continuing connections

I’m continuing on around with the connecting “chain” of rings/split-rings. There is much to do, but I’m thinking this really will work! Wahoooooo.

Round 2 B motif connected

 

connecting idea

detail of connection off Round 1 of Saint-Saens project

 

I’ve been playing with a way to connect the Saint-Saens motifs. This one has possibilities.

I’m really jazzed about this project. Normally, a huge project like this is difficult for me to finish. This one though, has some real traction to it. Lots of interested people who know music, lots who know tatting, and lots who just like to see me creating! Thank you all for your interest, support, critique, and guidance.

So, this last bit?.......... I think I will play with it some more, maybe around one of the motifs from round 2. Off to load my shuttles!

musings on music in thread

I had one of those surreal conversations lately. A while ago, I was chatting with an organist group. Of course my hands were busy with my shuttles, I can’t remember exactly what I was tatting, but I was using a variegated thread; probably the triangle in the post earlier this week. Anyway, I like that color combination and many have commented on it. My organist friend was impressed that the colors change so often and almost exactly the same distance apart on the thread. I explained that the thread I was using was machine dyed, HDT often isn’t that consistent. The response, “like vibrato” caught me by surprise. But, it’s correct…..sort of.

That got me thinking….I KNOW…..a dangerous occurrence!

What if I used variegated thread for certain types of music where vibrato is appropriate? I have already decided that I’m not inclined to use certain colors to represent certain music. It’s been done before, and I’m not that color savvy. I’ve decided to focus more on rhythm and the structure of melody/harmony. I am experimenting with color representing timbre of music (pink for strings, red for brass), but that is a slippery slope for my color sense. But vibrato…….or music of such ilk. Mmmmmmmmmmm

brushed acrylic yarn

Here’s the yarn I’ll be making my next prayer shawl in…..

brushed acrylic yarn for prayer shawl on knitting board

Since I’m using the Knitting Board, it’ll be a double knit fabric. So, the colors will have just a few stitches visible before they change. I’ll be interested to see if any pooling occurs. From this sample, I doubt it.

where I like to tat

I’ve just read over my last few posts. I apologize for sounding so cranky and frustrated. Life is good now. Spring is here. I’ve been taking my work out onto the patio in the back. It’s really lovely there. The wisteria is in full bloom, the roses are starting to bud, the fruit are starting to grow, the lavender is fragrant now; I could go on and on. Life is good. I have tried in the past to photograph all this, but alas, my skill with camera is not up to that task. You’ll just have to take my word for it…or visit the area.

so close.......

Scanning my tatting has led to catching mistakes. Today was no exception. I’ve been working on a triangle based on an antique pattern from a Frauberger book. I had to try several times to get the secondcorner worked correctly. I wasted quite a bit of thread, but figured I had enough to finish as I usually add 10 inches or so. Well, I ran out of thread. Like I was lacking 2 inches. Sigh.

Frauberger triangle almost done

After staring at it for a couple of days, I decided on a fix, took the tatting out to the spot I need to fix, and then set it aside so that I could scan it this morning. That’s when I saw this on the third side.

mistake joining the chains.

 Sigh. Well, more than sigh…….I actually woke the cat up with my wail!

Yaknow…..I think I’ll just start over…..later…….

sacred thread danvas progress

It’s been awhile since I posted about my needlepoint canvas for the chair.

 

I have made progress, it just isn’t very impressive. There are 2 chairs already finished and sitting in the pools of light coming through the windows. I’ve asked permission to post pictures here, so look for those in about a week.

research needed

I have another idea that needs some research: How to diagram a chain of pearl tatting with alternating sections on the core of 3 DS? After some browsing through my tatting books, I decided I really needed to use different colors; or at the very least, a zig-zag line. Both solutions are outside my original display parameters.

After some browsing on line, I see Mark (tatman) uses both color and zig-zag. But then he’s a graphic artist and much more talented than I.

A quick check of Jane Eborall’s site shows she also uses different colors for the two lines of stitches.

So, my next task is to practice making those zig-zag lines in the graphics program. But today, I’d rather tat.

well....that didn't work......

Well, the connection idea didn’t work as I envisioned. I did a couple of samples, put them on the computer, played with it, and it is just too busy. It detracts from the major part of the design. So, it’s time to go back to my mentor and ask, “How does one work in a ‘background’ area with this type of design?” I’m sure within 10-15 minutes she will have given me several really good suggestions. This week is my week for appointments, meetings, and non-work errands. I’ll get back to it…..next week.

a connecting sample

I ran into a small problem: How to connect all the parts of a design? Here’s my solution:

Round 8 & 9 of Large Round Doily

This is on page 6 of Anne Orrs Classic Tatting Patterns (Dover). My sample will probably end up as a bookmark to buoy the spirits of a dear friend. Her job is stressful and she gives so much; she deserves something to remind her she is a treasure!

I have met the computer, and the computer is mine!

I feel giddy! I spend a good part of the last few days working on a diagram for the Saint-Saens. Here’s what I have so far:

Round 1




I’m getting a bit better at remembering which order to do what so the computer doesn’t think it’s getting garbage and give me garbage. I hope to get back to the next portion of the diagram tomorrow.

Marie-Claire Alain 1926-2013

I received my TAO yesterday. I was saddened to read of the death of Marie-Claire Alain. I spent the next hour playing through some of her brother’s music and a few Bach pieces. I intend to dedicate a few of my designs to her memory. RIP

earring list

Recently in Sue’s Design class, I promised to share a couple of my favorite earring patterns. I like smaller earrings as I am rather short and of a fine boned build. So, I use small thread like size 80 or quilting thread; small beads like size 12 or 14; and simple, one-element patterns. On my pattern page, I’ve posted my pattern for around a bead cap. I saw this little doodad in the finding area of a local bead shop. I liked the filigree look and the outer spaces were easy to join to with a small crochet hook.

earring around bead cap

A variation on this uses celtic chains for interest around another bead cap.

celtic chain earrings

I was challenged last year to create a larger earring to celebrate the Fourth of July. Here’s what I came up with:

starworks earrings

They are worked in DMC metallic embroidery thread and perhaps my least favorite as they are large…..about 2 ½” with the wire. I’ve never gotten used to them brushing my collar. I do like the star shaped doodad. This one came from the spacers area of the bead store.

I hope this stokes your creativity and that you find a way to express yourself with tatting to wear.

TIP and SS progress

Well, so much for putting posts in the timed published area. I still haven’t gotten the steps down correctly. Sigh.

So, here’s what I had prepared to be released yesterday:

Happy International Tat Day!

I’ll be TIP (tatting in public) today someplace on the Monterey peninsula. I’m not sure where I’ll be. Perhaps I’ll tat for a bit in Pacific Grove, then some in Monterey, then maybe even in Carmel. If you’re down there enjoying the ocean, perhaps we’ll meet!

And here’s what I have for today:

Saint-Saens progress.

Here’s a scan of what I did yesterday. I can see I would like to change a couple of things, but it’s almost there!



test of new central ring and round 1

By the way…..I did get sand in my tatting bag. I ended up tatting on the beach looking at Pebble Beach (well out of the range of golf balls). It was worth it!