Past Palmetto - Two by Erin

At Palmetto TatDays this year, a few of us talked about favorite patterns from past years.  I think Erin Holloway Moseley's patterns always have a lot of personality.  When I got home, I pulled out my pattern CD's and found the instructions for these two.

This is Dinky the Cat from 2012. I think it is as cute as can be. The legs are floating chains that make it a little challenging. (long bare thread, later worked over split chain style)

And here is Doodle the Poodle from 2010, I think.  I've admired this one for a long time.  I wasn't paying attention and used beads a little too big, so the feet and tail are a bit lumpy.  I would recommend this one for experienced tatters only.  And do use a bead spinner.  You need a bazillion beads, but they are all on the ball thread.

Palmetto pattern CDs may be ordered here:  http://palmettotatters.org/items/

In the CD and video section, if you click on the year, you can see the projects on that CD.  This year's CD has just come available.  I know some of you have been waiting for it.

Palmetto Fun 3

Here are some class projects from this year's Palmetto TatDays, earlier this month.

During regular class time, I had only one free period, and chose Karey's Pendant Necklace class, and even finished the project later that day.  I adapted it to make a lanyard.  My beads are small, but the only ones I could find locally that went with those rings I wanted to use.  I think I will remake those lower sections to match the rest.

Anyone who knows me well, knows it was greatly out of character for me to get out of bed early enough for the Early Bird Class.  But I greatly admired Karey's Leaping Lambie and wanted go give it a try.  Unfortunately, my brain was still asleep, so after numerous mistakes, I had to trash my in-class project. I made this one after I got home.  It's an interesting pattern, with an onion ring in the head, and roll tatting in the feet.  The pattern also appeared in the August issue of Tatting Times.

Another pattern I made after getting home was Erin's Flowery Crinoline Angel.  Isn't it pretty?  I added a halo.

One of the great things about Palmetto is that they make a pattern CD, so people who couldn't come (or could only be in one place at a time) can get the patterns so they can share the fun.  On the Palmetto site, they say this year's CD should be on sale soon, so check back HERE to find when it is available.

The Sliding Picot Gauge -or- Conquering the Graduated Picot

I'm just home from Palmetto TatDays.  I had such a good time, but I'm really tired now. So more about Palmetto itself later.

Anyway, I tried out a new idea there, and it seemed to go over well, so I'll share it here too.  I love graduated picots, but they can be hard to get them the right size.  Sometimes I can eyeball them and they look OK, and sometimes they don't.  Sometimes I use a stairstep picot gauge, but sometimes, there aren't the right steps for the picots I need.  

So, I made up this little thing I call a "sliding gauge" and the idea is that you can make one yourself to fit your project.  If you know how many picots are in your set, and how tall the biggest one needs to be, you can draw one on heavy paper and cut it out.  You can read how to to do it.  Click on "Free Patterns" up at the top of the page, and then scroll down for the link to the instructions in a pdf file.

I used the gauge to make the little angel up at the beginning of this post.  It was one of the classes I taught at Palmetto.  You can get the pattern in my new book, A Flight of Angels, or you can get this year's Palmetto pattern CD which will probably be on sale to the public beginning sometime this fall.

Angel Book and Palmetto Angel classes

Some of you have asked, yes the new book is all angels.  "A Flight of Angels" is the tentative title.  Here's another sample.  This one needs to go back on the blocking board before I re-scan it and make the diagram.  That wing raised up as if to wave is cute, but I want the diagram to be more symmetrical.

Interestingly, Iris recently posted about all the difficult steps in writing a tatting book.  You can read what she has to say here.  I don't have quite so many steps perhaps, but it is still very time consuming.  For example, I had 7 patterns I thought were done, but then I had to go back and fix the diagrams on every one. That means go to Serif Draw and change the diagram and export as PDF. Then open in Photoshop to crop. Then go to the pattern in Word and insert the new picture, update its text wrapping setting and resize till it fits on the page like the old one.  There may be easier ways, but I'm self taught, so these are the methods I've stumbled onto.

New flash!! Registration is now open for classes at Palmetto Tat Days.  This link will take you to their homepage, and you can look at the classes and get to the Registration page rom there. Palmetto Link

Lost & Found & etc

During these scannerless months, I haven't been too happy with my photos of motifs.  But the camera is better for things that aren't flat, like this bracelet.  Yippee, I have found my long lost Palmetto class bracelet.  I had given it up for lost, but it turned up while I was looking for something else. Of course.  Someone had given me the teapot clasp the year before and I saved it until this perfect project came along. Isn't it sweet?

The pattern is the "Single Shuttle Beady Braid" by Erin Holloway, and it is actually much easier than it looks.  The pattern is available on the Palmetto Tat Days 2014 Pattern CD, and ordering information is Here.


DH has finally located the scanner installation disc, so I hope to be back to scanning soon.

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For those who didn't get the full story of what I was ranting about last time:  People scan pattern books and post them online, which is copyright infringement.  Then those same people, or someone else who has found their websites, pin the pages on Pinterest or share them on Facebook, etc.  Then other people who may not be thinking about copyright issues repin them and it goes on from there,  The author/designer may not even be aware this is going on.

You may see a pattern online with no designer's name or copyright notice, and assume it's not copyrighted.  But that's probably not true.  The author's name and copyright notice usually appear just at the beginning of the book, not on every page, but each page is still under legal copyright.  If you see a pattern (whether written out or diagrammed) that's nicely done, especially if it looks like a page from a book, there is a high likelihood that it is copyrighted.  Even a free pattern is under copyright, and the designer may have asked that it not be reposted elsewhere.

If you see a pattern posted on Pinterest, think twice before re-pinning it.  Click on it to see the source of the image.  If that does not take you to the designer's own site, or some other clearly recognizable reputable site, it could be a pirated pattern.  If you aren't positive that the pattern was posted by the designer him/herself, then don't re-pin to avoid the possibility of spreading the piracy problem.  Don't re-pin questionable images because that's the right thing to do.  Or do it from self-interest.  Pinterest says, "Pinterest enforces a repeat infringer policy that may result in the termination of users who acquire multiple strikes as a result of copyright complaints."  You wouldn't want to find yourself in that situation so be responsible about pinning patterns.

The exception is public domain patterns, whose copyright has expired.  There are complex rules that govern this, so again, if you aren't sure, it's safest not to do it.

Palmetto Pictures Part 1

Well, I've been home from Palmetto Tat Days for a week now. As usual, the Palmetto folks did a wonderful job taking care of us and providing a wonderful experience. Looking at my camera chip, I feel like I didn't take enough pictures. I was often enjoying the moment too much to remember to get out the camera. Here are a few of the highlights.

We got to see the group project quilts up close.  Everytime I looked, I noticed some new detail.  Isn't this clock teapot clever?

And if you looked real close, you could see Georgia's picture in one of the squares.

There were lots of wonderful pieces of tatting on display.  This little tea party table was precious.  In the center of the table are little dishes of candy to complete the Tatting, Tea, and Toffee theme.

A friend of a friend of Georgia's asked her to find a good home for a vintage table cloth tatted by a deceased family member.  It was raffled off to go home with someone who would appreciate it. Not me, darn.

Here are Erin and Sherry up to some silliness, something that happens a lot.

Another bit of silliness, well you just had to have been there for all the laughs.

News Flash! Palmetto TatDays Registration Now Open

Here is a link to this year's TatDays page, with lots of information.  On that page, near the top are links to all the class projects, the schedule, and registration itself.  I hope to see you there.

More About the Palmetto Quilt Project

I've been talking a lot lately about my quilt blocks for the Palmetto fundraiser project. Georgia says there are indeed more quilt blocks waiting to be adopted.  Click here for an update on blocks waiting to be embellished with tatting.  It's a lot of fun to participate in a group effort like this.

I designed my "Anything Teapot" especially for this project.  Everyone who came to this year's Palmetto TatDays got a copy of the pattern.  Since there may be a lot of folks interested in joining the quilt project who didn't make it to TatDays, I've added this pattern to my fledgling Free Pattern section on this blog.  Look up at the top of the page for the link to free patterns.  While I was at it, I put in the "Pumpkin Teapot" too.

More Palmetto Pics

I really need to get disciplined enough to blog more frequently.  I have gotten really far behind with things to show.  Anyway, here are some more pictures from this year's Palmetto TatDays.  First are some pictures from the display/competition.  One of the great things about going to a convention is seeing so many things made by other tatters.  These are just a few, since many of my photos didn't come out too well.

 

Stephanie Wilson made this and it won best of show, well deserved.  

My own handkerchief (my tatting added to a vintage  embroidered hanky).  It won a ribbon in last year's State Fair.

Sorry, I don't remember who made this 3D flower, but isn't it lovely?

Randy Houtz's mouse in bobble tatting.

This lovely collar is by Patty Markley, from a Jan Stawasz pattern.  I really admire this piece, and the photo doesn't do the colors justice.

Sorry, I don't know who made this wonderful collar either.  The makers' names were hidden until after the voting and I didn't get back to check on all the names.


Tatting conventions are also good for lots of smiling faces.

JB and Kaye

Katharine and Crazy Mom

Georgia

Vicki, with lots of tatting going on in the background.

News flash! If you admired the class projects from my previous post, now you can get your own copy of the patterns.  This year's Palmetto Pattern CD is already available now, details here.

Palmetto Class Projects

Since I did not teach at the Palmetto Tatdays this year, I got to take lots of classes.  I had a great time just being a student, though I did miss teaching in some ways.

Here is the amulet bag taught by Erin. There were lots of people in this class.  I tweaked the pattern just a little for a slightly larger bag.  I still need to make the strap, but that should be easy.  The thread is hand-painted by Karey.  Karey couldn't make it this year and we missed her.

Next was Kaye Judt's 3D Bee.  This was a very fun introduction to bobble style tatting.

After the Friday night banquet, Riet always teaches the Night Owl Class, which is usually about ... owls.  This year's project was a cute little own designed by Jane Eborral.  Mine got a little squashed on the scanner, but it really is a nice pattern.

And then the impossible happened. I got out of bed and went to the Early Bird Class because I liked the project so much.  Donna led the class, but the pattern, "No Where Maze" is by Vicki Clarke.  This is more of Karey's thread.  I've decided it's time to actually use some of my special threads.

Then a class taught by Vicki herself, her 3D Northern Star.  This is a clever design, with little tatted pyramids joined to a front and back piece to make a puffy star.

And lastly, Randy Houtz's Pearl Tatted Dragonfly, to really stretch those mental tatting muscles.  These are Maltese/Pearl Tatting rings, but each is special.  The first one is a self-closing pearl mock ring with self-closing mock rings thrown off, and a regular Maltese ring thrown off it too. And then a split ring Maltese ring, and then a Maltese ring with dsop (double stitches on picot) which is similar to a daisy picot, but different.  Randy prefers the descriptive term "Pearl Tatted Ring", but I am used to calling them "Maltese Rings" like Mlle Riego did.

Here is a picture from some of us working on our amulet bags Saturday night.

And if you missed the fun, keep an eye on the Palmetto site, where you will be able to order a CD with all the class project patterns (lots more than these here), available sometime this fall. now!   Click Here for a link direct to their sales page.

News Flash! Palmetto Registration is Open!

Registration for Palmetto Tat Days is now open! Read about it HERE.  Scholarships are available to help with expenses.  Lots of people have already signed up, so hurry to get the classes you want.

This is earlier than last year, isn't it?  Donna has been doing a great job getting the web pages up.

Decisions, decisions

The Palmetto Class descriptions and schedule are ready here: http://www.palmettotatters.org/events/TatDays2013/ClassProjectPictures.shtml

So many fun looking projects!  I keep changing my mind which classes I want.  Thank goodness for the pattern CDs so you get all the patterns.

More Palmetto Pics

On the way to Palmetto TatDays, we stopped at the National Historic Park at Ninety-Six.  This was a town at an important crossroads and the site of the first Revolutionary War battle in the south.  It is more famous for a conflict later in the war.  The approach to the town was guarded by an earthenworks star fort, and General Nathanael Greene of the colonials laid siege to it. His plan was to approach it with trenches and dig a tunnel underneath.  Trench warfare in the Revolutionary War! I had no idea.  The whole scheme had to be abandoned when British reinforcements were on the way.  Now only mounds and depressions in the earth are left, but a pleasant walk on a sunny day.

Next was Helen, GA. Quaint alpine village or kitschy tourist trap?  A bit of both, actually. But we're easily amused, and there aren't any German restaurants at home.  Some of shops have lovely European imports and others have hillbilly souvenirs.  One shop has a really impressive miniature railroad display you can see for a nominal fee.  We skipped the Live Tarantula Museum.

Then on to Toccoa.  Here are some pictures of me with friends.

Tat Days Registration is Open

Registration for Palmetto Tat Days is now open. Click here for a link to their homepage.  You can click on the link there for Sneak Peaks to see the class projects an descriptions.  (The usual pages for teacher biographies and more detailed class descriptions are still in progress.)  I always have a wonderful time with lots of wonderful people.

And here are my completed projects from the classes I took at the Finger Lakes Tatting Convention earlier this year.  You should be impressed.   I have some other class project UFO's that are years old :)

This is Dani the Geek's Celtic Claddagh Heart.  Isn't that braided effect interesting?  If you look too close, you'll see I didn't get the second side exactly right.  Oops, shouldn't have tried doing that one while watching TV.  My colors are arranged a bit different from the pattern since I changed my mind midstream what I wanted to do.

This one is Carolyn Groves' Heart on a Wooden Ring.  When I first looked at it, I wondered how she got the tatting to go round and round the ring since the shuttle wouldn't fit through the hole.  The solution was simple and ingenious and something I would never have thought of.  I like her idea to use wooden rings. They are prettier than the plastic cabone rings and also lightweight.   I think she said they came from FireMountain Gems.

Whooopppeee! Palmetto Coming

As Jane said, "Whooopppeee!" The Palmetto folks have announced their teachers for this year. I'll be there, and so will Jane, and lots of others I can't wait to see.

This fairy is one of my class projects. And if you click here you can see pictures of all the other classes. Don't you just love Erin's cat, and Jane's doodle critters, and Kaye's acorn, and well, just everything? I wonder which class I will get to take.

Remember how there used to be an amazing display where folks could show off the things they had made? There has been less of that in recent years, but they would like to bring that back. A full scale competition would be simply too demanding, but there could be a display area. (And perhaps some prizes?) They would love someone to volunteer to be in charge of organizing this, or volunteer just to help. For more information on that, write to Donna at tatdays@palmettotatters.org

Palmetto Tat Days Coming Up

It's time to start thinking about Palmetto Tat Days, to be held September 7 & 8. Actually, it's past time for me. Usually, I am much further along with class proposals by now, but I've been putting most of my free time into my tatting history project. Luckily, in honor of their 10th anniversary, they are allowing teachers to repeat one lesson from the past. Which one should I choose?

The deadline for applying to teach is April 12. If you are interested, you can get all the information to apply on the Palmetto Tatters Homepage.

An Amazing Discovery

Lots of amazing things always happen at Palmetto Tat Days, but here is something special to me. Late one night, I wandered to the back of the gathering room where various items were on display, including Pam F's notebook about Mary Konior. It included photographs of Mary's work and her collection of antique tatting -- the pieces that Sue Hanson showed one year before returning them to the family. Here is a photograph of one of the photographs:


It stopped me cold, because here is a photograph of the handkerchief I bought on ebay a few months ago, which had come from an estate sale in Ohio.

Here they are together.

Here is Mary's own note describing the handkerchief as early 19th century.

It was late, and there were very few people left in the room, but I made each and every one of them come look. The pattern of the handkerchiefs is exactly the same, down to the way the fabric is slightly curved at the corners, though I know of no published patterns this old. A few people whispered, could it be the same one? But no, the photograph shows a rip in the lace where mine is whole. I have read that there was cottage industry in England and Ireland making tatting in the 1800's. I believe the two pieces were made by the same hand, or by the hands of two women in the same village way back then, and one of the pieces found its way to America. Amazing.

Pics from Palmetto

I'm sure you have all heard by now what a great success the Palmetto convention was last week. (Of course, it is always great there.)

Here are a handful of pictures:

There are no scheduled events on Thursday (except for a teachers's meeting), but many arrive then to be ready for a full day Friday.

Hanging out in the common area Thursday. Just sitting around is one of my favorite things there. Great for visiting, looking at each other's stuff, and sharing techniques.

More sitting and sharing Thursday.

Leprechaun reunion!

Vending opens Thursday as well. Tatting heaven!

Friday begins with the Trade-a-Tip session, with several folks sharing ideas with the crowd.

More sharing time in the common area.

After the Friday afternoon classes comes a Fun-and-Games session and the speed tatting contest.

The banquet is Friday night.

Entertainment at the banquet is provided by Georgia holding an auction. Once you've seen one of these, you will never forget it.

After the banquet comes the Night Owl session. This begins with Riet teaching a pattern. We tat as long as we can and then stay on talking once we are too tired to tat. Here are the last to leave after everyone else has finally given up and gone to their rooms.

Saturday has a full day of classes, beginning with the Early Birds at 6:00 am. (That's the one event I don't get to.) The classrooms are nice, with lots of room on the tables.

Saturday night has another informal get-together, this time working on cards and sachet bags for a fund raiser, and another chance for socializing.

Last ones out Saturday night -- or was it Sunday morning by then?

Sunday morning there is breakfast and one more round of hugs and good byes. Sorry, no pictures that day.