Loops that help

I like to test out my patterns several times. Having another tatter work through them also helps. Imagining how a pattern looks or tats up in other size thread, with or without beads, using needle just doesn’t always cut it. Getting things into thread usually does. I discovered on the third or fourth pass that I was losing track of where to join. Big time! A friend who knits gave me this idea:

Marking points in the pattern for joins; much like marking darts when sewing or where to cut. It’s much easier to cut out these little loops of thread as you join than to find a vsp amongst the beads.

I hope to have a pair of earrings to wear soon. But alas, preparing for the next few days just may have to happen first. Speaking of testing…. I should test that recipe for mulled cider. (mmmmm!)

visit with a Snowman

snowman for ornament exchange

I'm still working on the 6 week list, but I thought I'd share this: it's the result of the spurt of designing:

I’m my own worst critic, so of course I’m not completely happy with the little guy. This is worked in size 10 crochet thread with size 6 and 10 beads. The smile is made up of size 11 beads. I do like the bugle beads for the “carrot” nose. I’m in the process of tatting up another. If any of you would like a crack, give me until a few weeks from now. The organ bench has a stack of music to practice on it, the guest list for 12^th Night has topped 50, and I WILL stay healthy so I can play Christmas Day!

Looking ahead for 6 weeks

Another quote from the novel I’ve finished:

“Friendships, like quilts, brought warmth and comfort to our lives. Our stitches might not be perfect, but they were as strong as the love that united us in the crazy quilt we called home.”

(Aunt Dimity and the Widow’s Curse by Nancy Atherton)

I hope the next few weeks hold the promise of fun, celebrations, and good times with those you love. I will be shifting into high gear now to clean up Thanksgiving, prepare for Christmas, and start another year! No more lazing with novels, dreaming up new projects, or letting my attention wander too far. It’ll be activity with a check box and lots of time with family and friends!

The next few weeks

Christmas is coming soon. This year will be very fun! On the calendar are parties with friends and family. Dates I’m playing for services. Oh, and yes, shopping and gift wrapping. What fun! All in 6 short weeks. Yes, I know Christmas Day is in 4 weeks. We’re celebrating all 12 days of Christmas this year! More later. Time to get crackin!

Matilda by  Lee Hye-oon

I took a few moments to try out this pattern. Thank you, Hye-oon  for sharing your design. And thank you Georgia for bringing us news of this wonderful designer. Her book is definitely on my list!

Well, I still don’t have the distraction under control. But, I’ve made headway!

The loom is almost rethreaded for my next learning experience. That process has taught me how to rethread. Thank goodness the warp is fairly short. I chose to widen the stripes which meant going back to the point where the warp comes off the warping board. Let’s just say I’ve untangled a lot. Including my brain!

The boxes are reduced by half in the study. I still can’t walk up and sit down at the sewing machine. That’s my goal for Thanksgiving. I’ve used that project to dip my toe into Project Management vocabulary. I’m hoping that exercise will help me communicate the creative process of practicing at the organ and designing with thread and shuttle.

Almost all of my tatting has been gifts. Some of the recipients follow this blog, so no pictures until unwrapping happens. Sorry. But, I will leave you with a quote from a novel I’m reading. The character I’m quoting is Vicar for the village church. The community has come together for their first ever quilting bee. “Quilts, like friendships, bring warmth and comfort to our lives. May the Lord guide your needles and the stitches you sew be as strong as the bonds of neighborly affection that unite our village. Amen.”

My previous house saw lots of creative activity, but seldom a gathering of creative friends. I host weekly tatting study group sessions, musicians have come by to rehearse, and neighbors have enjoyed the decorations I’ve created. This house has allowed me to feel much more united with my friends and family. May you find a way to connect through creativity over the next few weeks!

more Joy

You know those creative rabbit holes I posted about yesterday? Well, this is the result of one of those “squirrels” from several years ago. My premise: looking at a melody, correlate the degree of scale to a design element. Here’s what the theme from Beethoven’s 9^th Symphony last movement looks like using the bead count:

I must get this under control as I wish to participate in Sue’s Design class. She has inspired and taught me so much! Thank you Sue!!!!!

Reorganization .... or not!

I have a terrible time motivating myself to organize. I can sort incoming mail, do the tasks associated, including filing or shredding, but I find all kinds of creative pursuits when it’s time to organize my studio space. Each piece of manuscript or book leads me to a keyboard. Each box of thread or yarn leads me to a shuttle. I do fairly well at keeping the areas I touch each day tidy. Really!...... So, my goal of posting about my organization of the studio is well, lacking subject material.

On a brighter note, I’ve had good progress with the edging in mint thread. I think I can say I’ve mastered adding thread to a simple ring pattern when needle tatting.

Nametag lanyard

It’s ready to wear! Remember this nametag? I used a favorite pattern. Gina's Tatted False Plait. I added wood beads just a bit larger than those in the nametag edge. 

It’s amazing what you can accomplish sitting in an airport and in flights. I’m glad it’s finished. The beads came from a “collar” I found in a bargain bin for pennies. There are several different sizes and shapes and colors. I like the way these worked for the pattern. I can’t wait to wear it!

Another bookmark and round

I have more Joy.

Joy designed by Melanie Cervi

Another bookmark is finished. It will go out next week and then on to the next one. I’m pleased with how these are turning out. The scan does not do it justice. I’m undecided if I like the dark border or the tan border.

Also finished another round of this wonderful doily. I’m also undecided….

Round 6 of Wiosna 2017 designed by Renulek

What color to use next? Add any beads? The doily is beginning to cup, so I’m really trying to think through what I need to do next.

Another critter

Well, so much for organization. I did make some progress. Unfortunately, the mess is too big to see my progress. But,…..

The hummingbirds are migrating along with the Monarchs. Several sightings of each throughout most days. I enjoyed a visit from another feathered friend:

Quail always seem so sedate and cute. They hung around in the shade feasting on something. Maybe termites? I’ve seen some wings stuck in the ever-present spider webs in the garden.

But, enough daydreaming….

Back to the shuttles and keyboard!

Another wonderful organ day!

I spent a wonderful afternoon at the Lee Conklin ReedOrgan Museum. Last Sunday, we drove to the middle of your palm area of Michigan. It was in the Heartland of America. A pleasant drive to rural life. There, we visited a room full of reed organs!

                                                                          I still have to retrieve my photos I snapped, but in the meantime, enjoy the pictures on their website. Yes, I did play several. The one with the faux pipes against the wall was fun! I wish I had the time to play them all! I did not spot any Woods organs. My husband was able to play “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” on a barrel organ. So much fun!!!

In an attempt to burn off the pounds I gained eating with the Italian side of our family, I went walking at the beach. I did catch a poor picture of the dolphins that were out that day:

As for tatting, I finished another Joy bookmark and worked almost all of Round 7 of Wiosna 2017. The lanyard for the nametag is coming along nicely. I didn’t get asked once in the airport or on the plane what I was doing. I take that as an indication that more people have discovered tatting. Either that or everyone was too tired. I’d rather believe the first reason!

Now to unpack and reorganize……

What a weekend....

I’ve been having fun with organs in this area. So much, I’ve not picked up shuttles much. A friend of mine traveled down from San Jose to play a concert on the Dobson organ at St. Dunstan’s. It was so much fun! Those who missed it will have another chance. She definitely wants to play here again.

Then on Sunday, a local organist played a bang up concert on a new Allen in town. I neglected to snap a good picture of the organ. I did take one, but I didn’t catch that it was very out of focus. How does that happen using my phone? I mean, it’s so easy to get good pictures on the phone until you really want them to turn out! Anyway, the concert was fun. He invited good friends who sing in a barbershop quartet to sing. Not your average church concert!

I’ll miss posting the rest of this week. I’ll be preparing to visit an organ museum. I promise to check my phone to make sure I have at least one good picture to share. I hope to finish 2 tatting projects while traveling. One is up to that fiddly finishing stage of the last few elements and hiding ends. The other should only take 3-4 hours to tat….once the shuttles are free.

In the meantime, those here in Monterey can enjoy “locals weather” and the less crowded streets. The sunrise was spectacular this morning!

Long overdue

I made these samples many years ago. 

They’re from the examples Cyn uses in the New Tat classes. I found that touching the samples helped to cement the lesson. So, what else have teachers prepared and passed out to help students learn?

Earring challenge

Remember this challenge? 

Well, an earring a week was just a bit too much for my tat-load (workload of tatting projects). But, I’m thinking an earring a month will work. I decided that when I found a list of earring patterns I made a couple of years ago. There’s 9 on that list. Add to that the patterns I’ve discovered in the last year or so. And voila! An earring a month!

To motivate myself and convince myself I can actually meet this challenge, I’ve created this display.

Most of these entries were finished by the time summer began. Several were in the “because I can” stage when I registered to enter. Two entries weren’t finished in time. Two pieces I entered weren’t really finished either. I’ll be reorganizing my tatting display items next week.

Sighting in Carmel

Normally that phrase is followed by a description of some celebrity, rare automobile, or something haute…(couture, cuisine, etc.) that costs a bunch of cash.

 My sighting yesterday was free. I saw a pod of dolphins just off the shore while walking on Carmel Beach. There was a whale off the point also. This year, the sightings have become quite common. Whale watching in a boat is thrilling. Kayakers report close encounters all the time. 

Yesterday was the first time I personally have been in the right place at the right time. I knew better than to try to capture anything in a photograph with my phone. So, no picture here. You’ll just have to come for a visit. (grin!)

Progress with crotat Carmel doily

Here’s my progress on figuring out this doily:

I’ve noticed some fundamental design differences between the two doilies I’ve attempted using Cro-tatting techniques:

The doily in pastels fills every chain with some crochet edging stitches. The doily in white/cream leaves the chains bare. I may have also misinterpreted the cream section. It’s just too difficult to tell. The tatter in me thinks this section may just be picots between every stitch then crochet into the picots to create the chain effect. 

Mmmmmmm must experiment some more. 

Anyone else game? A normal crochet hook can work, but the tool I'm using has a smaller hook section. Tatting thread is easier to draw through the stitches to close rings than crochet cotton. It’s a pleasant puzzle to work.

Comments from the Judge

My items from the Fair, both exhibits and display, are back home. Boyhuey was it hot out there today. Fortunately, the wind is off the Bay so the house is staying cooler. I don’t envy those packing up the carnival rides.

As I stowed all the little tatted pieces, I took some time to look over the comments from the judge on the Needlecraft and Fiberwork pieces. I didn’t have a comment sheet for the Bux2Bach piece I entered in the Fine Arts 3-D show. I’m happy with 2^nd place. The piece that won 1^st place is very nice. Good execution, design and craftsmanship. I have already decided I need to enter the juried division next year. And perhaps a jewelry piece.

Anyway, back to the comments. Most of the observations were spot on. For instance, the piece that won best of show (insert jpegs) earned all 100 points possible.

 

“Beautiful stitches. Wonderful use of color and beads. Excellent.” I’m very happy with that. Now to add the other 7 rows. What color to use next? And beads or no beads????

I plan to help with the Entry divisions and classes list for next year. I really hope more people enter some tatting. And maybe even some crotatting!

Fair 2017 time!

A busy few days! I’ve enjoyed sharing my love of fiber arts! It’s so much fun seeing people get excited about creating. So many people wandered in and left with a bounce to their steps. It’s just plain fun!

The marketing team for the Fair has focused on the anniversary of 1967 Summer of Love events that happened here in Monterey. I was not here. I lived in Oregon then. I was begging my Dad to take my training wheels off my bike. I was not participating in the newsworthy events here.

It’s been interesting to hear what people are focusing on. I’ve heard stories of teen escapades, family and friends exploring the World, and sad, horrible stories of tragedy. To those families, I extend support to move on and make the world a better place.

Personally, I have no wish to return to that era. I like living in the present. I have a hard time with Living History. Maybe it’s my life as a musician playing 7 centuries worth of music in one day on a regular basis.  I don’t like dressing in costumes and using modern tools to tat. If I really wanted to be true to technique, I would be limited to post 1970 era. That’s not to say that tatting hasn’t been around a long time, just that I use modern shuttles, modern thread, modern joins, modern colors, etc. The future invigorates me. I go crazy trying to recreate the past. I get crazy creating the future.

Today, I’ll be helping out with the Embroidery Guild table. They’re a great group of ladies and several men who love fiber. There are those who stitch who spend a lot of energy “doing it right” and there are those who create and learn and dream. I’ve enjoyed learning with them. Time to pack a tatting bag and a stitching bag!

The real reason for finding out what’s on the shuttles

So I can start tatting this:

Tatted False Plait by Gina Brummet

I plan to use it for nametags. I am terrible at remembering people’s names. I can remember where they traveled last year on vacation. I remember where we met for coffee. I can remember what book they loaned me. Just don’t expect a name. I’ve decided some teacher cursed me with this hex because she didn’t appreciate my name. No, that’s just a bad joke. Anyway, nametags are a must for me. I can usually see well enough to catch the name, just can’t remember it.

The beads came from a bargain bin someplace. They were sewn onto netting to be used for collars. I happily snipped them off almost immediately. Tatting works much better than netting for decorating clothing!

The next post will be delayed a day. I’m helping out at the Fair on Thursday. I’ll catch everyone up Friday morning. See you then……

productivity in what matters

It’s been a good week so far. I’ve found all 15 shuttles I typically use. Several live in a tin that serves as my Demonstration Box. A couple need some tlc work. Most are the Clover shuttles.

Nothin’ fancy, just good basic shuttles. I still need to gather all the patterns into a folder. And I’d like to wind shuttles for a lanyard to go with my tatted nametag. A couple shuttles are set up to tat another Joy bookmark. Several shuttles are dedicated to my design idea bag.

I’ve found it’s a good idea to set aside time each week for specific tasks. Designing falls into this category. Why? Because I could easily get lost in the task and spend way too much time. If I return to the task for short spurts each week, I am much, much more productive. Just how I work best. It’s important to go with your brain flow. Fighting yourself can leave bruises.

I also spent some time yesterday on the harpsichord. I came to the conclusion that I need to get proficient at replacing strings. Another string broke during the last week. I think because they are vintage strings, (no surprise there) and the wood is responding to the higher humidity here (no surprise there) by swelling. That pulls the strings tighter and week ones snap. I tuned it down almost a half-step yesterday. I figure after another week it may just stay at 415 or so. We’ll see.

I’m looking forward to practice today as I have time on the Dobson at St. Dunstan’s. It’s always a joy to play that organ. I’ll be dressing in layers as it will likely be quite a bit warmer there than at the house. That will be my short spurt for practice time today. I can no longer practice for hours each day. Especially if I’ve done cleaning chores or yard work. I’ve become much better at studying the score and thinking through the music. If I can “learn” the piece that way even a little, I can cut down on the repetition at the keyboard. 

Sun, what sun???

I took time yesterday for reflecting. Since the fog stayed around well into the afternoon, we didn’t have much to see for the solar eclipse. It did get quiet. And a bit darker for a few minutes. So, we experienced the event, just didn’t see much. Ah well, even if I’m not seeing as often the sunrise show, and the white deer is no longer walking through the neighborhood, our resident yard cat is still coming around for scritches.

Most of my tatting time was spent putting things away. I gathered up the patterns I used for the Fair items. I like to have patterns on hand when I demonstrate. I’ve realized that I am drawn to tatting designs that are as intriguing in the written form as they are in thread. Most of the patterns I use by other designers are readily available on the web or in book form. I usually make a copy that I can mark up with my notes; like what thread I’m using and how much I wind onto the shuttles, what beads I pick, what size picot I use, and any resources I use for tricks and tips. If I’m really going to meet my goals for tatting, I have to keep as good records as I do for music.

The rest of the week I’ll be working on music catching up. I need to work on the harpsichord and plan practice for the sub jobs I’ve committed to. I’d also like to update my material for all things organ in the Monterey/Carmel area. Plenty to do. After a walk to the library and maybe a treat.

Fair entry progress

I hit a milestone yesterday:

I feel a great sense of accomplishment. When I started this project , I wanted to explore the idea of the close rows and see how firm a fabric the pattern produced.

I have learned a great deal:

By connected the ring to rings, the fabric is stronger and less lacy.

Vintage thread really isn’t worth working with except for trials you throw away.

It will be a great decoration for our new, old house.

It’s boring doing the same ring/chain combination a thousand times…..or so.

It’s a great start for a pattern of an organ case.

It got too big to keep clean.

I can’t wait to use this concept in other patterns!

But first, I need to tat stars and sew them on. Picture after the Fair closes.

distracted....AGAIN!

By an organ….surprised? I’m not!

A good friend of mine entrusted me with the care of a Folding Organ. That’s right, Folding. It’s a reed organ with bellows powered by foot pedals that folds up into a suitcase:

It actually works and sounds quite nice. I can’t wait to begin using it out and about. Busking anyone?

Post Fest glow

            After a wonderful month of activities, the Carmel Bach Festival is finished. The art donated for the Raffle has been carefully distributed to the lucky winners. Those who win a piece of art are encouraged to write a thank you note to the artist. I happily wrote my note for the book I won. It’s an exquisite handmade paper book with two quotations. I love paper making, so this beauty is now displayed on the ledge in the windows by the harpsichord.

I wonder where my bookmark has landed? I count the whole Festival Raffle experience a resounding success!

            Before I go, I’ll share a bit of my success with the cro-tat technique: 

 This yarn is marketed for baby things, so it has a bit tighter twist. It’s also 4 ply which helps also. For this pattern the color way actually works too.

 Mmmmm beginner’s luck?

Cro-tat progress

This cro-tat technique is growing on me. I like the thought that I could collaborate with someone accomplished in crochet. Here’s the best of what I worked on Tuesday:

The sample on the bottom in both pictures has some crochet stitches between rings. The sample on the top in both pictures is shown with top side and bottom side. The one document I found on line suggests using rings with the bottom side up as the picots look better. I think that’s because the rings in that pattern were to represent flowers.

I used some thread left over from a previous project. I think it was tatting to put on a card. The leaf color reminds me of that series. It’s Cotton Perle in size 8. I used the cro-tat hook that I was gifted. I think it was sourced from Annie’s Attic, but not sure.

I’m going to continue to play with this.

Fair Prep begins

Remember this post ? Well, the Monterey County Fair has created a division for Cro-Tat work. When I was gifted the tool 5 years ago, there wasn’t much available for information on Cro-tatting. Georgia does have a tutorial from a 1869 publication http://www.georgiaseitz.com/classes2/crotat.html and reviews books distributed by Annie’s Attic. https://www.anniescatalog.com/list.html?q=cro-tat

And then there’s the doily I found in a resale shop:

The crazy thing about that doily is how it matches a doily my Italian tatting friend, Ninetta, found in a small shop near her home! So, how is this done? O_o? (confused face)

My crochet skills are abysmal. I hope to convince a friend to collaborate with me to create a cro-tat something to enter in the fair. 

In the meantime, I've finished another stripe of the flag and am ready for Round 5 of my Wisona 2017 doily. Whew!!! 

Progress

I need to remind myself regularly of my goals and my progress in reaching those goals. It keeps me motivated, focused, and friends and family appreciate being around me more. Lest you think I’m some overachiever, sometimes my goal is simply to make it through the day without _______ing. Sometimes my goal is to not work on ________ today. Musicians and artists seem to have terrible work/life balance. It took me a lifetime, but I think I’ve finally learned how to set goals and track my progress. 

This week, I’ve worked on my goal to attend Bach Festival events, clean house, work in the yard, and decide what I’ll enter in the Fair for judging and display. As part of that, I finished round 4 of the wonderful doily Renulek designed for this year’s Spring doily:

Wiosna 2017 by Renulek

I know what I want to do in the next round. So, that is entered in the task list for the next few days. It’ll take me awhile to have something to show, and I may just enter it in the Fair, so it probably won’t appear here until September. If you’re local, you’ll be able to see it at the Fair!

Fun!!

The Bach Festival is almost over. There’s been a lot of music. A lot of fun, fun, music; a lot of fun socialization. I’ll confess that most of my social time has been spent networking. I’m such a work-a-holic! Well, that’s what happens when you get to mix your passion with your career!

I’ve really enjoyed everything. Even the music I don’t typically enjoy. Mostly because I found myself busy with other activities when those pieces were being talked about or performed. But, when the level of musicianship is as highly trained and offered as what I’ve witnessed, it’s not hard to listen. These people know how to “music” as one of the kids said. He was corrected by the older lady walking with him, but we both knew what he meant. Truth be told, I liked his phrase. There’s more to creating art than technique, knowledge, skill, creativity, dedication, the list goes on and on.

            For those local and Festival visitors, the Raffle continues through next weekend. Then the tickets are drawn, the art taken down and distributed, and hopefully all get to enjoy more art in the future. I have confidence the music will continue. I look forward to experiencing more, creating more tatting, and inviting more people to join the fun!

Bookmark finished and displayed

I have permission to post pictures of the tatting chosen by the fabulous volunteers at Carmel Bach Festival. This is part of a fundraiser Raffle. Artists apply and after acceptance, create a small piece of art to be raffled. Usually there are more than 100 pieces. This year, the variety and quality are superior. There’s paintings, photography, sculpture, mixed media (paper & jewelry), and several fiber pieces. I am so honored to be a part of this show!

Last night at the opening I met a lot of people. Everyone was so positive. Several artists were fascinated with my process. I heard many times from established, successful artists word of encouragement in finding my voice and creating more pieces. I’m a bit giddy! Note to Georgia: not one time did I hear that tatting is a lost art! It was humbling to know that these art collectors consider tatting alive and well and vital.

So what was the piece?

Joy bookmark

This bookmark is based on the melody Beethoven uses in the last movement of his Symphony no. 9. We use it regularly as a hymn. You’ll find the text starts with “Joyful, joyful we adore Thee” or something similar. Most hymnals list the hymntune as Hymn to Joy. If you orient the bookmark horizontally with the joy bead to the left, you’ll be able to “read” the tune. I chose to represent the degree of scale with the number of beads. 

Ex. The melody starts on Mi or the 3^rd degree of the scale. I used 3 beads in the first ring. The melody only uses the first 5 degrees of the scale; so the rings have at least one bead and up to five beads. Even if you can’t read music, you can read this melody. For the edging, I create a trefoil design of rings and chains. I was “chuffed” as Jane would say that there are 9 repeats. Beethoven’s name has 9 letters. Quite a bit of numerology which is not everyone likes, but fun!

I’m also quite pleased that my little creation was placed next to a quilt. I count the artist as a friend and mentor of sorts. I’ll be buying at least one ticket to tuck into her box.

Monterey Cypress quilt

Today I’ll hear an organ concert. Tomorrow is a vocal Master Class. Saturday starts the full Festival. I’m trying to keep at the chores so I can attend as much as possible. Of course, I’ll be tatting during the odd free moment. Most of my time will be soaking up the music and making notes for future designs. The ideas will flow almost as fast as the ocean wakes break on the beach!

Jelly time

mass of jellies by dock

I’m so easily distracted by the sea! Here’s what I saw at the Coast Guard pier:

Blue strip jelly

Brown top jelly and seastar

sitting and watching us...

so many!

I promise I’ll get to work!

Randomness at the end of June

The adventure continues. I’ve turned in more tatted pieces to be used in fundraisers. I hope these do better. Of course, no pictures to share until the auction close in July.

In the meantime, I’ll share a picture of what the bay looked like this morning. Very, very low tide! 

The sun and my phone aren’t giving us the perfect picture, but perhaps you can see in the cropped picture the seal pup with the spotted grey coat.

The next tatting challenge: entries for the Monterey County Fair.

The next music challenge: refurbish a small harpsichord that followed us home. 

Randomness begins

The last few weeks fall under “best laid plans” heading for what I’ve posted here.

And the next few weeks look even more tenuous.

So, this blog is going into random mode until….well…..August.

Random post #1:

I’ve been drawing on the experienced gardeners in my circle of friends. They have been very generous in helping me identify and learn about the plants that came with the house. My latest “discovery” is that the volunteer plants with the really big leaves and majestic stalk with blooms in the back is Foxglove. I recognized the name, just not the plant. I tried to take a picture, but they back up against the arbors and I couldn’t frame a decent shot that you could actually see the plant. Short of using a selfie stick….which I DO NOT own! Why would I want a picture of me in front of something worth taking a picture of?

Back to Foxglove. I have done a bit more research and identified several more volunteers in the process. Now I need to get more expert advice on transplanting/design tips for this neighborhood. Sunset Garden Book is very informative, just not detailed enough for me and my mess….I mean yard. I’m hoping to have plans drawn up so that we can begin planting as the rainy season returns.

In the meantime, I’m finalizing a bookmark design based on a Beethoven symphony, plugging away on the flag and also the Wiosna 2017 doily, and preparing for an Organ Convention, Bach Festival and a mini vacation. I’ll be back….whenever! Enjoy the start of June and summer.  

Geometric in life

wrapping paper pattern

box pattern

I observe patterns in life. It’s what I do; as a musician, tatter, weaver, Mom, homeowner.

I found these on wrapping paper and Kleenex boxes. They inspire.

I’ve been working on the bookmark. I had an “aha” that really helps. This pattern has beads added at joins. That means they are loose until you need them on the picot as you join. I wanted the beads to be random, but not pool in color splotches. How to keep track of them? I loaded them on a length of sewing thread as I was loading the rest of the beads onto the shuttle threads. Here's a good explanation of the technique:  http://www.georgiaseitz.com/classes/beads.html 

So far, so good. I can use the sewing thread to pop the bead onto the picot when it’s time to fumble with the crochet hook, paperclip, and shuttles. Did I mention that the beads are too close to the size tatting thread I have to needle the thread with glue? That means I would have to get creative with thinner thread to put the bead on the picot anyway. I’m going to take time today to put the beads onto a length of beading thread. That will make things go faster as I can coax the waxed thread back through the bead easier than the sewing thread. I’ll have enough done for pictures next week.

But first, I’m off to figure out why the tree leaves are shriveling and dropping all over the floor by the tatting chair…