Aye Aye, Sharon!

I've been ordered:

**For those of you who are confused: this is my first computer drawn diagram.  If I can get a good one, I will publish the "Abigail" pattern, with a diagram... if.....

This has taken me all morning!  Gad!  

What a learning CURVE!

Following Phaedra?

#15 Motif Challenge

I am getting restless ... so, I just aimlessly tat, although I am happy with the results.  This is Sharon's "Phaedra," from Tatted Flurries.

I am procrastinating about tackling the drawing part of the Design Course.  Not sure why; I love all things techie, computers and challenges of the new, so what the block is, is a mystery to me. It is, however, real.

Design Swap

Design by Wanda

tatted by Fox

This is tattrldy's design!  Is it not beautiful?  I love it.  And I love it in red.  In the design course, we usually tat in a pale colour or white, so the design is obvious, but I chose to tat her creation in red and guess what colour she decided to use for mine...

"Abigail" 

design by Fox
tatted by tattrldy

    Without knowledge of the other's choice, we both decided on the colour.  Funny how that worked!

 

 Then there were problems:

I had begun Sharon's "Phaedra" snowflake, from "Tatted Flurries," but found the thread thin, so the motif would be smaller than I wanted. In order to use the full shuttle, I decided to try an Iris Neibach border, which I began FOUR times! I have put it aside for now.

However, I really like the pattern and it is NOT difficult - if one follows the directions, that is, so I will do it again.  I also enjoyed tatting it in Lizbeth #40, which produces a tight, crisp stitch.

This is a terrific pattern and I have begin it again, and am very pleased with the way it is working out. Perhaps it is going well as I have had a very focussed helper today...

Second Time 'Round Takes The Prize

#14 Motif Challenge

Sharon's 'Grace Snowflake."

As  appreciative as I am of all your wonderful comments and support, I really have to tell you - I do know when my work is not up to snuff!  And that first try was NOT good - which was precisely why I posted it  To see the difference:

See what I mean?  The first one, as it has so many newly joined threads, many mistakes and all the unnecessary SLT's is lopsided, and the recent one is much more symmetrical.

I see a huge improvement, which once again admonishes me to not count on getting it right that first time.

Update on The Lamp

My funny show-piece has gone through some heavy-duty changes over the past year and a half! It sits close  beside me as I tat by its lousy light (I really MUST get some proper lighting) every day.

I find that I do study the motifs a lot, and enjoy the process, especially when I am exercising (rebounder) every night for half an hour.  I look at that lamp and think about the motifs and the tatting involved and the minutes go by quickly.  Often I am listening to an audio book at the same time; then the time really flies by.

(An Aside: For Mature Audiences Only!

As I was producing the collage, I just happened to see, there in the background, taking the photo of the lamp, hidden in with all the pictures, a full length shot of the photographer - moi - STARK NAKED!  Yup, I almost published it!  Just lucky I edit so carefully!  Imagine!  Tee hee!  Why was I wandering around my place shooting pics in the buff you may ask.  Well, that's another story!

I have mentioned this before but the more I tat, the more I appreciate this little tool.  For those of you who have not heard me go on about Jane's threadless needle hint, behold it in all its glory:

I cannot do the Magic Loop. So, I am stuck with sewing in the ends, which in all honesty, I do not mind at all.

These needles, I found at the Supermarket in a small sewing display.  Very inexpensive.  Lots in the packet. The ones with the gold top, as pictured here I find easier to deal with, as they seem to be thinner.

In conclusion, you have to experiment to find the ones you like as there seem to be quite a few brands.  Worth the effort!