Better?

The third time is NOT a charm, but it is better.  This try has much looser tension, but maybe it's too loose now?  I tatted slowly and really tried to pay attention, but it still isn't just quite right. I know the jump ring isn't attached correctly, but it doesn't matter until I get the whole pendant right. Right?  Ugh.

I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong other than tension, but I am going to keep trying.  It's the only way I can learn what it is that isn't working!  Too bad I have to work tomorrow :(

Saturday Tatting

Michelle, her daughter, and I met today for some tatting time.  We have such an enjoyable visit that the time flies by as we sit with our coffee/tea and tat.   I was quite confident while working on my pendant that it would be soooooo easy to complete - now that I had the correct size (and shape) bead.  Oh yes, it would be no problem! 

So, I tatted on.  And tatted some more when I got home.  I was going to finish this!  And here's how it ended up:

Ugh.  A re-do for sure.  I think Marilee needs to move to Minneapolis!  What the heck is wrong here?  Is it my tension?  The pattern does state to check tension, but I thought it was pretty good.  I have always crocheted very tightly, so maybe my tatting is following that trend . . . ? 

In any case, I got to practice the V-stitch/Victorian sets/Zig-Zag/Ric-Rac stitch that I practiced and explained back HERE.  And, I worked on the Catherine Wheel Join according to Yarnplayer's great instruction video HERE.  I had never done that join before, so it was good to work on another new technique.

Now that I have worked on the techniques, I need to figure out why this is so wonky.  Is it the tension?  How do you monitor your tension?  Your critique and advice is welcome!  Dang it, I thought I was doing so well.  I will keep trying :) 


* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

And guess what I'm going to do with these old doorknobs?

Another bright idea on my list of things to do.

New Year, New Ideas

Happy New Year!  Did you make resolutions?  I don't make any kind of solid resolutions, but instead try to remind myself that I need to be the best I can be.  Which means eating better to have a healthy body, and keeping a positive attitude to have a healthy mind. Everything else will fall into place!

With some wonderful time off from work, I've had waaaay too much  ample  a little time to get the creative juices flowing.   I finally had an evening to try Marilee's teardrop pendant.  I didn't have the right size bead, so I thought I'd try to use something I had.  Well, that was a dumb idea. Kinda ruined the "teardrop" look, eh?  Plus my thread split and made an even bigger mess when I tried to make that join.  Tension, tension, tension.  (In more than one sense of the word!)

So, I'll be heading out to get some correct beads to try that again :)  With a positive attitude, of course.

Michell'es snowflake earrings and pendant inspired me to get going on the jewelry ideas. She even gave me a set of my own - such pretty tatting with such tiny thread! Aren't these beautiful? 

Another jewelry idea I love is spoon jewelry.  So, I'm going to try a little of that too . . . once I figure out how to cut and drill holes in the silver.  I made a spoon ring back in the 70's out of my baby spoon in an art class, and I don't remember it being too difficult.  In any case, I found some old flatware I have had for years and cleaned it up to see if it would work. I can see a couple of pretty rings and bracelets here . . .

And I think I'll try some glass tile jewelry too.  Maybe combine it with some flatware.  (When the heck will I wear all this jewelry?  Or a better question might be when will I have time to make it?)  Hehe.  Maybe Pinterest wasn't a good idea . . .

Bright and Beautiful

Have a beautiful,

bright,

Merry Christmas!

Thoughts of Poinsettias

OK, so it needs blocking.  Not my best tatting, but I had this idea and I had to try it.  A bug you-know-where.

When I saw Fox's post (HERE) with this motif and beads in the center, it just screamed "poinsettia" to me for some reason.  My tatting technique has not improved as hers has, but I had to try a poinsettia.

So, the beads are too large for this size 30 thread in the center, but I kind of like the way it looks - like a flower center.  A Christmas poinsettia!  Not sure what I will DO with it, but I like it.  Thanks for the inspiration, Fox!  Now I just need a shuttle that gives me those Houdini digits :)

 2nd 25-Motif Challenge Done!

Motif #25

Wheel of Nine Rings

Christmas Angels and Other Tatting Patterns

by Monica Hahn

Size 30 Red Cebelia thread

So now that my 25th motif of my 2nd 25-Motif Challenge is done, I am going to get back to my T.A.T. program for 2012.  Hopefully. I continue to procrastinate on that!

AND . . .

Remember when I brought home that old tin from a junking expedition?  (HERE)  Well, it's finally done.  A few clear coats to preserve that "chippy" chipping paint look and a frame on the back to square it up.  It's a new decoration in my living room, and goes well with the antique-y, vintage look I have going.  I love it.



I don't know why, but I just love old stuff.  Old stuff has character, and is unique.  Like me.  (Well, the unique part anyway!)