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



P.S.  I nearly forgot!  I've decided to re-start my count for my 25 Motif Challenge.  I want to get through twenty-five motifs tatted by shuttle instead of... What was I doing?  LOL.  So, this is Motif #1!  :-D