More adventures with an edging!

Tomorrow will be Day 10 of the TIAS.

Following on from this post the next time I returned to it I realised that I was no longer in 'block tatting mood' so I just carried on playing.  You can see in this experiment I ran out of yellow thread on the one shuttle and was too idle to look for the thread again so added another 'sort' of red to it instead!!!

Now this is looking a bit better!!!  

The bottom picture shows an experiment with a corner too.  Now this should be fine when worked in a finer thread for a hanky.   We'll see!!!! 

Not a lot else

As you know from it's title this blog is purely about tatting but just once in a blue moon I do have something else to say.

Some of you know that I volunteer in our local library on one morning a week teaching other old people (like MEEE) to use computers, laptops, tablets etc.  

A few years ago a lady joined us one Wednesday saying that she wanted to know how to use a computer as she wanted to write a book.  Well she was positive that that's what she was going to do even though she'd no experience with computers and I'd none with writing books.  

Time went on, she bought a computer and we struck up a friendship (as you do!!!) and when she moved into the town I was able on one or two occasions to walk over to her place to help with small things she needed to know.

Just before Christmas Joan came into the library one Wednesday morning with - a signed copy of her book for me.  YES, she did it.  Well I'm not a great reader of biographies but once I picked this one up I got so interested that I read it right through with more and more admiration for Joan as I finished each chapter   What an interesting lady.  WELL DONE, Joan Inglis - I'm SO proud of you and feel honoured to have met you during my journey through life.  

It's now been published as an ebook too and here's where you can find it.

Day 9

Time to play again!!!  Yes, today it's day 9 of this year's TIAS.

Here's the link.

It makes you laugh.

Day 9 tomorrow.

Although this is serious, I must tell you about a hilarious 'conversation' (I use  the word conversation with reservation as it did get heated) that I had on Monday with a 'person' who had stolen my work.  She doesn't merit the title of lady!!!

I noticed she'd taken this image and put it on her blog.  Not a problem as it was linked to my site.  BUT underneath that was the pattern to go with it.  It had been taken and somehow converted from the original pdf file with my name and copyright notice removed - NO link to my site.  Now that IS naughty.  No mention of the designer at all.  I originally noticed this blog last October but found there was no way to contact on her.  Time went on and I put it to the back of my mind - as you do.

Then on Monday I noticed she'd added another picture that was a copy of a new idea on another tatter's site.  I contacted the other tatter and she wasn't too worried but would probably have contacted the blog owner if there'd been any way to do that.  

Later that day my friend came back to me as she'd found that the blog owner had now (within the past week) set up an Etsy shop.  EUREKA.  Etsy have a convo link so off I went and 'asked' her to take my pattern off her blog.  She said she didn't think she could as she wasn't sure she knew how to get into the blog.

That's funny, I said, when you managed to put a picture up there the day before (same one in her Etsy shop)!!!  So our convo got a bit heated and I had to really laugh when she said she didn't even LIKE my patterns and I was to stop harassing her or she'd report me to Etsy!!!!  The pattern has now been removed but if it hadn't I would've taken further action - in fact I'd already contacted somebody about it who knows how to handle those situations.  There's also a whole book up there on her blog which is still under copyright.  

So, what I want to know is why you'd steal something you don't like?  

Answers on a tatting shuttle (or make a comment!!) to me, please!!!

Edging 1

Now I wanted an edging - a block tatted edging.  So in my inimitable way I just got hold of two shuttles and some thread.  

I've 'chopped up' the trials so as not to overload you with too much 'tat'!!!!!  There really is quite a lot to see in this!!!

This picture shows my first start before I put it down in disgust!!!  

The 'problem' with designing a decent edging is (in my opinion) that the most important criteria is having sufficient picots on the 'joining edge' to be able to sew it on easily.  The fewer  you have then the more difficult it is to get it evenly onto the item.  

The second consideration for me is that the edging should have sufficient depth to be made in one pass.   I remember doing one once many, many moons ago which had two rows.  First row - easy peasy but getting motivated for the second one was a nightmare.  

Day 8

Good morning on another miserable day here in England!!!  I know we probably needed a bit of rain but this is just a bit toooooooo much. 

Anyway, here's the link for day 8 of the Tat It And See.

Before I leave you today I want to tell you the very, very bad news that I had last Friday.  I was just checking my emails last thing before going to sleep and I had one from my good friend Crazy mom tats who lives in Atlanta and with whom Sally and I stayed in September 2012.  This was her exact message:-
The subject was 'Our House'

Burned down this morning, gone by 10 am. No one was inside, but house is total loss and we lost all pets. 

We are ok. Have check in hand from insurance, and are staying at Hampton Inn locally. Now to find a place to stay and much shopping to replace things. 

I'm a tough cookie, I'll be ok."

Here is a link.  

I managed to FaceTime with her on Saturday and when I got an email from her on Sunday (saying could I blog all this) she'd managed to get shuttles and thread.  Moral?  You can't stop a tatter from tatting.

Can you imagine losing everything, but everything you own within the space of a few hours?  All the pets (we met most of them) and - well it's haunted me ever since and Friday night I just didn't sleep for worrying.  

Thankfully the two boys living at home still are fine and Crazy Mom (who isn't the LEAST bit crazy) is going to get through it all too.

Ros's birthday pressie

Now today I've got a funny thing to tell you.  Well, two, actually.

My friend Ros has a birthday just after Christmas and the first funny thing to tell you is that she loves my tatting.  She's a pleasure to make things for as she likes it loads.  Admittedly I usually make her jewellery and she always gets one of my Christmas designs too.  She gets 'just because' presents mainly, though.

Anyway, just before Christmas she needed help with re-hanging her curtains so I wandered up to her place and fixed them for her.  I decided that I'd make her a runner for her windowsill so tatted the set of motifs below to match her colour scheme.

Well, I couldn't see her on her birthday so took up the present the day before and told her not to open it.  Next day she rang to say thank you and I asked her what she'd done with it.  Second funny - she said she'd put it on her windowsill!!!!  Well we must be able to read each other's minds!!  In case you wonder - this is the motif.

Day 7

Ready and waiting for you right here is Day 7.

Tomorrow is

Tomorrow is Day 7 of the TIAS.  Nearly halfway now so keep going, please!!!

Yummy

Now that's what I say about these three skeins of HDT which came in the post on Monday.  Well, they simply are 'yummy'.  

Now you're wondering where they came from - they came from America.

Yes, America is a BIG place so now you want to know where from in America!!!

So, I'll tell you - Maryland.

Oh, go on, I give in.  They came from Monica who has a shop full of threads here in Etsy.

Can't wait to try them but I MUST finish off an on-going project before I do.  Steady old girl - one thing at a time!!!

Day 6

Good morning world!!!!  Well I suppose I should say good morning Tat Land!!

Here's the link for Day 6 - have fun!!!

Something different

Before I start today - tomorrow will be day 6 of the Tat It And See.  

I wanted to show you this set which was a custom order through my Etsy shop just after Christmas.  The pictures don't give the bracelet and earrings full credit but blame the lack of sun around here!!!!  

There's something very satisfying about doing a custom order.  It's good to know what the customer wants and be able to discuss it with them before making.  Making is, of course, the best bit for me.  

I'm happy to report that my customer was pleased with her order and I breathed a big sigh of relief!!  

Oh, my Etsy shop is here.

Day 5

Good morning, world.  

Here is the link for Day 5 of the TIAS 2014.  

There is plenty of time to start from the beginning if you've only just found the TIAS.  Links above this post will give you the introduction and all five days.  

We're not yet halfway through yet so let the fun continue!!!!

Not a lot else

Well I don't have a lot to say today - did I hear somebody say 'thank goodness'?  I will tell you, though, that tomorrow I'll put day 5 up on the blogs.  

The instructions for what you'll need are on the day 4 page but I'll put them here too just in case you've 'done a Jane' and lost them!!!  I could get medals for losing things!!!

For the next stage you will need two shuttles using the same thread as before with 3 yards on Sh1 and 3½ yards on Sh2 - again wound CTM (continuous thread method).

Finally the Catherine Wheel motif

The end of the line is here!!!!  Below is the final, final version and BC3 is now heading for retirement!!  

Top is 'just the middle' which makes a nice enough motif on it's own, I think.  I may well start with this as the beginning of another idea soon as once the block tatting idea wanes it could be the basis for something else!!!  

Next are two made with blue as the basis.  There's the one done in plain colours and the bottom one done in plain and variegated.  I know which I prefer!!!

Right - out with the sunglasses, book, bikini (YIKES) and the deck chair.  BC3 is heading for a long and happy retirement.  Wonder how long it'll last?!?!?!   Five minutes or fifty years?  Ummmm, doubtful on both.  Certainly the second as I ain't got fifty left - tat's for sure!!!!

Day 4 - TODAY

Here is the link for Day 4.  

As usual I will put it above this post too - just to make it easier to find if anybody new stumbles across this blog.

At a rough guess I think there are almost 90 people taking part that I know of.  I keep all the photos in folders for each day and occasionally count them.  I'm a very happy old git!!!!

Trying colours and changing stitch counts!

First an announcement - tomorrow will be Day 4 of the TIAS so keeeeeep watching!!!

So, there is a difference now between the purple/pink one here at the top and the brown/cream one below.  Just a matter of moving the ring slightly to the left.  When I got to this stage I felt I was almost there but it still needs further checking.  

Am I annoying you now?  Well with a bit of luck today I'll get the links and things done and ready to upload.  All these things take time and the full concentration of BC3!!!  

Yet another!!!

Lots more TIAS's in overnight - please bear with me while I play catch up this morning.  An OG has to eat sometimes, you know and I've also got to post all the shuttles this morning too!!!

The Tat It And See has almost 80 people taking part - well, that's the number I know about!!!  I'm thrilled with the numbers and delighted to see not only old friends but new ones arriving daily.  Thanks everybody.

I thought another colour may do the trick and make me like it but it didn't and I don't!!!!  It still didn't twirl enough for me but I carried on working on it!!!  I'll show you more and get the pattern up soon. 

Day 3 of the TIAS

Here is the link for Day 3 of the TIAS 2014.

Two announcements

Two things to tell/remind you of today.

First is that Day 3 will be out tomorrow morning.  Thank you to those who have kept quiet about my 'bad day' on Thursday when my main computer was having a meltdown!!!  Neither Nick or I could understand what was causing it and it took him most of the day to sort it out, bless his cotton socks.  During that time I accidentally copied day 3 link into my announcement post!!!  I was told by a tatter about it so quickly fired up the laptop and sorted it.  Things can only get better, can't they?

Also today I need to remind you that there are a few shuttles (see this post) that will be going into the Etsy shop later today.  The link to the shop is here.

I think Sunday is going to be a very busy day with blogging day 3's and any others that come in and sorting and packing shuttles too!!!  No mischief for me tomorrow!!!

One last thing which really, really made me megga chuffed was to notice on my dashboard here that I now have 500 followers.   Thanks for keeping an eye on me - nice to know that people care about my ramblings on here.  Really great, actually for an old git to know that there are people who are out there reading my blog.

More on the block tatting motif

Another go at the motif but I'm still not happy with it.  As you can see on this version I've replaced the outer picots with rings but they're not right.  Least I don't like them yet.  

Not sure what gets into me when I'm designing but it's like artists - you never know when to stop on some designs!!!!  Least that's what BC3 tells me.

Day 2 of the TIAS is progressing well.  Not sure whether there will be many more 'starters' but it's keeping me well out of mischief!!!

DAY 2

Day 2 of the TIAS 2014 is now posted here!!! 

It's NEVER too late to join in so if you haven't started yet - please think about it!!!

Also I have news today of more Pop A Bobbin shuttles.  The following will be in my Etsy shop on Saturday at 20.00 GMT.  That's eight o'clock in the evening in my time.

3 COCOBOLA ROSEWOOD  $33.60 each

3 PURPLEHEART $32.70 each

3 ZEBRANO $32.70 each

1 AMERICAN BLACK WALNUT $28.00 each

2 IROKO $28.50 each

2 OREGON MYRTLE $28.00

Block tatting motif progress.

Tomorrow will be day 2 of the Tat It And See.  Keep your eyes open at the top of this blog or the TIAS one.  I will announce it on a blog post on both blogs too and also on Facebook.  

Well today I'm showing you the next progress on the motif.  The whole thing was completed a few weeks ago so it's almost ready to put on the pattern site!!!  I just get a bit behind with linking everything up.  Also I do like to keep you all in suspense sometimes too!!!!

Fantasy Flower is finally finished

Thank you to all who have sent in day 1 of the Tat It And See.  It's a great start to this year's game.  I've got quite a few more in overnight so will get those uploaded after breakfast and a walk to the supermarket to get bread and milk.

Today I'm going to show you the final test tat of the new instructions for the Fantasy Flower.  Although it was OK as it was before I felt it needed bringing up to date and as I had to re-draw the diagrams (the originals were done in my PC days) I thought it was a good idea to check the wording.  

Now this is no easy task when dealing with BC3 who often doesn't concentrate on the job in hand and/or is easily distracted!!!  Still we finally got our act together and I finally managed to upload the finished amended copy yesterday.  Here's the link.

We're off - Day 1

Today's the day!!!  The start of the Tat It And See 2014. 

Here's the link for Day 1

For those who missed the introduction - there's a link above this post.  That's where I'll be putting all further links as well as announcing them on this blog and the TIAS blog which is here.

If you would kindly send pictures as jpg, gif or png format that will save me having to 'sort out' word docs and pdf's which I can't upload.  Thanks.

Progress - part 2

So this time I decided to ditch the ring in the centre idea and try something else - a naked centre.  

This proved to be another horrid start but a few ideas were slowly developing as you can see.  When I got to this stage I started thinking along the lines of swirling and twirling this motif but I wasn't not sure - yet!!! 

You can see on this version that I've given some thought to the placement of some rings at the end of the block tatting on that row.  They weren't there before.  I'd also started a 'possible' second round too but time will tell if that will actually 'happen'!!!  

As I said in yesterday's post - the completed pattern is done but I thought you'd like to see some of the doodlings  I did to get it there.

An experiment in block tatting!

So, here we go on my block tatting adventure!!!  Day one saw me starting with a motif I'd done years ago called the 'small motif'.  Some people (like MEEEE) have no imagination over naming designs!!!

As you can see something wasn't right about this attempt so it stopped where you can see!!!  Another lot of thread destined for the bin!!!  

I use yards and yards of thread when designing and that's why I keep a look out on Ebay for threads just for that purpose.  I won't use my lovely Lizbeth or other 'good' sorts for designing. 

Last for now

So, this may be the last one as I've got into another project!!!

This is in Rainbow Splash by Lizbeth.

My new project has taken me over.  The reason I got so 'into' the geckos was because of the new way I discovered to make a neat join on the return chain using the 'easy block tatting' method.  

It's not easy to design anything with block tatting as you always land up at the wrong place.  Yes, you can do a slip stitch type of way to get back to another point (like in the gecko pattern) but it's not always where you want to be.  

So with this next project I decided to 'go with the flow' and see where I landed up.  As it's nearly finished in 'real time' I will show you the progress and how I 'got there' over the following days.  Well, of course, that's if I can find all my rejects!!!!

Tat It And See

It's tat time of year again!!!  Time to play and get through the dreary month of January (and part of February) if you live in the Northern Hemisphere and time to chill from the heat if you live 'down there'.

The Tat It And See (TIAS) will start on Monday 6th January - when I'm up and about in the morning (that's GMT morning!).

Here's the link to the introduction so you can source threads and prepare shuttles.  

Let the fun begin.

Did you want a sneak preview?  OK, here it is!!!  Now that didn't help, did it?

Fantasy Flower 2

Tomorrow I'll announce the start date of the Tat It And See.  Keep an eye open as the link to the introduction will be on that post.
Although both pictures are of the same motif the lower one was taken while it was still damp after a quick press under a cloth!!!!  Also it was taken later in the day when the sun (what little we see of it) had gone in behind the clouds.  Weird the way colours change.

I'm still checking out the pattern as the text takes ages for me to 'get right' - or as near 'right' as I think I can get.  I think I'll work one more as I've still got loads of beads around me in tat corner!!!

This is the front

and this is the back

The final box

This is IT.  The final box.  

Guess what?  I'm almost tempted to go and buy more of them as they are such fun to do and I know that just before Christmas there were some black fabric ones in the shop.  

Problem is that fighting the invisible thread can cause OG's to nearly meltdown!!!

Just for a change!

As I regularly do - I decided that I ought to re-visit this pattern and I'm glad I did.  This is the first of several trials I'm doing of the Fantasy Flower. 

The main reason for looking this pattern over again is to see if I can improve it's 'understandability'!!!!  I'll need to do the drawings again as the originals were done on a PC and now I use a Mac so the software didn't 'transfer'.  Mind, I do like drawing on the computer - very therapeutic but hard too when you have thread and shuttles wound round your hands as well!!!

This isn't a very good picture as it was scanned.  I'll try for a better one later using the camera!!

Final box started

Before I start I'd like to show you number 126 of the 2013 Tat It And See from Anne-Mare.  I'll shortly be announcing the start date of the TIAS 2014.  Are there anymore prams still to come?  Not that it matters particularly!!!

Roughly flung onto the scanner are the first two 'parts' of the final box!!!  Again I've gone back to using the beads that came off the original one so they're really re-purposed.  

When I pop my clogs I'm hoping I'll be thrown into the recycling box which the council collect every fortnight!  Problem is - I'll have to 'smallerise' myself first to be able to fit into the bin!!!

Two bracelets

Well I doubt you'll hear from me for a day or two and I'm not going to explain why either!!!  Oh, alright I will.  

It's because there'll be nobody around to read my ramblings as most of you will be celebrating Christmas.  I'll not be going ANYWHERE.  Not even 'down the town' to buy the milk and a newspaper for Nick.  For us it's a designated two days for eating and drinking too much, falling asleep in the chair and most importantly - the giving of presents.  Which brings me to these two below.

A couple of bracelets made for a neighbour and her daughter.  I really enjoy making these and especially for this lass who I've been helping with her crochet.  Well, here's the link if you want to make one.  Easy peasy once you know how to do the single shuttle split ring (SSSR).

A special card

Now I just had to show you this Christmas card which came from a well known tatter who lives in Scotland.

It came from Lindsay Rogers who is the author of several tatting pattern books and who is specially well known for her Tatting Collage designs in the book of that name.  I can't give you any links as she's not active online but if you put 'Lindsay Rogers tatting' into google you'll find lots of places you can find her books.

We have often exchanged letters in the past as I don't think Lindsay uses a computer.  Look at this lovely tatting and see how it enhances an already pretty card.

Another box done and dusted.

Another finished.  I was a bit concerned that this one wouldn't work.  It's not a colour that really appealed to me but then I ought to know by now that Lizbeth threads always look good if you have the courage to give them a try!!!

Yesterday I wandered round the shop where I got the little boxes from and they've still got some left in this peacock blue colour and also some new ones - in black.  Rather like the ones I did earlier this year.  

I was SUCH a good old git and I managed not to be tempted - but it was hard, very hard!!!

Another box and I'm bored!

A change from the diamond studded motifs now and onto something new.  I get bored very easily!!!

This time I took the first part of the 3D snowflake which is here and 'messed about' with it a bit!!! Well, only a bit as you can see!!  I put a bead in the middle (swarovski type) and a long beaded picot between the rings.  I extended the chain's long beaded picots too - just because I could!!!!

The next box is finished

Ta de dah!!!!!  I announce the arrival of another box - finished and ready for my plans!!!!

Now to be honest I did the top of this box a week or so ago so the edging, sides and sewing have been done a while too.  

It takes me most of an evening to do the large motif and then another half an evening to do the edging.  The sewing is done in the afternoons when I've got a bit of natural light and the concentration to do it.  Least that's the theory!

Starting another adventure!!!!

Now here's another motif (diamond studded again) ready for another of the boxes.  

This time to make life more interesting I've used a swarovski crystal bead in the second long beaded picot.  Again the picture isn't that good but you can blame my scanner for that.  Least I'm not sure it is the scanner itself or whether it's the driver!!!  I've been looking for an updated driver for that since I downloaded Maverick.  Ah well these things take time and are sent to try an OG!!!!

First box finished.

Here is the finished box which I showed you with this dreadful photo back here!!!

I was really ashamed of that picture but I'm pleased now with the finished box.  I do have a plan for all these but I'm not going to say what it is yet!!!!  

An added advantage of making them is the fact that it keeps me quiet for hours and gives lots of practice sewing with the invisible thread!!!

Please take note of the diamond (cough, cough, splutter, splutter) right in the middle and the fact that with this Lizbeth thread I have actually re-used some of the beads and sequins.  

Right - onto the next one.  What thread will I use and how long will the geckos be kept at bay?

Another play!

As I promised on Saturday - another play with Frivole's Celeste pattern!!  

Has anybody EVER told y'all in Tat Land that you can NEVER have enough beads?  Well, if you haven't been told before then I'm telling you now!!!!

Since the birth of the long beaded picot life is so much easier.  

With Celeste I only had to work out how many to put on the threads for the beads on the core thread.  When it came to the LBP's I added the lavender intermixed with clear beads.  Job done!!!!

Playing with Celeste

I was lucky enough to win a copy of Frivole's pattern - Celeste in her recent giveaway.  So pretty.

Well I looked and looked at it but just couldn't pluck up the courage to make picot gauges.  I tatted for all those years (pre-internet) without ever using one (because I'd never heard of them!) and couldn't see why I'd need them for regular tatting.  Actually I wonder when gauges were invented - anybody got the answer to that?  

Anyway, the answer to my problem (with apologies to Frivole) was to make the long picots into long beaded picots as they act as a foolproof (well it is an OG tatting it) gauge without the hassle of finding an old credit card to make a 'real' gauge!!!

I think this motif (see below) is stunning.  I'm going to make another with beads in the centre too and more on the outside instead of picots.  Just need BC3 to help me work out the numbers on each shuttle but I'm sure he'll manage that!!  The beads mean that it keeps it's shape very well too - I haven't even pressed this one yet and honestly don't think it really needs to see an iron either!!!!

Progress on the latest box

This is SUCH a bad picture.   I apologise.

This is for the top of the box that I showed you here.  You can't see in this lousy picture that I used the beads that I cut off the original.  I also used a doodad with a 'diamond' in the centre for this design.  I 'rescued' these from pairs of earrings that I bought from Asda a few years ago.  Bargain too as they were in the sale.  Right sort of 'diamonds' for me too - fake!!!!

Promise I'll make sure the next picture is a lot better.

How to keep an OG stimulated!

So, it's nearly Christmas but it came early yesterday!!!!  A package I'd ordered from Amazon for my grandson, another I picked up from Lakeland to replace the gift for Nick that I returned last week etc etc.  

BUT there was also a package for MEEEEE.  All the way from America too.  Thanks, EttaJ - that'll keep an OG inspired for ages.  Just having a few problems with Nick, though.  I gave him a Mary Jane sweet (they're yummmmyyyyy) and he's now convinced they also say 'Nick' on them.

Before I finish.  I must tell you the story of Nick's returned present.  I bought it last Saturday and smuggled it into the house.  He came out of the kitchen with a big grin on his face to show me what had just arrived from Amazon - it was the same as I'd just bought him.  

I took it back to the shop and asked the girl if I could have a refund as my partner had bought himself one off Amazon.  Of course, she said.  What is it?  I produced the sink plunger out of my bag but she was lost after that in a fit of giggles.  You can tell I think a lot of the guy - it's not everybody who buys somebody they love a sink plunger!!!

Little boxes once again!

Wandering through the shop in town a few weeks ago I spotted more of these boxes.

Well I succumbed as usual and came home with a few.  They look lovely as they are but the scissors came out and the first one 'got naked'!!!

Now, what shall I do next?!?!?

Must say that I've kept the beads and sequins (well, those that didn't take a dive off my lap into oblivion and finally the hoover) so they could well be re-used.  Watch this space!!!   

Well, the space between my two ears where BC3 lives!!!

Another snowflake in a flurry!!!

This is another almost the same as this one but that had gold beads and this has clear ones.  

I have a son in law who nags me unmercifully for tatted bits to go on their tree.  Bless his cotton socks as he and his mum are the only ones who display my work at Christmas!!!  I certainly don't as the bits and bobs are somewhere in 'that' box in a cupboard somewhere!!!!  

So pleasing that somebody can be bothered to use them!!!!

Hanky

I have a  habit.  No, not a nasty or unpleasant one, even.  It's a habit I simply can't seem to kick!!!  

When I first started tatting the only thing my gran could suggest was doing hanky edgings.  Wonderful for practice but not very inspiring for a 13 year old!!!!  In fact they're just plain BORING!!!

BUT that's now my 'go to' thing when I've finished whatever task I've set myself for the evening.  I seem to always have one at the side of my chair.  This is the latest one.  

They simply HAVE to be done in a size 80 thread.  Nothing else will do.  This is the 'oh so simple' edging which can be found here.  It really is simple and grows pretty quickly too giving a good depth to the hanky as well.  So, this one's finished and I've already got out colours for the next one!!!