Back to the Challenge

I've been working on my 25 Motif Challenge, really I have.  I have lots of motifs to show you, once I remember where I put them.

This one is "Winter's Day Snowflake" by Darlene Polachic from Big Book of Tatting.  Patterns are written out instead of shorthand: "6 ds, p, 6 ds...", but easy enough to read.  There are a lot of patterns, many of them easy.  It is out of print, but you may be able to luck into a used copy like I did.

The pattern called for cuts and ties, but I used split rings to climb out and make it in one pass.  I think I remember adding a few stitches to the outer chains to get the right shape since either my tension was tight or my bare thread spaces too long.  The thread was probably Lizbeth 622, a shade I've grown fond of.

NC State Fair

The NC State Fair runs through October 28.  It's looking like I won't be able to go.  If you make it there, be sure to visit Anitra's tatting booth in the Village of Yesteryear building.

I'm told I won the second place ribbon in the tatting category. Did I take a picture of it before I sent it in? Of course not! You know how organized I am.  It was a version of the dragon with knight and lady from the new book.  I hear the first place winner was a large doily in very small thread.  Good for her!

I can show you my entries from last year.

This one is a Tina Frauberger design worked in Karey's handpainted threads.  The lighting wasn't very good that day.  The center is more lavender than pink.

This one, which you've seen before, is my own variation on an Anne Orr edging.

We're hoping for more tatting categories next year. Hoping for the best.


Added later:
I forgot to say the 3rd place ribbon went to someone who hasn't been tatting very long. I've seen her doily on Facebook, but I don't know if she has a blog. I think her name is Esther and she should be an inspiration to new tatters.

Miranda's Pendant & Contest

Recently, I was privileged to test-tat this pendant for Tatting Fool.  It will be for sale on her blog soon, with the proceeds going to charity.

 I found the pattern very clear and easy to do.  Mine is all one color, but it is made up of lots of little pieces, so you could make many variations using colors different ways.  It does require these special findings, but in the pattern she tells you where to get them, and the company offers free shipping on orders over $10.

Or even better, you could win the findings, the pattern, and some more good things in her contest to name the pattern. Click here for details.

It was gratifying to see so many comment on my recent vacation post.  Some previous travelogues had not gotten much attention, so I was thinking they weren't appreciated.  There is more tatting to come.  I've been doing quite a bit, but somehow I don't seem to get the pieces blocked and scanned.  I blame Pinterest and I Can Haz Cheeseburger for my lack of productivity.

Vacation Time

We had a vacation in the mountains, and while I was saddened that the Great Smoky Mountain National Park was closed, I decided to be happy and enjoy the trip.

We had a fine time at the Sweet Fanny Adams Theatre with a musical comedy melodrama.  This family owned small theatre has been there for decades.  Following the main play, there were more musical numbers and a sing-along.  When was the last time you got to sing "I'm Henry the Eighth, I am" with a hundred other people?

Gatlinburg is a town with a dual personality.  There are both the tourist trap attractions, and a long standing artist and craftsman community.  My favorite is the Arrowcraft Shop, which is almost like an arts and crafts gallery.  All the artists displayed are members of the Southern Highland Craft Guild, and every thing is beautiful: pottery, baskets, woodwork, jewelry... There is often a crafting demonstration going on.

Also in town is the Spinnery, a very nice yarn shop.  I think I bought enough roving to keep me spinning for a year.

On the outskirts of town is the Arts & Crafts Community, with probably 100 shops.  There wasn't any tatting, but there was a bead shop and a quilt shop.  Apple Annie's had nice vintage linens.  Alewine Pottery had exceptionally nice pottery and a work room where you could watch 2 potters at work.  I got to watch a lady making really pretty brooms at the Ogle Broom shop.

Meanwhile, back in town, there were almost continual live bluegrass bands playing in front of both moonshine stores.  I love bluegrass.  DH hates it, so I didn't make him come along.

While the National parks were closed, I found this city park where I could walk along side the creek for a bit.

Are you bored yet?  Tatting will resume shortly.

Back to the Challenge with an Old Friend and Split Rings

I recently had a nice email chat with an old friend, Karen Bovard Sayre.  We hadn't talked for along time since she hasn't made it to Palmetto for a couple of years.  Not too long ago, she got married and had a honeymoon in eastern Europe. How cool is that!  She has a new blog now, and recent entries include some free patterns and pictures of lace she saw on her trip.  She has a new book coming out soon, and on her website, http://www.theshuttlesmith.com/ she shares lots of useful information she learned about self-publishing books, plus some articles on the history of split ring tatting and more.

All this reminded me that I hadn't made any of the designs from her first book yet, and my personal 25 Motif Challenge is to get those unused books off the shelf.  So here is a cross from Fun with Split Ring Tatting, with tail added to make it a bookmark.  All the patterns are in diagram form, and very easy to read.

Where's Mary's Travelling Book?

Just thinking, I haven't heard anything about Mary's Travelling Book for a long time.  Who has it now?