Elementary, My Dear

Even though everyone talks about simply modifying patterns with split rings to move from one round to the next, I have never been able to "see" just how or where to do this easily, and have always just followed the pattern as written.  I guess the mere thought of ME modifying anything was too daunting.

Well, I'm feeling pretty proud of myself with this little snowflake. 

Minaret Snowflake
from Tatted Snowflakes by Vita Sunderman

While just looking for a simple snowflake pattern, I kept thinking "Ugh, for this little thing I have to do two rounds and weave in all those ends?"  For some reason, this particular one just caught my attention and I was able to do that split ring thing quite naturally.  Ta Da!  I know it's easy for most experienced tatters to just "see" it, but I never have.  Maybe I just had to put on my big-girl pants and do it once for it to click.  In any case, I'm quite pleased with myself, and I think I will work on some little snowflakes to put in Christmas cards in between my horrid, boring informative classes on Public Works Budgeting and Finance.  Ish.  That class makes split rings look rather elementary.

The Completed Lace Mat [and Some Junk!]

The Lace Mat

My version of Jon's Tat-along of The Lace Mat is done!  I've attached the trefoils correctly now, and I'm kind of agreeing with Fox that the doily was pretty enough without those little extensions. But, I like the added shape they give, and for the sake of finishing the pattern as written I've included them.  

Thanks so much to Jon for translating the pattern, and running this Tat-along!

I used size 12 Pearl Cotton for my doily.  The colors seem to be very hard to capture in a photo, but are basically taupe and ecru.  As much as I like color, I tend to opt for neutral colors for doilies unless they need to match something special.  (What a fuddy-duddy, huh?)  I think I also like to use a harder, shinier thread for doilies.  The pearl cotton is nice and soft, but I just have to wonder if a stiffer thread like Lizbeth would be nicer for a doily.

Jon has more finished doilies in the gallery showcase HERE.  It's fun to see how the same pattern looks so different in the various colors chosen by everyone - they are all beautiful!

I don't iron my tatting but I do use my Best Press - my favorite stuff to make my tatting hold its shape.  I used to crochet a lot of doilies and used good old liquid starch mixed with water.  Now I like the Best Press better because it doesn't have a residue that flakes off when it dries.  And, it just gives the shape some hold rather than stiffen the work.

JUNKING

I got back to some junking this morning - I just love old stuff.  And I like old stuff repurposed even better.  But I want to do the repurposing myself - I just need to see ideas.  I'm a good copier - not such a good thinker-upper!  Sooo, this market with about 20 vendors was at a local greenhouse.  The vendors involved have little occasional shops in nearby cities/towns.  If you are not familiar with occasional shops, they are small boutique type shops that are only open one weekend a month.  (And then it's a frenzy of shoppers.)  I'm not sure if this is popular in other areas, but it's quite popular in Minnesota.

Anyhoo, I picked up an old frame that has been painted - but of course, I will repaint it the way I want it.  I intend to put some chicken wire behind it, and make a jewelry holder to hang on the wall.  Sounds odd, I know - but I'll post a photo of the finished piece.  The other treasure I found is the drawer part of an old sewing machine case.  It's another piece I will re-paint and put a top on for storage.  Maybe for tatting, maybe for jewelry.  So.  That was my morning adventure today.  Photos to come of the finished pieces, but here's what they look like now:

Anyone know where I can buy some time?

The Lace Mat - Round 5

I should be done with this by now, but I'm working on those last little trefoils just a few at a time.  And in the evening spare moments before bed.  It's moving right along.

Except maybe I was working on it too late when my eyes were too tired last night.  See the way I attached this one?

Ugh.  I hate it when I do that, but I'm glad these are small little pieces of tatting to cut off.  I think I should probably work on the last few trefoils earlier in the evening.  

Soon.  But not tonite.  The goblins will be out in full force!  

Happy Halloween  :)

The Lace Mat - Round 4

Almost done!  I just have the trefoils left, and the Lace Mat Tat-Along will be complete. 

 

This is complete through Round 4:

 

 

I've been tatting each round separately, avoiding using split rings to move to the next round.  (Which I couldn't have done anyway, the way I've switched colors, but I maybe could have done it getting to the final trefoils.)   It's OK - I don't mind sewing in all those ends when I get to the final round - at this point I just want to get it finished!  Hopefully it will look much more even when it's blocked - it's a bit wonky and wrinkly now, but I really do love how lacy and pretty it is already.

 

What next?  Maybe snowflakes.  I would never get any cute pumpkins done for Halloween at this point - I tat too slowly!  But, our neighborhood is getting into the Halloween spirit.  This is the greeting you receive on the neighbor's porch: 



 

 Wanna trick-or-treat in my neighborhood?



Muesli Anyone?

Ok, so muesli isn't  really a new thing.  But, it's new for me.  I've always enjoyed oatmeal - with raisins, coconut, nuts, etc.  Good, chewy, old fashioned oatmeal.  But, who wants to cook oatmeal before you run out the door to work?  Not me.  Sometimes I'd make enough for a day or two, but then maybe I didn't want oatmeal the next day.

During my trip to Finland and Sweden this past summer, we ate at three different breakfast buffets.  They each had beautiful breads and cheeses, salmon, cold cuts, fruits, eggs, etc.  But, they also had muesli.  Separate dishes of oats, nuts, dried fruits, yogurt, etc.  I thought that was interesting, and had to have some.  I never thought about eating oatmeal without cooking it!  And none of it was sweetened, mind you.  All natural.  Delicious with yogurt on it.  This has to be a healthy breakfast choice.

Soooooo, since I've been home I've hit the co-op twice for rolled oats, rye flakes, dried cherries, and flax seed.  I've googled recipes, and eaten muesli in milk, muesli in yogurt, muesli in orange juice (really, it's delicious!) muesli soaked for a bit, and muesli heated.  I just love how many different ways you can enjoy it, and it's so easy.  I add some coconut for a little sweetness, and have about 1/4 C. of my mix with whatever I have - milk, juice or yogurt.

I really am Scandinavian, I guess!  I loved the Finnish saunas, and now I'm hooked on muesli too.  If you like oatmeal, try it!