Playing around

I couldn't decide what I wanted to do today, so I just played around.

I started out look through Tatted Crosses by Sharon Briggs. There are so many pretty patterns in this book! All of the patterns are designed to be tatted with size 80 thread, but I wanted to practice with size 20 first.

This is the center os Sharon's Rose Cross in size 20 Lizbeth, Azalea Lt. I can tell that this cross would be gigantic in size 20. Just the center measures 2" across. I'm glad I practiced this rose motif in size 20 first. It was good practice in tatting chains in a consistent length.

Next, I pulled out this tatting magazine from 1944. Did you notice the price?

The very first pattern was one I wanted to try. It's #8894. I'm using Coats and Clark's size 70, color #8.

It's been a while since I've tatted with thread this fine. It was surprisingly easy!

Of course I had to finish the day with an Ice Drop!

Tatting in pink...

My seven-year-old granddaughter, Eva, requested a pink tatted cross. If she approves of this one, I'll get it off to her in the mail this week. The pattern is from Mary Konior's Tatting Patterns. It's 2 3/4" x 4 1/4" in Parlen Oren Bayan Dantel Ipligi, size 50, color #066.

Weekend tatting challenge...

My mom asked me to tat 3 crosses to embellish a liturgical stole that she's making. This is how much I managed to finish the day I broke my arm, Dec. 30, 2007. My tatting challenge is to see how much of the cross I can complete over the weekend. I'm using Marilee's Golden Glow. Wish me luck!

Influences

My parents have had the greatest influence in my life, which I'm sure is true for many people. My love of needlework and fiber arts definitely comes from my mother. Mom is a fabulous seamstress, knitter, crocheter, and weaver. She encouraged the three of us girls to sew when we were in school. Janet really got into making halter tops in college! Lisa and I learned to knit, and I also learned to crochet. A couple of years ago, Mom walked me through the basics of weaving, and we plan to attend a week-long weaving class at John C. Campbell Folk School this summer.

Last year Mom took classes in liturgical weaving. She is particularly interested in stoles, and these pictures are of her first completed project. She has plans for another stole, and I will be tatting three crosses to embellish it. I'm planning on tatting the "Basic Cross Pattern" from Lyn Morton's Tatting Patterns. The basic cross is square, which Mom can put on the seam at the back of the stole. Lyn's "Traditional Cross" will embellish each side of the front of the stole. I actually started the first cross the day I broke my arm. I'm using Marilee's "Golden Glow." I can't wait to see the finished project! I know. I know. I have to get the cast off first!