Earrings

My daughter was invited to participate in a craft show for her quilt guild.  I mentioned that I would tat up a few items that she could sell.  Unfortunately, she was scheduled to work that evening.  These will be held until next year.  Items will be added as I have spare (?) time this coming year. 

The doily is Mary Konior  Spinning Wheel mat from her book Tatting with Visual Patterns.  I had a pair of Christmas Trees with silver beads, but I offered them to my daughter.  The red floating heart is Nina Libin's pattern from Tat Days 2018.  It is tatted with Oren Bayan metallic.  It will be a gift to my grand daughter for Christmas.  She had open heart surgery to fix a couple of holes in her heart when she was 4-months old.  Still need to do the necklace chain piece. 

Been working on a pattern for Tat Days 2019 and have at least one or two others that need to be designed from paper drawings. 

Tat Days - Part 3 (Final)

Three more classes today.  Lee Pearl Flower, Puzzle Fun with Split Rings and Single Shuttle Stacked Rings.

Lee Pearl Flower was another single shuttle pattern.  I saw the teaser and thought what a great item for a barrette for my granddaughter. I showed her the picture and then let her select the thread.

An open forum for everyone was conducted prior to lunch.  Designing 101.  There was a panel of distinguished designers that talked about how they got into designing, with tips for those who do or would like to design.  Good tips.  One thing I saw was a panelist that had a notebook.  In the notebook were samples of lots of techniques along with finished designs using the techniques.  That is the best tip I came away with and am going to start my own notebook.  It will be a good reference tool when designing future patterns. 

Puzzle Fun was the class I taught.  I like to think outside the box.  It is made of individual pieces (just like a puzzle).  My students were really excited.  One piece was tatted to learn the technique of split and thrown off rings along with single shuttle split ring to end the piece.  Between continuous thread method and SSSR, there are no ends to tie, cut and hide.

Single Shuttle Stacked Rings 2 colors is based on "Waves earrings by Corina Meyfeldt" which can be found on Craftree.  The technique of stacked rings was new to me.  Instead of cut/tie/hide ends between the two colors, I just added the new thread by hiding ends between last and first color rings.  I also decided to add beads but with a twist.  Black beads on Boysenberry and Boysenberry on Black.  It was a hit in class with show and tell along with pictures and instructions.  Another color variation was discussed in class and I will be try it out later.

Tat Days - Part 2

The tractor was made as a last minute project.  It is a Caterpillar want to be tractor in memory of brother-in-law that just recently past.  He worked at a tractor museum with Caterpillar tractors.  My plans are to make a memory picture with the tatted tractor and send to my sister-in-law to give to museum.

Karen Brovard Sayre held a class at Tat Days - day 1 evening - on enamel shuttles.  Kits were available for purchase, the tatter decorated them and then Karen finished the firing process.  Mine has a bronze background.  The painting did not quite turn out the way I thought, but it will be used.

Tat Days - Day 2

First class of the day was a lecture opened to everyone.  Karen Brovard Sayre was the leader for "Repairing Mistakes."  Very informative and lots of information.

Classes for today included Curled Rings, Chains from Point A to B and Beaded Clover necklace.  Curled rings are new to me.  Really easy and beautiful technique.  Chains was another technique class.  Lots of different chains were presented with instructions on how to do them.  I selected several to try that looked interesting.  The necklace was a nice, easy pattern that was great for the end of the day.  All projects were actually finished in class which is a first for me!

The gold infinity ring was one of the early bird classes on day 3.  I have had the pattern for a while but have not attempted it.  For a 6:30 am class, it is not bad although the brain did not want to function quite right (3 attempts because I could not read properly!).

Then there was the evening banquet and auction.  Georgia Seitz was wonderful again as auctioneer.  Things started out slow but as the evening progressed, things heated up.  I win a package that included a needle tatting book for hubby, a tatting book for me and a couple of skeins of Manuela size 20 thread.  One spool was given to Georgia.

The little beaded earrings I won at the silent auction the next day.  These were tatted by Nina Libin.  It is an honor to own a pair tatted by her.

Mat and Tat Days - Part 1

I wanted a somewhat non thinking project.  Karey Solomon's thread and Tat Mats coaster book did the trick.  This was a nice small project that I enjoyed tatting. 

Tat Days 2018

Another Tat Days has come and gone.  It was good to get with friends old and now new.  Learned several new techniques and was able to teach someone how to do split rings who said she almost threw her shuttles against the wall trying to learn on her own.  The smile on her face when I physically showed her is why I like going to Tat Days (whether teaching or sitting with someone to show a technique).   The people at Palmetto Tat Days are very kind, helpful and generous.  I have not been able to attend any other tat days other than Palmetto's so I can not compare.  I can only assume that the tatting community elsewhere are the same.  Many thanks to the volunteers, teachers, tatters and KNOTS (Kind Network of Tatting Supporters) for their support this past weekend.

There was an early get together class on arrival day.  It is a single shuttle leaf (see photo above) with thread bars.  It is amazing how one can not read correctly easy patterns.  My first leave was messed up, so at 10:30pm I decided to retat.  After 3 tries, it was finally finished.  Ok, one long day down (was up at 4:30am to get ready, bed after 11:30pm), two more to go!
 

I volunteer each year to help test tat patterns.  I was given the opportunity to test Erin Holloway Mosely patterns this year.  The tree is call "Flapper Tree".  It unfortunately was not taught this year.  It was a little tricky to get started, but once I got the concept, it went quickly.  The Amulet Bag turned out small.  I will put a handle on it and give to my granddaughter for her dolls.  Same concept as the Flapper Tree.  The "Big Ol' Honkin'" earrings was another nice pattern.  Works up quickly.  Hoping to enter them in this years fair.  There was also an ornament covering.  It has been tatted; however, it is not on my ornament yet.  Now I have to complete so I can post the picture. 

Oh, one can not forget vending.  Tatting Corner was the vendor this year.  I did my shopping of books, threads, and of course shuttles. 

More to follow. . . . .

Knight in Shining Metallic

When I saw the knight from Martha Ess in her Flights of Fantasy book, I knew I had to make one.  He is made of Lizbeth silver metallic.  The thread was nice to work with and look forward to more projects with this thread.  Even though I married my Knight, I now have a Knight in shining armor to be with me at all times.

The blue doily is made from size 10 that I had around the house. Pattern is from The Bulletin Spring 2018, published by the International Organization of Lace.  It is called Two-Blue Self-Closing Mick Ring Doily by Randy Houtz.  Frontside/backside technique was also utilized in this Doily.

My latest book is from South Korea.  Tatting Lace Lesson Book by Tomoko Morimoto.  It is in Korean; however, there are diagrams and stitch counts.  Lots of lovely ideas.

I have pretty much dyed all the thread I will be taking with me to Palmetto Tat Days.  Just getting organized and putting finishing findings to the jewelry I made.  Jewelry will be donated to the silent auction.

My daughter has let me know she will be getting a booth at one of her guild meetings in November.  I am planning to do some tatting and dye thread.

After that, I am planning on finishing tatting projects that are waiting patiently.  It has been a busy year but hopefully I can see calming days ahead.

Dolily and Surgery Rehab

Had Carpal Tunnel and Trigger Finger surgery last month. Surgery went well. Was told to use hand immediately (but when it hurts, stop). Needlework was perfect for the rehab. I have been tatting a lot of butterflies using bits of thread I had in my stash. These will be donated.

The purple doily was also part of my planned rehab. I started before surgery just to get a feel for the pattern that can be found here. It is Tatted Doily 4 from free-tatting. I had to really watch the stitch counts and I started my rows differently from the pattern. Lizbeth Grape size 20 was used.

The varigated pink doily I made for my granddaughter. I did not do all the rows as she said it was big enough. It is from Tatting a 4 Square Ring by Mary Maynard. Pretty easy pattern, but it is amazing how the easiest patterns are the worst for retro tatting.  I used size 30 thread I had purchased at Palmetto Tat Days a year or so ago.

Tat -Along

Vicki Clarke has started a quick tat-along today. Info can be found here: victats.blogspot.com.

Tatted Jewelry

These items did not get shipped in time for Palmerto Tatters craft shows.  Plan B - they will be coming with me to Tat Days in September.

I decided almost at last moment to teach this year.  I thought outside the box again this year and came up with a nice beginner pattern.  It features using a SSSR - single shuttle split ring - as the last last ring to avoid hiding ends.  Registration is now open.  More info is found here.

I will be busy in August dyeing thread to sell at Tat Days.  I don't dye large quantities as I am still learning.  I will be doing a couple color ways that were new last year plus a few new ones for this year.  Will try and post pic when all done.

Tatting might be hit and miss for a few weeks.  I have had trigger thumb for over a year.  Last month I had an incident of tingling fingers.  Come to find out I now have carpal tunnel as well.  Surgery is scheduled for this week as thumb is still bothering me.  He will hopefully fix both issues.  The bright side is no rehab and I am to start using hand immediately, needlework is not off limits just no heavy lifting.

Beaded Lanyards

My DH received a request for a couple of lanyards.  The pattern is from Patti Duff titled Beaded Lanyard.  The pink is Lizbeth Girly Girl.  Beads are a metallic pink and a pink middle with a blue/purple transparent outer covering.  Alternated the beads.  The other is Lizbeth Rainbow Splash.  Beads are metallic gunmetal.

Now working on a few projects to send to Palmetto Tatters.  They are going to be doing a couple of craft shows in April.  Thought I would send somethings as a way to give back for all they do.  Stay tuned for pictures.

TIAS, Quilt Squares and Brussel Squares

TIAS for 2018 is now finished.  She has been swimming her way across the pond and finally made it into Jane's email basket.  It was another wonderful TIAS.  Thread was my own HDT in Cherry Cola with yellow eyes and Lizbeth pink thread.

I did a few of the Brussel Squares.  I did not send them (missed the deadline).  But I loved the pattern.  Worked them up with bits of pink thread I had on shuttles or left over from previous projects.

I have also been busy finishing up on 6 quilt squares for the 2018 Palmetto Tat Days scholarship.  Had fun deciding what to put on the squares.  Patterns were from Jane Eborall, Georgia Seitz, Sherry Pence, Karey Soloman, Wally Sosa, Martha Ess, Coretta De Loughmiller, Mary Konior and my own design.  If I have forgotten anyone, please forgive me.  I just started tatting away without writing down who was what's design.

I have another request for a couple more lanyards.  Halfway done with one.

Palmetto Tatters is doing a couple craft shows in April.  Would also like to tat a few projects for them to sell.

Also, I did submit and approved to teach a class for this years Palmetto Tat Days to be held in September.

Still Here & Projects

I have been very laxed at posting.  Actually, been very busy catching up on things.  With the holidays and a couple of personal things going on, posting did not even cross my mind.  Hopefully, things are starting to simmer down so I can start working on projects put on hold.


I was asked to make some lanyards for a couple of co-workers at DH's work.  This is a pattern by Patti Duff.  Colors are Lizbeth Size 20 in Niagara Falls, Girly Girl and Grape Pomegranate.  I actually did two of the Grape Ponegranate as someone else wanted one.

Working on a cross stitch by The Frosted Pumpkin.  It is a stitch-along with a piece being published each month.  This years theme is Into the Jungle and features baby jungle animals.  Will post when January's is done.  Just have a corner left.

Finished a doily by Alenalea Tatting.  This was a tat-along she did last summer/fall.  Thread was knit crosheen, size 10.  I had picked this up at Goodwill.  Given to my mother for Christmas.

Jane Eborall has started her annual TIAS (tat it and see).  She has posted Day 2 today.

Palmetto Tatters Organization is accepting applications for teachers and logo submissions.  These are due February 21.  I do not think I will be teaching this year.  Have an idea(s), but have other things to be doing.  Will work on them this year and be better prepared for next year.

Quilt squares are due March 20 to the Palmetto Tatters Organization for this years scholarship.  I have several that I need to get on, complete and ship before the deadline.  Information can be found on the above Palmetto link.

There is also a Tat a Brussels Monument in pink tatting project going on.   This is also on the list of tatting projects to complete before the deadline. 

Ta-ta for now.