Motifs # 23 & 24, Just a Couple Bracelets

As the title says, my next two motifs, #23 and #24 are two bracelets for my mom. Here is the first one:

This bracelet was inspired by the bookmark I made earlier this year. The pattern is Interlocking Clovers from Mary Konior's book "Tatting Patterns". This has been my main tatting piece for the last four or five days. I made two pieces of lace, one in Flora 20, colour # 204 (yellow) for the inside of the bracelet, and three strands of DFN metallic silver embroidery floss for the outside of the bracelet. I added some gold silver-lined beads for some added sparkle. Of course, I thought the gold beads looked good when I was threading them on (using the method Yarnplayer demonstrated on her blog). After working on it, I realized that red would have looked better (kinda like rubies), though blue would have looked good too. I joined the silver layer to the yellow layer as it was being worked. Before joining the last short end, I inserted a 1 inch brass cuff bracelet (available from BeadFX, I'm sure it can be found elsewhere) then finished the last silver chain, and joining to the yellow layer. I kinda like it; I hope my mom will too. Oh, and please ignore the hairy wrist being used to model both bracelets. I'm going to be giving my mom both bracelets next weekend and if I don't photograph them now, I may forget.

The second bracelet is one I started a few months ago. I was unsure of how to finish the ends, so it was set aside.


This bracelet is called "Pearl Tatting Bracelet" and was designed by Birgit Phelps. For this bracelet, I used C-Lon beading cord in two shades of purple and three Swarovski crystal beads. The pattern was fairly simple to make, though the pearl tatting part was time consuming compared to regular tatting. The thread I used probably added some complications. For those of you unfamiliar with C-Lon thread, it is a heavy nylon thread used for beading mainly, but it does tat quite well. Finishing took a bit of time to get right. I know that nylon thread is often melted when finishing, but I wasn't happy with the results. So, this project has been an almost done UFO. I ordered a larger clasp from... do I need to say where? I tied the clasp onto the thread and secured the knot with Super Glue. This was the most common finishing method for nylon thread that I found. If anyone has any other suggestions, I would love to hear them.

Finally, I have decided not to participate in the latest tagging game. I just can't think of six unimportant things about me. I'm sure there will be more tagging later. Until next time.

Some Tatting, Some Photos, and Did I mention I'm a Winner

As usual, it's been a while since I last posted. I finished the "Colonial Afghan". Here is a picture of it:

Thanks to my new camera (see post below), I have gotten a better photo of the afghan. It must the nature of the yarn that is making this afghan so hard to photograph. You should see the zig-zag pattern more clearly now. I think I may have to make another one for my mom. Of course, hers will have to be purple (oh the humanity, purple!).

I have also done some tatting as well. Here is my motif # 22 in the 25 Motif Challenge:

This pattern is called "English Ivy" and was designed by own very own Sharon Briggs. The pattern is in Sharon's book "Transitions in Tatting: From Flat to Floral". I used Yarnplayer's "Celery" HDT in size 30 and DMC Cebelia size 30 in colour number 699. I really like this pattern. I plan on making several more stem of different lengths to make a 3D plant. Due to carelessness of my part, this stem has a mutated leaf. I, um, forgot the short chain between the first and second ring, and didn't notice till I had to make the chain between the last two rings. I didn't want to cut off what I had made, so I left it the way it was. I actually like the "unintentional design variation" that occurred. Nature isn't perfect after all.

As I mentioned in the title of this post, I am a winner. Not once, but twice. First I won Gina B's monthly drawing. I can't wait to see what she makes for me. If you haven't entered her drawing, just go to her blog to find her email address and relevant posts about the drawing. Secondly, I won a $25 gift certificate from my favorite Canadian bead store, BeadFX. I'm very happy with this store, and you can't beat $4.95 ExpressPost shipping for all order under $100 (over $100 are shipped free if you're wondering). Now that I have the endorsement out of the way.....

Finally, last post I showed a picture of a closeup of a plant I have. Here is the plant that it came from:

This plant is called the Cape Sundew (Drosera capensis). This is another one of my carnivorous plants. I also plan of immortalizing this plant in tatting. I'm just not sure when. I have to finish the Venus Fly Tat (I made another leaf type, but still have to write out the pattern) and the Betta. Oh, and by the way, I have also been tagged in the latest round of tagging. If I can think of six unimportant things about myself, I'll post them tomorrow (or maybe later tonight). Until next time.

TIAS 3 Comes to a Close

As many of you following Jane's TIAS 3 know, the final part was posted. Here is my finished piece:

I did the hair differently (Jane said we could!). The hair is actually done similarly to one of Martha Ess's creations. And as many other people have mentioned, the surprise Jane sends after we completed the TIAS is really cool. Jane has been one busy lady.

I haven't done much tatting besides the TIAS. I have been working on my "Colonial Afghan". I am getting close to the end. I should have finished it a while ago, but I have been busy with work and gardening. I will post a new picture once it is complete. I transplanted a bunch of my Cannas as well as a bunch of herbs into large containers last week. I'll show pictures once they flower, or do something spectacular.

I do have a few pictures to show. A couple of my spiking phalaenopsis orchids opened their flowers recently. Here is the first one:

This is probably my favorite phalaenopsis orchid I have (currently, anyway). Unfortunately, it is a NOID plant; NOID meaning no identification (or I have NO IDea what the plant is). The second phal is the same one I posted about earlier this year. I wanted to see if I could reflower a phalaenopsis. It worked. I shouldn't tell you what the next flower is. I'm sure no one would guess right.

It is not an orchid. Give up? All right, I'll tell. Here is a picture of the plant that the flower came from:

Quite a contrast, isn't it. This is a Mexican Butterwort, another carnivorous plant of mine. Actually, it is a new addition to my CP collection. I also got a new digital camera! I have been wanting one for a loooooooong time now, since February. February is a long time for some people. Any way, after looking at a few different models I chose a Canon Powershot A720 IS. This camera has many feature I wanted. It has optical zoom (my old camera only had digital zoom), lots of preset settings for special occasions (it has setting for taking pictures of aquariums and one for fireworks to name a few), it can make videos (I can make tatting videos! Maybe not), it has a Macro mode (which I have wanted for a long time), and it was in my price range at $200 CDN after instant rebates. I'll post again soon, I plan on doing a little tatting today yet. Before I go, I'll leave you with one more picture:

No comments on this one today. Have pleasant dreams!