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Tuesday, September 16, 2025

The good kind of Fireworks

 Living in California, we have “fire season” (which is just about year-round now) when you cannot have fires on your property or shoot off fireworks. It’s against the law. Really, we mean it. The goal is not to have fires that burn homes….or people.

Summer Fireworks
designer: Anne-Marie Anderson-Mayes

A couple of years ago I completed a canvas with some interesting stitches. The designer, Anne-Marie Anderson-Mayes, named it Autumn Fireworks. It was fun to stitch! Last weekend, I completed my version of Summer Fireworks. I really like the center block. I’d like to use that stitch combined with some tatting. More to imagine……..

Thursday, September 11, 2025

More interesting experiements

Baby booties by Crowther

This is my interpretation of the vintage pattern found in Beginning Tatting by Gloria Crowther. I suspect an editor (who didn’t know how to tat) changed some things in the text. The other patterns are much clearer. It doesn’t help that the photo of the finished bootie on the back cover isn’t clear.

I’ll be writing up my notes and what I think works better. Then, I’ll be incorporating the basic structure of the lace in the vintage pattern I have for an American Flag. The Workbasket article was pretty well laid out. I didn’t have much of an issue understanding what I was meant to tat. We’ll see if my idea to use the structure for a set of booties yields an acceptable pair of footwear.  

And for those that caught my error in the Dec 18 snowflake, You’re correct! All will be discussed next Tuesday. Or at least what I’ll admit to!!

Tuesday, September 9, 2025

Interesting experiment


 I finished the snowflakein the 10-2 yarn. I included a small Clover shuttle in the picture so you can see the size. We didn’t have a nice-looking banana. It’s been an interesting journey tatting this up.

I used the smallest hook in my Takashimabari set. The twist in the thread worked quite nicely with the hook.

The pattern is from 24 Snowflakes by Lene Bjorn. I enjoy tatting her patterns. I’ve even added a bit of bling.

I need to find a way to set the dye. I discovered while blocking the tatting that the dye bleeds. A task for another day.

Thursday, September 4, 2025

I’m conquering second bootie syndrome!

I’ve tatted the sole, finished one round of the side, and the medallion that goes over the toe area. Now to attach the medallion and finish the sides.

Tuesday, September 2, 2025

Fair is closed

 


Another exhibit is finished. Lots of creativity displayed! The picture above is of a case with embroidery items (I only did the one in the top right.) I picked up my entries and ribbons. I entered 4 items. I won 3 First Place and 1 Second Place ribbons. These will go in my treasures box.





 




Now on to the next show.

Thursday, August 28, 2025

The Fair is open

I was persuaded to enter tatted items in the Monterey County Fair this year. I can’t wait to see what else was entered. I’m not particularly competitive. If I won a ribbon, that’s great. If there were quite a few entries of tatting, that’s even better! Stop by to see in the building across from the Wool Show. It’s close to the beer garden, so you can linger there for a relaxing visit.

Tuesday, August 26, 2025

Second bootie rework



I decided to climb out from the center to row 1 in my second bootie. 

I doubt I’ll climb out from row 1 to row 2. The chains join between those rows. That is an awkward transition of split chains. 

I’m opting for easier construction and more consistent rings and chains.