Tatting Thread Comparison

I've been looking for some information to compare tatting threads, and was able to find the most information at Bella Online. It still wasn't as concise as I wanted, so I created a spreadsheet to hold the info. If you'd like to take a look, I put it in shared documents at Google under - Thread Comparison. I'm open to additions, comments, changes, or other suggestions if you'd like to leave them.

American Idol Gives Back

Yes, I'm a fan of American Idol - watch every week (recorded), but rarely vote. This week's show was special in that they were making contributions to some of the world's crisis areas. You can read more details about it at http://www.americanidol.com/. One of their advertisers had agreed to contribute $5 million dollars if there were 50,000 votes. I did my part and voted numerous times - redial is wonderful, isn't it? There were 70,000 votes!

I was thinking of driving to the coast this weekend for a couple of days, to see a craft show and try to find some 'Mermaid Tears'. We've all seen the hungry children in Africa, those impoverished with AIDS and malaria who struggle to get miles and miles away to visit a hospital for the chance of receiving the small supply of medicine. It always tugs at the heart strings - the tears of a 12 year old who is the man of house caring for his younger sister after losing both parents. After watching the show and seeing some of the areas that would be recipients, Africa and America alike, I decided to contribute the money it would have cost for the trip.

My tiny contribution wasn't much, but if each of us makes a tiny contribution, medicine will be available, books to be read, food for hungry families - children will be saved. Please consider helping to save a few real tears.

Bookmark Crazy?

Have I gone bookmark crazy? They're an easy thing to complete, and good practice for me! They look so different with modified tassles or headers. These have been fun to make, and there are plans for a few of them. You can see some below in the blocking phase.

The purple on the left is made from Finca pearl cotton size 16 as is the orange on the right. The blue in the center is from DMC 80 cotton.

The white is from a new thread I won on eBay from Paraguay - Rubi size 20 cotton. It seems a little stiffer and fuller.

Palmetto Tatters' Guild

It had been several month since I went to the Palmetto Tatters' Guild meeting in Columbia, SC, but yesterday, Saturday, it just called me so loudly that I went!

One of the girls on the Needle Tat yahoo group said she may be able to go, and low and behold I got to meet Debbie S. We didn't exactly work together, but it was certainly good to put a voice and a smile with those messages. Her tatting is prettier in person than in pictures, of course, AND she's another needle tatter!

I did get to work with my old pal from last year's Tat Days conference, Hope! She's just as much fun as ever, and she has a way of sharing her tatting skills and knowledge that makes it easy to learn! I also met a new friend, Theresa who is so friendly and fun to be with. They made me glad I went.

The lesson/workshop for the day was a garland of daisies led by Barbara Hevener. It was a fun challenge, and you can see my little sample below. Mary encouraged us to join in the Exchange, and since next month's project is a bookmark, I may just do it!!




I'm glad I went, and will make it a priority to be a more dedicated member.

Hooks - 25-Challenge Complete!

How do you keep track of your miscellaneous tatting tools? Do you use a Chatelaine? I imagine that they would be heavy.

Do we all use a hook to pull through our joins? I have two hooks - one for regular joins and another for joining with beads that is very tiny - I'm sorry I don't know the sizes. I have a lanyard for the bigger one that was just sitting around the house, and it is so handy to have around my neck while tatting. I needed something for the smaller one since picking it up from the table each time was a distraction, when it didn't get knocked off onto the floor! I had made a lanyard for a name tag long ago, and decided that's what I needed for the tiny hook. It is made from size 20 Finca with split rings and Josaphine knots around the holder. -25

Bookmark and Edging

Blocked bookmark size 12 Finca that is a nice, deep coral -23





Blocked edging size 12 Finca that is a pale, seafoam green -24

More on Blocking

After reading the information on blocking, I was trying to decide on a stable surface. While browsing through the NEW Hobby Lobby in Rock Hill, I noticed their artists' canvas off 50% sale. I bought a package with two 9x11 frames. Last night I pinned some motifs and sprayed them with stiffener. We'll see what the results are and get photos later.

Well, they turned out pretty good - so I pinned and sprayed my first bookmark this evening! I'm sure someone has written a pattern for it, but I just made it up as I went along without following a pattern. It is made with DMC #80 in variegated blue. 22

Tatter's Lessons

I got a message today stating that a new online Beginner's Tatting free class will start on April 18. There will be a meet and greet on April 11.

Blocking Tatting

I've been searching for instructions on how to block a finished piece of tatting, and finally ran across this site. If you're interested in how to care for your tatted pieces, this is a good resource by Rachel Jackson.

After posting the previous, today in my bloglines hop I found Sharon has posted an excellent article with a wealth of information! Thanks a lot.

Button Motifs

A couple of little button motifs to share with friends. 20, 21

Bracelet

I've been invited to my cousin's home for lunch on Easter. I decided to make her daughter a bracelet. She has seemed pleased with things I made for her before, so hope she will like this too. 19

Tatted Flowers

This is a tatted edge I used on the Share Our Hearts for April. 18