We’re just fine, thanks.

One of the joys of living in California is earthquakes. (Sarcasm intended!) Tuesday about Noon, I felt another one. Usually, I’m moving around when they hit, so I’m never sure and seldom feel them. This one I did feel the shakin’. 

Two jolts: as though someone smacked the house. No damage. The cats didn’t even stir off the chairs. Just lifted their heads, looked around, and stretched back asleep. If you’re curious, you can see the data on the USGS website, or any of the major schools in the area like Cal Poly or Berkeley. I’m sure some of my neighbors were reminded to look over their emergency supplies. That’s not a bad thing!

Giggly earrings

In all honesty, our house stands to be damaged more by wildfires than by earthquakes. And that’s only if there’s a really hot, fast moving fire that starts in the gulch the next block over. So, I and my shuttles and organ are pretty safe.

Here’s a picture of the jewelry I’ve been working on from Ninetta’s post.

I’ve been making careful notes, so I should be able to retat if asked…..should…. 🤭

Bracelet and Giggly earrings

Sun, what sun???

I took time yesterday for reflecting. Since the fog stayed around well into the afternoon, we didn’t have much to see for the solar eclipse. It did get quiet. And a bit darker for a few minutes. So, we experienced the event, just didn’t see much. Ah well, even if I’m not seeing as often the sunrise show, and the white deer is no longer walking through the neighborhood, our resident yard cat is still coming around for scritches.

Most of my tatting time was spent putting things away. I gathered up the patterns I used for the Fair items. I like to have patterns on hand when I demonstrate. I’ve realized that I am drawn to tatting designs that are as intriguing in the written form as they are in thread. Most of the patterns I use by other designers are readily available on the web or in book form. I usually make a copy that I can mark up with my notes; like what thread I’m using and how much I wind onto the shuttles, what beads I pick, what size picot I use, and any resources I use for tricks and tips. If I’m really going to meet my goals for tatting, I have to keep as good records as I do for music.

The rest of the week I’ll be working on music catching up. I need to work on the harpsichord and plan practice for the sub jobs I’ve committed to. I’d also like to update my material for all things organ in the Monterey/Carmel area. Plenty to do. After a walk to the library and maybe a treat.

Wallwalker

Preparations for CNCH at Asilomar are coming along. I’m calling this warp my “murphy” warp. Every weaver has one. Mistakes creep in at every step. Most are recoverable. Well, almost all are. The consequences are just that little bit more “handmade” look in the cloth that comes off the loom. THAT is all I’m saying on this.

The noise in the schedule will really pick up the next few weeks. I won’t be sharing much here. There will be little time at the computer, and until after the Raffles, I will not be sharing what I’ve donated. I wish I could. I think the pieces will raise lots of money. At least I hope they do! When things calm down a bit, I’ll be sharing pictures and such.

Part of the noise was an adventure one of the cats had. The walls in the house are very thick. There are actually 2 layers of plaster with lath and a sizeable space between them. That dead space makes the temperature and humidity pretty constant. I’m getting used to 62 – 65 degrees F. The space is large enough for a small animal, like a rodent, to use. So far, we’ve been able to discourage extra critters with 4 cats in the house. The cats don’t have access, but the presence has been sufficient.

Well, a wall was open during the bath facelift. And yes, a cat found her way in. That space in the wall is open to the crawl space under the house which is open to our tiny basement/cellar. After frantic meows, the toy finally coaxed her to where she could be relieved of the cobwebs she picked up. Her new nickname is Pixie the WallWalker.

I’m looking forward to getting the loom warped for CNCH, getting back from the framer the donation, getting the bathroom functional, getting the fence fixed, getting the front landscaped after the tree is gone, getting back to regular walks at the beach. I’ll have lots to share then!

Leno (leeno or lehno?)

Lace in weaving. Lace on weaving. Weaving in lace. Mmmmmmmmm

One section of the sampler we’re to work on in the workshop next week is a technique called leno. (in all the pronunciations you know) It’s a little lacy as weaving goes. I’d never done finger manipulated warps before, so I decided I’d better at least fumble my way through a bit on this trial warp. The gist of the technique is to twist warp threads, lay a pick, and beat lightly. Sounded yummy. I think it looks quite nice. I could see curtains using this technique hanging to either side of the front door.

far left set is 3 threads twisted, the center 1 thread and the far right set 2 threads

It’s about as fiddly as a Lark’s Head Picot Join. Perhaps after the Holidays, say in February I’ll revisit this idea.

Mmmmm.  There was still a yard or so of warp. I was musing on that as I sat in my tatting chair. Now, one thing about moving with pets. The “rules” change. The cats began using the upholstered arms of the chair as a scratching post. “Out of sight, out of claws” works, so I just threw an old towel over them. Not a permanent solution, but everybody was calmer.

The next time I passed the loom, I thought, maybe I could do a diamond pattern of leno in the midst of plain weave. And an idea was hatched.

cover for arm

I also wanted to brush up on hemstitching. I like tatted edgings on hemstitched fabric. So, if I’m going to weave and tat together, I wanted to hemstitch also. Turned out quite nice.

On to the next warp.

finally!!!!

Well, in the process of finding my pattern sketches, I remembered that I still needed to finish tacking the Blue Saint-Saens piece to the black fabric so I can get the thing framed. Now this is usually when I struggle to finish a project; when the thing is almost completed. My perfectionism usually rears its ugly self and causes me to wish I hadn't made THAT mistake THERE and how should I FIX it. I’ve committed to framing it for my studio wall, which means there’s no deadline, which means I procrastinate since I feel a lower sense of obligation to myself than to other paying customers. BUT….

Yesterday I pushed through all that and finished the tacking down. Wahooooo!!!!!!!

Now, to get to my favorite frame shop and get a frame picked out so that I can measure the foam core that I’ll lace the black fabric onto. Then it’ll be time to get out the tweezers and magnifying glass and bright light to extract all the cat fur that has worked its way into the project. I’ll try hard to get a photo of it, but can’t make promises. The camera was packed away when we staged the house. Getting to it, getting things set up, and then tucked away again may just not be in the schedule.

Tonight I’m taking time to sing in an Evensong service. The ancient sung prayers have a way of creeping into my soul and calming my mind and centering my energy. Something a house hunter needs!

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.

back to the drawing board

I’m back to a regular routine. The weather was so wonderful this past weekend, and since sunrise is so early now I rarely get to enjoy a cup of coffee as the sun peaks out. Sigh. But, it is nice to wake up to a light room. Makes it easier not to stumble over the kitty. This weekend, I played outside almost all the time.

After a wonderful birthday Saturday, which included a few hours demonstrating tatting and signing up students, I puttered around and generally enjoyed myself. Of course, I did make sure to write down the ideas I have for more patterns. Now I know I will never realize them all, but it is fun to brainstorm! I like those kinds of storms best! I do need to try to tat with paper more though....

TIAS Day 9

Did I miss yesterday? Well, you'll see why in a bit....I was working rather diligently.

The sky had just enough fog in it to catch the sun and turn brilliant red this morning. My favorite kind of sky at sunrise. It represents what I like in life: just enough troubles to make it interesting.

Well, this is why I missed yesterday. I’ve finished diagramming the Hair Bun Holder. Before you ask to see it, I must tell you: I started with rather small objects as I wanted to make sure I had enough room on the “page”. I think I started too small. When I added the stitch count numbers, I needed size 4 font to fit inside the rings. Too small…..

So, in consolation, here’s my Day 9 of Jane’s TIAS:

TIAS 2012 Day 9

I recognized him immediately. He's the thief of my ball of thread that dissappeared the other day! And I was blaming my kitties!! I caught him in the act of snooping in my cabinet this morning. He was looking for more I think! Now to pen him in and figure out his name....I KNOW it's a HE!

TIAS Day 8

Well, the fog hung around awhile this morning. That made it difficult to get out of bed. Last night, a stray hung around outside our door. My girls stay inside. If I can persuade someone else in the family to run the camera, I’ll post a picture. The older one is part Siamese with violet point coloring. She doesn’t have the Siamese voice (thank God!), but the stray does (ugh!). I’m a bit bleary eyed because of that.

Here’s my sample for Jane’s TIAS Day 8:

Jane's TIAS Day 8

Just a couple of more sections and we’ll know what we’re doing.