More Critters on the Block - Owl

Red owl is tatted in cotton perle 8 and light blue aqua owl is tatted in Altin Basak 50 #3001. I love tatting with this Altin Basak thread, they are so comfortable and soft yet holds up quite well. This Altin Basak is from Typstatting in exchange for some pastel Clover shuttles. If you look at the second owl, you will see that the aqua made up the head. It just turned out that way.

Martha paid attention to such small details when creating these patterns and they all look so true to form. Thank you Martha.

More Critters on the Block - Sheep

This was a little fiddly to tat as you had to brush away the picots to see where you needed to join to and I am sure I made some mistakes, somewhere. But after it was done, I think the Sheep looked really cute. What do you think?? This one is tatted in Venus Size 40 white (#800) and dark grey (#486).

This is the lamb pattern tatted up in Venus size 40 white (#800) and pink (#107). This is a wee bit smaller. If I am up for it, I might tat another to make it a pair. There must be something wrong with my chain tension as some were much longer than others, or this little lamb had a bit too much for dinner.

Mom's Christmas Tree Snowflaked

As promised, photos to show you mom's tree laden with 50 snowflakes which I tatted throughout 2011. I actually added 3 more, from my tatted motifs so there are about 53 snowflakes on this 4 ft tree. And I thought 50 were too many. Part of the tree which was facing the wall had no snowflakes.

What did she say about the snowflakes? They are all different. Hmmm. . . . . some are pretty. Where did you find 50 different patterns?

Some of the bigger snowflakes started to fold as I did not stiffen them. Sorry the photos are not great as my rechargeable battery ran out even before I started using the camera and I did not bring the charger with me. I had to use my mobile phone camera.

Blue Elephant Family Mobile for J

These blue elephants were a request from my sister. I tatted them earlier but just assembled them into a mobile for her for Christmas. I used some Czech fire polished crystals and nylon fishing line and hung it on a straight horizontal stick but you could also tie it on a round frame. I did not starch or stiffen this so the larger elephants tend to fold but if placed against a wall or glass pane, it isn't so bad, otherwise we might have to fix the elephant in a frame or laminate it. This will do for now.

More Critters on the Block - Hornet

I tatted two of these. The hornet pattern is from Martha Ess. The tails are made up as I tat. Do you see what resembles an angel in tail of hornet #2? Totally impromptu. Also had to show you that the smiling sun charm front and back. Found it in the local bead shop and it was on sale. I used Milford Size 40 black and Altin Basak #2351 with the gold strand. It added a little sparkle to the hornet.

Boxing Day Tatting

I did not tat this today but just showing them to you while I am busy somewhere else today. I showed you this little turtle before here. Now it has a tail and a charm.

Seasons Greetings

From Umi & Tsuru

This is Christmas 2011 Snowflake #50

Myra Piper's pattern.

Challenge is complete.

Little Teapot Bookmark

I did not realise the red I used for the teapot and the tail was a different shade. I found this teapot charm sometime back and rediscovered it in my bead stash recently when I was looking for charms to add.

And More Bookmarks - Hummingbirds

Just added tails and charms to the hummingbirds I tatted earlier. The hummingbird pattern is from Martha Ess. I did not have time to go to the bead store to get more charms so these will have to do. I am sure at the bead shop there will be charms to match the tatting.

Little Sister Angel Bookmark

I tatted these Martha Ess' angels earlier. Just added the tail and charm and viola, bookmarks. The bottom one is tatted in silk that Fox gave me. I am doing this with some of the smaller designs for quick gifts.

Bookmark Gifts - Grasshoppers

Added split ring and spiral tails to these little grasshoppers, plus charms and they become bookmarks.

Remember the little blue whale, here it is with a tail and a charm too. If the tail is too long, make a few knots. Both patterns are from Martha Ess.

Bamboo China

These were lovely to dine from.

I enjoyed the painting on the plate and the teacup.

The colour was soothing and

it reflected the theme of the restaurant

Christmas 2011 Snowflake #49

One more snowflake to reach 50. I doubt mom's tree will take 50 snowflakes, or maybe it will. I will take a photo and post it before the new year. This one is a pattern (#28) from Myra Piper on page 10 of her book. Tatted in two rounds, 2m on the shuttle for round 1 and 3m on the shuttle for round 2.

Alligator in Jungle Greens

Another one from Martha Ess "More Critters on the Block'. This alligator pattern looked so realistic. Lizbeth 40 Jungle Greens seemed a suitable colour for this one.

Chilli Crab

Chilli crab is a popular dish in Singapore and I love the dish too but eating it is a messy affair. So I thought this was a lovely variation.

Deep fried soft shell crab dipped in the chilli crab sauce. No mess of taking the meat off the shells.

Christmas 2011 Snowflake #48

This pattern looked interesting in Myra Piper's book on page 12 but when I tatted this up it looked different. I think the proportions are slightly off and it looks too much like a hexagon here. Anyway this is #48 of the snowflakes. I spoke to mom this week and she was saying she might not put up the tree this year. Oh dear!! We will see what happens.

Venetia

'The truly rich are those who can enjoy what they have'

~Venetia Stanley-Smith~

'At home with Venetia in Kyoto' is a programme I enjoy. Try to catch an episode if you can. You can watch it on NHK World on cable (Starhub Channel 148, every Tuesday at 9.30pm in Singapore) or at this channel KCET if you are in the US. Watch this video clip here on Venetia's garden art.

Angel in Autumn Apple Pie

This one is Anne Bruvold's SSSR Angel in Lizbeth Size 40 Autumn Apple Pie. Made this one with a short tail. The colours did not end up symmetrical on the angel but that's fine.

Writing on the Wall

This was at the entrance of a restaurant. The ladies at the restaurant offered to take photos of us but I actually wanted a photo of the wall. They were amused but I am sure they are familiar with strange requests.

Sleeping Tsuru

I was careful not to wake her but cats have acute senses.

She woke up after.

One eye first.

Then both eyes.

Whale in Blue

specifically Lizbeth 40 Blue River Glades #164. This ball of thread is from Tabatha. The whale pattern is from Martha Ess in her book 'More Critters on the Block'. The whale measures only 1.7 inches in length. I love the size. What's next?

Chatucak Market

I took these photos at Chatucak Market in Bangkok last year. I love what they did with the plants - a cottage filled with lush greenery and they were selling coconut ice cream in the front. I already had mine before we came across this one.

Christmas 2011 Snowflake #47

This is a pattern from Myra Piper, #11 in her book. Tatted in Size 40, 5 metres of thread was required in the shuttle. It was very quick to tat and easy too. I like the square shape and yes it is a very 'unusual' snowflake.

Car Wash

It was early Sunday morning. We woke up early, had our favourite fish ball noodles and was headed home but not before a car wash. When the car wash attendant saw the car, he shook his head and smiled. The car was filthy as the day before it went through some dusty roads and then it rained. But they did an excellent job at the car wash.