A little teapot for November 2009 giveaway

This is from Martha Ess 'Tea is for Tatting' book and it is called a tiny square teapot. I look forward to tatting the larger teapots. I think the first one I would like to try is the Celtic Teapot. I also need to learn how the Maltese ring is done. Time to go for a tatting lesson.

This little teapot will be Umi and Tsuru's November 2009 Giveaway. If you would like a chance to receive this, leave a comment before 6 December 2009 and your name will be put into a draw. Please check back to see who won.

Multicoloured flower branch bookmark

These are done with Swarovski bicone crystals incorporated into the flowers. The leaves are done using a pattern by Ruth Perry although these do not look anything like Ruth's. This is because it is dependent on the picot size. One more bookmark to add to my collection of tatted gifts.

Leaves of Autumn

The falling leaves of autumn. This pattern is by Sherry. I wanted to tat this for the longest time but never got to it until recently. I was inspired by Lizbeth threads Falling Leaves #100 and Tatskool's HDT Chocolime. They seem perfect colours for leaves. In some strange world, there are blue leaves which have been tatted in GT threads and the last one is in Anchor Perle Cotton Colour #1304 with a little heart charm. I have tatted quite a number of bookmarks as gifts. These are some. Visit Tatskool's blog to see her colours of autumn leaves.

Square motif

I love to browse TattingChic's list of patterns she's gonna tat. That is where I first saw this really pretty square motif. I used TattingChic's link to this pattern. It is by Lady Lace Tatting and you can find the pattern here. Thank you to Lady Lace for the free pattern and TattingChic for showing me to it.

I like square tatting motifs. The pink one is done in Flora 20 #206 and the light green/gold/blue one is done in a metallic DMC (?, I lost the label) thread. It looks a little different from Lady Lace's but perhaps I should try it in a dark thread.

Crooked Mile

MK#4 is a crooked mile with mistakes but I decided to continue tatting and make the mistakes part of the pattern. It is now my version of the Crooked Mile pattern by Mary Konior. This pattern is found on page 11 of 'Tatting with Visual Patterns'. I used the GT thread Size 20 in variegated red. Another tatted bookmark for a man.

A quilting question

Does anyone know the name of this quilt pattern? I am trying to find instructions on how to quick piece this together. This patch is more than 10 years old. I have the fabric cut in 2 inch strips with one patch done up. I attended an afternoon quilting workshop but I never finished the piecing and I have no idea how this is done. The truth is I have forgotten and it never occurred to me to write down the instructions when I attended the workshop. What I remember is machine sew the 4 different fabric strips together. I remember piecing one more time before cutting diagonally and piece again. I can't remember the order of doing what first. If anyone can help. I would realy appreciate it.

Mary Konior's Anniversary Double Braid

This is MK#3. It is the Anniversary Double Braid on page 8 of the 'Tatting with Visual Patterns'. I added a tassel and yes it's a bookmark. I am trying to make tatting gifts suitable for the male species. Would any man appreciate this?

The thread used is a Cotton Pearl 8 from China called GT (Gold Thread). I bought a few colours of these when I visited mom in June 2009. The quality of the thread is not great but I liked the colours they had. Tat with these only if you are sure there will be no unpicking. Look out for more tatting in these threads. I just realised I could not find the colour name or number on the label. The colour is similar to DMC Perle 8 Colour #111, except this GT colour changes with less gradation.

Anniversary Motif

This is what I tatted next from Mary Konior's book. This will make pattern #2 (MK#2). Yes I want to tat up as many as I can before the end of the year. This one is called the Anniversary motif. This is done in Coats Size 40 in Colour 884.

Jack and Jill bookmark

I am happily tatting the patterns from my new book 'Tatting with Visual Patterns' by Mary Konior. This one is called Jack and Jill. Tatted in Lizbeth Cotton Size 20 in colour #126 / Paint Brush.

In the book, this was tatted up and used as simulated smocking over fabric. I think it looks like an unusual bookmark. What do you think?

I think there will be more bookmarks coming up. I am enjoying the Lizbeth threads and Mary Konior's patterns. Happiness!!

Tomorrow I might be going to see a lady about a new sewing machine. We'll see how that goes.

Umi relaxing on the sofa

This is Umi on the rare occasions that she decides to lounge with me on the sofa. She needs a lot of space because she loves to roll around. She has her moods but she always loves a tummy rub.

Umi Chooses October 2009 Giveaway Winner

Gave Tsuru the day off and asked Umi to work this month. The bottle contains treats for Umi and Tsuru. They know how to put their paws into the bottle to pull out the treats. I put all the names in the bottle, gave it a good stir and asked Umi to pick. The first name she pulled out is . . . . . .

Congratulations to Edna Henry. Do drop me an e-mail with your address and I will send the bookmark off to you. Thank you to all who participated and your comments. Look out for next month's giveaway.