Cut it Out!

Or up.  Whichever.  I just want to reclaim the beads and findings from these "trial runs!"  This is part of my design process: tatting pretty much the same idea over and over, finding what works, finding what doesn't work, and each time, keeping the good stuff in and finding something to replace the bad stuff.  I did get a "keeper" that I've written up, and will submit as one of my patterns when I apply to teach at Palmetto Tat Days 2013.

I always take some tatting to work - don't always have time to tat at lunch, because sometimes lunch is "abbreviated," but I do have it with me just in case.  Lately I've switched from my post shuttles to some of my bobbin shuttles, and have I ever been giving them a workout!  I got a neat pouch to carry my extra bobbins in, too, from Jane Eborall (but I got mine at our last Tat Days).  I think it will hold most sizes of bobbins (I mostly use Viking and Aero); with six pockets, I can fit in 12 - more than I'll probably need, but hey!  You never know, do you?  Best to be prepared!

If anyone is thinking about applying to teach at Palmetto Tat Days this September, please note that the completed application - with patterns and pictures - is due April 1, 2013.

Well, back to work - on more patterns!  The ideas just keep on coming!

Flurries of - - Snow!

The thermometer dipped w-a-a-y down - really cold for us here in the Deep South who aren't used to it - and first the rain came down, then rain and snow mixed, then snow!  Then everything stopped for at least an hour - this was yesterday, and we traveled from Greenwood to Columbia for the February meeting of Palmetto Tatters.  We had patchy rain showers on the way; then, we went into the library and down to the meeting closet room and I enjoyed the company of our fellow tatters!  DH roamed the library and looked over the "Friends of the Library" books for sale.  The snow started up again, before we left, and quickly changed to rain - then stopped.  We had a few flakes hit the windshield on the way home, but it wasn't at all bad!

We were in one of the tiny conference rooms - again.  We had to leave the door to the main room open, or risk suffocation - it got very warm in there with so many!  Our lesson, taught by Marie Smith, was a heart by Karen Bovard, a tricky little tat with mostly split rings and a whole lot of fun!  Eleven rings make it up - and once you "get it," you can tat one up in no time at all.  Marie made up thread kits for us of size 10 red thread - here's mine.  The last ring was written as a regular ring; but I did a split ring and finished with a lock stitch chain to make a bookmark. 

We also did a heart exchange - I did extra in case we had visitors who wanted to play too, and we did - so here are the three I put in for the drawing.  Motifs are great (I have nothing at all against them), but I try to turn mine into a bookmark or something so it can be used.  I did one of  Georgia Seitz' Basic Split Ring Heart (from Tatting on the Edge...and Beyond, book 4 of the Ribbonwinners Series) and two of Mary Konior's Queen of Hearts (from Tatting with Visual Patterns).  In each, I "fudged" the pattern just a little so it would end with the bottom ring, which I did as a split ring so I could keep tatting a lock chain. 

Oh, and before I forget - I need to note a very useful link for several friends who asked -- Georgia Seitz - home of the Online Tatting Class, which she runs - it's always fun and informative, so do check it out!

I've also finished my TIAS for 2013 - I would have finished it days ago, but life keeps getting in the way!  I cut the ends long enough to sew them in - but I think instead I'll use them to sew it down to a cute little tote bag I received as a gift - it's begging to be decorated with tatting!