I have been complacent

This thought bubbled to the surface as I flipped through the Feb. 2020 American Organist issue. This magazine is “professional reading” for me and usually can be read cover to cover in a few minutes. Frequently, I stop the skimming and read thoroughly. What caught my eye this month? The article originally written in 1944 by E. Power Biggs “Modern Renaissance of the Organ” reprinted with an introduction by Rollin Smith. For the organists who automatically do a small trill with their feet whenever E. Power Biggs is mentioned, this article came from The Etude magazine secured expressly for them by Myles Fellowes from A Conference. Yes, those people! 

For the non-organists, E. Power Biggs was heard each week playing all manner of organ music. (The 1940’s was the heyday of organ concerts. One could hear local performers each month along with nationally broadcast shows on the new technology of the time: the radio.)The excerpt from his talk is a bit of a call to action. 

Here’s what caught my eye:

It’s very easy just to react to the demands we perceive. Change the crying baby’s diaper. Feed the hungry teenager. Dust the shelf, vacuum the rug, scrub the bathtub, bag the groceries, answer the email…. Create the birthday/Christmas gift. Replace a worn pair of earrings.

It’s a whole different thing to make sure the important things are done. What’s important? 

Well:

Learn the recital piece you really love to hear and play it! (Sacred and secular)

Tat the design you see in your mind and share it! (Tatted pieces and the pattern)

Fix the worn out window weatherstrip (save on the energy bill too)

The article ends with an admonition to make sure we remember to fit in “further exploration of the astonishingly rich organ library.” I would add to explore the astonishingly rich creativity we have in each of us. So, I'm off to get those chores done and make sure the important things get some time and energy.

the word Progress

I remember that was a loaded word around the Holiday family table. Most of those who were doing the talking were older and had witnessed quite a lot of changes. Progress had brought into their lives many, many changes: cars, telephones, credit cards, etc. Until I was well into my adult years, I would cringe when people talked of progress. Now, I have learned a new definition. Progress is something to be celebrated. I will be celebrating my progress with pictures soon. Probably next week. I do love to celebrate!

Spring Tat-along

Announcing a new tat-along for 2020!

Renulek has started releasing her Spring doily! I like how the pattern looks this year. I’m still working on the 2017 “napkin” (gotta love Google translate!) so I won’t be starting this one. I see a patriotic color scheme though.

Join in! The doilies work up quite nicely.

Oh, and classes are beginning to fill up for Shuttlebirds2020. More excitement!

Joy in orange

😀

I’ve been working on this sample for months. Not steadily, but whenever the deadlines clear enough to pick up a pattern I can work in small sections. And because the center section has beads added as you go, not loaded onto thread prior to tatting, I didn’t work on this in the car but rather just sitting around the house. OK, those of you who know me can stop laughing! I rarely just sit. I’m usually doing two things at once: tatting and …… watching TV, talking to friends, reading a book on the computer, listening to music that I want to analyze/perform, ….. you get the idea.

Anyway…..

This sample is in vintage thread using size 15 blue beads. I rather like it. Orange is associated with joy and happiness, so this makes me smile. Or perhaps that is because I’m looking forward to teaching in April and May. Join me!

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.

The Blackwork Adventure continues

Like many who dabble with fibers, I love color in thread. I’ve had on my to-weave list for years to weave a color gamp like the picture here. I feel I have a lot to learn in the technique department before weaving a plain weave that needs to end up with lovely squares of color….not rectangles mind you. 

So, in the meantime, I’ll be stitching a study in color with the next Blackwork project I dive into.

Here's a link to a gallery that is inspiring me.

Vintage thread

As with many artistic endeavors, tatting can bring up arguments. You know the kind, based on opinions, facts, and experiences. How much people argue seems to be influenced mostly by how passionate they are about the art. I’ve been caught up in too many arguments to not be warry of leading questions. I’ve been asked, “What kind of thread do you like to work with?” so many times I tend to not really answer. I tend to ask questions back at the inquirer. I like encouraging tatting. At least that’s my story and I’m stickin’ to it!

Whether you tat with vintage thread is one of those touchy topics. It can start all kinds of arguments! I feel compelled to be ambiguous. I do tat with vintage threads. I tat with crochet thread. I tat with all kinds of novelty fiber like paracord, metalics, floss, yarn….you get the idea. I tat.

So, when I started tatting a sample of a pattern for a workshop, I grabbed the thread I thought looked fun and would be easy to demonstrate with. Wonncha know it’s vintage! Busted! Now I have the tough decision. Keep using the sample, tat a nicer sample, or focus on the student.  Guess what I’m choosing????