Today's Tatting

Today I worked on "Kerosang" from Tatting With Rings by Jon. I really really think this may make  very nice earrings (long wise)... So I am going to make another :)

I need to work on making those last joins more, as it ended up a bit smooshed. I'm hoping it will come with practice.

Houston.... we have a problem..

My attempts at "one shuttle Glamour earrings" leave something to be desired. Could be because I am sick.. could be because I am a dork.. who knows.


To begin I will discuss the necessity of using a Picot gauge.. coming from a die hard "eye-ball- er" when it comes to measuring. I have now learned first hand why it is important.. (see picture one) I had to resort to using smaller beads which didn't look right along with the others and even still it was all wonky as the picot's where "off." Lesson learned.

In picture two, one will notice that I missed a chain completely but my measured Picot are much better... yes I made some gauges cut from cardboard but alas.... I needed to begin again. ~~ smacks self on head~~

At this point I am fast running out of shuttles, since I went to town loading them I had quite a bit of thread left, and this pattern calls for a starting loop so it need to be CTM.. so what does one do? We practice covering rings that's what we do!



So as you can now see in picture #3 my tension is back and forth and I believe the round bead is a bit bigger then the pattern calles for. So I should have perhaps added a stich or two on each side of the SCMR to compensate.. I will give that a try next time to see if that helps. ~~Good Gravy~~ I had better get it right this time.

But since I was getting a bit grumpy about my operorator issues or lack there of, I made this... to practice wrapping the ring, split rings and empty up my shuttles and ~~Big Suprise~~ I missed a join.

Oh well... I did say this "may" end up being a blog on how NOT to tat LOL :)

WAY to much fun....

I caught a silly "kids back to school cold" but did I let that stop me from playing??? Of course not! So in between the sneazing and sniffles I made THESE!!

More "Sweetheart Earrings" from Yarnplayer's book "Boutique Tatting, which I like better with the dark purple bead BTW:) I think the Josephine chain is getting better with the practice and they are fun to do!
I also made the first Motif  called "Melati" from Jon's Book "Tatting With Rings"
I really should not tat with a fever, because I messed up and had four beads in a picot and then had to make one with two just to keep it even. :(
Even still I don't think it is half bad for a first time tatting around a ring, since I have never done that before.
So for now it is off to take a nap after a soak in the tub..... hummmm...how come when ever I "feel" good I NEVER get the time to do that kind of thing? The world may never know....

Another new Book and more GOOD mail!!

Yesterday I got "Tatting with Rings" By Jon Yusoff. Just WOW! 
Very clear instructions ( very important to a new-be like me!) I was out of colour ink sadly but that didn't stop me from printing it out.. nope.. when there is a will there is a way LOL.
I can't wait to start  them!

AND.... My order from HH came! Yes I ordered some more LizBeth Caribbean.. I just LOVE that colour, but I did get some in 40 just to be daring! (what was I thinking that is some small thread!!) I did order some others Like Purple splender and Turquois (okay two kinds) I really need to break out of  my "colour zone" I think.. but that will have to wait for next time!

quick pic

This is the first attempt at  "Sweetheart" earrings from Boutique Tatting.  Umm I know it is upside down but it is 4:30 AM and I have to go to work... But wanted to share anyway :)

I am going the change the center bead as I would be happier with a darker purple in it.. or maybe I will need to go BEAD SHOPPING!!! But what a fun pattern!!

Squeeeeeeeee!!

I got the best mail today! I received one of the books I ordered and it is even better then I expected!!! I am SO excited to get busy with it! Beautiful pictures, high quality paper and clear instructions!

It's Yarnplayers "Boutique Tatting"
Yes, I'm posting the link to her etsy shop, so all of you can get your own copy... that is if you haven't already ;)
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=31314979

Okay that is one to check off of my "wish list".. and a ga-billion more to go! LOL!

Self Published books

When I started to Tat about 1 and 1/2 ago, I went on a search for books. I did searches in the library and ended up on eBay. While I did get quite a few books that are classics, many where hard to follow and the terminology was like a foreign language, especially for someone like me who was just starting out. I didn't realize that modern Tatting designers had a whole other "book world" over in self publishing land. A fact I had just "realized" before my computer went to PC heaven.


Being an Artist myself ( although in mediums other then in lace making) I am naturally more inclined to support other artists, directly if possible. As far as I 'm concerned we need more artists in this world and if by supporting them we can keep them creating.. well... the world will be that much better right? Right!


As far as in the tatting world, if it wasn't for these artists who shared tatting techniques and free patterns in order to try those techniques, many of us would not be tatting right now, as often there is not a tatting teacher in sight. ~~Peek- Peek~ Nope - nadda one!~~


So forgive me, but I am a bit partial to those who have taken the time to to be my "virtual tatting teachers," encouraging myself and countless others to "keep going, you are doing great!", even though my rings kept getting stuck and my chains looked bumpy, and I cried over split rings.

The point you may ask to all of this long blubbering?  Well I really do have one, honest!
It is to point those who may be looking, too some of these Artists who have books and supplies. So perhaps you don't have to wander as much as I did :)

So Instead of listing each one, as there are so many!
Here is a link to a blog that has many of the pattern books that tatting designers have to offer.
http://tattingbooks.blogspot.com/  Yes, I want one of each! I believe that it is updated  when desigeners have new books out, but it is a good starting point when looking for modern tatting patterns.

But many of these sellers also have Hand dyed threads you can pick up at VERY reasonable prices and the colors are well... just plain YUMMY.
 Hand made shuttles so beautiful, you will be afraid to use it ( but really you are supposed too!)
Simply just  click on their names (Under contributors) too  get to their blog/profile, where you can find out where and how to buy from them.