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.