Ready to frame

Tatting is done. The frame is ready. I have one slight problem…..

The frame is set up for a photo. I’ll need to convert it to display the tatting like a shadowbox.

Time to call upon my carpenter friend.

I like busy but......

 My performing life is heating up. That doesn’t leave much energy for taking care of my house, creating with shuttles or needles or hooks. I’ll just need to be more organized in how I spend my time. So, don’t expect too many photos in the next couple of months. I will share what I have. That means that when I finish the teaching samples I’ve got on the shuttles, you’ll see them. Honest! In the meantime, if you’re in the Monterey Bay area, you can come and hear the music I create!

Almost there

 I’ve almost finished the tatting of my Bach Fest piece. I’m really looking forward to hearing what people think. There will be lots to explore if this idea takes off. If not, that’s OK as the pattern is not based on a composition or even music per say. It’s just a music themed piece of art. Imagine that?

Repurposing tools

 

Long time readers of this blog, and those that work with me on projects, know I am the Queen of Repurpose. I like playing Baroque music for many reasons. One is that, like jazz, music of Bach and Handel is intended for whatever instrument(s) are at hand. I tat with whatever thread is available a lot of times.

This is one of those times:

The shuttles came to me by way of a friend I know through the organ world. Most of the thread was wound on the plastic shuttle. It’s vintage. Rough feeling and uneven. I’ll use it to sample. The tatting will go into my bin of samples to let student finger and ponder. Maybe a sample will end up in a pop quiz….

This center is to a lovely doily that mixes mignonette with ring and chain. I like assigning it as the book (Learn to Tat by Jeanette Baker) has lots of basics. Directions are clear for the most part. A student is working on this doily. The way the pattern is written out, the size picot matters. Her version was cupping badly by round 2. She’ll start again using a smaller size picot. Another student insisted that if she just used the size thread called for, it would lay flat. Well, they’re both correct. My question: will this sample lay flat?

The right tool can help

 

I am asked frequently which shuttle is my favorite. I also field the question of which is better, needle or shuttle. I do have my favorite tool(s). And I have my bag to take all those tools with me to TIP. Being able to tat anywhere is what I like about tatting. Perhaps that’s because my instrument, pipe organ, isn’t very portable.

Anyway, it doesn’t take much for me to create lace. A bit of thread. Not as much as I would use at the weaving loom. A shuttle or needle or hook. It helps to have a place to corral them when I need to pause. An idea of a pattern. Who knew one knot could be used for so many shapes?

Keeping those few tools organized and ready at hand to use can be a challenge. Picot gauges can fall down between cushions. Balls can roll down the aisle of airplanes. Crochet hooks can make joins that much easier but can find their way into cracks also.

My daughter solved this problem for me. Isn’t it great to have clever children around? She’s not a child anymore, she’s a beautiful, talented adult. Her tatting toolbox keeps me organized with all those bits and pieces at the ready. They are available from her website Stephanie Cervi Designs.

Thank you for the wonderful review Tamie posted on the Online Tatting Class channel. I’m so glad you like your lavender model! I can’t wait to see what lace you tat. Maybe something purple?

The idea is taking shape!

 

Here’s what I have so far:

I like the basic idea a lot. I’ve played with where color will go. I’ve played with beads. Just like when I play through a piece on a different organ, I’ve come up with ideas I like and ideas I don’t use. Who knows how this will look when I turn it in, but I’m getting close!

The work conitnues

 My piece for the Art of Music is shaping up. Quite slowly. Partly because I caught a cold. After my journey last Spring, I’ve been hyperalert for Heart problems caused by a virus. So, recovering from the cold has taken most of my thoughts and energies. I’m looking forward to getting back to work full speed ahead.

Sample A

 

I think this just might be a good plan. We’ll see as I tat the other squares.

Square fun

 

trials of a square pattern

I seem to be working in square shapes lately. These are trials of a pattern I’m using as inspiration for this year’s Bach Fest piece. Yes, I’ll be donating to the Art of Music fundraiser for Carmel Bach Festival. Watch this space next month as I announce details.