A gift from Alison

My oldest daughter Alison visited a friend in California last weekend. She knows that Dave and I love lighthouses, so she took this beautiful picture and sent it to me today. Now I have the urge to go visiting lighthouses again!


I'm not much of a photographer, so I think I'll stick to tatting. I love this little motif... another design from Tatting by Myra Piper! I'm still emptying shuttles of Lizbeth thread (#634 and #682), and I'm really glad I tatted this design in two colors. I wasn't impressed by the little black and white photo, but I think using two colors really shows off the design. This is motif No. 13.

Opposites attract

...or so they say! In this case, I think it's true! I really liked the red bookworm, but the multi-colored thread seemed lost. I think putting the solid on the inside and the multi-colored on the outside makes him so much more interesting!

I'm still learning, of course. Rosemary Shepherd says to keep your eyes on the lace and your hands on the bobbins. About half-way through this little guy, I took my eyes off the lace... the result... a twisted passive. I'm not quite sure where it happened, and it's not critical on a bookworm. However, if I want to work beautiful, complicated patterns in the future, I really need to get the basics down! I believe this is a legitimate excuse for making more bookworms! ; )

Hmmm... I just noticed a googly eye... another detail to watch for!

Trix are for kids!

I know this is a bizarre color combination, but I was trying to empty some shuttles, and this is what I came up with. I know the kids at school will love it... it's the color of their favorite yogurt, Trix, which is served with grilled cheese sandwiches, chips, and salsa. Are you smacking your lips yet? : )

This is #10 from Tatting by Myra Piper. Despite the color combination, I love this little motif!

Tribute to Myra completed

I am very pleased with the way this little doily turned out. It's about 5 1/2" across. The threads are Lizbeth Country Grape dk. #682, Violet/Pink Med. #634, and Leaf Green Lt. #683. I did consider more rounds, but I think that the center motif would be completely lost if I added any more to it. I wanted the look of a bouquet of flowers with greenery, and I think that's what I have.

I did make two additions to the pattern indicating how and where to join the last pattern repeat. The changes are in italics. If you decide to try this, would you let me know? I'd love to see your interpretation! I'd also like to know if the pattern can be followed by someone other than me!

I think this is the perfect way to complete the 25 Motif Challenge!

2nd edging repeat

I can't believe I've finished the second edging repeat already! I am pleased to announce that the directions made sense to me!

If you care to try it out, here's my pattern...

Tribute to Myra

Doily center – Motif #12 from Tatting by Myra Piper.
Wind two shuttles for tatting continuous thread method.
First join is at picot indicated by the arrow.

R 5 + 5. Do not reverse work.
Ch 5 – 5. Reverse work.
R 5 - 5. Do not reverse work.

*R 5 – 3 – 3 – 5. Reverse work.
Ch 5. Reverse work.
R 5 + 5 – 5 – 5. (Join is to last picot of previous ring.) Reverse work.
Ch 5. Reverse work.
R 5 + 3 – 3 – 5. (Join is to last picot of previous ring.) Do not reverse work.
R 5 – 5. Reverse work.
Ch 5 + 5. (Join is to picot on opposite chain.) Do not reverse work.
R 5 + 5 (Join to next picot on center motif.) Do not reverse work.
Ch 5. Do not reverse work.
R 3 – 3 + 3 – 3 – 3 – 3. (Join is to next picot on center motif.) Do not reverse work.
Ch 5 – 5. Reverse work.
R 5 + 5. (Join to picot on opposite ring.) Reverse work.
Ch 5. Reverse work.
R 3 – 3 – 3 – 3. Reverse work.
Ch 5. Reverse work.
R 5 – 5. Reverse work.
Ch 5 + 5 (Join is to picot on opposite chain.) Do not reverse work.
R 5 – 3 + (to 4th picot of opposite ring) 5 + (to next picot on center motif) 5 + (to next picot on center motif) 5 – 3 – 5. Do not reverse work.
Ch 5 – 5. Reverse work.
R 5 + 5. Reverse work.
Ch 5. Reverse work.
R 3 – 3 – 3 – 3. Reverse work.
Ch 5. Reverse work.
R 5 – 5. Reverse work. On last repeat, join to opposite ring.
Ch 5 + 5 (Join to picot on opposite ch.) Do not reverse work.
R 3 – 3 + (Join to next to last picot of large ring.) 3 – 3 + (Join to next picot on center motif.) 3 – 3. Do not reverse work.
Ch 5. Do not reverse work. On last repeat, join to next small ring joined to center motif. Cut and tie. Hide ends.
R 5 + 5. (Join to next picot on center motif.) Do not reverse work.
Ch 5 – 5. Reverse work.
R 5 + 5 (Join to opposite ring.)

Repeat from *.

My tribute to Myra...

I love Myra's little 5 petal motif, and I think it would make a lovely doily center. So, I sat down and started "designing" one! I give a lot of credit to Krystle... this edging is based on her interpretation of a Julia Sanders edging. I don't think I'd ever have come up with it on my own!

I have the directions written down for the first pattern repeat, and I'm ready to start the next repeat to see if I've written them correctly! As I'm working on this, I see changes I'd like to make already. I guess that means that if I like the way it looks when I'm finished, I'll be making more!

Marty, are you feeling brave? ; )

Tatting in purple

I knew when I tatted this motif the last time that the color changes were not right for showing off Myra Piper's design. So, here it is in purple! The dark thread is Lizbeth No. 682, Country Grape dk. The lighter thread is Lizbeth No. 634, Violet/Pink Med.

I think I need to tat this one in white and green now... it will look just like the Star Jasmine that Dave puts out in our yard every year!

This makes #24 for the 25 Motif Challenge!