Newt Invasion

I have been testing split rings and single shuttle split rings (along with learning how to do loop tatted rings.  The pattern is from Anne Bruvoid called Netty the Newt.  I have always wanted to do this pattern, so now was a wonderful opportunity.  So I am now being invaded by newts as I test these elements.  The thread is all hand dyed (either Lizbeth, Tatilicious, Yarnplayer or my own).

I have also decided to participate in the 25 Motif Challenge this year.  The two at the bottom of the picture are the two I have done this month.  January is now complete for this challenge!

2014 TIAS - Happy New Year

Happy New Year to all of you out in Tatland.  Wishing everyone a joyous and happy year.

Jane Eborall has posted information on the 2014 TIAS (Tat It And See).  This will be my third year.  For those of you who have not tried one, every few days Jane posts snippets of the pattern to tat.  You may make guesses along the way and post your tatting.  It is fun to see the guesses and what thread everyone is using.  The TIAS starts this Monday, January 6.  Will be getting my shuttles ready today!

December Tats

I have been busy testing.  The purple is a design I made myself.  The pink/red is a variation of that design.  Don't remember the black/pink.  The yellow is from Minitats by Patti Duff number 49.  The butterfly is from Learn to Tat by Janette Baker.

The key pattern is from Tat Days 2012 by Sharren Morgan.  The thread is from Tatilicious called Rainbow-licious.  I modified the pattern a little as it calls for one bead and I wanted to use two.  I did a little lock chain around the top bead to extend the top. 

I Am Still Tatting

It has been a while, but I am still tatting.  I have completed my first two rounds of the mystery doily and am about half way with the third.  A little pressing with the steam iron was all that was needed after the second to lay flat!  I was impressed.  Picture has been modified to show the colors against a white background.  They are actually lighter in color than shown here.

I am also working on a lanyard.  The pattern is by Patti Duff.  It is coming along well.  The thread is called Tigerlicious hand-dyed by Jess (aka Tat-ilicious) in size 20.  

For the November Snowflake Tat-It Challenge, I have designed and tatted a simple snowflake.  I have another two on paper but have not had a chance to tat them.  I will be posting the pattern for the snowflake sometime next month.  Need to diagram it first and block the snowflake I made so it looks nicer.  

I purchased some Sulky halographic thread the other day,  I plan on using this with some white thread for a small angel.  Stay tuned to see how that turns out.

Second Attempt at Mystery Doily

I did not like the way my first doily was turning out.  Too much rippling.  So I decided to start again.  I switch to a size 20 Lizbeth thread in Scottish Thistle.  It is laying alot better.  Some rippling with row 1, but a little pressing will take care of that.  Row two is working out great so far.  I am using the 4-2-4-2-4 chain count.  I may decide to start another but just do row 1 with a chain count of 3-2-3-2-3.  I am finding I am pushing my chain stitches very tight together.  Maybe eliminating the extra stitches will help eliminate the chain tightness and any rippling that may occur?

I modified the colors in the photo in order to see the colors better.  They are on the light side