Gong Xi Fa Cai 2014

Here's wishing you a happy and prosperous lunar new year.

I leave you scenes from Chinatown in Singapore.

Horses in the sky

Horses and gold coins

The main horse is of course larger but
I much prefer the pink ones in Orchard Road

Reunion Dinner 2014

We are having reunion dinner with family tonight as we usher in the Chinese New Year 2014 which is year of the horse. Fish is an important dish for a blessed and prosperous year ahead. This fish was filleted and deep fried.

As many people gather at their reunion dinners, I would like to share this with you - A short film which shows reunion dinners of one family in Singapore over the decades - 1960s, 1980s and present day. 

The Reunion Dinner 回家過年 by Anthony Chen. 

Tatting Artistry In Thread by Helma Siepmann

I bought this book in 2011 and did not tat anything from it thus far. I did take it out to browse occasionally and this time I was determined to do something after tatting Iris Niebach's Barcelona. 

I took out my bag of leftover threads and picked out all the Perle cotton browns, greens and flower colours. They are great to practice making Helma Siepmann's plant basics on page 9.

What do you think? 

I think I will grow a field of flowers.

Swirl Square

This pattern is one of Marty's from this blog post. Since the Chinese New Year is approaching, I thought I would tat it in red. Done in 4 rounds but with split rings, you need not cut and tie until you finish. I used Milford Size 20 in Holiday Red and used about 6.5m on shuttle 1 and 4m on shuttle 2.

Itty-Bitty Bumble Bee

Another pattern from Martha Ess 

- the original block critter as Martha calls it.

This is the cutest bumble bee. 

Tatted in Size 20, it only measures 2cm across. 

I used threads from the bag full of leftover threads emptied from shuttles. 

Annarita

Yes, Fox and I decided to tat the last variation of this Iris Niebach's pattern. Pop over to have a look at hers.

Mine is done in Lizbeth Size 80 in medium blue (#651) and it measures 6.5 inches across. I must press it with an iron as the chains are twisting a little even after  blocking.

I was not giving it my whole attention so I made several mistakes, discovered a little late and decided not to unpick. 

Can you spot them? 

One is very glaring. 

Found it?

Martha's Frog

Another critter from Martha Ess. This time it is a little frog. I used leftover thread and I cannot identify the thread colours. It is size 40. This could be tied to your phone or to your purse or scissors.

Russian Book by Kurbatskaya

The pattern on page 66 of this book consists of multiples of the motif below.

I need to tat 8 more of these. I love this colour. The thread is Omega Size 50 in apricot medium. The thread quality isn't as good as Lizbeth but it works for this pattern nicely. Will post it when I get it done.

Barcelona

No, it isn't another tour around the city but it is this pattern by Iris Niebach named Barcelona. Now isn't it a great pattern. 

I love the leaves. These were tatted with Lizbeth Size 40 in Juicy Watermelon (#156), Leaf Green Medium (#684) and Lime Green Medium (#677). After Paris, the Maltese rings were still fresh in my mind however I forgot that I needed to tat loosely so that it is easier to close the Maltese rings. I did not attach one leaf to the petal but it isn't so critical.

I switched the colours of the leaf and flower centre for the second flower. Did I mention I love the leaves? I may want to tat more in Perle cotton or a Size 20 or in various different colours.

A Wonderful Gift

On Sunday I received a wonderful gift - the pdf copy of Marilee Rockley's newest book 'Marilee's Beaded Tatting Finery'. It was a total surprise and the book is really appreciated. Thank you JB.

The book is full of interesting patterns. I am eager to start tatting but I have to finish some projects first. I am thinking of tatting the Feather earrings, or maybe the Concoction bracelet, no . . . maybe the Toccata necklace or the Celtic Hexad pendant or the Melange earrings. I cannot decide. 

Thank you Marilee for a wonderful book full of great designs.

Milk Hill Crop Circle

I was browsing Etsy and found this pattern from Tatting for Spirit. Karen wrote the pattern for needle tatters but shuttle tatters will have no problem with the pattern. The pattern is inspired by a crop circle and a photo is shown in the listing too.

I think a larger thread is required for this pattern. I used Milford Size 20 but it looks a little sparse. I should have kept the gap between the rings to a minimum. My largest ring is a little out of shape. I do prefer Karen's tatted crop circle. Do link here to have a look.

Stegosaurus

This little fellow was tatted with Tat-ilicious' HDT called Seaglass. It is labelled a Size 20 but it does look more like a Size 40 to me. Love the colours of this thread. The tail got lost with the bookmark. I should have started from the head of the Stegosaurus. A charm that says 'Made with a smile' is attached with a jump ring at the other end. The pattern is from this book by Martha Ess which I just got for myself. 

I tried to tie an infinity knot following a video online but not sure if I got it right though. I don't think it is easy to tell.

Annalisa

I love this thread colour combination. It is called Sea Island Citrus (#161) by Lizbeth in Size 80. The colour is truer to the original in the first photo.

Thank you Fox for this challenge. 

I would never have thought of tatting it, if not for you.

Annarita next?

TIAS 2014 Day 4

It could be a flag?

Or . . it could be an animal's head, top half! 

See the little button nose and the eye?

Hanky Sachet #4

Link to the hanky sachet instructions.

Link here for details of the edging.

Annalisa WIP

Fox and I decided to tat this together. It is a Iris Niebach pattern - Annalisa. It is tatted in one round which makes it so wonderful but the twists and turns will challenge you. After the first repeat, it does get easier and the reward is a beautifully designed pattern.

You see I was quite intimidated by the pattern that I tatted the easiest variation - Annamaria, first time round. Yes, again it was Fox that instigated it by tatting it first here. Mine is here.

I am beginning to see the beauty of tatting in Size 80 threads. It is a pain to unpick but the tatting turns out so delicate. I may just try it again with the last variation of this pattern - Annarita.

A Little Bookmark

I had some thread left in the shuttle and made this little bookmark. The heart charm added a little weight to one end.

Paris

Paris by Iris Niebach from Tatting Fantasia 4. 

Tatted in Lizbeth 40 in Linen Medium (#693) and Latte Foam (#168).

3.5 x 2.5 inches

Many lovely patterns in this book.

TIAS 2014 Day 2

This is the progress so far for TIAS Day 2. 

I wonder what it could be. 

A shooting star? A comet?

I asked Jane on Day 1 if it could be a strawberry in a fruit basket and can you guess what she said.

Cinnamon Rolls

I was craving for these so I decided to make it myself one weekend. Not so good but I am determined to finish them. Burnt from reheating them in the oven. Four more left in the fridge after eating and giving them away. I put in brown sugar, cinnamon with raisins and cranberries. At the moment I am also devouring fruit cake my sister made. Oh yummy and moist with brandy. I need to give up regular meals and eat only salad and sweets, or just sweets.

Sweet Pea Edging (MK#65)

I wound my shuttles with Lizbeth Size 40 Grape Pomegranate (#178) and Herbal Garden (#179) and started on an edging pattern. After two repeats, I could not bring myself to continue and decided to change the pattern to this one by Mary Konior. It is going on a yellow hanky. Yes . . . but do they match? You will have to wait and see.

Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima

One of the places we visited in Portugal was Fatima. This is the site where the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to 3 children in 1917. More about the Sanctuary here.

In the centre of the square is the Monument to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. 
There is a spring where you can collect water.

Chapel of Apparitions
The exact spot of the apparition is where the statue of Our Lady of Fatima stands.

Inside the Sanctuary

Tomb of Jacinta and Lucia  

Tomb of Francisco

Pilgrim Virgin of Fatima

On pilgrimage days the whole square is filled.

On the other end is the Church of the Most Holy Trinity. 

A very modern church which was consecrated in 2007.

Church of the Most Holy Trinity

Inside - seating capacity is 8500.

Firenze

Pattern by Iris Niebach in Fantasia 4
Lizbeth 40 Charcoal Medium

This is not good at all.  I am always hesitant to do the Cluny leaf and this pattern called for one. Instead, I went with a simple ring. After tatting one motif, I wanted to continue to tat 5 more to join and make a doily. It was then I realized I made a mistake in the first one. Now I am left with two with the same mistake. I'm sorry Iris, I did not do justice to this pattern. 

What's next? I think I will try Paris.

Lisbon

View from Edward VII park all the way to the Tagus river.

Monument to the Carnation Revolution to commemorate 25 April 1974
marking the end of dictatorship and the start of democracy in Portugal

Rossio Fountain with Portuguese Pavement
Black and white pavement stones are also found in former Portuguese colonies
e.g. Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and Macau 

Jeronimos Monastery

Manueline style architecture with carved stonework

Inside  - beautiful archways and the tomb of Vasco Da Gama

After all that walking we needed some sustenance.

Egg tarts and coffee

Belem Tower overlooking the Tagus river was built in the 16th century
to control entrance to Lisbon from the sea.

Monument to the Discoveries at the marina in Belem
The starting point for many explorers like Vasco de Gama and Pedro Alvares Cabral

View of the 25 April bridge and Monument of Christ King
Our hotel was near the monument

Aguas Livres Aqueduct built in the 18th century brought fresh water to Lisbon
19km long and spans the valley of Alcantara

If you are not bored yet, more of Portugal soon.