2017 TIAS

Jane Eborall has posted the intro for next years TIAS aka Tat It And See!  Starting date is January 11.  This will be my 5th year.  Boy how time flies. 

TIAS is a tat along.  Little pieces of a pattern are published every 3-4 days for about a month.  You may join in at any time - there is no time limit.  The fun part is watching other tatters submitting there pieces with guesses along the way.  Sometimes this is the first thing I do in the morning is to check the blog and read the posts!

If you have never tried the TIAS, I would highly recommend.  It is easy and fun.  Instructions for some techniques are explained.  If you have any questions, you may ask at any time.  There are plenty of tatters who will gladly help.  If you have participated in the past, I look forward to seeing you again.

See you all in January.

Lucky Pennies and Jewelry

Been working on my lucky penny collection. Twenty-nine are now complete (out of the 150ish I am planning on making).  As I finish, I place in plastic bags to keep them clean.  I will make labels for them when all are done.  I am using the bright pennies with the shield on the back.  If they are not quite as bright as I would like, I am using Brasso to brighten them up.

The tatted jewelry is from Marilee Rockley's Tatting with Beads Jewelry book.  Beads for the first piece, Beatrice, are from Fusion Beads (along with the findings when I finish them off later this week).  The second set, Beaded Path, I found beads in my stash.  Please with the way these turned out.

I am now designing a piece to submit for next years Tat Days.  Would like to finish this design along with another before the end of January 2017. This way I will be ready to submit when Palmetto Tatters Guild opens up applications.

With the completion of these items, this now completes my third 25-motif challenge.  I am going to take the next year off from this challenge as I want to submit my application for Phase III (final phase) of the Tatters Across Time Proficiency Course.  I will be turning all my attention to this phase once it is received.

Still Tatting

Can't believe it has been over a month since I last posted.  My how time is flying.

I am still tatting.  Marilee Rockley's newest book happen to find its way to my house.  The beige piece on the right is the Beatrice necklace.  Will be making the earrings as well.  After this piece, I will work on the Beaded Path necklace and earring set from the same book.  Beads are from Fusion Beads in Seattle Washington.  Thread is Artiste Eggnog from Hobby Lobby.

The Barrett and the other pinky motif are from Tat Days 2016.  Aldebaran Dragonseed Star by Karey Solomon and the 3-D Barrette is by Sherry Pence.  Thread is Lizbeth, HDT by me.

The orange/gold is the Lucky Penny pattern by Carolyn Craig from the Facebook Tatting Groups.  I have 19 made.  My goal is to make approximately 130.  It is for a secret project.  Each one is made with a different color of thread.  It is one way to figure out how many colors I have (and if I need more). 

Tat Days - Part 2

Purchased three kits to work on.  The Headlace kit I am going to try and make for Granddaughters B'day in November.  It is from Sherry Pence.  The other two kits are from Nina Libin.  I was not able to take Nina's Interlaced Necklace so I purchased the kit.  The Gold jewelry set was pretty and it found it's way into my hands as well.

The shuttles are from Rita Richmond - Shuttle By Design.  I asked her if it was possible to have a shuttle with the "P" available for pickup at Tat Days.  She was able to accommodate my request.  I tried to be good but she has new acrylic shuttles and the blue one was calling out to me.

The mini shuttles were 3-d printed by Tim Kaylor.  These were in the goodie bags.  They are nice for smaller amounts of thread projects.

The tatted projects are Tat Days test pieces.  The navy/gold and dark pink bracelet strips are from Martha Ess' Starry Bracelet class.  Navy has beads, the dark pink - no beads.  Will finish the navy with bracelet findings for Granddaughter.  The bear was tatted in size 10 (pattern called for size 10, but 10 was all I had on vacation to tat the project).  It is from Martha Ess' Technique Teddy Bear class.  The red/white star is another Martha Ess design.  It is her Broomstick Picot Star.   The navy angel is a design by Kathy Hodge called Guardian Angel.  All the tatted pieces can be found on the Palmetto Tat Days 2016 CD.

The book was a last minute kind of gotta have purchase.  With the arrival of a Grandson this past April, he will need some tatted items as well.  This book has 3-d projects (a train, trees, and several buildings).  

Lastly - not Tat Days related - Marilee Rockley aka Yarnplayer has a new book of tatted beaded jewelry coming out in November.  Check her blog for info on presales through Amazon.com.  I have mine on preorder.

Sigh, so many projects, so little time!

Tat Days - Part 1

Slowly unpacking and trying to get organized.  Thought I would post as I unpack so I do not confuse myself.

Top left photo is a picture of the Hands of Many Gestures class that I was to teach.  Thread is size 20, HDT by me in Rust.  Unfortunately, this class was cancelled, put the pattern should be on the Tat Days CD.

Top right are two books I won at the silent auction.  The black book is very interesting and may come in handy while thinking of next year's Tat Days.

Bottom left are pics of finished projects.  Yeah, I actually have finished projects to show.  The Love 2 TAT by Carol Lowe class I picked up in place of the hand class.  Thread is Jelly Bean Lizbeth, size 20.  The barrett is Sherry Pence's 3-D Barrett Flower.  Thread is Lizbeth but do not remember the name.  This will be going to Granddaughter when I see her this week.  The earrings are from my Encased Gem Earring class.    Thread is Lizbeth Navy.

Bottom right are books I picked up.  I see a "Pinky Pie" horse for Granddaughter and lots of little coasters in my future!

Until Next Year

Home from Tat Days.  Exhausted from two days on vacation and two full days of Tat Days.  It was nice to see tatters I met in the past, tatters I have never met in person and faces to names to those I have met online.

It is going to take a few days to recover.  Have a couple projects to finish.  Will gather all projects, any test tatting, etc and post pictures later this week.

Other than being very tired, I had a great time.  Everyone is so nice.  Tatters even look out for one another even if they are not as prepared as they hoped.  The Friday after banquet auction was spectacular as always.  Georgia does a great job.  A smaller second auction was held on Saturday late morning by Georgia.  Both auctions had wonderful items that now have new homes.

Time flies so fast when having fun.  If all goes well, I will be back next year.  I some ideas for projects, but for now, rest - rest - rest.

Who Gives a Hoot

I do.  Actually, used some of my treasure thread I purchased at Goodwill and made a bunch of owls to donate to the Palmetto Tatters Guild.  It was size 10, type unknown.

Been busy with hand dyeing thread again.  These are some beauties that I will bring with me to Tat Days to sell.  Mostly size 10 and 20, 50 yards each.  Lizbeth base.  Have one size 3 and a couple that have 25 yards.   I have another two types drying and will try to post in the next couple of days.  It is not alot.  This year has gotton away from me between babysitting grandkids and having to deal with my aging mother.  Anyway, what ever is left, I will post next week on this blog for anyone wanting to purchase.  

Have a few color variations that I want to dye but no names.  Might have to post the variation requesting names then random select.  Winner will receive a skein free!

Everything is packed.  Tatting bag is loaded with shuttles and thread for my classes.   It will be good to get away, tat, relax, tat, see friends new and previous met.

Doily and Tatted Name

The doily is a gift for a tatting collector.  It will be given next month at Tat Days.  It is called Cobweb from the book Tatting Doilies & Edgings edited by Rita Weiss.  Color is Lizbeth 138 Leafy Greens, size 20.

The name is the newest addition to our family.  I will be framing Phillip's name along with the train I test tatted for Martha (see previous posts).  This will be a nice addition to his room.  Alphabet is from Tatting ABC's & 123's by Houstine Cooper & Handy Hands.  Colors are Lizbeth size 20 in Royal Blue and Ocean Turquioise Lt.

Spinning Mat

This mat was done using DMC Traditions thread.  Not a big fan of the thread feel, however,  do like the color.  It will be heading to the Palmetto Tatters Guild for their scholarship fundraiser. Motif 14 of the 25 motif challenge.

Pattern if from Tatting with Visual Patterns by Mary Konior.

Tatting and Testing

I was given the opportunity to test tat a couple of patterns for Martha Ess's new book coming later this year.  The block train with windows and the bear will be in this book.  Really enjoyed working on these two patterns.  I am looking forward to the complete book.  I see tatted items on our grandkids clothing!  The train engine, box car and caboose are HDT by me and the coal car is Lizbeth Seafoam.  Bear is Lizbeth Angel Love I believe.

The owl is from last years Tat Days. I have about four more to make.  They will be given to the Palmetto Tatters Guild to hand out at the South Carolina Fair in October.

The butterfly is just left over thread I had on my shuttle.

Here is my edging I decided to make for a couple of pillow cases.  Edging is from Tatting Doilies & Edgings edited by Rita Weiss.  This is one of my first tatting books I purchased way back when I started tatting.  It is Dainty Edging No. 6.  Thread is Lizbeth Summer Fun.

With these tattings, I have completed numbers 9 thru 13 of my motif challenge.

To round out my entry, I have received my Phase II Artisan certification from Tatters Across Time.  I was surprised at how well I did.  I will submit my application for Phase III Master early fall.  I want to play catchup with projects and design for next years Tat Days before concentrating on the final phase.

Tat Days, Doily and Thread

Tat Days registration for 2016 is now open.  Hubby and I are all signed up and I am eagerly awaiting to attend.  Fun for all!

Diane Doily is now complete.  Needs ends worked in and pressed.  Pleased with this one.  It will be my fair entry this year.  it is number 8 of my current motif challenge.  Pattern can be found in Craftree (search for Diane Doily).

The thread are finds at my nearby Goodwill the last couple times I have been there.  The upper right I just could not pass by.  Most will be donated to the Palmetto Tatters Guild.  It would be great thread to use to teach newbies.

Earrings, Baubles and Edging

Numbers 5, 6 and 7 of my motif challenge.  The Earrings are from Tat Days 2015 by Nina Libin.  Had made them for a formal event a couple of weeks ago.  Alas, ended up wearing something different.

Jane Eborall inspired me to practice baubles which I learned at Tat Days 2014 (a class by Randy Houtz).  Granted these are just standard run of the mill baubles, nothing fancy.  But it was good to get out the shuttles and practice.  First to round, second almost to my liking.

I was looking for an edging for a project so I got out Mary Konior's Tatting with Visual Patterns.  The piece is called Chain Reaction.  Isn't quite what I was looking for.  Back to the drawing board.

I have been doing quite a bit of tat testing.  Nothing I can show right now.  I do like to be able to help others when I am able.

Classes for Tat Days 2016

Just saw that Palmetto Tatters have posted project pictures for Tat Days 2016. You can see them here: http://palmettotatters.org/events/TatDays2016/ClassProjectPictures.shtml. I as amazed at the talent and projects every year.

Tat Days 2016 and Butterflies

Palmetto Tatters Guild has released the list of teachers for this years Tat Days.  I will be teaching two classes this year.  So excited.  Will post when classes are posted.

In the meantime, been working on my adventure cross stitch (need to post a pic when I remember).  Also using scraps of thread for butterflies to be donated to the Palmetto Tatters Guild for give aways.

The snowflake is the Thirteenth Day of December from 24 Snowflakes in Tatting by Leone Bjorn.  It is not blocked - done in Lizbeth Blue Ice.  It is for a tat-along in Crafttree.  I have decided this is the last snowflake for a while.  Need to finish some other tatting projects first.  This makes number 4 of my motif challenge.

Snowflakes and Goodwill Finds

Here are my Goodwill finds.  The first is the Alien knit fabric.  Found this a couple of weeks ago.  It will make a nice top to wear at Tat Days this year.  The knit cro-sheen thread is my find yesterday.  Three full spools and one partial.  It does look a little dirty.  I am hoping that after washing it will come clean (will make a small motif to test out).

The snowflakes are from 24 Snowflakes in Tatting.  It is for the tat-along over in Craftree (two snowflakes a month).  A am a month behind but will catch up.  Snowflake no. 2 is made with size 20 Lizbeth, Blue Ice.  Snowflake no. 5 is Artiste embroidery floss from Hobby Lobby.  It is in the clearance bin for $0.15.  Can not pass a bargain. 

I have finished two 25 motif challenges.  I am now starting on my third.  These two snowflakes makes numbers 2 and 3 for this challenge.

Finished 2016 TIAS and Tat Days

First, here is my finished rabbit for Jane's 2016 TIAS.  Did not realize until almost finished that he was born with a foot defect.  Also one ear is a little wonky.  I will probably make another when my cold I have been fighting since Christmas clears up (almost there) and I can concentrate on the pattern better. 

I have submitted my patterns to the Palmetto Tatters Guild for the 2016 Tat Days to be held in September in Toccoa, GA.  Anyone interested in submitting has until February 15. 

We are having snow flurries today.  No accumulation anticipated.  I can concentrate on finishing a few projects that have been put aside while doing the TIAS and tat patterns. 

TIAS Day 4

Here is my Day 4 of Jan Eborall's TIAS (see previous post for link).  Looks like ears to a critter of some sort.  Time will tell. 

On a non tatting note, The Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery cross-stitch stitch along starts today.  Theme is Let's Go on an Adventure.  A piece will be released once a month.  Should receive first piece this evening.  Will post progress on this as well.  This will be a nice finished piece for my grand-daughter. 

2016 TIAS (tat it and see)

Jan Eborall's TIAS starts Wednesday the 6th.  For those of you who have not participated before, this little game is a lot of fun.  Jane publishes pieces of a design every few days.  Gives us plenty of time to tat and then make guesses as to what the design will be.  Usually is three to four weeks long.  The guesses are as much fun as tatting the piece.  Beginners are welcome.  There is nothing to difficult.  If there is a technique you are not familiar with, Jane will explain, there are links to look at to help, or just ask a question.  This is all for fun.