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!

Just Some Pictures to Show

On her blog, Gina is showing her progress on Filigree Scroll, from Traditional Tatting Patterns edited by Rita Weiss. She mentions a few problems with the pattern. I made this pattern a few (I'm not sure how long ago) years ago. Here is my version:

I left Gina a comment telling her I made the motif before and offered to show my version. I was sure I did a better job on it. I really did. i even blocked it before posting, but it didn't help that much. I'm not sure exactly what size thread I used. It must be either a size 20 or 30. It is a inexpensive 3 cord crochet cotton. That's the problem! I knew it wasn't me! But seriously, looking at it, it looks like the chains were not tightened enough. I think I will remake the motif sometime. Maybe in some HDT.......

Here is my progress on Day 5 of TIAS 3:

It's looking familiar now. I have a few ideas on what it could be, but I'll keep quiet for a while yet. While looking at Jane's blog, I came across a motif of hers that is suspiciously similar. But I'm not talking. You may notice that the Josephine Knots at the bottom (I think) look different. The one on the left is done the traditional way, the second is done using the Jane's method. The instructions are at the bottom of the page. Mark, AKA TatMan, has posted instructions on making the double stitch in a different way, he calls it a "Dizzy Double Stitch". This is the same thing that Jane is using except it is for both halves of the DS; Jane is using only the second half. It works well, but I need more practice with it. That's all for now.

Test Tatting, TIAS 3, and an Update on "It"

As I mentioned in my last post, I have been doing some test tatting for Linda Davies. Linda asked me nicely to show some of the completed pieces. Here are a few parts of her Gladiolus flower that will appear in her next book.


These are the large and medium petals that will produce, well, large and medium flowers once two sets of petals are made for each flower. You can't tell in the pictures, but I used the same shade of Flora 20 thread (# 225) for both sets of petals and the bud.

These next picture are the Gladiolus bud, large and small calyxes. Isn't Linda great? She thinks of everything when designing a new flower. I should note that I have reduced the image size to protect Linda's design. I'm sure everyone understands.

I am also following Jane's TIAS 3 that is currently running right now. This is my progress up to the end of Day 4.

I didn't scan my progress for Days 1-3. I probably won't scan after every day's progress, though it will depend on the number of parts the pattern is broken down in. At this point I haven't the faintest idea what TIAS 3 will become. And I'm not sure I want to know yet; it's so much fun not knowing what you're tatting.

I'm sure everyone remembers "It", from previous posts. If not here is a reminder:


Well, I spent this afternoon working on "It" and I'm proud to say he's not "It" anymore. I'd like to introduce everyone to "Red" (coming up with names isn't one of my strong skills):

I'm not completely happy with some of his fins, but at least he looks like what he is supposed to. Red is a male Betta (or Siamese Fighting Fish). I'm going to try blocking him to see if I can shape his fins better. I should also note that I forgot to add a bead for Red's eye when I was tatting him, so I added it in with Photoshop. Here's a picture of Red's big brother, Big Red (I told you naming isn't a strong skill of mine):

Big Red is the fish that I based Red on. Please ignore the plastic plants in the background. This picture was taken before I put live plants in the aquarium. Now, I know what you are thinking, when will the pattern be available? To be honest, I don't know. I'm not sure I can reproduce Red's fins. I have been thinking that maybe I will write up the pattern (and modify the diagram) for the body and have everybody free tat the fins like I did. What do you think? I'd love to hear your comments and suggestions. I going to count Red as my motif # 21 in the 25 Motif Challenge. That's all for now.

Introducing ...... A New Tatted Plant Species!

I guess the title tells all. I won't keep you all in suspense any longer. Here it is:

Pretty good, eh? OK, OK. I didn't make this one. This is my personal Venus Fly Trap (actually, there are three in this pot) that my tatted version is based off of. Now here is the one I made:

I call this a "Venus Fly Tat". Pretty clever, if I do say so myself. I will have to make a few more large leaves, then perhaps a couple small, unopened ones. Eventually, I plan on having the pattern available. I'm not sure when; how I did it was probably, um, imaginative. The whole leaf is done continuously, starting at a ring and ending with a split ring. The stem is tatted over doubled wire. I haven't spent as much time on this (and "It") as I would like because I have been test tatting for Linda Davies. More on that another day.

I received my bookmark from my other partner recently. Here is "Louie" (he was named when I got him).

This is from Valerie of Singapore. I wonder if she knows Ellen? Louie is from Diana Steven's book "A Tatted Zoo", done in Flora size 20. Valerie made a few modifications to the pattern.

Here are the bookmarks I made for Valerie and Karin:

The bookmarks are made with LadyShuttleMaker's "Tutti Fruitti" thread in size 20. Karin's bookmark has orange Flora 20 in colour number 224. Valerie's bookmark has red Flora 20 in colour number 221. The pattern is of course Martha Ess's "Maltese Ring Bookmark" from Tat Days 2007. I am happy to report that both Valerie and Karin really liked their bookmarks. I am counting these as motifs # 19 and # 20 in the 25 Motif Challenge. That's all for now.

I've Been Tatting

First off, I want to show a design that I have been thinking about making for awhile now. I won't tell you what it is for a few days yet (I need to make a few more). I'm pretty sure there isn't a tatted version yet.


Hopefully it isn't too obvious what it is. But you're welcome to make guesses it you want (I won't tell what it is but it would be fun to see if anyone can guess). I also have a couple new tatting books. I received Sharon's book "Transitions In Tatting" and Rozella Linden's (AKA Ruth Perry) newest Celtic tatting book "Celtic Tatting: A Design Journey on an Ancient Theme". I have lots of things picked out to make. Now, if only I could find more time (unfortunately I have to work over the upcoming long weekend, so it may be next week before I get more serious tatting done).

I also have Motif # 18 for the 25 Motif Challenge finished.

This is Ruth Perry's Celtic Daffodil. This flower has a total of nine Celtic knots, consisting of two different types. If you are interested in the flower, you can contact Ruth directly (her blog may have contact info, otherwise leave me a comment and I'll send you her email address). I tatted the daffodil in size 20 Flora in colour # 204 (I think). This was given to my Mom for Mother's Day (I remembered to take a picture!).

Oh, I also have an update on "It". I remade It and I am more pleased with how It turned out. I still have more work on it before I will reveal more information about It.

It is still pretty unrecognizable at this point, but once I add some features to It, it will be much easier to identify It. I think that's all for now. Hopefully I will post again in a few days.

A Little Bit of Crochet, Tatting, Designin', and Exchangin'

Judging by the title, you'd think I've been busy. Well, you'd be partially right. I have been working on my crochet afghan since my bookmarks for the exchange were mailed. I promised a photo when I last posted. It wasn't easy, but here is a close up of the afghan:


This image is the best one I could come up with. I think I may have to look into a new digital camera. I'm not sure if I mentioned it earlier, but the afghan is called "Colonial Zig-Zag" by Shirley Brown. I'm using Lion Brand Homespun in, wait for it, Colonial! Yes, the pattern name is correct, I didn't change it. The Homespun yarn is really nice to work with, but it has one drawback, it unravels when cut. So you have to knot the ends when you cut it. I am so glad that I decided not to make a fringe on it. Besides requiring nearly a full skein of yarn (I didn't want to buy more than needed), I personally think fringes are kind of "girly" (sorry ladies, don't throw your tatting shuttles at me, unless they are Aero's!).

I have not done much tatting since finishing my bookmarks for the exchange. I have started a pattern by Ruth Perry, but it won't be done for a few days at least. The main piece of tatting I have been working on is a design I came up with. I really don't want to show it, but I will anyway. I will not, however, tell you what it is supposed to be.

To be honest, "it" would look better if I'd followed the (really nice) diagram I had made. Everything pictured was tatted continuously (which may have been part of the problem). I'll be revisiting this piece again later. I'm sure it will look much better. I have also decided to try one of LadyShuttleMaker's ceramic shuttles. I know, I know. I have mentioned before that I like Aero's and Aero type shuttles, but I keep getting drawn to post type shuttles. Here is my new shuttle:

This is one of Sherry's "Agateware" shuttles. When she first showed it, I knew it HAD to be mine. It is actually not a bad tatting shuttle. I did find that when using fine threads, the shuttle unwinds when let go, but that more of a slight annoyance more than anything.

Finally I have received my bookmark from my first partner Karin from Germany. She sent me a really nice bookmark that she designed herself.

This is a really pretty bookmark. Karin used Coats Eldorado in size 10 colour # 4288. The fringe at the bottom is made from cut really long picots. OK, so fringes aren't always girly. Besides the bookmark Karin sent a cool postcard (as well as something extra).

I've been in a number of exchanges, and this one is certainly one of the best. I sure hope Karin likes the bookmark (and the colours I've used). I'll show the bookmarks I have made once both of my partners have received them. Until next time.

I Meant To Post Earlier, I Really Did

I think the title says it all. I have been kinda quiet lately. I have also not been tatting very much. Why? I was crocheting. I mentioned that I purchased some Lion Homespun yarn for an afghan, and I decided to begin work on it. This was decided so I didn't have to work on the afghan during the heat of the summer (which feels like a long way away). We, in parts of Saskatchewan (as well as in British Columbia and Alberta), got hit with snow, rain, freezing rain, snow and rain, and any other combinations of the three possible last weekend. This bad weather continued (to a lesser extent) during the week. A snowfall warning was issued for the city today. We had rain. Anyway, I am about half done the afghan, but I can't show you yet. You see, I can't seem to get a decent picture of it. If the flash on my camera goes off, it washes out the texture of the yarn and the pretty cool zig-zags that the pattern produces. If I turn the flash off, the colour is really bad, and often blurry. So, IF the sun comes out this weekend, I'll try to photograph it in natural sunlight.

I have done a little tatting as well. I signed up for the May Tatting Exchange run by Rachel Jackson (formerly run by Mary Donohue). The exchange is for a tatted bookmark. I am almost finished them but I can't show you them yet. Trust me, I really, really, really (you get the idea!) want to. I am using HDT matched with a solid colour to make them. One of my partners wanted many colours. Well, many colours she shall have; can anyone say "Tutti Frutti" by LadyShuttleMaker! I am matching the HDT with an appropriate solid, which will not be revealed. The pattern I have chosen is one I have made before, and I must say even I am impressed. The way the colour repeated in just the right way was unexpected, and welcomed.

While trying to find a nice pattern to make the exchange, I decided to try Mary Konior's Tatted Filet in Tatting With Visual Patterns. I tried it with HDT. I think I found another pattern where HDT may not work.

It seemed like a good idea at the time. Please let me know what you think. I still have the shuttle and ball, er bobbin, attached to the piece. I plan on making this pattern again, but in a solid colour instead. Maybe if the rings were in HDT and the background was a solid, it might work.

And finally tonight, I thought I will share a picture of the orchid I bought a few weeks ago.

I really like this orchid. And not just for the colour and pattern on the flower. The flowers are scented. I couldn't believe it. While Phalaenopsis orchids do not normally have a scent, some phals, (often yellow ones) do (apparently). This particular plant, which, unfortunately is a NOID Phalaenopsis, has a fragrance that reminds me of lilac. The funny thing is, I notice the scent most often after my computer turns off the plant lights for the night. I wonder, though, if I am imagining that part. I guess that's all for now. If I can get a decent photo of my afghan in progress, I'll post again soon.

Maltese Ring Bookmark, AKa Motif #17

Here is my next motif, #17:

This is Martha Ess's Maltese Ring bookmark from Tat Days 2007. The pattern is available on the Tat Days 2007 Pattern CD. I love Maltese Rings (MR). They look way more complicated than they are (really). For some really good instructions on making MRs, please see Martha's website. This is the third bookmark that I have made with MRs, the first two are done with a different pattern though (the pattern in on Martha's website as well). I have used Marilee's Deep Ocean in size 30, and Cebelia size 30 in colour # 797. I reversed the colours. I had wanted to have the outer chains in Deep Ocean. Oh well, I'll have to make another one. I haven't had time to do much tatting this week. It's been busy at work, and it feels like I have been living there for the past week.

I went to one of the local greenhouses earlier this week. I went specifically for clear orchid pots. How many of you will believe me if I said that is all I bought? I thought so. You're right, besides the pots, I bought a philodendron (type unknown), a creeping fig, a dwarf banana (who wants to bet that I will manage to kill this one, just like the other 2), a Rabbits foot fern, Canna 'Black Knight', and another orchid. I'll post pictures later. I also went to Michaels (it was on the way to the greenhouse, honest!). There I did only buy what I had intended, eight balls of Lion Brand Homespun. I have been waiting for this yarn to go on sale for awhile. Here, the yarn is regularly $6.99 a ball, and it was one sale for $3.99 a ball. This yarn is for an afghan I have been dying to make. Now, I just have to find the time.

What I Have Been Tatting AKA Motifs #15 & 16

I have completed two more motifs for my challenge. The first motif, motif #15 is called Spinning Wheel Glass Mat by Mary Konior. Here it is:

This pattern is from Mary's book "Tatting With Visual Patterns". I love this book! I'm so glad Sue H ( moderator of the Here-Be-Tatters group) told us that the book is not out of print, and actually quite easy to find at many tatting suppliers. For the glass mat, I used Altin Basak size 50 thread in colour number 3005. This was my first time using Altin Basak thread. As long as you don't retro-tat very often, the thread holds up reasonably well. I did find the thread a little soft as well, but it is nice to work with.

My next motif is one by Ruth Perry. It is her Celtic Angel. I also test tatted it for Ruth.

The pattern is available from Ruth's Celtic Tatting Yahoo group. Or you could email Ruth directly. I used DMC Cordonnet size 20 in white. This was an interesting item to tat. It used a variation on the double stitch called the "Balanced Double Stitch" (BDS). The Celtic knot is a BDS chain or a "BChain" as Ruth calls it. If you want more information about the BDS you can check out the following PDF file at Georgia Seitz's site. The BDS is larger than a regular DS, so you may have to adjust the number of stitches in the chains of the knot. And, as Riet said, you don't have to hide the ends when you are done. Here, I tied them together to make a hanger. Until next time.

Motif #14

Here is my motif #14:

OK, just kidding. Actually it was supposed to be Linda S Davies' Bird of Paradise flower, but I forgot to take a picture. It was a gift for my Grandmother, and I almost forgot to give it to her. Not sure how that happened, or almost happened. So, I will make it again (it actually was pretty simple after I reworked one of the petal types to be tatted continuous) and show a picture of it (and count it as one of my motifs).

Here is my real motif #14:

This is Linda S Davies' Arum Lily. I am pretty sure that an Arum lily is also called a Calla Lily. Either way, it is a really nice pattern. And it can be done continuously with a couple simple changes to the pattern. I used DMC Cordonnet in size 20 for the white and DMC Pearl 5 in colour number 988 for the leaf.

I also thought I would share the following flower picture:

The plant in question is called Anubias barteri var. nana. It is commonly grown in aquariums, hence the Neon Tetra in the foreground. This is the first time this type of plant has flowered for me. And this is the second time I have had an aquatic plant flower for me. The other one has flowered about five times now, but I can't let it 'cause the plant will die back if pollination is successful. The flower is less than one inch in length (the neon is a little over an inch in length).

And lastly, I finally received my copy of Mary Konior's book "Tatting with Visual Patterns". I say finally as I ordered the book at the end of January. I don't have my mail lost very often, but this book just had to be the one package that managed to get lost. Fortunately, Snowgoose, was kind enough to replace the book. This is one book that I have been wanting for years. And I am not disappointed. This book seems to have a little bit of everything in it; it even has a couple 3D flowers! I have several patterns already picked out, but I have a couple almost done pieces to complete. I also want to continue working on my Tatting and Teneriffe Lace Hexagon design I posted a preview of in an earlier post. I also cannot forget Laura's snowflake that she posted last week.

Motif #13 - A Touch of The Irish

OK, I know, I'm a day late for St. Patrick's Day. I was going to post this yesterday, but I got hit with a severe migraine, and posting (well, practically anything) is difficult to do in the dark. Anyway, here is my motif # 13 (this and the heart from the previous post):

This is Ruth Perry's Celtic 4 Leaf Clover from the Tatting Calender. I used DMC Cebelia size 30 in colour number 699. Being 1/4 Irish, I felt obligated to make at least one clover/shamrock in honour of the day.

I was hoping to have another flower completed, but I'm not quite finished. I still have one petal to tat. Then I have to attach wires to all the parts. Then I have to assemble the flower. I hope I get it done for this weekend. I'll post a picture when it is done.

Finally, I have to show you my new orchid:
This orchid is a Doritaenopsis, which is a hybrid between a Doritis and a Phalaenopsis orchid. It is called Doritaenopsis (Minho Pink x Taisuco Firebird) 'DeLeon'. This is my first Intergeneric (between different related genera) Phalaenopsis hybrid, so I am looking forward to seeing if it is easier/harder to grow than my other Phalaenopsis orchids.

Introducing.... Laura's Victorian Heart

Laura Blanton designed and posted the instructions for the following heart:

This is a really pretty heart that I'm sure we will see many versions of over the next few days. I used Flora size 20 in colour number 221. Good job Laura!

A Hat and a Bookmark, plus a preview

Well, I finished the tatted hat for my miniature crochet thread bear. Here it is:


And here is the hat on the bear:

The hat (called Tatted Red Hat) was designed by Gina Butler and is available from her website. I used white Coats crochet cotton in size 10. This is supposed to be red, but that colour would be so wrong with this bear. While it is a really nice pattern, for my purpose, the brim of the hat is too wide. I need to try to fix it. I had originally used size 20 thread, but it turned out too small to fit. I am going to call this motif #11.

For motif #12, I have made a bookmark:

This is actually an edging or insertion pattern called Interlocking Clovers from Mary Konior's book "Tatting Patterns". I haven't heard much about this book, though I don't know why. It is a very nice book full of an assortment of patterns. I bought my copy about a year ago, at a book sale/fundraiser for the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra. I don't think I should tell you what I paid for the book. Let's just say, I'm not complaining. For the bookmark, I used some of LadyShuttleMaker's (Sherry Pence) HDT called "Shades of Gray". This would make a good gift for a guy if the excess picots from the rings and chains are eliminated.

Finally, here is a preview of what I have been working on in between the other projects I have been working on.