Thursday, May 21, 2009

Just What I Need. More to Read!


THIS
is what I am supposed to be happily tatting. After all, it is beautiful HDT, and a brand new pattern that I am NOT having trouble with. I am loving this pattern.
Isn't it purrty?

My tension has definitely improved, and I am pleased with my progress.
Life is good in Tat-land, so WHAT is the problem, you might wonder.

THIS IS.

My new book arrived this morning. I had not left for work yet when there was a knock at the door. My heart soared. I KNEW that one of my pigeons had come home to roost!
The mailman wished me a good morning and held out a small box.

YES!

The book by Rosemarie Peel had arrived. It is small but powerful, for those who have little experience with beads.

Nice layout, good size and excellent crisp colour, on quality glossy paper - just like the first publication. I have that one as well and have yet to have the time to actually tat something
from its pages!

There's the rub. I love the new books, the gorgeous
HDT threads, the great shuttles out there waiting to be chosen,
but honestly, how does one find the time to do it all?
~Fox ~~~Aspiring Adept of TATROMANCY (magical meanderings with rings, chains and picots)~~~

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Hanging by a Thread

Get the drift? Hear the wee bit of frustration? Here I go again. No, not Black Magic! I'm over that. But, Mary Konior has worked her way into my brain and is keeping me in stitches - stitches that are retro-tatted over and over and over........

What is it about instructions ? If I just follow the instructions...

Here is what I am up to.



This is the LadyShuttleMaker HDT - Apricot Mousse - that just I totally wasted. Ah, well. I have started for the FOURTH time and SEEM to be doing all right...so far so good. Isn't the colour great?

Hopefully, I will not have to begin number 5!

The Pattern? Spinning Wheel Glass Mat, of course!

~Fox ~~~Aspiring Adept of TATROMANCY (magical meanderings with rings, chains and picots)~~~

Monday, May 18, 2009

Newest Addition to the LAMP - Black Magic #2


That's it. It will have to do for now. I am thoroughly done with Black Magic. I do not know why this piece caused such grief, but I do know if I don't leave it alone, I will never tat again!

It started out beautifully - even and smooth and no mistakes - then all of a sudden, I was retro-tatting every few stitches and then whole parts of the piece.

Dreadful and unfortunate mood swings ensued.

I was not pleasant company. I ground my teeth at night.

Why does that happen - that stumbling into territory one thought was not unfamiliar anymore? There is such randomness to the occurrence of the shift to the Dark Side.

I really thought this attempt would be easier and more relaxing. I thought I would enjoy the process, as there are no tricky moves like SSSR's, dimpled rings or cluny leaves.
Just simple tatting, I thought.

Well, I was mistaken, but I am glad I persevered through this second attempt. I am pleased with the result, and my tatting has improved. This one is not as floppy; the tension is better, and the stitches are more uniform. It was well worth the effort.

The good news is that I did NOT have to add thread. That would have put me over the top as I do not excel at that particular skill. This is what was left at the end.



Just made it. Wound on an Aero shuttle

I have to say, I love the finished article. Black Magic is a beauty!

Numera Una
on the
LAMP OF FAME


~Fox ~~~Aspiring Adept of TATROMANCY (magical meanderings with rings, chains and picots)~~~

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Lots of Spares - Trade Anyone?


My stash is unmanageable.

The sign of a new interest, hobby, involvement or obsession is always evident in what is in full view in my tiny apartment. There is no mistake that tatting has reserved front-row-centre!

I have too many shuttles. I will never use these Clovers as I have them in duplicate. I do not even remember when I added them to the "shuttle box". The Lacis shuttles are way too big for my small"monkey paws". Unfortunately, l earned this only after I had ordered them. I really liked the colours!

If anyone out there in Tat-land is interested in trading these for something you have too many/much of, or you want to trade for thread, reply to this post and we can trade. I will swap with the first person who offers.

So, who's up for it?
~Fox ~
~Aspiring Adept of TATROMANCY (magical meanderings with rings, chains and picots)