Plant Pool

Scorching sun,

Rain and more rain,

Bad drainage,

Equals,

A pool with dead plants.

Geckos Success

Thanks to Jane's diagram, my second attempt was more successful. The brown one still had a mistake as its body was one repeat too many. Instead of beads for the eyes, I added two Josephine knots. 

Both tatted in Perle cotton size 8. What's next?

Heart Patchwork Block

In between the tatted animals, I will insert these hearts. That way I need only half the number of tatted animals. Yes, that will work, don't you think?

Hedgehogs Version 2, 3 & 4

Pinning the hedgehog was fun. Needed a lot of pins and patience. This pattern is from the Be-stitched website. I did not add the beads for the eyes and nose and improvised. A simple pattern so do try it. I love how the colour changes in the thread show up in the long picots especially in the orange one.

I did add beads in the first one.

Monkey Fortune God

This mall went with the fortune god this year and as it is the year of the monkey come 8 February 2016, there sits a monkey fortune god with pink cherry blossoms.

Butterfly Version 2

You saw the first butterfly here. This is multi-coloured. 

Is it too girlish for boys? If so, it might end up in their sister's blanket.

Spider's Web

This little spider decided to curl up in its own web, cocooned on the car window. While driving to breakfast, it was blown away but not before I got a few shots of it on my camera.

Elephant Version 2

The colour is more pinkish than it appears here. Since it was tatted in parts, I used a darker shade for the ears and eye. Another pattern from Inga Madsen's book Tatted Animals. Version 1 is here.

Creme Brulee

There was not enough caramelised sugar but it was pretty and if you can have some of the raspberry sauce if you find it too sweet. I love desserts . . . . you must have guessed.

Monkey Version 2

The second monkey is tatted in DMC perle cotton 8 in Col. 69. Most of the patterns in this book by Inga Madsen are tatted in parts. This was done in 5 parts.

Chinese Characters

Blue and pink paper flowers make these Chinese characters. Can anyone tell me what they mean? This was taken at Raffles City.

Ladybird Version 2

Onion rings are no fun and these are not good at all. The stitch count seem scant for me but its done. The black thread was uneven in many places. 

I forgot to tat the legs on the first one so it is omitted here too.

Cat Version 2

Soft kitty, warm kitty,

Little ball of fur,

Happy kitty, sleepy kitty,

Purr, purr, purr.

Shhhh... Tsuru is fast asleep, curled up in a ball.

Last of the Christmas Decorations

I know Christmas is over but I did not get a chance to post this earlier.

A large wreath hanging from the ceiling of this mall.

When its hot and humid outside all year round, the mall beckons you with its cool air. We love our shopping too.

A rather simple but effective tree outside another mall.

Starling Version 2

I did not like the colour of the first one I tatted. I used two different variegated threads for that one and it turned out a little strange. This green one looks a little better.

Lunar New Year Decorations

Yes, the Christmas decorations are down and up goes the Chinese New Year decorations at this mall. Most lanterns are in red but I like these cream ones. 

Are those magnolias? I remember a tree at the Sydney Botanic Gardens. It is too hot for magnolias in Singapore. They only grow in air conditioned malls here.

Teddy Bear Version 2

These bears always turn out pleasing. Imagine a baby quilt with these bears in different colours.

I chose a lighter brown this time compared to the darker brown of the previous one which was tatted years back.

Pretty Roll

Now, why did I not think of that. So pretty. Tasted good too as it was not too sweet. I wanted to try the red velvet which was stencilled with Christmas trees but it was sold out. Lots of other flavours to choose from too. This is from Mika cake shop at L3 in City Square, Johor Bahru.

Giraffe Version 2

The first giraffe was tatted in a variegated orange thread. This one was done in two solid perle cotton size 8 threads in brown and cream. I like how this turned out. Another pattern from Inga Madsen.

Moss or Lichen?

They seem to be growing well on this tree trunk covered in fern roots. The air in this area must be pretty good after the haze cleared. 

Squirrel Version 2

I remember that one of my make-up brushes is made of blue squirrel hair. I have also contemplated sending Tsuru's hair to be made into a brush.

Another pattern of Inga Madsen tatted in perle cotton size 8. Now can you imagine how much fun I had pinning those long picots.

Now imagine making a brush from Tsuru's hair. Should be soft against the skin.

Yong Tau Fu

This is one of the healthier noodle dishes if you order less of the fried items. Another yummy one in JB. Strange that they do not serve it with the usual sweet sauce or chilli sauce. Dry or soup, both were delicious. Lots of tofu, vegetables and fish paste, in a soya bean soup stock.

Horse Version 2

I gave my nephews a book by Eric Carle titled 'The artist who painted a blue horse'. They loved it. I love the graphics in those books too. Now they have a blue horse on their blanket. Well, soon, that is!

Dog Version 2

The last dog I tatted was in a variegated thread. This time, I used a solid DMC Perle cotton 8 in #223. How do you describe this colour? Pinkish brown? Again, this dog looks happy and cheeky, just like the last one. Pattern is by Inga Madsen in her book Tatted Animals.

Oh Mr G

"I got your message and will be dreaming of you tonight"

~Tsuru~

Macarons

I often find macarons too sweet but these mini ones (approx. 1 inch across) are sweet but because of its size, they were just right on the palate. Perfect to have it with unsweetened coffee or tea. Forget the calories, it is a new year. 

Happy 2016!