So what marks do you make?

 Yes, I know that’s a vague question. Last post was about marking your pattern. Many of us make a mark for tatting every time we gift a piece of lace, tat in public, or teach someone to tat. For the record, I meant both meaning of the word mark.

To continue the train of thought begun in that last post, what do I mark?

- Since I’m almost always making a copy, I make sure my photocopy has the designer name, where I located the pattern, the date I’m working the pattern.

- Translate a visual diagram to written notation OR written notation to a rough sketch.

- Picot sizes if joins will be structural.

- Size of thread I’m testing out the pattern with including my estimate of how much thread I’ll need.

- Where I plan to hide my ends.

- Sometimes I’ll even be marking whether I plan to use shuttle or needle.

- As I tat the pattern, I’ll add ideas for beads, correct my guesses for picot size, add color options, and of course: where I need more skill practice.

It doesn’t bother me when patterns are just suggestions and not detailed. I do like to have a detailed diagram if there is no clear photograph. I also like to have more detail when the technique is intermediate or advanced. It does bother me when the pattern has obviously been edited by someone who can’t tat. Remind me to tell you sometime about the organ piece with pedal markings that were just plain wrong: the editor had placed all the marks below the staff, even the marks for using your right foot. Yeah. I’ve been known to cross my feet when pedaling certain passages, but I do use my right foot, thank you!

Next post I promise to present a picture of my newest design: Fantasia. When I think about what I want to do while tatting, I’m always thinking of ways to help people appreciate and even learn about lace (specifically tatting with shuttle AND needle). I invite all tatters out there to make your mark!

Lace in Sunnyvale

I spent a wonderful day Monday exploring the Lace Museum inSunnyvale, CA. They were in the process of photographing some of the recent donations, so I didn’t get out my little phone and get in the way. I'll be teaching there in April: here's the flyer. We’re going to have great fun looking at vintage and heritage patterns to update our imagination. If you will be in California just before Shuttlebirds, consider attending the 2 day workshop I will be leading at the Lace Museum in Sunnyvale. You will receive my Sonata pattern with one-on-one help tatting up the doily. I’m looking forward to learning a lot from those who come to tat with me.

Where I am.....

Disaster almost struck! The Marjorie Evans gallery at Sunset Center where the Art Auction items are displayed is a wide hallway. Actually a T shape. There are 2 cases in the long section either side of the door to the parking lot. You can just make out one in the photo on the website (link above). The display surface is quite nice for size and height. Each case can comfortably hold 6 or so pieces of small art. The very, very heavy glass on top is a huge upside down box. I’d show you a picture, but I have been told other artists don’t like pictures of their art out there. So, I try to honor the spirit of community. (I don’t get it to be honest. Once I donate a piece, it’s not mine. And I frequently am surprised in good ways!) As the pulling of the tickets gets closer, I’ll sneak a picture. Promise!

The disaster was this: someone lost their footing close to the case and fell into the pedestal jostling everything. I was assured they were not seriously injured. My piece wasn’t affected, but a small picture on a stand toppled. It landed right side up thank heavens! And the very, very heavy glass sculpture stayed in place. Disaster almost struck!

I’m continuing to receive positive comments about the piece. I’ve got plans to tat the design again. I’m thinking larger thread so that it could be a door wreath. Must experiment…….

After the Festival ends though. I’ve already attended 4 concerts.  I have tickets to another half dozen or so. 

Time for a walk by the bay to clear my head. I’ve an ear worm of the opening of a Bach piece from Sunday. It is so similar to the piece I played for Postlude that morning. Both are Fanfares and very Festive!

Best laid and misplaced plans....digitally

My photography skills strike again. Or rather lack thereof.

I KNOW I took pictures of the snowflakes I tatted up for gifts. I know I did. Just can’t find them on the phone now. Several were given to good friends. After the hoopla is over this weekend, I’ll approach them to take ANOTHER picture. They have all said they will keep them out and enjoy them all year long.

Sigh!

I’ve set my sights on getting a post done next Thursday with all those photos. Until then, enjoy Epiphany and all the light that shines on!

Sighting in Carmel

Normally that phrase is followed by a description of some celebrity, rare automobile, or something haute…(couture, cuisine, etc.) that costs a bunch of cash.

 My sighting yesterday was free. I saw a pod of dolphins just off the shore while walking on Carmel Beach. There was a whale off the point also. This year, the sightings have become quite common. Whale watching in a boat is thrilling. Kayakers report close encounters all the time. 

Yesterday was the first time I personally have been in the right place at the right time. I knew better than to try to capture anything in a photograph with my phone. So, no picture here. You’ll just have to come for a visit. (grin!)

In neutral:

So, because the yarn is neutrals, it doesn’t photograph well with my little camera. And I really did try to use the fancy artistic settings! My phone worked better.

The material we wove on each warp was cut into these very small swatches. You can’t really see much. They are just to remind us of what we discovered. Note taking fiber-art style!

I’m picking Renulek’s Wiosna 2017 up again. So far I’ve only had to untat twice. Of course one of the elements I needed to undo was a lock join. In size 80 thread that required a dose of chocolate and wine to recover from! I already know what I want to do in round 5.

Oh, and we have another wall walker. This one isn’t an animal nurtured by us. So, it’s time to monitor the traps and hope the damage isn’t too bad. I saw a truck in the neighborhood that specializes in trapping ‘possom. I don’t think so……….???

weakest link

Yesterday I discovered what I consider is my weakest skill in tatting:

Photography

I have spent time over the last decade or so practicing different techniques, working with different threads and tools, gaining my voice in designing; and have gained a fair amount of skill in those areas. But, I still struggle to capture the finished piece with a camera.

I’m not alone. Many fiber artists will practically groan when you bring up taking a picture. There are classes and workshops offered in using your phone to photograph. The posts I create for the Homework blog display a wide range of photographic success.

I have learned a few things. I’m better at bullying my phone than my digital camera. Black really does work. Oh, and just keep swimming.

Here’s what I’ve decided for Wiosna round 4. Forgive the abysmal photographs. I’m trying out new thoughts there.

The clear crystal type beads are from my stash. They looked so pretty in the store and I thought the round shape would work very well. The reason I haven’t used them before now? The inner hole is too small for the size thread I typically use. Even the size 80 thread is difficult. That makes loading the shuttles difficult, the beads heavy when tatting and thus floppy on the finished piece. Sigh! 

I’m also using my bone shuttle. It’s heavy and larger than I like to use. But, it feels nice, so I’m trying to get used to tatting with it. Perhaps my reaction to the bone is why many did not take to tatting in the past. 

Now where was I.......

Ok….I got distracted. 

I blame it on “Back to School” sales and watching the kids in the neighborhood get back into their school routines.

I making progress on the bell cover, the stained glass idea is percolating, the Fair display is in the works, and my house is getting organized. To top it all off, the weather is turning and the fog/smoke is lifting. That means I enjoyed a sunrise this morning! Again, I won’t annoy you with pictures as my photography skills are not up to snuff. I enjoy good photographs and recognize the skill it takes to produce them. Skill I would have to work very hard to master. I get distracted by the beauty of what I’m trying to photograph too easily.

I think I’ll go distract myself with a quick romp through my practice list at the organ. Then, on to the shuttles!

Happy June!

Well, May has come and gone. June is here. Happy June!

Thank you for coming along with me on the adventures I’ve talked about here. I like talking. I like listening more. Thank you to those who have commented. You know who you are.

I've learned a lot about myself writing for this blog. I've learned that while I enjoy working with thread; "hear" the patterns in music; and know that I have a good idea combining the two means of expression; I'm not a visual person per se. I express myself with sounds much better. Words come more difficulty for me. Pictures take even more of an effort. That doesn't mean I'm giving up on this whole Picotsnkeys venture. But realizing that has helped me fine-tune my efforts and redirect my energies.

So, what have I been doing the last few weeks?

Packing and unpacking

Saying goodbye

 

Saying hello


Fine tuning the angel pattern (sorry, no new scan)

I still need to purchase an organ to teach/play. I still need to finish unpacking. I still need to finish the angel pattern write up. I still need to do lots and lots of important tasks. Including writing down more of what is important.

 

Now, where is that to-do list.......

Tis the season for inspiring beginnings and endings

I wish I had the photographer’s talent. This time of year, I often see both sunrise and sunset. The colors lately have been spectacular. That’s because we are getting much needed rain. So, there are clouds in the sky. Where our house is, there’s not much chance of seeing the sun appear over the mountains or even to dip down into the mountains. In the past, I’ve tried to take a photo to share here. I just can’t manage to get the camera or my phone set up right before the color fades. Sigh. You’ll just have to take my word for it, the sunrise and sunset have been beautiful.

If .... Then.... in a tatter's life

A misty moisty morning. The weather is cloudy with a high fog that will burn off soon. In the summer, that means it won’t be as hot. In the winter, that means it won’t be as cold. I’ve a couple of projects to block and scan/photograph. Now, my scanner and I are on friendly terms. My camera just tolerates me. I’ve decided that it’s just too different from a computer to use this logic: If I can learn how to use a computer, then I can learn how to use a camera. Sigh. I will conquer it all and post photos as I can.