Inspiration rolled in

I took a walk the other day on the beach. Rather than struggle learning a new scanner program, correcting mistakes in a new pattern, or playing with swollen sore hands, I found these beauties:

sea glass and piece of shell

Just like the waves rolling in, ideas started crowding in. No, I didn’t turn my back on the ocean! Especially in winter that’s a really dangerous idea! And before I allowed myself to become really absorbed, I strolled up past high tide mark. I wanted to keep my leather shoes nicer. ;)

wings from Mark Myers angel pattern

Back home, I’m having more success with the scanner. Lots to learn though!

Saint-Saens test no 4

Well, I finally got back to the Saint-Saens with a bit more time than just a few minutes to stare at it. I’m still working in my “muslin” thread/bead choices. I figure if I can’t see the possibilities in this, I’m headed down the wrong path anyway. I’ve got a bit of tweaking to do on the two outer rounds, but you can get the idea for the busy section.

Saint-Saens test

In the movement from the Symphony, Saint-Saens states each theme, and then begins to pull in other ideas. He restates ideas from earlier movements, mixing them up with ideas from this movement. I’m not sure if I’ll keep all the negative space, but the orchestration is pretty sparce and the organ part is really quite simple. The whole time I’ve been working on this, I keep reminding myself: “less is more” and “KISS” and “stick to the point” etc. I will be letting this sit for a day or so; then messing with a couple of ideas on the computer before putting anything in thread again.  

Grateful

Ever have one of those days when things keep happening that make you feel grateful for living?

Yesterday was one of those days. I’m still smiling!

The final OnLine class of the year was a great class! I have several really good ideas to run with over the summer. I spent the afternoon yesterday working on an idea based on a Sinfonia by Bach. In between spurts with the piano, score, and shuttle, I started on some Cherry blossoms. Georgia needs them for a fund raiser. I like the pattern. I decided to leave these with picots uncut and ends attached. Hopefully, that will make it easier for her to use them.

Cherry Blossom by Jane Eborall

Off to sit in on the design class and try out more new ideas.

Teaching the earring pattern

Today is the day. I am the guest teacher for Georgia’s Monday On-going Online class (scroll down to the correct date). I’ll be sharing my earring pattern worked around a finding from a bead shop. (see pattern page of this blog) I’ve been looking forward to getting this pattern out there to other tatters. I see so many possibilities and I won’t have enough of me to try them all. Please, join in the fun!

organ factory tours and such

Well, my idea didn’t work too well. I just need to tweek it, but that won’t happen for a while. Other things to do.

Like visiting an organ factory.  Now, before you roll your eyes, let me say that I joined over 30 people on this tour! A bus was rented to get the group from South Bay to North Bay. That meant that on the way, we were treated to a DVD of a tour of another organ company’s factory, a short excerpt of a talk by a third organ builder, and plenty of time to chat with other organists and curious people. It was a wonderful day! I think the comment that I enjoyed the most was from a non-musician. And the commercial at the end of the DVD for the shows visiting other factories (over 300 have been taped) really “tickled me” as my Mom used to say. If you're in the Bay Area and love to see what people do working with their hands creating cool stuff, call and see if you can stop by. They don't always have an organ being put together, but they lots of cool parts.

Like tatting the earring pattern in Sulky “Piano Keys"

I need to finish another one to make a pair, but I can’t decide which one to match. I would like to wear the for the Memorial service this week. So, best get busy eh?

Like having fun at Exclamation Point demonstrating tatting and the different techniques used with different tools. I’ll be working on my supplies for that later.

Like cleaning house (ugh!) and paying bills (double ugh!) and maybe even completing another pattern in the TAT binder (I have to stay focused!). And there’s the list of errands…….

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.

Tatting with paper

I’ve seen this phrase used several times now. I like it. If anyone knows who started using this phrase, please let me know. Now, don’t get me wrong, I like playing with thread and shuttle. I like just tatting and seeing where it takes me. I did that with the bead cap earring pattern. But, I also play with combinations on paper using Inkscape to see if it will remotely work before I pick up the shuttle. Sometimes it works. Other times, I come away with no more of an idea than when I sat down with the pencil or mouse. Sigh. So, that’s my challenge for this week: improve my tatting with paper.

in search of.......

I have a small bead/quilt store in my town where I love to browse away the hours. The staff are friendly, knowledgeable, and aren’t afraid to admit they aren’t experts. I’ve taken design doodlings in and spent literally hours setting different combinations of beads/findings/thread colors out in hopes the muse will strike. I’m pleased to say that I’ve had quite a good number of “ah hah’s” happen there. Tuesday afternoon was another wonderful session of creative stimulation. Nothing is finished, but I will say that I have some wonderful bead caps to play with. I can't wait to share. But, kind readers, I'll be sharing with the shop first, then with you!