After a hectic few days with family problems I finally got round to playing with this idea again. I've started off on a new 'tack' and these are the results. The first one on the left doesn't match from side to side as after the join to the nose I thought of a 'better idea'. The one on the right is much better. I shall now play around with ears, hair and other enhancements on both designs!

Changed it slightly but think it's more to do with colours. Probably larger beads for the eyes would help. Now I want to do one with a tongue sticking out and play with hair!! Perhaps that would help too. Below is a 'big ears' version and a 'small ears' version.

Not sure about it now. Probably start all over again on this one!!!

Another day, another play!!

I think I've cracked it!!! Forgive the nasty colour but I use up old and much hated threads when experimenting with new ideas. Here are the latest attempts. These faces will be for zip pulls for kids. Takes a kid to make these!!! I will next use bright, bright colours and beads. Keep watching for the final versions to be shown on a blog near you!!

Experimenting with a new idea!!!

Three false starts but I had a better idea during the night. Yes, even dream tatting - sad, isn't it?

New Heart

Now this one just 'fell' off the shuttle!! The pattern is being offered to a tatting group first and will eventually appear on my site. I've been playing with the idea of clovers on the second side of a split ring but this time I've used beads to move them further away from the ring.

More finished Star Catchers!!!! (click here for the pattern)

Even MORE of the same but each one is different

Oooh, I'm definitely going to make more of these for my Christmas giveaways. I love playing with the colour combinations of threads and beads. Got to use up some of my beads as Sue and I have bought yet more off ebay!!! Are we beadaholics?

More of the same but different!!!

Two more pairs of earrings and some other 'stuff'.!

Another version

Second, and last, version of this suncatcher. There, I've even got a name for it!!! It actually fits in a bangle so I shall mount them all in those as Christmas giveaways. Quite pleased with this one!!! The unfinished one on the right is just me playing with bead and thread variations.

Another attempt

I had another 'play' with this motif last evening and it lies flat now!!!

Playing

This is an idea I'm playing with now!!! Not sure if this will be useful or not. The stitch count needs 'jiggling' and perhaps the 'spokes' need to be separated and not joined at the outer green places. I shall play with this later and also not use the very long picots with loads of beads. It may look a lot less cluttered with beads on the actual SR's and chains. Back to another re-tat!!!!

3 Pairs of Earrings (click here for the pattern)

My dear friend Sue sent me these earring hoops and I just HAD to make something to go in them. I used my own pattern which and when finished 'tied' them into the rings using some invisible thread. I just can't wait to wear them but MUST go get a shower, dressed before I do!!!!

Play time with new ideas!!!

This looks pants at the moment but it MAY turn into something pretty in the end!!!!

Also I've started back on Motif 7 and at Gina's suggestion I am now doing 'tatted middles' to the different versions so that if people don't have small plastic rings they can still use the motifs!!!
Here's one already done.

Finished the MAT!!!!

At long last and this is the final round. The garden mat is finished. It measures 26" from 'point to point' and 22" from side to side.

YIPEEEE

This afternoon I finally finished the garden mat. I hope to take pictures tomorrow and then I'll post it on here. I'm now going back to check over motif 7 and to make alternative centres so that each version can be made without using a plastic ring.

Good News/Bad News

Finally found the missing elephant - that's the good news. Bad news is that he/she suffered many washes in the pocket of my favourite jeans!!! This is the one I'm talking about towards the bottom of this page - http://janeeborall.blogspot.com/2006_06_01_janeeborall_archive.html . A dead elephant. Still the finished one is happily on my web site now!!! http://www.e.n.e.btinternet.co.uk/elephantonion.htm

Version 5 - my favourite and last (I think!!!)

This is the last one. I don't feel another one popping into my head at the moment. VERY pleased with this one and it's just the right size for the Christmas giveaways. Again I've used three rings on the second side of the split ring to form a clover. It'll need stiffening slightly with the beads, I think.