Mistakes

 

Don't look too closely. There are two major mistakes that I made in this pattern. First, I missed four double stitches and a picot on the first ring of the first round. Second, I missed a join on the first clover leaf of the second round. Luckily, the mistakes aren't glaringly obvious because of the multi-colored thread. I know I will have to pay much closer attention when I re-tat these patterns in a solid color! The pattern is PDF Hearts Shuttle Tatting by Halyna Tkachuk from Gail Weaver on Etsy.

One thing I really appreciate about these patterns is that they are completely different. I was expecting the same center with different edges. I think these will be okay for our February display, if Denise decides she likes them. I have a feeling, though, that she will prefer them in a solid color. I haven't decided whether to use a soft pink or red. I know Denise would like the pink. What would your choice be?

School spirit

 

Our school colors are green and gold, and I decided to make gnomes for our secretaries and administrators. All are the same, and I think they're adorable!

Heart #2

 

I can't believe it took me two days to tat Heart #2 from PDF Hearts Shuttle Tatting designed by Halyna Tkachuk from Gail Weaver. The pattern is not difficult at all, but I kept getting lost in the twists and turns which led to making foolish mistakes. 

I will be tatting all three hearts in the set in size 20 Lizbeth #103 Tutti Fruitti. If I have time, I will tat each of the hearts again in either a solid pink or red. I'm sure the solid colors will show off the patterns much better.

On to Heart #3!

Heart #1

 

PDF Hearts Shuttle Tatting designed by Halyna Tkachuk from Gail Weaver kept popping up as a suggested item on Etsy. There are three hearts in this set, and I decided to give them a try. This is Heart #1 in size 20 Lizbeth #103 Tutti Fruitti. I'm not usually fond of small motifs in multi-colored threads, but this one appeals to me. 

On to Heart #2!

Thinking ahead

My friend Denise and I are going to help the Beecher Public Library by displaying tatting in February. We went to the library to look at the display cases, take measurements, and brainstorm ideas for the display. What could say February better than hearts and snowflakes?

The display cases are in the entryway of the library. Seeing the current display helped spark some ideas.

Denise suggested framing two larger doilies to set on top of the display cases, similar in size to the pictures that are up there now. She also suggested two trees to display snowflakes and possibly ice drops and button ornaments. 

Denise and I talked about a heart shaped box or tin to go in the display. I ordered a Whitman Sampler, but the cardboard box was a mess, so it went into the trash. Of course, Mom and I ate the chocolate first! Mom did some more searching online and found this Dove chocolate tin. I'm not sure if we will use it, but it sure is a handy place to store tatting for the display!

I started search heart patterns, and decided to start with Clover Drop Heart from Nancy Tracy at Be-stitched. This one is tatted with size 20 Lizbeth #644 Boysenberry Dk. Denise loves pastels, and so do I, but I think a few darker pieces will help set off the display.

You can expect to see hearts, ice drops, and snow flakes popping up here for the next several months!

Cosmos

 

I finally finished Cosmos from Bonded with tatting - doilies by Laura Bziukiewicz. This took me almost a month to complete, not because it was hard or complicated, but because I've been working on multiple projects. Maybe I should start focusing on finishing one project at a time!

Finally!

 

I finally finished round 7 of Cosmos from Bonded with tatting ~ doilies by Laura Bziukiewicz. I'm not going to complain about how long it took me to finish this round. After all, we do have other distractions in our lives, and I had a great long weekend with my mom and sister!