Tablet weaving

Well, the weather has been nicer. The seal pups are growing. The garden is growing. The tatting is growing. 

I’m also preparing for another workshop. This one I’m learning more about card weaving. Here’s a good link:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tablet_weaving 

and some great examples:

 

Incidentally, scholars “argued spiritedly” about how an ancient Egyptian linen belt was woven. That’s what pricked my interest years ago. No, not the argument. Geesh. The use of linen in an example that has survived so many years. Linen as a fiber intrigues me. I tat mostly with cotton as that’s what is readily available. I do plan to explore tatting with linen.

Fair 2017 time!

A busy few days! I’ve enjoyed sharing my love of fiber arts! It’s so much fun seeing people get excited about creating. So many people wandered in and left with a bounce to their steps. It’s just plain fun!

The marketing team for the Fair has focused on the anniversary of 1967 Summer of Love events that happened here in Monterey. I was not here. I lived in Oregon then. I was begging my Dad to take my training wheels off my bike. I was not participating in the newsworthy events here.

It’s been interesting to hear what people are focusing on. I’ve heard stories of teen escapades, family and friends exploring the World, and sad, horrible stories of tragedy. To those families, I extend support to move on and make the world a better place.

Personally, I have no wish to return to that era. I like living in the present. I have a hard time with Living History. Maybe it’s my life as a musician playing 7 centuries worth of music in one day on a regular basis.  I don’t like dressing in costumes and using modern tools to tat. If I really wanted to be true to technique, I would be limited to post 1970 era. That’s not to say that tatting hasn’t been around a long time, just that I use modern shuttles, modern thread, modern joins, modern colors, etc. The future invigorates me. I go crazy trying to recreate the past. I get crazy creating the future.

Today, I’ll be helping out with the Embroidery Guild table. They’re a great group of ladies and several men who love fiber. There are those who stitch who spend a lot of energy “doing it right” and there are those who create and learn and dream. I’ve enjoyed learning with them. Time to pack a tatting bag and a stitching bag!

Another Monday

Monday this week was a “Monday” to the max. Several bright spots in the day:

Dainty Tatted Trim by Anna J Johnson

OnLine Tatting class started the 18^th season of discussions and exploration of lace in thread. This is one of the patterns we discussed. I counted it for another motif for the 25 motif challenge.

Nothing more broke at the house. (When you live in an older home, no news is good news!)

So, what made it the proverbial Monday? Well, another fire broke out. Not near me, but near the area where friends live. The smoke will likely get blown into the valley, so it’ll not be a fun time for those who work in the South Bay.

The motif I worked on from the class was difficult to finish. Mostly because of the color choice. I was trying to use up thread and use 4 colors as that was the challenge. Yuck! The variegated was disappointing. The brown was rather dull. I do intend on incorporating the design into the bell cover idea. Just use better color choice I think!

It will be hot again today. We broke a heat record for our area yesterday. The upstairs got a bit warm, but the downstairs is still cool.

On to the next motif. I’m picking a square motif next. Edgings are fun, but I’m looking for something to turn into an earring. mmmmmmmmm

Challenge Accepted!

I like challenges. We live in a historic home: make it ours without impacting what’s historic about it.

I tat with a shuttle: interpret music in thread.

I weave: complex machine making art.

I play the organ: use both hands and feet to bring Bach to life.

So, when I heard that a rather distinctive, and fun, piece by Bach “wasn’t played much anymore” my mouth flew open, I sat up, and said, “Challenge accepted!” Of course, it’s been awhile since I have played that particular piece. I’ve lost track of the copy I memorized it from. I’ll have to start from scratch with a clean copy. A pleasant challenge wouldn’t you say? And yes, I'll be dreaming up a pattern to tat as I practice.

Still working.....

I’m still working on the edging. 

I got distracted yesterday trying to pick drapes for the studio. It’s a task you only do every once in a while…like every 20 years or so if you get it right. So, I want to get it right! 

I did get around the 3^rd corner, so I will be finishing the tatting today, washing everything to encourage shrinkage BEFORE I sew the edging on. Yes, lesson learned with a previous project!

Oh! I should mention that we made it through step 4 of 5 in the process of getting a Historic designation on the house. I can’t wait to get things in place for the completion of those projects.

Back to working on… 

oh yeah, the edging. 

Maybe that's why I like tatting....

The neighborhood we moved into has some truly historic homes. Well, as far as the West is concerned, they’re old. Anything over 50 years can be considered for informal or even formal historic status. Now, before the comment section lights up with arguments, I know there are some who view asking for a Historic designation for your house like asking for a hole in the head. Personally, I love history. I love old. Maybe that’s why I tat. Ya thingkkkkk

Anyway, the houses are mostly older. “Nob and tube” wiring, chimneys that no longer vent fireplaces, single pane windows that maybe seal, lots of nooks and crannies for “extra” residents, layers and layers and layers of paint, and so on. Getting to know your neighbors here means trading stories of figuring out when and how the house was remodeled, trying to “modernize” the house without ruining the character, and furry creatures that don’t purr or bark. It seems the bigger the house, the bigger the spiders too. All that said, the adventure has been fun so far. I enjoy rolling up my sleeves, putting on the gloves to keep the hands cleaner, and finding what there is under all that….whatever. At the end of the remodel work sessions, it feels good to sit in the window bench with my shuttles. Mid-century Modern has nothin’ on this!