A Moment To Share.

Well, no tatting to show, but I had a moment today that I want to share with you.  I decided that today's project would be the Adrienne Glass Mat.  I grabbed some Blue and Gold from Lady Dusty Rose's Etsy shop and started.  

Not very long into the second round, I stopped and just looked at what was in my hand.  Even with the ends and strings all handing from it, I though, That's beautiful.  In that moment, not only could I not believe that I was creating something that beautiful, but it made me realize why I started tatting in the first place, why I wanted to start, and why I love it so much.  

I wonder how often tatters feel that way.  We all gripe and complain and get frustrated by knotty threads and twisted picots, but how many times do YOU just look and think that, for sure, someone else must've made what you're holding because it's just so beautiful?

The one year anniversary of when I began tatting is approaching.  This moment couldn't have come at a better time; I can't believe how far I've come in just one year!

Love to all,
Stephanie Grace

Yup, Still Goin' Strong... (Motif #11/25)

Since discovering the mismatch of the turquoise thread with Countryside, I've been baffled as to what to do with the turquoise thread (Other than matching it with the gold which still screams Bollywood to me when paired...).  It's not a bad color or anything, just... not "me".  I just can't seem to pair it with anything --neither threadwise nor patternwise.  I know I will eventually.  I tried it with LizBeth's silver today...

I was maybe five rings in when I realized that I didn't like it, but had to finish because there's always someone who will, right?

Then, I decided to tackle the glass mat in the Winter 2011 Handy Hands Newsletter since I've been wanting to do it.  I had no clue what color to use, though, so I decided to start with the leftover turquoise from the bookmark... Guess what happened next...

Yup... I got distracted and wanted to know what just to centers would look like together... Now, I just have to decide what I'll do with this next... I thought that, maybe, I'll use the silver thread and just do from split rings and Victorian sets on either side for a chain to make a necklace or bracelet, but I'm not sure yet ...and I'm still toying with the idea of just plain adding more of the center motif to make something else... So many choices!!!

Love to you all,
Stephanie Grace

A Twist On Redundancy! (Motifs #9 and 10 /25)

So, of course, I'm still stuck on these simple bookmarks.  I like them, though! :-P  Well, today I decided to try it in LizBeth #156, Juicy Watermelon since I hadn't even touched the thread yet.  Well, there was something I didn't like (I don't remember what), so I decided to add a button.  I thought it would sit nicely at the top of the book (as long as I add a dot of glue for added security)... Then... I thought about something ...The button fits into the opposite end of the bookmark!  Voila! 'Tis a summery bracelet for some vibrant little girl!  Maybe tomorrow I'll add a few more rings and chains and see if I can't make one of these for myself --or maybe an adult with normal-sized wrists? LOL.

I didn't stop there, though... Saw the plastic bobbin full o' Fairy Dance from LadyDustyRoses's Shop and couldn't resist...

Normally, I don't like using variegated as both needle and ball thread, but I went outside of my little box today and, ya know what?  It didn't end up as badly as I expected! 

-Stephanie Grace

Redundancy? (Motifs #7 and 8/25)

Anyone remember me saying I get on a pattern and just keep doing it over and over again?  Well, it still rings true! LOL.  Another bookmark...  This time done in LizBeth Black and LizBeth #626; Shell Pink Lt. (The one that doesn't match Seashells... LOL).

What's that you say? Where's the usual rambling?  Okay, okay... I'll try to appease you... ;-)

When I first started tatting and hunting down patterns on the internet (last year, LOL!), one of the firsts that I couldn't resist trying was "Rememberance" Ring by the amazingly talented Yarnplayer.  Well, of course I tried it... and tried ...and tried it.  Somehow, I always messed up or only did the first half and gave up...  Not today!!!  I had some of that Shell Pink Lt. still on my needle, so I gave it a go...

I did it! I did it!  Sure, it's not the neatest work in the world, but I got it done!!!  :-D  I'm thrilled!  I can't wait to do it again ...and again ...and again. LOL. 

-Stephanie Grace
 

...Again? (Motif #6/25)

Since I started tatting, I've eyed up LizBeth Color #117, Country Side.  When I made my last order for threads, I got it.  :-)  Of course, I also ordered the matching solid blue...  

Needless to say, I am NOT happy with the "matching."  Well, while typing this message, I looked up the threads for the numbers.  I ordered the wrong solid!!!  :-(  I ordered 661 instead of 651.  That explains it this time, though I'm still angry about the Seashells fiasco. LOL. 

Oh well... At least I finished the bookmark, right?

Hope you are all doing well!  

-Stephanie Grace

Grrr....

I got these beautiful beads from Running Springs (eBay shop) and I've been dying to use them, but couldn't find the right project for them.


Since yesterday's threads also included LizBeth 20 #661, I thought they'd go well together.  I also wanted to try the gold thread (also LB 20).  I also wanted to try a bracelet from the bookmark pattern since I kept putting the bookmarks on my wrist and thinking it would be pretty... 


Well... it was going to be "The Bollywood Bracelet" since that's what I kept thinking while tatting, but...

...That didn't work for me.  The thread split and my hand go sweaty and... ugh.  I'm going to attempt un-tatting even more than I already did, sewing in some ends and adding more thread... it'll be my first time doing that.  


The colors don't seem as vivid on the scan, but it was actually the vivid colors that made me think Bollywood. LOL.  


Well, I hope you all had a better tatting day...  :-*


With Love,
Stephanie Grace

She Reads Books At the Seashore (Motif #5/25)

What'd you think she does; sell seashells?  :-D


So, I got some new threads (all LizBeth, 20)  in the mail today!!! *HUGE smile*  I couldn't figure out ones to play with first and ended up going with Seashells (114) and the supposedly matching Shell Pink lt (626).  I like the color of Shell Pink Lt, but I don't like it with Seashells... it doesn't match ANYWHERE near as well as I expected.  

...If I would have known that Seashells would look so bad with the solid, I would NOT have ordered it.  It doesn't have the "antique" look that I was expecting... much brighter.  I am NOT happy with it.  :-/  ...That's what I get for having high expectations for something with purple in it, I guess.  Blah.  Well, at least I have a ball of thread that I won't mind wasting now. :-)  If I can find a color that looks better with it, maybe I'll just make a whole bunch of bookmarks with it so I can be done with it. ;-) 


So, has anyone else ordered these two threads and noticed that the Shell Pink Lt. has a much more "antique" coloring than the pink in Seashells?  THAT'S the pink I wanted to see... Not what I got...  :-/  Oh well.  Live and learn, right? ;-)


Well, that's enough of my complaining and rambling! :-)


With love,
Stephanie Grace