Sunday, January 27, 2013

Before and after

I finally managed to transfer photos from my iPhone to my computer. I have no idea what I did differently, but it worked and I am happy!

Here's what daughter Carol's fireplace looked like at the beginning of the project. It was a little too plain for her taste, and she requested a new mantel for Christmas. She did not get a new mantel for Christmas. However, after Christmas Dave decided to undertake the challenge.


The timing was not perfect for Carol. She's in the middle of putting together the high school production of West Side Story, but we did manage to squeeze in some time this weekend to complete the project.


Here's how it turned out... one wall painted, mantel in place, and one happy daughter! I wonder what we can do to contribute to the happiness of our other three daughters?

The winter storm never appeared. It started drizzling about an hour ago. This is very strange weather for northern Illinois in January! Feeling kind of lazy, I decided to catch up on Jane's TIAS.


I completed Day 5 with very little trouble...


but Day 6 almost did me in! I wonder if split rings and I will ever become friends? They didn't turn out too bad, but I did catch Dave glancing at me every once in a while when he heard me mumbling!


There was a question on InTatters today about Lyn Morton's 5th Book of Tatting Patterns. This is a book I look at every once in a while, and then I decide I don't have the brain power to do that much work. Today I decided to take the plunge and try the center flower, using up the last of my Hydrangea Dark HDT from Yarnplayer.

I know Camelias aren't blue and purple, but I wasn't concerned about color, just technique. The pattern was very easy to follow, but I'm not sure if I was tatting it correctly, because it was very ripply. A little pinning and steaming did the trick, and I think it looks just fine. I'm not sure I'm ready to undertake this project yet, so I think I'll put the book back on the shelf for now. It might make a good summer project!

11 comments:

  1. I wish I could be a "mom" like you who takes effort to make her children happy when I am old!!

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  2. That mantel is STUNNING! Gorgeous! She sure looks happy- good luck to her.

    I love that flower- very pretty and that hydrangea is a glorious color!

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  3. One happy gal, love the mantel!! I love doing split rings. You just have to tell yourself on the second shuttle, keep the thread tight and work them stitches!! LOL

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  4. You've certainly recovered from your setbacks! You do more when you're sick than I do when I'm well, and you even managed to tat AND solve some computer issues. Well done!

    Love the mantel! One question: Did your husband make it? Or perhaps it was a kit? It seems as if it's custom made!

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    Replies
    1. Dave and Carol looked at pictures, decided what would look good, and then Dave designed and built the whole thing in about three weeks... Amazing!

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  5. LOVE the mantel - it looks GREAT!

    I don't mind the split rings - it's the joins that drive me crazy :)

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  6. Dave did a fabulous job on making the mantel and fireplace surround. It is a huge improvement. Your tatting looks wonderful as always. Creative Hearts are Happy Hearts...

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  7. Diane, Dave's creation of the mantel is outstanding!!! It really makes a great difference in Carol's room. I'm sure she is very, very happy.

    Your tatting is, or course, beautiful - whatever you make. Two such talented people in one family compliment each other. Can't wait to see what each of you will be creating next!!!

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  8. The mantel looks so beautiful, now there is space to decorate for christmas with green and socks hanging ;-))
    How do you do the spilt rings that they make such problems to you? Normal stiches and turn the ring? I use the spiderup method and reversed stiches in the second half, works easy..for me...

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  9. That mantle is gorgeous!!! :)
    I love the flower motif!!!! :)

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