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.

Not tatting, but....

I have to show you all what I have been working on.


This is a crochet miniature thread bear. The bear is about 2.5 inches tall when sitting. The pattern for the bear is located here, for anyone interested. I plan on making these bears as gifts this year, so I made this particular bear to test the pattern (you know, to make sure I could make it). I used DMC Traditions thread in size 10, colour number 5109 for most of the bear, along with a little Coats Opera size 30 in white. Crochet was one of the first art/craft that I learned. I think I was about 8 when my mom showed me how to crochet. Anyway, I plan on tatting accessories for the bears (hats, maybe vests, etc) to dress them up. I am currently tatting a hat for this bear to check sizing needs. I'll post about the hat when(/if) I get it done.

Motifs # 9 and # 10

Here is my motif number 9:



It is a "Stargazer Lily" by Linda S Davies. The pattern is available in Linda's book, "Exotic Range of Tatted Flowers". The book is available at Linda's website. I really like this pattern. It is fairly simple, so each petal can be made quite fast. Combined with lily stamens, purchased or homemade (mine are homemade), and some wire, you get a very realistic lily. I used Flora thread in colour numbers 205 & 225.

My next motif comes from the creative mind of Nancy Tracy of Be-Stitched:


It is Nancy's newest pattern of the month, a Magnolia. While mine doesn't look like Nancy's, it is still a very beautiful, realistic flower. I used Coats thread in an unknown variegated pink and Coats Opera thread in white, both size 30. You will see this flower again. I plan on making the Magnolia in size 10 thread. Magnolia flowers can be up to 8 inches (or more) in diameter, and I like to make 3D flowers as realistic as possible.

And finally, I got some new shuttles!!!


The green shuttle on the left is a Sew Mate Shuttle. The shuttle on the upper right is a David Reed Smith shuttle made with walnut wood. The shuttle on the lower right is a David Reed Smith shuttle made out of Zebrawood. Even though I far prefer Aero shuttles (or almost any bobbin type shuttle) I really like these three post type shuttles. I have always wanted a DRS shuttle for as long as I knew they existed. Thanks to my grandma and the birthday money I got last month, I finally have my David Reed Smith shuttles.

A BEANILE Lace Pendant (Motif # 8)

Here is my motif number 8.....


.....I'm just not sure which one. OK, that's not entirely true. I know which one I like, but I would like the opinion of my fellow tatters. Which of these three Green Iris Pendants (by Nina Libin) looks the best? The threads used are as follows:

A: One, three ply strand of DMC Metallic embroidery thread (I believe this is the recommended thread for the pattern).
B: Two strands of DFN 6 strand metallic embroidery floss (with beads I got from Kate in the December 2007 Ornament exchange).
C: Three strands of DFN 6 strand metallic embroidery floss.

All three used size 11 beads. The beads in A and C are Japanese Delicas. You may wonder why I made three of the pendants in different sizes/kinds of thread. I wasn't happy with the results I was getting with the DMC metallic embroidery thread. I contacted Nina to see if I was using the wrong thread. Apparently that was (one of) the thread(s) she was using. I suggested using metallic 6 strand embroidery floss. I guess she wasn't aware of metallic 6 strand embroidery floss, and suggested I try 2 or three strands to see how they work.

I would love to hear what you all think about the three pendants, so please leave comments about them. Oh, and the losing pendant will be cut apart for bead recovery. The cost of the Delicas requires it. My favourite is C, which is my choice for motif #8:


Besides the tatting I have been doing (I have a couple projects in progress), I was hoping to transplant my baby African Violets this weekend. Here is a picture:

As you can see, some of the pots are quite full of little baby violets. Of course, once they are repotted, I will probably have twice (or even thrice) the number of African violets when I am done. It's a good thing that most of the ones pictured are miniatures.

Two Coasters & a Ladybug (AKA Motifs 5,6, & 7)

I have been tatting quite a bit lately. I have three motifs to show right now. There is another one in progress, and a couple that just need finishing. First up, a small coaster by Ben Fikkert. It is called "Romance", from his book "A Tatting Adventure", and is done in DMC Cordonnet size 40.

I liked this pattern, so I made it again. This time, I used Marilee's "Tiger Eye" (the second dye lot) in size 50.

My next motif is Nancy Tracy's Ladybug. It is done in Coats thread in a size 20 in black, and Flora size 20, in colour number 221. This is the latest Be-stitched pattern.















The pattern called for beads to make the spots on the wings. I used magnetic Hematite beads, which caused the wings to close up like a real lady bug. The picture on the left (er, above, apparently) shows how the pattern should look. I had to make the chains a little larger to accommodate the slightly larger-than-called-for beads.