Beads, beads and more beads!

I needed some beads (specifically delica) for some earrings I wanted to make for a possible craft exhibit.  I had ordered from Fusion Beads before and checked their webside again.  Lo and behold, they had a clearance section.  So, I proceeded to select a bunch of colors for several projects.  Shipping was quick.  The Angel earrings were made with some of the beads.  Love this pattern.  It can be found on the 2019 Palmetto Tat Days CD.  Taught by Bonnie Swank. 

The black item is a necklace and earrings for a present.  Needs to be finished with findings.  Pattern from Marlie Rockley's book Tatting with Beads Jewelry.  It is a nice, quick pattern.

The bottom two photos are from Karen Brovard's book Illusions of 3-D in Split Ring Tatting.  It is a challenging pattern.  Thought I was doing ok but I really need to work on tension as illustrated by the arrows.  The green block with the middle arrow was the last section.  It is definately tight.  Soooooo, I decided to restart.  I have made a single ring to use as a marker to compare against rings as they are made.  Seems to be working much better.  Will post a pic with my next post. 

It is on hold right now as I am working on presents (althought I sneak a few rings now and then). 

Also, Lisa from Tatting Corner has put out a request.  The Lacey Ladies of Arizona is hosting the 2020 IOLI Convention in late July 2020.  They need 300+ bookmarks - all types welcome.  Bookmarks are to be 4 - 6 inches long.  She would like to make this a service project and flood the Lacey Ladies with bookmarks.  For more info/address to send bookmarks to, search Tatting Corner on Facebook or send her a message.

Tat Days - Part 2 & Musing

Here are my new additions to my library that I picked up.  Need to finish a few projects before I will allow myself to start working some of these items.

I was able to finish some projects this year at Tat Days.  The peacock is pearl tatting (class by Martha Ess), beaded lavender angel earrings and tri-color maltese earrings (pattern by Bonnie Swank and Nina Libin, class by Bonnie).  After my granddaughter saw the angel earrings, my granddaughter wanted one.  She picked out the orange beads and viola, an orange angel was created. 

Georgia was under the weather the whole weekend (we missed you).  Tamie did a wonderful job at filling in for her at the auction.  Laughs around as well as a couple fierce bidding wars. 

Shuttle decorating was a hit.  It was nice to see so many having fun, talking and putting their own touches on their shuttles to make them one of a kind.  The only draw back - the smell of the nail top coat used to seal the shuttles.  Fans helped but if ever a next time, sealing needs to be done on their own or outside.  Thanks Tonya for helping.

The week after Tat Days, DH and I went to St. Lucia (anniversary).  Of course, I brought my tatting along (Marie Smith's angel pattern and Reit's owl pattern, thread for both).  Weather was hot but it was nice to get away and relax.  One of the flight attendants on the way down saw me and asked if that was tatting.  I said yes and we talked for a few minutes.  Once at St. Lucia, I tatted by the pool when relaxing.  Several staff stopped by asking how things were going but occasionally one would stop and we would talk about tatting.  They had never seen tatting before.  By then I had several complete angels/owls.  I started giving them away to those that seem impressed.  It was joyous to see how happy they were to receive one.

The amazing thing was on the flight home.  The same flight attendant was on our return flight!  She stopped and asked if I remembered her.  Of course I did, and I had a finished angel to give to her as well. 

Continuing on working to finish WIP's.  It is amazing how fast projects get away when you want to tat them all!

Tat Days 2019 Part 1

Home again, home again, lickity split.  Took most of the day to get unpacked, reorganized and finished a couple of projects.

First, another nice Tat Days has come and gone.  Early mornings and late nights.  I miss those who were not able to attend, stay or feeling under the weather.

Some first timers that I met were:  Jenni Clark from Australia, Sue Fuller from the Tuesday Online Tat Design class, and Melanie Cervi who is in charge of the Monday online homework page.  I know I have missed others either not met or unrecognized.  Note:  it was nice to meet you also.  It was also nice to catch up with others I had met before (the regulars and those who are able to come when they can).

The upper left picture is a chapstick holder.  It is a pattern from Heather Johnston that I modified a bit with permission.  I made these for the teacher bags this year.  I used every color of size 10 thread I had so everyone received a different color holder.

The past few years I have volunteered to test tat.  The picture on the right are two of the patterns.  The earrings are called Dancing  Peacock Earrings.  It is based on a pattern by Muskaan (see her blogpost from January 23, 2018) modified by Anita Berry with permission.  Actually, ended up being an assistant at this class.  The oval doily is called Sonata by Melanie Cervi.  Nice relaxing pattern.

Stay tuned for Day 1 and 2.

Surprise

Here is my surprise.  I decorated these shuttles for the Palmetto Tatter’s staff.  This is my 9th year attending.  Thought it would be nice to give them something for all they do each year.  Used Pearlizer paint along with acrylic.  Labels were printed on computer for wording and tree.  Three coats of Decou-page and sealed with Gel top coat using an LED light.  Tried to make it look like sand/dirt that the tree was planted in.  I think they turned out quite nice.

General Musings

Tat Days is almost here!!!!  Been busy packing up materials for classes I am taking/teaching and vending (small sampling of thread shown here).

This year just has been a whirlwind.  Just don’t know where time has gone.  Hopefully I am going to try and get more organized.  Will see how long it lasts.

Did finish this mat from Mary Konior Tatting with Visual Patterns.  I added a couple of extra motifs to make it a little bigger.

Almost finished with Ivory Lace Tatted Doily from freepatterns.com.  This one will be given away.  This was also the first doily I have done using split chains to go from row to row.  Split chains are now easy peasy!

Still working on my 3-d block tatting project.  Still have my monster doily to finish.  I have know purchased the “Lagniappe” doily pattern (another monster doily project).  Have colors in mind for this but will have to wait until October when I will be able to dye thread.  

Sneak Peek

This little motif is the start of a bigger motif.  It is from Karen Bovard's Illusions of 3-D in Split Ring Tatting.  These split rings are testing my ability to keep the rings a consistant tension.  Thread is hand dyed by me.  I am keeping a little tail for the time being as I am trying a different way to hide the ends.  They will all be cut in the end.

HDT and Motif

After starting this motif by Mary Konior many times, I finally was able to finish a square without it

looking funny.  It is called Masquerade from her book Tatting with Visual Patterns.  I may at some point add to it but for now, it will be set aside as I tackle other projects.

The thread is my latest dyes.  The bright green is called "Key Lime".  It is a request from Tat Days last year.  The other is called GEMS (a mix of Emerald/Jade/Aquamarine/Amethyst).  The picture does not do the color justice.  Both will be available at Tat Days.

HDT and Jewelry

Been a little AWOL.  I have been busy test tatting and finishing up a project for the teachers for Palmetto Tat Days, along with housework and grandkid watching.

All of these projects were tatted using HDT.  The green is called Palmetto.  Pattern:  Newcastle Necklace.  The blue is actually a blue-green called 9K.  Pattern:  Darker is Keyed Up Earrings and the Ligher is Lacy Treasure Pendant.  All these patterns are by Marilee Rockley from her Tatted Jewelry book.  These pieces are for a possible craft show later this year.

The two butterflies are my current colorways just made this past week.  The larger is called AMM-1.  My grand-daughter pick the colors and I dyed the thread.  The little one is called "Spike".

I am planning on having a few of these colors with me at Tat Days this year. 

Playing with Dyes Again

After a few more tries, I think I have come close to obtaining a Clemson Orange.  The ones on the right were my tries 6&7.  I used a different red.  Number 7 was more orange, but not correct.  After doing some more research and tweaking the cmyk formula, I came up with the colors on the left.  I believe the first one on the left is the one I want.

I have looked through the dyed samples I have already done.  I believe I have a Clemson Purple and Garnet done.  I will make better samples and send to someone to verify I have correct colors. 

The photo upper right is me playing with dyes.  The blue-green is a request from my daughter.  I have this and a shade lighter.  The other butterflies is a light muted green and muted blue-violet (photo does not do it justice).  I have dyed some to come to Palmetto Tat Days this year.  The green is hopefully close to a parrot green.  I have not decided if I will dye this one for tat days. 

The lower left is back to working on the Dyer's Dictionary samples.  Love playing and combining colors.  Never know what color will come out.  Pictures in a book are sometimes different shades than what is dyed outcome.  Also, there are other variables (water temp, humidity, operator error...) that come into play as well. 

The doily is from Tat-a-Renda tat-along she hosted (see a previous post).  I decided to finish my doily a few rows short.  Thread is April Showers that I had purchased online several years ago. 

Thread Dyeing

Got ambitious last week and got my dyes out.  Here are the results.

The first set are from The Dyer's Dictionary that I am slowly going through.  I can definitely see uses for some of these colors.  May do a varigated using about 3-4 of these colors.

The red set is my attempt to dye a cmyk color:  Clemson Orange.  The front is using a converted formula that I could find online.  The back is using 1/2 of the fuchsia.  I have done some more research and have learned there are two sets of primary dyes that a couple of dyers use:  an earthly one and a jewel one.  I will do some more experimenting this week and see if I can actually come closer to the orange color I want.

Tat Days and Tat Along

Just a quick FYI post.

For those interested, Palmetto Tatters Guild is requesting teacher applications for their Tat Days September 5-8, 2019 in Toccoa, GA.  Applications are accepted through February 20, 2019.  For further information:  http://www.palmettotatters.org/

Tat-a-Renda is hosting a tat-along doily.  Beautiful with a couple rounds amazing looking.  Will join in as soon as I get caught up with pattern designing for Tat Days.  Have my thread and shuttles ready to tat.

I also have a couple of WIP that need completing.  Want to do them this week so I can clean up my tatting area a little bit.

Have been ambitious a bit at playing with my dyes again.  Plan on doing more on Friday.  Will post  next week when they are complete.