A bit of choosing

Remember the elephant? It’s been awhile since I posted about it. I’ve finished the main part with the couching of the tusks, most of the background with silk and cotton, and am starting on the border. I haven’t been following the color choices the designer asked for. There were just too many pretty threads! Mary Long is a fabulous designer and her text for this class has been thorough and clear. I just didn’t think a toy should be in a light color. Anyway, as I looked at the border, I imagined what my favorite framing service would use as a mat. I wanted to pick up colors so that the piece pops in glorious fiber! Ok. I’m just being overly creative.

So, here’s the colors I chose: 

First, laying in the base of metallic: 

With the basic blue: 

Then adding the accent: 

Now a bit more accent: 

Then, the echo of the background: 

I know it’s not traditional. But, my color guru likes it, so I’ll stitch boldly on.

An idea that just won't go away.....

 Sometimes an idea just won’t go away. I wake up in the middle of the night and think about it. I think about while trying to still my mind looking at the Bay. When I’m doing mundane things, like washing dishes, it just keeps resurfacing. I have learned not to ignore those ideas; still can’t tell you how I should deal with them. But, I’ve learned they are usually significant.

The idea of tatting executed to reflect stained glass just keeps coming back.

And yes, there is stained glass in our Historic.

Add to that concept this technique I learned yesterday:

The idea is to create french knots that mimic hooked rugs.

Now for that idea expanded.......

Could the surface embroidery be paired with tatting?

Join me in puzzling this idea out. I dare you!!!

Spring 2020

Several times in my life I’ve had to pivot. My original plan for education didn’t pan out, I came up with a plan B. My original plan for a career didn’t pan out, I came up with several different plans. Spring of 2020 that has been so true. I’ve pivoted a lot in the last few weeks. I don’t mind.

I usually go through a period of disappointment, even anger. I dislike living in those emotions.

 I usually go through a period of exploration trying out lots of ideas. I dislike wasting time with activity that doesn’t meet my needs or others.

I usually go through a period of obsessive work. I dislike not taking care of my basic needs.

Then, I wake up one morning knowing what I need to do.

Right now, I’m still in the exploration period. I’m focusing on trying out new ways to use technology. I’m using the time to finish several huge projects. When I get to the point of knowing what I need to do, I’ll let you know. Honest. There’ll be pictures to share, music to hear, and for those local, parties to celebrate.

For now, here’s progress on a side project that’s well, huge!

Now I Lay my thread

I like tatting for many reasons:

The lace I create

Working with tools and thread

Something I can do with my hands that is portable

You can create a lot without spending a lot….except time

As I work my way through some of the cast-off stash boxes that have come my way, I’ve discovered tools I knew nothing about. Some of them I still don’t know what they are. Some I’ve re purposed. Most I pass on to others.

 I found a new purpose for a worn tatting needle. The finish is worn off close to the eye, so using it for needle tatting doesn’t work so well. I’ve learned to use it as a laying tool for stitching with silk. It works quite well. I’ve even developed a way to help with my tatting. I’m more conscious of where the thread is going as it comes off the shuttle. I now tat more confidently with a flat shuttle.

For those who are curious, there’s a good explanation on Nordic Needle website and a video on needlenthread. I’ll be posting pictures when I stop playing and sampling and actually create a piece.

Stitching Adventures

Along with the organ practicing, the housework, the performing and the tatting, I’m taking on a couple of stitching projects. One is a correspondence course and the other is a group project. I’m hoping that the group project will help me make connections to facilitate getting my tatting where things like that are marketed locally. I’ll find out more on the correspondence course next week. It could get a bit expensive, but will provide lots and lots of learning opportunities with those who have stitched for years and taught stitching at all levels.

The tatting is going well this week. All I have in thread is wound shuttles and scribbles on a piece of paper. More in a few days. I promise!

Incoming!

Lots of “stuff” came in yesterday: 

4 boxes of bells from a couple of estate sale type finds, 

parts for the LeClerc loom, 

6 needlepoint pictures in need of a bit of TLC, 

and several ideas for tatting. 

I’ll be busy today unpacking the bells and working on the loom. Here’s a teaser of the bell collection. 

I’d love to tat something to go over a bell similar to the ornament covers. This one intrigues me with the shape and crackle effect. 

And what color thread to use?????? 

Back on the loom

I’m back at the loom. Partly because of a project one of the Tatting Tuesday Study Group participants is working on. She used her loom to weave up a hanky. Very nice work! Now she’s tatting an edging to go with it. Perhaps she’ll let me snap a picture someday.

I love Doubleweave and have been intrigued with the process of using a chart, like cross stitch or needlepoint use, to weave up a design. I have a chart for a small cross stitch of an organ with BACH on it. I’ve always wanted to weave up a sample.

You remember the flag I’m working on? Well, I’ll be finishing it to look like a flag from the era our house was built. Another story. Anyway. I got the idea to use a ring & chain pattern similar to the flag to represent the pipes. Then I thought, if I weave the chart Doubleweave, it’ll be like a black and white photo. Then I could add the tatting on top to give it some texture. Like the edging to the hanky.

So, I’m back to the loom……

Chair canvas is done

I have finished the needlepoint canvas I have been stitching for the chapel chairs. Whew!

 

completed canvas still on frame

I’m not sure what I’ll be tackling next for the group. There’s a fair amount of work to be done organizing yarn. There are also a few canvases coming back partially stitched. I may take on the finishing of one of those canvases. And we thought this project would be a 20 year project!

 

Chapel chair in use

Time has flown by. I’ve been working steadily on the Saint-Saens. With the cooler weather, I’ve been able to work an extra hour or so. I did end up cutting out and changing how one of the motifs joined. That took 3 days work, but it’s worth it!

Last weekend saw a milestone:

The chapel chairs are back and now in use. Here’s my little contribution:

Thank you to Don and Penny for the photo and all your help. I hope everyone can see enough to appreciate how nice the chair looks. The design really does bring the stained glass windows into the interior of the church. In case you’re wondering (and even if you’re not curious) folks estimate 2 hours per square inch of stitching. Most of my stitching was done during the healing phase of my summer. It saved my sanity!

Now on to more Saint-Saens and may be some pineapple doily.

me, bonkers??? Why, yes!!

Jane E posed a question in a post: “why can’t I regulate myself? Why do I start a thing and HAVE to finish it?”

I like her answer: “because I’m bonkers!”

Well, I can’t claim to be bonkers in the same way, as I certainly have my share of unfinished projects, but I do feel like I don’t “regulate” myself well. I’ve taken to keeping track of how much time I spend doing what. It helps me to make a better to-do list. I’m more reasonable in how much I can accomplish and better at seeing what is most important. If that’s bonkers, I’ll gladly wear that label.

Now off to finish that project.

Sacred Threads Canvas done

With the summer heat, I’ve not been tatting much in the afternoons. So, I’ve chosen to spend more time stitching my chair canvas for Sacred Threads. In fact, the canvas is finished! Whew!!!!!

Now, it’s off to the upholsterers. Pictures will be posted after it gets back.

In case you’re wondering why the long silence on the blog, it’s been priorities. I am walking now. Exercises take up several hours a day. It’s uncomfortable to sit at a desk for long, and my laptop battery was showing its age. Plus, I had all the stuff we brought back from my Mom’s house to go through and find a place for in our house.

All that combined left little time for scanning and writing and posting. But, I should be back to normal now. All right, what passes for normal with me, hehehe

sacred thread danvas progress

It’s been awhile since I posted about my needlepoint canvas for the chair.

 

I have made progress, it just isn’t very impressive. There are 2 chairs already finished and sitting in the pools of light coming through the windows. I’ve asked permission to post pictures here, so look for those in about a week.

Canvas progress

progress as of Feb 2013

This blog is past due for an update on the Chair seat canvas. We learned recently that we will need to put the initials and date closer to the edge of the canvas. Well, I’ll confess this needlepoint neophyte was completely confused. Thank heaven the ladies that know what they’re doing have patience.

I've completed two areas of color plus some background. I reather like the heathery colors of the background. It will blend nicely with the room.

Sacred Threads journey begun

I picked up my canvas for Sacred Threads. It’s gorgeous. Here’s a pic of the design as painted by  Candace Designs.

Canvas #3 by Candace Designs

I can’t wait to get started, but I have a couple of tatting projects I’d like to finish first. Besides, I need to learn how to needlepoint to this level; a block M in acrylic knitting yarn isn’t even close to the technique needed for this. I do love a challenge though!