Not quite what I need

I started sewing stars on my flag yesterday. I’ve never been able to just “eyeball” things. I have to measure and calculate everything. So, I grabbed my ruler and did the math. Stitched some stars on and discovered I miscalculated. Sigh!

I’ll be grabbing my scissors and ruler and pencil and needle and THEN sew on the stars. It may turn out to look a bit like this:

Not always the best

I tried out one more earring idea. I decided this isn’t the best idea. I like some facets, but it just isn't jelling for me.

It went into the bag of trial samples. I plan to use them when teaching to stimulate discussion of how to choose thread and beads for your take on a design.

Not at idle

My shuttles are back in motion. Here’s what came off them:

Earrings for Kelly designed by Nina Libin

I tweaked the bead placement just a bit for this pair:

Idling

I feel like my shuttles are idling. I’ve enjoyed all the concerts, talks and masterclasses. I have so many good design ideas. It’s been fun talking to people about my Art of Music piece. But I really haven’t been tatting much. Just projects I can work on without thinking too much.

I did finish a bootie that I would like to enter into the Fair. Just have to get the second one started now. I’m still working on getting a pair of earrings finished. I keep making silly mistakes. Ones that I can’t really correct. Between 5 or 6 earrings I should have a pair I can wear! I have added a couple of squares to my shawl in bamboo.

The Festival ends the day after tomorrow. I should be able to get back into a better schedule next week. Idling will be turned into production.

Inspiration

 How do you seek inspiration? I confess that I seek inspiration in many ways. Sometimes I find new ways to tat by just tatting. Sometimes I discover new designs by tatting published patterns. Sometimes I think up new designs by experiencing nature and music.

Just yesterday I was listening to someone else play an organ piece I’ve played many, many times. There is a pattern in the harmony that occurs over and over again. I thought of how the notes look on the page.  I thought of a way to represent those patterns in beads. And a new pattern took shape in my mind, I sketched out an idea in my sketchbook, now I can’t wait to put into thread.

Right after I finish my Fair entries, complete some earrings, get a pattern written down, and manage those chores!

In the Gallery

The Festival has begun. The music is filling the air. I’m so excited!!

I hope lots of tickets end up in the box under my piece Melody in Mauve.

Which one to choose

Most of these are made using patterns by Nina Libin. I enjoy how she combines thread and beads in her designs. Once I understood the principles she uses, I could understand how to tat the patterns. Now comes the hard part. Choosing which pattern to use.