Finally the right shape!

This is the right shape but there's still a LONG way to go. This has been worked in two parts (darn tying and cutting) so I've got to start again and try to eliminate that problem. I also need to 'design out' the hole in the middle.
Now a bit more about 'why a Fleur de Lys'. My sister (also a tatter) is a Beaver leader here in the U.K. Here's a useful link http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/6to25/beaver/ Next year is a big anniversary for them (can't remember which one!) and she asked if I could make a Fleur de Lys as that is their emblem. She wants to make some as giveaways.
First of all Sally sent me their logo and I pasted that into a lower layer of Serif DrawPlus in order to 'trace over' it on the layer above. I then did the first two attempts as posted on previous days. It then occurred to me that this was getting me nowhere so I tried popping some rings etc over the top of the logo. I've added that to the blog too. I'm hoping that this will show my many and devious ways of designing. I can't say that I have any particular way of doing a design or that any of it is 'set in stone'.

Another small step for mankind!!!

I didn't get very far yesterday evening - fell asleep in the armchair!!!

What am I up to now?

Any guesses more than welcome!!!

A Bookmark - I think!!!!

I've finished this sample but I think it looks better in the picture than in 'real life'! May play with this a lot more before I 'launch' it on my web site. All comments for improvements are welcome!!! Brain's gone to sleep on this!!! I shall also make it into and edging with corners when I next get 'inspired'. If anybody comments on this would they please also email me privately so that I can reply!!!

Finished Another Project!!!

I finished the little faces which will be zipper pulls for children's clothes (and mine!) last night. The one on the left and the one in the middle are a pattern which needs SCMR and a split chain. The difference between these two are the size of the ears. The third face is a completely different pattern.

Funnily this wasn't easy to design as a lot of detail had to be put into a small space and they had to be dense enough for the piece to stand up to small fingers constantly pulling at them. Now to finish off the text (adding abbreviations etc) and to submit it to the new Welsh newsletter. Do hope they like it.

Tying up Loose Ends

Well, you do when you're tatting, don't you?!?!?
I managed to resolve one of my zipper pulls yesterday evening and will certainly get the other versions done this evening. They can then go to the group I've sort of promised them to for consideration for their newsletter. I also made a pair of giraffes to send to a friend but they've worked out too big for earrings - I'll do some smaller ones by jiggling with the stitch count. I don't have any finer thread in black and I don't think they would make good earrings in a finer thread!!!
Third thing - another heart. Realised that the ones I'd made were now sewn onto tshirts so I didn't have any for my sample book! Duh, am I stupid, or what?

A simple bookmark idea

This has been on my mind now for weeks and I found a 'space' to play with it last night. Just need to check whether it's been done before!!!

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!!!!