A is for apple

Designed by D. Arnold, the most ingenious thing about this pattern, is not that the stitch count makes a great shape, its not the cute little inch worm on the side.  It's the seeds. The seeds are black tear drop beads with the hole drilled across the top. They sit so nicely in the core of the apple. 

Forget-me-not-snowflake

Looking for another snowflake pattern.  Follow the link below the picture to the Forget me not snowflake.  It would look lovely with a crystal / bead in the center. 

Forget-me-not

Star 8 and 9

Star 8 from the book Tatting Christmas Decorations by Laura Bziukiewicz . 

This star was done using a vintage Coats size 30 thread and measures 3.5 inches or 8.8 cm across.  

Star 9 tatted using the same vintage Coats size 30 thread measures  2.5 inches or  6 cm across. 

 

Spiritual Gifts

 My sister wanted a few  Irene Crosses to gift to teachers in Bible Study.  Here you go. 

Star 6 and 7

Star 6 from the book Tatting Christmas Decorations by Laura Bziukiewicz . 

This star was done using a vintage Coats size 30 thread and measures 3 inches or 7.5 cm across.  

Star 7 tatted using the same vintage Coats size 30 thread measures  3.25 inches or  8.5 cm across. 

 

More Ribbons

 Whoops,  I should have posted a few months ago. 

I made the flower headband which I first saw at Camp Wanna Tat and expanded on the original adding many more flowers and the pinecones at the ends. I used a ball cap for display but it currently adorns a sunhat.  The flowers leaves and pinecones were from a variety of patterns that I either purchased or was taught in a class.

The angel is made with one continuous Sanbest thread.  I took apart some earrings to use the bead for the head.  Lesson here is search your stash, you never know what you may find.  There are over 2500 double stitches used to make the angel.

I was awarded second for the flower headband and a third place ribbon for the angel.

Star 4 Star 5

Star 4 from the book Tatting Christmas Decorations by Laura Bziukiewicz . 

This star was done using a vintage Coats size 30 thread and measures 2.5 inches or 6.5 cm across.  

Star 5 tatted using the same vintage Coats size 30 thread measures  2.75 inches or  7 cm across. 

Gwiazdka 2 Star and Star 3

 

This is the second pattern in the book  "Frywolitkowe Ozdoby Choinkowe or Tatting Christmas decorations by Laura Bziukiewicz .  

Tatted with a vintage Coats size 30 thread the star measures 4 inches or 10.5 cm.

And this is Star 3, a bit smaller.  I used the same vintage Coats size 30 thread, 2.75 inches or 7.5 cm across. 

Irene's Cross

 

I call this little cross Irene's Cross as she taught it to me.  She said she tatted them up to give away. (you can easily do 3 or 4 in an evening) Irene always added a little tassel.  I've tatted a few but not many left as I tie a ribbon to them and pass them on as fast as I make them.

Sometimes I can't decide what to tat but always have this one in my head ready to go. If you know whose cross this is please let me know and I can give them credit.

This little dolly hangs on my ID badge and was gifted to me from Irene.  Irene always had a little gift when we got together to tat.  I miss her dearly as do many of my tatting friends.  

Irene Morgan 1940 - 2024

Gwiazdka 1 Star

 

And so it begins.  This is the first pattern in a book gifted to me this year. (Thanks again JK)

It is a beautiful book called "Frywolitkowe Ozdoby Choinkowe or Tatting Christmas decorations.  When the book was ordered it had a personal greeting to me from the author Laura Bziukiewicz from Poland. There are 26 star or snowflakes, 6 Christmas Baubles, 5 Angels and 3 bells.

With a choice of  40 patterns I've started at the front of the book.  You can use the diagram or follow the written pattern to create the designs in the book.  I chose the diagram and pre-planned so as to climb out to additional rounds using split rings and split chains.  

This star was done using a vintage Coats size 30 thread and measures 4 inches or 10.5 cm across.  I'll try to block these better next time.

Paprika, Habanero and Poblano

 

Paprika, Habanero and Poblano all designed by Martha Ess found in her book Whimsical Tatting, 

Year of the Dragon

Chinese New Year 2024 falls on Saturday, February 10th, 2024, and celebrations culminate with the Lantern Festival on February 24th, 2024. Celebrations last up to 16 days, but only the first 7 days are considered a public holiday. 

 

These are just a few of the dragons I have tatted.  I also tatted Jane E. TIAS dragon and a little Paprika.

Bobbie's Pincushion

There is a lot going on here. The pincushion was designed by Sharon J. She designed it after "Bobbie's Pincushion".  Bobbie Demmers original pincushion had a crochet center but Sharon started with a SCMR in honor of Gary H.  Sharon taught her design at the fall 2023 Camp Wannatat workshop.  

Kits were provided to complete the cushion.  I started that center so many times and in the end finished four pincushion tops.  The thread used for this one is a  Hakelgarn size 20. I love how the Hen and Chicks edging sits beyond the cushion.  

I don't sew much or well but am pleased with how this one came out. My plan is to use it in a gift exchange later this month.

More Spool Pin Doily

 

Just a few more, this time in my colors. These would be great stocking stuffers. 

Coronation Flowers

 

Just a few flowers made with Coronation Cord.  The  cord  had been dyed yellow first. 

Yes,  I messed up the centers but not too bad for a first try. I put a dab of Frey Check on the cut cord to keep them from unravelling too much. I think a bead sewn in the center will make these flowers pop. 

Spool Pin Doily

 

One of my sisters, is a quilter, that means she can sew but I cannot.  She requested a spool pin doily to gift. It is used to protect  wear of a spool against the machine.  I believe it also prevents the spool from continuing to spin once you stop pulling thread.  I made one with various ring counts and chains and settled on a simple pattern.

Here are a few I created for her.  The Shuttle is to show size.  The finished spool pin doily is about 1.5 inches or 4 cm.  Don't pull the center ring too tight so it will have some give to fit most machines.

I found some size 20 thread in her requested colors.  I put 2 yards of thread on shuttle one and 1.5 yards on shuttle two.  I started a ring of  3ds then 7 picots between and climbed out to the second round with a mock picot. The split ring was 3-3-3/3-3-3.  Chain between rings was 3-2-2-2-2-3.  I put six picots on one and it still worked out.  

 

Snowflakes

Although I don't know her, these patterns by Renata Niemczyk were posted for free on her Facebook page.  I found the repurposed vintage thread was very soft so the buttons and beads gave the snowflakes structure.  I have made many many of her patterns.

I found that the pattern could accommodate most sizes of buttons, 

 

 

Pumpkins

 October is time for pumpkins.  The earrings were found on The Things of Anto blog (in Italian) and I adapted the stem as a one shuttle pattern to make it easier to hide ends.  I brought these to my CGNFA guild meeting and they were scooped up. They are really cute.  I used Lisbeth thread 183 Orange Crush.

 The second little pumpkin was tatted at Camp Wanna Tat and is the design of D. Arnold.  I believe she will be offering the pattern in her new book when it is ready. I used Lizbeth Bright Orange. Don't you just love shuttle only patterns. 

Pioneer Acres 53 Annual Show

This year at Pioneer Acres Annual Show they featured John Deere Tractors and Farm Equipment,  Celebrating 100 Years of the Model D Tractor.  There were over 100 tractors and equipment on display.  I usually bring my shuttles and demo tatting for the three days of the show and this year I thought I would tat a tractor.  As the date drew close one of my tatting friends said it had already been done.  So began my search for a tatted tractor and I found one.

Grandpa's tractor is a pattern designed by Tamie Alliss dedicated to her grandfather.  I ordered the pattern but it would not arrive in time for the show so I made one up.  I used the John Deere colors of yellow and green in Omega thread. (Not the greatest thread to tat with IMHO).

I also enjoyed tatting with "Batty Tatter" who dropped by for a  visit and gifted me a find from a garage sale.

I can't wait to try these yummy threads.

Leen's Angel and Bestitched Tatted Medallion

I tatted this angel with some thread that happen to be on the shuttles, might be Coats size 30.  The pattern was shared in the online tatting  class.  The designer is  Eileen Stafford and she suggests adding beads at the joins or putting double picots on the skirt bottom. 

If I tat this again I would carry my threads down from the bottom of the wings to the skirt to avoid a cut and tie. It was only a few stitches and the bulk would not be noticed. 

Another pattern from the Online tatting class is the Be-stitched Tatted Medallion.  Done in the same Coats thread it is an easy shuttle and ball pattern.  The designer is Nancy Tracy.