Saturday, January 31, 2009

Here Be Dragons, er, Dragon (Overrun again...)

You would think that since Canada has such a cold climate during this time of year, dragons would shy away from us. I was wrong. Again I am being overrun by dragons (er, dragon). Here is my latest dragon visitor:

This is Karey Solomon's Dragonet from her book Here Be Dragons. Karey's dragons are really cool. The large quantity of beads can make them a pain in the butt to tat, but they are definitely worth it. Laura posted her attempt at the pattern, which inspired me to give the pattern a go. I purchased the book several months earlier. I'm almost embarrassed to admit that I didn't have any problems with the pattern. OK, the head and the wings don't look quite right (to me anyway) because I think I made a join between the wrong beads. As you can tell, I made a slight variation to the head. I had a thread break and it was necessary to reattach the thread. It just so happened that the break was in the right spot. Partly because I didn't want to hide the ends, I left those two at the lower jaw to give a dragon a beard, thing. I found the pattern relatively quick to make. This is probably due to all the beads in the centre of the body. I did most of the dragonet in a single evening; finishing it the next day or so. Unfortunately, this is the only bit of tatting I have accomplished since my last post. Karey's Dragonet is motif #20 of my Second 25 Motif Challenge. I used Flora size 20 thread in colour #219.

Since I have reached #20 on my Second 25 Motif Challenge, I have decided to work on some UFOs for my final motifs. I am starting to get several piling up, and I want to get them finished.

This past Wednesday (January 28) was my Birthday. I decided I was going to take a trip to a local knitting and needlework store after work (yes, I had to work on my Birthday). The store is called Prairie Lily Knitting and Needlework Shop. For such a small store, there is a lot of stuff packed into it. While I didn't have a lot of time to spend their, I did find a few threads that are suitable for tatting. And here they are:


These are, of course, pearl cotton. The top two are Valdani Pearl Cotton, size 12. I love the colours that the Valdani threads are available in. The bottom three are DMC Pearl Cotton. The first two are different shades of blue, and the third is a minty green colour. The two balls of DMC blue cotton were a given; the other three just spoke to me. I'm not sure what I will make with them, but I will find the perfect project.

These are DMC Pearlescent Effects embroidery floss. I really like using floss for small projects since they are available in a wide range of colours, textures, and fibers. The picture makes it hard to tell but the one on the right is a minty green while the one on the left is white.

My final purchase is a thread that I haven't used before. And here it is:

As you can see in the photo, this is Wildflowers thread by Caron. I haven't used this thread before, though I know some tatters just love this thread. This thread was not calling out to me; it was shouting. Very loudly, I might add. In case you're wondering, the thread colour is called "Nefertiti" (#008).

That's about it for now. I'm hoping to get some tatting done over the next week or so, but I somehow doubt that will happen. I recently bought a new crochet pattern book, and have been drooling over many of the designs. But I will post about it separately. Until next time.

9 comments:

  1. The dragon looks so pretty! I have the book but haven't tat anything from it yet.

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  2. Congratulations on the dragonet, Jeff. Don't be embarrassed. It clicked for you, just not for me. I might have to get your telephone number so that you can help me see the error of my ways when I get ready to tat one again. I like the changes you made and the thread choice. Your new threads look amazing! Have fun.

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  3. ARrrgghhhh! You push my buttons! hehehehe...only because you remind me of what I want to do. I have some pearlescent threads too and have not tried them yet. I do have some Wildflower thread and only tatted with it once (because I didn't want to separate it - but I did that a few months ago) and I've been wanting to finish Karey's dragon...well, actually start him over since I didn't really like the thread/bead combo I started him with. Soon, however, I will have time to play again! I like the beard on the dragon. Good effect!

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  4. Looks like the dragonet is what's making the tatting rounds now. Nice thread colors for a guy who likes blue!
    Doesn't Valdani have some fun thread colors! They're fun that way. Thanks for sharing about the Carol's Wildflower thread. I hadn't heard of it before. I'll have to try it out sometime.
    Happy Belated Birthday to you! Glad you treated yourself to some tatting thread stash! :)

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  5. Thanks everyone; glad you like the dragonet.

    Laura, email me (I think you have my address) and I'll give you my phone #.

    Gina, I don't mean to push your buttons. VBG! I have a bunch of threads that need to be separated yet before I can use them.

    Thanks Chiclet. Yes, Valdani has some really awesome colours. I'm glad I introduced you to some new thread. That's what great about these blogs, isn't it? Thank you again.

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  6. Love the dragon, Jeff! I'm just not inspired to tat one. I seem to be stuck on doilies.

    The threads are beautiful! I would love to try the Wildflower... I'll have to check around.

    I wish you a belated Happy Birthday! Don't drool on the pages of your new crochet book... you might not be able to read the patterns!

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  7. I have several Jeffs in my address book and I can't be sure which one is you. When you have time email me at lblanton2750 at charter . net
    Thanks, Laura

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  8. Your Dragonet turned out really well. I have just got the book and HAVE top make one. Love the beard too, great idea.

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  9. Love the dragonet, and the beard is great! I've gotta try a dragon, if I can ever find the time. And new thread, oh boy! Hope the birthday was happy.

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