To bead or not to bead

This adventure started out with a book in a language I don’t read or speak. There is a diagram for this pattern that looks complete. But as I studied it, the math didn’t work. The diagram shows the beads nestled between the rings. There’s not enough DS in the rings for that. I worked it without beads. (No picture as I was using bits from shuttles and the colors don’t play nice.) So far, so good. The size thread and beads recommended didn’t make sense, but I went with my equivalent anyway. As I feared, the beads pop up to sit on top of the negative space. Not a bad piece of lace, just not what the diagram showed.

Now to work the outer round. This is shown poking through the space between chains and rings for a faux celtic style arrangement. Perhaps this will work also….although my hunch is no.

Merry Christmas!

 Just a quick post to wish everyone a Happy Holiday however you choose to celebrate.

If you are local to Monterey Bay and wish to sing a few carols with me on the bench, 10:00 AM at St. Mary’s By the Sea in PG.

Well that's a bit embarrassing

I’m helping a couple of newer tatters work beads into their lace. The patterns they pick have suggestions. They are having fun imagining what they could create.

One of my favorite ways to add beads is to create a 3-D effect with the beads sitting on top of the DS. It’s a bit like ANKARS technique except you add the beads as you tat. I first learned how to manage this by working through some patterns by NinaLibin. I love wearing the earrings I create with her patterns. I extended the idea to a pattern by Marilee Rockley. These bring a smile to my face along with my version of a snowman.

Last week I ran into a tiny problem:

I’d forgotten how to adapt the pattern.

I managed to find time yesterday to look through the computer files, my notes from previousprojects, and a bit of sleuthing through technique pages on other people’s websites. I think I’ve refreshed my memory. It’ll likely take until the end of next week to test it all out and write out better notes.

In the meantime……..

Let’s keep tatting lace!

Christmas is coming

And I’m ready!

I think……

I still have gifts to sort out. I still have decorating to finish. I still have tatting to finish.

Well, I guess I’m only ready to make the music I’ve planned. Sigh.

I’ll get there though!

Successful experiment!

I tatted this for a gift. And I kept track of it until the party!! The recipient liked it a lot. I learned a lot. I call this a successful experiment!

Telling a story

 

This is a mural that was recently installed on our local trail. It tells the story of who shaped Monterey in the past. Some may argue that they weren’t the important Historical figures. There are other murals that tell that story. I like that we can tell multiple stories. All is the truth if we work carefully.

I like telling the story of how music can touch us. By playing the organ. By helping others to discover the organ. Even by creating lace. I’ve got my ideas going for next year’s Art of Music submission. I hope to tell a story that resonates.

A fun snowflake

This is a gift I tatted for a neighbor. It’s an adaptation of a snowflake in a book. The photo didn’t match the written-out directions. There is no diagram. I’m sure someone else has come up with the modifications I settled on. I kept the stitch count just about the same. I added picot joins to provide a bit of stability. Working the snowflake using metallic thread helped with that also. I’d like to add beads the next time.