My New Absolute Favourite-Of-All-Time Motif

Many thanks to trh, where I first saw this gorgeous motif. Hers is tatted in a green thread as well, with  red beads and I fell in love with it.  It fires my imagination with visions of faeries and Avalon legends.  It also reminds me of ancient tree spirits like the ones that Sally knows all about.

#20 Motif Challenge

 trh - you did guess right!  This is Mary Konior's Posy! I have tatted it,  thanks to TypsTatting , in  Mercer #40) using beads sent to me ages ago by  Crazy Mom, but they are so small  that I have been intimidated to use them! 

 

They were well-labelled though, so I know what they are; I am definitely going to be on the lookout for them, as they are fabulous to use and look amazing. But they really are small!

Thank You, Maureen!

When the pupil is ready the teacher appears: Maureen, from Australia.  I guess after two years, I was really ready to learn how to attach a thread properly and to learn the weaver's knot.  Even after all the T.A.T. courses, and all the on-line material I have worked with,  I have been winging it.  Ah, such a big faker!

Then, poof!  You said some magic turn of phrase, and suddenly, with no warning, it all clicked! (I think it was the word, "popped" that did it.) Thank you!

Yesterday, I had to cut a whole section out of a motif, which I am just about finished, and I was MAD! Really upset as there are a lot of beads to string on this little piece.  But then - your words from the last comment erupted in my brain  and voilà - a  tiny miracle!

 

After so much tatting excitement, I relaxed without beads or bravado - for a change -  and tatted a simple motif in TWO variegated threads. Such a no-no!  The pink one is Lizbeth and the other is a green from Yarnplayer; both size 40 - I think!

#19  Motif Challenge

From 'DMC Festive Tatting'.

A Bit Of A Flake

This is from the 'DMC Festive Tatting' book that I received in the mail,  as a direct  result of my addictive reading of  the Lace-Lovin' Librarian  blog! Ah Diane, you have created half of my library, I am certain!

The beads are the ones I found in an old sewing outlet, in a dusty corner, packaged in about 1980 or so, I am sure! I bought up all I could see - two little packs , each for $0.99.  Aren't they bright and lovely?  Bargoon.  I went back for more but alas they were no more.  They are glass and lined and very saturated in colour - terrific for snowflakes!

None of the patterns in this book have diagrams, and yet all are pretty easy to follow, so I was not my usual stressed-out self while tatting - as far as the pattern went.  The thread?  Another matter.

Once again, I bemoan the soft, wimpyness of Cébélia #20.  I had forgotten why I do not like it very much.  White seems to be the worst of the balls of it that I have,  in terms of lack of crispness. The colours are definitely better - maybe because of the dye.

I might just have to capitulate and order some white Lizbeth.   You see, one must never say never because this is always what will eventuate if you do.  Eating one's words.  Ahem....

A few of you suggested I hang the pink motif from the pink point, making it the centre of the piece,  adding a bead for stability.  I liked that suggestion and I had not thought of making the pink the top!  I told you I see the world in a very different way!

Anyway, thank you for the suggestion as it worked nicely on the white snowflake as well.

Just before publishing this, I went to Carla's blog and saw her fantastic broach, tatted in - you guessed it - Cébélia #20!  What is she doing that I am not?

You must visit her blog and see the lovely flower that she has designed - it is very, very pretty. 

Blogging Milestone

I am stunned to see that tat-ology has had 100,000 hits.  Actually more, as I did not have the counter when I began the blog.  Not that it means much to myself or anyone else, but the number just sort of threw me  when I noticed it.

Like me, Miranda's Angels in the Snow motif  is just a wee bit off-kilter!  The story of my life - a different drummer and all that. Always been a bit of an outsider.  Not entirely a bad thing, just sometimes a little alienating. When I meet kindred spirits, which is not often, it is always such a joy. Here's to individuality!

The end result is the consequence of running out of thread, because I had two false starts destroying way too much  thread;  I ran out of the teal.  The thread was from an exchange - Altin Basak #50,  and there was not much of it to begin with, so the tatting was, in the first instance, a bit of a gamble.

But it works, I think!

Oh yes - an after thought: adding thread for me is a sheer horror!  I cannot do it neatly and I do not have a set method.  I have all the books and all the internet instruction, but a MONUMENTAL  block remains. (notice the word 'mental'  in that last descriptor?)  This is the next Everest and I am not good with heights!  I'm sore afraid!