What do I like about blogging?

Well, that's a little question with a big answer.

I suppose it's mainly that I like talking. Yes, that's it!!! I like talking but nobody around me likes listening to me!!!!

So on my blog I can talk all I like and never worry if anybody's listening!!!!

Another 'reason' for blogging is to keep me on track in my little corner of tat land. Before the blog I just used to make things and that was it - they'd be given away or go into my 'box of bits'.

Now I scan/photograph everything I make and then I can share - well, mostly share but sometimes I have 'secret tats' going on too.

Probably this is why I'm 'filling up space' talking about talking. I'm actually working on 'secret tats'!!!! Honest!!!!

This evening I hope to return to 'auto tats'!!! Things I've made before but am making again for gifts. I love the excitement of choosing new thread and bead combos out of my stash!!!

Orange bracelet

Another of 'those' sparkly bracelets!!!

Each time I get half way through one I start to think 'I really need one in ........ colour'!!!

I actually DO need one in lilac/purple and a neighbour has asked me to make one in those colours for her too. So, if I make one for HER, pretending it's for ME then I could get past brain cell # 3 and only have to make one more.

Do you follow the reasoning behind this? I don't!!! I'm lost!!!

Oh, the pretty large beads came from the Hospice shop. This is the place you can take things to re-use and is just to the side of the big re-cycle skips!!!! You take things that aren't ready to be thrown away but that somebody else might be able to put to further use. It can be the place to find treasures like beads - but not very often!!!

My new designer bag!!!

Well here's the new bag!!! It's now a 'designer' bag!!!

First of all my apologies to Gina. I removed you from the bag!!! The badge was sewn on with heavy duty thread which proved pretty easy to get off.

No, I didn't tat these yesterday evening - I found them in my stash and thought 'they'll do'!!!!

My sister is up from Southampton this weekend and she'd seen my bag on the blog. This is her blog, by the way.

Well yesterday there was a repeat of the Friday market in town (this happens just twice a month on a Saturday) so she wanted to go look at the 'bag man's' offerings!!! I'll leave the rest of the story to her!!!

Temptation got in my way!!!

On a Friday in our town there is a street market. This has been held for hundreds and hundreds of years. When I was younger you'd be able to buy almost anything there from fabric to rhubarb, from batteries to watches. Nowadays there are a lot fewer 'useful' stalls but nonetheless I always wander round to have a look and buy fruit. Well, it's on my walk into town so I can't miss the Friday market!!!

I was wandering through yesterday and this bag caught my eye. First of all the badge on it said 'Gina' so that drew my attention. Thanks Gina (tatting goddess) I blame you!!!

Then there was the label which amused me. It says

"Use attention. It will be caused and faded to grit and drench water. Please don't turn back the enclosure at will. don't carry the handle and zipper arbitrarily. Please don't use the pharmaceutical, petrol, etc, while maintaining."

Finally there was the colour which appealed. I took the bag over to the man who runs the stall and said I wished to complain about the bag. I love it when you say that to people and they immediately start to take a step backwards with a defensive look on their faces!

He asked me what my complaint was and I told him - "This bag shouted 'buy me' at me as I walked past". Six pounds lighter in my purse but I'm one happy bunny. Of course it needs something 'done' to it to jazz it up!!!! Tatting?!?!?!

Hearts!

Another day, another heart!!! I didn't get much done in the way of tatting yesterday as I was babysitting last night.

This was actually finished two days ago!!!

Lost but not found!!!

Do you remember this bracelet? I lost it twice due to the magnetic catch. Love these catches but they're not for me and bracelets!! I'll use them in future on necklaces only. I found it the first time I lost it, but sadly not the second!!! So, because this was one of my favourites (I wear a lot of denim) I made another (see below).

NOTE - I did not use a magnetic catch!!! I also lost an orange bracelet the same way so when I've got time I'll replace that too!!

Yesterday I lost something else!!! No, not brain cell # 3 - he's quietly working away on something else!!

I know it's here somewhere but I can't find it. A nearly new ball of black thread. Where is it? Can anybody help? I do hate it when I lose something like this!!!! Fortunately I have another ball of black so I was able to play with an idea for a proposed book coming out next year. I'm submitting one or maybe two ideas and hope that one is chosen. Yup, another book of patterns for tat land.

Talking books - I ordered a copy of the third Gary and Randy Houtz book off Tatting and Design yesterday. When I spoke to Lyn she said rumours were flying round that they were giving up the business. I can assure all out there in tat land that the rumours are wrong, wrong, wrong and that they've never been busier!!!! Rock on, Lyn and Mike (or should that be 'tat on')?!?!?!?

More of the same thing.

Yesterday was 'difficult' in my wee corner of tat land!! Why? Regular maintenance of this main computer caused problems!! Yup, you download software to help and this succeeds in 'not helping'. Finally all was sorted.

This could be the 'almost last' of this session's double sided motif - just need to do a check list on how many I actually need for presents then add a few spares if needed.

While I'm here I must comment on something dear to my heart.

The closing of the tattinggoddesss list.

I follow Gina's blog avidly, and have been torn between commenting on the list and/or the blog and usually find that the blog comment is easier by far. I always have my blog open at the dashboard (in one of the tabs) so I can easily see what the people I follow are up to!!!

Blog commenting is almost a private conversation on a 'one to one' basis whereas the lists are very public. This means that I can say things on a blog more easily and in a more relaxed manner than on a 'list'. I will continue to follow Gina with gusto until the next development happens on the internet!!!

To use an old git's addage - Rock on Gina.

Once upon a time!

Now this is a mat/doily that I found in that old suitcase of mine a few weeks ago.

I've no idea where the pattern came from and I couldn't get it all under the scanner either!!! Just goes to prove that I once used to do doilies!!!

Another view of the motif!!

This one caused me a lot of heartache with the final ring.

One suggestion is to read the pattern CAREFULLY!!!!!

Wouldn't you think that after more than 50 years with a shuttle in my hand I'd learn to READ the pattern carefully? Even my own?

The last part of this one isn't hard but the first part of the last ring is fiddly.

I DO like this pattern though and the picture shows both sides of version two. This is version one that I posted some days ago.

Last of this season's bags

I think I've now got enough bags to take with me to tat days!!!

This is the final (and I think the prettiest) fabric. It's a gorgeous print and I've used a lovely deep lilac plain lining for them. I've made four so that I can keep one for myself!!!

I performed a ceremonial 'putting away' of the sewing machine and all the bits and pieces that go with it. I doubt it'll stay put away for long, though.

Bagging again!!

This is what I made over the space of a couple of days for a friend.

On the left (plain blue) is a regular 2009 style tatting bag with a poke proof pouch lying in front. My friend brought the shuttle print fabric and her own bag and asked me if I could make one like it. This is the one on the right and it is a lot bigger. I DO hope it's OK!!! The design difference is that it has pockets on the outside.

I actually have a similar bag which I used as a 'model' but decided (personally) that as I'm such a ditz I'd be safer having pockets on the inside of a bag!! Less chance of losing things!!

I'm on the 'home run' for bag making. I've another five or six cut out and 'ready to go'. Some are half done so won't take long to finish.

Once these are done I'll put the machine away and start preparing for Palmetto.

I like to - well, I'll tell you another day. Tell or bore you!!!

News about my new shuttle

Carol Lawecki left this comment on my blog yesterday which I'm copying over here as it contains interesting information about my raffle win on Saturday:-

"I love that shuttle. I saw that shuttle in a catalog in 1998 and sent away for the catalog hoping to someday order that shuttle. Well I still have the catalog, but didn't order the Toucan Shuttle.

The catalog was called Sebalace and they are in the UK. Here is the address, but I don't know if they are still in business. Waterloo Mill, Howden Rd., Silsden, Keighley, W. Yorkshire BD20 OHA Tele: (01535) 655885. No web site listed.

There was also a fish shuttle and a seahorse shuttle like the toucan in this catalog along with other unique lace related items."

Following on from her comment I also had an email from Rosemarie Peel who also said the following:-

"Dear Jane I tried to write this comment on your blog but of course I was not logged in.

If the shuttle came from Sabalace it probably came to Caroline via the late Audrey Jackson who used to live up in Yorkshire.

She worked for Sebalace when they were still in business before she moved down to Warwick.

Prior to forming the Heart of England Tatters in 1999, I had a tatting meeting at my house and both Caroline and Audrey came."

Sadly as Audrey is no longer with us so I can't check with her. Thank you, Carol and Rosemarie. This makes the shuttle even more precious. Hmmm, I'd now love the other two in the set!

Where did yesterday go?

If anybody has the answer could they let me know?

After a messing around sorting stuff out morning, a lunchtime sorting out utility bills - grrrrr - I finally got round to some sewing. I'm desperately trying to build up a stock of bags to take to Palmetto Tat Days. I seem to be fighting a losing battle lately as life keeps getting in the way!!!

In the evening I settled down to tat another dangle but was really too tired to fiinish off the last ring of the round which is a little hard. Still there's always today, isn't there?!?!?!

I've been asked to do a design for an upcoming and top secret publication but so far the muse is eluding me. Maybe I'll get fed up with dangles soon and get cracking on that!!!

Below is one of the pictures that I took at Rosemarie's tatting afternoon on Saturday.

Butterflies

Remember my friend that I did the small snowflakes for the other week? Well she asked me to make her 10 small (5 ring) butterflies.

I'd done them for her before many, many years ago but had 'lost' the pattern and hadn't got any of her blue thread. I had to ask for both!!!

The thread arrived on Saturday morning with the pattern. I'd forgotten that she doesn't do anything other than rings and chains so her pattern started with a back wing and followed on round with a long picot on the head ring which was later cut for the feelers.

Anybody who knows me and the way I design must realise that I HATE ends and will 'work round' them at every opportunity and find ways of avoiding finishing ends.

So the first thing I did was re-write her wee pattern to make the final ring the head using a SR and thus cutting the ends to form the feelers. The butterflies are done and will be flying off in the post tomorrow!!

Tatting afternoon

What a fabulous day yesterday. The sun shone. Yup, all day - until it got dark!! Not only that but Jennifer Williams drove all the way from Welsh Wales for a tatting chatting day.

She arrived mid morning and that meant time for coffee and - well, you've guessed - tat chat in the garden.

We then went to Nuneaton (about thirty miles away) to join the Heart of England Tatters. This is the group run by Rosemarie Peel. We got there slightly late but it didn't matter. Rosemarie had a fabulous pattern for us to try. A development from a Randy Houtz one.

As usual Rosemarie was well prepared and the lesson got underway. Billy Muggins here didn't do very well. I had two (or was it three?) starts on it before the final and serious attempt got under way. Then at the crucial point my 'very important' thread broke. I gave up I'm appalled to admit. I really should've taken brain cell # 3 with me but I never gave it a thought. I'll have another attempt at the pattern in a few days time.

There was a raffle and as Rosemarie announced that she was drawing it she said 'the winner is' and I muttered number 451 quietly to Jennifer just in time to hear Rosemarie say 'number 451'. I was gobsmacked which you can imagine was a first time.

The prize was that I was asked to choose a shuttle and this is the one I chose. I've never seen one like this before. It was from the collection of the late and much missed Caroline Cramp. This was a lady who was forever tatting and laughing.

After the afternoon session finished we returned to my house for something to eat (courtesy of the Chinese place at the end of the road!) and then Jennifer drove back to Wales. Thanks, Jennifer for persuading me out of my pit and taking me to Nuneaton - I enjoyed the trip and your company very much.

Another dangle

Same pattern, same colours but used the opposite way round!!!

Great news. Remember Matthew Takeda's SSSR? Well, when Georgia first did the lesson on it I did some drawings for her. I tried the SSSR and didn't really see the potential of it.

Then along came Tattingchic with her variation on it (which, incidentally, Matthew had tried but not pursued).

Very kindly both Matthew and Tattingchic have given me permission to add their ideas to my web site which is in the 'usual place'!!!!

I find it amazing that new ideas keep cropping up and that they have all been there under all our noses as it were.

Matthew did remark that he could see little point in the SSSR at first but it's causing me sleepless nights as I can now see designs rocketing round the empty space in my head!!!

Just messing around!

I thought I'd make a few dingle dangles for gifts so this is the first of - well, several!!!

I've played with this pattern and made all the chains the same colour this time (well, actually I forgot to do a SLT) and I think I like it better. Less 'fussy'!!!

I must admit that this is one of my favourites so I often return to play with it. Really MUST sort out the pattern as in places it needs 'attention'. Maybe this evening whilst I'm working another I'll do that!!!

Sometimes

Sometimes I make something I'm REALLY pleased with. Doesn't happen often but when it does then I really feel great.

This is a hanky that I started some time ago. I do like something that I can pick up when I'm bored with designing or am too tired.

Worked in a number 80 (or thereabouts) variagated thread and using an edging that I did a year or so ago I made this edging again.

When it was finished (first picture) I wanted to add something to the corners to make it slightly less boring so in went some butterflies (second picture). It's SO pretty that I'll be able to give it to someone very special to me.

I may make another to work on while we're on holiday as it is so easy to pick up from time to time. We'll see!!!

Bags and other 'stuff'!!

Below are the bags which I've got in stock but which aren't going to be listed in Etsy until much later this year. If anybody wants one or wants to see larger pictures then please email me on lovetotat @ gmail.com and I'll sort out payment etc with you.

I can accept USD checks too as well as Paypal.

Another matter which I've been playing with is TattingChic's idea which she posted here. This second method of hers for climbing out of a round using a 'one coloured split ring' really, really works.

I will shortly post a technique page for the SSSR and this method once the pair of us have worked on the wording etc!!!

Thank you TattingChic for bringing this to tat land and Martha Ess for so carefully planting the idea in her head!!!! Now I know where brain cell # 3 has got to!!!!

Shopping bag

My new shopping bag (in American - tote!).

I finally finished this project. I'm very pleased with it.

For many years I've taken a shopping bag out with me when I go shopping so the new 'trend' to save the planet by using re-useable bags had no effect on me. Well, that's a lie - it's just encouraged me to make more bags!!

I do wish I could find the one I made many years ago which was a 'planned' pattern made in the same way. That time I used Laura Ashley prints and made a sun rising over some hills.

I'm not sure what sort of work you'd call this apart from 'hit and miss'!!!!

I bought some iron on vilene and worked out what size I wanted the bag to eventually be. Then I took the odds and ends which I'd kept from the tatting bags and placed them on the vilene (sticky side up). I lifted the pieces and pressed under some of the edges and overlapped others until I was happy with placement etc. Then the fun bit. Out came the iron and they were all 'stuck down'. Naturally there were edges that didn't stick but that didn't matter.

Next I used a narrow zig zag stitch on the machine and went round each piece. Finally the bag was made. The handles are made of three strips of fabric which have been plaited.