Wild Rose 2.2

I’ve been working on designing skill. I’ve decided it’s a skill. 

What little talent I have always seems to run out as I get to the point at which shuttles are filled ready to try the ideas. Sue Fuller has been teaching a design class on Tuesdays. I’ve really learned a lot. It has helped my design process. I still need a lot more help. One area is getting the designs from thread onto paper so others (including myself in the future) can recreate the lace. To that end, I decided to take a pattern from the Younburg project and tat it and write up the pattern and create a diagram.

So, here’s what I have so far:

Wild Rose by Nellie Hall Youngburg

I didn’t like the gapsosis in the larger rings. It just didn’t look very flowery. More like hearts. So, I decided to try adding some embellishments. Beads to fill the gaps and Josephine Knots instead of the smaller rings:

Wild Rose by Nellie Hall Youngburg

Obviously, there’s still some work to do. Nothing written yet. But, I like what I have so far. Now to block it, do a proper scan or picture, write it up, and then share!

TIAS 2016 Day 7

Curiouser and Curiouser.

Jane's TIAS 2016 Day 7

Day 8 is out but I haven’t yet completed it. I wanted to get this cued up so that I wasn’t scrambling to post. Well, that’s my intention.

I really haven’t a clue what we’re tatting. I know Jane favors objects, in particular animals, for her patterns. So, it’s always fun trying to dream up what the rings and chains will become; especially if there are beads involved. The first comes in Day 8. I hope to have that ready for Thursday’s post.

Chugging along on TIAS

Well, my mistake is working in just fine for the TIAS. It won’t look like what the other samples will along that chain, but it will work I think. 

TIAS 2016 Day 6

So, why do TIAS? 

Well, for me it helps get me into the habit of doing something often. I tend to delay starting a task if I don’t think I’ll have time. That leads to a lot of time just not doing something. If I’m ever going to get the design ideas in my head out there for others to tat and enjoy, I need to learn to just do.

How many people can you teach tatting to at once?

I managed 10…..sort of.

Last week ended with a delightful day. I spent Friday afternoon presenting a hands-on program about tatting to a local Craft Guild. Now, they are called Carmel Craft Guild, but they aren’t like the “crafters” I’d gotten to know working with the Girl Scout troop. Most of the members are spinners or weavers. Most knit and/or crochet or even tat. Quite a few quilt, embroider, needlepoint or sew. What they create with fiber of all kinds is incredible. They are a Guild in the sense that they meet once a month or so. There are study groups that meet weekly or more informally. They sponsor and organize workshops and demonstrations. They are a fun group!

So, how do you teach a group lesson?

Well, start with an open invitation. Talk about tatting. Hand out some simple supplies of thread and a chopstick to teach the knot. The group will thin out a bit, but those left usually get excited and take off with a loaned tatting needle or tatting shuttle. I like to celebrate when someone gets the flip with a noisemaker. The noise usually scares off 1 or 2, and attracts 1 or 2 more.

I’ll be starting a tatting study group soon. It’s going to be a blast! Some knotty fun!!

In the meantime, I’ll be working on Jane’s TIAS. What will it be???????

Well, no one seems to have spotted it yet. 

So, here’s a hint 

arrow shows mistake

I don’t think it will matter that much; unless I think about it in the middle of the night. So, I think I will leave it and keep tatting. My threads are still safely away from the dust. I don’t want to start digging in there and introduce more mess to clean up. I still haven’t really cleaned up from the Holidays. But, hey….

It’s still Epiphany!

TIAS 2016 day 3

Today dawned a clear sky. I’m going to take a break and walk down to the beach later. Right now I have a decision to make:

Do I start over?

TIAS 2016 Day 3

After I sent the scan off to Jane for her blog http://tatitandsee.blogspot.com/2016/01/another-day-another-link.html I noticed that I still haven’t adjusted the scan options. I don’t like it when the colors get “enhanced” and I’m working with software that didn’t come with the scanner. 

Then, I noticed that I miscounted. Anyone see it also?

Do I start over…….

TIAS 2016 Day 1 and drapes

I hit a milestone yesterday. The drapes are installed! They look nice. Now to finish the other details. I’m excited the studio is coming together. It has taken way too long. I’m so impatient. I can’t wait to hold the first open keyboard!

TIAS 2016 Day 1

What’s on the shuttles? Jane’s TIAS:

What is it?????? No clue. She does have a few beads listed in the materials area. mmmmmmmm

We'll just have to be patient on that front also. Sigh!

A New Year....same ole......

Well, I’m not doing well sticking to my task list. I guess that’s because there’s too much for me to do. At least, that’s my story and I’m sticking to THAT!

Progress is continuing on setting up the keys part of Picotsnkeys. This week should see the finishing touches to the studio space. The office space is still in progress. I hope to have pictures Thursday.

I will continue with the goal of posting twice a week to this blog. If you’re curious what else I’m posting/contributing to, leave a comment. I’ll try to explain it without conducting or gesturing!