Open House at the store

Today is another Open House at the Jo-Ann store. It’s always fun to sit and great people. There are quite a few people who come in just to see what is new in the class list. It’s also fun to catch up with the other teachers. Some of the teachers I don’t see when I’m actually working with a class as there is not enough room in the store for everyone to teach at the same time frame. So, to see what they come up with for projects is exciting! Now to organize my calendar and my class supplies……

TIAS 2013 Day 10

I should know better than to try to be clever when I’m in a hurry in the evening. I normally get the portion of the pattern tatted the day Jane releases it. But, today was one of those days……

TIAS 2013 Day 10

 

So, here it is after

I picked out the next to last ring

I caught up on the chores leftover from yesterday

I had my cup of coffee…or 2 or 3 cups.

I can’t wait to see what we tat the last day. And is this a hint, Jane?? Will you and your family be making an announcement soon?? Or are you hinting to my children?? (If so, PLEASE let them finish college before pressuring them with such hints.) Seriously, I’m off to do today’s chores and get ready for tomorrow. It’s Open House for the teachers at Jo-Ann’s in the afternoon. That’s always fun. If you’re in the area, stop by the table and let me know.

another class

I enjoyed teaching last night. My 2 students are experienced in sewing, knitting, crochet, and all things thread. I marvel at how quickly the students gain the concept of the DS with the waist band and legs; how quickly they can execute a weaver’s knot to understand the pop of a knot transferring from one thread to another. It’s amazing how much they enjoy twirling the noise maker when we confirm they got the flip!! I enjoy it all!!

In case you’re wondering what method I teach, I let the student take the lead. If they innately pinch with their thumb and middle finger, I fly with that. If they innately pinch with their thumb and second finger, I fly with that. If they feed the shuttle through like a needle, we fly with that and wrap the shuttle thread around similar to the reverse riego. If they wrap their brain around the slip and slide, we fly with that. You’d think there were lots of wings flapping in my classroom, but, no…..just the mantra, “The knot doesn’t care how you make it, just that you tat!” And lots of noise you might hear only on New Year’s. How sad to only hear it once a year! It’s such a joyous sound. WHEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The only bleak spot in the evening was the realization that the store has sold all the better Lizbeth thread and all copies of Learn To Tat and so we’re reduced to the 3 ply crochet cotton that raises blood pressure and the patterns that I hand out in class. Thank heaven we have great resources on-line!! Thank you to all who share on websites and blogs!

doncha hate it when that happens????

Ok….so this is what can happen when you don’t really measure out the thread you need to finish a snowflake:

daisy picot snowflake by Stephanie

This isn’t the first snowflake I have run out of thread on. I typically work up a sample to the difficult section so that I can give visual, oral, and kinetic instruction during the class. This means that I work the pattern at least 7-8 times. So, ya think I’d have the amount of thread needed down. Right????

This is the solution I came up with:

and my way to finish the ring.

I’ll be presenting for two more classes at the Jo-Ann Fabric store. A big thank you to Winkerbill for giving me permission to use her pattern. The response has been so warm; I thought the snowflakes would melt….if the heat wave didn’t get them. Next month will be a fall theme. I just may revisit this snowflake later though.

apron appliques

Ever have one of those weeks where you get distracted and just enjoy life? It’s been a good week. I’ve finished a couple of pieces that will be sewn onto my apron. First, from Handy Hands website: http://www.hhtatting.com/free-lace-fan-quilt.cfm Thank you for sharing this with us!

edging for fan quilt square courtesy of Handy Hands

pansy

Then, a redo of a pattern I have attempted before. The first time was a disaster. I really like pansy and violet flowers, so I attempted it a second time. It was better, but nothin’ to write home about. After another year of working on techniques, I finally mastered the basics enough to do a better job.  The pattern is from a Priscilla book on the Antique Library page Georgia maintains:  here look on page 18. I encourage you to look for a great tutorial made by Marilee Rockley craftsy.com class and study Sarah Danks rewrite that she shared with the OnLine tatting class: Sarah Danks rewrite Of course after I worked on the flower a day or so, I looked at the cat and said aloud, “I have to diagram this or I will lose my sanity.” I’m no artist, so you’ll have to wait until I can get one made on the computer to see what I came up with.

Now to sew these on the apron and pack the bag for the morning class and afternoon demonstration tomorrow.

Spare the Air

This week has been a Spare the Air week. I’ve been really trying to do my part. I haven’t driven anywhere. I did go in the car with the family to eat out last night. The air did look hazy and brown. These are not my favorite sights to see. Here’s a healthy wish that the temperature drops and the air clears soon.

So, what have I been doing? Trying to find a pattern for the fall class at the store. I think I have a good one. Now to get approval, tat samples, and set up the curriculum. As soon as that happens, I’ll post about it here.

Daisy picot snowflake in red

In the meantime, I’ll share pictures of the snowflake I’m teaching until the end of July. It’s been great fun teaching. Thank you to Stephanie Wilson for allowing me to use her pattern. I hope to have more fun with leaves soon.

Daisy picot snowflake in green

snowflake in variegated

keeping my focus

Well, I’ve decided to not do a give-away as a celebration of my 100^th post. I’m not trying to be a party-pooper, but my budget just doesn’t allow for giving away of the magnitude that attracts attention in the blogosphere. So, I decided to rely on what I write and post to attract the attention I am targeting. I guess with a full house of family, I just feel like keeping my focus is a struggle. Not that they are making it difficult, it’s difficult for me under normal circumstances (tongue planted firmly in cheek!) and my tatting is important. So, what have I been doing lately?

Last week I continued to work on the Saint-Saens motif. I’m stuck. I continued to work on the earring using the star jump ring. I learned the hard way to let the thread sit a day before loading the shuttle, after loading the beads, it’s wise to take another break, and finally, when you’re tired after a long day of designing is not the time to try a new pattern.

So, after spending 4 hours demonstrating at the Jo-Ann’s store, I finished some samples from the class that fell off the offered list. Here’s the bracelet I was using.

False tatted plait by Gina Brummet

Now that I don’t have 4 shuttles tied up with that sample, I can use them to start more projects….No! I have to remain focused. See how easy it is for me???????

long term projects

I’ve been toiling away on long term projects this week. Both for the tatting files and the home files. Whew! I need a break. So, today I’m catching up on other things. I can’t reveal much about the projects for tatting, but I will say one is for the store classes, another for the Idea Centers at the store, and finally a commission for a friend. She asked for something based on the Saint-Saens Organ Symphony. I’ve had fun analyzing the movements using organ. I think I’ll focus on the last movement. More as that developes.

back in the saddle again

I have been neglecting my blog. I had planned to post while on my trip, but I just couldn’t get sat down and post anything. Even though I had not been living “back home” for 30 years, there was a lot to think about and several people to reconnect with. And when I wasn’t visiting, I just didn’t have anything else to share. Now that we have returned from the trip, I have more of a sense of closure. The service was truly a celebration of my Mother’s life, the walk through the Rose Garden and visit with my God Mother gave me peace.

So, now on to tatting: While traveling, I finished another version of the squaresbookmark. This time I used the stitch count that makes a lot more sense. Thank you, Sue, for pushing me to reassess my pattern. It’s much better now!

Squares bookmark in pastel with white border

I also finished off a “chicks with beads”sampler. The gold beads began to lose their paint as I worked with them. I was so disappointed! But, in the tradition of teachers I’ve learned the most from, including my God Mother, I will use the sample as an example of what happens when you don’t use higher quality beads. I won’t post a picture as it really isn’t very nice looking.

I have my work cut out for me over the rest of the week. Preparing for my class on the earring pattern , finishing my ideas for the Palmettosfundraiser book, finishing my packet for the snowflake Idea at Jo-Ann (more on that exciting idea later), and generally getting organized for a busy summer.

From paper to thread

I made great progress tatting on paper yesterday. The brainstorming produced about a dozen ideas; I ended up with about a half-dozen possibilities that I want to try in thread. So, off to find a couple of empty shuttles……

 Which could take a while……

In the meantime, I need to restock my earring supply. I’m thrilled with the reaction to my simple ideas of tatting around findings. I’ll be using a couple of the ideas for classes soon. So, if you’re able to, watch for the announcement at the Jo-Ann store for time and place.

Pattern page is live

Last week was very productive. I conquered Beanile style tatting, made good progress on some original designs (more when they’re finished nicely), and learned how to add a page to my blog with links for folks to download the documents. Just click on the bar above my picture and it’ll take you there. Whew!

But, no time to sit back. I have a demonstration to do today and it’s Mother’s Day tomorrow. And since we ran away yesterday to Monterey in celebration of 27 years of marriage, the chores have really piled up…..literally. Now where is the shovel I use for laundry????

students!

The phone rang yesterday. I have two more classes with students scheduled at the Jo-Ann store. Wheeeeeee!!! I am really enjoying teaching at the store. The folks who teach and work there are wonderful people. I have yet to meet someone who has not gotten the flip at least once. I’m looking forward to continuing to expand the number of tatters in the local area.

The class yesterday on the bookmark (see post below) was a success also. I think several people will be splitting ring and chains instead of their hair. I am anxious to start another bookmark using spring colors. The weather has been so nice. My tatting bench in the back yard beckons.

in search of....a name???

It was great fun at the demo time yesterday. My dragon was well received. Lots of petting, new students inspired, but no name……..

Perhaps a name will be presented soon. Any ideas out there?

current Bookmark

Well, the pollen count is up….and it’s grey but not rainy. Sniff, snuffle, ahhhchoooo.

And I’m not that much affected by what’s in the air….

The good news about the time change has been I’m awake more often before sunrise again. There have been some spectacular ones with the cloud cover lately. That always starts my day out better.

I’ve been honing my skill at Inkscape and graphic diagrams of tatting patterns the last couple of days. I need a lot more practice….a lot more! I wanted to work up a bookmark design for the class that had rings, chains, maybe beads (but not necessary) and tat samples for the Open House wall in summer colors. So, here’s what I have:

I'm calling this Chicks with Beads



the thread is called Carribean. Very summery!

We’ll see what is chosen and what folks sign up for.

2 more goats needed

Whew! What a day!! I had fun, but I’m whooped! I need to concentrate on the chores I’ve ignored over the past few days. The laundry has piled up and we’re low on milk and bread. So, what have I been doing?

Sharing the Hair Bun Holder pattern with the OnLine Tatting class. The pic and link is in the previous post. I really did enjoy the experience…..even though I was nervous and spent a lot of energy preparing. That meant that I had way more material than prepared than I used, but that’s OK. I’ve started a file for it all along with a pattern file and a designing ideas file. Speaking of, it’s time I spent some time on those design ideas. Maybe this afternoon.

If you have some time, I encourage you to help a venerable tatting designer reach a goal she set: 100 goats.

That’s right, goats. Jane E. has created for several years a “game” she calls TIAS (Tat It And See). This year’s pattern created a goat. She only needs 2 more pictures sent to her. So, if you didn’t join in but have an hour or two, tat a goat, scan or photograph it, and send it to her. Details with pattern on her blog: Tatting Patterns with the added ‘fun’ Factor http://tatitandsee.blogspot.com/ .

To teach

Ok….I have my cup of coffee. I’ll wake up as I post this. I also have a big grin on my face!

This is out of sync with many blogs in tatland. This week has been a dark week for many tatters around the world. Gina, tatting goddess, passed away. There has been a call for tributes to her on blogs and websites. I must sort through my patterns and samples and pick a story to post. I am too new on the internet tatting scene to have met Gina, but I quickly came to respect and now honor her memory. You will be missed. Enjoy your tatting time with the angels.

Now, back to my grin. I taught my Intro to Tatting class last night. It was so much fun. As I was setting up, there appeared a gentleman who gently heckled me about making a living as a tatter. I always think such behavior is strange considering I’m a complete stranger, but have had the experience many times. Sigh. I always remind myself that they must lead rather boring, dull lives.

The teaching experience was wonderful! It’s always fun to teach students that are eager, engaged, and succeed in getting the flip almost immediately. The first ring is always the most fun! The rest of the class time was spent practicing and looking into different threads and patterns. I can hardly wait for the next class.

Jo-Ann Open House experience

Have you ever had one of those days that was so successful you’re just kind of blubbering about it all? Well, Saturday was one of those days for me. I participated in the Open House for classes at the Jo-Ann store on Almaden near Branham. Back before Christmas, I was invited to put together a tatting class. Now, if you’re part of my circle of friends, you’ve heard this several times before, but for those that haven’t been around me the past several weeks: It’s a go!!

At the end of Saturday’s session, I have 3 students signed up for classes in the next 2 weeks. I’m teaching tatting! Tatting is not a lost art! So, now it’s off to prepare for the class…..day after tomorrow……gaakkkkkkkkkkk