Tatting in 2010

I know it's not quite the New Year, but it's close!

I have so many tatting ideas I want to work on next year. Some needle tatting projects as well as some shuttle tatting projects. I still haven't decided which motif to start the 25 Motif Challenge with so I'm still looking for something interesting/new to do.

Something that I really want to do this year is incorporate tatting into other crafts. I mentioned the crazy quilt purses with tatting for Christmas. Unfortunately, I didn't even get those started so they are at the top of my list this year to complete.

I'm off to peruse my tatting books and the internet for a challenging pattern to get started on. I have a lot of new thread to use thanks to the Secret Santa exchanges so I'm ready to begin.

What tatting projects do you have planned for 2010?

Wishing all of you a Tatteristic New Year!

It's Almost Christmas

It's almost Christmas which is a wonderful time of the year. We are able to share precious moments with families and friends, take a a little time to reflect back on all of our blessings, share fond memories about those who are no longer with us, and enjoy this season of our lives.

May your heart and home be filled
with the true spirit of Christmas
- JESUS!

Thank you, Lord, for the blessings you have bestowed on me and my family. Thank you for our health and fellowship with friends and family. Bless all who are away from home protecting us from harm and bring them back safely. Be with friends and family as they travel across the street or across the world to see loved ones. Even as we enjoy the celebration of Christmas, help us to remember that you are truly the reason we celebrate this season.

May God fill your life
with love, joy and peace
this Holiday Season
and throughout the New Year.

Tatted Christmas Motifs Finished

Well, I did it and I'm so happy to have it completed early. I say early because I'm usually up all night on Christmas Eve wrapping gifts. All of our gifts are wrapped and separated by family and ready to be delivered.

All of my tatting for Christmas is complete. I made about a dozen different patterns to be used as ornaments or tucked inside a Christmas card. I was even able to get some glitter on them so that they would be sparkly.

I had not originally intended to make snowflakes for Christmas but once I finished a couple, I found that I was really enjoying the patterns so I kept tatting up more.

Since they were so much fun, I think I will order the 24 Snowflakes book and make some as part of my 25 Motif Challenge.

Speaking of the 25 Motif Challenge, most of my Christmas projects are done so I can decide which motif to create first for the challenge. I did not have enough time to finish the crazy quilted purses but I will continue to work on them and give them as late gifts to the recipients.

Secret Santa Tatting Exchanges

December has been a very busy month. I participated in a couple of Secret Santa Exchanges and received some lovely thread and other tatting items. I can't wait to try out the thread but I have to hold off until after the holidays are over. There are just too many things going on this month!

I found a snowflake pattern that is pretty and easy to tat so I've tatted it in three different sized threads and with both a needle and shuttles. All of them turned out very pretty and I think I may do it one more time and add beads to it.

Off to tat. See ya later...

How Many Days Until Christmas?

Christmas is not very far away and I still have more projects I want to make. I have found some new needle tatting patterns I want to try (including snowflakes for the tree), a cute pattern for a purse (even though I haven't finished the others yet), and even a couple of cookie recipes I want to try for a cookie exchange this month.

This is why you haven't heard from me in a couple of weeks. I keep adding more projects to my list of things to do.

Well, I'd better stop talking and start working. I need some elves to help me get everything finished!!

Welcome New Friends

Just a quick Thank You to everyone who has visited my tatting blog. I am visiting all of your blogs and learning a lot about what I want to see on my blog and how I can improve it to make it as interesting as possible. I will be posting more photos and adding some tips and techniques I've picked up along the way. Of course, I'm always looking for new widgets and improvements/add-ons from Blogger that make sharing info much easier and more fun to use.

It is a blessing to me to be able to share my interests with all of you and I am truly enjoying your blogs about tatting, sewing, quilting, and other crafts through the use of something so readily available and easy to use. Not very long ago, sharing knowledge and photos was kept within a small community of family and friends - usually only those you saw at work, school or church or corresponded with using snail mail.

Now we can easily share everything about the process of creating beautiful crafts in a few minutes all over the world. I love technology!

Again, thank you and I'm looking forward to getting to know all of you a little bit more next year.

Focused on Tatting

Well, it's already the middle of November. Christmas is just around the corner! Did you notice how early the malls and stores put Christmas out this year? I was at the mall this week and noticed that Santa had already arrived there. He normally doesn't make it to the malls until around Thanksgiving so he's really early this year.

Anyway, I am having so much fun tatting Christmas motifs. To help get a little extra needle tatting practice in, I have tatted all my motifs both by shuttle and needle which has been a lot of fun and I've learned some interesting things along the way.

Even though with the needle, some patterns feel a little awkward at first, I'm growing more and more fond of needle tatting. Maybe it's because I have sewed my whole life and the needle is so comfortable to me or maybe it's because I can visualize what I'm doing better with the needle - I don't really know. But whatever it is, I'm enjoying it.

I will continue to look for patterns with techniques that challenge me. With a little experience under my belt now, I'm even thinking about joining the 25 Motif Challenge next year and signing up for the Tatters Across Time program.

Next year looks like it will be another busy, tatting-filled year.

Too Many Lists

OK, I'm a list maker; I admit it. I make lists for everything. The problem for me is that I have too many lists on various pieces of paper or on the computer or my phone and none of them are in sync.

Today I found a free app that I think will help keep my lists organized. It's called TaDa List and you can open it from anywhere. Here's what one of my lists looks like (I've already created four). You can even email it to yourself. Once you check off an item as being completed, it is removed from your to-do l ist but it is still displayed on the TaDa List so that you have an complete listing of everything (finished and in progress).

Well, I hope this works. If it does, all I can say is TaDa!!

Happy Friday!

A few more hours of work and then it's the weekend!!

I've already completed two Christmas items but I can't post pictures yet. They're for an exchange and I don't want to spoil the surprise. I'll post them later.

I keep trying but other things have kept me from starting the crazy quilt purses I want to make for Christmas.These purses are gifts where I'll incorporate some of my small and not-so-great pieces of tatting that I've saved.

This is not my work but it's a sample picture similar to what I'll be doing. You randomly sew different pieces of fabric together and then embellish that with crazy stitching, buttons, and, of course, tatting. Doesn't that look like fun? I hope this weekend I can get started on this. I'll keep you posted.

Have a great weekend!

Google Internet Search Widget

I've added a Google widget to my blog. Instead of having to open a new tab or window, you can search for tatting patterns, shops, blogs, and more right here from my blog. I hope you like it and find it handy to use. So many times as I'm reading your blogs, I've wanted to search on a name or pattern but I usually forget to do it so I put it right under Lady Shuttlemaker's button to the right so you can give it a try. Let me know what you think and if it was helpful.

Speaking of Google - and I do love Google. Have any of you received a Google Wave invitation? If you'd like to try it, request an invitation. Google Wave is a new way of communicating and collaborating with others in real time. It's a combination of chatting, email, file & photo sharing, and more - check it out. Google Wave Video.

Are there any tatters already using Google Wave? If so, please let me know.

Who's Tatting This Weekend?

I am!

I have so much tatting that I want to work on. Some of it is brand new and will be for a couple of Tatting Exchanges that are coming up this month. There are still a couple of unfinished motifs that I'm working on and want to get finished, and, of course, I'm always scouring the internet for more ideas. It's crazy. Right now, there is no way I would ever use up all of the thread I have or be able to even do one sample of all the motifs in all the books I own, and yet, I keep looking for more.

For me, that's part of the fun. Whether it's tatting, quilting, or any other craft, I want to experience all of it and see what others have created and how I can weave all of the tangle threads together into some new idea.

What tatting project are you working on this weekend?

Needle Tatted Snowflake

I've been practicing my needle tatting by working on a snowflake. For some reason, I'm still having trouble keeping my chains and rings going in the right direction when I begin a new round.

I'm sure it's just a matter of time and practice and I'll be more comfortable with the flow of tatting. It's not perfect but I'm happy with the way it turned out. The pattern by Lenore English was very easy to follow and I enjoyed being able to do the repetitions for practice. The piece measures almost four inches across using a size 20 thread.

Is it me or is needle tatting faster than shuttle tatting? It has only taken me two evenings to almost finish the snowflake and that seems pretty quick.

Recycle and Re-use Tatting?

Earlier I mentioned that I want to put some tatting on crazy quilt purses for Christmas. I've been working on some small motifs and edgings to use and then I was looking through my tatting stuff for something and realized I had a ton of unfinished and banished tatted items in the back of a drawer that I can use.

I couldn't bear to throw them away even though they didn't work out, or I didn't like the color, I miscounted, or whatever reason, so I just stashed them away in the back of the drawer. Well, now these little unfinished, unwanted pieces will be put to good use decorating some quilting and no one will be the wiser that these were probably pieces that would eventually be thrown away. Recycling happens everywhere, doesn't it?

Now it's time to start sewing the purses so that I can get to the fun part of adding my tatting to make unique Christmas gifts.

Needle Tatting - So Much Fun!

I began shuttle tatting about a year ago and love it. During this past year I have tried needle tatting now and then but I wasn't real thrilled with the results. I thought the motifs I did with a needle were a little loose, if you will, and not as nice a shape as something done with a shuttle. But I love all of the needle tatted projects I've seen in other blogs and kept thinking I have to try again, I know I can do it. Well, after much practice and with the determination to needle tat something I'm proud of, I think I got it!

It's all about tension and needle size. I know I kept reading that but until I had more practice under my belt, I couldn't believe that would make so much difference. It does and right now I am lovin' the needle tatting. If any other tatters are trying to needle tat and are frustrated with the results, let me just say, keep at it. Your results will improve and your needle tatted projects will be just as beautiful as those you've admired.

And here's something you may not have realized yet - split rings with a needle - super easy!! Really, I struggled just like everyone else learning split rings with a shuttle but they are so easy with a needle - you won't believe it until you try it.

Needle Tatting Progress

I've been working on my needle tatting and have actually made some progress. I have finished three small medallions and the Heart A-Fire pattern by Roger L. It took me awhile to keep the rings and chains going in the right direction and then finally the light went on and I think I get it now.

Tatting, Tatting Everywhere!

There is so much tatting information on the internet! I mean, really, I knew there were tons of blogs, videos, and shops but the more I get involved in the tatting community, the more information I find. There are Yahoo groups, several forums and boards, and don't even get me started on the number of Etsy shops, thread suppliers, and tatting/lace blogs that are available.

The best part is that you share your creativity with the rest of us - your tips and shortcuts learned along the way, ideas and patterns, and beautiful photos of your work. You are thoughtful and giving and much appreciated by all.

I've learned a lot from reading your blogs, following your suggestions, and tatting your beautiful patterns. Thank you!

Christmas Ideas

Today was a dark and cloudy day with a little bit of rain - just perfect!! It makes me think about the holidays. During my lunch break, I went to this wonderful quilt shop nearby in search of ideas. I found a couple of adorable purse patterns that I think I'll make for Christmas. What I really want to do is a crazy quilt look and instead of the usual embroidery stitches (I may still use some), I'll put some of my tatting on the purses. I think they'll look great and it gives me a chance to use some of the random motifs that don't really belong anywhere and some edgings that I've tried but haven't attached to anything.

Last night I was able to finish up another motif designed by Jon - Quantiesque - which is one of my favorites. I did it in a pretty Orchid Pink 20 by Flora. Maybe this evening I'll be able to work on my Design-Tat project. Have a great day!

Happy Friday

Good morning bloggers. It's Friday - we made it through another week. The weather has cooled off about 15 degrees here and it's beautiful. Now it feels like the beginning of fall and I can't wait for the holidays. I'm still thinking about projects for Christmas and I have a few in mind, but I know I'll think of more.

I hope to do some serious tatting this weekend. We've been very busy this past month and away from home a lot so I'm looking forward to some quiet time with my thread and shuttles. I also need to finish my Design-Tat homework of the drawing and submit it.

The InTatters groups has a fun project for October which is to use the thread we don't like (for whatever reason) that's been stashed away at the back or bottom of the drawer and make something. I found some pretty thread in the bottom of my thread box and made a little angel. Honestly, a small motif or small angel is about all I could handle with that thread. It stretched; it broke; it got all tangled up; it was no fun to tat with at all.

LadyShuttleMaker's weekly Monday MONDO Giveaway

Tatting Tales ~ All things Tatting (It's an obsession): LadyShuttleMaker's weekly Monday MONDO Giveaway

This is going to be fun

I think I may enjoy this after all. I got the InTatters link on the page and found a pretty background for my blog. I wonder who my first visitor/follower will be?

Welcome

Welcome to my new blog, Tatteristic! I've been thinking about it for months but kept putting it off for a bunch of silly reasons. You know, things like, I'm too busy, what would I write about, stuff like that. Well, hopefully, I will have enough interesting stuff to say to keep people interested. Let's get going and see what happens.