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……

Card Band Bookmark

One of the fun things about entering the Fair is getting the word out about workshops and encouraging each other to learn. The Tablet/cardweaving workshop was fun and sparked quite a bit of happy weaving time for me.

 I entered a sample from the warp finished as a bookmark. Not perfect obviously. The judge wrote some good comments. 

I’ve already tweaked the current tablet project in response. I like it better!

Next week some dreaming up new projects!

Card weaving band in candlewicking thread.

This is what I’ve produced using the tablets:

It’s just a simple band; nothing fancy. I used Candlewicking thread I’ve had for ages. The colors just looked nice and I was able to follow the warping directions easily.

Now to find a use for the sturdy strap.

card or tablet weaving progress

I have an idea….

Combine a tablet woven band and tatting to make a bookmark:

Here’s what I have so far. I’m using wooden toothpicks as picot gauges. They’re a bit rough, but the thread is thick and sturdy and it’s just a proof of concept trial. I’m definitely interested……

I'm back!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm back up with a computer. I hope the tablet won't get cranky when I type this, (and stop working!) but I do prefer a computer. I got used to the laptop just fine. I didn't use it except at the desk. So, I bought an old-fashioned desktop. I know the desktop will frustrate me in some ways, and I will grab the tablet, so I don't want to rock the boat. Listen to me…..I sound like I’m talking about favoring my children. Gheesh!

You would think with all the time off line that I would finish some tatting. Alas, nothing to show. I spent the time working on the studio. Two walls are painted. The glass is almost scraped of the old paint. The yucky shag carpet is gone. We still need to get the brick looked at and cleaned and sealed. Sigh. I know it will all happen in due time. I’m just being impatient.

So, what have I been doing? A trip to the library gave me a stitchery book to look through. Nothing very great to report. Two tatting patterns; those were very, very simple. The written directions didn't match the picture. What made the book worth a look-through was the section on Victorian picture frame decorations. Nice lace additions to very quaint looking photographs. That got me thinking. I'm always seeing photo frames in the thrift shops. Some have seen wear. How about decorating them with tatting? That got me thinking of Christmas. Well, you can see where this is going. More as it takes shape.