I am a musician (organ) and a tatter (shuttle mostly) living in California. I have dreamed of combining both of these passions.
I thought I would weave a small bit of huck lace and edge it with tatting. This is a sample of an edging I’m considering:
For those with a copy of Tatting with Visual Patterns by
Mary Konior, it appears on pg. 23. I decided I needed to switch shuttles for
the whole outer section, not just the Josephine Knots and Thrown Off Rings.
When I get the corner settled, I’ll post a more detailed path of work.
Recently I was chatting with a friend describing my “collections” of “stuff” and mentioned I use my shuttles, not just collect them. She nodded and said something along the lines of people don’t understand why she uses her “collectibles” and not preserve them for posterity. Upon pressing, we both admitted that there are some items we do try to preserve rather than use regularly. I use all of the shuttles below regularly.
They each have their strong suits and are more useful for some lace than others. I’ve made a note to post more about that in the future.
I’ve had some inquiry on why I chose to use needle AND shuttle since the last post on Loopy by Marilee Rockley. Well, I found working with the needle easier than working with a “celtic” shuttle. Also, I wanted to use size 20 and 40 thread rather than the size 10 and 20 thread Marilee suggests in the pattern. (I’m a smaller build person and need to keep things like jewelry more delicate.) The base layer chains didn’t leave enough room to squeeggle the shuttle through. So, I adapted. The adventure will continue after my resting is done.
Incidentally, if you love color, consider Marilee's hand dyed thread !
I was caught by surprise the other day. A friend asked what I had planned for Christmas Week. I replied, “Rest!” (Yes, that capital R is on purpose. I rest with purpose!) After a chuckle the friend replied they had too much to do before Christmas to rest.
Wait…… before?????
I’m so immersed in the Liturgical calendar that Christmas is
AFTER 12-25. I’m still in Advent mode.
So, yes, I’ve a lot to do in the last week of Advent. This year it’s a full 7 days. I’ve put off a lot of tasks I tend to do between Advent 4 and Christmas Eve. Guess I’d better get crackin’!
The pattern is Loopy Earring by Marilee Rockley
After trying out parts of the pattern with both shuttle and
needle, I decided to work the base layer (darker blue) with shuttle and the
celtic layer (in variegated) with needle. It’s working up quite nicely.
I decided to tat just one more gift:
Now, to decide who gets it…..
I can show a picture of this gift:
I couldn’t come up with a way to incorporate tatting. Any
ideas out there?
No, I don’t think finishing UFO’s is causative to falling ill. Maybe boredom and confusion, but not getting sick. So, it's OK to finish you're projecs! You probably won't do what I did: I caught a bad cold. The kind that has you carrying a box of tissues because there’s THAT much mucous. The kind that has you up in the middle of the night for a hot drink to calm a cough.
But the COVID tests have been negative. I’m past the worst
of it, but those local to me have realized that I firmly believe that the
Transmission Stops Here. I’ve isolated myself because this time of year a
singer cannot get sick. I will not spread this virus.
So, I spent time catching up reading. I spent time finishing
projects. Because all but one are gifts, no pictures….yet. Remember this SAL
project? I finished the final heart. Now to sew things on and finish it
somehow. I’d like it to be something that can be used in a variety of manners.
Maybe framed, maybe backed for a mat to use under your coffee mug, maybe as a book
jacket. Probably won’t get to it until after Christmas.
I may, or may not, post much between now and then. So, just in case you do not drop by to see what's happening in my world, Merry Christmas (in any form you celebrate it) and a Happy New Year (however you mark that passage of time) with many wishes for a wonderful creative time!
I spent a bit of time yesterday gathering documents for an application. This one is for teaching at Palmettos Tat Days in August 2023. Things were going well, the computers were behaving and cooperating. Then, I realized I had not hit save often enough while creating the pattern document for several of the submissions. GAAK!
After a brief time away from the computer, I decided to go
ahead and submit what I have. Today, I’ll be working on getting those documents
ready for the next submission! This one will be the biggest challenge.
I finished the border of Autumn Fireworks. I’m pleased with how this came out. Now to find a use for it.
Also, been telling folks about the jewelry I’ve been watching. It started as a sketch on the proverbial napkin, then a few test prints, and now it’s available here.
Mistakes
Lots of them
Significant enough that I just may need to bail on some
projects I really, really want to see finished.
Time to sit down and figure out what best to spend my time
and talents doing.
The mistakes I found: Threading mistake in my huck sampler
Mistake in the class description.
Mistake in the pattern description
Mistake in the border of the elephant
Mistake in the 4th heart…..again!
Nope, nope, not gonna dwell on it….time to go for a walk!
No, I don’t travel during the Holidays! Did enough of that during my college days. I’m excited to announce that I will be teaching at Shuttlebirds Tat Days in April 2023!
I’m sure they will have announcements on their website soon.
But, just to tease you……
 |
| Earring around bead cap |
I’ve worn both of these pairs for years. They’re on their 2nd
or 3rd wires already. The orange pair with the turquoise beads are
worked in size 80 thread. The smaller pair with the wood beads are worked in
quilting thread. I promise to wash them up before the trip!
Tatting & Ornament Standlightweight Stores Flat - Etsy
The Tatting Toolbox 3D Printed Shuttle & Needle Caddy and - Etsy
….tatting gifts from
Stephanie Cervi designs
Also in the pipeline, small tool to help with your SCMR.
Photo coming soon!!
Remember this canvas work project? Well, I’ve finished the design blocks, now it’s time for a border.
This is what the designer suggested. It’s pretty and it makes
design sense, but it just didn’t do anything for me. So, I went on a tangent
like I did with the Elephant border.
I have ideas for a second border around the neutral one to
tie in the red and green. I’ll be trying things out on the doodle square first.
Whew!!
I know rain puts a damper on some people’s day, but we really, really needed the liquid sunshine! I am much less anxious about someone being in the green space a block away from my house and letting fire get away from them. I am breathing easier too. The air is so clear right now. The next storm is due in a few hours, so we’ve been tidying the yard and stowing things that could get blown around.
I’ll tat while the wind is blowing, and the rain (I hope) comes down.
The Online Tatting Class started by Georgia Seitz many, many
years ago has leaped into the 21st century. They are meeting on a Youtube
channel now. What fun! I cannot seem to clear my schedule to join in, but I
still get emails announcing class topics. This week was a cute pumpkin Vicki
Clarke shared. I HAD to tat it.
The picture is of a small pumpkin we were gifted for our
table along with a dinner fork for perspective. I think I will send in the
photo to IOLI for Challenge #7.
I already know what I want to do for Challenge #8, but that
may have to wait until after Christmas as I am filling in quite a few Sundays
in November and December.
During the Pandemic, I found myself the recipient of some kits that I had no idea how to stitch. I trusted the givers to keep the projects simple. For the most part they have been. This is the central square of one of the kits. It's called Autumn Fireworks by Ann-Marie Anderson-Mayers and found at Beautiful Stitches.
It’s on canvas with cotton thread and I gather classified
as “canvas work” in the needlepoint category. I rather like the texture that
the designer built into the piece. She suggests filling the blank spaces. I
see tatting there.
hmmmmmmmm
Well, in this case it’s not the thread’s fault. Remember this batch of vintage thread I found? Well, the color and size was just right for the hearts I wanted to tat to add to the SAL. So, I started winding the shuttles testing the thread to make sure it wasn’t degraded. I made steady progress with just a few fits and starts. I successfully tatted 3 hearts. They actually turned out to be matched fairly well.
Then I got started on the final heart. I was busy with
other projects. Work has blossomed and I was enjoying being busy doing what I
love AND earning money at it. The thread was degraded more than I thought. I
started tatting away as I was enjoying Bach Festival only to have the thread break
repeatedly. Starting over I reasoned that it was the humidity and heat and my
lack of focus. I finally gave up on the second daisy motif. Why?
Because not only had I muffed getting the break repaired by
starting again with the same thread (what WAS I thinking) but I had tatted an
extra ring in the daisy. Nothing for it but to pitch the mess in the trash and
get started with fresh thread.
It’s going better this time. I’ll be finished with it by the
end of next week. Then to sew them on the stitched parts.
Well, we don’t get snow here. Unless you drive a few hours to the mountains. Then, you can ski and sled and snowboard and watch from the lodge. I usually end up tatting away in a warm, comfy chair! I finished this sitting in my sunny room at home. The thread is Liz Metallic in the color Frappe. It looks a bit burnished when you tat it up. I like it. Almost like pewter in the photo. The pattern is from Festive Snowflakes.
I’ll be getting back to these soon, but the yard needs tending
and with the shorter days, I run out of time. Here’s what I found yesterday in
our yard. The bush sends long stems out for these. I think the blooms would
make good corsages or bunches for vases.
I’m working on finishing Christmas gifts. I wanted to join in an “ugly sweater” exchange, but I don’t knit, the kit with stitching on wood that I found didn’t turn out (AT ALL!!), and time to get creative evaporated. So, I dug out my Weave-it loom and created this:
I hope it will grace a tree and bring smiles!
This last weekend, I traveled to the “big city” for a concert. About an hour from my home. Not bad driving. The weather wasn’t great at the Bay and the weather in the Valley was passable. So, I guess the day trippers were watching football or something. Anyway, I enjoyed the concert and camaraderie.
It took going inland to see the trees turning the bright
golds and reds of Fall. I tried to snap a picture with my phone but ran out of
time to catch the best light. The maple was gorgeous! Now, we have maples and
plane trees growing in the neighborhood; most everything in my yard is
evergreen though. The plane trees leaves turn colors and drop off branches.
Only the wisteria loses leaves after they turn a delicate yellow/gold. Oh, and
the cherry tree…..itty-bitty cherry tree.
I have more Autumn color stitching I could do. I think I
will finish the Christmas gifts first. Perhaps I’ll have a preview for the
Thursday post.
IOLI has issued another challenge. I can see so many possibilities! Now I must sift through what I have in progress or sketched out.
Perhaps another edging to a bookmark?
Decorate clothing with tatting?
Create something using crochet + tatting or Cro-tat +
tatting? Muskaan posted some good ideas.
I think I’d better brainstorm a list, set it aside, let it
percolate for a few days (NOT lose it!) and then decide what I’ll be creating.
This kit didn’t take long to finish. The part that I spent
the most time: replacing the white beads that got separated from the kit before
I received it. I wonder what they were used for? I’ll never know…..
I’ll trim it and add a way to hang it. I hope it will be
treasured.
Do you grab your shuttle, or needle pack, and thread and just start creating lace?
Do you brainstorm on paper drawing out a design?
Do you study a piece of tatting and figure out the pattern?
Do you study what you’ve tatted previously to figure it out?
Do you grab a book or open that doc on your computer?
I do all of the above.
Which is why I don’t have a lot to show for my design time.
I need to pick a vector and stick with it (as my favorite creative engineer
says) so that I stop adding to the bits and pieces pile and start adding to the
finished design pile.
I will be taking a page from a writer’s group I know of: regular
meetings for encouraging and holding each other accountable to our goals and
dreams. Care to join me?
In my adventures, I have received boxes of “stuff” with “things” in them. Usually, it’s when someone is down-sizing or clearing a house. I’m not sure if living in a historic home influences this or not, but I’ve had fun!
Some of these things are useable: a pin loom, plenty of stitching thread, tatting thread, and lots of scraps of material to stitch with.
Sometimes there’s a half-finished project (or UFO) that intrigues me. Benefit from someone else’s kit fixing, add tatting to it, or try out a new technique. This is one I finished last weekend:
Now to figure out how to use it!
I wanted to practice a few of the stitches before starting the companion piece to the Autumn Ornament. The mentor who started me on this adventure very wisely gave me a bit of canvas to play with. I needed a bit more than she thought I would. What to do?????
This is on the side of a box that arrived. The product
inside is supposed to help keep moisture down in the 3-D printer. It provided a
giggle and smile to our family!
I’ve been working on this sporadically. I will be figuring
out how it’ll be finished after I get into the class on finishing techniques.
Stitching on canvas seems easier as there was no hoop or frame to deal with. I
like working with Pearl cotton thread. The pattern was easy enough to read. I
just needed some help with a few basics that experienced stitchers know to
assume. Sigh!
I hope your world is as golden and colorful as this little
bit.
I’ve found myself spending quite a bit of time on YouTube lately. Not learning new tatting techniques or figuring out how to stitch or finish. I’ve been exploring the files posted of all the broadcasts of servicesfor Queen Elizabeth II. The music side of my life has overtaken the fiber side of my life. When an important event happens in your field of interest, it’s wise to be familiar with what occurs. How many Brides choose music that a Princess chose? That works because music taps into who we are and what we do more than many realize. I understand that. So, I figured I’d better look into what music was chosen to remember and honor the life of a very important monarch. I have discovered quite a few points to consider as I chose what music to offer when I play for a service such as a funeral. You’ll have to come listen to find out.
The fiber side didn’t completely get pushed aside. I worked
on the background to the Elephant. I’m very close to finishing. Just about 4
more sessions should finish all that Bargello. Then to finish the border. I
still think I may need more of 2 of the threads. Since I changed my mind about
what colors I wanted to see, the recommendations for amounts needed of the
designer won’t help me. Fortunately, there is a shop opening next month. If I
can carve out a couple of hours to drive there, I may be able to figure it all
out with help from an experienced stitcher.
I acquired that title
when I was working as a volunteer in a High School. As we were clearing out a
storage closet, another volunteer kept asking, “What could this possibly be
used for.” Since she hadn’t been a classroom music teacher, and I had, I
figured she was curious. I was wrong. She was getting frustrated and my answers
to her questions weren’t helping. A third volunteer decided to dub me Queen of
Reuse to dissipate the tension. It stuck!
I do like to repurpose things. I try hard not to hoard. I’m mostly successful. The bits and pieces I had in my tatting bin came to good use yesterday. Remember my silk adventure? The colors in the pansy are very close in value and hue. So close, I wanted to be sure I wouldn’t grab the wrong color. So, I went looking for something to organize the silk floss.
I have plenty of ways to organize cotton floss, but I wanted to be sure to treat the silk nice. No snags or fraying! I needed something smooth and soft with holes. After thinking a bit, I decided to look in my supply cupboard. Nothing was leaping out at me. I thought about digging into my storage closet, but I didn’t have help….especially someone who could be creative enough to come up with Queen of Reuse. Then my eye fell on a bin that hold bits of tatting.
So, when you make a mistake tatting up a pattern and find yourself cutting out a section of a doily, you end up with some rings and chains in soft thread that just happen to have holes like a thread keep.
Ta-da!
I think it works well!!
I finally completed the stitching on the Ukrainian stitch-along.
True to my over-achiever tendencies, I decided I wasn’t going to use just 1
stitch for the small squares of red in the corner, so I doubled the stitch
count. That meant I was stitching 4 instead of 1 for those squares; 16 insteadof 4 for the center; and a ton more for the yellow. I was confident that I
would have enough floss as I settled on 18 count Aida for the fabric. As I
stitched the center, I found a rhythm of peaceful, hopeful thoughts. So far, so
good.
I liked the heart motif of the original but found the dove
element just didn’t work for me. Like almost all folk art I know of, each use
of a figure, each color has a meaning. One day as my hands were too tired to
stitch, I went down the Internet rabbit hole looking at the History of Folk Art
from the Ukraine. I decided that the dove had to go. I also decided I needed to
tat 4 hearts to sew on the surface of the stitching. To make it really show up,
I completed the background field in black.
I found a heart in Teri Dusenbury’s book, Tatting Hearts, that made sense. I
tatted a sample in size 30 thread. Too big for the area available as designed.
I’d already started stitching the corner and liked it, so I went hunting for a
better thread. None of my size 80 thread matched the floss, so I went looking
at the sewing thread I have. Bingo! Now to finish tatting the 4 hearts and sew them on.
The final thought I have for today: yes, there is a fair
amount of cat fur trapped in the stitches. My pet sensed I needed support and
help to work through this project. I couldn’t say no. Her purring in my lap did
make the stitches better. For those that can’t tolerate pet hair in stitching
projects, “Move along, these are not the droids you’re looking for.”
Isn't it nifty?
It's still being developed, but I was so excited I HAD to share a photo. There will be a lid of some kind designed and I’ll be testing for fit of all my picot gauges. More info as the designing is finished.
I snapped these pictures the other day on a walk by the Bay:
Well, I’m getting there…..
I find I first need to learn a bit before I can set goals.
I need to learn what other organists in my area are doing.
What goals they have. I need to learn what music people would love to hear on
the organs here. What music is being offered on all instruments and what is
popular. I need to learn who is interested in helping achieve those goals.
I need to who knows about tatting, who would like to learn
tatting, and what groups are interested in helping people learn to tat.
I need to just “do the thing” and design and tat and publish
and show and sell my art.
I’m getting there……
….continued from before:
I tend to make resolutions at the beginning of the school
year, not January 1st.
Why? Because I’m typically exhausted the first day of
January, and we all know what we say when we’re exhausted and someone asks what
we want to do.
So, my resolution:
Come up with goals that can become plans with deadlines.
To be continued…..
During a networking luncheon I found this in my fortune cookie:
A dream is just a dream. A goal is a dream with a plan and a
deadline.
I dream of there being plenty of organists available and
willing to play whatever music people love to hear on the organs in the world.
I dream of people creating lace with whatever tool they
choose to bring beauty to the world.
I dream of sharing what I see as I listen to and play music.
So, what’s my goal?????
As a wonderful piano teacher I’ve come to know says, “To be
continued…..”
The third section of the bird described in the directions of the thread painting project is the claws of the little sweetie tweetie. These are accomplished by stitching 7 bullion knots. When I was reviewing the text before our group meeting, I saw that there was mention of doing this step while the fabric is held taught by the hoop. OK….. As opposed to???? *shrug* I picked up my doodle cloth and followed the detailed directions on a separate page. OK… I get it a bit. Awkward, but when you’re new to a technique, awkward is pretty usual. Remember my forays into Venetian Picot production? Similar learning curve. Anyway, even though I was using a fabric with a different set and a different size needle, I got the hang of it.
I found out during our meeting that what I didn’t know
allowed me to accomplish more with less stress.
I had the pleasure yesterday of exploring thread painting. The group, kind of a study group, of 6 stitchers from the EGA chapter gathered to work on a small design of a robin. This lovely design created by Trish Burr is quite small but has good detail. It was fun!
Being such a newbie to the world of stitching, I prepared by
reading some material found online in blogs and such, watching a few videos,
and really looking over the packet provided by one of my fellow adventurers. It
struck me as a technique that will take quite some time to accomplish (much
like tatting) and requires careful use of color blending/coordinating (much like
the tatting I love to do). I hope to have pictures soon. Yesterday was spent
practicing and thus isn’t very pleasing to photograph.
I found myself getting frustrated and stressed by not achieving tatting designs by the dozens. I do have ideas for dozens of them, just haven’t gotten them documented. One rabbit hole I got sucked into recently was on how Bach’s music could be represented using Gematric techniques. Honestly, I haven’t spent a lot of time on that. I’ve read a few articles; the most recent “Proportional relationships in Bach’s Die Kunst der Fuge and the intended duration of Contrapunctus XIV” published in the May 2022 issue of the Diapason magazine. To me, the theory of such analysis and the result in thread just doesn’t seem relevant. I’m content to look at the music from a higher altitude. And without the help of calculator and equations. Not to say it isn’t fascinating to follow, just not where I’m at with thread and shuttle or needle. Besides, if I drilled down that far in music, I’d have HUNDREDS of ideas. There’s more to do.
Still nothing to show in thread. My ideas are working, just not very pretty. I’ll get there soon, just had a bit of a stumbling block to my schedule. A colleague is having a crisis and needs the support of an experienced, has-been. While waiting for an answer to a query by text, I was reminded of what a friend said about art and craft:
“Art can come from craft. We judge craft by how closely we achieved a pre-determined outcome.”
My organ playing is more in the zone of half-baked craft lately. Will it be enough?
That question is not meant to be a riddle. We teach that trio means there will be 3 parts. And that’s correct most of the time. I attended a chamber music concert recently that was stunning. A non-musician friend attended with me. The question had come up during a dinner party. I love such questions. My friend had been exploring Bach with Apple music. One selection the algorithm came up with sounded like more than 3 instruments, the picture showed 4 musicians smiling standing around what seemed like a piano. I explained a bit, then invited them to attend the concert with me. The riddle was solved for them once we sat down and looked at the program and how things were set up.
In 5000 words or less (yes, we musicians often go down
rabbit holes answering questions) the trio played that afternoon was a Bach
piece. On “stage” (remember it was a chamber music concert….think a gathering
after dinner before the dancing starts) was a harpsichord, a chair and 3
stands. The musicians sitting down (harpsichord and cello) were providing one “part”
as the Continuo while 2 violins played the other parts standing at the other 2 music
stands. The upper parts were closely paired in dialogue with statements and
answers while the lower parts provided the harmonic foundation. A lovely
concert!
Now before my Bach friends hit the Comment button, the cello
was viole de gambe and algorithms are not usually this cooperative. There. Now
how does this relate to tatting?
I’ve had sketches piling up for lace based on trios.
Representing the 3 lines of music just wasn’t working! Until that afternoon. I
needed to be reminded that continuo and hocket exist all the time in Baroque
trios. I’ve been amending my sketches. Nothing in thread yet. Maybe tomorrow…….
A friend stopped by the Kreinik headquarters for me last
month. She had permission to go shopping for me. This is what she brought back:
I’m very intrigued with stitching on the “silk gauze” even
though it looks a bit intimidating. I’ll be looking for tips on the Internet
for neophytes like me. As pansies, or violets, don’t grow well in our yard,
this may be the closest I get to my favorite flower. 😊
I finished the stitching of the ear of the elephant. Now to
finish the rest of the background and border so I can attach this baby! After
looking at my August to-do, I estimate that I’ll be finished with the whole
thing by……Christmas 2023. No really! Well, let me just say I believe in setting
goals I can achieve.
Hope your August will be enjoyable!
All right, those who know how I set boundaries can stop snickering! Not THAT kind of boundary….
I decided I had done enough practice on my doodle canvas and jumped into the next step of stitching the Elephant ear. The directions say, "Couch around ear." Couching always intimidates me. It’s combining thick thread with thin thread on top of and through the fabric or canvas. You must achieve the goldilocks of tension. You’d think that would be easy for an organist. We’re always adjusting our registration, articulation, and playing the specific instrument in the specific room. That’s why it’s so important for us to practice where we’ll be playing.
But I digress….
Time to set aside the practice mode and go all in. I think I succeeded in couching the outline of the ear. Now to fill it in with “brick stitch” (HUH?????) which isn’t explained enough in the text that came with the class. So……
To the Internet and fire up the email account! I have questions……..
Not so much myself, but all around me I’m seeing pivots due to COVID. There have been several last-minute substitutions for performers at the Festival. I received 2 requests for substituting for other groups. People are not as panicked and are more comfortable with hearing No’s to such requests. Don’t get me wrong, I still feel a huge pull to help and do so when I know it will not jeopardize my own health. And that is the key in my mind. We as a group must set reasonable goals and then keep our health in our work.
Enough of a soapbox.
I am enjoying what I’m seeing at the Festival. Lots of high-quality music. Some I would not seek out automatically, some I find I like
better than I thought I would. Lots of excitement with the audition for the
next Music Director concerts. Everything I missed the last two years.
Still more to come. I’ll be working on those hearts for the
SAL when I can……
I see all kinds of lace when I look at those trios I mentioned in the last post. There’s just not time to put my ideas into thread!
I’ve been attending Masterclasses as I have time. Yesterday
I learned a new use for registration in music. For those who are curious
about organ, registration is the task of choosing which stops to use while
playing a piece. Normally this is done before beginning to play. Sometimes we
change registration during a piece, but that’s usually planned in advance also.
For vocalists, registration seems to be planned, but executed as you sing. Much
like fingering for organists. Hmmmmm Can I use registration to explain
tatting techniques? Hmmmmmm
If you sit in on the Masterclasses, I’ll be the one tatting
off in the corner. I try to do so in a way that doesn’t distract the musicians.
I’ll be finishing heart 3 of 4 for the Ukranian Stitch Along.
Throughout my life as an organist, J. S. Bach has been present. Sometimes as a comfort that centers me in times of upset and trial, sometimes as a challenge to up my technique game. I don’t know how many of you have noticed, but it’s much more rewarding to play or sing Bach than to listen to Bach. (So, if you like listening to Bach, you MUST try your hand at creating his music yourself.)
Last night, I attended the Opening Concert of the 85th
Carmel Bach Festival. Programmed for the end of the concert was BWV 1068
Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D Major. The performance was exhilarating! During the
Music and Ideas talk before the Tower Music selections, it was commented that
one can hear a bit of Brandenburg in the music. I concur. I also heard snippets
Bach used in his Trio Sonatas. I must dig out my scores and have a go this
afternoon!
Sunset Center that is….and Carmel Prez. and All Saints….and the Mission.
I’m having so much fun this summer!!! Since travel is still
quite risky for me, I’ve persuaded those who get a vote on my schedule to give
me time at Masterclasses, workshops, concerts, panel discussions and more! I
likely will not have any pictures to share. If you’re curious visit
CarmelBachFestival.org
As I mulled over what edging to put on this ornament (it’s
supposed to be suspended from the center like a bell), I thought the stiff
fabric would drape better with beads weighing down the edge. I chose yellow to
tie in the “leaves” in the Blackwork section. It does. Now I need to puzzle out
what to do on those corners……
I’ve been working on this small piece for a bit of time. I
had stalled because it didn’t feel right. The cloth felt so heavy. It’s lugana*and
is well made, just heavier than I like to work with. I’ve decided it’s because of
the fiber content of this particular piece of lugana. Mind you, I may be way
off base; I’m still getting familiar with the possibilities for stitching.
Anyway, I’ve decided that this square needs a tatted edging.
I hope you’re not surprised. I’ve sketched out a couple of options. Now to pick
up the shuttles and tat samples to confirm stitch count.
* lugana is a heavy, soft even weave fabric. The fabric I’m working with is equivalent to 14 count Aida.
No not another small concert. Not even a service, although I’ve been contacted to sub for someone who came down with COVID. I’m not recording anything either.
Lots of negative space. That is more important than color or
combinations of texture. Negative space rules!
Kinda like tatting……
I’m still playing with adding the heart to the cross stitch
for some pop and texture.
I’m still playing with Venetian Picots and Vapour Stitch
along with block tatting because negative space….Incidently, if you love block
tatting, check out progress on Endrucks study.
I’m having to budget my time though; all of my students are
continuing with lessons during the summer months. I’m not surprised. Each of
them is taking lessons for a different reason. I’ll be continuing to refresh my
memory on Music Therapy principles. Unfortunately, none of the teachers in my
local area who attend the networking meetings of the MTAC & AGO are MusicTherapy specialists. A little like the weavers in my area enjoy weaving and
creating without worrying about cataloguing and organizing. I may just have to
find myself some workshops!
As we navigate post pandemic event schedules, I’ve found that life is complicated now. I have confidence that we’ll all find a way to be a community together. I’m still not sure what that will look like on the calendar, nor what it will feel like. I know one thing:
I will tat and create and enjoy!
Just in case you don’t feel like you’re in a fantasy land, I’m
sharing pictures of real and fake plants:
From Eva Suarez: if seduced by nostalgia, “a person can fail to pay attention to the opportunities of the present” and also fail to anticipate a brighter future.
I like happy memories. I like dreaming of the future. I like
seizing opportunities. I must remember to keep from sounding like a broken
recording of nostalgia. I think I can do that.
I continue to work on those big projects. Not much to snap a
picture of. I will also begin applying to teach workshops and classes in 2023.
I will because we must begin again. Even if I end up canceling again, I must
dream.
I have quite a few “newsletters” drop into my mailbox each month. I’d like to paraphrase the first line of this newsletter (EGA blog): Every time we take up our craft, we carry on a legacy.
Every time I slide onto the bench and start up the blower
motor, I keep organ music alive.
Every time I load a shuttle, I keep tatting alive.
But, is it enough?
I’ve come to the conclusion that just doing isn’t enough. We
must teach, put the materials into the hands of those around us, encourage
learning complete with mistakes and successes, and most important, we must
communicate.
I promise to finish my Ukraine SAL with my design variation. Some will consider my version a mistake as I am not staying true to the designer’s version. Some will consider my version silly as I am adding tatting. If you go to the link above and scroll down the page, you will see several versions. I like how some of these versions will be visible in public. That will help people find a way to support each other. I will finish.
NB What constitutes a newsletter has changed quite a bit. Now, it can be a marketing pitch, gossip session, calendar reminder, random thoughts, or just a way to say hello. I think that’s good. I’ve had to change how I file newsletters. That’s good too. For me, the bottom line is that we communicate; as groups, as individuals, as businesses, and communities.
Try it out.
I picked up the SAL of Ukranian ilk. The more I work on it,
the more I feel sure. So, just to be sure, I tried on the heart for size:
I think it works.
(This is not a happy, uplifting post nor one filled with
pretty lace)
I find myself weary. I am a social person. That doesn’t mean
I’m good at social graces, but that I find great joy in being around people.
That makes my role as musician and teacher something I relish and gladly
pursue.
But, we are not out of this yet. Pandemic life is morphing
into endemic life. Groups I support and depend upon are beginning to gather
more and more. Concerts (in person) are offered for listening pleasure and
learning. Workshops (in person) are offered for learning and networking.
Classes (in person) are offered more often. This will mean I’ll be sitting in
groups with people I’m not normally in contact with, breathing air and touching
surfaces I cannot be certain will not make me sick, and balancing a schedule
for optimum involvement without overly taxing my stamina.
Yesterday, I set up my camping chair and enjoyed a couple of
hours of fun music. There were professionals playing/singing along with
students and amateurs. If you asked some of the teachers, they will tell you
the amateurs can often play/sing better than they can. Everyone seemed to enjoy
the music.
As I walked up the hill to our house, I found myself weary.
I have very little excuse for physical tiredness as I haven’t been exercising
overly much, nor have I filled my days with physical labor. I am just weary of
trying to live safely. Trying to figure out how to reset and respond to news
that affects my plans. I know this is part of human history. I am just weary.
I hope we can continue to gather safely. I hope to continue
to learn together. I hope to live.
I realized while showing the last post of my sample TDS piece to a friend that…..
I left out a TDS in two repeats. Ah well. I’m almost
finished with a different sample that includes curled rings.
In the meantime, I thought I would show you the corner of
the Ukranian SAL I’m adding hearts to:
 |
| Treble Double Stitch motif by Antonina Caruso |
TDS- Teble Double Stitch or Vapor (Vapour) stitch
Thank you Jane M. for reminding me of Ninetta’s wonderful
variation on the Treble stitch from crochet techniques. I had fun working this
beauty.
I will submit it for the IOLI Challenge.
Try a lace stitch that is new to you.
Mmmmm
There is essentially only one stitch in tatting: Double
Stitch or DS
There are a zillion ways to combine the DS with all sorts of
lacy results. But a “stitch that is new to you” really is stumping me. I’ve
reached out to some tatters who have been at this far longer than I have,
tatters who have combined other lace techniques (cluny), and tatters who have
designed some spectacular new styles of lace. So far, no idea has presented
itself.
New to you……
Any ideas?
Oh, and here’s the page with photos of the previous IOLI
challenge #4.
 |
| Christmas Bells by SEBA Designs |
I have a kit for a Christmas ornament. When it’s ready to hang on the tree, it looks like a small lantern. I see so many possibilities for this idea. Tatted edging….tatted motif mounted on a gossamer cloth…..beads and bling…..
The stitching for this side went fairly well….until I
started in on the parts I stitched in yellow thread. If you can count past 4, I’m
sure it was enjoyable. I’m a musician. Past 4 is a challenge for me to keep on
task. J
No, not really, but I did have to take out quite a bit. As I stitched the
corner designs, I found 2 mistakes. They will stay mistakes and become design
variations. J
I’ve already started tatting an edging. Just a sample as I
think I might add beads.
Just when I thought it was safe…..
I wound my shuttles with a thread that has been sun damaged.
So, I wasted thread. I wasted time. AND I have nothing to show but a pile of
thread in the bin.
Next week……..
We’ve been experiencing supply chain issues lately. And there seems to be another round of COVID cases happening in my neck of the woods. So, I’m not surprised I cannot find a source for more of the bead caps. Really. Just disappointed.
I’ll be reaching out to my bartering friends. But, I don’t
have much hope.
I’m disappointed because a friend has been helping me with
stitching projects. I can trust her to give me straight, useful feedback. She
is experienced enough to know what’s hard, what’s easy, and how to correct the
mistakes she sees. And honest enough to give me accurate feedback. I wanted to
tat a pair of earrings for her. I don’t have any bead caps without tatting on
them. Well, this pair:
If any of you know where I might pick up some bead caps for
4 mm beads, let me know.
It's been awhile since I showed my progress. I find the stitching is helping me center.
I received my flyer for the Carmel Bach Festival yesterday. I know those far flung from Monterey probably won’t be able to join in, but if you can, DO!!! Let me know your plans and I’ll do my best to connect with you!
Remember the elephant? It’s been awhile since I posted about
it. I’ve finished the main part with the couching of the tusks, most of the
background with silk and cotton, and am starting on the border. I haven’t been
following the color choices the designer asked for. There were just too many pretty threads! Mary Long is a fabulous designer and her text for this class
has been thorough and clear. I just didn’t think a toy should be in a light
color. Anyway, as I looked at the border, I imagined what my favorite framing
service would use as a mat. I wanted to pick up colors so that the piece pops
in glorious fiber! Ok. I’m just being overly creative.
So, here’s the colors I chose: 
First, laying in the base of metallic:
With the basic blue:
Then adding the accent:
Now a bit more accent:
Then, the echo of the background:
