Tatted Pyramid Orchid mat progression

This is the first corner of the new checkerboard round. I rather like it! Now, a new realm of possibilities...... Do I continue around making it square again, or put another corner on the other side to balance it out and leave it an abstract? Stay tuned for further progress, or let me know your thoughts. I am sure they are lots of opinions out there and I could use them!

Orchid mat

I finished Harry Potter last night at 8:30 PM so it's back to tatting! I'm working on the next round of the tatted orchid mat using a checkerboard pattern with two greens. Pictures to follow.

Dancing Lady Orchid - Oncidium

While I am trying to finish my Harry Potter book, I thought I would share pictures of the latest addition to my orchid family. I had been searching for this particular orchid for some time. My brother had one years ago that he has since lost and I really loved it. While we were visiting him and his wife a couple of weeks ago in Florida, I found this one covered in buds with none of them open. They promised me faithfully that it was what I was seeking! I bought it on faith and within two days of returning home, you can see my reward! I wonder if any of you designers can duplicate this beauty for me?

Gecko #3 in planning stage

I never would have believed I'd put Harry Potter book #7 aside to tat geckos! DH is in shock. I am so pleased with the first two and want a 3rd with sparkly beads to wear on my shoulder. I'm trying to work it out. I'm glad several people are excited about them and giving Jane's pattern the use and praise it deserves.

Pictures to follow, of course!

I'm am also enjoying The Tatted Ring of Bloggers! I hope more and more of you will join. This will give us another good way to keep up with what everyone else is doing. Thanks again Sherry.

Tatted Gecko #2

Well, I've caught the Gecko bug! It is definitely contagious! This one is tatted in DMC Cebelia #10. I have had this thread as long as I can remember and almost gave it away several times. I didn't think I'd ever have a use for it. It's not exactly the right colors for a proper gecko, but I think he looks real sporty! Next tiime I do a two color one, I will switch to two shuttles with the main color after I finish the body. I think I would like that better. Thanks again to Jane and to Pamela.

Tatted Gecko #1

Thank you, thank you, thank you Jane! I just love this little fellow! I wish his eyes were smaller, but I like him anyway. I tatted him in Sulky #12 variegated green. I had some hand dyed thread that would have been perfect, but it just wouldn't let the rings slide. I like the sheen of the Sulky anyway. Now I know why Jane tatted so many of these. They are addictive! I can't wait to start another. The pattern can be found by going to Jane's link on this page and then to her pattern pages.

Progress pictures on tatted mat

Well, I told you the Pyramid Orchid mat wasn't finished! I thought it would be finished after this round, but it has other ideas. The orchids just keep multiplying. If only my live ones would be so prolific! The word is - the green might change colors! I posted two pictures as I am always amazed how different the same thing can look positioned in different ways.

I might have to give it a little rest to tat one of Jane's geckos. A new friend just sent me some beautiful hand dyed thread that I think will perfect.

Keep watching!

Happy Tatting on the 4th!

I wish all of my American friends a happy Independence Day and the rest of you a happy tatting day!
I am still working on my tatted mat. I am on in the middle of the 8th square with the color for the 9th square picked out. I thought I had them laid out the way I wanted them for all 16 squares, but that is changing as I tat. This is so unusual for me, wanting to keep going and tatting the same thing over and over! I will post a picture when I finish the 9th square to show my progress.
I am anxiously awaiting the pattern for Jane's gecko!

Tatted Mat is NOT finished!

Okay, I'm committing to making the Pyramid Orchid mat larger. I sat down and picked out colors last night and swapped them around the center until I got a good layout for the next round. In order to keep up with what color goes where, I made a picture of the arrangement. Then, I got a better idea. I cut a small piece of each thread and tied it to the adjoining motif. I was going to tape them to a piece of paper in order, but I thought tying them more convenient. Now, I am mobile!

My only concern is that I will have to tat with Cebelia and Flora threads to have enough colors. I hope it will stay flat. I didn't have any trouble doing this on the friendship doily, so I'll cross my fingers for success.

Updates to follow as I tat.

Finished? Tatted Mat

Am I finished, or am I not? I really like this mat and might just keep on going! I might be like Jane with her geckos....
There is, of course, one glaring error. I probably won't take it out, but I think it is on the finishing chain, so I could if I get ambitious.

Layered Tatted Snowflake

This is Nancy Tracy's snowflake from the Be-stitched newsletter. The pattern can be obtained by following the link on this page to subscribe. It is tatted in size 30 DMC Cebelia. I really like this pattern and the resulting snowflake. It worked up real fast and with no headaches. I might even be tempted to make another one, maybe in an ice blue with white beads..... Thanks Nancy!

New Tatting Thread

The new thread is here to finish the pyramid orchid motif! It is a beautiful blue and I can't wait to get to it. I am in the middle of a snowflake that I hope to finish tonight. I can't wait to see how it will look and if I want to make it bigger.

Happy Birthday To Me!

My sweet friend, Madeline, gave me these pillowcases for my birthday on Thursday. She is not a tatter, but is very proficient with needle and embroidery floss! She also crochets and is a good seamstress. I was so pleased and touched that she would share this hard work with me. I had to promise her I would use them and not just put them up! I had been trying to convince her to learn to tat, but I think I will leave her to her embroidery from now on! Thank you again Madeline.

Also, check her blog. There is a link on this page titled Karl and Madeline. There is an interesting surprise there!

Pattern Identified

Lady Shuttlemaker is pretty sure the Pyramid Orchid design is by Cathy Bryant of Scotland. She says the same identical motif is in book number one of the "Tatters Across Time" proficiency program. I am so glad that she is participating in this program and recognized the motif. I wonder how many others are participants? Also, if any of you know how I can find Cathy Bryant, please let me know.

Tatted Motif unfinished

I just couldn't wait to share this motif! I have ordered some thread for the 4th square and I'm too impatient for it to get here. I saw this motif on Snowy's blog and I've been trying to contact her about it for several days. She said it reminded her of the Pyramid Orchids that grow near her. I don't know whether she designed it, or if it was from a book. If she designed it, I hope she will be flattered that I love it so much. If someone else did, or if you know who it was, please let me know and I will be glad to give them credit or pay for the pattern. I always try to do the right thing. I was just so taken with the design that I had to try and reproduce it, even if only from the picture. So, this is my interpretation of the motif with three, so far, joined together. I haven't blocked it as I want to wait to tat and join the 4th motif.

Also, I have finished blocking the wedding hanky. It is "done and dusted" as Jane put it. I am so excited to give it to my daughter that I have had to hide it from myself! LOL It is wrapped in paper towels around a tube right now. I am going to try and find, or construct, a box just the right size for it before the presentation.

Introducing... The newest member of the tatting world!

(And, probably, the next tatting addict!)

This is Susan Martin, a young lady I met on a rare trip to Michael's Tuesday afternoon. I seldom get out due to the heat and my migraines, but I just had to go to Michael's! I was looking at the notions wall and there, to my disbelief, were new tatting shuttles. I mentioned this to DH and heard, from behind me, "Oh, there are some over there too?" It's amazing how fate works to bring us together, huh? She was hoping to find shuttles and a book so she could learn to tat. Of course, I gave her my name and number and offered to teach her. She was here at my house by 9:00 A.M. this morning. (After being up working the 11 - 7 shift. My brain would have been mush.) What a quick learner she is. Within 10 minutes, she had completed her first ring, and not too shabbily at that. She did a couple more and then we did picots and joined rings. When she got enough rings tatted, we joined them together into a circle that I have a feeling she will always keep. I proceeded to teach her a chain and she left to go home and chain around the rings.

I am so excited to have shared our love of tatting with a newbie! I expect great things from her. She is already skilled at several other arts and crafts, but I think she will devote a lot of time to tatting!

Congratulations Susan!

Tatted Gerbera Daisy from Tatted Lace Pattern Collection

At long last, a new picture to show off! Sharon did a great job on this pattern. Even DH whose appreciation for tatting is severely limited, loves it! I have to make a couple more if I am going to put them on a hat with a band like in the newsletter. I enjoyed tatting it, but wasn't sure how it was going to look until I got it blocked. It looks pretty messy as you are tatting the petals, but I like the finished results. It is, of course, in my old standby DMC Cebelia size 20. I think I will see if I have some good colors in Flora and try that next. It will be much more crisp.

Thanks Sharon!

Tatted Wedding Hanky - At Last!

I'm finished, I'm finished, I'm FINISHED! It is so pretty. I wish I could show it to you! You'll just have to wait, like my daughter - the bride. It will be difficult to save it until September, but I must try.

Now, I can go on to smaller things that I can finish and post more quickly. I just love tatting!

Posting Pause!

I really am tatting - I promise! I just can't show you a picture at this time. I'm almost finished with the wedding hanky but will have to keep the picture hidden until after I give it to my daughter. I will say that it is going to be her "something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue."

Another reason for the posting absence is we had a fire in my mother-in-law's house. Thankfully, no one was hurt and one of the fireman saved her little dogs. The damage is no where near as bad as it could have been, but it still has her misplaced as there will be no power until after all of the repairs have been made. It has been two weeks and we have made very little progress. The old heating/ac system has been removed with some of the duct work, all carpets removed and some cleaning done. The rest will have to wait until we get a contractor in there to make the structural repairs before any of the other trades can do their work. Still, we are very blessed! Any and all prayers would be appreciated during this difficult time for MIL.

Laura's doily better picture

J.B.'s doily looked so pretty on the dark background, I decided to shoot mine again. I like the results.

Also, I have gotten a friend interested in tatting again. She did basic tatting years ago, but now wants to go further. Yea!!!

J.B.'s doily finished!

Here is a picture of J.B.'s tatted friendship doily finished! Isn't it pretty? I have also made a collage of the three doilies. Picase put two pictures of mine in there to even it out. I think it is so interesting that three people can start out with the same pattern with such varied results. Of course, the fact that we passed them around two times helps with that too!

Laura's tatted friendship doily finished!

Here is my tatted friendship doily - finished! I love the way it has turned out and I am so thankful to J.B. and Elizabeth for their friendship and for asking me to participate in this friendship doily. I am glad this one is finished, but hope to do another one some day.

As soon as I get a picture of J.B.'s finished, I will include it here with mine and Elizabeth's.

Thanks again tatting friends!

Mother's Day 2007

I know you are all just dying to see new pictures of my grandson! We had a great Mother's Day, as you can see.

No tatting pictures. I am working on my daughter's wedding hanky.

Tatted Rose Garden Doily Motif

This tatted motif is from the "Big Book of Tatting." That seems to be my resource of choice lately. Tatting this was quick and fun - two of my main requirements! I love my tatting, but I get bored with long, drawn out projects. There are supposed to be 19 of these motifs tatted and joined together, but this one will probably stand alone unless I run out of things to do. (The afore-mentioned is highly unlikely. I don't remember the last time I had nothing to do!)

Oh, I almost forgot. The white and pink threads are Flora. The yellow is DMC Cebelia. The yellow Flora I had on hand was too bright.

Jane Eborall's Tatted Crab

Another tatted "critter" for Isaac's room! I can't wait for him to wake up from his nap and see it! As far as I'm concerned, Jane is a tatting wizard! I enjoyed doing the continuous thread join "CTJ" on the legs. It wasn't near as complicated as it sounded. Thanks again Jane.

My first block tatting

I tatted this bookmark in size 10 tatting cotton. It is also from Karey Solomon's book along with the button butterfly. I had been wanting to try block tatting and thought this a good place to start. It was easy, just like Karey says in the pattern and very rewarding. I think I would prefer a smaller thread as I have trouble making my stitches smooth in size 10. Maybe I'll try again!

Purple Tatting for Madeline

I framed a couple of pieces of my tatting for my good friend Madeline who loves purple as much as I do! Her bedroom and bathroom are both decorated in purple. I wonder in which room the tatting will show up?

Tatting Slideshow

Tatted Celtic Button Butterfly

This colorful butterfly is from the May 2007 "Tatting Times" by Karey Solomon that came in the mail yesterday. It was extremely challenging for me, but well worth it. Once again, my camera does not do it justice. I used #20 DMC Cebelia and a 3/8" button. Thanks Karey!

Tatted Sunbonnet Sue Treo

My little group is growing! I just love tatting these Southern Belles. The blue with the beads was an experiment. I wanted to symbolize flowers without having to use a different color for the rings. I think I like it, but might have to work with it a little bit.

Sunbonnet Sue #2

Sunbonnet Sue wanted to be bigger, so I tatted her in #10 crochet cotton. She is about 4 1/2" tall and ready to sit under the Magnolia Tree and sip Mint Juleps! Last Fall we were in Fairhope, Alabama for Founder's Day. They had a lovely Pops concert in the park on the bluff overlooking the Mobile Bay. In attendance were six lovely "Southern Belles" dressed in pastel dresses and bonnets. I just might have to make Sue some girlfriends with whom she can sashay around. Thanks again to the Big Book of Tatting.

Eliz's Easter Egg

I know it's a little late for Easter eggs, but I just couldn't get all of them done in time. Fortunately, these eggs will keep! This is Eliz's egg from the Tatting Pattern Calendar on March 25th, 2007. I tatted it in some old crochet cotton that already had the beads strung. I'm not sure what size it is as the label was long gone, but you can see how small it turned out. The beads are iridescent seed beads. Thank you Eliz!

Elizabeth's Doily COMPLETELY finished!

Hooray! The first tatted friendship doily is completely finished! This is Elizabeth's. I hope she likes it as much as I do. I thought the white edge would tie into the white chains about in the middle and give the whole doily a good frame. Now, off to more recreational tatting. I am really enjoying my "Big Book of Tatting."

Tatted Motif #25 of 25

Presenting - Sunbonnet Sue from The Big Book of Tatting - the 25th motif of my second set! I am really enjoying tatting the patterns in this book. They tat up fast and this one was great for using up the thread left on the shuttle from the last butterfly. I'm going to do the next one with white for the rings. I haven't decided what color to make the chains as of yet. I don't know how many of you have this book, but hope you enjoy it as much as I am.

Now, do I start over again on the challenge or just keep posting?

Tatted Butterfly #2

This pattern from The Big Book of Tatting was just screaming to be done in purple! The variegated is Altan Balsak. I'm not sure about the solid. I think it is DMC Cebelia. I wasn't sure how the two would mix when tatted together, but I like the way it looks. I'm off now to look at more of the patterns and make my next choice!
P.S. The last round of the friendship doily is progressing. Pictures when finished!

Tatted Motif #24 of 25

I had so much fun with this butterfly! It is from Big Book of Tatting by Darlene Polachic and tatted in #20 DMC Cebelia. We are doing some work in our kitchen and I can't get to the ironing board or iron, but couldn't wait to share this little fellow. More colors to come!

Tatted Motif #23 of 25 new picture

New is not always better! I got the old camera out and made a picture of the Easter Egg. So much better. I really must get a scanner for my tatting!

Tatted Motif #23 of 25

I have tried and tried to get a good, clear picture of this Easter Egg and I just can't. This is the second of Mark's that I have made and I just love tatting this pattern. I wish it would show up better. This is a lovely, creamy yellow with a purple center. I had to darken it to show the detail.

Tatted Motif #22 of 25

This is Mark's Easter Egg. I had so much fun with it and can't wait to make more! I have all kinds of color combinations in my head. Hope they don't get lost in there! I like tatting the half rings in this pattern. I only need to make the long picots a bit longer to take up the negative space around the center.

Thanks Tatman. You have done it again!

Laura's doily after 6th round

Finally - the sixth round finished on my tatted friendship doily. It took a long time to make it around this time. Only one more round to go and it's an easy one. This one goes to J.B. now. Her's will go to Elizabeth and Elizabeth's will come to me to finish. I have enjoyed doing this and would like to do another one in the future. I'm ready for a little break right now. As soon as I finished with this round, I started on Tatman's Easter egg. It is going to be pretty!