Refining a Design, Updated

I'm not off to a good start for blogging regularly this year, am I. I have been busy tatting though. I just don't have much to show right now. I don't have anything new to share, but rather something old that I have been tweaking. I have also been working on writing out the pattern for the design in question. The writing process brought on a few thoughts and questions that I will get to after I'm done sharing.

I'm sure some of you remember my Male Betta? Well, I finally managed to write out the pattern for it. While I was writing the pattern out, I managed to fix a few issues I had with the pattern. So, here is the final version:

For reference, here is the original version:

I think the new version looks much better. And, I actually like the looks of the variegated thread I used in this version too. It's Lizbeth #125 Seascape. It fits the design; go ahead, Google Male Betta and see for yourself. Check out the images. Now, the pattern has been tested by one other person (thanks Jane!!), but I should have one or two other people to test it as well. So, if you are willing to be a Guinea Pi.... er, test tatter, please comment on this post. The first two will get a chance to test the pattern. You would need to know how to make split rings, but everything else is fairly basic. I would expect a needle tatter could tat this too. The pattern will be sent out Friday or Saturday. If there are more than two people who want to test the pattern, do not worry. I have a plan!

While writing out the pattern, it occurred to me that I can modify the pattern to create other fish. That is what I am working on right now. I've got two other designs in the works. The two other designs are Female Betta, and Dwarf Gourami. I will need test tatters for these patterns too.  I am planning on selling the Male Betta pattern, and since the other designs are based off of the Male Betta, they'd be for sale too. I was thinking of offering all three patterns together, kinda as a book. Or pattern collection. Though, I don't know if that is what people would want. I could offer them for sale individually. Any thoughts? I don't have a price in mind yet, but it would be cheaper to offer all three (perhaps more?) patterns together.

Update: Between this post and Facebook, I've got enough test tatters. The first 2-3 will get to test the Male Betta. As I said above, I will send the pattern to the testers either tomorrow or Saturday. The other two patterns will be sent out as they are completed. That will hopefully be by next weekend. Don't worry if you don't here from me till then. Thanks!

That's about it for now. I'll try to post again this weekend. No promises. It's my birthday next Monday. That's also when the iPad I bought myself (for my Birthday) is supposed to arrive. I'll probably be busy playing with that for a while. I have a new tatting book coming tomorrow too. I've got a lot of tatting to do before the weekend is over. Till next time.

I'm Still Here!

Sorry. I guess I didn't get around to posting yet. I had a great Christmas, and New Year. The world didn't end, big surprise there. Nothing really new has happened since my last major post. As I think I mention every year, I didn't make any resolutions for this year. I do have a few things I'd like to accomplish, but if I don't, it's no big deal. The main one (and I'm sure I said it last year!) is that I really want to get a few of my tatting designs written up and diagrammed and released. Two of which I'd like to offer for sale, but we'll see; I'll probably do a separate post about them later on. I have a little tatting to share, so I'll get to that.

I, unfortunately, didn't get much tatting done while away for Christmas. I almost finished the third gecko for my shirt. I say almost 'cause I broke one thread while tying off, so I will have to redo the final chain. Shouldn't take long, I just need to do it. The one other thing I did tat was another one of Yarnplayer's Marian snowflakes.

This one came about due to a request from a commenter. Yes! I do requests if I have time/it's not too difficult. This snowflake was tatted using Lizbeth size 20 thread in colour #116 Christmas Delight. I don't think it looks too bad. I think it works.

As I said at the beginning, I haven't done much tatting, or any other art/craft thing. I did crochet a new pair of slippers while away, but that was easy and only took an hour or so. I am, however working with my aquarium a lot lately. I decided to upgrade my tank recently, and bought a larger one. I was able to get it set up for the most part yesterday. I will have to buy more plants as I don't have enough. And while I can reuse much of my equipment, I did order a new filter, which got back ordered. I have to make due with the one I currently have plus the one that came with the tank till the new one gets here. I will probably have to upgrade the carbon dioxide fertilization system as well as I don't think the one I have now is sufficient. I'll try to post a photo once I am happy with it. That's it for now. I will try to resume what I was doing before Christmas and post less, more often. We'll see if I succeed. Till next time.