Nametag lanyard

It’s ready to wear! Remember this nametag? I used a favorite pattern. Gina's Tatted False Plait. I added wood beads just a bit larger than those in the nametag edge. 

It’s amazing what you can accomplish sitting in an airport and in flights. I’m glad it’s finished. The beads came from a “collar” I found in a bargain bin for pennies. There are several different sizes and shapes and colors. I like the way these worked for the pattern. I can’t wait to wear it!

look what I found!

start of my nametag

So, here’s what sifting through my beads uncovered:

I found this pattern while looking at things Shuttlebirds. Shortly thereafter, it was mentioned in class, but I was in the throes of finishing up my TAT binders. Now, I’m finally getting back to it!

Oh, and here’s day 4 TIAS 2017:

Day 4 TIAS by Jane Eborall

A tatter's vote

This is nothing political. Just your tatting opinion desired.

I have a tin with shuttles and thread that goes with me to demonstrations. In it live a few shuttles I’m not fond of, but are readily available or are examples of what tatters typically used a generation ago. I also toss in shuttles with just a bit left on them; enough for a butterfly or ring or 2.

After my last foray using the tin, I decided that I really had to empty one shuttle. The thread is quite fine, I assumed size 80. The shuttle is larger, so I thought it would work nicely for beads. I decided that I should use up the thread trying out the Hen N Chicks pattern. The one in the last post....it wasn't the greatest experience!

I should have known better than to use tiny thread for a technique I’ve not tatted before. Not only that, the thread turned out not to be size 80 cotton. It’s more of a rayon size 100. Split rings are tricky in small thread, but with slippery rayon?????

What was I thinking???? Oh yeah, right, I wasn't thinking!

But, I persevered! I had that 25^th motif in sight and I wasn’t going to back down! That’s the good news. Now I have a choice: use the rest of the thread for something else, or just take it off the shuttle and move on? What’s your vote?

I haven’t managed much tatting time lately. I’ve been enjoying the garden, walks in the hills, and time with friends and family. I’ve also been squeezing in time at the loom to keep up with the class. I have managed to try out ideas for the corners of the edging. 

edging from Tatted Artistry of Teiko Fujito

I gave up on the trial in the top left; too many split rings. The trial on the top right works, but I decided the triangular look wasn’t what the item needed. The trial on the bottom right works best in my mind; although the negative space could use another something to keep the corner of the fabric from poking through. I’d like to play with it a bit more I think. What do you think?

continuing connections

I’m continuing on around with the connecting “chain” of rings/split-rings. There is much to do, but I’m thinking this really will work! Wahoooooo.

Round 2 B motif connected

 

Forger's Spell

I’m glad to have finished the bookmark yesterday. The day before I finished the book I have been reading for Book Club: The Forger’sSpell by Edward Dolnick. He examines the case of a dutch forger who painted “Vermeers” that Goehring bought during the war. As a journalist, Dolnick amassed quite a lot of detail regarding this man and forging art in general. If you like non-fiction, if you are a WWII buff, if you wonder how the art world functions, this is a good read.

I plan to make my way up to the De Young museum soon to take a peek at The Girl with the Pearl Earring. It will be there for a few more weeks. In the meantime, I’m starting on a request of a bug with buttons that a friend spied on Jane’s list of patterns. It will be a good romp through split rings!

bookmark in progress and Maria's finished

Today is my second session on the squares bookmark.The pattern is now listed on the patterns page (see tab at top of blog).  The name of squares bookmark seems to be sticking with this one. Here's Maria's version of Monica Hahn's Bible Bookmark from Christmas Angels and Other Tatting Patterns and the variation I came up with:

Thank you for sharing with us, Maria!!!!!

And now here's a photo to help illustrated the path I use to work the inside rings with chains:

squares bookmark in progress to illustrate the path

If you're looking at the PDF posted on Georgia's class site: http://www.georgiaseitz.com/2012/melsqbkmkpattern.pdf the end of the yellow chain next to the all-blue cloverleaf is the start point (the yellow dot in the diagram on page 1). I have stopped work after completing the first large ring in the 4th square. I'll work several more sides of the square, finish off a square to turn around and then work back up the side to end next to the first cloverleaf (the green dot in the diagram on page 3). Then it'll be time for the edging.

If you have any questions, please email me! Thank you for visiting.

Catching up

I’m a couple of days late with this. Sorry. I’ve had a virus for a few days and have felt like doing……nothing! So, I did……nothing! Those of you that know me well realize that doing nothing is not in my nature. But, all I did was sleep, read, and watch tv. I didn’t tat, didn’t do chores, didn’t keep up with the computer stuff, didn't even sing yesterday. Honest. I’m so far behind…….

1)    Picture of the squares bookmark finished:

Squares bookmark with edge

I need a catchy name for this.

2)    Write out my earring designs. That’s all I can say for now. I’ve promised a pair as a surprise for someone that reads this, so after they receive it, I’ll post a picture and the pattern. (I need a catchy name for this also.)

3)    Find the correct colors for my next project. That will entail a drive to Santa Clara, I think. Aw shucks……

More on all this later.

Old Glory

Well, this is what I’ve been working on. It’s Old Glory Heart by Nancy “Nell” Corns.

Tatted Old Glory Heart

I’m not real crazy about the pattern. The concept is good, it looks OK, it was just really fiddly to execute. I’d like to see if I can adapt it to using different techniques. I really didn’t like hiding 22 ends and didn't like all the blips in the joins between the red and white rings. I know, picky, picky……..

I’m going to work through another older pattern that creates a true American flag. More later on that.

Pictures of bookmark in progress

I’m using this space to make class easier. If I were presenting in person, I would make this into a poster packet to display or pass around. As the session will be online, I need a place to post. No website yet (I know, I know….I’ll get it up soon.), so here is my pictures of how the bookmark looks in progress:

This is where you want to end up. Completed Split Ring T.

This is a photo of Split Ring A



This is a photo of Ring B

This is after Ring I

After Ring Q

After completing Ring S

Now with just one more Split Ring, you'll end up with a wonderful bookmark looking like the first picture up top.
Thanks for your patience and tat on!

Gina Brummet Tatted False Plait

Yesterday was a red banner day for me.

I finished several long term projects around the house, to include a tatting project. I received word that the tatting classes I am teaching at a Jo-ann store are being expanded. I mastered a pattern I’m excited to use in class, adapt to other uses, and generally am thrilled about. [drum roll please] Gina Brummet’s Tatted False Plait http://www.georgiaseitz.com/2004/plaits/gbplaits.html .

Gina Brummet Tatted False Plait braid

I even dreamed up how to end the plait while securing the ends well. I used the SSSR (single shuttle split ring) technique. I first learned this while tatting Anne’s Ringtrim http://www.nuperelle.net/drager/monstre/RingtrimEng.pdf . Now that I’ve done the pattern once, I’m sure the next plait will be neater and a better example of creative tatting!

Progress on the bookmark

I’m still slogging through the adaptation of the Emmy Liebert antique pattern. Emmy Liebert project I’ve found quite a bit to consider in my directions and diagram. Working the sample of one oval wasn’t a big deal. It actually turned out very nice.

sample of oval from Emmy Liebert antique pattern

 It was the idea to climb out to the next oval that presented the challenge I’ve yet to figure out. Each oval needs to be worked kinda like a split ring: one side of the center line, then the other. I can see nods of agreement from those who have designed bookmarks in the past. Well, if you have 4 rings joining at the center line, you will end up with 2 worked as split rings. I worked merrily away until I realized that one of the split rings would be joining on both sides. Ugh! So, I began to figure out whether that would even work. Here’s my progress so far. 

progress on ovals bookmark

 I think I can say that I’ve mastered the Lark’s Head Picot Join. I think……. I’m still not sure this is the best way to execute this design idea. More on all this later.

Focus....what focus?

So much for discipline and direction. It’s all for a good cause. I spent a couple of hours yesterday working with the prayer shawl group. Here’s the cross I tat for them:

Prayer Shawl cross

It’s very simple:

Working in size 10 thread with one shuttle and no ball thread, leave about 6 inches tail when beginning the first ring.

R: 4 – 4 – 4 – 4.

R: 4 – 4 – 4 – 4.

R: 4 – 4 – 4 – 4.

Using the tail to finger tat complete the next 3 rings as split rings.

S/R: 4 – 4 / 4 – 4.

S/R: 4 – 4 / 4 – 4.

S/R: 4 – 4 / 4 – 4.

The final ring I work as a Single Shuttle Split Ring so that I can hide ends. The tail end is tatted over for the first half, and then the shuttle end is secured in the second half.

SSS/R: 4 – 4 / 4 – 4.

I chose to leave the shuttle thread long enough to use when sewing on the cross. Some of the ladies like to clip it close and use sewing thread to sew it on.

Now it’s off to see what Day 4 is of TIAS. Maybe after I enjoy adding to my little creation I will find my focus……tee hee.