Oliver Twists Edinburgh Rock

I finished another set of Stumpy motifs this morning! Stumpy is a wonderful little shuttle-shaped motif by Kersti Anear. It makes a wonderful bookmark, and I think it's great for Chris Hinton's "Tatted Shuttles," which are epoxy shuttles with tatting embedded in them.

I really love working with Oliver Twists, hand-dyed machine thread from the UK. I purchased mine from DS9 Designs. This particular set of threads is called Edinburgh Rock. I think I prefer the colors in the Scottish Heather set, but I'm still pleased with the way these turned out. They'll be off in the mail to Chris to be shuttle-fied tomorrow!

For those of you wondering about the size of the motifs, these are about 1.5 - 2" long, and about 1" wide. I have no idea why one turned out so much smaller than the others, but they're so pretty, I don't care! ; )

Norma Benporath Edging #3

When Jon first posted about Norma Benporath's edgings, I really didn't think I'd try tatting them. However, after seeing Jon's samples, I decided to give it a go, and I'm glad I did!

The 4" cotton center is from Handy Hands. The thread is Yarnplayer's "Forest" in size 20, a gift from Sue Anna. I chose to sew the edging on after tatting, a good choice for this pattern. I'm not sure the repeats would have turned out correctly if I had joined the tatting directly to the fabric. If I decide to make another, I think I'll do one more pattern repeat to give a little more ease.

Now, where should I use this beautiful new piece?

Oliver Twists Scottish Heather

At Christmastime I ordered myself a little present, the Scottish Heather collection of Oliver Twists hand-dyed machine thread from DS9 Designs. 

I really didn't know what I wanted to make with these lovely threads, so I just left them sitting out in my sewing room to be admired.

Then, about a week ago, Erin at The Shuttle Shop contacted me about tatting some motifs for some of Chris's "Tatted Shuttles," which are epoxy shuttles with tatting embedded in them. I like using Kersti Anear's "Stumpy" for these shuttles.

I'm very pleased with the way these turned out, although I think a little bit of blocking is in order. : )

Tribute to Gina

The tatting community was asked to post a tribute to Gina today, and I've been thinking about my post all day long.

I wanted to tat one of Gina's patterns... I couldn't follow a pattern without making mistakes.

I wanted to gather my gifts from Gina and take a picture... I couldn't keep on task long enough to finish.

I wanted to write something thoughtful... I couldn't think of anything to say.

I will think of Gina often, and I will smile when I imagine what she would say about another Spinning Wheel glass mat, trying a new technique, collecting another shuttle. I will do my best to share my love of tatting with others, because that's what I think Gina did for all of us.

My condolences go out to all of Gina's family and friends. I know she will be missed.

The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton

I just finished an excellent book, The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton. My daughter Andrea received it for Christmas and let me borrow it. The story starts with a mystery... why was a four-year-old girl left alone on a ship headed to Australia? In the end, the secret is unraveled by her granddaughter. The twists and turns in the plot make for a very intriguing read!

Memories of a Tatting Goddess

I was saddened to learn early today of the passing of my friend Gina Brummett, known for her blog Threads of a Tatting Goddess. Gina passed away last night.

I first learned of Gina's blog about five years ago from my friend Denise. We were so excited to read the entries of someone so talented! Gina was so kind and encouraging. She sent us information on the springtime Lace Event put on by her lace guild. It was only an hour and a half away, so we decided to go. Denise and I were such geeks! We knit lace shawls to wear to the event... just had to show off our love of lace!

Gina must have thought we were nuts... we just gushed over the fact that we were actually meeting THE TATTING GODDESS! (We also met the amazing Battatter that day!)

Denise and I met Gina again several times, both at the Lafayette Lace Event and at the Downers Grove Lace Event. I can't tell you how excited we were that Gina remembered us! Our lace shawls made an impression!

Over the past five years, Gina encouraged me to keep up with my tatting. When we'd meet at lace events, she'd patiently show me all that she'd been working on. Imagine being able to see in person what you'd previously seen posted on a blog! She always had kind words about the pieces I'd been working on. She told me once that she didn't quite understand my love of Mary Konior's Spinning Wheel glass mat, but that seeing me post a picture of a new one always made her smile. I'm glad that Gina saw the last Spinning Wheel I made. It's nice to think that I was able to bring a smile to her face once in a while.

I think I only actually met Gina five times, but she left such a positive impression on me that I felt as if I'd known her all my life! I will miss her emails, her blog posts, and most of all I will miss her.

Rest in peace, dear friend. I will forever remember the encouragement you gave to me, and you will always be The Tatting Goddess.

Addendum ~ I just looked up Gina's first blog post... February 13, 2003. Somehow, the date of her passing seems very appropriate.

Happy Valentine's Day!

A better choice?

I tatted two more floral motifs in Juicy Watermelon, one of my favorite color combos! These motifs are a hair smaller than the solid color motifs, but I think they work well.

I'm thinking of tatting two more of each pair. Then I can mix and match!

How would you mix and match these motifs?

Set of four

I finished my set of four flowers...

and now I have to decide which layout I prefer.

I'm thinking the top one. What do you think?

Ruth Scharf Tat-along

One of my favorite blogs to follow is Umi & Tsuru, and now she's hosting a tat-along!

Last night was the first night this week that I didn't fall asleep in my chair by 8:00, so I was able to tat two of the flower motifs. I'm only going to make one pattern repeat for my first try, so I did not join the flowers. I hope I can stay awake tonight to tat two more, because I want to be ready when the leaf pattern is available!

I'm using size 20 Lizbeth, colors #620 and 621. I haven't chosen my leaf color yet.

I'm also eagerly awaiting word as to whether a copy of Ruth Scharf's book, Occhi, is available for purchase... fingers crossed!

Inspired by Jon

I have been admiring Jon's efforts with Norma Benporath's Five Dainty Designs for Tatting. I really didn't think I was up to interpreting old patterns, but I took a look anyway.

I had some of LadyShuttleMaker's "Americana" left on the shuttles, so I decided to give Edging #3 a try. I like the gentle curve of this edging, and I have an idea of how I can use it.

I tatted until one shuttle was empty. I decided to use the remaining thread to tat "Leaf Braid" from Tatting with Visual Patterns by Mary Konior. I love using this pattern to use up left-over thread! Some day I'll use my bits of Leaf Braid to decorate some CQ blocks... some day!

Averting disaster

Don't look too closely.

Oh, go ahead. Take a peek.

You'd think with all the Spinning Wheel glass mats I've tatted that I'd know how to finish one off!

Well, I goofed. I joined the last chain the the wrong ring, and I didn't notice until I'd hidden the ends and cut the threads. So, I had to cut off the last ring and chain and re-tat. Not a big deal, but I'll be sure to remember next time!

I know it's mostly hidden now, but it's exactly what I needed. I gave away several of my Spinning Wheel glass mats when my youngest daughter's father-in-law was visiting. I think it's appropriate that this Spinning Wheel be in this drawer. These are some of my ceramic shuttles from LadyShuttleMaker. The thread used in this glass mat is LadyShuttleMaker's Americana. I LOVE hand-dyed thread!

Pattern: Spinning Wheel glass mat from Tatting with Visual Patterns by Mary Konior
Thread: size 20 "Americana" from LadyShuttleMaker
Ceramic shuttles by LadyShuttleMaker

Success with Christina

I was determined to tat "Christina" correctly! I am happy to report that I was able to tat this piece with only one slight glitch. I had to re-tat one ring because I didn't hold it while closing it. It twisted up on me. Not a big deal. I sure am happy I was able to complete this so easily!

The pattern is from Tatted Bookmarks - cross-shaped by Lene Bjorn. The thread is size 40 Lizbeth, color #164, Blue River Glades.

In a funk?

All I wanted to do was tat a cross bookmark. I've tatted "Christina" from Tatted Bookmarks - cross-shaped by Lene Bjorn several times. After two failed attempts...

I switched to "Maria."

I know where the mistakes are, even if you can't see them!

I also struggled with "Adiratna" from Elegant Tatting Gems by Jon Yusoff.

I'm not quite sure where I went wrong, but it's just not quite right.

Maybe I should take a hint from Fox and try tatting in a solid color!