New toy ....

Beautiful crochet hook.   (Close up of the handle)    

  This is a size 9.  

Check out Christi's site:

Tatting ... tatting ... well, not actually tatting - just news ....

If you didn't already know --- Fox has a new address for her blog Tat-ology.  Link HERE or Visit her at:   http://www.tat-ology.blogspot.ca/

I was delighted to have my name selected for Gracie's giveaway ... Needle Lace Flowers by Figen Cakir.   And, when envelope arrived, she enclosed a wonderful journal!   Isn't the cover pretty?   You may want to visit Gracie's blog, Needles, Pins + Dragonflies - Link HERE, to see her beautiful tatting, needlework, and more.   Don't forget to peek at her post - Rosie the Bear.   Too Cute!!!

 Notice a few shuttles hanging around the new books?  Yep, some round doilies and tatting shuttles arrived in the mail - from The Tatting Corner's recent sale.   I have not used the new shuttle with hook - pretty lime green : )  I bit larger than the Sunlit shuttle.    I thought I better start an 'edge' with a round piece, and not fuss with corners for my first try.

 

I saw this tatted edge on Tatlyn's blog, Tatting Treasures.    Then went on an on-line hunt!!!   I finally found the back issue of Old-Time Crochet (Autumn 1993)                   

 with the pattern.   It is Tatted Handkerchief Edging by Mary McCarthy.    I don't know if I'd put on anything - but was itching to give the pattern a try.

There are a couple more tatting related things in this issue:  Tatting Techniques by Rebecca Hollenbaugh  w/A Tatted Tab Collar in rose Motif and Picot Ribbon + Tatted Insertions.

Last load of laundry in the dryer - need to get the ironing started.   Enjoy!!!!!

Four hours ...

The pattern is Marguerite by Mary Konior

from The Tatting Book of Patterns, p.29.

HH Lizbeth Size 20, Col 603.

I am a member of Lafayette Lacemakers & IOLI.   To keep the non for profit status, members keep track of volunteer time, which is submitted annually.   For tatting, it had always been a challenge to 'time' myself.   Recently, I found an on-line stop watch - link HERE, or in sidebar ... which has been a great helper for keeping track of time.    This edge is about 22" (I put as much fiber on the Lacis Shuttle that it would hold!)

Perhaps I will find another pattern for a 2nd edge to donate.   This one is easy to do as I have the pattern memorized.   

wee bit of tatting

Had some shuttles with beads loaded & made some doodles.   Grace Tan's heart pattern can be found on her blog - Grace Tats.   Carol's Butterfly pattern in the side bar or HERE.  I used Lizbeth, size 20 colors 139, 145 (pinks), 185 (blues/lavender).

While gathering with girlfriends, I tatted a familiar edge.                     

 The edge is called Marguerite
pattern by Mary Konior from A Tatting Book of Patterns.   Tatting for the Lafayette Lacemakers.    Not sure what event, but will be donated to the chapter for a Lace Demonstration event.   Using size 20 Lizbeth Color 603.    We were at the public library and after a test sample, I wandered upstairs to the book room.  The book with Johannes Vermeer's painting on the cover caught my eye first ... (The Girl with a Red hat, 1665/67).

 I found these five books, in five minutes, to total $4.50.   There are three books from a series called World of Art. Impressionism to Abstract Art has 207 illustrations, only 32 in color - but a nice book!  An AIC book about their collection -- and what I think a textbook with a beautiful photograph "Portrait of a Young Woman, called Mlle. Charlotte du Val d' Ognes"  1785.   Such a lovely image - says it is in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC.   So, I paid the $$$$ and am still awake browsing the art work instead of sleeping!!!   All are in good shape - and I didn't overpay per bookfinder.com prices.   Fun ness.

Planning ahead

I bought some beautiful fiber from Marilee.   If you have not tried her HDT, head over to her etsy and see the lovely colorways!   A dream to tat with, too.   If Simon wasn't loose, I'd get it out of the safe place and take pictures ; )    As Simon is into everything, it is n't a good idea right now!

Marilee's Beaded Tatting Finery

Boutique Tatting; Jewelry and Gift

Designs + Patterns

Up and Tat 'Em

Jewelry + Gift Tatting Patterns

I brought a few tatting books with me to a recent gathering of creative friends.   My GFs are so talented and delightful to be around.   They teach classes, take classes -- bead jewelry, publish books -- crochet-bead jewelry [more on that in another post], knit, needlepoint, neeedlework on linen, etc.    My GFs seemed to enjoy Marilee's books and tatting projects.    I had them select something they would like, in the future.    Seems Marilee has a little bit of everything, in lovely colorways, and seems to be varied enough for all jewelry tastes.    I brought all four of her tatting books and GF, Sue, brought a Bead + Button magazine which featured Marilee's designs + an earring pattern..    They chose patterns from the three books shown above.

Currently,  I'm in the planning part of gathering up my fibers and beads.  These will be made with Marilee's HDT and Lizbeth fibers.  I have some beads, and GFs will pitch in with beads from their stash, too.  I want to use some fiber in my stash to test-tat some of the skills needed in the patterns.   Tho, am looking forward to creating something unique!    I'm hoping to get a few jewelry-things tatted this year and Wish me Luck!!!   I hope they will turn out as lovely as items shown in the books!   

April 1st: International Tatting Day

These are the tatting pieces I shared earlier today:

This is my pattern. So bright and colorful!   I added some beads.   The beads were gifts (to me) from Lace-Lovin' Librarian and GF Beth.   I used HH Lizbeth size 20 Col 139, Col 131, + Col 117; and Flora 20, Col 13.    Free pattern, Link in side bar - HERE.

Carol's Butterfly Pattern - Lizbeth size 20, Col. 139

The lovely hearts are based on Grace Tan's pattern - Small Trefoil Heart.   I added beads.  I used HH Lizbeth Size 20, Col. 139.   Grace blogs at Grace Tats.    Link to free pattern - HERE.

The three yellow/creme butterfly are A Summer's Memory - Four Butterfly Patterns from Mary Maynard, Link HERE.     I was not able to get butterfly #3 tatted - all was a mess!!!  These were patterns from the On-Line weekly tatting class.   Link here.  Check out the class homework blog - link HERE.    May try these patterns again some day.    I used Flora 20, Color 13.   Beads from GF Beth and Diane who blogs as Lace-Lovin' Librarian.

I read about the Wednesday Challenge posted on the Shuttlebirds blog.   I like their challenges + do attempt from time-to-time.   The post is HERE.    Or FaceBook page link.   I pulled out the shuttles and tatted up some pieces to give away.    I met GB Beth and she had FIRST choice.   We went into her church and gave away all but 3 pieces to the Secretary, Manager, and the group of women who were sewing.   Enjoyed hearing about their tatting [needle tatting] and hearing about relatives who tatted.    We had lunch and I gave the last three away to the Cashier, helper, and cook!   All Gone ; )