Learning is Fun

Isn't that so true. I cannot remember where I took this or what the poster was advertising but it sure was a good cause. If only everyone can experience that.

Tatting Together Square Motifs - Ulla Bendtsen

This was what I was talking about yesterday. It took me 3 tries, but you learn. Tatting isn't perfect and I tied the ends to the wrong side but hopefully I will do better for the next repeat. This pattern of Ulla is from Tatting Together Square Motifs. I liked the negative space the pattern created and it looked lovely in the book - both in colour and in all white. I wanted a black and white combination. Does it look too severe? I think I am going to do some of the patterns in this book in the fashion colours of 2012 summer collection. Look out for them, soon. 

Perseverance

A word I thought about when I was tatting one pattern. It was tiring but perseverance does pay off. I wish I had more of it. It seems to wane as I grow older. What else wanes with age?

Simple Bookmark #2

While tatting this in Jane's Lizbeth colourway (#166, pink cocoa, Size 40), I realised I made the bottom of the bookmark all wrong but it isn't too noticeable as that is where I added the tassel. Did you notice it in the first one? I did not, until I tatted this one. Strange how we do not notice some details until later. Whatever happened to attention to details? 

Best Lobster

Yes, it was yummy. This lobster must have been really fresh. Simply cooked, served with lemon wedges and melted butter with corn at the side. This was preceded by the clam chowder which was also very creamy and good. And to finish, one cannoli. A perfect meal!! 

Simple Bookmark

I wanted to do something simple and relaxing. I saw this on Jane's blog here and put it on my 'To tat' list.

I was attempting my next pattern on the 'Tatting Together Square Motifs' book and was frustrated with the mistakes I was making so I switched to this one. I think it is a great pattern to show off the color changes in variegated threads. This one is tatted in Lizbeth 40 Country Kitchen, #160. Try it! I am going to tat another.

Pay It Forward

I put my name in Lenhen's PIF which I blogged about here sometime last September. I have two names in that post and am looking for a third name. Anyone wants to PIF? I am looking for one more person. Please join and PIF it to 3 other people. First name to leave a comment here will get a handmade gift from me. As for Margaret of Margaret Designer Cards and tattrldy of Wanda's Knotty Thoughts, please let me know what is your favourite colour and whether you would prefer something tatted or something sewn, handmade earrings or a blinged shuttle. Isn't this fun?

Tatting Together Square Motifs - Lene Bjorn

Fox recommended this pattern book to me when I asked which Iris Niebach book I should get. This book contains patterns from a class that Iris taught. The designs are from her students in this class. The designs are all very interesting and some look quite challenging. I chose this one to start tatting with.

This pattern on page 12 is by Lene Bjorn. It is the pink one on the book cover. Here I used Lizbeth Size 40 in #675 Fern Green medium and #165 Blue River Glades. I had to unpick several times but I love how the design turned out. I did however wished I had used a more contrasting colour and there is one extra picot somewhere in one of the chains. Did not see it until I was blocking it. The pattern is actually four squares joined up. Each square is tatted in one round with two shuttles.

Sunrise

Sunrise as a plane takes off.

The colours of the sky remind me of padparadscha - a pink orange sapphire mined in Sri Lanka.

Rings of Glory Heart

Spot the difference!

I tatted the red heart first and realised that I missed a small ring and improvised. Could not let it go so I tatted the white one according to the pattern by Karey Solomon. White is Milford Size 40 and red is Altin Basak Size 50 #328.

Heart of the Rose from Fox

Tatted by Fox

Look what arrived in the mail for me early this week. She heard me say out loud that I love her green heart of the rose. I like it most, this green heart. I always love Fox's colour choices. Thank you so much for it and for all the other precious goodies in the same envelope. They will be l.o.v.e.d. and t.r.e.a.s.u.r.e.d.

Take Turns Merging

This would be common sense even without such signs. Apparently common courtesy goes out the window, when it gets too crowded or when you are always in a hurry or . . . . it never existed . . .sense and courtesy.

Hearts By The Hundreds

Another Karey Solomon pattern from her 'Hearts belong to tatting' book.

I connected two hearts with Victorian sets. This is tatted in Lizbeth 40 Raspberry Frappe (#157). You can see that I messed up with the Victorian sets in some places because I lost count.

Tischband Tat Along Giveaway #1 - Shuttle

This is what Karen won for the Tischband Tat Along Giveaway #1. There are 2 more giveaways. I wanted Karen to receive it before this post. She chose the mystery shuttle. The remaining two giveaways are mystery tatting threads or a mystery tatted motif. So if you have finished any more Tischband repeats, send me a link or a photo and I will include you here for the next draw. I blinged this pink Clover shuttle with nail decals and brushed on two layers of varnish.

I am so glad that pink is your favourite colour, Karen!
Happy Tatting!

Kreuzmotive WIP - 3 repeats

You guessed right. These are the colours I chose. I will continue to make it a 3 x 2 table mat and see how to proceed from there. It will also depend on how much threads I have left on the ball. I cannot get more of these threads unless I take a plane ride and a week long vacation. Hmmm, just the excuse!

Pattern is from this book
(Just for Fox)

Rest in Peace, See Ee

26 May 1922 - 12 May 2012



Excerpt from The Final Flight by unknown author

Be not burdened with times of sorrow, I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.

My life's been full, I savoured much, good friends, good times, a loved ones' touch.

Perhaps my time seemed all too brief, Don't lengthen it now with undue grief.

Lift up your heart and share with me, God wanted me now, He's set me free.

New Ring

Remember my broken ring and I was looking to replace it, well I got this one from Etsy. The band is dyed tagua nut. On top of that is a green druzy and a peridot at the side dipped in 18K gold.

I remember seeing tagua nut in the Hong Kong jade market where a man was selling carved tagua nut as vegetable ivory. Tagua nut is actually a palm nut.

Kreuzmotive WIP - 3rd Repeat

I think it is pretty. Now to tat the outer blooms and connect to the first 2 repeats. I am excited!! Are you??

Food Art

Cabbage, asparagus and chives makes a butterfly to illustrate the slogan of fresh food served here in the cafe and each night what is not sold is given to the homeless. I was attracted by the butterfly and the slogan was a plus. Did I eat here, no, we were just passing through early one morning.

Kreuzmotive WIP - 3rd Repeat

I think I am getting the rhythm of this but it does take time to tat. Some days, I have to consciously stop myself from tatting, as nothing else will get done.

On another note, we have been waiting for good weather for this, for weeks. It is something that can only be done when all these conditions are met:
it is a weekend;
it is sunny and not cloudy or raining;
when both/all 3 of us are available;
when we feel up to it;
when the floor is vacuumed;

Shhh . . . . . Tsuru is getting a bath. Hopefully this weekend.

Renewal Heart and Starlit Shuttle

This is the renewal heart pattern from Karey Solomon in her book 'Hearts Belong to Tatting' tatted in Milford Satin Perle No. 5 in Ombre Red. I think the colour of this thread runs. I noticed some colour on the blocking mat. I like the shape of this heart and the pattern was easy and fast to tat. Good distraction in between the Kreuzmotive.

As for the Starlit shuttle. It was easier to handle compared to the Tatsy shuttle. Not much problem except that you need to adapt to the size, much like when you tat with Size 20 thread and in the next instance tat with Size 80 thread. I think it is great for holding large amount of thread or beads. In this case, the thread I used was comparable in scale to the shuttle and the tip actually helped me unpick the stitches, but would be totally useless for unpicking when tatting with Size 20 or smaller.

Tsuru

Shhhh . . .  Tsuru is enjoying an afternoon nap. She sleeps a lot and she loves this pillow on the sofa. At night she sleeps on the silk quilt next to me. Yes . . she's my fur ball.

This is when I leave the room and turn off the air conditioning. She is still sleeping!!

Kreuzmotive WIP - 2nd Repeat Completed

The pink repeat is done and connected to 1st repeat. This Kreuzmotive pattern is from Ruth Scharf's Neue Blatter book. Can you guess what the third repeat would look like? I have not connected the pink petal to the grey petal yet. I want to see if I can leave it as is. The pattern has a small ring connecting the petals.

Ducks A-swimming

I seldom see ducks swimming and enjoying their surroundings. Look at this pair, oblivious to people walking among them. What pretty shimmering colours in their feathers. Enjoy your day, and do not forget to smell the roses or notice the beauty that surrounds you!!

Oh and if you feel like some online shopping for more tatting books or books, take advantage of the discount here.

Tischband from Sheila H

Tatted by Sheila H

Tatted by Sheila H

Tatted by Sheila H in LIzbeth 20 Summer fun, Baby pink, Seagreen lt and dark

Tatted by Sheila H in Lizbeth 20 Easter eggs, Mint green and Purple iris lt.

Sheila H sent me photographs of her Tischband from the tat along. I think she has caught the Tischband bug. She sent me four and is tatting more. I look forward to more photos from her. Sheila does not have a blog but she has been tatting for 3-4 years now. I noticed that the leaves are long and narrow and it fits well. Enjoy the photos.

Bracelet

I have a bracelet which I love, similar to this design. I decided to create my own version of it with parts from the local bead shop. It isn't the same but I thought it would make a nice gift.

Beautiful Wisteria

I read on Pat's blog about the wisteria she is planting. I wish I had a garden where I could plant a wisteria. It takes years to grow and flower and perhaps will not do well in the climate where I live.

Wisteria is one of my favourite flowers. This specimen is wondrous! I would love to see a white variety.