Penelope

 One of the benefits from regularly meeting with tatting friends is being inspired to tat patterns again, and again, and…..

This snowflake is the featured pattern in the Fall 2020Helping Hands Newsletter published by Hand Hands. Kendra Goodnow adapted it last April. It reminded me so much of a mum that I had to tat it in pink. We’ll discuss in today’s meeting how color can make a big difference in whether you think snowflake or flower.

Incidently, the current Winter 2020 newsletter has a favorite of mine: Square medallion adadpted again by Kendra Goodnow. Remind you of a mat I worked up for the Museum classes earlier this year?

Registration will open soon for the January classes at the Museum. Same online format; same beginner series of 3 classes followed by a dive into a pattern. I have received permission to teach a couple of simple hearts. Simple, but you can add beads or use intermediate techniques to zing the patterns up. Join us!

Camel hunting

 Before I make a statement, I need to make a camel.

Christmas Camel by Dolly Hollander

I love gift exchanges. Not because I usually receive really unique, personalized gifts, but because I can spread more tatting in the world. I always try to get the thought out there that I don’t mind people re-gifting my gift IF they request something from me to replace it. I often get it wrong picking out what to create for someone. This year, I’ll be creating this camel to put on something for the kitchen. I’m going to have fun!

A pleasant surprise

This is the gift my Secret Stitcher gave me!

She described how she made it with a small loom like the Weave-itloom I have. I’m so pleased!!!!

Thank you

I enjoy saying thank you. 

Especially when I can do so with a small tatted gift. I am grateful for these generous fiber friends: 

Cleda, Mary, and Dawn. 

The gamps you loaned me for the Blackwork program were studied and provided much inspiration. I hope you enjoy a small token of my thanks.

Getting ready to celebrate

I’m getting ready to party! 

Santa by Jane Eborall

December is always a busy time for me. I’ll be practicing daily again. I’ll be writing cards and notes. I’ll be creating and buying gifts and then wrapping them. This year I promised myself that everything that comes into the door will be used. I’m not going to stow it away “to use later” but used it now. Kinda “later is now” is my new attitude. And I do Attitude in December!

The picture is one of the gifts I’ve created. Not sure who will be receiving this one. I may just make several! For the pattern, visit Jane.

I hope your celebrations this month are full of joy and wonderment at the gifts you have been given!

Gifts

(full disclosure: long post without pictures ahead.....and a question at the end for you to comment on)

I’ve begun to start each day by writing down 3 things I’m grateful for. First on the list is Family and Friends. I try to pause and think about who I will be talking with that day. That usually helps me from chewing on shoe leather until after I’m tired. I wish my feet didn’t end up in my mouth so often. I really need them to stand and walk! Another entry is usually focused on a gift of mine I plan to use that day. Again, it’s a focus thing. I could do so much, I need to do so much, I’m asked to do so much, if I don’t focus I fail big time!

So, where does tatting fit in? Sometimes I make a decision then and there to wear something I’ve tatted. Sometimes I remember to get tatting to someone else. Sometimes I remember that I should send an email or make a phone call or wrap a gift. Sometimes I figure out when I’ll be able to sit down with my shuttles and do that tricky part of the pattern I’m working on. Sometimes It’s at that moment I remember I have accomplished learning to tat and enjoy it. ‘nuf said!

So, what are your grateful thoughts? Does tatting end up on your list?

Oh, and my friends I’ve made through this blog are included in my first item. Thank you for your friendship!

My stitching adventure continues

I’ve gathered the supplies, I’ve read the instructions….several times. 

I’ve asked questions of experienced stitchers I know. 

Getting started involves tedious preparations of the canvas and threads. I hope to finish that by next week. But…..

There are gifts to plan for (including budget)

Gifts to make

Music to pick

Music to learn

And I’m still catching up from a crazy-busy summer!

Maybe tatting for a few hours will help calm my swirling thoughts……

Best laid and misplaced plans....digitally

My photography skills strike again. Or rather lack thereof.

I KNOW I took pictures of the snowflakes I tatted up for gifts. I know I did. Just can’t find them on the phone now. Several were given to good friends. After the hoopla is over this weekend, I’ll approach them to take ANOTHER picture. They have all said they will keep them out and enjoy them all year long.

Sigh!

I’ve set my sights on getting a post done next Thursday with all those photos. Until then, enjoy Epiphany and all the light that shines on!

The next gift

I can’t decide!

I have worked some snowflakes from this book in the Metallic. I quite like how they look. They are stiff enough without starch to use on a tree or hanging in a window. I’ll share pictures after blocking. And making my decision…..

Originally, I thought I would use them around an ornament. I still may. Must decide….

Practice comes first for the next few days. Christmas is coming. Have you found all the gifts you’ve squirrelled away? And do you know where your metronome is?

My Pantone challenge

I finally get to share what I’ve been working on. At least this gift:

The challenge was to use the Pantone color that has been associated with your Secret Santa person. I used Candlewicking thread for the band and the tatting. Not ideal, but good colors. The darker color used in the snowflake was the target. As usual, there was a bit of learning curve with this project!

Tablet weaving is tough on my wrists, so I started and stopped a lot. That translates to mistakes. A lot. Didn’t hesitate to cut the band up and I found a nice fabric to compliment. Sewing it on didn’t work as well as I like, but I hope it will be used. It’s not meant to be an heirloom, but a frequently used item. I have a friend who dusts the house with her loom samples!

Snowflake 8 from Festive Snowflakes & Ornaments

The thread was not as tightly plied as I usually tat with. That required extra attention with every DS. To get the colors in the proper place on the snowflake, the pattern ended up needing quite a few SLT. The advantage of using such a soft thread is that those knots end of disappearing into the piece. I plan to use this pattern quite a bit. It looks good in thread! I wonder how it will look in the metallic thread???

On to the next gift……

Gift Giving

Thank you for the great suggestions as comments to the previous post. I’ve come up with a flat shuttle to wrap the completed tatting around as it grows. I’m about a quarter of the way finished, so I’ll be using it soon.

Probably the biggest challenge I’ve had making a hobby activity my business is getting friends and family to understand the time thing. History tells us Piecework is not a way to get rich quick. Especially after the Industrial Age. Clever engineers are always suggesting a machine could create it cheaper than paying someone to tat the lace. After hours of discussion, if they hang in there that long, the conclusion seems to be reached that tatting is complicated. I’ve even had an Engin-nerd suggest that perhaps tatting should die out. I just let that one hang in the air. Didn’t even dare to look up from the shuttles!

So, do I abandon my quest?  I know I have a good idea! My lace represents music. It isn’t just a pretty batch of knots. My pieces don’t make good gifts, they’re usually too complicated and take too long to create. I know there are people out there who appreciate it. Not just because the lady in the big house tatted it. But, because it is art. If painters can put paint on a canvas and make money, I should be able to find a way to fill the world with my art. Turning a hobby into a business can be done; you just have to learn to be successful. I’m ready to get started. But first, I’ll tat up a few presents! 

The next few weeks

Christmas is coming soon. This year will be very fun! On the calendar are parties with friends and family. Dates I’m playing for services. Oh, and yes, shopping and gift wrapping. What fun! All in 6 short weeks. Yes, I know Christmas Day is in 4 weeks. We’re celebrating all 12 days of Christmas this year! More later. Time to get crackin!

Matilda by  Lee Hye-oon

I took a few moments to try out this pattern. Thank you, Hye-oon  for sharing your design. And thank you Georgia for bringing us news of this wonderful designer. Her book is definitely on my list!