Old Glory

Well, this is what I’ve been working on. It’s Old Glory Heart by Nancy “Nell” Corns.

Tatted Old Glory Heart

I’m not real crazy about the pattern. The concept is good, it looks OK, it was just really fiddly to execute. I’d like to see if I can adapt it to using different techniques. I really didn’t like hiding 22 ends and didn't like all the blips in the joins between the red and white rings. I know, picky, picky……..

I’m going to work through another older pattern that creates a true American flag. More later on that.

to read.....

The weeding is done for a week or so. Whew!

I haven’t much to show for tatting. I’ve been distracted by a good book:

The Mapping of Love and Death by Jacqueline Winspear

It’s the latest in her Maisie Dobbs series. Her detective is an engaging character. If you like mysteries, English period dramas, and strong female characters, I recommend it. I’ve another 100 pages to go. So, you may not see much for tatting. Unless I decide to pick up an easy bookmark to work on and I can prop the book open.

of weeds and the garden

I may have the teaching bug….but I DO NOT have the garden bug. Don’t get me wrong, I love plants and flowers and gardens. I just don’t get much satisfaction out of gardening.

Perhaps it’s because out current garden has areas that get overrun with weeds. Since it rarely gets cold enough to stop plants from growing, something is blooming constantly in our yard…..even the dandelions. I don’t shovel snow, but I dig in the dirt year round….to pull up weeds. And before you ask, Roundup doesn’t take care of the mustard plant the kids call sour grass. They’re pretty, they’re native, and they’re invasive.

Sigh

I have about 20 more man hours to go before I can even start thinking of planting vegetables or flowers. I’ve missed pea planting time for yet another year. Ah well. It won’t get done sitting here…..

To teach

I confess I have the teaching bug. I consider myself a lifelong learner, so it’s not a surprise that I am so curious and expect everyone else to love learning. It’s very true that the best teacher is a student. You really learn your stuff when you teach a skill to someone else. So, a big thank you to all those who encourage teachers. I plan to continue to find venues to teach for a long, long time.

Pictures of bookmark in progress

I’m using this space to make class easier. If I were presenting in person, I would make this into a poster packet to display or pass around. As the session will be online, I need a place to post. No website yet (I know, I know….I’ll get it up soon.), so here is my pictures of how the bookmark looks in progress:

This is where you want to end up. Completed Split Ring T.

This is a photo of Split Ring A



This is a photo of Ring B

This is after Ring I

After Ring Q

After completing Ring S

Now with just one more Split Ring, you'll end up with a wonderful bookmark looking like the first picture up top.
Thanks for your patience and tat on!

progress quieting the noise

I’m not an artist!

Well, Ok, I don’t draw/paint/sketch well!

I can use a mouse and a computer program. This is what I created:

stitch count section of Ovals bookmark

There’s a lot that can be improved, but I’m making progress and not spending so much time trying to get onto the screen something that can be recognized.

So, why am I subjecting myself and the world to these visual gymnastics? Because it’s the best way to quiet the noise in my head: all those ideas for all those tatted pieces based on all those musical pieces. Tatting, and digital files, comes down to skill and creativity. I am compelled to work on both.

Maybe some will consider that worthy if not art.

the blogging experience

The good part about how busy I’ve been lately is that I’m busy and earning money. The bad part about how busy I’ve been lately is that I’m busy and not able to keep up some things…like picking up after the kitties, keeping up with the blog posting, and folding laundry. I am keeping up with work and such, so I’ll make progress on the rest soon.

I have wanted to put up a website on the internet for quite some time. I’m drawn to getting information out there. Must be on account of all the happy hours I spent at the library as a young child. I was raised to be a lifelong learner too. But…..this internet and computer programming stuff turned out to be just a bit daunting. I’ve found I can handle the blog stuff though. Just the right amount of structure and just the right amount of blank canvas. I’ll get to the website later.

So, on with the organ music and the tatting.

Thank you for visiting and please let me know with a comment what you like best.