Bookmark Maria

This cross is a pattern from Tatted Bookmarks - cross shaped by my friend Lene Bj⌀rn.  The pattern is called Maria.

I put a green ribbon through this bookmark.  The pattern worked up really fast and I used the ball and one shuttle as it is only rings and chains.  The finished length is 5.75 inches or 13 cm.

 I used more of the Coats Ecru size 20 partial ball I was gifted.

Lene's Blizzard

This year I had the opportunity to purchase the book 24 Snowflakes in Tatting personally from Lene Bjorn.  She signed my book so of course I had to tat up her snowflakes.  The diagrams in this book are large and excellent. In the front of the book you will find an explanation of the diagram symbols along with detailed techniques used in the book. There are a few spots where I needed further instruction.
I started at the front of the book and worked my way through each day of December, 45 days later I had completed them all at least once.  The snowflakes still need to be stiffened and blocked then on to my holiday tree (once it is set up).  I will gift the doubles to family.


All snowflakes shown were completed in a vintage thread, Coats size 30. I used one ball or  ~300 yards of thread. The completed size ranges from 2.5 to a maximum of 4 inches tip to tip.  I suggest you prepare a template to block them on but most of them come out very nice if you don't have a template.  

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.