In a Whirl

The Spinning Wheel glass mat is finally complete. I got distracted by baby bunnies for a few days (we have 7 new ones!), but managed to finish last night. This pattern was just rings and chains, nothing fancy, but there was nothing simple about it. Mary Konior's Tatting with Visual Patterns has proven an invaluable source beyond the patterns it contains. Her "Know How 2" instructions (especially the tip for opening a closed ring) are wonderful.

As mentioned before, I used the sample spool of thread from Handy Hands, "Jewels" (Lizbeth #113) in size 20 to create this piece. The last round was a little interesting to finish, but I really appreciated the straightforward joins, instead of having to do the flippy, avoiding-a-twisted-picot joins that so many patterns require. I used my larger Lacis shuttle, but had to renew the thread on the last round, which is even less fun when using the Continuous Thread Method. Next time, I'm going to over load the shuttle just a bit and should have enough to complete the piece without needing to add thread. It measures 4 1/4" in diameter and will be Motif #3 for the challenge.
Even though the colors are not quite American flag colors, it seems patriotic to me. And I know exactly what I'm going to do with it.

Backwards Day

In spite of being carried forward with the rest of the world into a new year, I feel like we are moving backward today. Back to work, back to school, back to cooking and cleaning and avoiding laundry and all the myriad other things that are exactly like they were last year. How is that progress?
There is no point in committing to diets that I have no intention of keeping, or making grand resolutions that only incite my nature to rebellion. So, the plan for 2012 is the same as it has always been.

• Trust in my Savior's love for us and look for the print of His grace on my life.
• Emulate Him to the best of my ability by the power of said grace.
• Repent when I fail and receive the grace of forgiveness.
• Rinse and repeat.

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Still with me? Back to tatting then.

The first pattern that I chose from my new books was Snowflake 2 in Festive Snowflakes & Ornaments for Needle and Shuttle Tatters, edited by Barbara Foster (hereafter to be known as the Snowflake Book). I made a mistake with the pattern, but I bet it will take you awhile to find it. ;) It measures a smidgen over 3 inches in diameter and was done with size 20 Lisbeth White (It can be assumed from this point onward that if it's white, it was done in Lizbeth size 20). This will be Motif #1 for the second go-round of the Challenge.

Strangely enough, it's January 4th here in Northern Illinois and there isn't a snowflake on the ground yet.

This is the little fragment called Anniversary Motif in Mary Konior's Tatting with Visual Patterns. I added some frosty blue seed beads that I had on hand, and love the results. It is 1 3/4 inches square.

This is the pattern "Maria" in Lene Bjørn's Tatted Bookmarks--cross-shaped. It needs a tassel still, but already measures 6"x4 1/2". I used size 10 Lizbeth in Christmas colors. This will be Motif #2 for the Challenge.

Still in progress is Spinning Wheel Glass Mat from Mary Konior's book. My in-laws purchased my Christmas present from Handy Hands, who included a sample spool of Lizbeth "Jewels" variegated thread (#113). I love the combination of colors, and this seemed the perfect way to try it. The pattern is not difficult, but apparently, my brain does not think in spirals because I'm still needing to pay close attention to the instructions even after completing 5 of the 9 repeats.

Onward. Allons-y!

Post Christmas Post

Ahhhh...

The frantic-ness of Christmas is over and we finally have a day to breathe, sit around in our new PJs, watch new movies, and eat leftover cookies. Now this is what Christmas is all about! (Not really)

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After doing a little tatting tally, I figured out that I have completed round one of the 25 motif challenge. In fact, I've more than completed it. Since August, I have made:

• 13 bookmarks
• 3 hearts
• 3 dragons
• 14 leaves
• a handful of tidbits

 Several more Cross "Hope" bookmarks--this time done in Christmas colors

The idea of covering our Thanksgiving table with scattered leaves only half worked. I was able to finish 14 of them, and sprinkle them on a side table. I loved how it looked, but can't find the picture--even though I know I took one.

In spite of being done with the Challenge, I don't think it's done with me. I'm going to do it again, but this time, I'm going to tighten the parameters of what counts as a Motif. For me at least.

I received a treasure trove of tatting pattern books for Christmas from my In-Laws. Since we are just beginning the drawn-out-will-it-never-end part of winter, I'd like to tat a flurry of snowflakes. The "Snow Mobile" that the girls and I have put up for a number of years got mangled after we took it down last year. Paper snowflakes don't hold up to much abuse. I want to work on replacing them.

My challenge is going to be to complete 25 tatted pieces in the next year. However, they have to be patterns that I can't complete in one sitting. That means that each one will need to take a minimum of 4 hours. 3 hours seems to be my embroidery or tatting limit for one day. 

The hardest part will be choosing which new pattern to work on first!

Tat's a Wrap

Since I still haven't managed to unplug myself from the grid during the holidays, this last month has been crazy. Just like it has been for everyone else. If the Christmas season isn't crazy and stressful for you, for pity's sake, let the rest of us in on your secret, please!

Goodies are being baked, gatherings attended, and gifts made and wrapped. Yadda yadda...and humbug (not really).

In spite of being forced to take time off from tatting while my finger healed from a nasty mishap involving a sharp pointy object and a soda bottle, I have managed to finish the last few projects that I was planning as gifts. Other than being tatted, they have nothing whatsoever in common.

 Cross "Hope", pattern available on In Tatters--Lizbeth thread, size 20, in white and Christmas green mix (#601, 152). I really like how the colors lined up on this one. It was an easy pattern and will probably become a staple. I added a somewhat random Josephine chain to make it a bookmark.

 I really hope she doesn't read here, because this dragon is for Renee. She loved the green and gold one that I have, so I made this one for her. I think these are more her colors though, and I love how they look on Anne's Dragon. The thread is Lizbeth Black and  Falling Leaves (#604, 100), both in size 20. Someday, I'm going to be brave and tat this pattern in something really tiny, like a size 80 or 100.

Renee, if you are reading, act surprised.

I couldn't make up my mind whether I wanted to make a wreath or a snowflake, so I tatted Jon Yusef's Hearts in a Snowflake pattern in Christmas colors. Again, with Lizbeth size 20, in Christmas Red and Leaf Green medium (#671, 684--I think). This pattern was not difficult, but it was the first thing that I made after my boo-boo, so I'd like to try it again (with beads) sometime when my hand is less...gimpy. My tension needs to be more consistent on this one.

I've lost count, but I think I'm somewhere near 19 or 20 motifs for the challenge now. Not far now!

Tatting up a Fury

Some tatting patterns, like Everest, need to be done simply because they exist. Anne Bruvold's Flying Minor Norwegian Dragon is one of them. A Lace Dragon? And Norwegian too? Seriously, how could I resist?

Having already tatted Anne's Ringtrim dragon, and Martha Ess' Paprika, when the green and gold HDT arrived from Yarnplayer, I knew exactly what I wanted to do with it. The body is made with Lizbeth Gold. This pattern is not hard, and I even made a few minor modifications to it--mostly by starting with two shuttles from the beginning, eliminating the need to mess with single shuttle split rings, of which I am not fond. Most of him was tatted while curled up in front of the fire (which I thought was appropriate) over these cold wet days we have had this week.

Still needing wings...

That'll do.

No idea what I'm going to do with him, but I'll think of something. He does match my office rather nicely....

He needs a family.

*You will be happy to know that we're done writing about postcards. J continues to receive them, but we got bored talking about them, so we're moving on.

Not so Stumpy

Remember the Supermodel bookmarks? The pattern for that bookmark was inspired by Kersti Anear's pattern, which she calls Stumpy. Over the weekend, I tatted up two of them, and they don't look stumpy to me at all. In fact, they are crying out to become cute barrettes for a certain adorable niece in far away California. Which, of course, means that we needed Beads*!
And look what we found!

As in love with Yarnplayer's hand dyed thread as I was before, I am even more taken now. We were able to find three separate colors of beads that match her "Stardate" thread perfectly. I still need to pick up the barrettes, but once I do, it will be a cinch to finish these.

*Sigh. Buying beads again. Why ever did I sell off all of my jewelry making supplies?

Three Supermodels and a Cow

Supermodel bookmarks, that is, but I bet that got your attention!
Over the weekend, I tatted up three bookmarks using Brooklynne Michelle's pattern, which is, in turn, inspired by Kersti's Stumpy bookmark pattern, which is next on my list.

On the first (left), I omitted the Josephine chain because I messed up the very first chain and I didn't think it would support it. I ended with a ring and tassel instead. I was completely torn about using the magnificent HDT from Yarnplayer (this one is Stardate in a size 20) for a tassel, because it seemed wasteful, but I didn't have any matching embroidery floss that would work.
The second (far right), I ended with a clover so that it would mirror the top. Still needs it's tassel.

The third (middle) is the Supermodel whose career is over and she has let herself go.
After months with the shuttle, I pulled out my needle and worked this pattern. I never thought I'd say it, but I prefer the shuttle. The needle is still faster, but only just. Making even picots is a little easier, as is correcting mistakes and hiding thread tails. However, the tension of shuttle tatting is significantly better for me.
Analyzing that, I think it has to do with the diameter of the needle, which is the substitute for the core thread as you are forming the stitches. Because you have to thread the needle, it will always be slightly larger than the diameter of the thread you are using. No matter how tight your stitches, the channel that you pass the core thread through when you finish the rings and chains will always be slightly too big. This gives the work a softer feel, but also leaves the stitches a little slack to wallow around a bit. Picots also tend to not stay put.
This is just the results that I have seen. Looking at the work of other needle tatters, like Totusmel, it is obviously a problem that can be overcome. I think I need a consult.

You're still wondering about the cow, aren't you?
Yesterday, our freezer beef was delivered. The faithful may remember that every year my FiL purchases a steer at the 4-H auction, has it processed, and shares it with BiL's family and us. He has done this for years. I'm not even sure what beef costs in the stores anymore. Needless to say, this is a huge blessing for which we could never be too thankful. Not to mention that it is delicious beyond words. Hand fed and pampered, it probably even had a name, but we don't want to think about that.

Guess what we had for dinner last night?

Another Beef BBQ

1# ground beef
1 small onion, chopped
1 t. salt
1 t. chili powder (give or take)
3/4 c BBQ sauce (I used the Dr Pepper BBQ!)
8 oz tomato sauce
1 c sweet corn
1 c. shredded cheddar

Brown beef and onion, add remaining ingredients and simmer 15 minutes. Add cheese and heat until melted.

We served this over hot buttermilk cheddar biscuits (Betty Crocker recipe with cheese added), which were heavenly, but the BBQ overwhelms the flavor of the biscuits. We're going to try it over homemade cornbread next time. I suspect it will do the same, but it's yummy anyway.

Leftovers

What do you call scraps of tatting? Scrats?

Before starting a new project, I needed to empty a few shuttles of the leftover bits of thread. I made a few doodles with the last of "Aqua Bay" and some of "Lava", 2 of the HDTs from Yarnplayer. I'm hoping to use them on a the secret Christmas gift idea.

The two larger doo-lollies done in Lava are my first two attempts at the center of the Yes-U-Can doily challenge. Not completely happy with either, I've decided to set that aside until after the holidays. Part of my problem is that I haven't found a method of hiding my thread ends that I am satisfied using. The Magic Thread trick works well at the beginning if I'm starting with a ring. Not so much anywhere else. And I am a complete failure at "sewing under the caps". Oh, well. I'll figure it out eventually.

Cinema and String

With so much handwork to complete before the holidays, I brought home a handful of DVDs from the library this week. Now I can watch and stitch at the same time, hopefully without too many mistakes.

The project:

Two more "Heart o'Daisies" by Jon Yusef. This time, I did them without the chain around the outside, because I have an idea in mind for a gift. The chain would make them too big. More on that later.
This pattern came with instructions for making these with split rings, allowing you to continue from one daisy to the next without having to cut and start again. That's always good in my book. I haven't quite mastered hiding thread ends yet, and the less I have to do it, the better.
I used Yarnplayer's HDT "Lava" in a size 20. I continue to be impressed with this thread, both with the vibrant colors and the smoothness with which it works.

The movie: Avatar. I decided I needed to find out what all the fuss was about.
The recipe for this film: 1 part Matrix, 1 part Tron, 2 parts pixie dust and a dash of Norse mythology. Place in Cuisinart and hit Frappe. The end result is a glorified cartoon (I don't care how "visually stunning" the reviews said it was) that paints our military in a very unfavorable light. I'm so very glad I didn't pay money to see it.

Joey's Dragon

I have owed my not-really-a-nephew Joey a bookmark for a couple of months now, and I finally finished it this morning.
The first time I tried this dragon (you might remember Paprika), I used a needle, and the results were not quite what I wanted. I started this one with shuttles, got nearly finished and broke the thread. Since I wasn't pleased with how it was looking anyway, I started over. I had tried to make it without the beads, thinking they would not work well on a bookmark (and what do boys want with beads, anyway?), but it really needed the beads.

This time, I'm happy to report, it actually looks like a dragon, complete with sassy curl to the tail and all. I'm still working on my tension with shuttle tatting, but it's coming along.

He really needs a name, but I'm going to leave that up to Joey. Happy late Birthday, Joey!

Oh, PS, about the postcards. There are 9 scheduled posts left over the next three weeks, and then I promise we'll be done with them. I think J's interest is beginning to evaporate anyway. Sorry for the interminable stretch of banality.

Motif-ated

Thanks to dictionary.com, further research has revealed that a Motif is "a distinctive and recurring form, shape, figure, etc., in a design, as in a painting or on wallpaper." ...or tatting.

One motif...

 

linked together with other motifs...

becomes addictive. Before you know it...

 you have something really cool. Almost done. Maybe by Saturday?*

In spite of the definition, I am opting to only count this piece as one (not eleven) motif for the challenge. It wouldn't be much of a challenge if I could complete almost half of it in one afternoon. Especially since you have a whole year to mess around on this.

*Or maybe today...

The chain around the outside edge didn't take long at all. The finished piece is 2 1/2 inches wide. The pattern is Jon Yusef's Heart o'Daisies. The thread is Yarnplayer's HDT "Knitty Gritty" in a size 30.

25 Motif Challenge

I don't know about you, but I'm getting tired of seeing nothing but postcards here. Time to fix that.

You may remember that several months ago, I took up the challenge to learn how to tat with a shuttle. This after needle tatting for the last year or so. Let me tell you right now, shuttle tatting is a completely different animal. So forget you know anything about tatting at all and it will go better for you. Yeah.
We're going to skip the frustration, temper tantrums, and tears of despondency (yes, all over string) and move right to when the rays of sunshine pierce the clouds and the angels sing at the moment of triumph. Ta-da!

And because enough is never enough, I had to go and join the 25 Motif Challenge. Basically, you challenge yourself to tat 25 motifs within a year. While I am still unclear as to the precise definition of "motif", I'm pretty sure that bookmarks and doilies will count. So far, I have 5. I guess to be official, I should declare that my start date was August 5th.

This first bookmark was part of a "Challenge Yourself" exchange done through the In Tatters community. The idea was to stretch your ability in tatting. My goal was simply to master shuttle tatting enough so that I didn't feel like throwing the project across the room five minutes after picking it up. After three false starts, I managed to complete Kersti's Floral Bookmark again, using a much smaller thread (breaking it twice and forgetting everything I had figured out the last time notwithstanding). I used Yarnplayer's "Sugar Maple" HDT (hand dyed thread) in a size 30.

 

The other four bookmarks above are:

• Kersti's Floral (again), done with a crochet thread from Michael's
• "Jane in South Africa" bookmark, done with DMC perle cotton #4065, variations "Morning Meadows". My repeats are slightly different than the pattern because I was tatting in the car without the instructions. This was also before I learned how to hide my ends. To cover that up, I made a tassel for each end of the bookmark. This weekend, I talked with several girls who insist that their bookmarks be long enough to hang out both ends of the book, which makes this piece perfect.
• I have no idea what to call this one. It's just the result of messing with my own ideas and trying to use up the thread on a couple of shuttles.
• "Jane in South Africa again, but this time done with Yarnplayer's "Sugar Maple" HDT.

Now on to the next project!