December Was Busy

At Crazy Quilt Club, I learned how to hand dye lace.  I enjoyed it very much and think the lace turned out very well.  Now to find cotton and silk laces to hand dye.  Here are the results of my first attempts --

Then I machine embroidered a picture for my violin teacher,  machine embroidered some Blue Willow for Rebecka, made several sets of ornaments

and hand embroidered a picture for Kerstin's office --

I also worked on a knitted intarsia Christmas stocking which is not done yet and started a pair of knitted socks which are also not done yet.  Both of these projects were top down.  The Christmas stocking has a forgotten heel and grafted toe and the socks are also top down.  I think I'll stick with my toe up socks but it's good to know the other technique for the 'just in case' I can't convert the pattern to toe up.

1st Machine Embroidery

A few weeks ago I purchased the Janome 9900 and the Floriani Total Control software.  Although I did some minor sewing on it, I hadn't done any embroidery.  I went for my official hand holding session yesterday at the Fabric Art Shop.  It turned out to be a good thing.  Even though I had the manual with me, I had forgotten some things from my training session a few weeks before and I had a small problem with the machine reading my USB stick.  After those minor issues were fixed, I spent the next two hours stitching a design that the machine said would take only 45 minutes.  It obviously doesn't take into account thread change time.

I thought it appropriate that my first design should be dachshunds happily making a Snow Doxie. 

Crazy Quilt Journal 2014 Challenge

I wasn't going to do another challenge for 2014 but this one seemed do-able especially since I can use  machine embroidery and the squares only need to be 6" minimum.

For this crazy quilt, I'm going to use all cotton fabric and not the silks, satins, & velvets that I'm using in Fabric Art Shop Crazy Quilt Club.

Earlier today, I ordered a set of stencils that will make my hand embroidery stitches all the same height but I can also design hundreds of different patterns. 

Clover Doily

I have been asked to make a second Clover Doily (see Motif #18). I started out using Latte Foam because I was eager to see how that would turn out but I didn't like it. It looked as if it were dirty and needed to be washed.  I figured if I had the urge to constantly want to wash it, the recipient would too.  So I'm using Lizbeth 603 - Ecru in size 20 just like the first one.  I'm up to round 3.  I'm being extra careful so I don't have to untat as much.

Motif #25 - The Challenge is Finished

My 25th motif.  It's called Accidental Heart and the pattern is on this page.  It was the Week 10 Challenge for the Shuttlebirds Tatting Guild.

Doing the 25 Motif Challenge at times was a challenge unto itself -- trying to decide which motif to do.  It was fun.  I have to take a break from this challenge because I have been asked to make another Clover Doily.  That will take me time to make so I'll pick up the Challenge again in a few months when that's done.

Motif #24

This is Kira's Star in Lizbeth white, size 20.

One more motif to go and I will have met the challenge!!

Motif #23

This motif is also for the crazy quilt block.  It's the Triangular Medallion by Lisa C. Trumble.  I made it with Lizbeth size 20 in color #117.

Two more motifs to go.  I'm excited that I may actually meet the challenge deadline.

Motif #22

While at Tat Days 2013, I picked up some crazy quilt blocks to embellish for next year's fundraising quilt.  Here is an edging I made for one of the blocks.  I used Spring Flowers in size 80 Lizbeth thread.

Working with size 80 thread was interesting. It wasn't too bad to work with.  The only problem I had with it was when I had to untat a section. If I had used a magnifying glass, it would have been a lot easier.

Three more motifs to go and thankfully I have six weeks in which to do it in.

Motif #20 and #21

Motif #20 (right) is called Blue Motif Pattern. The original was done in blue thread, hence the name.

Motif #21 (below) is another Tat Days project that I completed since returning home.  It's going to hang on my Christmas Tree.  It's called Silver Bells by Sharren Morgan.  I used Altin Basak metallic thread in light blue.  This is the first time I used that brand of thread and I like it very much. 

Motif #19

I attended my first Tat Days sponsored by the Palmetto Tatter's Guild.  I signed up for Christmas Tree Jewelry, the Serenity Angel, Tidy Tatting, 3-D Northern Star, Tatted Owl, and Silver Bells classes. The teachers were very helpful and didn't mind teaching a technique that wasn't covered in their class.

The tatted pieces that were on display for judging were absolutely gorgeous. I took photos because they were great inspirations. I'm hoping to find time during the year to make something to enter next year.

The entire event was absolutely wonderful!  Everyone was so nice. People would smile and wave as they came out of the elevator as if they had known you for years.  

I won two door prizes -- a miniature pitcher (turned into a pincushion) & basin decorated with tatting at the banquet on Friday night and two shuttles at the gathering after dinner Saturday night.  The majority of the shuttles were Starlit but there were two Aerlit shuttles.  Guess which ones I picked!?!?!  Aerlit, of course. :)  Right now, that's my number one bobbin shuttle.

I didn't get to finish any of the projects while I was in class but I was able to finish the Christmas Tree earring last night. I still need to make the second earring. That was my first beaded project on a shuttle. As soon as I look up the directions for a split chain, I'll have a second project done.

I purchased my second Shuttle Brothers wooden tatting shuttle.  This one was made from olive wood.  My first one was from buckeye burl which is a blue-colored wood.  I want to get a double shuttle.  I was debating about getting one on Saturday but decided on the single bobbin instead since I do a lot of 2 shuttle patterns.  I didn't know then that there are other reasons for using the double bobbin other than the tweed look.  I'm going to get a double bobbin in red cedar. There was one there and it was very pretty but someone else picked it up.

It was interesting to see what everyone used to carry their tatting supplies & tools in. It certainly has given me some ideas instead of just using plastic boxes.

I brought home several quilt blocks to enhance with tatting and embroidery. It will be for next year's fund raiser. The theme for next year is Tatting, Tea, and Toffee.

I'm definitely going to attend next year's Tat Days.

Motif #18

Well, I've run out of time (the deadline is this week) and don't have time to put on the last 2 rows.  So, I'm declaring this doily finished.  I'm glad too because I was really getting tired of working on it.  There are a lot of smaller motifs that I've been wanting to make.  Maybe now I have a chance to get caught up with the challenge.  I have 7 more motifs to make before the end of October.

Motif #17

It's been a while since I posted about this doily or even tatting for that matter.  I just finished round 6.  Three more rounds to go.  I like how each round makes the doily look different.

Tour de Fleece 2013 Ends

Penultimate Day of Tour de Fleece

As of today, a grand total of 12 oz (287.5 yards) of Sleepytime Thrums have been spun and plied. I still have a little bit of the current 4 oz package to finish and then I will have met the minimum requirement for the Tour de Fleece. 

The multicolored thread in the photo is commercial yarn I used to tie the skeins.

Blue Skein of Yarn

I finished spinning the Blue Face Leicester roving on Tuesday then I Navajo plied it.  This was my second time using that technique and I was much better with it.  It seems to do a really great job undoing the extra twist in the thread.

The single ply thread on the bobbin (right photo).






Here's the final skein (left photo). It has 184.5 yards.  I found a hat pattern  for a Cabled Beret that I like and it uses 180 yards of DK yarn. It seems like a simple pattern where I can get used to doing the cable stitch.



I'm having a great time spinning while I'm watching the Tour de France.  Now I'm back working on the Spinderella thrum (basically art roving) I started a few months ago.  I have already spun 2 bobbins worth (8 oz) and for the Tour de Fleece, I'm spinning the remaining 8 oz. I haven't decided what I'm going to make with it yet. I guess I'll wait and see after it's all plied together how many yards I end up with.

Motif #16

In addition to the Tour de Fleece, I'm also working on a tatted doily. I was asked to provide an item for the silent auction fundraiser for St. Francis High School. The money raised from the silent auction will go towards tuition scholarships. I have to finish it by the end of August.

I'm making the Clover Doily by Eileen Stafford.  It's a very easy doily so far.  This is through round 3.

Tour de Fleece 2013

Today starts the 2013 Tour de Fleece spin-along on Ravelry and Nimblestix during the Tour de France. The purpose is to challenge ourselves in a fun way. The rules are simple: 1) Spin every day the Tour rides, if possible; 2) Spin something challenging on the challenge day [usually the toughest high mountain stage]; 3) post photos of your progress every day; and 4) Wear yellow on the last day to announce victory.  There are prizes at the end.  I've attempted this in the past but didn't stick with it for very long. This is the first year I'm going to make a concerted effort to spin the entire time.  Well, I will have to split my time between spinning and tatting.

Here's a photo of the yarn I started with. It's 4 oz of blue faced leicester. The color is blue variegated with some dark grey in it.

I started the race this morning at 6:30. The original plan was to spin for an hour and then mow some grass. Well, it seems Mother Nature has other plans. It's going to rain on and off all day.  So there goes mowing for today.  I found the TV channel that's broadcasting the Tour de France so I get to watch the race on TV while I spin. That's exciting. 

I've been spinning for about 2 hours and here's my progress so far:

I figure if I can get a lot done today, it will make up for those days when I'm really busy and can't get a lot of spinning done.

Motif #15

Last night I took an online class through a yahoo group I belong to on cluny tatting.  The class concentrated on making the cluny using a loom.  Today I watched a video today on using your hand as the loom.  I like that method so much better.  Here is my first attempt at making the cluny stitch.  I don't know if this counts as a motif for the 25 motif challenge or not.  Since I eventually want to get into tatting flowers, I need to practice this technique since it's used in leaves a lot.  It's real easy to get out of rhythm if you allow your mind to wander.

In order to take the photo so that the cluny is more visible, I had to learn the setting on my camera.  So, without further ado, here are 2 clunies.  I used size 10 Coat's crochet thread.

Motifs #13 and #14

Motif #13 is the first piece I've finished in the blue willow patteren from Pam Palmer's "Tatting Makes Three".  Although it doesn't look like it, it's the boat. I'm using size 40 Lizbeth thread in color 656 dark wedgewood.
 
Motif #14 is my learning how to make split rings.  It took me an hour or so this evening to not flip my stitches. That was getting somewhat frustrating. When I was first learning to tat, I had trouble getting the stitches to flip and now I couldn't get them not to flip.  There's a certain amount of irony in that.

Normally I tat using the Reverse Riego method.  I discovered that if I use the slip and slide method, it's easier for me to not flip the stitches. By the time I got to the last 3 rings, I didn't have to concentrate on what I was doing.  I consider that progress.  I can't wait to use this technique in other motifs.

I've started back on my Sylvia's Bridal Quilt blocks.  I have slightly over a third of the blocks made.

Motif 12 - Finally Done!

I am so glad this piece is finally done.  I had so much trouble finishing this.  Not because it was difficult but because of the repetition of the design.  It got to be so boring.  Now I have to finish putting a running stitch around each of the fabric pages, sew the binding on and then it's ready to hold samples of my work.

Motif #12 - Half Done

I've been working on a binder for a fabric book and it's half done.  It's three Linked Ring Bookmarks together.  I'm using #690-Mocha Brown Light in Lizbeth thread in size 10.

Motif #11

Here's another Easy Tatted Crossed designed by Rachael Mohler.  The pattern is here.  I  used size 40 Lizbeth thread in Niagara Falls.

Motif #10

I made the Tatted Christmas Wreath.  For this wreath I used size 10 Lizbeth thread.  If I make it again, I will use smaller thread and beads.

Motif #9

I was using up some leftover size 10 Lizbeth thread in ecru. The edging pattern is from the book Tatting - Basic Patterns by Rosemarie Peel, page 18.

Comments Now Moderated

After someone posted an inappropriate comment on one of my entries from 2011 on my rarely used LiveJournal blog, I have removed all content from that blog.  I only had that account because of a community I participated in.

On the chance that someone will post something inappropriate here, I am sorry to say that all comments are on moderated status.  It's an inconvenience for you as well as for me.  So if you don't see your comment right away, it's because I have to review it first before it can be posted.

Motif #8

I finished this collar today. It took longer to finish than I expected. This is the collar pattern from the back of the Learn Needle Tatting by Barbara Foster.  I shuttle tatted the collar using Lizbeth size 20 thread in #117 Country Side.

I'm taking a crazy quilt class from the Fiber Art Shop in Lake City.  Here's the block without any embellishment on it.  So far I have only decorated 4 seams. The block is 16" and is the one I'm going to learn on. I'll probably make the squares 12"-14" when I go to make my crazy quilt.

When I get more embellishments on it, I'll post more photos.

Motif #7

It's taken me quite a bit to finish this little motif.  This is Medallion No. 128 from Corticelli's Lessons in Tatting, 1916, page 41.  I used Lizbeth #130 (Island Breeze) in size 20.

Although I could understand what it was I was supposed to do, I chose to first transcribe the pattern into modern notation.  I loaded up my shuttles and started tatting with a solid and a variegated. The solid was supposed to be the chains and the variegated the rings.  Somewhere along the line I switched the shuttles.  There was no way I could take out a couple rings and chains.

So, I started over and this time was very careful not to mix up the shuttles again.  Got all the way around on the last round and it didn't line up.  Talk about disappointment.  Meanwhile it's taken me 2 weeks to get this far.  Well, I went back to the original pattern and with magnifying glass in hand (for the photo), transcribed the pattern once  again.  Come to find out, I had made a mistake in my original transcription of the last round on where some of the joins went.  The pattern just says to join, it doesn't say WHERE to join.  You need the photo to figure that out.

This time I got out my size 7 tatting needle and with the new transcription plus a weekend, I got it done.

I'm also working on a collar. I'm at the beginning of the second row so it may take me a week or two to finish it. That will be Motif #8 when it's completed.

Thursday I took a Crazy Quilting class at the Fiber Art Store in Lake City.  I have the block pieced and it's now waiting to be embellished.  Photos to come at a later time. Next month we're going to learn how to embellish with beads.

Motif #6

I made my first pair of earrings.  It's just rings and chains.  I used Lizbeth thread in size 20 in peach light and white. I don't remember where I got the pattern because I forgot to put the url on the pattern.

Motif #5

I made this for one of my friends that I do living history with. The pattern is the Crinoline Lady from Pam Palmer's Tatting Treats 2 booklet.  I used 2 shuttles with Lizbeth thread in size 20, #640 - Antique Violet Medium.