Round and round we go!

Well, here's the latest installment.



I've completed the two rounds tatted completely with chains.



You can see from the shadow in the second picture how the inner motif is cupping...again, I'll worry about that later.

Chug, Chug, Chug...

Well, chugging along on the doily. The time of rings and space has now come to an end. The next two rounds are chains only.



I'm very happy with this so far....Except, It has begun to 'cup' a bit. I hope blocking will take care of that concern.



What can I do in the future to avoid the cupping effect? shorter blank space? shorter picots? longer picots? What are your thoughts?

Happy Day!
John

Off to a new challenge

Greetings to you all!

Recently, tatting has been a bit tangential...meaning, I started the artisan phase of the T.A.T. program and have now drifted to a different 'major' project. I completed all 18 of the picot exercises and started the Self Closing Mock Ring (SCMR) piece. I accomplished the learning, worked through the project and quickly realized it will take a few tries to perfect the overall desired look. Ergo, I got bored and am now working on another project.

So, here is the beginning....




A fun quiz, can you tell me by looking at this, what it is I'm working on?... I think the pattern is out there and frequently tatted. So, who's pattern is it?




I'll keep posting pics of my progression and will chat ya'll up from time to time.

I hope you are all well and enjoying the approach of spring.

You were right....I was wrong.

It did turn out. Below you see the final Ice Crystal doily. It turned out quite nicely.



I don't think the 'dropped' joins really matter. And, you were also right when you said continuous reference to the pattern was necessary. I was not able to move away from the pattern as the repeats were quite involved.

As the discussion continues out in Tat-land about traditional tatting verses front-side tatting...I figured I'd give it a whirl. This was my first attempt at front side tatting. I think I only forgot to do the front side tatting on one of the outer rings. I'm pretty content with that.



Now, I'm starting the second course (artisan) stage for the T.A.T. proficiency program. The first stage (apprentice) was a wonderful learning experience in which I acquired several new techniques. The jury was quite nice with only a few surprises. I've waited quite awhile for this stage as there are a few things I'm not 100% interested in learning. However, I will probably really appreciate the learning. I really want to work through this stage over the next couple months.

Have you all worked through this and what was your experience?

Happy Tatting!
John

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