Designing - from Doodle to Angel

People sometimes ask me about my designing process.  If I'm making something realistic, like a horse or a flamingo, I go to Google Images for pictures to help visualize shapes and proportions.  Sometimes searching for drawings instead of photos helps.

If I'm doing something more abstract, then I start by drawing the image in my mind.  Just two problems there -- my mental images are often a bit vague .... and I can't draw. My drawings are usually more of a rough doodle.

So here is my sketch for an angel, one little bit on a page of doodles:

Pretty sad, huh?

                                                        


For the skirt, I was envisionning something similar to this quilt square I did a few years ago, but with one of the tall flowers in the middle. Once I picked up my shuttles, it took maybe ten minutes to realize those flowers were much too big.  So then came lots of experimentation with smaller motifs.  Lots and lots of little motifs, until they looked right and fit together.

 

Once I had the center bits done, then came the outline to make the angel shape. This was actually easier than the center.  Before starting, I gave a bit of thought to where to begin, and what direction to go in, to make the whole outline in one pass without cuts and ties.

So there you have her, Grace, one of the angels in my book "A Flight of Angels."

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.

National Folk Festival comes to town

It's already been a month since the National Folk Festival was held here in Greensboro.  I was only able to attend on the last day, but had a splendid time.

I got to see one of my favorite performers, Rhiannon Giddens.  I've been a fan since she was in a local Celtic band and now she's a famous Grammy winner.  Here she is with her sister, singing wonderful harmonies.  The audience was often invited to sing along.  Can I now say I have sung in concert with her? Though it's a good thing she had a microphone and I didn't.

These are members of the San Francisco Taiko Dojo with Grand Master Seiichi Tanaka.  This was a great, energetic performance that earned an enthusiastic standing ovation.

Then a stage with a group of Piedmont and Blue Ridge artists.  Rhiannon again with fellow Carolina Chocolate member Justin Robinson.  Thomas Maupin, a buck dancer, who spoke about music and dance in a very touching way.  Sheila Kay Adams, who tells stories and sings acapella Appalachian ballads.  Wayne Henderson, who makes and plays guitars.  They would take turns performing or talking and one of them mentioned how string band music was originally dance music, so they all took turns dancing as the others played.

UFO No More

I finished knitting this a long time ago, but only last week finished blocking and sewing in ends.  This is the Freya Shawl designed by Renate Haeckler, a free pattern on Ravelry HERE.

The pattern is for a 3/4 circle shaped shawl, but I did fewer repeats to make a half circle so my yarn would last for more rows.  I knitted until I ran out of yarn, but I don't remember how many rows short of completing the pattern I was.  It came out a good size though, about 28 inches deep after blocking to a lacy effect.

The yarn was hand spun by me on a drop spindle using some slightly variegated Romney roving, about 9 ounces.

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.

Palmetto Fun 2

A Palmetto tradition...  The famous poncho ugly has been passed on to a new owner.  Original owner Crazy Mom looks on.  How will they manage to move this on to another unsuspecting victim next time? Time will tell.

Palmetto Fun 1

Here I am at Palmetto TatDays, having fun with Sherry Celtic Dreamweaver.

And those Moseleys.

:)