Changes in Springtime

 It’s always spring where I live. The weather is mild enough that plants are blooming year round. When we prune the roses, we usually are cutting off buds and new growth.

Spring for me means a busy schedule of organ work, finalizing a pattern or two for the upcoming season of art displays and workshops, and closing out the previous year.

For 2020, I had successes and very few failures. I will not say it was a good year. My successes were mostly being able to respond to the clanging needs and taking on new opportunities in a creative way. The failures were gut wrenching.

I wish you all a Happy Easter and many hours of enjoying the bright Spring weather!

More loom use

 

Here’s a quick picture of my set up with the 3-D printed loom Tim sent me. I like the ability to have space between the warp and the frame. That makes using a shuttle much easier. I found I needed to anchor the bottom loop of the warp with something other than my hand. Passing the final warp pass behind the frame, catching the loop, and then anchoring the warp end did the trick. The extra warp passes allowed me to rest my hands and stretch. It also allowed me to use both hands to tension the tallies. A win all around!

Thank you again,Tim!!!

Cluny loom action

I’ve always loved puzzling out how cloth is made. Especially when there’s mechanical stuff involved. I like figuring out how to set up the loom. And of course, I gravitate to the “lace” weaves like leno.

As I learned more tatting techniques, I was fascinated by using my hands to create cool stuff from thread. I found I was limited by the hands I have. So, when I saw this:

 

available through Handy Hands

I had to investigate. I understand the tradition of the tallies in lace. I like how they add to tatting patterns. I Especially like the thought of using a loom because my hand wasn’t straining to make the element. Here’s what I’ve come up with. 

I’ll be sending this to be “judged” by veteran tatters. Some of those tatters will likely be proficient in bobbin lace tallies. I’ll be really interested to see what they think!

One down, one more to go then some more rings!

Piecework is fun to explore

I realized Monday that I had not put up a post on my recent pattern browsing.  Quite some time ago, I put 2 CD’s of Piecework Lace Issues on my shelf. I finally got around to cracking open the wrapping and exploring them. On one of the Cd’s, there is a lovely article about a bedspread. Included in that particular issue is a pattern for the basic motif used in the rather <huge> bedspread. I must try it out soon!

Heart samples

 

Split Ring Heart by Georgia Seitz

When I teach, I try to come up with ways to help students get the concepts and practice the skills. For the last class I taught online with the Lace Museum, I used the pattern for this heart:

The pattern is written well. There is a clear diagram, a good photo, and text written out clearly. Some information is assumed, some is noted in a proprietary manner, but as tatting patterns go, it’s quite clear. I like using patterns of this type for classes. I feel it teaches students how to tat along with how to explore more tatting and even how to communicate their designs.

This is my sample I finished after the class ended. I have given up finishing a heart during the online class. I find it too distracting to my primary task of monitoring student progress. I did make sure to talk through how to finish and block the heart. I decided I’ll be putting this in my box of class samples. It clearly shows the path of work.

Now, on to the next project: a design based on music of Palestrina that incorporates a bit of stitching using the Palestrina knot.

It's not working for me

 This plan for life right now… it’s just not working for me.

Part of me wants to rejoice in a more freedom of movement and a more open environment.

Part of me wants to hide a while longer.

That’s because I won’t be eligible to sign up for a vaccine for quite some time: too young, and too healthy.

So for those who wish me to share my talents and creativity in person: I’m waiting a while longer. This plan is not working for me.

Please be patient a while longer. 

In the meantime, let's walk along the Bay together. Just let me grab my mask.

Ok, ready!

Sample, sample, sample......

 That is the mantra I’ve heard. I usually follow it. I mean, you can always use the bits and ends for decorating a card. And when I teach a class, I like to prepare samples to specific points so that I can just pick them up and demonstrate a particular technique or part of the pattern.

So, here are my samples completed from last week’s class: 

I used shuttle to tat 2 of them, and needle to tat the other 2. I have samples in Christmas colors already done, so I just may use these as gifts.

Now, on to the samples for the next class.

Be prepared

 I am prepared….

For the Hearts class. I really like these patterns. They are in my “frequent pattern used pile” and I have many examples. I’ve even made a basket with 3 of them. I’m looking forward to sharing them with the students who’ve signed up. If you would like to join us for 2 Saturday mornings (Pacific Time), head on over to the Museum website and sign up. No particular materials needed, just a ball of thread you like working with and 2 shuttles or needles.

Here fishy, fishy, fishy

 

Beaded Fish designed by Jane Eborall

I tatted this up over the weekend. It was fun!! Thank you Jane for another pattern that makes me smile!