Inspiration struck....again....whew!

 Months ago I started looking at a Fantasia BWV 572 by JS Bach (surprised at my choice of composer? I hope not!).

The composition is a fine example of the Fantasia form in the Baroque era. Classic (pun intended) ABA with brilliance in the first and last sections with solid harmonies in the middle section. I like puzzling out the structure of the harmony and using the bit of Music Theory I’ve learned over the years. That can usually give me a good basis for putting the music into thread.

Except this time.

Until last night….about 2 AM.

A foray into the thrift shops yesterday uncovered a lovely little doily. I’m in the process of blocking it now so I’ll share a picture later. The center section can be recognized as tatting with a bit of crochet between it and the tatted edging. I’ve worked the edging many times. It’s a simple ring and chain that meanders from edge to center to edge and is fun to work.

That edging inspired the A section motif. I’ll use stacked chains for the B. (chortle with glee can be heard)

Another pair for Cristmas

 

Garnet Set by Nina Libin

Well, actually, 2 pairs.

 

Garnet Set by Nina Libin 

Doesn’t this look like a fun pattern? It’s available for free on the Lace Museumwebsite. I worked this set with pearl beads quite awhile ago. I wear them occasionally so I decided I should make a pair in Christmas colors.  I decided to omit one bead on each split ring. I think they look better when all the beads are on the same plane.

Oh, and if you’ve signed up for the classes I’m teaching nextmonth sponsored by the Lace Museum and you need to order the beginner kit, it may not arrive in time. Packages are sporadically on time coming from SCC due to the increase in COVID cases. Our regular carrier (in the next county over) has had to take some time off awaiting a test result. Thankfully it was negative, but that set back a couple of packages that were coming to our house. Even if you do need materials, there are do-it-yourself options that will be perfectly fine for the class. Email me or the Museum and I’ll send you the instructions.

If you haven’t registered for a class…..

What are you waiting for? Come join the fun!!

A new pair just in time

 I saw this pattern on Bernice's blog Knot Vortex. I needed an elegant pair of earrings for a family Zoom Christmas party.  Thank you for sharing your pattern!

Worked in White metallic DMC 3 ply thread with pearl beads.

Ya wants some whine with that?

 Quite a few of my Holidays find me gettin’ real whiney. As a church musician, December is non-stop performance. The music requested runs the gamut: 13 th century to 21 century; obscure sacred text to the latest poem by a “star”; and when someone actually is courteous enough to ask me to pick the music, I never know if it will please the listener. This year is no exception! Even without the in-person option, I’ve fielded enough requests for something everybody likes (read secular kids songs) to something easy (read a favorite of theirs that I’m sure to butcher). So, I’m whiney. When I allow myself to talk. Hint: if your musical friend isn’t saying much it’s because their just tired of the demands made on them this time of year. If they share anything, don’t talk, just listen. They really, really don’t care to know that Aunt Tilley loved the way Uncle Arthur sang O Holy Night. Let them celebrate authentically. You’ll enjoy their company a lot more, trust me!

OK rant over. I’ll know who has been around musicians by how loudly you’re laughing.

I spent time yesterday playing with beads and thread. My beaded version of Dissent is shaping up nicely. After several hours of notetaking, math problems, and researching bead packaging, I determined I have enough beads to start loading them on tatting. Who knew 1000 beads weight just a few grams? I should have pictures to share next week. Unless I change my mind. We’ll see what the future brings.

Because there will be a future. I promise to fill it with music and tatting. Really. Just give me some wine time!

How to fill in?

 I’m back looking at my idea for the Challenge Doily: Threadsthat Bind. With the Shelter in Place order active again, my calendar has been cleared once again without my permission. I talked on the phone yesterday about the situation, the loneliness of the others was palpable. My response was to play a bit, then pick up my shuttles. 

I really must try to put my design idea into thread: 
Once the geometric “pineapple” shape is complete, insert motifs in a contrasting color depicting a home.

Here’s my start:

May I ask a favor today? Pick up the phone and call someone who doesn’t follow a blog, tweet a thought, or have extended family they can safely meet with. Sing a song with them. We’ve all been practicing “Twinkle” or some other way to time how long to scrub our hands with suds. Reach out beyond what your habit is. We all need a bit of joy.

Finding the Hidden Rose

 Last year, Muskaan floated the idea of Hidden RoseSnowflake.

I was very tempted to tat it, but totally intimidated by the suggested path for working this beauty! Not because of the lock chains. I have mastered them and I really like the effect. What stopped me from grabbing the shuttles was the thought of digging out clips to hold the picots for later use. I know how to use picot holders, I have managed patterns that use the technique, but keeping everything sorted never turned out well and those clips were stressful to tat around. Not something I could do in the car or watching tv. But, I really liked the design. So, it went in the to-tat pile for “later” and continued to draw my eye.

Well, 2020 has been a year of finding a different path. I was thinking about what I’ve learned this year while sorting through the to-tat pile to find a snowflake pattern for a friend. I thought to myself, “what if I started at the outside and tatted in?” What do you know, it worked! At least for me. Anyone else want to try?   

Hidden Rose Snowflake ready to block

Here’s the short story:

Tat outside ring of R: 5 – 5 .

Tat the 3 lock chains leaving a mock picot at the start of the first lock chain of 7 DS. I also found it useful to use a lock stitch to create a very small picot between the two longer lock chains to use for joining before the inner ring.

Tat the regular chain towards the inner ring, join to that very small picot, then tat the inner ring of R: 5 – 5 . This inner ring will be joined to during the next repeat.

Complete the rose bud with the other regular chain joining to the first ring. Tat the outer chain with TOR and you’re ready to begin the next bud.

These very sketchy directions are not complete. I will get back to tatting this more completely to determine which element is tatted holding shuttle 1 and which is tatted holding shuttle 2. Or for that matter, are the repeats tatted with the shuttles changing positions? Could color emphasis of parts of the piece be easily accomplished? How to place beads on thread to end up where you want them?

A worthy project, but alas, I cannot make it a higher priority than preparing for the classes next month, preparing music for Christmas, or completing several challenges. I will place it in the to-solve pile.

Home again, Home again.....

 Our county is under a Stay At Home order again. That will not impact me a huge amount. I work from home, only meeting twice a week outside the home in very safe environments. I do not have to be in grocery stores, hospital/doctors’ offices, or any other “essential” businesses. I can stay home and reduce the possibility. Have I experienced COVID-19 symptoms? No. The closest I’ve come is the temperature spike during a hot flash. But…..

Asymptomatic people can spread this virus. I was very sick with a respiratory illness a year ago. I know I picked it up visiting in another city and trying out a VR headset. BTW it was worth it to have a cold for a week or two. But, this virus? I’ll not tempt fate. I wasn’t as sick as others got. I seem to shake off colds and bronchitis quickly. I’ll not take the risk that I could be exposed and spread this virus.

Please search your heart. Ask yourself if what you wish to do would be wise in a war zone. Because, until we consider that we are under attack and behave as though we are at war, we will not all survive. If you have to be out of your house, please behave as though you are in a war zone by wearing a mask, limiting your contact with others, and make it possible for the helpers to help.

Thank you!

Challenge completed….but it needs more

 Remember back before we really understood what 2020 was going to hold for us?

Remember when Jon Yusoff challenged us with Threads ThatBind?

Remember when I said I wanted to depict what it all meant to me? Oh right. I haven’t shared that yet. Well, I finally have worked down the mess of projects enough to get back to coming up with my edge for the Challenge. I set myself several parameters: Use vintage threads, find a way to use color to highlight parts of the design, learn how to use a 2 bobbin shuttle.

This is my Round 14  

The threads are all vintage size 30 (nominally…I think the yellow is size 35!)

I felt like softness, not boldness was needed when figuring out how to highlight the pineapple sections.

I used pink and blue in the dual bobbin shuttle for the outer round.

So, check!

But it needs something……

I’m currently adding small motifs that bring a house and small trees to mind. I’ve got some ideas on how to tie those in, but need a few more evenings to get to that point.

What do you get the tatter who has everything?

 A seat in a virtual workshop! Scroll halfway down the page.

$65 reserves your spot along with the documents. Fun thread and shuttles/needles are available for purchase from the Museum gift shop for a reasonable price.

Come join us Saturday, January 16 & Sunday, January 17 from 9 AM PT to Noon PT.

We will be looking at heart patterns. Christmas Heart by Anne Bruvold and Basic Split Ring Heart by Georgia Seitz will be offered. Bring a pattern you've had in your to-tat pile for awhile. 

For those that need a beginner refresher, or would like to encourage a new tatter, there will be a beginner series of 3 classes on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning the week before. Jan. 11-15 from 9-11:30 AM PT. 

See you in class!

Beads in a group

 Discussed in our group this week:  

Star in 2 colors by Madsen

Beads added to the Star pattern.

Penelope adapted by Kendra Goodnow

How blocking can really help.

Penelope

 One of the benefits from regularly meeting with tatting friends is being inspired to tat patterns again, and again, and…..

This snowflake is the featured pattern in the Fall 2020Helping Hands Newsletter published by Hand Hands. Kendra Goodnow adapted it last April. It reminded me so much of a mum that I had to tat it in pink. We’ll discuss in today’s meeting how color can make a big difference in whether you think snowflake or flower.

Incidently, the current Winter 2020 newsletter has a favorite of mine: Square medallion adadpted again by Kendra Goodnow. Remind you of a mat I worked up for the Museum classes earlier this year?

Registration will open soon for the January classes at the Museum. Same online format; same beginner series of 3 classes followed by a dive into a pattern. I have received permission to teach a couple of simple hearts. Simple, but you can add beads or use intermediate techniques to zing the patterns up. Join us!