Thoughts on Tatting

I have found several new tatting contacts and friends through the 25 Motif Challenge blog, and found that I had quite a bit in common with Kristen, who has been working on block tatting and rose motifs.  (She also had trouble with a size 80 Lizbeth thread breaking every time she closed a ring.....GRRR!  But I'm off topic...)  So, Kristen, here are my recent pieces using these elements.

This Marguerite motif went blotto on me, so I ended up cutting off the outer petals and stuffing it away to retry later.  I tried a new block method IN the motif--should have practiced on its own before sticking it in the work.  BOO!

Here's a little practice piece (left) using Jane Eborall's block method.  It was easier than the method in the Marguerite book, but again, DON'T try something new in the middle of the work!


On the right, my completed bookmark using the rose and pearl stem from my last post, attached to a gorgeous heart motif I found online by Tina Neudorf.

Another example below (Motif 8 for challenge):

I truly love the cream and red version of the Rose Heart, because to me this heart is the epitome of Victorian elegance, and the cream color is very Victorian to me.  Above, right, this partially complete motif from Anne Orr's No.13 tatting publication circa 1918 also speaks of a bygone era.  The actual publication date is unknown in the sources I checked.  This motif is worked in size 40 Lizbeth, while the Rose Heart is worked in size 8 perle cotton (left) and Red perle cotton and size 40 Lizbeth for the green (bookmark above).  I increased the stitch count in the green to make up for the size difference in the thread.

Kristen, as you can see, I fell in love with the rose motif too!

Motifs 2 through 7

These lovely little earrings are an adaptation of Ruth's heart pattern made in Red Burst size 80 Lizbeth.  This ball was very very frustrating as it broke repeatedly and had little flaws/nubs on it.  I have had no trouble with any .other ball of thread from Handy Hands, but this ball drove me to distraction!  Gorgeous color!

I made the larger set by adding double stitches to the rings with no other changes to them.  I love tatted earrings.  They are lightweight and so fluttery, moving with any slight adjustment of position or the tiniest breeze.  

Made this last year but only just sewed in the ends and stiffened it.  Made in Vineyard Harvest in size 80.  What a lovely seahorse pattern by Debbie Arnold.  A gift for my sister in law.


Below, this lovely little dainty is Celtic Cross by Lindsay Rogers in Tatting Collage.  I added beads for definition and sparkle.  Planning to send to my sister for her Irish/March birthday.  This is Christmas Green Mix size 80 in Lizbeth thread. I enlarged the picture so the beads would show up better, consequently losing definition.  The actual size is about the size of a US dollar coin.

I am counting this as two motifs:  A rose motif and pearl tatting.  I saw the pearl tatting in an old book by Mlle Riego but couldn't figure it out until I looked up a tutorial from Mark the Tat Man.  Have since attached to a larger motif as part of a bookmark.  I think this is medium sage size 40 Lizbeth and size 8 perle cotton, Finca brand, which is a dream to work with.  Gorgeous color and weight/body, but still has give as a perle cotton should.  Preferred to DMC of the same size.

Tatting Sanity: Motif 1 for 2014

I've been BLUE BLUE BLUE the past 2 months.  Winter saps my spirit.  Moody, angry, tired, and mostly sad.  So...lots of tatting.  Crafting is the only thing that keeps me going during winters.  So LOTS of tatting.  :O

Lovely rose motif bobby pin I made for my niece's confirmation.  The center is of Lizbeth Honey Drizzle size 40 with a gold blending filament and Mill Hill beads in honey.  The flower is Lizbeth size 80 Vineyard Harvest.  I sewed the stamens on after finishing the rose and tacking it to the Aida cloth.  

Time for work... more later.