Small Stuff

This book is great for small motifs and taking a break.

The new Ben Fikkert is coming along beautifully; I am really enjoying it. The hankie edge not so much, as it is pretty time intensive.

Needing a break from both, though not at all stressed out, I looked into the book and came up with this motif, which is full of mindless mistakes and loose ends, but great fun...

Breaking from tradition, I actually used my own tatting and sewed this motif on a tiny pocket of a white shirt. Not sure if it will stay there, as it is not my style at all, but it just seemed to be a good thing to do at the time.

So Small

Maybe it's because I'm still in LARGE TAT mode, or perhaps this is going to be a much smaller mat than I imagined. Here I am so far:

Whatever the case about the size. Thís is a delight to tat.

Again, I have chosen #80 Lizbeth, and blue thread, as that is what my friend will appreciate when she receives this surprise.

I'm happy so far, with one reservation: my picots are TOO BIG! 

I keep trying to whittle them to half the size, but I think my tatting DNA will never permit this structural change. I seem incapable of tatting tiny picots that I so admire in the works of other tatters.

Gathering No Moss

Someone on Crafttree was wondering what to do with finished tatting and how to pick thread colours. Part of my response had this to say:

"For me, it is all about the challenge, the process and the colour-play. Beats a therapist! Cheaper too. Think of Tibetan monks creating their breathtaking sand-painted mandalas .They spend weeks on some and then whisk them away in a few seconds when they are complete! Ah, Zen... : ) You don’t need a reason to tat!”

I kinda like the sentiment. Go Fox!  : )

Moving on..

I started a new Ben Fikkert pattern, Buttercups, for a friend. Tune in next post to see the other colour I chose in #80 Lizbeth thread.

The last ring on the centre element took me over THREE hours to figure out. There were two trial runs at this, before I figured it out. Sheesh. Well, in my defence, the four parts of the centre are mock rings.  I’m very glad that part is complete.

Seems there is alway a hitch for me with Ben Fikkert’s patterns, though Elena Koval says they are a “piece of cake!” over there at Craftree. 

Her work continues to amaze and inspire me. Go have a look at her Buttercups. Then you’ll know why I picked this beautiful design to give to my friend.

Revelling In The Reveal

Joyous- that would be moi this evening! I am DONE, after almost 5 months. I began on March 11.

In case you missed it, this is Corona, by Ben Fikkert. I tatted it in #80 Lizbeth and it finishes at 22 inches.

Drumroll please..