Getting it together

 I’ve made a start on using all those beads. I think I’m on the right track. We’ll see if I can figure out a way to tie together the 3 motifs. Some way that makes sense together.

Ready or not, ...........

 Here I come!

It took a while to load all these beads. They are so close in size to the thread that I couldn’t use a needle at all. Not even with a helper thread*. So, I dipped the end of the thread in white glue and let it dry to “needle” the thread. That worked. This is explained well with pictures on Jane Eborall’sTechnique page about beads. There’s about 500-600 beads on my thread now. Ready to tat!

* I like to use beads close to the diameter of the thread. I feel they sit better on the thread and look a bit neater. To do that, I thread the needle with thin thread (Sliver metallic thread works well), pass the needle through the bead so that it rest on the thin thread, pass the needle back through the bead creating a loop of the thin thread, placing end of  the thread to tat with through this loop, transferring the bead onto the tatting thread (which makes a loop) and drawing the tatting thread end through the bead (which leaves the bead on the tatting thread. Wind up your shuttles or thread your needle and your ready to create lace with beads.

I decided to focus on unfinished business

 That phrase always made me nervous. Those words would start a practice session filled with meticulous work on tough sections. I have more success finishing unfinished tatting. My focus the last few days has been to make sure the notes I made for the vintage bootie are correct.

I did finish the pair for the baby in Herbal Garden. And I did make notes. I was able to puzzle out the corrections I made. I just didn’t trust myself.

For example, which ring to start with when attaching the toe medallion?

I didn’t help future self when I left a medallion attached using the old stitch count.

I only had to drag out the scissors once!

I’ll be taking a lot more pictures to use in classes and workshops.

It’s a good thing I really like this colorway.

What to tat next?

 That’s always a good question to ask!

I think I will be working on pieces inspired by my recent trip to Yosemite. It’s been sunny here. Working in bright colors will be fun!!

I sent in my application for a spot in the Art of Music show this summer. The theme is Nature. Perhaps I’ll come up with something as dramatic as the sunrises I’ve been enjoying.

Wrapping an egg

 Eggs are interesting. They are the beginning of life, sustain life, and can brighten our life. I’ve always liked eggs being in our world.

This egg is a wooden egg painted white. I was challenged to decorate the egg. Of course that means tatting!

Speaking of age

 

Tatting is old. So are the trees in Yosemite National Park. It takes 3+ hours to drive to the park from my house. I’ve done it in a day trip. It was exhausting. This time I stayed overnight close to the park. With 3 days to explore, we took our time. Here are some highlights:

We came in the South entrance. After a twisty, winding road, you drive through a tunnel. Now this tunnel was made in the early 20^th Century. It’s narrow, dark and very, very straight. You can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I wouldn’t want to take a truck or bus through the tunnel. I don’t think they allow it. Once you exit the tunnel, you can park and take in the view. You see Half Dome, El Capitan, Bridalveil Falls and Horsetail Falls. Here’s what I snapped with my phone:

As tourist attractions go, this park doesn’t have a lot. Mostly just nature. The park is developed with flush toilets and a 4 star hotel. We ate lunch in the restaurant there one day. I was inspired by the glass in the transom windows. Wouldn’t they make wonderful doily patterns?

We visited just after most of the snow melted. There was still some in the shaded parts amongst the trees. There was so much water in the streams. Lots of small waterfalls. This one will be dry next week. I'm sure someone has named it, but nothing noted on the website and no sign. The Yosemite Falls were flowing. Yes, when you hike the loop trail to close to the falls you get wet. We came prepared!

One of the trails we hiked was covered in snow and ice for a little bit. I was glad for the hiking poles I had. The trail ends up in a grove of Redwood trees. The tree in our neighborhood is quite young, it's only about 100 feet tall. The Park Service has done a great job adding signs that tell you what you’re looking at.

This brought home just how small we are. Here’s the photo of the roots. The sign is just visible in the bottom of the frame. I wondered who came up with the name Fallen Monarch? Given it was likely named around the turn of the 20th Century, it could be anyone. It was fun to imagine coming upon the tree when it was standing and how tall and big it was.

It’s always best to put ideas into thread

I’ve been adding to the motif for the Mauve piece. Nothing worth a picture. I have plenty of thread, plenty of beads, plenty of time…..

But…..

Do I have enough patience????