Oh, NO, not another!

Well Nick did say 'haven't you got enough already'? What am I talking about? Well, bags. 

Everybody but EVERYBODY knows you can never have enough tatting bags to carry stuff around in. Well, I don't think you can!!!

I bought this fabric in Canada on the way to the Fringe Tatting Day last year. It was at a place called Lens Mill which was close by. 

I've been waiting for the weather to warm up a bit so I can get to sew it up. I only bought half a yard so I was limited to what I could make from it. As the tatting print is rather large that also limited me as to what I could do with too. Lately going to several different craft groups I've found I need bags for different projects so a tatting bag was what I decided to make. This time it's padded and the bottom is stiffened so it sits up properly on the table. I'm really pleased with it. 

I've got a little bit of fabric left over so was going to make a purse thing to put the shuttles, scissors, hook etc into but then I remembered I'd got this dear little bag that I was given at the Fringe.  Perfect as I'll be able to find it in the bag with it's gorgeous bright colours.

Just when you thought

this was going to be a mermaid free blog you're going to be WRONG!!!!

First of all - we now have 110 mermaids floating around on the TIAS blog which is great. Still time and room for more if you've got them.

Now today's free pattern is a tiny mermaid. This was done for the Fringe Element calendar back in 2015 or maybe 2016. I can't lay my hands on mine at the moment - time for another tidy up, I fear.

Actually I'll be honest. I was really struggling for an idea for this year's TIAS when I was clicking through the pattern files on my computer and came across the tiny mermaid. I thought 'why not'? Then knew that it wouldn't be big enough to give a proper TIAS run. 

I gave BC3 a ring and he reluctantly came out of hiding to give me a hand. So, now I give you the small mermaid which can be found here.

Another kit

This is another Vicky Clarke kit with a doodad and beads.

This was an easy peasy tat and thoroughly enjoyable. As usual with Vicky's patterns it was really straightforward.

I think I've got one more kit left to do but that will have to wait until I get my latest projects sorted.

New earrings again!!

Having now given the black and gold pair to Sue (Pigmini) I thought I might like a pair for myself after all and I needed to test the pattern once more - that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!!!

So here's what I came up with. I'm working on the pattern page and hope to have it ready really soon.  Of course the big beads could be replaced with just a row of seed beads as long as the length stated on the pattern is achieved. 

Maybe I need one more pair - slightly different.  Watch this space as I hope to have the pattern ready for next week.

White mice!!

Just for a change and because I love making them - here are two more Amigurumi crocheted mice!!! 

Most of my friends think I'm bonkers for doing them but I do love simple quick crochet!!! Unlike tatting which I like to be large projects and challenging too!!!

They came about really because I spotted these the buttons (eyes) in a charity shop. I bought them to make tatbead family members with but that idea hasn't materialised just yet!!!

I'm pretty sure that once Abbi sees them they'll be shortly re-homed!!

I need

New earrings!!! 

I remembered a promise (well, sort of) I made on this blog post about similar earrings that I'd made to those below.

But I seriously don't need a new pair.  I have so many earrings I reckon I could almost wear a different pair each day for about two months!!!  

Anyway I decided to try building a bit on the original idea. As I said in that original post - this technique isn't rocket science but it does lend itself to earrings and jewellery. The technique itself can be found here but meantime I'm working on the pattern page and will get it uploaded soon.

The pattern has been test tatted by Sue (Pigmini) and as I didn't like me (who does!!) in gold and black I've sent them to her!!!!

Another kit that's not really a kit

Another kit - well, this was actually from a handout in Mimi Dillman's class back in whenever at Palmetto Tat Days.

I wasn't a lover of clunies as I'd never really given them any practice but, having found the shuttles that I wound for Mimi's class - with a start on this motif in my blue box of kits I had to have another 'go'. 

I started the original motif in a horrid colour in class because I always reckon that classes are for learning and I really, really needed to learn this technique properly.  Which begs me to say that if you EVER get the chance to take one of Mimi's classes then please do. 

I sat opposite Tim who very kindly gave me a cluny loom which he'd made on his 3D printer and you can see my post about that here. 

That original motif and a few other false starts now live in landfill or recycling somewhere!!!! I eventually got the hang of the cluny thanks to this video and  this page by mimi who I always think of as the Queen of the Clunies!   I then headed for my favourite Lizbeth colour - Rainbow Taffy.  This is the result - SUCCESS at last.

Now I can seriously say I like clunies and will be tackling another of Mimi's designs which is a bookmark.

Another mermaid

A month or so ago I took down the large mermaid from my web site. Had anybody missed her? No!!!!

This was one of the first patterns I put up on the internet and I remember asking around for ideas at the small company I was working for and one of the geeks saying - 'do a mermaid'!!! So that's how she came about.

I decided that it was time to re-visit this design and make it easier to understand and work. IF you ever try it I'm just going to say that the first part (the face) is the hardest but the rest is pretty easy. She's been test tatted by Ruth so I know she's now ready to swim your way again.

So, here's the link to the large mermaid!!!

The mermaid finished

Well the TIAS is over for the last time and I really need to get onto my server and rearrange the url's so that it's easier to find my way around what's on the web page. This means changing the links on the TIAS blog too. A chore which is rather like the dreaded housework and that I put off for ages!!!

Today I'm uploading the TIAS mermaid as a full pattern. This is so people who don't want to follow links and print off numerous pages can have it all in one place. So, here's the link.

Little kits

No, not short for kittens!!!!

Over the years of travelling to America and Canada I've acquired quite a few little kits from people. I've been saving these for a 'rainy day'. Well, that's not true, actually!!! I've been collecting them together in a blue box and have said to myself that I would take them to the craft groups that I go to to make them up.

WRONG!!! Not the best place to try and do new patterns as we're always so busy talking!!! 

After finding the blue box again during a massive tidy up I decided that it was time to start making a few of them up. This was the first one I tried - Vicki's darling little spaceship. Vicki's blog can be found here and there are some sweet little patterns there that she's giving away for free. The spaceship can be found on the Palmetto CD for 2016 and the link to the page where it can be found is here.

I reckon dear Vicki has a devious mind but a stunningly good one for making the cutest little spaceship in just a few minutes. Thank you, Vicki.

Cabochons done and dusted.

Do you remember the cabochons I was playing with? Here is a close up of one of them and here are a few showing fronts and backs.

Well here is what I've done with them. Now I'm not sure if the video will play as I've not tried adding one to the blog before!!!

Anyway I've also finished the pattern and it can be found here. I consider this just the basic pattern as people can 'do what they like' with the outer row/rows. It was the centre and the basic design which took a LOT of time.

Doretha Albee

Well you know my fascination with Dora Young and also Terri Dusenbury's pineapple type designs so it won't come as any surprise to hear that I found this lovely design by Doretha Albee. 

I found this pattern on Georgia Seitz's site. Isn't it lovely? So, of course, I had to give it a whirl while the mermaids were being made worldwide.

It's a pretty straightforward pattern but if you want to know more about Doretha please scroll down to the bottom of the pattern.  

Five fronts and five backs

Five cabochons done. 

I THINK I'm going to make them into a mobile. Have I said that before? I'll do a few more then start a search for a round metal thingie to hang them from. Maybe find an old dilapidated lamp shade in a charity shop - or somewhere. I've done that before and it's much easier to hang things from than using metal strips (recycled metal coat hangers).

The pattern is about ready to put on the web site - I just need time to check it out once more. I MAY have time today but I've got some stuff to do in the house so it'll probably be the weekend before I get the time.

19 diamonds completed

Further progress has been made and now it's time to make a decision. 

To go further or not go further - that is the question!!! 

As you'll see on this round I've alternated red stars and others. I feel as if this mat should have another round but not sure. Time to stand back and think before taking the plunge - if I do!!!

I'm still enjoying this as pure relaxation so to continue sort of makes sense.

I wonder?

I wonder how old this weird safety pin is and what or who would use it?

I was doing yet another tidy up of the tatting cupboard and discovered it lurking in a box. I thought you'd like to see it.

I can't even remember where it came from so no good asking me.  Over to you guys!!!

While the TIAS is going on

While the TIAS is going on I'm working on several other things quietly in the background and when I've got the odd few minutes here and there. 

The diamond project continues but is now becoming a 'take out and about' with me piece. I tend to take it to the craft groups I go to as (believe it or not) I can actually remember the pattern now!!!! That's pretty good considering BC3 is getting on a bit now!!!

I have several patterns that I'm also re-visiting and updating too. I'll be letting you know about those in due course.

Meanwhile I now have 12 star shapes done although that's not quite right as I've done a few more since this photo was taken!!!

Two more cabochons

Slowly working on getting the pattern sorted but every time I get near it I put out another day on the TIAS and that stops everything!!!

Not complaining - just saying!!!!

Another cabochon

This time in a burgundy colour with almost white thread. I'm starting another addiction!!

I hope to work on the pattern and get it finalised over the weekend. That's if the TIAS allows me.

These actually look a lot better in real life than they do on here.  This is scanned which hasn't worked well.  I've done a few more so will take photos in future!

First Cabochon finished

Well after many abortive attempts to do this I've finally got the first 'good one' finished. 

Part of the problem was doing the front as BC3 decided to go walkabout and left me in the lurch. I'm working on the pattern - text is always done as I go along. The drawings need to be finalised and then it'll be 'good to go' on the pattern site.

Top picture is the front and (obviously) the bottom is the back!!!!

The working title for the design is 'Working with Cabochons' but if anybody can think of a better title I'd be very grateful.  This design needs NO glue if worked with the correct thread - size 20.

NOT to be confused!

With ice drops!!!!

With an ice drop!!!

Sue Hanson sent me some of these rectangular cabochons with the threads I bought off her back here.  

It's taken me a few weeks to get round to playing with them but I'm pleased to say work has started!!! They can't be called ice drops as they're not round so what CAN I call them when I've got a pattern to fit them?

Now this is going to take a wee while as I want to use this method of enclosing them but, of course, when I did this I was going round a round item!!!! 

I'll tell you one thing - I'll NOT be using glue at all as I don't believe in glue with tatting - well, except for stiffening sometimes.

This'll keep me quiet for a while, don't you think?!?!?

Things are progressing

I meant to post this a week or more ago. This was where I was 'at' back then.

This is my 'relax' tatting when I want to just stop thinking about 'what to do next'. My last week was manic both online with the TIAS and personally in my 'private' life. All problems are now sorted and hopefully will stay that way for a while.

Day 2 - now available

Here's the link for DAY 2 of TIAS 2018.

Day 1

Well here it is - the first part of the TIAS.

The link can also be found on the TIAS blog too and at the side of this blog until the game is over.

A small diversion

As you know I join friends in a small town about eight miles away on a Friday to chat and swop ideas. It's called Crafternoon and is held in the local library. 

When we were sitting around last week I announced that I was going to make this little Itty Bitty Anything Bag which you can find here.

Well I wish I hadn't told them now as I got thoroughly teased. Why would I want to make it was the main question. What was I going to use it for was another. When I told them that I was making it because I liked the look of it and had no idea what it would be used for (if anything) I got myself teased and teasedeven more. What they didn't seem to 'get' was that it's not the things that I make that's important - in fact they're irrelevant. It's the actual making that's enjoyable. 

This little bag is really easy (took an afternoon only) and, of course, could easily be made larger. I also learned how to do the cord for it although I rather cheated in that I did use a knitting needle to hold the two stitches while I went back and worked the first stitch. I got up quite a speed doing it in the end.  It stands at 3½" high.  

Wednesday

No, I've not 'quite' lost the plot as I do know it's still only Monday!! What I wanted to remind you is that on Wednesday it's the start of the Tat It And See (TIAS) for 2018.  The introduction is here.

In case you'd forgotten it's also the last one. I've been doing them now for ten years and feel it's time to stop. Of course if there was a huge take up I may be tempted to do another!!!! We'll see. 

Please, please make this a really great TIAS by sending in any comments, photos (particularly fun ones) to this email address.  They will then be added to the blog.

Below are a few reminders of TIAS's from previous years. Just to tempt you to this years!!!!   

Of course this year's will be very different and not the least like the ones below.  I think will appeal to most people. I'm not telling you anymore than that as I don't want to spoil the surprise!!! Links to each day will be sent out in blog posts both here and on the TIAS blog which is here. You can find them on the lefthand side of the pages. Translations have been done into Dutch by Riet and French by Julie. I can't thank them both enough - particularly for Riet's very sharp brain which picked up several hiccups this year.

The leftovers!!!

After knitting the one dishcloth there was enough yarn leftover to make another but I decided to do a crochet one this time. 

Not very happy with this (again it's scruffy as it was 'stolen' off me straightaway).  

It's a bit in the wonky 'zone'. Still it does it's job and the head chef is happy with it. I think I'll stick to tatting or crochet for now!!!

Something a little different!!!

Another bit of side tracking!!! 

When I was in Canada I spotted some dishcloth yarn in one of the stores and decided that one of the balls had to come home with me. I've been wanting to knit or crochet a dishcloth for ages so it seemed like a good idea at the time.

This one is made by starting from a corner. I've been watching a lady at our Tuesday craft group knitting squares for blankets using this method and thought it was drop dead clever so to make a dishcloth was a good way to find out how she did it!!!  I found the pattern here.

It's already looking a bit grubby in this picture as Nick very quickly commandeered it for the kitchen. He does the cooking as he says he doesn't want to be poisoned!!!! He forgets I brought up two kids and they survived my culinary skills!!!

Further progress

Eight stars done now and I can't get the whole piece onto the scanner so you'll just have to imagine it until I get my act together and take a photo of it. 

I'm actually on the next 'level' or round if you can imagine it. The green one seems to have become the centre motif!!!  I'm still enjoying the sheer relaxation of doing something that requires little input from BC3!!! 

I'm going to have to put this aside for a while as Sally has been nagging me (nicely I might add) about re-writing this little pattern as she says she can't understand it. I completely understand as I know I struggled to try and make it make sense in the first place (and obviously failed)!!!!  As you know I do tend to re-visit my older patterns to see if I can do anything to make them easier to understand.

Happy wotsit

As usual NYE was spent at home with an early bedtime.  Unfortunately NOT a good idea this year as our neighbour had a party and we live in a terraced house.  I'll leave you to guess how I felt the following day!!

Tatting was done as usual and plans for the Tat It And See continue. All I have to do now is finish uploading the files and checking the links. 

The TIAS blog is back in the land of the living and can be found here.  Links to all TIAS parts will be found at the side of this blog and the TIAS one as they are released.

If you haven't already found it - here's the link for the English version of the introduction and here is the one for the French version.  

Starting day is Wednesday 17th January so I hope to meet a few of you then.

Seven stars - AGAIN!!

At last I'm finally happy with the yellow star. I took a third thread out and just used two sewing threads this time and it's much, much better. 

Sorry about the wonky picture but it's only 'just' fitting on the scanner!!!

Meantime preparations for the TIAS continue and I'm having great fun helping another tatter convert a pattern. I really like doing things like this. 

The lass is using one of my patterns and changing it to make it an absolute gem. I'm doing the drawings for her which are proving challenging and interesting too. I'm always learning from these experiences too.

An important update to the blog

I've been talking to Leigh and had forgotten that she has the MOST USEFUL web site on the internet. Least that's what BC3 and me think. I've added the link to the side of the page (top left) and hope you'll take time to go have a look.

It's called Something Under the Bed. Please DON'T click on the link unless you've got a cup of tea or coffee and some chocolate ready first as you'll spend hours there drooling and appreciating all the work Leigh has done for us all.

Here's a screen shot to tempt you over to look under the bed. Thank you, Leigh. It's a wonderful resource and one which I've visited many times in the past.

Updating

This is a job I do regularly (updating patterns on my web site) and Stephanie reminded me of a pattern that desperately needed 'sorting out'. 

It's a lovely (even if I say it myself) little basket that I did many, many years ago. In fact I made over 80 of them at the time as they were given away at my youngest daughter's wedding. They were filled with almonds as favours for the guests. 

The pattern does require a few 'starts and stops' but nowadays split rings and split chains could be used to avoid some of those 'situations'!!!

The link is here - the same place as before!!!

The 'joys' of thread!!!

Now today I'm showing you seven of the stars made from the diamond pattern which can be found here. 

OK, I'm showing the yellow one twice to prove that I cut out the yellow star in the top picture!!! It worked out just a teeny tiny bit bigger than the others. So, it's back to the yellow thread but this time with two wound together and not three. 

I really really thought it was going to be fine. All looked well until the whole star was completed. I still thought about it for another day or so before 'scissors over mind' took over!!! I hope to be able to show you the replacement yellow soon.