Comparing Books

 I’m enjoying reading my newest tatting book. I’ll be picking up my shuttles soon, I promise. For now, I will read and ponder….

One of the thoughts that has come to my mind is the changes that have occurred with how we use tatting. While preparing for my latest lesson teaching tatting, I reviewed what books I would bring to the attention of the student. I discovered that Google Play has loaded quite a number of Beeton’s publications. The one I browsed was a manual of sorts on Running a Bazaar. The tatting section has a decent explanation of a bag with beads added. It’s gone in my to-tat list…..

Meanwhile back at the Ranch…..

I finished a trial tat of Antiks. This is not blocked completely. The thread is vintage of unknown manufacturer and was quite soft to work with. The design is by Muskaan and published in the Fall 2023Bulletin of IOLI. I’ve already started on a version with lots and lots of beads

Christmas gifts

 

Christmas this year has been special! I received wonderful gifts!! The ornament is stitched by a good friend, the bag woven by another good friend, and the book came from my son and daughter. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

I don’t plan on putting the bag away. I plan on using it year ‘round. The bands are just too neat and colorful!

Ninetta put together this short history and explanation of her Treble Tatting Stitch with help from Muskaan. Truly an international effort. I have read the introduction. Next to dive into the background and a bit of history. I’ll enjoy it tremendously! She walks us through her Swirling Butterfly Doily quite thoroughly. Perhaps I can master the basic motif early in 2024.

I took time out

 I took time out from tatting the Antik snowflake/motif to teach someone to tat. We covered a great deal of information in the 2 hours. I used quite a bit of material that other people developed. Some of the names I know, others I do not. Thank you to those who gave of their work so that we can teach more people to tat. I have noted on my copies who to credit. I do use some material that I have developed, however I’m not confident of my writing so I haven’t printed much. I dream of going to a conference and spending an hour or two comparing notes with other teachers on where they source their materials. The last time I tried, I ended up starting an argument between two designers as to who should get credit for a drawing a third person used in their hand out. Sigh! Well, I can dream can’t I?

Oh, and at the end of 2 hours, the student had created a ring, chain and picot on each. Not too shabby!!

More of mushrooms

 

I seem to be focused on mushrooms lately. I don’t really spend a lot of thought on them. Just coincidence, I guess. At any rate, here’s my finished sample of the Mushroom pattern Karey Solomon shared with us at Palmettos Tat Days 2023. I had fun deciding where to add the buttons. A couple of them were sewed on after the tatting was finished. The colorful buttons were just the ticket to go with my “un-mushroom-y” purple thread!

Thank you, Karey!

Another interruption

 I used this morning’s interruption to TIP while reporting for my Jury Summons. My Civic duty is in process. This experience was much more pleasant. Court employees must have been educated on manners, politeness, and friendliness. In the past, I’ve been surprised the nametags didn’t say “Roz” (the character who oversaw the hapless employees at Monsters Inc.) and left feeling like my service wasn’t valued. Today was different. People actually replied in a calm, friendly manner. I actually saw smiles and was thanked for my service!

While I was waiting, I started on this snowflake: Antiks designed by Muskaan. When I have a bit tatted, I’ll show a picture. In the meantime, here’s what the side yard looks like now:

All sewn on

Pointed edging sewn onto huck lace sample

I finished sewing on the pointededging to the huck lace square. Whew!!! It’s been an adventure! I’m glad I adapted the antique pattern to be this edging. I’m glad I used the end of the workshop warp to learn a bit about huck lace weaving. I’m glad I was able to finish it!

Two done, one to go

 We put up a tree outside on our porch. It’s protected a bit from the worst of the weather. Just white lights as that fits the style of our home. This tree is set up in my teaching space. I’m sure more ornaments will find there way onto the branches. Perhaps after I finish decorating the third tree in our Living Room. Once that’s finished, I’ll get back to tatting!