Pages

Tuesday, March 26, 2024

Recycling

 You know I AM the Queen of Repurpose, right? If an object can be repurposed, I’ll tuck it away until I find a use for it. Boxes, Bags, Leftover thread, Abandoned tatting, Paper printed on only 1 side……

you get the idea.

One year I bought Christmas cards that came in a big, flat box. I store my doily/snowflakes in it. Another of the boxes found their way home to my stash in a later year. It now helps keep my shuttles organized between tatting session when I tat a Helix sample:

I can see many, many uses for the cord that I create. Starting with finishing this Wee Project. Maybe a lanyard for something. I like how I can do this as I listen to other things. The box isn’t as portable as my bag, but I decorated the lid to make sure people didn’t throw it out if I set it down somewhere. Or maybe they’d try to use it for pizza?

BTW, I do donate some things. Others that are past reuse are recycled if possible, at curb side. Not much goes away until someone else can treasure it or reuse it. I enjoy it all!!

Thursday, March 21, 2024

Time for tea

 

I finished this sample yesterday. I’m not fond of the thread. It’s size 30 crochet cotton 3-ply. I intended this to be just a trial of the technique as I’ve several ideas for lace representing counterpoint. 

I like designs by Martha Ess. Her written patterns are clear and easy to work from. Her designs are well thought out and fun to create. Now it’s time to try out my design ideas using techniques she creates with. A very tall order!

Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Ready for finishing

 When the scissors come out to cut the thread after the final stitch of a project, I always sigh. What comes next depends on the project.

Most tatting projects finish with cutting, tying, hiding, and blocking. Sometimes I’ll mount the lace onto a piece of fabric, add findings so that we can wear the lace or frame the lace. Other times I just let it sit on a table or throw it into a box to enjoy later.

I have come to that decision point with the Wee Project designed by Freda Murfin. What do I want to do with it? I rather like how the colors play together. I could make it into a coaster. I could create a pillow with the square as the center of a design. I could add a hanger loop to enjoy it in a window. What to do???

Thursday, March 14, 2024

I took time to experiement

 Once a month I attend a meeting of stitchers as part of the EGA (Embroiderer’s Guild of America) in the next town over the hill. I don’t stitch as much as I tat. I am keeping focused on my primary goal of creating tatting based on musical compositions. I really am. But, I like to learn from other fiber artists and this group has taught me so much!

Currently, we’re playing with Wee Project from Freda’s FancyStitching designed by Freda Murfin. It’s a small canvas work piece. I’ve enjoyed working the design. Best of all, I’ve been able to use up bits and such from my stash. I’m all about repurposing remember? Here’s a picture of my version so far:

I think I’ll add a background and some beads. I think it needs a bit more red thread too. More later…..

Tuesday, March 12, 2024

Christmas in March

 I’ve been sifting through boxes and bags of “stuff” that several creative people want to pass on to people learning to stitch and tat and crochet and knit. Some of the items will need some creativity to reuse. Some are past repair and thus not usable, some are just waiting for hands to get busy. I will keep some of the items. Including some of these books!

Tuesday, March 5, 2024

Here's to a wonderful year!

 


I finished tatting and blocked my dragon. I enjoyed tattingthe pattern. Thank you Anne!!

I hope everyone has prosperity and happiness.


Thursday, February 29, 2024

I’ve made progress

Not in the dragon. Well, I have, but not enough to show you.

I’ve made progress recovery from my 2023 Lenten Journey. You remember….the one that ended with me in the hospital for Heart Failure? That one. Anyway, I’m making progress. Today I find out just how much progress with test results. While trying to stay still, I thought of this photo I took:

The flower was on a bush growing along side the trail I hiked the other day. I was drawn to the cheery color of pink and so snapped a picture. As I looked at the picture later, I noticed that 3 of the 5 petals have darker spots of color. Asymmetry that must have some reason. I’ll take this natural occurrence to give me a reason to make my tatting pattern asymmetrical on purpose. Well, I’ll probably make them asymmetrical by accident! But, that design variation (NOT a mistake mind you!) will be because nature does that sometimes too!!