Since I had empty shuttles....

Renulek is releasing her Spring Doily 2025 (Wiosna 2025). I decided I needed something tatted under a lamp in our living room. The crochet lace I picked up in a resale shop has a bit of damage that I repaired. I just am not crazy about the pattern. So, I’ll tat something to go under the lamp. Here’s what I have so far.

Wiosna 2025 rd 1 by Renulek

I've really enjoyed tatting these doilies. I usually have a hard time actually finishing them. Sometimes it takes me years! Renulek's designs usually have several spots that look so good as you tat along that I like to enjoy them as is before adding the next round. 

Shuttles are empty

I have no pictures of lace to share today. I’m at that awkward stage in almost all my projects of planning/designing done but nothing tatted. The next few days will be quite busy at the house, so I’m not sure how much tatting I’ll get done. Maybe I’ll take myself to the local State Park to sit by the fire in Hearst Social Hall and tat there.

Yesterday, I had occasion to walk by the seal pup beach. No activity yet. Soon, though…..

Begin again.....

I cut off all but the first round of the hair bun holder in this lovely bright thread. I’m comfortable with that decision. It blends the right amount of Perfectionism with Joy of Creating. I will reach for this piece over and over again because I know it’s the way I want it. That’s the name of the game, right?

Besides…..I changed my mind about the beads…….

Perspiration for creativity

I fear there hasn’t been enough perspiration…..in the planning stage.

After starting Round 6 of my hair bun holder in brights thread called Cairo, I’ve decided I need to regroup.

It’s ruffling! Round 5 isn’t right and maybe even Round 4. Why? I figure it’s because I didn’t take the time to do the math. I should know better than to just start in with shuttle and thread. I will be taking the time now to put pencil to paper and figure it out correctly.

The result: No ruffling which will make wearing this in my hair a whole lot more enjoyable! 

Can you be excited without feeling stressed?

 That’s what I’m exploring now. What I’m excited about?

Opportunities to demonstrate how an organ is put together…..literally! Our AGOchapter has access to an Orgelkids kit. I get to work with it next month. I’m already trying to convince people here in Monterey that their group would love to have an opportunity to build and play an organ. Gotta check out the video!

A break-through on my design project. I haven’t written much about it here as it was still in the “that’s a cool idea……is it possible?” stage.

Our “house upgrade” (Contractors try to make it less scary with less anxiety. They really do.) is progressing to the painting stage. That should be less banging and noise, but more smells.

Of course, when you get stressed, you get careless. I found I can tat with a blood blister on my left hand. As long as it isn’t on my index finger.

Still guessing

 My guess for stitch count was not correct. I haven’t taken much time to work out this sample. I’ve been busy helping with de-stashing, helping with hosting, helping with planning future organ events, and helping keep the household going in the midst of construction chaos. I love using the word midst. I draw comfort from it because it sounds so much like mist. Living in the middle of construction tends to obscure my ability to remain creative in a focused way. I find myself going off in tangents and not being able to see what is best to do. So, I feel a bit like I’m blindly heading off in a direction that may take me over a cliff or into a dead-end. Never fear, I will keep creating!

Still not quite right

 

I’m slowly working on the new hair bun holder. This is a sample I’m working up that will end up as another cover for an ornament ball. Because it will not be flat, the ruffling should work out. The next round needs to have enough room for the ornament to slip in, so I guessed at the stitch count. Since my tatting time is limited, it may take awhile to figure out how to proceed.

It's a New Year!

 Happy New Year to all!!

I enjoyed taking the last 2 weeks off. Really. Despite the whole affair being thrust upon me. My calendar will take awhile to recover. All will get back to normal by the end of the week. Well, except the roofing work, and the painting. Oh, and the new-to-me loom waiting to be set up in the study. And the organ to be tuned so practicing is a bit more enjoyable (cringe).

I haven’t made much progress tatting as it was a case of correct 1 mistake, tat a ring, make another mistake, sigh, then set it aside for the rest of the day. Rinse, repeat each day for 5 days (!) until I got this far: 

Then I set it aside for a week. I’m trying out different ideas on my sample that will cover an ornament ball. I think I will go with what I used on this piece .