Astrid

I'm determined to make use of tatting books that I peruse, but don't seem to use!

This is one pattern repeat of the edging "Astrid" from Tatting Patterns and Designs by Gun Blomqvist and Elwy Persson. The thread is Oren Bayan size 50, color #090. I believe I incorrectly identified this thread as Altin Basak in previous posts. The flat shuttle is another from my Grizzly Mountain Arts collection, and if there's anyone who doesn't own a Clover shuttle, they are a must-have item for any tatting basket, in my humble opinion!

Playing with Krystledawne's threads

I LOVE HDT! ...and honestly, I can't tell you that I prefer one artist's thread over another's. They each have a sense of color that appeals to me in different ways. I've been collecting hand-dyed threads ever since Yarnplayer began experimenting with dyes. LadyShuttleMaker, Tatskool, Bre-Aly, HAJDesigns, and Krystledawne joined in the fun, and I have been in tatting paradise ever since! I'm sure there are many others who hand-dye thread. These are just the ones I have tried, and I love them all!

I'm terrible with tags, but I'm pretty sure this is Earthy Rainbow, size 40 HDT by Krystledawne. This is my all-time favorite pattern, Spinning Wheel glass mat from Tatting with Visual Patterns by Mary Konior. As I mentioned in a previous post, I like to use my Tatsy and Tatsy-sized shuttles for HDT so that I don't have to add thread. I think I own every color of the Tatsy shuttles... I couldn't choose a favorite! The wood shuttle is the first Tatsy-sized shuttle I commissioned from Dave Stanbrough at Grizzly Mountain Arts. I love the feel of a wooden shuttle!


I don't think Krystle named this thread. It's one of her first in size 20. I decided I need to tat patterns from books that I own but have never used, and this was the first one I grabbed off the shelf. This is the wreath pattern from by Tatsy book, Tatting by Carol M. Winandy. This was one of the first tatting books I purchased, and I never tatted anything because the directions were so overwhelming! I can laugh at myself now... the directions are really very easy to follow! The flat shuttle is another from Grizzly Mountain Arts. I know some people don't like these shuttles because the thread is exposed, but I like that I can wind lots of thread, and it's very easy for me to tell how much thread is left. The bobbin shuttle is Zingy from LaCossette. I'm not a big fan of bobbin shuttles, but this one was so pretty, I just had to have it.


The two wreaths at the top of the picture were tatted with the flat shuttle as the ball shuttle on one, and the bobbin shuttle on the other. I like the way the color flows with both of these.

The wreath on the bottom was tatted using the shoelace trick, because I didn't have enough thread left on the bobbin shuttle to complete the motif. I use the shoelace trick when I'm running out of thread, but it's not my favorite technique. I don't think the finished piece looks as nice, and I don't like the way the color flows on this one.

Seahorse Dragon

I love Anne Bruvold's dragon patterns, and I've finally tatted one! This is her Seahorse Dragon (adapted from Debbie Arnold's Seahorse), which is all rings and chains... just my speed!

Once again, I've lost the thread tag, but I believe this is size 20 Tropicana HDT from LadyShuttleMaker. When working with HDT, I've found that I like working with Tatsy or Tatsy-sized shuttles. That way I can wind the whole skein on the two shuttles and not have to figure out how I want to join the new thread to make everything look nice. The only thing I do not like about Tatsy shuttles is the raised lettering, because the thread seems to catch on the letters. So, I am the proud owner of two Tatsy-sized shuttles from Grizzly Mountain Arts.

Dave Stanbrough first designed these for me back when I broke my wrist. Mom was visiting, and we ordered the shuttles for two reasons: 1) Mom was learning to tat, and it was easier for her to work with larger threads and shuttles, and 2) the larger shuttles allowed me to get back to tatting sooner. I found that I could not hold the finer threads in my left hand for several months. These wonderful shuttles helped me keep on tatting! When I realized that these larger shuttles were great for working with HDT, I ordered another. I know they're not for everyone, but I love them!

Tativation, or motivation to tat!

I have been highly motivated to tat... tativated! This is Motif A from "Elegant Tatted Sampler" from the book Tatted Samplers by Karen Lindsay. This is my last piece of tatting using Chris Hinton's Winder Shuttle version 1.2... time to pass it on to the next tatter!

Thread: Altin Basak, size 50, color #090
Finished size: 3" square

Red... Mom's favorite color!

This shades of red thread was calling to me when I was working on my last Dragon Wing Doily. (It really does look like red in person.) I was hoping for more subtle shading, but I've learned that sometimes you really don't know what you'll get until you try it! I was trying pay close attention to the color change when I added more thread, but I didn't get it right, so there's a little puddle of pink. Oh, well! I still think it's pretty! Would you like me to send it to you, Mom?

Pattern: Dragon Wing Doily by Anne Bruvold
Thread: Altin Basak, size 50, color #090
Shuttle: purchased on eBay many years ago... sorry, I can't remember who made it, but I do own three of his shuttles!
Finished size: 4 1/2"

How do you use your tatted pieces?

I've been asked several times about how I'll use my tatting, particularly my Iris Niebach doilies, and my Mary Konior Spinning Wheel glass mats. Iris Niebach doilies line the trays of my shuttle display case that my dad built for me. Spinning Wheel glass mats line the drawers of the shuttle case that my sister Janet gave me for my birthday a couple of years ago. Yes, they're both full, and I either have to stop buying shuttles, or find another display case!

It seems that there's been an animal frenzy on tatting blogs recently, which is wonderful! I'm preparing for a baby shower, and Nancy Tracy's Tatted Snail called to me. I finished the snail a couple of weeks ago, but just stitched it onto the onesie this morning. This is such an easy pattern, and it's appropriate for both boys and girls. It really didn't take long to stitch onto the onesie. Yes, I tacked down each picot. I don't want the new mom to stress out over folded over picots!

It just keeps getting better and better!

Version 1.2 of Chris Hinton's new Winder Shuttle arrived for me to test today, and it is wonderful! I know everyone has a personal preference when it comes to shuttles. I think this one's a gem!

If you'd like a chance to win one, head on over to The Tatting Forums. Chris and Erin will be drawing a name from the list of registered users around 8 p.m. on September 1.

The motif is a section of Carol Lepard's Tatted Clover Bookmark. The thread is Altin Basak, size 50, color #3005.

P.S. - Chris has a video clip of how the shuttle works over at The Tatting Forums. Check it out! (That's an old library phrase, in case you wondered.)

Winder Shuttle Giveaway!

Chris Hinton's Winder Shuttle Version 1.0


Winder Shuttle Version 1.1

Chris and Erin Hinton at The Shuttle Shop are hosting a new tatting forum called... The Tatting Forums! Chris has been developing a new winder shuttle, which I have had the privilege of testing. I've tried out the first two versions, and the third version will be on its way soon. This process is so much fun for me!

To celebrate the new site (just a little over a month old), Chris and Erin are going to be giving away one of their new winder shuttles on September 1, around 8:00 p.m., to one lucky registered member of The Tatting Forums!

Why not join us? We're a small group so far, but there are a lot of familiar names. Besides... you might be the lucky winner!

Dragon Wing Doily #2

I couldn't help myself... this doily is like popcorn... I just can't stop! Yes, I've already started another. I'm gearing up for school, so I'm not sure how long it will take me, but I promise to post a picture!

Pattern: Dragon Wing Doily by Anne Bruvold
Thread: Lizbeth, size 20, color #633
Shuttle by Chris Hinton (The Shuttle Shop)
Size: 4 3/4"

Tulip crochet hook winners!

With 31 people showing interest in these hooks, I couldn't give away only 6. So, I'm giving away 9! After all, I'm pretty sure I'll have trouble crocheting with three hooks at one time anyway. : )

The lucky winners are:

#2 - Sally Kerson (mailed 8/18)
#12 - Krystle (mailed 8/18)
#15 - Allison (mailed 8/19)
#16 - Sharon (mailed 8/19)
#20 - Red (mailed 8/18)
#21 - H J Hess (mailed 8/17)
#22 - Lily (mailed 8/17)
#23 - frakira (mailed 8/20)
#28 - Shirl (mailed 8/19)

Please send me your mailing addresses and I will get them out to you as soon as possible. You can contact me at:

DianeCademartori at gmail dot com

Thank you to everyone for entering!

Dragon Wing Doily

I love this pattern! This is Anne Bruvold's Dragon Wing Doily in Altin Basak, size 50, color #3001. The shuttle was made by Diana Andra, and it's the very first wooden shuttle I purchased at my very first lace event in Downers Grove, IL... how many years ago?

Tulip crochet hook giveaway

I love thread crochet! I do crochet with yarn, but only out of necessity. I'm fascinated by Irish crochet, and my favorite crochet designer is Patricia Kristoffersen. Her dimensional doilies are challenging and unbelievably beautiful!

I am also obsessed with beautiful tools! A couple of years ago, my friend Denise told me about Tulip crochet hooks. We were both looking for the hooks with the gold tips, and I found a set! It's not complete, but I have 18 gold tipped hooks, and let me tell you, they are fabulous! Who knew that a touch of gold would make it easier to crochet?

Anyway, while on my quest, I found and won a box of size 6 Tulip hooks on eBay. These are older, and are not gold tipped. However, they do have a metal tip protector. I know crochet hooks don't take up a lot of space, but do I really need a dozen size 6 crochet hooks? No!

So, my question is, would you like to own one of these? I'm going to give away six of them now, and maybe I'll give some more away later... I just can't bear to part with all of them at once! If you'd like a chance at one, leave a comment on this post. I'll draw six names on Tuesday, August 17. That way, I can get them packed up and mailed off before school starts on Thursday.

Good luck!

P.S. - Attention tatters... they're great for joining picots if you're using a shuttle without a hook or tip!

Joining the animal frenzy!

Well, maybe a snail doesn't quite count as an animal, but I couldn't find my book of animal patterns (I didn't look very hard), so I turned to this favorite. Nancy Tracy at Be-stitched offered this pattern a few years ago, and the pattern can be found here. It's funny, the first time I made this, I thought it was so complicated! I've come a long way with my tatting, because I found it very simple this time around! I used size 20 Lizbeth, color #601.

This shuttle is another of Chris Hinton's (The Shuttle Shop). I bought it as an anniversary present to myself. (Dave prefers when I choose my own presents!) It has an opal set in the top, which is significant because it is the birth stone for October, and we were married in October. I have many beautiful shuttles that I love to use, and I thought it was about time for me to start sharing their beauty with my friends!

And the random number generator selected...

drum roll, please!



#17 - Beelizabeth

Congratulations! Please send me your mailing info, and I'll get your prize off to you right away! You can contact me at DianeCademartori at gmail dot com.

Trying out a new shuttle!

Chris Hinton at The Shuttle Shop has come up with a new shuttle concept, and I am one of the lucky people test tatting with it! This bookmark is the first completed piece of tatting to come from this little gem of a shuttle. I am honored that I have had the opportunity to test the shuttle and give my input. To learn more about the process, and to get insight into the developmental stages of designing a new shuttle, come join in the fun at The Tatting Forums!

Oh, and the bookmark... my favorite! "Stumpy" by Kersti Anear. The thread is Altin Basak, size 50, color #304.

Doodle tatting

I was just playing around on Saturday, and I doodled this little motif. When I finished the motif, I thought it would make a great bookmark, so I doodled some more!

The thread is Lizbeth, size 20, color #633. The shuttle is by Chris Hinton of The Shuttle Shop. If you get a chance, why not visit Chris and Erin's new tatting forum... The Tatting Forums? It will be a month old on Wednesday, and we've been having a lot of fun chatting about shuttles!

Lucky me! Thank you, Monica!

I've had unbelievable luck! I was reading Linda's blog one day, and she suggested visiting Monica's blog, Diary of a Quilt Maven, for a fantastic giveaway. it was my first visit to Monica's blog, and I could hardly believe my eyes! I haven't done much quilting for the past ten years, but now I've been inspired by some of the beautiful fabrics and patterns I've seen online. I took a chance, made a comment, and believe it or not, I won! Look at all the goodies Monica sent! And guess what? The patterns are Monica's!

I have a confession to make... I got caught up in wedding preparations, and I didn't let Monica know that I had received the package, nor did I thank her. My most sincere apologies, Monica. Thank you for this fabulous gift!

I promise to tat snowflakes for embellishment, and to post pictures of my project. Look out sewing room... here I come!

A few wedding pics

Joanne and Jan


The Girls


The Guys


My Family


My Beautiful Daughters

Celebrate good times! C'mon!

To celebrate the marriage of Joanne and Jan, I'm giving away these two items to one lucky person. All you have to do is post a congratulatory wish to the newlyweds on this post before August 10, when I will draw the winner's name.

You don't have to be a tatter. You don't have to love lace. You don't have to love to read. Just send your well wishes to Joanne and Jan so that I can pass them on.

The prize... one Spinning Wheel glass mat from Tatting with Visual Patterns by Mary Konior, and one Stumpy bookmark by Kersti Anear. Both pieces are in size 20 Witches Brew HDT by Sherry Pence aka LadyShuttleMaker. Only one entry per person, please, but feel free to spread the word to your friends!

Oh, and please don't think the color name of the thread has anything to do with my daughter. I just love this colorway, and it's what I felt like tatting!

Lost and found

I love this little edging! This is the same one I used for Joanne's wedding hanky. I loved it so much, I used it for my wedding hanky. It's the second pattern in A Tatter's Workbook by A. Tatter. I used Lizbeth, size 20, color #633. You'll probably see more hankies edged with this pattern, but I think I'm going to use finer thread, at least size 40.


As for the lost and found part... I carried the hanky to the wedding, and put it in my lap at dinner time. I totally forgot about it, and I must have left it on the table, caught in my napkin. Luckily, our waitress recognized it as mine and returned it to Joanne. She was a wonderful waitress... we had her both nights, and she remembered things like my grandson's food allergies, Samuel's love of fish crackers, which of the three girls had chocolate milk, and who the mother of the bride was! ; )

She noticed my shrug, and asked if I had crocheted it. Of course, I'm thrilled when I meet someone who can tell the difference between knit and crocheted items, so we had a lovely conversation. The men just looked at us like we were nuts, but that's okay. We made a wedding memory that I will remember!

First wedding pics

I only have a few pictures to share from the wedding. Dave's not in any of them, because these are all from his cell phone. I'm sure I'll have more to share once Alison edits the photos she took. This one is of Joanne and me. It was a beautiful day, sunny and warm. Depending on which weather service we checked, there was a 20% - 40% chance of showers. Luckily, they didn't arrive until about 8:30 p.m. The wedding was at 2 p.m.


Here you see my beautiful daughters and their spouses. From left to right: Jake, Andrea, Carol (she's still single, if you know of any eligible bachelors! ; ) ), Jan, Joanne, Dan, and Alison.


Here are the bride and groom with Jan's cousin, wife, and child, and Jan's best friend.