tatting has been on hold for awhile. I became frustrated with the kippahs. The tatting was not the problem. The actual construction of the kippah became a struggle. Not to worry, I'll get back to them. I just needed a break. (anyone else jump from project to project? ;-) I'll post pics of the process later.

BUT...I really needed to pick up the tatting if for no other reason...to relax and enjoy. I still marvel at how therapeutic this craft can be! Here's the newest project. I'm rushing to get one or two Christmas presents ready. I think I've got a new favorite insert.




I'm really happy with this insert because it's quick and quite pretty. It is a creamy yellow, two pass pattern from the Catherina Austin "A New Twist on Tatting" book. It will be attached to the linen hand towel.



SSHhhh....! I think I'm giving it to my niece.

I want to check in and let you know I've been busy. I've been preparing for a staff Christmas party which I'm hosting on Thursday. I wasn't too sure I wanted to get my Christmas tree put up before then because it's so early.

Well.....



I worked most of the day yesterday on the tree. I really do enjoy decorating the Christmas tree. I literally save up my pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters and buy the tree. This is my own little tradition.



I use all clear glass and silver glass ornaments, a ton of lights, and the longer branches all get a chrystal icecycle hung from the tip. Here's closeup..Did I say I love Christmas?!

I hope you enjoy your holidays!

Happy Thanksgiving!

On this Thanksgiving eve I hope you all are well. For those in the U.S. and in other countries, I hope you'll join me in reflecting over the next couple of days.


I've been working on something new. I have a few Jewish friends. One asked me what in the world I would do with my tatting other than lay the doilies around the room. I began to think about how I might incorporate tatting into normal life...for them, they wear kippahs during services...and so, my current project. I've tatted a simple motif and an edge which I will attach to a navy silk satin kippah.

I have to make a pattern, cut and sew a kippah with a black cotton lining (that's for the Thanksgiving break). For demo, I've used a light blue kippah from a Bar mitzvah as a pattern (shown in the picture below). It's very evident in so many of my pictures...I do not like hiding threads.


One problem...I'm not quite sure how to finish out the project. How do I attach the edge and the motif to the kippah. I'm going to pretend I know what I'm doing and work to stitch on the pieces. If you have any suggestions...feel free to fill me in!

I hope to have a finished project in a few days and will post the pics as soon as I'm finished. Until then, Happy Thanksgiving!

Attempts at a leaf design

Here are a few sketches as I began to experiment with the maple leaf. My idea came as I worked on the variegated pink hanky edge. I neglected to join one of the sides and as a result began to imagine a leaf.






Well, I'm learning by doing. Here's the first version....I began with the inner ring and stem. It just was not going to work without a bit more structure.

The second version was more structured but lays a bit wonky...yes it's a term (at least in my vocabulary)




And finally this go 'round is my latest version. I think it's about there except I need to figure how to work it from the inner ring out. I imagine the ring with picots will begin the motif rather than what I actually did here. I tatted the inner ring as the final round. Obviously, I have to hide the ends. So, What are your thoughts?

Attempts at a design....

Ok ya'll,

Do you want to see my attempts at the maple leaf design or should I just wait for the final project? I'm getting close to completing the pattern. It's been interesting....I find myself working the motif backwards (i.e., I've been working the outside pass first and then the interior of the leaf). That's not even taking into consideration my left handed approach to tatting. As usual I've been working in my comfortable zone white DMC 20 thread...figuring I will use the variegated thread on the completed project.

So, let's hear it...to post or not to post?!