I blame Louise!!!

Thanks entirely to Louise who showed us all her gorgeous version of Juliana last Monday (here’s the link) I decided to get the Dutch pattern books out once again!!!  You probably spotted them on my post a few days ago!

I've found several that appeal to me so I've scanned them and am ready to play with the translations and drawings!!! This is the one I've chosen for starters and it’s called Strikje Medina (Bow Medina).  I've probably not chosen the easiest pattern once again (as usual) but I do like a challenge and it's GOT to be easier than Juliana!!!

It appeals to me as I can 'see' it on the neckline of a t-shirt or blouse and worked in a 40 thread I think it'll do really well.

I showed the picture to Judith Connors as we’ve been chatting about this, tat and t’other and she immediately ‘saw’ an angel.  So, once I’ve got it all worked out I’ll turn it into one.  I’ll do the bow first as it’ll give me an idea on how to make the head too!!!  

Look what I found!

All this being kept in prison has made me make another tentative start on tidying up.

I found these notes that I did long before I had a computer. This is how I used to work and tomorrow I’ll show you an insight into how I work now!!! These were designs done when I was teaching four/five year old kiddies and I made earrings to amuse them (and myself). I think these notes are from around 30 years ago.

Apologies for the blue mark on these photos - not sure what caused that - except lack of concentration on what I was doing!!

Hard at work!

Before I start I want to apologise for the adverts on my blog.  I didn’t realise that they were so intrusive so have changed the settings.  I only run ads so I can afford to keep my pattern site going.  

I promised you yesterday that I’d show you how I work when I start on a new pattern so I’ve taken several screenshots of my screen (isn’t that a silly thing to say?) to show you.

This is the big computer I usually work on and the set up I use when I'm working.  I’m currently translating, drawing, writing the text and standing on my head while working  on a new Dutch pattern - more about that in a couple of days. 

You'll see that I've got several windows open while I'm working. There's the text document (I'm using Pages), the drawing package (EazyDraw) and also Google translate on my browser. Also a scanned copy of the pattern too. 

Also you’ll notice the rather large cup of half drunk coffee plus the inevitable mess that I seem to constantly have around me!!!

Playing with Suffolk Puffs

Our Tuesday group decided that this year we wouldn't make a quilt to raise money for local charities. Good job we didn't in the light of recent events. 

Instead we decided to make Suffolk Puffs and use them on cushions. Well I set off making some but found they just weren't clicking with me. One day I remembered making clowns out of them for my kids and remembered the hours and hours it took to make even one!!! 

Most of my friends are covering their cushions in 'just puffs' but I decided mine simply HAD to be a clown which I'm hoping will appeal to people who have grandkids!!!

I finally finished it - took simply AGES to sew it all down but it's ready for when we can finally get them all auctioned or raffled. Sometime in September, we're hoping. Still it kept me out of mischief for a while!!!

Sequin pattern ready for tatting!!!

Finally I've got it sorted!!! There are three versions to this pattern as you've probably realised!!! 

There's the simple one with just double picots, another with a simple long beaded picot and the third has two long beaded picots which interlink. There's a page here which will explain this better if you get stuck!!!

Now there is something interesting about this little motif which I'm quite pleased with. 

I've used two beads in each one placing them 'back to back'. These sequins have two holes in them (which you'll need for the pattern) BUT if you've only got one hole at the edge it's really easy to 'poke' another hole opposite with a pin or needle!! I've tried it!!! 

So, here's the link to the pattern.