The joys of travelling!

I'll post all about Tat Days when I get home to the UK - probably starting on Sunday or Monday.  Meanwhile I need to tell you about the Atlanta hub and my 'fun' yesterday!!!

Last time I flew from Cincinnati to Columbia I was able to get direct flights.  This time I got one direct and one with a change - in Atlanta. 

Anybody who knows me knows that I'm not a confident driver but as I leave all that to the pilot when flying I'm not too nervous about this form of travel.  

So, yesterday all was going well.  Joanie took Hope and I to the terminal in Columbia - this hub is more like a village bus stop than an airport.  Small friendly and we were in plenty of time.  Thanks Joanie.  My flight was on time too for take off.  We were pushed back and taxied out to the runway.  OK, this is when it got complicated!!!  The pilot announced that he was turning down the engines as there was a storm at Atlanta and we were going to be delayed by half an hour!  

We got to Atlanta (terminal C) with five minutes to spare for my turnaround.  IF we'd been on time I'd have had 50 minutes.  So I dashed (aka wobbled) my way via the train to A32 which was the furthest gate in A - to find the flight had gone!!!  Found a Delta desk and re-booked for another flight and was told to go to C something (another trip on the train).  Tried to phone Cincinatti and my mobile wouldn't connect!!!  When I got to the gate I found that they'd re-directed me back to Columbia and then onwards to Cincinnati!!!  I found a help desk where I could phone a Delta rep who put me on a flight late in the evening and also on standby for an earlier one - after I'd said no way was I going back to Columbia!!!!  Back to terminal A (train again!!) to await standby.

Best part was that I got a seat on the earlier flight.  There were at least 10 of us on standby and when I spoke to another 'standbyer' I found that the flight had been overbooked by 23!!!!

Finally got home to Cincinnati about 4 hours later than expected.  

One last remark about the experience.  Delta staff were incredibly helpful and Atlanta is drop dead easy to find your way around.  Has it put me off flying?  NO WAY!!!!  A cool adventure and great confidence builder for an OG like me!!!

Whoooooo

Just dropping in to say that there's more of the TIAS on the Palmetto site here!!! 

If you buy the CD from the 'gals' at Palmetto you'll be able to work the TIAS in parts as if you were really there.  Mind, it doesn't come with chocolate, laughter and all the vending items (how did the Lacemaker from Ohio get it all there?) that we had - but it would be great fun to work. 

I'm still in SC and having such a great time winding down from Tat Days.

When I finally get home to the UK I will be broke (please drop in and say thanks for all I've done to support the American economy!), tired but very happy.  I'm looking forward to getting back into my little corner of tat land only because brain cell number three (remind me to tell you about Martha Ess!!) is dying to get back to work.  I'm not - but he is!!!!

A quick report from Palmetto Tat Days

I know this blog is all about tatting but on this rare occassion I'm going to break that rule and mention something that isn't tatting related!! Well, not really.

Here in South Carolina at Palmetto Tat Days (and after a busy day yesterday) I was wandering to bed and noticed a game going on in a corridor. I wanted to watch but soon got 'pulled into' the game. The game is called Corn Hole.

OK, this is a game where you stand and throw a wee bag of corn into a hole. We used to have similar bags for kids to play with called 'bean bags' in the UK.

Now this is not easy (throwing a bag from a distance into a hole which I'm convinced keeps moving) but it looked like fun!!! Karey Solomon was 'having a go' so I thought why not this OG!!!

Guess what? I won. I was dropped dead chuffed and afterwards went tottering off to bed.

Imagine my amazement the next morning when I was told that Jerry Freck (who was also playing) was a total and utter expert at this game. I've been tatting on cloud nine all day in the happy knowledge that I 'beat' Jerry Freck.

This afternoon we held three more 're-plays' and I can assure you he is drop dead good at this game and that it was pure winner's luck last night!!!!!

TIAS live and LOVING IT!

Well, here in South Carolina we're tatting the live TIAS!!!

To follow progress - follow this link!!!

WHOOOPPPEEEEEE.

Must tell you - I've been given a new brain cell number 3 by Martha Ess.  Can't wait to take it on a test drive!!!

Flying today

I'm flying down to Columbia today. To those accustomed to travel this might seem nothing - but to me it's quite an adventure!!!

I started getting my 'stuff' together about five days ago. I have a fear of driving outside my known area at home but I'm sorta OK with flying as the driver (aka pilot) surely knows where he or she is going.

My problem is airports. Busy places and very confusing. On our trip to the States this time we had the usual 'hassles' at our regular changeover stop. I will not 'name and shame' the hub!!!

Our hassles that time started with our baggage being delayed in coming onto the conveyor collection and we then had to check them in again after customs and security. Then we were asked if we wanted to be 'bumped' onto the next flight as we'd only got 15 minutes to get to another terminal. We said we'd run.

What funnier than two OG's 'running' (that should read wobbling) to the next terminal via a train which took us part the way. When we got there - more checks. We arrived at the gate just as the plane should've taken off. Ah, no, 'we've changed the gate, go over there'. Why, oh why do they insist on changing 'gates' all the time?

Another dash to find that the flight had actually been delayed by 15 minutes for 'maintenance'. Great sighs of relief. Finally 45 minutes later we took off. That should've been the end of it but no, we were then stacked for a further 20 minutes while a storm cleared over our destination. 15 hours later we were here.

Just hope today doesn't provide any further challenges although the return journey has been changed with a 35 minute stopover in Atlanta.

When I get back here again (next Tuesday) I have two days to unpack and re-pack and then we fly back home. Hopefully that trip will be uneventful although I HATE going home!!!

What a pain in the proverbial!

That'll teach me to try to be organised!!!

On Sunday we went on a trip where I knew (been before) that I'd be in that wonderful situation where I would be able to 'people watch'!!!  What better when following this other hobby of mine than to take some 'autopilot' tatting with me!!!  Great idea. 

So, there I was at camp sitting on the deck doing just that - watching the world go by and tatting.  As I said in my previous post I'd started packing bags and tatting stuff ready for Palmetto and only had with me my roly poly bag with the 'essential' on the go tatting in it.  BUT what I'd left behind were the balls of thread!!  So when I ran out on one shuttle I had to stop!!!  Actually it wasn't too bad as the carnival started shortly after so we wandered over to take part and watch that!!!

Bags and bags and bags!

The old bag lady (tat's me!  Also known as OG - old git) is packing for her trip to Palmetto!!

I've brought all my bags from the UK and hope to sell a few in the vending room.  They're all packed, priced and labeled.  There are roly poly ones, poke proof pouches and the latest small pocketed traveling bag. 

The latter has been well tested by the OG on her trip around the USA (well, we did spend time on the Canadian border!!!) and has the OG's full stamp of approval!!! 

The roly poly and poke proof have been well trialed in the past having spent most of their lives in my handbag when back home and only emerging in doctor/hospital waiting rooms!!!

Matching bracelet

Just a quick post today to show you the bracelet I made to match the girl necklace!!!  

I'm very tempted to make myself one but then I looked in the mirror and decided that the face staring back with a bemused look on it was waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too old and wrinkled!!!

A new tatting blog

May I introduce you to a new blog?

Sandra is so funny (do read her profile first) and we could all do with a giggle!!! She's a tatter too so that's why I'm interested in following her blog.

Here's the addy.

Kidnappers revealed!!!

OK, now I'm going to reveal who my kidnapers were!!!  

You've seen their faces before but who guessed their names?!?!?!

Connie guessed right.  The kidnapper on the right is Gina from the tatting goddess list (before she passed it over to Erin).  She's got a fantastic blog which you can follow here.

The other kidnapper is Gail Owens.  We met years ago at Palmetto so I was VERY glad to meet her again too.  You can find her blog here .

I'm still recovering from the day and would happily be kidnapped again!!!!!

Send for the tat police!!!!

On Thursday morning I was kidnapped!!!

True, honestly.   I was seriously kidnapped.  These two people came to the house, bundled me into a car (sorry, no description as all cars are merely colours to me) and took me away. 

I was sure I was being taken to the nearest mental hospital to have my tatting addiction 'seen to' but I'm please and SO relieved that this wasn't the case!!!

Actually it was the total opposite!!!  Temptation in the form of beads and threads and other 'bits and pieces' was dangle in front of my nose all day.  Needless to say, I succumbed to temptation!!!!!!

Towards evening they took me to the one kidnapper's house and fed me (no not bread and water) the most delicious food.

Not sure what ransom was paid but they were obviously satisfied and took me home later in the day!!!

I did manage to take a photograph of the guilty pair and wonder if anybody can 'name and shame' them!!!!

Ten days

You may wonder why I've been quiet.  OR you may just be relieved that I AM quiet!  The reason?

I've nothing to say!!  Honestly.  It's been over ten days since I picked up a shuttle but my dear old brain cell has been thinking of ideas.  

It's really hard to settle to tatting when you're in a busy house with lots of tiny kids.  I LOVE it.  Like being back in school as a teacher but this time without the final responsibility!!!

I am about to embark on a bracelet to match the small girl's necklace.  I'll show you when I've finished.

OK, a working brain!!!

It occurred to me while I was working on the two necklaces that the 'alternative' way of adding beads to the centre of split rings makes life so much easier!!! 

When I used the previous way (pulling the core thread down after having worked the SR) I used to find that I had to keep undoing the SR and 'adjusting' the number of ds's!!! 

The 'new' way, which is probably not new anyway, allows me to 'see' whether the amount of ds's is going to work before I close.  Thus making this the ideal technique for the terminally idle - like ME!!!

I'm now going to reveal!!!

I'm now going to reveal the 'boy necklace'.  

The beads were chosen with great care from a selection of necklaces in Target!!!!  The deliberations and discussions took a long time until the final decision was made!!!  Let me explain.

The brown squarish beads were chosen because 'they look like shark's teeth!'!!  The round ones (coloured) were chosen solely on their suitabiility for a boy!!!

In the centre at the front you can just see a skull and crossbones which were kindly donated by his big sister.  

May I now present a hand made, perfectly customised and carefully supervised 'boy necklace'!!!!

Child's necklace

While I was packing for our trip I found a little bracelet in my tatting cupboard.  You know the sort.  On stretchy thread stuff but with very pretty flowery and plain wooden beads.

Of course me being me I always think I can 'improve' on things so snipped the thread and made this necklace for a little girl.  

Now her brother wants  one too but with 'boy beads'.  He's provided a pirate bead as the central one but tomorrow the search starts for real 'boy beads'!!!  Goodness knows what they are but ...........

Another old piece

Again found at the bottom of the suitcase I told you about a few weeks/months ago.

This must have been made about thirty years ago. It may even have been longer as I can't remember why I did it.

I know it was revolutionary in it's time but not many people have ever seen it!!! I used beads in this piece and everything appears to be in 'node stitch' or Victorian sets.

I may have made this as a result of a book I was studying. I'm not sure if this was somebody else's design or my own. If it was my own it would've been one of the first.

As I had nobody to share with in those days this picture has been lurking around several houses and the suitcase ever since!! I may take the frame apart as it looks filthy on the under side of the glass!!!

Would that count as housework? If so then I won't break the rule of a lifetime and do that!!!

Palmetto 'tat off'

Even if you're not going to Tat Days you ought to take a peak at this page and wee pattern.

I don't know what it is but it tick-led (get it?) me to death!!!

Barbara's sense of humour is just up my street.  

If you've got time then the Palmetto Tatters always welcome bugs which they give away at their State Fair every October.  Any and every bug is always welcome.

Patchwork - tumbling blocks

Jane sent me this picture of her diamond patchwork mat.

I must admit I hadn't fully explored the extent of how this pattern could be used.

Thanks for letting me share this, Jane.  I MUST make time to have a go at it again myself now I've seen yours.

Hearts aplenty!!!

I was playing around the other evening and wanted to do some hearts to go on the purple buttons I bought a few months ago (again from the shop at the tip!).

I started off by using this pattern but changed it drastically as I didn't like the original very much.

Wonder where brain cell # 3 was at the time, eh?

Anyway, here's the result of my 'playtime'!!!!

Playing with earrings

Now this has been one of my all time favourite earwigs!!! Ah, that's the brown one below.

The number of times I've made this one and in so many colours and bead combos I'd not dare to count!!!

But there comes a time when an old git like me needs a more exciting pair!!!

The pink pairs below are my first 'real' attempt.

Well, I say 'real' because three or four others 'hit the bin' before these were made!!!

Actually these are the reason I found the new way of adding beads to a ring and a split ring - there's one of each in this pattern so that you can practice if  you choose to make this earwig.

The pattern is now on my web site here.  I've written it slightly differently so that it reminds you to add the larger beads BEFORE starting the ring or split ring.  

I did that for myself really as I kept forgetting!!!!

The final piece

I still had a few beads left so a brooch was the next thing in the 'ensemble'!!!!

Won't I be a 'Bobby Dazzler' IF I ever manage to wear them all at the same time?

Earrings to match!

First the necklace, then the bracelet and now the earrings!!!

Whatever next, I ask myself?!?!?  

Good find

Next to our local tip there's a shop. This is run by a hospice and it's where you can take things that you no longer need but are too good to throw in the skips.

I regularly go past the entrance to the tip so pop in to see what's there.

Occasionally there are beads. Necklaces and bracelets. I buy these if I like them and then cut them up to use in my tatting. The lanyard was made using bracelets found there.

One day I found a sweet little necklace and my friend said that the beads are actually cornelian stones.

They were quite pretty as they were and I nearly left the necklace to wear as bought. Then I decided to cut it and see what the dear little beads would look like in split rings. I'm very pleased with the results.

Thoughts on addiing beads

I'd like to thank all the kind people who have written to me both in comments on the blog and privately.

There has been a lot of interest in the latest two ways of adding beads to rings and split rings and I'm only too pleased that people find the two pages useful.

The thing that constantly surprises me is that this hasn't been shown before. I can't believe that it's an original idea.

OK, so IF it is then that forces me to ask another question. Having played with beads for the past (must be roughly) thirty years then why oh why didn't I think of it before?!?!?!? I can't understand why and how I came across this while fiddling around AFTER designing a new pair of earrings which needed these two techniques.

I suppose it was partly because I wasn't happy with the results I was getting. This isn't to say that the ways I was using before (making the ring or split ring and then pulling the core thread down) meant an untidy result - it really means that I just wasn't very good at it!!!!

I wonder if there's anything else that I need to fiddle around with to get a better result?

OK, I know the answer to that. Housework!!!!! FORGET IT!!!

Isn't this strange?

If you go to this link or this link you'll find two links to my blog!!!

I'm honoured that whoever owns these places thinks my 'not really original' lanyard is worth linking to.

The strangest thing of all is that I've now got hundreds of free original patterns out there but this rather 'silly' simple one that's been done thousands of times before by hundreds of people has been picked out!!!

I guess the reason is that it was put on my blog and not on the pattern pages.

Ain't life strange?

Yet another brooch!!

Before I start rambling on about the picture below can I say that I added another way to add a bead to the centre of a ring onto my page yesterday. I added a note about this later on yesterday's blog but those who had read it in 'early UK' time might have missed it!!! Here is the link.

Now this is a story of a pair of earrings that have morphed several times!!

After wearing these motifs as earrings on a few occasions I decided that they were a bit too heavy and 'bulky' for my liking. Four flowers on each ear? A bit O T T!!!!!

I took them off the hooks and 'linked' them with a safety pin to wear. as a brooch. That's 8 flowers to one brooch!! What a fiddle getting them on and off clothes!!!! So, while I was making up the last brooch I decided I'd 'finish off' this one by adding the 8 flowers to a proper brooch finding.

First, of course, I had to find the darn thing. It'd gone missing!!! While I was searching I also found another small flower that was in my 'box of completed bits' and added that to the 'ensemble'. Now I'll wear it!!! So, here we have a '9 flower' brooch!!!

Oh, NO!!!!!

I was reading comments on my posting about adding a bead to the centre of an SR on intatters yesterday evening and realised that people were talking about it as if you could add a bead that way to a ring.

I was just about to point out that this couldn't be done with a ring when who should pop out but 'you know who'.

YES you can use this method (sort of and upside down!) to add a bead to a ring too.

I will draw this up later today and let you know tomorrow when it's ready to go. Meanwhile here is the orginal way extremely well shown by Jennifer.

I'm not sure that the new way will be better but it'll be an alternative!!!!

Later the same day!!!!! Here's a link to the other method!!!!

Lanyard with beaded SR's

Now that I've found this easier way to add beads to the centre of split rings I felt it was time to make my lanyard for Tat Days!!

All I did was work out how many doubles I needed to surround each of the 2 different sized centre beads. I did this by doing a practice run - just to be sure.

Then I added the small beads (alternately) to both threads and started.

The knack, I feel, when doing something like this is to attach each SR to the previous one to avoid twisting. So, this is the way I do it. Well, actually this IS the pattern I used to make the lanyard. I made it in pink. Perhaps you noticed?

R1: 1 vsp 3 - 3 vsp 1 Cl (I left the picot on this first ring so that when I return to the UK I can add a motif to the lanyard thus converting it to a necklace)!!!!
SR2: 1 + (last vsp R1) 5 B 5 vsp 1 / 1 + (1st vsp R1) 5 B 5 vsp 1 Cl
SR3: 1 + (vsp last SR) 3 B 3 vsp 1 / 1 + (vsp last SR) 3 B 3 vsp 1 Cl
SR4: 1 + (vsp last SR) 5 B 5 vsp 1 / 1 + (vsp last SR) 5 B 5 vsp 1 Cl
Continue like this for length required finishing with another ring like ring 1 but joined to previous SR.

I wonder if this is new?

Thanks to the arrival of my dearest friend (brain cell # 3) I've found a new and neater way of adding a large bead to the centre of an SR.

I say it's 'new' but I know from 65 (and a half!) years on this planet that there's nowt new under the sun!!! That's my sister's sun, of course!!!

I've always found that the way I've done them before (by pulling the core thread down and adding the bead) made it fiddly to close the SR - AND didn't give me a totally tidy result.

So I fiddled around the other evening and I think I've found a better way.

So, here's what I do now!!!!!

Things that go on behind the scenes!!!

You're probably all bored out of your brains at hearing about Palmetto Tat Days but you're about to hear more!!!

A few days ago all the teachers were asked for a bio about themselves (one with a few unknown facts about themselves if possible). I said that I was going to look for brain cell # 3 and then I'd be back with the results.

Shortly after Riet thought she spotted the missing cell in her garden!!! He was reported to be looking pale and ill. WHAT was he doing in The Netherlands, I ask myself!!!

Martha Ess then said that if she saw the missing brain cell she was going to keep it!!!!

Erin's solution to her brain cell problem is this -

"I keep my extra brain cells in a bottle of chloroform under the bed. Raymond picks them up at Hobby Lobby for me about twice a year. Unfortunately I go through them rather quickly, and apparently mine are not the same quality as Jane gets over there in England. I hear they have them available in bulk at Walmart, as well."

Then Martha found a brain cell of her own and managed to get it to sit still long enough to be scanned!!! Here it is below!!!!

Meantime Riet is still wondering if they can be grown on trees in the garden - if so she'd like a cutting!!!

I'm wondering if we're all sane enough to be teaching at Palmetto!!!

From earrings to brooch!

Remember these earrings?

Well it's time for a confession!!! I'm always a bit 'ambitious' when designing and I did an extra round on this motif. One too many to make it into an earring!!!! So instead of throwing it into the bin I decided a brooch would be a good idea instead!!!

The flat motif at the top on the brooch finding is one I found in my 'box of bits' and didn't use. For this (and the earrings) I used Dual Duty thread.

I must find more of this thread when I'm in the U.S. of A. It's a joy to work with.

Last one - I promise

I'm in limbo with designing at the moment. Don't all cheer!!!

I do have one quite exciting one on it's way but I want to add more to it so it'll not get finished til September/October.

The other is barely started but it's buzzing well with brain cell # 3.

During this period I'm test tatting some of my older patterns and 'modernising' them. Thanks to the 'wayback machine' I've managed to track this pattern down to it's approximate birth in 2002.

I've also updated the pattern on my site too - see link in the side bar to my home page. It's called 'Celtic Motif 1'. I unpacked the new thread from my suitcase to make this one. Sadly the scanner doesn't do this thread justice. It really, really sparkles.

Silver and Gold again

This is a bookmark I've made using the silver and gold together again.

The pattern is here. I love the way the picots stand up so well with this thread. I'm not a 'picoty' sort of person but I added an extra one to this pattern 'just because' of the thread!!!

You really need to see this thread to appreciate the way it sparkles!!

3D earrings

I just love earrings BUT I'm fussy and like them to be very robust and not bend!! So I tend to stick to the same tried and tested patterns!!

This time I thought I'd try something different and here's the result.

Couldn't decide which photo to use so I'm putting both here!! The pattern is really easy and one day I'll get round to putting it on my pattern site. IF anybody wants the 'text only' pattern then do shout.

There are three rounds (after a SCMR) on the upper motif and two rounds on the lower one. The rest is just playing with beads.

Which reminds me - there are only 25 beads added to the shuttle threads. The rest are 'added as you go'. Makes for a fast earring. Of course you may want to make them with just the one motif too!!!!

Ah, before I go!! My sister pointed out to me that there was an enormous boo boo on yesterday's motif. Thanks, Sally, I hadn't noticed. I'll just use that one to show people the thread - it will never go to a new home!!!

Another motif

I've now played a little with the silver and gold together (see, Joanie, it does work!!!!).

Here is a small motif worked with them.

This pattern for this motif can be found here. I may find a bangle to put it in as it sparkles so much in the sunlight. That's IF the U.K. ever sees the sun again!!!!

A true story about a naughty lady!!!

This is a true story about a naughty lady!!

First of all you'll need to know her name but I'm going to get you to guess until the end of this post!!!

This lass sent me three spools of thread about two weeks ago. I've so far tried the one out (that's the bronze metallic I've been waxing lyrical about) and as you've already guessed - I LOVE IT. So, I ordered more.

Now as this lass lives in the UK I rang her up to ask for more thread (silver and gold). First of all I had the usual 'silly' conversation with her DH first!!! I then spoke to her and said that I intended to take the bronze spool with me to Palmetto Tat Days in September so that anybody and everybody there could take some and try it out for themselves.

The spools I ordered duly arrived on Saturday morning. The reason I call her a 'naughty lady' is that she'd put yet ANOTHER spool in for me to take to Palmetto as well!!! So, if you want to test tat this thread then stop me and take some at the Palmetto Tat Days.

The lady's name? Bet you've guessed by now but here's the link!!!

Thanks for the help

Just a quick post today as I've nothing really to show. Now that doesn't mean that I've not done anything but it needs 'assembling' so you'll have to wait until tomorrow!!!!

I want to say thanks for all the ideas and comments on yesterday's blog.

LadyDoc - many thanks to you. As a result I did get out brain cell # 3 and found my login and password for site meter and reinstated it on my pattern pages.

To be perfectly honest I was very chuffed when I first put it on years ago but when it stopped working some months ago (thanks, Gina for pointing out that it might have been an upgrade or something that caused it to stop working) I just didn't bother to look into the 'whys and wherefores'!!!!

My weekly reports kept coming in saying nobody had visited the site!!! Heck, I didn't believe that!!

Oh, news on my janeeborall.com url!!! It's not a sex site anymore!!! It's now giving links to tatting and other lace related pages. This is still NOTHING to do with me!!! The plot thickens!!!

Talking to myself!!!

I've often wondered how and where you find out how many visitors you've had to your blog.

Yesterday I was 'forced' to dust off brain cell # 3 again as Tatting Chic posted about her giveaway. This is to celebrate her 50,000 visitor.

Now I'm somewhat curious to know how you find out how many have visited a blog. On my dashboard it says I've made 769 posts. I'm sure I've made more than that as the blog has been around since the dinosaurs. Sorry, I exagerate - since May 2006.

Now by my reckoning that's more than three years. I try to post most days but the maths doesn't add up to me.

Then in my profile it says there have been 3,400 views. So, what does that mean and where to I find the visit count?!?!?!?

Ah, I put a counter on the blog not long ago and I get a report from that each week but I still am mildly curious to know how people find out how many have visited. It's not important but I'd love to know!!!

More news on Lyn's new thread and another motif

This is another experiment with Lyn's new thread!!! Just under 3 1/2" from point to point!

Lyn told me yesterday that they now have the thread listed here.

I was straight onto the phone to order more. I'm getting the gold and silver.

SO funny as I wrote and told Bev (BJ) that the thread was listed now and she ordered enough to tat another runner!!!!

That was a joke and a BIG hint to Bev to show us the finished runner. I'm sure she mentioned it was done ages ago!!! Well, a few weeks ago!!!

Me? I spent last evening playing with a new earring idea. Sort of based on others I've done but 3D and VERY beady and hopefully VERY dangly. I think this will be a 'multi choice' pattern and easy too. Oh, heck, I know what I'm talking about which is a small advantage!!!

They'll be dangly, long, short, or whatever the person wants/needs!!! Well, that's the plan anyway. Now, when my gold and silver threads arrive I'll be making them out of that too. Whoooppppeeeee!!

New thread again!!!

Do you remember this post about Lyn Morton at Tatting and Design's new thread called Nakis Simi?

I thought I'd try a size comparison as somebody had asked whether it was the same as a number 20!! Well you can see below that it's not!!!

The lavender heart on the left is a number 20 and fits snuggly into a 2 3/4" ring.

I thought I'd try making one in a number 40 thread next - that's the pink/white one!!! This fits into a ring which is just under' 2 1/2".

Finally back to the bronze new thread. Much to my astonishment it turned out to be exactly the same as the number 40.

Eureka - there's the answer!!! It's smaller than a number 20!

Jigsaw resolved!!!

Ta de dah!!

Here is the finished fairy. Now one may ask 'what is the point'? Good question!!! I've been wanting to do this pattern again for the past year or so.

I wanted to see what she'd look like when when worked in a number 20 thread as opposed to a number 80 which was the original thread used. I actually think I prefer it in the number 20 but it needed some sorting for bead size in the centre of the head and body.

Eventually I bought a bracelet from Claire's and cut it up to use the beads. Then I had to READ CAREFULLY my own instructions on the pattern so I could adjust the ring/chain count to make the head/body fit the bead. Actually it wasn't hard at all and the rest just remained the same. No other problems!!! Oh, I did have trouble with the wings but that was purely and simply me being a plonker and not reading the pattern properly!!!!

Originally I finished this design after a three year 'gestation' period to enter in the Lace Guild competition. The competition was really only my target to get the pattern finished!!!

Imagine my utter surprise when I won the tatting section and a lovely cut glass rose bowl. Where was I when I heard the news? In the basement of a house outside Cincinnati!!! I think it was my first or second year of going to Palmetto tat days. I was SO excited.

Whoops!!!!!

IF anybody uses the janeeborall.com url then beware!!! It's now a 'sex' site link!!

Reason? VERY long and complicated!!!

A young lad I taught many years ago set this up for me two years or so ago. It pointed to the globalnet site but then I changed it to point at the btinternet site instead.

Fine. All was well.

Then I realised two months ago that the subscription would soon run out and that Andy had disappeared off the face of the planet. Well, this part of the planet anyway. I tried and tried to get in touch with him via emails and his dad who said he was 'on a Pacific island somewhere'. Well eventually I bumped into him in town on a brief visit home to see his mum and dad and he said he'd sort it.

A few emails later and with help from A.N.Other I thought we were 'nearly there'.

Wrong, so wrong!!! So, if you've bookmarked this url please change it to this one for now and I'll see if I can get the other back and under MY control this time.

I need more web space so this is what I'm trying to achieve too.

My apologies to anybody who has been upset but you ought to know by now that I'm not in the least interested in this type of recreational activity!!! Tatting suits me fine - quite energetic enough!!!

Bits of a????

This is why I've been quiet for the last few days!!! Now, what am I working on?

Over to you!!!

It's pretty obvious, I think. I did a bit more in the evening and stiffened certain parts. All I'm hoping I have to do is assemble it all today - time and inclination permitting.

The hawthorne tree is all bagged and ready for re-cycling on Friday. Whoooppppeeee.

A busy but not much tatting day in tat land

I've got absolutely nothing to show today. That's not to say I'm not working on a project but it'll take several days. Probably get it finished over the weekend IF I can resolve the problem of the hawthorne tree first!!

Don't you just hate those days when you start a horrid but relatively simple job and it escalates?

There I was trimming the tree in the garden which I hate doing (I have to use long handled pruners and it makes my neck ache). I had made a great start when Nick came along and said 'why don't you chop the tree down'? The sparrows love the hawthorne but they've deserted us and haven't visited now for about two years. The tree is dead in the centre, never flowers and takes the sun off part of the garden.

So, out came the saws and five hours later the tree was down and mostly in the re-cycling bin!!! We had to borrow another bin from a neighbour and there's still another few hours clipping to do.

So, that's where yesterday went. Wonder what today holds?

New thread

I don't often get excited about new metallic thread but this one is absolutely fantastic.

It is a new line from Lyn Morton at Tatting and Design.

It's called Nakis Simi and the colour is Bakir. There are other colours too. A goldy one, red (well more of a maroon), green, blue and silver. I've only got small samples of the other colours but I'm going to HAVE to order the silver and gold today.

It tats (shuttle, of course!) brilliantly but gives the look of wire tatting and feels a bit 'wire ish'. If you look at the picots they all 'stand up' beautifully. I never use a picot gauge so these are all 'eyeballed'.

I love it. Gotta make more stuff with it now!!!

Ooops, nearly forgot!!

Nearly forgot to scan these to show you what they look like in a ring!!!

The last bracelet?

Now this could be the last bracelet for a while!!!

I hadn't got a pink one and I was told a bit of a secret that led me to believe that it might be useful to have a pink one for later this year!!!

Could be something to do with somewhere I'm teaching in September!!!!

Another day, another heart!

Here's one done in purple and white.

I'm going to make more of these as they fit well into a ring too!!! I'll show you them tomorrow.

Ummmmm, when I've found them again and scanned them.

A change of heart

I'm having a change of heart.

No, don't worry - nothing very much. I've spent some time this past week changinig this page and making alterations to the working of the pattern.

I hope it's now easier to understand!! It is now a 'one hit wonder' with a better tatted centre.

There I was!

There I was on my normal walk round by the river yesterday when something occurred to me that things were not as usual!!!! Yup, I'd actually got my eyes open!!!

It could've been to do with several (probably 50 or more) narrow boats which were moored on the river bank. Normally there are about half a dozen plus the chain ferry and that's all.

It turned out that there's a boat gathering in the town this weekend.

Anyway there were tents and shows and music going on and as I wandered along I saw a tent full of people tying knots!!! They were members of the International Guild of Knot Tyers.

Well you can imagine. Me? Knots? I was there in a blink of an eye!! This is what I made!

During our natter I asked if anybody knew Lily Qualls Morales (USA and a famous knot tyer and tatter) and several people had met her too. WHAT a small world!!!

More shuttles

Liz, who is another friend in tat land, sent me a picture of her complete set of Sebalace shuttles!!

Look - there's an owl there too? Aren't they lovely when they're all sitting together?

Can you see the moon over the top of the owl's head? I think they're gorgeous.

Thanks for showing them, Liz.

Bobbie's new page AND

I've now added this page that Bobbie Demmer sent me which adds a further 'slant' to the way she works her bauble.

I'm also pleased to tell you that she's kindly given tat land the pattern for the little wrist bag with the baubles - which can be found here.

Might be worth checking out my site again as I keep adding things and forgetting to tell people!! Not sure if I mentioned the new guest designer - Judith Smith.

Further studies of the SSSR

Here you are. Another page on the SSSR - this time it's the one I've been talking about where you can join to other elements.

I'm still fascinated by the different effects that the SSSR can give in my older patterns!! Little things please little minds!!!

When I first did the dolphin I realised that it could only be done in one colour unless you made the centre SR's in one colour (2 shuttles for first few SR's) and then took one of those shuttles out and added in another.

This is the result using just 3 SSSR's.

As the song/saying says 'what a difference a SSSR makes'. No, that's not quite right - should be 'what a difference a day makes'!!!!

I never enter these - BUT

I never get round to entering blog giveaways but sometimes, just sometimes, I'm tempted!!!!

This is the giveaway on this blog!!!

I am honoured

I feel very honoured to have been involved with the ongoing saga of the SSSR. Miranda wrote and asked if it was possible to join to another element while making the SSSR.

She did find a way (which was extremely clever) but then decided (she was right) that it was too unstable to use.

Jeanne came along with the answer which is stonking clever. Matthew has approved the idea and now between us we've got together and are putting together a web page.

This is taking time as we're all on different planets. DUH, I mean time zones!!! I hope we get ourselves sorted within the next few days. Long live tat land and all the talent in it.

Whilst doing the drawings in the daytime I've been playing with the idea in the evenings. Remember this bell pattern of mine? Well, look what happens when you use the SSSR (not joined as you work - just the simple variety) in this previously plain bell shape.

In fact you can put in the new red thread during the working of SSSR3. I'll probably not put this alteration on the internet as few people will want it but I will have the pattern on my system should anybody be brave enough to try it!!! Just write in and ask!!!

I know, I know, I know!!

Don't remind me that Palmetto tat days aren't until September!! I know this as fact!!! BUT I have to be ready well ahead of time as we leave the UK some weeks before I fly to SC.

This means that I have to be ready with threads, beads etc long before we leave as I never know what last minute 'happenings' might happen back here at home.

I like to get shuttles wound and beads loaded and some of the patterns worked up to the place where students might get 'stuck'!!! This means brinigng out brain cell # 3 for a jolly good airing.

Below are two photos of the tatting cupboard open and things strewn about while decisions are made. Then there's a picture of 'tat corner'!!! This is relatively tidy for once!!

Another bracelet

Now this scan doesn't really do this bracelet justice!!!

The thread is black - Flora black! The beads are golds, browns, purply/greeny/black ones too.

I made this a week or so ago for my neighbour - it was her birthday. I am the replacement babysitter for her boys when her mum can't do it. Love those kids to bits.

Seahorse shuttle

Do you remember that I won a shuttle in a raffle at Rosemarie Peel's tatting afternoon? It was this adorable toucan.

Carol Lawecki and Rosemarie both told me about it's provenance here.

Shortly after that Mimi Dillman (the Queen of the Clunies) wrote to say she'd got the seahorse in the set and had - well, this is what she said:-

"I have what I think is a Sebalace Seahorse shuttle that I won in a raffle sometime I can't remember when or where (an early Shuttlebirds workshop most likely). I've never used it nor have I pulled it out much other than to look at it and wonder who really should have it. Is it you, an ace Seahorse designer and tatter?"

So we did a trade!!! Mimi wanted a bag for her tatting and I offered to give the seahorse a good home too. Look what else came in the parcel - I'm officially a tatter now.

Thanks, Mimi - I'm VERY happy with our trade. I wonder if there is anybody in tat land who has the fish to complete the set? Wouldn't it be great to have all three together?