Life is a Carnival

When I first received "Tatted Jewelry" by Marilee Rockley, I got hooked on the Keyed Up pattern.  Then, I finally figured out shuttle tatting and, well, didn't have the bravery to touch the book.  


A few weeks ago (okay, probably more like a month and a half ago), I tried the Carnival pattern.  I could not get rings to close for me at all.  I mean, to the point where I thought that I just couldn't tat anymore.  I finally got to the point where you add a bead and Bam! I realize that I wasn't supposed to cut the thread from the ball. 


Well, I revisited the pattern today...

It's sloppy, but it's done! :-)  (Sorry for the terrible scanned images; my cell phone wouldn't take a clear picture either...).  This time, I didn't have a problem until the very last ring (go figure).  Sometimes, when I think, I need to relax a bit before I tat that, I should listen to myself!


Here's another scan (with my tatting friend, a yellow jar opener, in the background. 

It's tatted in LizBeth size 20, Silver with pearly size 11 seed beads, a blue sapphire-y bead and an 8mm Faceted Cat's Eye bead (also sapphire-y).


I think it's going to end up attached to the zipper on my purse (Where it will end up destroyed and I'll cry...). 


I finished another coaster in blue and black, but I still need to hide the ends...


Well, happy tatting everyone!


♥,
Stephanie Grace

Sulky Blendables

Not a real post, but I know that a lot of you have been trying Sulky Blendables (which I'm finally reading with the pesky 'l'... Hehe...) so I thought I'd just share that JoAnn has them 40% off. It's only available online and free shipping doesn't come into play until you spend $50, but it could still be worth it.  :-)  (Of course, my Hubby isn't taking the bait to let me order anything... *sigh*)


http://www.joann.com/sulky-blendables-thread-30wt-500-yd-many-colors/xprd1130585/#pro_colors

♥,
Stephanie Grace

Shuttlin'

So, where ya been strangers?  ;-)  It's been such a long time!  I can't believe that I've barely said a thing since January!  Which means, I also missed posting last month about reaching my two year tatting anniversary!  I'm not sure if I can't believe I've been tatting for two years already or if I can't believe that I've only been tatting for two years.  The former would win, I'm sure, if I sat and thought and about it enough. 

Anywho, since my last post, I haven't even touched my needles.  I'm starting to feel a bit bad for neglecting them, but I'm hooked on the shuttles.  I'm sure some pattern with a split ring will make me grab a needle again since I can't seem to do them on the shuttle (yet), but I digress. 

I've done this pattern before and kept telling myself to do it again.  Well, I finally did.  

This is one motif of Wild Rose Luncheon Set from The Tatter's Treasure Chest Edited by Mary Carolyn Waldrep, (pp. 54-56).

This one is in LizBeth size 20, Red and Victorian Red.  It came out looking better than I expected, but I wish the red was just a touch duller.  It just looks too bright.  I love this pattern, but I think I like one motif as a coaster instead of them attached.  It's such a busy pattern and I think it gets overwhelming (and too frilly for my taste) when it's more than one. 


I also did this one in two variegated threads which is incredibly busy in appearance, but I finished it anyway. ;-)  This red one was actually to make up for that one!  :-)


What this pattern forced me to do:  Retro/Un -tat!  I got all the way to the end... I was literally on the last chain and realized that I'd missed a join in the preceding chain.  Usually, that would make me give up.  Then, having to open the ring wasn't going very well; again, that would usually make me give up.  I didn't give up, though!  I unwound the shuttle and made it happen.  :-)  I was so proud I nearly did a dance!  LOL.  


I've also started taking notes and measure how much thread gets used when I tat a pattern, so that I don't waste too much thread or end up with not enough on the shuttle.  I think the scrap paper I wrote the numbers for on this pattern got thrown into a pile of papers so I don't have them right now, but I'll share them as soon as I find it.  ;-)


Well, I'm sure I've taken up enough of your time with my rambling, so I shall see you all tomorrow... I hope! ;-)


Happy Tatting to all!


♥,
Stephanie Grace