I thought I'd take a little break from the clunies and make some of Elizabeth's cute little cross bookmarks.
These are in Size 20 Lizbeth, and were a quick, feel-good accomplishment after the frustration of trying to get those clunies! That's my little bit of tatting for this week. I got a little sewing done and made some hot pepper jelly, but otherwise the weather was just too wonderful to be inside. My kind of temperatures - upper 70'sF/low 80'sF during the day, and 55-60F at night.
Junk. I did spend a day this week 'Junking'. Yes, Junking. Can you believe it? I didn't know there was a name for my fascination with old stuff. Some friends and I went to a Junk Market held in a garden center. The "junk" is all old stuff - either repurposed or ready for one to do it. Old architectural pieces, frames, doors, ceiling tins, pulleys, pails, keys, license plates, doors, burlap sacks, bird cages - the rustier the better! (The 'Shabby Chic' look has gone to a new level.) I've always loved vintage/antique things, but I never really thought about repurposing a piece or (gasp) cutting it apart to make something new. Most of the things really have no value anyway, so why not? It's different than antiqueing. It's junk made new again :)
These are the few things I came home with:
A couple of old wooden drawers from some old cabinet, and a burlap sack. I can see thread in these drawers, and I'm not sure what I'll make with the burlap.
And this old tin:
Crazy, right? We'll see what I come up with.
Here are a few "junking" blogs I've seen if you're interested in seeing more:
Cottage Elements
Funky Junk Interiors
Artsy Fartsy Junk Finds
I do NOT need another hobby. Hehehe.
you never can tell what you will find when you open your eyes and look. the bottom drawer looks like it came out of a very old sewing machine cabinet. so thread is what it is used to holding, and the top draw maybe as well.
ReplyDeleteJunking sounds like so much fun! Finding ways to repurpose items and embellish them with tatting...ooh, now there is a challenge, eh?
ReplyDeleteImagine an old birdhouse (or something salvaged and remodeled into a birdhouse) with tatted edging trimmings. Hmmm, my brain is buzzing with ideas!
What adorable bookmarks, and your Clunies don't look bad to me. Rather impressive, actually!
Thanks for sharing your awesome post.
At least you can close your clunies!!!
ReplyDeleteI really like the old tin, it will be interesting to see what you do with it.
Nice crosses, I love the colors of the one on the left.
Aww hey... your clunies look right fine! and I love the colors you chose! Trust me, it takes quite a bit of practice!.. Also, I just noticed... aren't those some decorated shuttles? Did you decoupage them yourself??
ReplyDeleteI have a love/hate relationship with clunies...
I love the design they make and add a wonderful, twisted dimension to tatting. And, I do like making them (in one sense).
I hate them because I don't know any other way of making them, than to cut off the circulation to my fingers (and causing my hand to cramp); trying to keep the thread taut while weaving the shuttle back and forth.
It is however, easier to make clunies with the Tatting Needle. Since the needle is much thinner than a shuttle, it passes through much quicker, allowing the hand to get relief sooner... though it's still an ideal situation for hand cramps
Those clunies look pretty good to me! I still haven't mastered them! It's nice to see Elizabeth's cross as a bookmark! Like the tassels, too
ReplyDeleteWe have a huge 'recycling' store in our area that has amazing architectural pieces from old homes - entire doors, trims and moldings, and gorgeous stained glass windows , plus fabulous wrought iron pieces and many other smaller items. Wonderful recycling possibilities for those who are building or remodeling homes. I just go to look at smaller items I can afford - fun things for landscaping or for the house.