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.

Reversible Pendant

 This is the Reversible Pendant that Marie taught at Shuttlebirds this year BUT.... I used a gold 6 strand Sandbest thread and only put 15 spokes on  AND used a bead gifted to me from Jane.  It worked up very fast and I have already given it away.

I made this second pendant, again changing up the number of spokes.  I did this one in a silver Sanbest thread. It looks great on both sides. 

Ribbons

This year I put two entries into the Calgary Stampede Creative Arts and Crafts Competition.  The Section is called Knit and Crochet and within this section is a class for tatting.  The only other place I can enter tatting is in the Theme Section which is won by popular peoples choice.  The theme changes yearly and this year it was for All things Calgary.  I just didn't get on with it early enough to enter.

Much to my surprise I won two ribbons.  The blue one is second place for my "Woodland Scene".  I had no idea how this would look until I completed it.  I made about 8 pinecones but only 4 made the final piece.  I learned to make the pinecones at Camp Wanna Tat and the flowers at Shuttlebirds.  I added crystals to the flowers and tatted leaves around the edges to frame the design. 

The red ribbon is a first class ribbon and the piece is the "Reversible Pendant".  I took the class at Shuttlebirds this past spring.  I promised my teacher Marie that I would enter it in the Calgary Stampede and I'm sure glad I did.  I really like this pattern and will be tatting it again.

Thanks to all the teachers and designers who played a big part in the event and have helped me be a better tatter.