Another Tribute to Gina...

It's been a long time since you've heard from me. I've been quietly tatting and processing life. Finding it difficult to figure out what to say and how to say it, I know we have lost a wonderful woman in the tatting world. This then is a small tribute to the Tatting Goddess, Gina. Never having met her, it was a uniquely vicarious loss. She was a wonderful presence in this cyber world and always supportive in her comments. All the way to her end here on this earth she was so very supportive and kind. So, Rest In Peace dear, Gina! You will be missed.

As I said, I've been tatting. I believe this project is appropriate to show you with this tribute to Gina as it definately will depict the continuation of life and our art. Here is a look at the next project...

I'm working on a baby bonnet....and of course, I'm not following anybody's pattern. I am using a couple patterns published out there for the base of the work. You may recognize the 'Down the Garden Path' by Pam Palmer as well as pattern #50 from the Catherine Austin book "A New Twist on Tatting". I'm combining the patterns to create the top of the bonnet.

I will then create something for the back of the bonnet. I hope to begin that part later tomorrow or later in the week. I may have several questions as I approach the back.

I'll check back in and keep you posted on the progress.

Until then, please be safe and treat yourself with respect!!
John

The Unveiling

Here it is!

The final, final edition of 'Christmas stocking prototype #1'. I am so happy with the outcome. Several things learned along the way.

Here is a picture with a shuttle for perspective.

The question of the day....will I continue obsessing over Christmas stockings? Or, is there another project calling my name?

I'm sure you've been wondering about our twelve step program......I'm ignoring the entire idea of tatting addiction. But, will need to remind myself sometime in the near future to breathe....oh, wait! That's what this addiction is all about. Breathe in, breathe out...tat!

Have a wonderful day!
John

Almost finished

Greetings to you all!

Here is the final decision regarding the placement of the lace on the first stocking.

After all your wonderful comments and suggestions I started to fiddle with the lace on the stocking. Then, I realized you all were right. Some said, 'the top of the stocking' while others said, 'dangling from the lower edge'. Well, how about splitting the difference?

It made all the difference...at least in my humble opinion.

I blocked the lace. It was quite interesting trying to figure out how to block both sides. So, here was my process.

And now for some 'artsy' pics

As you see, I don't pin every picot. That's a bit too tedious for me.

I have begun to attach the lace and will be done some time this evening. I'll then take pics and let you see the final project. And Finally, You will be spared of my endless drivel about the 'Christmas stocking'.

I hope you all have a wonderful day!!
john

Pondering....

Greetings to you all!

Yesterday was spent trying to 'perfect' the Christmas stocking. By that, I'm referring to the actual stocking. I figured out how to keep the top seam from puckering and now have two sizes. I'll show the two in just a bit.

Your comments are all VERY useful. I see that I'm going to have to do a series of stockings. I think you all are right...(if there is a right and wrong to this). I've not...well, let me show you.

Below are the two smaller stockings with the tatting on the very top and one with it hanging from the 'flipped out' edge.

Both are pleasing on some level.

The snowflake is not a 'must have'. It's another possibility.

Now, here is the third, larger stocking. I'm actually really pleased with the outcome of the stocking. One little change for the future...I'll shorted the 'flipped out' satin lining by 1/2 inch.

The angle of the photo is a bit odd...making the toe look a bit wonky. None to worry, I don't think it looks that way in person.

So, as you see, I'm on my way and have my very own projects for future gifting.

Have a great day!!
john

Yes.....I'm alive

Sorry for the extended absence! I've been a bit busy lately enjoying the break between semesters. A Happy New Year to you all!!

If I recall....we left off with Step Two of the twelve steps for addicted tatters.

Well, step three is just going to have to wait for a bit longer. I'm ignoring my addiction at this moment and just trying to figure a few things out.

My absence was due to a secret project. I wanted to complete the first demo before blogging about it...however, I need opinions from my tatting peeps. So, here is the project.

I started tatting an edge over the Thanksgiving break. I wanted to do something that looked like icicles for the top edge of a Christmas stocking. So, here was the beginning.

I didn't really know what pattern I'd use for the stocking. I just tatted with the idea in mind. I found a pattern and just finished the final sewn stocking this evening. It's a demo...

Here are some close-ups of the tatting. And, NO, it's not attached. The tatting is a bit too big for this stocking. I'll have to enlarge the pattern for this piece of tatted edge. There are several patterns used in the edge. One was adapted from the blomqist book. I added length a clover leaf for the longer icicles. I also added a short motif between each longer icicle. The top of the edge is from Austin's 'A New Twist on Tatting'.

The snowflake is from Jan Stawasz's 'Tatting: Theory and Patterns'

Now, I've got to figure out how I'm going to attach the edging..


Do I attach it to the top of the stocking?

Do I shorten the turned out lining and attach it on that edge?

This may not be too clear...not sure. Let me know what ya'll think.

BTW...I missed ya'll and hope to be checking in more frequently.

Have a wonderful day!!
john

Step Two...

Welcome to the second gathering of John's 12 step 'Proof of Tatting Addiction' support group.

Last session we covered step one...

We admit that we are powerless over tatting -- that our lives have become somewhat more manageable as a result of tatting...well sorta, kinda, maybe not.

Today we focus on step two...

We have come to believe that a power great than ourselves (along with tatting once daily) can restore us to sanity...or at least help us maintain a balanced sense of reality in relation to the insane world around us.

You may need to help me amend this one a bit.

How do I know I'm addicted? More evidence... I've been holding out on you and hiding a bit of evidence. (I forgot to mention this one because of my own denial) check these books out. I purchased them at tat days. I was so enticed by 'pretty' that I failed to see that the Emmy Liebert book was WRITTEN IN GERMAN...OMG what was I thinking?! I don't speak German...

I NEED HELP!

On another note...

I finished the rings atop the 'endless edge withouth a cause' and have returned to the filet panel

Here is the inspiration piece, the sampler, and the actual edge. More evidence of addiction. I still don't have a final project in mind other than creating a beautiful piece of lace. I think I've decided that it is the 'right' length at 4' 4" in total.

Until the next meeting...Peace and happy tatting!
John

It's my mom's birthday today!

I've been keeping a secret from you all. I won another item in the silent auction at Tat Days this year.

I needed to keep it from you because my mom reads my blog from time to time. So, today is her birthday and here is her birthday present.

It's a tatted, beaded design and work by Nina Libin.

Her patterns and work are absoultely wonderful!!
Her web page is beanile.com
Check it out.

Though I bid on several items...this was the one I guarded to the bitter end. I wanted to get this for mom. She loves to dress in formal attire for various events. This will be wonderful for one of those events.

So, mom...

Happy Birthday!
john