Big news!

So, I've been keeping this one under wraps for awhile, until I was sure of how everything would work out. It's been hard for me to do, since I'm so excited about it. And it's also the reason I've been so absent from the social life lately, if the internet can be considered a social life.

The first part of the big news is that we [meaning my extremely rural, small-town community] now have an LYS! The shop is called Paper and Yarn, and has been a presence online for awhile with both a website [www.paperyarnwire.com], and an Etsy [www.etsy.com/shop/paperandyarn]. The owner is awesome, and the shop has a great open and welcoming feel to it. It's the kind of place that's nice to go visit and sit and craft for awhile. So if any of you reading this happen to be in this region of Ohio, the shop is located in Minster and you should definitely visit. And, she's carrying tatting supplies! SQUEE!

Along with this, comes the even bigger news. Kat, the owner of aforementioned shop, has asked me to be the official tatting instructor for the shop. So I'm now dedicated to teaching at least one class every couple of weeks, as well as selling goods in the shop. That's right, people. I'm actually selling tatting that I've made. This is a first for me, so we'll see how it goes.

For Ivy

Yes, I know I disappeared again. Sorry. I'm back now. :)

Anyways, here's a necklace I designed for a friend. I'm in love with this pattern.

It's done in Opera, one of my favorite threads ever. Which, of course, means it's discontinued. The beads are from Wal-Mart. I intend to write up the pattern using a more readily found thread. But I'm just not sure if it will be the same in any other thread. Sad.

Oh well. So what do you think?

Zombie Computer! And other announcements ...

It's back up and running! They keys are still wonky, I have no delete button and my space bar is very sensitive. But everything else seems to be working fine! So relieved. I'm still going to need to raise some money for a replacement keyboard and an external hard drive, so that I won't have this kind of scare again. Which brings me to my other news.

I will be reopening my Etsy shop! With tatting and other pieces this time. Today will be dedicated to making some pieces to put in it, so hopefully it will be up and running by Monday. I'll also be selling some of my patterns that I've got saved up. But don't worry, I'll still be posting free ones from time to time.

I'd really appreciate some feedback on what kinds of things you would like to see in the shop. I'm planning on starting out with some small things, stitch markers, jewelry, etc., to begin with.

Something Old, Something New

Here's a few things I tatted awhile back.

This one is the first row of the Midnight Violets pattern, that was published in the AntiCraft, only done in the round. The only changes I made were to where I joined.

The thread is an HDT from Marilee Rockley, aka Yarnplayer. I believe this batch was called Summer Trail. Isn't it gorgeous?!

This is a new pattern that I have yet to write up. I intend to also work it out to be a five point star. I did this one as a Star of David for my bonus-sister, as per her request.

Tatting On the AntiCraft!

For those of you who haven't checked out The AntiCraft yet, you really should. It's a online 'zine that caters to more alternative crafts. If there's any place online you'll be able to find me it's the forums there.

Anyways this issue is the first ever to include tatting, a pattern written by yours truly. The pattern is called Midnight Violets. It's a beginners edging pattern, but don't let that stop you if you're a more experienced tatter. There's a lot to be done with it. I look forward to seeing what other people can do with it! Have fun!

Dreams of Insanity

I have proof that I must be going crazy. I had a dream that I was tatting a wedding dress. And now I'm actually considering attempting it. Not a dress embellished with tatting. Oh no. That would be to easy. A dress made entirely of tatted lace.

I actually spent most of my work day thinking over what sort of thread I would use, what shape and stye of dress, what kind of pattern I would need for the tatting, whether to bead or not, etc. If I were to start this project it would probably take me a number of years to complete. YEARS. And we all now how horrible I am with time management. What am I thinking?

Ideally, I'd like the overall look to be something like this dress by Claire Pettibone.

It would require a kind of ingenuity I've never before attempted. A real challenge. I think that's the reason the whole idea has such an attraction for me. It would definitely take tatting to a whole new level.

Yup. I must be crazy. I think I'll try it.

Moving forward

Amazingly, now that I have less time I am getting more done. Or at least it seems that way. The good news is that I think I have solved the issue I was having with the images for the Beginner's Handbook. If all goes well I will have these ready for purchase [both hard copies and download] by next month.

Along with the completion of the Beginner's Handbook, I will begin offering beginner's kits for shuttle tatting that will contain everything a beginner needs to get started, including the Handbook. And along the same lines, I will soon be selling patterns, lessons, and bits of tatting in my soon-to-be-revamped Etsy shop.

Exciting stuff! Hopefully this productivity will continue. :D

Flutterflakes

Butterflies and snow flakes; winter and spring. That's what the weather here is like, so this edging pattern is appropriate.

Flutter Flake

R: 4 - 4 - 4 - 4 - 4 - 4 [5 picots]

*Ch: 4 - 2

R: 4 + 2 - 4

Ch: 3 - 2

R: 3 + 4 - 4 - 3

Ch: 4

R: 3 + 6 - 6 - 3

Ch: 3

R [shuttle 2]: 4 + 3 - 3 - 4

Ch: 3

R: 3 + 6 - 6 - 3

Ch: 4

R: 3 + 4 - 4 - 3

Ch: 2 + 3

R: 4 + 2 - 4

Ch: 4 - 2

R: 4 + 4 - 4 - 4 - 4 - 4 [4 picots]

Ch: 4 - 4 - 4 - 4 - 4 [4 picots] + 4

R: 4 + 4 - 2

R: 3 + 4 - 4 - 4 - 3

R: 4 + 4 - 2

Ch: 4

R: 4 + 4 - 4 - 4 - 4 - 4 [4 picots]

Ch: 4 + 4 - 4 - 4 - 4 [3 picots]

Repeat from *

Tatting Tea Tuesday

So, I've seen a lot of other tatters blogging about "Tatting Tea Tuesday." Today was a particularly good day for tea, as it has officially turned blustery and cold. So I figured I'd join in.

I started this motif while waiting in the doctor's office this afternoon. It's mostly rounds of chains, as I've become fascinated with the bridge stitch/split chain. I think this technique is fun, but rarely have had a chance to use it since I learned it years ago. I think I'll do a couple of different motifs in patterns like this as Christmas ornaments.

Of course, it's tatted in the new Lizbeth thread, size 20, that I am absolutely in love with. It's got such a nice sheen to it, with lovely colors and outstanding quality. It's by far one of my favorite threads. :)

.:Sparrow

Actual Tatting!

Yes, it's true! I do actually tat things occasionally! And sometimes I even finish them. What's that? You need proof? Ok.

Oh, look, a feather!

A pretty motif. Now what to do with it?

I know! How about a cute little amulet bag?

I might just write up the patterns for these. They both turned out much better than expected. The feather is tatted in size 20 Lizbeth, and the motif in size 50 Flora.

The motif was what came out of my shuttles while I was "doodling" with tatting. Isn't it nice when patterns work themselves out like that?

The feather was a "I wonder..." moment. I did a little searching and couldn't find anyone else having attempted anything like it, so of course I just had to give it a try. I'm very pleased with the results, though I have ideas to refine it more. And just what does one do with tatted feathers? Stay tuned... ;)

.:Sparrow