Christmas Eve Appetizers

Made these for family dinner

My niece made the cheese board

Merry Christmas 2019

Seasons greetings and Happy holidays

These are photos from the Flower Dome 

at the Gardens by the bay this December

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

to you and your family.

Sea World Pattern No. 76

Tatted in Lizbeth Size 40 in Col. 706 Sunkist Coral and Col. 169 Autumn Apple Pie. It is a turtle pattern found on page 25 and 62 of the Japanese pattern book. I was wondering if I should have used a green thread but I rather liked this colour combination. Is the head a little too big?

Japanese Pattern No. 35

This did not turn out like the photo in the book because the last round of chain was tatted facing the wrong direction. My mind was probably thinking of something else. Did not realize it until now. Tatted in Lizbeth Size 40 Col. 120 Denim Whisper.

Pandora Bracelet of the Week

This is my version of a Disney bracelet. The bracelet starts and ends with the Swirl clips. Charms from left to right are  . 
Belle’s radiant rose; Dream; When you wish upon a star; Believe; Evil Queen’s Black Magic; 

The only Disney programme on TV we had was once in a blue moon on Saturday afternoon. We looked forward to it and always wished it was a Disney fairy tale.

Josephine Knot Pattern No. 24

I noticed the Josephine knots in the book were tatted very loosely. Mine not so. Done using Lizbeth Size 40 Col. 169 Autumn Apple Pie. Not too happy with this one. 

Bridge Pattern No. 29

Using Lizbeth Size 40 Col. 115 Springtime and Col. 158 Niagara Falls to tat this pattern. An unusual colour combination as I was feeling adventurous. It turned out ok? I think a solid colour thread would enhance the design of this motif as photographed in the Japanese pattern book.

Bridge Pattern No. 28

This is not perfect as the block tatting and chains should all face the same direction. Mine was not. Tatted in three rounds using Lizbeth Size 40 Col. 115 Springtime. Did not pay attention to the photo in the book. Instructions were in Japanese but you should be able to figure it out second time round, if not initially. I was obviously not paying attention as I usually tat while watching the television.

Guo Pei Exhibition at ACM Part 3

Elaborate gowns for celebrities on very special occasions.

Taj Mahal Snowflake

This snowflake was designed by Margaret Davies. It was definitely NOT boring to tat this. I had fun, although I must admit I wanted to tat this snowflake in one colour thread but decided to change threads when I had to cut out the mistakes I made.

Tatted in one round using two shuttles in Lizbeth Size 40 

Col. 188 Coral Splash

Note the overlapping rings.

Next rounds, I changed to a Lizbeth Size 40 

Col. 706 Sunkist Coral.

Went back to Coral Splash for the last round. 

Margaret put in a Josephine ring at each point while 

tatting a split chain back. Now that was fun.

Thank you Margaret for this wonderful pattern.

The resulting snowflake is pretty,

isn’t it?

Guo Pei Exhibition at ACM Part 2

More wedding dresses from Guo Pei

Ice Crystal Pattern No 20

I forget what that stitch is called. Can someone remind me? I think I first encountered that stitch in an old pattern, It makes a pretty outer chain here. Another pattern from the same Japanese book on page 9 and 43. Tatted in Lizbeth Size 40 in Col. 158 Niagara Falls. It measures about 2 inches across.

Clover Pattern No 48

This was quite a disaster. Had to unpick one section three times and it still came out with major mistakes. My mind was somewhere else tatting this. See the difference below comparing it to the one in the book. Tatted in Lizbeth Size 40 in Col. 179 Herbal Garden and Col. 183 Orange Crush. It measures about 2 inches across.

Tatted 11.11.2019

I wanted to tat something on 11 November 2019 for someone. I had done most of my online shopping in the wee hours. This pattern is from the same Japanese pattern book Tatting Lace (ISBN978-4-02-190833-0) on page 19 and 55. I am pleased with how this turned out. Done in Lizbeth Size 40 Col. 145 Pink Parade and measures just 2.25 inch.

Guo Pei Exhibition at ACM

Guo Pei had an exhibition titled Chinese Art & Couture at the Asian Civilisation Museum. We visited in August. The exhibition ended in September. I took some photos of the pieces I liked. Guo Pei is a Chinese couturier who designed the famed gold dress that Rihanna wore to the Met Ball.

This one is a Chinese bridal gown in red and gold. 

The headdress is exquisite.

The embroidery is stunning.

Clover Pattern 52

Did I get my mojo back? 

Difficult to start. 

But here it is. 

Three-leaf clovers which looked terrible until it was blocked.  Tatted in Lizbeth Size 40 Col. 145 Pink Parade. Pattern is on page 19 and 55 of the Japanese pattern book Tatting Lace (ISBN978-4-02-190833-0). Perhaps the motif will go on a coaster.

Dim Sum Piggies

Piggy custard bun

I ordered them because they were cute

Not the best salted egg custard buns I have eaten

Careful when you bite into them

Custard oozing out can burn your tongue

This is deep fried tofu dusted with salt, pepper 

and garlic bits

Part of dinner at Canton Paradise last week

Will not be eating there again

Strands of Pearls

I have not been tatting.

Instead I was stringing pearls.

Broke a few needles . . .

Had problems threading the needle

Getting too old . . .

Patience running empty

Frustrating . . .

Same goes for tatting

Hydrangea Flowers

When I bought this, it already had a bunch of flowers.

It grew bigger but the colour was pale.

As the days went by, the pink grew stronger.

It needs watering twice a day and I see a tiny shoot sprouting at the base.

Keeping my fingers crossed.

Happy Deepavali 2019

Deepavali is celebrated on 27 October this year and Little India is decked out in lights. I do not know if you can make out the peacocks, chariots and horses. 

The Christmas lights in Orchard Road are also being put up. Seems a little early but it will be enjoyed by many.

Japanese Motif Pattern 9

This pattern involves intertwined double picots. Can you tell which motif I tatted and which one is the photo in the Tatting book? I bet you can. The book is Tatting Lace ( ISBN 978-4-02-190833) and the pattern is on pages 9 and 40. It is the blue book from this post. I used Lizbeth Size 40 Col 625 Plum. 

House Yamamoto

The lanterns have changed. Autumn colours of bamboo and other flowers. I finally took notice of the name of the restaurant. A Michelin star chef prepares truffle and porcini ramen. The avocado ramen is also recommended.

No, we did not eat there. Had lunch at Poulet instead. Roast chicken French style. Chicken was very tender with a cranberry sauce. Will try House Yamamoto next time.

Earring Pattern 33 v2

This is the same pattern as the previous except I ended it earlier and made four instead of five prongs. I was hoping the beads would stand out more but the colour is a little washed out. I need to find my other Delica beads. I used the same thread Lizbeth Size 40 Col 690 Mocha Brown Light. 

Hope you are having a great day.

Happy Tatting!

Kai Kai

Finally visited the giant pandas at the River Safari. We saw Kai Kai enjoying a morning snack and Jia Jia sleeping in her enclosure on the video cam. They have been in Singapore since 2013. Artificial insemination last year did not result in a pregnancy. Let’s hope this year we will be able to hear happy news. Female pandas are only fertile for a few days each year.

Earring Pattern 33

This pattern had beads incorporated. It looks delicate and the light gold beads are subtle. I used Lizbeth Size 40 in Col. 790 Mocha Brown Light. It measures about 1.5 inches across. Pattern is found on page 16 and 56 of Tatting Lace Classical Accessory by Hiroko Nakano.

Cool Lanterns

I saw these at a Japanese restaurant.

Never eaten there but I pass it quite often.

They remind me of plant stomata.

I should note the name of this restaurant

the next time I pass by.

Earring Pattern 26

One more pair for earrings.

Tatted in Lizbeth Size 40 Col 138 Leafy Greens.

I like the swirl effect of this pattern but 

it is not so pronounced here. 

In the book, the swirl is prettier using a solid color thread.

Pattern is on page 14 & 52 of 

Tatting Lace Classical Accesory by Hiroko Nakano

Beautiful Hydrangeas

I have always loved hydrangeas but never had green fingers to grow them. After seeing these lovely blooms, I was determined to try again. Wish me luck.