First Cluny or Tally

I've been attending the online tatting class when I can and last week we reviewed Cluny  tatting. Known as cluny or tallies, these weaves look like little leaves and add more interest to your tatting. You can use your hand or a loom to create a cluny. I have submitted my modest trials below.

Back to the basics with two colors of thread and a larger size.  Starting at the bead (1) this first cluny was made during the class.  Asking questions as I typed with one hand as the other held the loom.  I was able to relax my hand and adjust the tension once rested, and start weaving the cluny again.  I also realized that I needed to start much closer to the previous element and to use a template (post it note) to keep all clunys the same size.

The next two were made using a small plastic loom in my hand. I could not get the loom to stay taut and the space to weave was too tight to get my shuttle through. I think it would work great for needle tatters.

Finally the last two done using my hand again.

In all cases I had no issues closing the loom.  I hope to show you more cluny tatting once I've had more practice.  I also think better threads will make much better cluny.  Do you remember what your first cluny looked like? Do you use a loom or your hand?

Helpful links:
Jennifer Williams Cluny weave and closing
Muskaan Tips on Clunies

Oops

Some things didn't get done, but I did accomplish quite a bit on my time away from the blog.  I've been to Tai Chi three times now and it is beginning to feel very good, all the housework I wanted to get done happened and more. We had a great Thanksgiving and the following week my sister came for a visit and the box of family history was reviewed and ready to go out the door. (They would have been returned but I forgot them at home and too far away to go back) Closet was organised a bit but still needs more work.

Oh yes tatting was done.  Here is a leaf I finished just in time to be given to my sister. It is done in Lizbeth Falling Leaves size 20, pattern is from Tatting Samples Book 3 by Karen Lindsay. 

I also found who left me the bag of vintage thread a few posts back and I was able to send a thank you card with some tatting from the grandmother's threads.  They are still cleaning her house out and brought another bag of threads.  Below is the card I gave them with a star motif and tatted angels.

This is the first cold day and I miss sitting on the back deck in the sun and tatting, but I did get something in the blog today and feel great that I did get some tasks done. 

Collecting NUTS (nagging unfinished tasks)

How does this keep happening? I have so many things to do and so little time. I have more shuttles full than empty,  More shuttles attached to WIP. More patterns waiting to be done, and that is just the tatting.

I still have some archiving to complete on the family history and a large box of photographs to be returned.  I have scanned and identified members and have been able to solve many mysteries.

In my closet I need to replace the short sleeved shirts with the longer ones and put away the short pants and pull out my sweaters.

I have housework to be done in the downstairs bathroom (I rarely go there, it's the boys room), along with dusting and general clean up of the spare room.

I want to join the Tai Chi class at the community and have yet to make the call.

This is Thanksgiving weekend in Canada so there will be guests and dinner for six at least on Sunday to be planned and prepared.

Looking at my list I may need to set the tatting aside for a bit so some other things can get done around the house.

See you all in a few weeks once my NUTS are completed.

The Danish Connection - long post

These are just some of the books and patterns I bought, won or was gifted. Which brings me to the funniest event at The Fringe Element Tat Days, the Danish Connection.  Do you recall from an earlier post that on the Thursday night before the event I was treated to dinner with the Danish ladies and one lady from the UK.  I did not have their names and they did not have mine, I was the lady from Alberta.  In any event Jane K. who picked me up from the airport had arranged to take us all out for dinner.  When I arrived at the hotel there were the three ladies all tatting away down in the lobby.  I quickly checked in and came back down to head off to dinner.  Linda (UK) (the best tatter I have ever seen) joined us.  The Danish ladies were Lis, Tina and Lene. Well I had heard of Lene Bjorn and I was sworn to secrecy not to tell anyone who she was.  By Saturday a few had it figured out, but not all.

On Saturday afternoon, the three Danish ladies and I were in Georgia Seitz class Onion Ring Brooch and Georgia was taking attendance.  

Bernice? Here I said.

Tina? Here said Tina,

Lene? Tina replied, she is here just stepped out for a second. She is here and pointed to an empty chair beside her.

Lene Bjorn? Georgia asked again, looking carefully at the class list, not quite believing her eyes, Yes Tina replied, we were all nodding yes. 

Georgia's eyes were getting larger. 

Lene Bjorn from the snowflake book?  Yes Tina replied, then Lene walked in the room.

I thought Georgia was going to fall off her chair. The look on Georgia's face was priceless. Lene went over to say hello to Georgia right away as she had always wanted to meet her.  

I did get my books signed by Lene and was lucky enough to have spent the entire weekend with the Danish Ladies.  They were representing Dansk Orkisforening. Lis is the Chairman, Lene the Treasurer and Tina the Substitute Board member. 

Below is a little mouse from Jane K. and  the Onion Ring Brooch which still needs the back cleaned up and the brooch pin attached.

A few more books revealed later.