Only to you out there in Tatland, you who know exactly how I felt when I burst into tears in frustration because I could NOT figure out how to end the motif. Only to you tender-hearted tatters would I dare to admit to this emotional outburst, all because of a couple of rings and chains!
Jon's Kencana in Lizbeth #40
I ran into the same exasperation when ending Mary Konior's
'Glass Mat'. Every time I tat it I have the same problem. Same with Vinnie's '
Spring Doily'. Get the picture?
Well, at the end of '
Kencana' - a delightful motif in
Jon's new Snowflake book, I hit that proverbial wall. I just could not figure out how to close the circle.
Maybe next time I will try the coloured markers on the diagram...
✜✜✜✜✜✜✜✜✜✜✜✜✜✜✜✜✜
The good news is that I only started this ONCE! Amazing and true. Only one go-around and it was done. Other than the meltdown at the finale, this went really smoothly and was a delight to tat. Jon is a master of design and I love every single pattern I have ever done of hers - but one. And that I is a secret I am keeping!
It's beautiful! You did a fine job on it, and I love the colorway!
ReplyDeleteI have the same problem with the MK Glass Mat - that's one of hers that I just won't try any more.
Big Hugs to comfort you in your frustration. Your end result is quite beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThinking back I cannot recall how to end MK's Spinning Wheel Glass Mat. I even pullout out the one I tatted last year and examined it.
It just goes to show how powerful and determined a brain can be, to "wipe out" memories (labor pains, frustrations at the end of lovely motifs...) that might deter creative genius!
I love this motif - and the thread is soft and pretty colors.
ReplyDeleteI DO know what you mean about that wall at the end of a project. SO frustrating! Somewhat humorous to anyone that hears me talking to my shuttles . . .
This design has a harmony about it that's just lovely. Looking at it, there's no evidence of your frustration-looks gorgeous.
ReplyDelete..you did good! you persevered! beautiful motif!
ReplyDeleteYou did a wonderful job at it! It's very pretty and delightful to look at. What do you do with them when you're finished?
ReplyDeleteThanks, kids! Great comments!
ReplyDeleteWell. McSace has asked that awful question: what do I do with the finished motifs?
I have no answer as the newest ones go on 'The Lamp', and the rest languish in a box in the cupboard. A few lucky ones get given away.
We always have this discussion. i wish there was SOMETHING we could do with our work... Maybe a huge travelling tatted throw? Okay! I am going to blog about this tomorrow!
Fox : ))
I love the way Kensana looks in that thread! Your frustration certainly doesn't show in the final piece. I'm looking forward to tomorrow's post!
ReplyDeleteI love this piece, you did a great job! I am coincidentally working on a little snowflake in this exact thread, I just love love the colorway! You did an excellent job imo :X
ReplyDeleteBri
I keep trying to tell everybody, get those motifs out of the boxes and put them on display. They don't have to "be" anything or "do" anything. They can just sit prettily on a coffee table or end table, or on a shelf in front of the books.
ReplyDeleteAs for ending motifs like that, make sure you position the threads so that they will both end up on the same side after you make the join. Then just rotate the motif until you are approaching the join from the correct angle so that the picot won't twist. Linda Davies has a nice video of it at http://toptattyhead.blogspot.com/2008/03/tatting-demonstration-beading-non_14.html She shows it with rings, but it works exactly the same way with chains.
Miranda - the problem is not the last join, as I have no trouble with that, it is deciding when I have reached the place where i am to join to the beginning join! I can't seem to see the pattern of repeating motifs and never know when to stop tatting...
ReplyDeleteFox : 0
OK, in that case, I don't know what to tell you. Is the trouble seeing the repeats due to the dyslexia?
ReplyDeleteHey, here's a thought. When you think you've gotten to the point where you need to join, hold the motif together and see if it lies flat. With Jon's patterns it always will, because she designs them very carefully. If it cups up, you still have some to do; if it ruffles, you have done too much.
Thank you for being so open and honest regarding your frustration. I know it helps me to realize that I am not the only one who has issues with thread and shuttle. Your snowflake is beautiful and does not show your tears. Your thoughts what to do with finished pieces sounds intriguing. Hugs to you on this serene Sunday...
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!! Love the colorway.
ReplyDeleteI did the exact same thing on that snowflake my first attempt, got the last point done and then realized I should have made joins on my way up. I did it in thaty same colorway -- Sea Island Citrus is my new favorite color.
ReplyDeleteMiranda,
ReplyDeleteYup, it is partly the dyslexia. i do try the matching up of sides and sometimes that works. For some reason, I just could not do it on this pattern.
However, I like your great suggestion about the ruffling and cupping as clues! That is a visualizatiuon I will find useful. Thanks! Every little trick sure helps. : )
Creatology,
Oh no! There are LOTS of us with the same...hmmmm... issues! : )
Hi Fox, what a beauty!! great job. would putting a marker.. safety pin..paperclip, at the beginning where you would join the last repeat help you see what you need when you get all the way around? as for display, I will post what I do with mine later tonight.
ReplyDeleteLadytats - Another great idea! I like it! Thank you. it sure pays to reveal one's failings. Look at all the help you get!
ReplyDeleteFox : ))
I feel your pain! That is such a beautiful and benign looking motif though, one could never tell that it gave you fits of frustration. You persevered and success was yours.
ReplyDeleteAs for my own tatting woes, I don't like admitting this...but the pair of baby booties that I tatted for my new great-nephew will never grace his little feet because of joining and finishing issues. And I can't even really call it a pair of booties because after I couldn't figure out how to finish off the first one, I just crocheted him a stuffed giraffe instead!
I like this colourway.
ReplyDeleteI see where you did wrong but I am not saying anything, he he he .....
But, so you don't feel too bad about it, I sometimes overshot my patterns as well. Miranda's suggestion is what I did sometimes.
Absolutely GORGEOUS!!! And the colors are outstanding! :)
ReplyDeleteIt is gorgeous anyway Fox. I gave a photo screen/room divider with about 16 photo holders in it to a friend for her birthday. She displays her best tatted motifs in it and can change them whenever she feels like it.
ReplyDeleteI fully understand, I am having problems at the moment, I was asked to do two pairs of booties, only they want them like yesterday and I am trying to tat as fast as I can and then I make mistakes. My hubby would say leave and have a rest, hes got no understanding what so ever about trying to do something. With him if it does not work he stops and never tries again.
ReplyDeleteYou have so much patiance and try and try again I am sure you will do it one day, perhaps leaving it for a few days and then going back to it.
Lovely piece of tatting and beautiful colours.
Margaret
Hi, Liyarra,
ReplyDeleteWhat a TERRIFIC idea! That is a wonderful way to display tatting. I might just give myself a present very soon...
Fox : ))
That is a REALLY great idea for displaying them! What about putting them on blocks on a quilt and hanging it on the wall? Or under the glass of one of those glass coffee tables?
ReplyDeleteI've been there, frustrated to tears over some thread. Take a deep breath and press on, and it will get better! (or get thrown away) :)
ReplyDelete