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This is from an Iris Niebach book. The pattern is gorgeous, but for me, impossible to tat well, even though I figured out quite easily HOW to tat it.
I find the patterns in this book ( Tatting Together Square Motifs) very fiddly and though the designs are so lovely, the finished shapes have been so manipulated that I find the process not very pleasurable. Challenging? Yes. But for me, not satisfying.
After 812 days of tatting I felt I could admit that! Yes, 812 days, give or take a day or so. That is how long I have been at it and I do not think I have missed many days along the way. I think I am going to stick with it. : ))
A satisfying tat over the weekend that
was also a perfect challenge:
#95 Lizbeth #40
This is Calendula, by Iris Niebach, from her Tatting Fantasia book #1. I tatted it with these colours, because I had a lot of lilac on a shuttle and I am obsessive about using up thread before I wind more.
I do not think I would normally have chosen the combination, but I rather like it.
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As with most of the Iris Niebach designs, I had to un-tat a gazillion times, and I am so thankful that I have this tool:
What do you tatters out there in Tat-Land use, you who tat with a bobbin shuttle as I usually do, when you need to un-tat? I found a pin just did not do the trick.
I had two of the Tat-Pics and lost the Holly - or so I thought - so I orderd another from David. (God forbid I should end up without a spare!)
Then my son found my grandson wandering about the house with a "deadly weapon." ( my son's description - ah, young parents!) So, now I have three. I feel secure and at peace knowing I have an abundance. Doesn't take much!
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Today, a surprise in the post:
Goodies from Tattin'Kat:
Thank you so much! Enclosed was a sweet little tatting bag with the pockets inside and a drawstring. Very useful, and there is a lovely note (kind words, indeed!) on a huge red heart the Tattin'Kat and her little daughter made for me.
I love the colours of the vintage thread so much that I am going to load up my shuttles tonight, now that I have decided not to finish that motif!
First, though, I might have to get rid of someone's excesive energy... This is for Margaret...
Ah, some pieces are so fiddly that they're just not worth the aggravation. I have had trouble giving up on patterns also, but sometimes it just has to be done!
ReplyDeleteI love the color combination of your successful motif! I'll have to try your approach. : )
Nice tat-pics! We all must have our favorite tools!
I LOVE the stuff you tat! I bought one of Iris's books, the one called Iris, I REALLY want her Fantasia books though! I have a list as long as my arm of books I'd like to get, someday. I love looking at your tatting. :-)
ReplyDeleteYou have more stick to it energy than most of us!! I hate to think of all the projects I started and they ended up in the garage!! Good for you!! Everything looks great!!
ReplyDeleteKelly
Kelly, I would call it obstinate, willful bull-headedness. ; )) Fox
DeleteYour unfinished motif looks wonderful-even unfinished!! And the finished one is absolutely gorgeous!!! :)
ReplyDeleteI love the beautiful motifs of Iris Niebach - but I want to tat for pleasure, not frustration. (Lord knows there's enough of that in other areas of my life!) However, I love the figuring out and learning - but once I do that I lose interest and have a hard time finishing the motif.
ReplyDeleteWell, that was contradictory, wasn't it?
I usually use the point or hook on the end of my shuttle... when that won't get it, a crochet hook. I have my one DRS shuttle, but no tat picks... Haven't felt the need for them yet, since the shuttles are on my "i want more" list! :)
ReplyDeleteI really love the colors of your incomplete work. It looks tough though. The success is lovely too. I really admire your tenacity!
ReplyDeleteCanlandula is beautiful. I use the point of a cactus to unpick. Very useful. Today I'm making Tischband with the Finica I won from you. It worked for earrings so decided to see how it does with a late start on the Tat Along. So far so good. Karen in OR
ReplyDeleteA cactus! Really? I cannot visualize it.
DeleteFox : )
My Snowbird friend brought back some cactus points for me last year. I'll stick a couple in an envelope so you can try them. Do you need bandaids with them? (smile) Karen in OR
DeleteOh goody! I just love new tatting adventure and a cactus point is definitely that. Thank you!
DeleteThe bandage idea? Well, as you can probably guess, I have MANY of those in my medicine chest.
Fox : )
there is no shame in not finishing a project that just isn't working for you. but the colors look good together. your second picture is very nice, good work. congrats on your package. have fun. as for how I un-tat, I use the end of my hook or pick that is on my bobbin shuttles. also use my fingernails sometimes. I have tried a pin, but ended up splitting the thread more often that way.
ReplyDelete'Trouble' looks like he's having fun!
ReplyDeleteI understand the frustration of a tat that won't work, and I have all the bits to prove it. lol
Your motif looks wonderful.
I LOVE #95! Did my last e-mail reach you? I’m going to write snail-mail and we’ll get the e-mail stuff fixed. I managed, with my numb-block of a hand, to try tatting Saturday night. It was like learning anew. Having more trouble with my right hand than before other surgeries. Totally numb, they gets those little shooting pains (like a bumped elbow)and finally a bit of feeling. Even keyboarding is difficult at this point; but I shall prevail. I use a very fine crochet hook for a pick, if the end of my shuttle doesn’t work. I miss you. bev
ReplyDeleteBJ!!!! No. I did not get it. I have tried a gazillion times to email you and the emails are always sent back! Yes, write please, snail mail and send me your address. I miss you, too.
DeleteFox : )
Oh my, a lost tatting tool! I experienced similar, mis placed my 1/2 size crochet hooks and ordered more. Of course, found my original set -- eventually..
ReplyDeleteAs for un-tatting, I use a Bamboo Stiletto that has two points --
Hi Fox
ReplyDeleteTrouble he looks full of life, he must have got spring fever. I would love to see him with a mirror, I bet that looks funny I never thought of cats using a mirror
What a pity about your first motif, the colours looked nice, I have not got any of her books so I can't say anything about the pattern.
Your weekend ratting looks gorgeous and beautiful colours.
What a lovely present a gorgeous bag and thread.
I unpick my tatting with a pin, never seen unpickers , I never knew you could buy unpickers for tatting.
Margaret
Margaret, Gian actually does not even see the mirror! I joke about his egotistical preening a lot, but in reality, he doesn't pat the least attention to a mirror. Just a wee bit of poetic license!
DeleteFox : )
Glad that it made it to you. It was sitting on the desk for a long time before I drug the girls to the post office. I love what you are making with the thread.
DeleteLooking for Iris' first Tatting Fantasia book and found your post. I LOVE your Iris' pattern. You make the loveliest thread color choices.
ReplyDeleteI use my size 16 crochet hook that I bought for beading. It's the best so far--better than the needles I used to use. I do like your picks, especially the holly! Glad you found it (2 years ago). Hope you still have it!