Sunday, June 27, 2010

Tatted Coaster & Random Thoughts

Before I get in trouble for not posting in a while let me explain. I haven't really done anything. OK, that's not really true. I guess I just got really busy. Thanks to everyone who commented on my last post. While I haven't decided on the colour (dark blue may be out since I already have a "normal" tie in dark blue, and I still don't want to use a variegated thread), I am considering using size 10 Cebelia (Thanks Fox!!!) for the tie, though I do want to test it first. I want to mention that I don't normally tat with size 10 thread, it feels like I'm tatting with rope. Size 20 would simply take too long, I'll post the sample I made to show you... if I can find it. I think the Michaels here sells Cebelia size 10 (only white and maybe ecru) so I might stop in and pick up a ball sometime. Even if I don't like the thread, I can crochet with it so it wouldn't be a big loss. I am taking advantage of Fox's Thread Exchange to obtain samples of size 10 thread that I want to use for the tie. Of course, I'm finding other threads I want to trade for as well. If you want to see what I am offering, please see this post.

I haven't done much tatting over the past week or so. However, I can't post to a blog with tatting in the name and not post any tatting so I pulled out a couple shuttles (Pop-a-Bobbins, of course, one is new, but I don't have a photo yet; next time, promise) and whipped up the following:

This motif is called Interlaced Medallion and is from Judith Conners book Creative Tatting with beads, shuttle, and needle. The book also goes by the name Tatting Adventures with Beads, Shuttle, and Needle, at least in the US, anyway. This was a nice motif to tat, however it needed my undivided attention to keep track of which chain to overlap where. I also need four arms to keep track of the two shuttle threads and two ball threads. However, I could not grow two more arms so I ended up placing the unused shuttle and ball in either my lap or on my desk. I also goofed (as usual, it seems) and didn't/couldn't overlap the final chain (top of the photo) correctly. I guess that proves it truly was handmade, right Eliz? For this motif I used Lizbeth size 20 in colour numbers 656 Wedgewood Dark and 603 Ecru. As you can see, the completed motif is partially prepared to be mounted in an acrylic coaster. I didn't hide any ends; I just poked a few small holes in the adhesive cardboard disk you see above, and pulled the ends through. You can see the finished coaster here:


I really like the looks of tatting inside one of these coasters. I had planned on making one of Mary Konior's Spinning Wheel coaster in King Tut to place inside, but I haven't made it that far. I'm not sure if it will be small enough in King Tut, so it's been on the back burner. I probably should buy another coaster, though I don't know if I can get them locally anymore. I had bought this one from Wal*Mart, however, the one I bought it from moved a few kilometers to the city's outskirts and became a Supercentre (which wouldn't normally bother me, except they are now my store's main competitor; ironically, they were less of a competitor when they used to be across the street from us). Anyhoo, I need to buy more of the coasters.

That's about it for now. I am working on another crochet project from the Crochet Dude's book (click on the "Crochet Dude" label on my left sidebar for previous posts about him). I'll post when it's done. I've also been working on some more chainmaille. I made a few more bracelets today. I finished a copper Byzantine bracelet and a tri-metal Jens Pind Linkage bracelet. I used aluminum, copper, and brass for the JPL bracelet. Hopefully I'll be able to take photos for them tomorrow. I also hope to redo my Etsy shop header and avatar tomorrow. My current ones looks like I spent 5 minutes making them (I think it was actually 10 minutes, but who's counting). Hopefully those changes will take effect tomorrow, so feel free to stop by in the next day or so if you want (the link is in my right sidebar).

That's all for now. Hopefully I'll get around to posting again in a few days. Till next time .... assuming the mosquitoes don't carry me away!**



** In case you're wondering what I meant by that, apparently we have something like 10 times our normal amount of mosquitoes here in the Bridge City due to the large amount of rain we've been having over the past month or so.

13 comments:

  1. I love your tatted coaster, Jeff! I found those acrylic coasters super cheap online, but I didn't take advantage. I guess maybe I should have!

    I still need to get some threads together for the exchange. I'll check and see if I have some size 10. Mom heads back to Alabama today, so maybe I'll be able to do some cleaning in my sewing room!

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  2. I love the coaster, and also the thread combination that you used for it.

    I hope the mosquitoes are not the fever-carrying type. I was down for about three weeks early this year because of those kind. It is more common here because it rains all year round.

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  3. OH, you bring back memories! I tatted this motif when I went to Australia. I got to meet Judith and she autographed my book. I also bought a bunch of Aida thread at Crochet Australia after Maureen & her hubby graciously took me and a tatter visiting from the UK (Sue Draper?) there and to other fabulous places. When I got back to my accommodations, I remember sitting on the bed late at night, tatting this new pattern with new thread and feeling like I was in Tatter's Heaven!

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  4. Also wanted to mention the coasters. I bought some years ago at Hobby Lobby I think, maybe Michaels, but I also bought some at a Lace Day from a vendor but don't remember which one. I'm thinking you could probably find them online too. They're hard to find around here now - not that I've used all I have anyway.

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  5. Love the coaster - perfect pattern for it. I bought these things online as well, last year. I found that the cork did not stay glued very well. But, I will have to try again, as this looks rally good!

    BTW, your blog looks great!
    Fox : )

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  6. I've had that happen with overlapping chains too. I have no idea how it happens; it should work. I think it's good that you put the blue in front, though; the ecru would have stood out more.

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  7. Awesome, which one are you making this time?

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  8. Thanks for the comments everyone. Always appreciated.

    I have seen the coasters online, I think Herrscheners has them. I may have enough size 10 now, but thanks anyway.

    Thanks Jon. Fortunately the mosquitoes we have aren't carrying anything really dangerous. However the ones that carry West Nile virus are expected in the upcoming weeks, so hopefully we dry up a bit before then.

    Sounds like you have fun Gina. I'll look around here, but I will probably have to buy them online.

    Thanks Suztats.

    Thanks Fox. This is the first time I've used these coasters, so I'm hoping it works out. These would make great gifts.

    I have no idea what happened either Miranda. The first row worked out well. I didn't mean to put the blue in front. It just happened, but I'm glad it works.

    Hey Drew! I'm working on Vestability right now. It's coming along, though I think I may run out of yarn before it's done.

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  9. Love the 'handmade' coaster! (LOL) It's beautiful. Demand for those acrylic coasters is about to go up, I think. Great idea to pull the ends through the adhesive backing.

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  10. Jeff, I'm glad that you persevered with my coaster pattern. It looks really great in its acrylic frame.

    Judith C.

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  11. I think, I hope I have that book. I just love that type of pattern. Another project to put on my list...it's growing!

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  12. I didn't have the book, but just this morning I found it for a great price. Can't wait to make that motif..!

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