A design idea during Shelter in Place

The last few years, June has always been an exciting month. It’s been my custom to create a piece to donate to Art of Music to raise money for the Carmel Bach Festival. Like all public events in 2020, things will be different this year. Even my design process has changed. I typically pick a composition that the Festival features and base my design on that musical work. Without the buzz of music being prepared, I was coming up with a blank. It was suggested that I try to evoke the unique events of 2020. I wasn’t coming up with a way to tat a COVID-19 virus. I wasn’t drawn to the colors that are typically used in graphics of said bug. I even contemplated asking the musicians for suggestions.

So far, this is all I have: a central ring with 19 points for joining rings of 20 stitches.

If it will be foolish to stand shoulder to shoulder to enjoy the Festival, we must find other ways to tell the world music matters. These rings that tightly encircle a central ring will have to do. Please find a way to say music matters in our world turned upside down by this virus.

I can finally share it!

This is my newest example of Sonata BWV 1034:

I wanted to give those who signed up and attended the Lace Museum class the first viewing. It’s so hard for me to keep a photo secret! 

We met for the first of 3 sessions yesterday. It’s always fun to see the grin people get when they have success creating lace. Each class always teaches me something. The learning curve has been a bit steep since it’s an online only class, but I think we had success overall. Of the 5 students, 4 are working with a needle versus a shuttle. I can’t wait to meet up again tomorrow and Friday!

Pivoting with picots

Talk to just about any designer in the tatting world and picots will come up. Yes, color and negative space are discussed too, but picots seem to always be in our minds. Picots connect rings and chains. Picots fill negative space. Picots can add shape and decorate any element. In doilies, picot size can make or break whether the piece lays flat, cups, or is symmetrical. Adding beads can be accomplished with picots. One picot can provide so much practical and decorative possibilities.

Perhaps that is one reason tatters can roll with the punches so easily. To be sure, we have honed our ability to stubbornly work towards goals. Anyone who has completed a doily with more than 3 rows (bigger than the average snowflake) and strung more than 15 beads (thinking of a Nina Libinpattern) uses that streak of stubbornness. But, particularly when we’re designing, we may start out using a picot to decorate or join elements and realize that it needs to serve another purpose.

So, to all those weary of pivoting and rolling with the punches as Spring 2020 turns to summer, consider a shuttle or needle and a ball of color. Release your inner creative mind and nurture your soul with thread. Joinus tatting!

The countdown starts!

We are just a few days away from a new adventure! The Lace Museum in Sunnyvale, CA is hosting online workshops during this Shelter in Place time. My tatting workshop will begin in 5 days!

I will follow my usual lesson plan of starting at the beginning and moving as quickly as I should to unlock the secrets of a tatting design. This class of three 90 minute sessions will discuss tatting by focusing on Sonata.

The session to be held in the museum to delve more deeply into the collection will be scheduled at a later date. (I can't wait to share pieces like this one featured in the May 18 Facebook post 

part of their collection 

This class is for beginner to advanced tatters. I will have plenty of resources for you, so bring your questions and what you are curious about! If you haven't reserved your place in the class, please send an email to the staff and join us. There will be a very short orientation meeting this Friday 5-22 to welcome and greet each other.

Email the museum today lacemuseum@gmail.com to sign up!

How to wash your hands

If we weren’t all, every single one of us, affected by this change of daily life, the soundbites we hear might cause one to laugh: Be safe, Wash your hands, Wear a mask.

We are all affected; even if we have power enough to refuse to wear a mask in public. We are all affected.

I did laugh the other day.

My professional reading includes quite a few magazines. One is the Diapason. In the May 2020 issue, a regular column In the Wind….. is written by John Bishop. His take on all things organ is often amusing and frequently instructive. One section includes suggestions for how to measure 20 seconds. (In case you were never a Girl Scout leader, that’s how long you need to wash your hands to insure they are cleaner.)He mentions songs you can sing to yourself or out loud (grin). A prayer or two you can recite. I smiled at this suggestion from Macbeth:

Out, damn spot! Out, I say! — One, two. Why, then, ’tis time to do’t. Hell is murky! — 
Fie, my Lord, fie! A soldier, and afeared? What need we fear who knows it, when none can call our power to account? Yet who would have thought the old man to have so much blood in him.

He suggests to emote a little so your hands will be cleaner. Perhaps no gestures though.

It made me laugh.

My suggestion: imagine tatting a small ring of 4 DS.

Perhaps that is because my design for Bach Festival this year has a mignonette section. 

Be safe. Wash your hands. Wear a mask.

Spring 2020

Several times in my life I’ve had to pivot. My original plan for education didn’t pan out, I came up with a plan B. My original plan for a career didn’t pan out, I came up with several different plans. Spring of 2020 that has been so true. I’ve pivoted a lot in the last few weeks. I don’t mind.

I usually go through a period of disappointment, even anger. I dislike living in those emotions.

 I usually go through a period of exploration trying out lots of ideas. I dislike wasting time with activity that doesn’t meet my needs or others.

I usually go through a period of obsessive work. I dislike not taking care of my basic needs.

Then, I wake up one morning knowing what I need to do.

Right now, I’m still in the exploration period. I’m focusing on trying out new ways to use technology. I’m using the time to finish several huge projects. When I get to the point of knowing what I need to do, I’ll let you know. Honest. There’ll be pictures to share, music to hear, and for those local, parties to celebrate.

For now, here’s progress on a side project that’s well, huge!

What should I share today?

I often ask myself that question when I start putting together a blog post. I’m very aware that sharing is a two way activity. You do get a lot out of giving something to someone. You can receive a lot when someone shares with you. Sharing in a kind, thoughtful way is important. That’s my goal.

I like being around people. I don’t always feel like an extrovert. I’m very aware that the hours spent alone practicing did not develop my social skills as keenly as other teens were managing. But, I do like being around people.

As we navigate these strange times, I find that my time around people is more precious. Each interaction holds more weight, has more influence on me, and must sustain me for longer time periods. I am very fortunate to be living with a wonderful husband (thank you for 35 years…..I hope we have 35 more years) and close to a wonderful daughter (I’m proud of her making her own way in life) and a phone call away from a wonderful son (his expertise has been so valuable in all things on line).

Today, I will share a wish that each of us can gather around us people who keep our health improving, people we can support in their future, and people to inspire and help those around them. I know I receive with that sharing. I hope that sharing brings joy to your life.

Progress on Big, big projects

Sonata detail

House: the weeds are not taking over this Spring. The number of boxes waiting to be unpacked is diminishing. I’m encouraged by this progress!

Lace: The class I’m offering through the Lace Museum is scheduled and sign-ups are coming in. The large doilies are all progressing well. I’ve even managed a new version of Sonata with my original color/bead concept.

Music: The Gwyneth Walker piece is finally coming into my fingers and brain. I doubt I’ll ever reach the tempo goal published. I do like the happy way it trips along!

I’ve been staying put in the house. I haven’t driven the car in weeks! I’m doing my part to ensure more people survive.

Mark your Calendars

Announcing a virtual workshop:  May 25-29, 2020 Tatting with Melanie.

Register through the Lace Museum in Sunnyvale, CA For a copy of the flyer click: Here

This will not replace the in person workshop that was to be held in April. I will offer an in-depth look at Sonata (BWV 1034) along with tips and tricks. If you are a beginner, do not fear! There will be plenty of time to help you learn to tat.

Announcing a virtual Art Auction starting July 18, 2020 and extending through August.

This Art of Music Raffle online will replace the show in the Marjorie Evans Gallery. I will miss the Festival concerts this year. I know the staff continues to work to bring music through the other programs the Festival sponsors and staffs. I hope my small piece of tatting will help to raise funds during this difficult time. More information as the time approaches.

My final event is one you, and only you, can decide what it will be. I encourage each of us to continue to create each day. Sit down with your instrument and play music. Sit down with your pencil or computer and compose. Sit down with your thread, needle, or shuttle and create lace. Share what you create. We can make this crazy world a better place!