Palmetto Tat Days 2025

 Well another year at the Palmetto Tatting Guild Tat Days is over.  Tired in a good way.  It was nice to catch up with fellow tatters and see many friends again.

Live auction was filled with nice items and several competitive bids.  It is always filled with laughter and comic relief.

Classes completed were the Celtic Owl, Pearl Tatted Earrings and Dragonfly wings made in Lizbeth Metallic.  The bracelet was a class I taught made with Superduo and seed beads.  I have one more project (a tatted Iris flower) but it will be a bit before completed as there are several parts that need to be tatted and assembled.  

Next year’s conference is scheduled for Sept 24-27, 2026 at Ridgecrest Conference Center just outside Asheville, NC.  If your able to plan and attend, you will be welcomed with open arms, have a great time, meet new/old friends and learn from fantastic teachers.

Tat Days 2020

 Another Palmetto Tat Days has come and gone.  Different this year, but the classes were great and fun was had by all.  Want to thank the staff from the Palmetto Tatters Guild, volunteers, teachers and the Georgia Baptist Conference center for hosting this year.  There was plenty of hand sanitizer for all along with masks and face shields.  Classes were small (limited to 8) but social distancing was practiced in each class along with spacing in the great room.  I felt confortable and very safe.  

The conference started with dyeing thread and making Celtic shuttles out of popsicle sticks. Tie dye kits were used for the dye.  Eventhough I have dyed my own thread, I did learn a few tricks to practice.  Lots of laughter especially when we doned our speciality evening wear for dyeing (plastic trash can liners).  

The first picture are my completed projects and test tatting I did for Tat Days.  First year I completed all projects from classes I attended.  The only item not there is a bracelet I made for my granddaughter.  Not able to get a picture before I gave it to her.  There is Triangle Edging, Leaf Motif, Rainbow Pearl Snowflake, Rainbow key ring, the Celtic Shuttles, hand dyed thread and Dangle Earrings.  The shuttle is hand painted and was a teacher gift.  The pineapple is a fingerless glove along with wave bracelet and a tatted show which I had the opportunity to test for Erin Mosely.    The other photo are books I picked up for my growning library.

This year there was a virtual online auction.  It was interesting to guess who was bidding on the offered items.  Was also nice to see tatters from other contries log in and check out the items as well.  Georgia Seitz was on the phone before the live auction.  It was good to hear her voice.  Eventhough she was not there, she certainly was there in spirit and thought of by all. 

Pearl Snowflake

 Lisa from The Tatting Corner held a couple of virtual tatting classes last month.  This is the finished Pearl Snowflake. I like the two color tone of the Design.  Pattern by Kaye B. Judt.  Thread is Lizbeth, size 20.

Shelter Down

Hope everyone is safe and staying sheltered.  DH and I have been working from home over a week.  For me, it has been very relaxing.  Actually been able to have a somewhat normal life with scheduled meals.

On a brighter note, Tat-a-Renda is sponsoring a tat-along through her Facebook page.  The pink/white doily is this WIP.

The big cube is another WIP.  It is from Karen Bovard Illusions of 3-D Split Ring Tatting.  Almost complete.  Six more pieces.  This has certainly tested my ability to keep tension consistent.  Will probably make another in the future.

Earrings and necklace is from Marilee Rockley’s Tatting with Beads Jewelry.  This has become an easy go to pattern if I need a quick gift.

The last is a few rows of a mat from Tatting a 4-Square Ring by Mary Maynard.  I like it so well that I decided to stop and make another using a variegated blue thread.

Lastly,  Karen Solomon is also hosting a Tat-along.  You may find it here:  gracefulartsfiberstudio.blogspot.com.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Diamond Snowflake

Here is the finished Diamond Snowflake I wrote about in my last post.  The pattern can be found on my patterns page.  It uses square rings.  There are two versions:  one without beads and one with beads.  After doing both versions, the version without beads seems to create a diamond shape better (my opinion).  Many thanks to Muskaan for testing and submitting suggestions for this pattern. 

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). 

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.

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.

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.

Tat Days 2015 Pics

The first pic (upper left) is the Trillium Flower from Linda's (aka StringyDogs - nice to see a face with a name) class.  It is inverted tatting.  Actually was able to finish the project in class!  It now has a new home at my mother's.

The next one is from the auction Friday night.  the DVD's is my husbands and the Tatting With Friends is mine.  Already working on a doily from the book for a fellow tatter. 

The bottom left are pictures of projects from the three classes I taught.  The bug is from The Complete Book of Tatting from Rebecca Jones (used with permission).  The other two are my own design.  The bug class had fun after completing as they enjoyed playing with them.

The last picture are four projects from Karey Solomon's class.  I able to test these for her.  Pendant Necklace (teal), Mock Cluny Star (red and white), Leaping Lambies and Heavenly Tails and Happy Endings are the bookmarks. 

The picture on the left is my husbands raffle prize.

I enjoyed this years Tat Days as I have learned two more techniques to my list (cluny tatting and inverted tatting).  I look forward to next years as I am already thinking of class submittal and the enjoyment of catching up with my fellow tatters.

This now makes 17 through 22 of my 25 motif challenge for 2015.

Grab 'N Go Bags, Necklace, Doily

Finished my first two grab 'n go bags.  The large one has 10 small pockets and the smaller one has 6.  They are drawstring.  The larger one is big enough to put the Monster doily in with room to spare.

The necklace is hdt by me with sparkle beads.  Pattern is called Collana by silfoxestating (FB post Aug/Dec 2014).  Made for my brothers wedding in November.  Now to get the dress made.

The blue doily is something quick that I made to enter in the fair.  Pattern can be found in Tatted Fashion by Teiko Fujito.

The necklace and doily make number 15 and 16 of the 25 motif challenge.

Two weeks before Tat Days.  Wire legs need to be cut for the Tatting Bug class I am teaching.  Need to finish more bags to take with me for vending.  Shuttles need to be wound for the classes I am taking as well as gathering my tatting accessories.  Tags need to be made for the bags and shuttles my husband will be selling.  All this plus watching granddaughter a few days and taking mother to doctor/car dealer for vehicle recall work.  Time flies when having fun!

Doily and Snowflakes

Can't believe it has been that long since I have posted.  Try to do at least two a month.  Anyway, I have been tatting.  Been doing lots of test tatting for others.  I did manage to do some personal tatting in between.

The green doily is from the Spring 2015 issue of the Bulletin of IOLI.  It is called Whirl by Randy Houtz.  The snowflakes are from the book The Complete Book of Tatting by Rebecca Jones.  These make numbers 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 of the 25-motif challenge.

I am awaiting a couple more patterns to test.  In the meantime I have several tatting items in work as well as several sewing projects I really need to get started on.  I am hoping live simmers down enough to where I have time to work on them!

New Challenge, Cross, Heart and Rosette

Well, I have started my third 25-motif challenge. 

The cross is a Jane Eborall pattern.  I wanted something quick.  It went to an extended family member who has a son in the hospital.  It was tatted in Gold, Lizbeth size 20.

The heart is from an IOLI Bulletin (see March 13 post).  It was tatted in size 10, hand dyed by me.

The rosette was the start of a doily from Tatted Fashion by Teiko Fujito.  I started it last week when my mom was in the hospital.  I messed up so I just quite at the rosette part.  I have started again and it will work better (forgot to put the picots at the end of each chain after joining to previous round).  Anyway, it is tatted in Size 5 Metallic Perle Cotton found at Hobby Lobby.  The doily is project 1 which reminds me of a spider web.  I will tat some spiders for the doily and place it on my front window at Halloween.