tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-331907572012-01-28T00:21:55.321+08:00Sharing My Adventures With Tatting Lace***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.comBlogger3121100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-20607377744905116862012-01-27T00:23:00.000+08:002012-01-27T20:27:15.435+08:00

Continuing from previous post, this is the finished coaster, Lisbeth thread #40 - Ocean Turquoise Light They are supposed to be six heart motifs in here, but I can't see them anymore when all joined up like this.  The finished size is 10cm across, or slightly under 4 inches.  There is a tiny bit of cupping in the centre but should flatten out with some pressing. May change the stitch count

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-61482499578448631132012-01-24T14:54:00.000+08:002012-01-24T15:29:25.082+08:00

When Jane posted about her joined-up hearts, it reminded me of a heart pattern that I joined up in a similar way. The original pattern was one that I created for my 25-motif challenge way back in 2006.  I should have written out the pattern for it when I completed the challenge, but as usual, tatting is more interesting that writing patterns. With that basic heart design, I joined it up together

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-33065520164684635012012-01-20T14:15:00.000+08:002012-01-20T14:36:34.876+08:00

This is the last motif from Norma Benporath's New Medallions in Tatting. This rather unusual shape piece is quite easy and straight-forwards to tat. I did not need to make any changes to the pattern as published on the site but I did change the construction method. Firstly, the motif begins with the centre ring with 8 picots in it separated by 3ds.  The instruction was to begin with 2ds,

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-87549880065123306502012-01-14T23:02:00.001+08:002012-01-14T23:02:41.944+08:00

This is my third venture with Norma Benporath patterns that were published in the Queenslander newspaper. Before I go to the patterns, for the benefit of those who may have missed my earlier posts, I have embarked on tatting patterns by Norma Benporath as published in the Queenslander newspaper.  These articles and patterns were scanned and made available online in the Trove website. The text

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-3479168106733739902012-01-12T18:54:00.000+08:002012-01-12T18:54:03.225+08:00

I changed my browser to Firefox and now I can leave comments again, yay!  I was using Google Chrome before, when I was having the problem. I left a test comment on Tat's Heaven blog and it went through just fine.  I also noticed that I can reply to a specific comment and my reply came up under the comment that I replied to.  Isn't that wonderful? Now a reader can relate  to the previous topic

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-8940566158660058252012-01-10T22:28:00.001+08:002012-01-10T22:36:15.054+08:00

I am having problems leaving comments on other blogs.  So far I have tried in two blogs and both won't allow me to. I wanted to wish Gina of Threads of a Tatting Goddess continued good health on getting the good news on the remission. I also wanted to say that I like the new line of hook shown on Tat's Heaven.  I wanted to suggest to 'Im in the garage' if it is possible to have it

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-90182769297391498702011-12-22T23:15:00.000+08:002011-12-22T23:17:14.318+08:00

After the Lace Mat Doily of the last post, my 2nd Norma Benporath project is Dainty Border For an Oval Doyley.  I will not be tatting the full doily, only sufficient repeats to be able to understand the flow of the pattern. I must say that this one was a challenge to me. This lace edging has three rounds.  Following the instructions (edited text), Rows 1 and 2 were a breeze.  When it came to the

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-27316642485443925712011-12-19T23:09:00.000+08:002011-12-20T21:17:06.354+08:00

Continuing from this post, the lace mat from Tatting Design for Busy People by Norma Benporath is on the blocking board.  While it is drying out, I thought I'd share how I block my tatting. First of all, I haven't had the need to block my tatting much.  When I design, I pay particular attention to the stitch count so that the finished piece will required no blocking, at most just a bit of

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-38744714030727737802011-12-11T09:35:00.001+08:002011-12-12T22:26:07.530+08:00

I held a giveaway for a free copy of MyMemories Suite scrapbooking software a few weeks back and picked the winner through a random number generator. And the number that came up was 4 corresponding to the comment number 4 by Bree, Congratulations Bree!  I will contact you later on how to collect your gift. The good news is, even if you did not win this draw, you can save some money by

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-37556256375963862982011-12-05T21:31:00.001+08:002011-12-05T22:20:21.326+08:00

Maureen in Brisbane has found some buried treasures and shared them in In Tatters.  They are tatting patterns designed by Norma Benporath that were published in the Queenslander newspapers from the 1930s, scanned and published digitally by the National Library of Australia. A little on Norma Benporath (1900 - 1998) is provided by the Powerhouse Museum. As usually happened for scanned documents

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-28765883359777183652011-11-26T22:10:00.001+08:002011-11-26T23:43:21.217+08:00

The mat made up of square motifs that started with the design that I first wrote about over two months ago is finally finished. The finished size is 22cm x 18cm (8.5in x 7in) and uses up about one ball of Milford in size 40.  There is still some thread left on the ball but not sufficient to finish another row of motifs. I decided to make a slight change to the design and in the way the

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-89469690852658859112011-11-21T11:50:00.000+08:002011-11-21T11:53:40.686+08:00

Have you ever thought about what to do with all the photos and snapshots that you have taken.  I don't know about you but my old photos are all over the place, in plastic pockets and albums from when the cameras were using film rolls.  And now they are in flash drives and hard disks since the cameras have gone digital I have always thought about getting them properly organised.   And, by

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-44496728043075088802011-11-12T00:38:00.001+08:002011-11-12T01:31:27.060+08:00

One of the reasons that I had not been tatting much the past month or so was because I was organising a reunion of my schoolmates.  The reunion is for the class of 1974 of one of the elite all-girls boarding schools in Malaysia.    It was really hard work trying to get in touch with as many of them as possible and keeping track of the list of attendees.  There were about 170 of us who were in the

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-48743786512949497222011-11-09T22:58:00.000+08:002011-11-09T22:58:16.080+08:00

.... but here is a picture of my niece wearing a tunic with tatted edgings attached to the sleeves and neckline.

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-56422980788346793042011-10-30T10:34:00.000+08:002011-10-30T10:34:49.049+08:00

This is as far that I have reached working on the square that was from here. I have started over with a new thread for this piece, which is Milford size 40 in variegated blue.  I have been very good and had hidden the ends every two or three motifs. This will be my working piece to keep me tatting, re previous post. I will go on until I finish that ball of thread shown in the corner. As it

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-59089587600749715342011-10-28T00:18:00.000+08:002011-10-28T00:18:38.459+08:00

I know I have not blogged for quite a while.  The truth is that I have had my hands full with non-tatting work.  And after such hiatus, my creative juice may have run dry.  That is just it! I don't have the feel for designing right now.  It used to be that ideas are playing in my head at the same time that I was working on some new design.  But I am afraid to stop tatting in case it really turns

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-6068164541288157762011-09-20T22:43:00.001+08:002011-09-20T22:47:27.069+08:00

There are 99 comments made on the giveaway post.  I have place the range of numbers corresponding to the sequence that the comments are listed in my blog into a random sequence generator and picked the two numbers appearing on the top line of the resulting sequence Using the numbers corresponding to the sequence that the comments are listed, the winners are comments numbers 26 is Lace-lovin'

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-13770633296354331922011-09-20T15:46:00.000+08:002011-09-20T15:46:06.779+08:00

After working with triangles as in this post, I started on squares. This is the square motif that resulting from several attempts. It is rather small even though I am working with size 20 thread, just about 1.75in or 4.5cm wide. Joining up several of this square motif results in this little mat, still a work in progress. This is a rather interesting exercise for me.  As you can see, the motif

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-12736086449663258112011-09-16T11:11:00.002+08:002011-09-16T12:25:23.591+08:00

well, why not!   These are what I am giving away. Pack A - Milford Mercer purple varieg #20 - 1 ball, 4mm purple round beads - 30gm pack, thread holders in 3 sizes, and 3 thimbles (2 - leather and 1 metal) Pack B - Milford Mercer green #20 - 1 ball, 4mm green round beads - 30gm pack, 4 charm/fob strap, and 3 thimbles (2 leather and 1 metal)  The threads and beads are some that I have left

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com99tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-42891377021104344122011-09-04T23:58:00.000+08:002011-09-04T23:58:14.400+08:00

A number of tatting friends have expressed curiosity about the names that I have chosen for the snowflakes in the book Elegant Tatting Gems.  It was not easy to find a name for each one.  I thought about naming each after a tatting friend but I have so many to chose from and don't want to be seen favoring one over another, :( In brief, I have chosen names related to precious stones or related to

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-36022352513021525792011-08-30T03:34:00.000+08:002011-08-30T03:34:09.262+08:00

Eid Mubarak to my Muslim friends.   May the month of Ramadhan that has passed been a month of fulfillment for the body and soul, and we emerge a better person from it. And by coincidence,  today is also my birthday! he he he . . . . The third reason for the celebration is for all Malaysians, Happy Merdeka Day on 31st August.  This year is the 54th year of independence for Malaysia. This being

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-28206052987636813582011-08-23T23:12:00.004+08:002011-08-26T16:29:32.245+08:00

Continuing from here, . . . .  I used up almost all of one skein of the Yarnplayer's HDT early today with just under 3m left in the thread holder.  All in, one skein is enough for 10 motifs and I needed 12 pieces to complete the star-shape. Realising earlier that I will not have enough to complete the project, I ordered another skein of the thread from the Yarnplayer, and right on cue, it

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-57039609791067654492011-08-17T22:31:00.000+08:002011-08-17T22:31:47.937+08:00

I have to admit this .... I get easily distracted.  While tatting this, as posted earlier, an idea popped into my head, and I made these. (excuse the blurry picture)  Not sure how to describe these.  They are bookmarks and they look like kites, so let's just call them Kites bookmark.  For the tails, I made single-shuttle split rings.  Instead of a tassel at the end I attached a charm. The

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-13236476144887573592011-08-15T08:21:00.000+08:002011-08-15T08:21:50.528+08:00

This is a shot of the full moon that I took early this morning.  That means Ramadhan has reached the half-way mark and there are 15 more days of fasting left. Time seems to fly very fast as we get older, don't you think so? The same can be said when I am tatting.  Before I realised it, I had been tatting for hours but not much to show for it.  Here is what my shuttle is turning out at the

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-10467026688602792892011-07-28T13:43:00.001+08:002011-07-29T12:01:50.417+08:00

Here are what I received in a few exchanges that I participated the last few months. Two are bookmark exchanges organised in In Tatters Forum and The Tatting Forum. These two are what I received from my partners. The one on top is from Prabhjyot for the exchange in In Tatters.  Prabhjyot wrote that the pattern used is the Supermodel Bookmark designed by Brooklynne Michelle made with

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-39241863641484973132011-07-19T00:36:00.003+08:002011-07-20T12:11:42.070+08:00

For those whose names were not drawn for the book give away, I hope this will make you happy. Rose Window This is the design shown in the top left corner of my header, partially hidden under the shuttles.  I had planned to include this in the book Elegant Tatting Gems, but I utilised a split ring to jump out of a round.  Somehow, that does not fit in with the theme of the book. The name, Rose

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-78485654351618005722011-07-17T09:44:00.000+08:002011-07-17T09:44:28.614+08:00

First, I want to apologise for the delay in announcing the winners of the draw.  I was away for the weekend, about 230km away in another state, attending the reception of my niece's wedding.  I was already feeling unwell during the drive going there and got worse during the drive coming home.  Luckily I wasn't the one driving.  Anyway, by the time I reached home, I was too flat out to do anything

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-16431100648772486842011-07-14T11:42:00.003+08:002011-07-14T12:09:37.062+08:00

As I write this, the number of comments received for this giveaway has exceeded 100.  In view of the overwhelming interest and support shown for my tatting, and my book, and the craft of tatting in general, I think adding another book to the draw will not hurt at all. What do you think?  Ha ha ... of course you'll like that. I will now pick two names from the comments list to receive my latest

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-33447276373586110932011-07-11T23:40:00.051+08:002011-07-17T08:43:43.085+08:00

That is the title of my new book which is out now. This is my third book, and my second working on snowflakes.  Actually, if you have been following my blog, you may have guessed it from the posts that I had put up over the past year or so, when I wrote about colours in tatting, or from this Posy post. This Winter Wonderland post and the Rainbowflakes are dead giveaways, I think. Diane,

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com162tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-44746098465193802342011-06-26T11:17:00.000+08:002011-06-26T11:17:34.262+08:00

It dawned upon me that I started this project more than two years ago.  I can feel a sense of great relief now, knowing that it is coming almost to the end. Here is a peek at what it is all about. They are snowflakes for my new book.This is the longest tatting project that I have worked on.  The other thing that is taking much longer is a crochet project, and there is still no light at the end

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-38469834319383561192011-06-22T12:02:00.024+08:002011-10-26T08:58:55.180+08:00

I have read all your comments to my previous post, where I first wrote about the subject.  At that time I didn't have a name for it.  I wasn't sure if it made any difference or if it is worth pursuing.  However, encouraged by your comments I looked at it further, and for discussion purposes I am calling this a pointed chain. I made another sample motif again with three different version of

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-4130801336675436012011-06-20T16:41:00.000+08:002011-06-20T16:41:46.919+08:00

We tatters know that the chain is always a curve. If you need a straighter chain, then it can be straightened somewhat through blocking. Alternatively, you can do it by following the technique shown by Jane Eborall in her techniques site called the Double Double Stitch. I, for one, try to avoid the need to block any of my tatting.  I made that a point in most of my design.  I don't know if it

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-83634564781852783062011-06-16T13:43:00.000+08:002011-06-16T13:43:12.673+08:00

I have been tatting for a while now, just about to reach 10 years.  I have learned many things, and I know that there are many more to learn.  I have come across tatting techniques and tatting terms that makes tatting so much easier.  But, for the life of me, can someone please tell me what is the term for that loop of thread that is place round the fingers in shuttle tatting? Is it a finger

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-26847180847493269192011-06-12T18:38:00.001+08:002011-06-12T19:08:17.528+08:00

Finally, I managed to go through photos taken of my niece's wedding and made a slideshow of selected ones. Hover the cursor at the lower part of each slide for captions. To view this photo slideshow you need to have Flash Player 9 or newer installed and JavaScript enabled. This <a href="http://www.photosnack.com/" title="PhotoSnack - Flash photo slideshow maker">flash slideshow</a>

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-15216035168883518922011-06-10T16:38:00.001+08:002011-06-10T22:41:24.384+08:00

I was in a couple of bookmark exchanges and made a few bookmarks. This bookmark is adapted from The Hedgerow pattern by Mary Konior from the book Tatting in Lace. As mentioned in an earlier post, I was the first stop of the Mary Konior travelling book organised by Martha Ess. In that post, I shared pictures of tatting that was from the book but I did not include this bookmark.  It was a

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-64322344965523952472011-05-30T12:51:00.001+08:002011-05-30T12:59:42.872+08:00

Here are some pictures with a bit of tatting in them that I made for the wedding this weekend. I have shown these cups before and finally, here is how they are going to be used. This tray will hold the wedding ring and the cups will be filled with scented finely sliced pandanus leaves with flower petals. The tatting is in the 'cup-huggers'. The wedding ring is in the silver box. Close up

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-15973697253816860772011-05-20T13:23:00.000+08:002011-05-20T13:23:45.016+08:00

I was the first stop for the Mary's Travelling book, Tatting in Lace by Mary Konior.   I was given one month to enjoy the book. I managed to tat a few patterns from the book and it was also an opportunity to learn a few techniques and understand Mary Konior's design style.  I must say the more I look through her books, the more I am inspired by her designs. First I made this Convolvulus design.

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-45569911044610179622011-05-04T18:56:00.001+08:002011-05-04T19:19:33.399+08:00

My earlier post on roll tatting brought some comments asking what roll tatting is. I'll try and explain here through some pictures. Roll Tatting is so called because the thread are not knotted but rolled over the core thread.  Rolled instead of knotted An explanation of how the shuttle is moved to get the roll effect on the core thread can be seen through these two links, JaneE's explanation

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-48156801159080596432011-05-03T22:02:00.001+08:002011-05-04T18:59:36.148+08:00

As if you hadn't guessed it already ... yes, finally tried rolling instead of knotting.  And to prove that I did, here is a picture of some  fragments of my attempts at roll tatting.  I must say after the first few hiccups it rolled out quite well. From the fifth roll onwards, I actually enjoyed it. Snippets from  patterns by Mary Konior The top left was done in size 10.  Didn't turn out so

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-3197395144506525192011-04-22T14:40:00.001+08:002011-04-22T14:44:34.000+08:00

It appears that my earlier post about not looping the thread round my pinky when making chains has got Fox mystified and Zarina curious.  Fox seems to have another thought about it as she explained in her blog post. Anyway, to give a clearer picture of how I hold my thread, here are some photos as I explain the method. I only loop the chain thread once round the little finger at the second notch

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-85932297218864898982011-04-20T15:25:00.000+08:002011-04-20T15:25:08.892+08:00

I received my giveaway prize from Aileen.  She wrote about giving away "bombs" to celebrate her birthday in March.  These are what Aileen packed in her bomb. As you can see, these are all very useful gift.  One can never get enough of thread and beads and shuttles.  As you can see I used the shuttle immediately to start on a new project. The Ez-bob will be for my one of my HDTs that are still in

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-13498791528301479432011-04-13T11:48:00.000+08:002011-04-13T11:48:09.833+08:00

I am glad I joined the special Online Tatting class on International Tatting Day two weeks ago.  There was no lessons on that day, you can't really tat and eat chocolates at the same time, really.   Instead, Georgia had a few games and challenges going.  One of the prizes for the challenges was sponsored by Isdihara, and I won it! he he he ...  These are what I received form her, Chocolate

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-75238437590323979132011-04-10T01:12:00.000+08:002011-04-10T01:12:25.675+08:00

.... because Mary came to visit ..... for a month ... he he he ..... Oh ... I am just taking a break from my other tatting stuff, like these for my niece's wedding  and this, and instead I will be tatting with Mary."Mary who?"  you asked.  This Mary ... If you have been following Martha's blog, you may have read about Mary's Traveling Book. I already have the other three of Mary Konior's

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-50017562508816683562011-04-01T01:19:00.000+08:002011-04-01T01:19:59.819+08:00

I took a break from tatting and all the other stuff for a brief holiday in Bandung, Indonesia.  Despite the rain falling on most of the days while there, it was a thoroughly enjoyable trip.  Here are some pictures to share. In front of one of the many shopping outlets that attracts visitors to Bandung The hotel where we stayed Bandung is located on a plateau, surrounded by hills and

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-28733348515196233072011-03-09T23:14:00.004+08:002011-03-11T09:37:09.663+08:00

I often receive e-mails from tatters asking how to determine how much thread is required for a tatting project.  Most of the time I would reply direct to the sender, but I think it would be best if I put this up as a post so that more people will have the information. My method requires very basic arithmetic so it should not put off anyone who is mathematically-challenged, :). This post may sound

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-73571763548379733092011-03-04T16:31:00.002+08:002011-03-04T20:18:07.012+08:00

Got all my material ready for the tatting to make the bunga rampai container to be used as part of the wedding gifts. I made another design for the bunga rampai container.  This time I used a small cup/glass and designed an edging to surround the cup. I tatted the same pattern for both green and purple but somehow it turned out differently when I place round the cup.  When I placed on the green

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-11082678839911871622011-02-09T12:38:00.000+08:002011-02-09T12:38:02.509+08:00

I wrote about my niece in this earlier post. Now the work has begun on getting everything ready for the big day, except that for me, I will have to double the effort. You see, since that post, another one of my nieces will be getting married too.  And the two weddings are just a month apart from each other. It will be a busy time for me for the next few months.  So much so that I have decided to

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-40250329907105167512011-02-04T01:14:00.003+08:002011-02-04T08:04:09.348+08:00

Instead of asking you to get help, you will received applause, pats on the back and hearty welcome greetings when you admit to be an addict! You openly admit to making a mistake people think you are creative! You actually enjoy unpicking your stitches! well ... at least some do There is never a wrong choice! You can do up/down, front/back, reverse order, count/don't count the join, needle/

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-34455306429325698702011-01-27T12:49:00.002+08:002011-01-27T13:19:22.121+08:00

I had a three-some tatting session with Zarina and Diyanna last Saturday. As usual, we chat a lot and tat a bit.  Zarina worked on a Rita Weiss doily which you can see in her blog from the link.  Diyanna wanted to be refreshed on how to add the tiny motif in the centre of a ring as in my Tatting With Rings patterns.  I was working on my snowflakes models.  Nobody remembered to take any photos so

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-67112495039630346792011-01-20T23:57:00.000+08:002011-01-20T23:57:48.142+08:00

This is an explanation on how to add new thread when the thread in your shuttle (or ball) has run out. When I need to add new thread, I usually do it at the end of a chain, and the next element to be tatted is a ring. Here, the shuttle thread is looped round the fingers to make the next ring.  The old thread end is laid along the shuttle thread while the start of the new thread is pinched

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-73908535676397492332011-01-15T11:59:00.003+08:002011-01-17T22:30:27.014+08:00

I'll let the pictures tell the story. p.s.  I am in the process of preparing the charts and writing out the patterns for these designs which will be published in a new book.  As far as I am aware, these are my original designs. 

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-23625951366422074072011-01-07T13:22:00.002+08:002011-01-09T14:31:04.716+08:00

A little bit of fun ...... I am interested in finding out the profile of readers that come over to my blog. I have created a simple poll for this and it is in the sidebar on the right. Please leave your mark in the poll by clicking the button that closest describes you. I appreciate your participation. Thank you. p.s. I had not showed any pieces of tatting in my last few posts. I have been

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-8570489804463328932011-01-04T00:35:00.005+08:002011-02-09T12:39:28.678+08:00

I arrived home from my trip on 26th, a little after 5.00pm. The whole journey back took about 17 hours, including a 4-hr transit in Dubai. Most of the flying time was at night but I did not really manage to get much sleep during the flight. The difference in the clock time was playing havoc to my body, too. On the day I arrived I did not fall asleep until about 4.00 in the morning. Ahh ... this

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-16901494947302841812011-01-01T23:53:00.001+08:002011-01-02T01:19:37.807+08:00

Happy New Year everyone.   Hope you all had fun with the fireworks last night.  Someone in our neighbourhood light up their fireworks with such a loud bang at the midnight clock that I felt my house shaking.  And set off a few car alarms as well. As in previous years, I don't make any specific new year resolutions.  My usual resolve is to make each new year be better than the year before.  I

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-48841410857608610302010-12-31T21:16:00.003+08:002011-01-04T00:17:59.862+08:00

if (WIDGETBOX) WIDGETBOX.renderWidget('d659c7c4-66b2-402e-b916-fdcaa3f09d6e');Get the New Year Fireworks widget and many other great free widgets at Widgetbox! Not seeing a widget? (More info)

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-4473536351223547042010-12-21T14:03:00.002+08:002011-02-09T12:40:05.935+08:00

This is what the temperature was on Day 4 of our stay in Leicester. Recorded on the trip to Manchester  Old Trafford This is the real reason for us braving the cold. Loughborough University graduate If you can't imagine how cold it has been, take a look at this, Frozen fountain in the middle of  frozen lake Today, on Day 6 we will drive down to London and stopping along the way to meet

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-63715978727444778192010-12-18T12:41:00.001+08:002011-02-09T12:42:34.587+08:00

Arrived at Gatwick Airport in the early morning of 16th December and was greeted with wet gloomy wearther.  Well, this is England -what else is new!  Picked up our car rental at the airport and drove up towards Leicester. Driving towards Leicester Made a stop in Oxford At the natural history museum in Oxford University (will update the name later, can't remember it now) It started snowing by

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-4569017865250204492010-12-10T12:46:00.002+08:002010-12-11T00:27:08.429+08:00

Here are what I have been doing this past year-and-half. These are the second part of the custom order of 60 snowflakes.  But I goofed up because I did not complete the full order.  I am short of seven pieces. Some may think that one-and-half years is a long time for just 53 snowflakes.  Out of these 53, some are my designs and some by other designers.  As for my own design, I had to re-work

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-24081141344266615232010-11-29T00:40:00.002+08:002011-02-13T21:47:20.179+08:00

Here is the tutorial for adding beads in the centre of a single-shuttle split ring.  But, before that some explanation ...  As I wrote in my first post regarding this, I was wondering if anyone has come up with a method of adding beads to a SSSR.  I have received some feedback to that question. First, Nancy sent me a link to Nina Libin's site that contains an explanation of how to add beads in

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-42754630835155116392010-11-27T00:35:00.001+08:002010-11-27T00:36:11.149+08:00

This would make pretty bracelet or necklace, don't you think so? Oooh ... I am enjoying this method of adding beads he he he .......

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-38531562750130244762010-11-24T18:04:00.002+08:002010-11-24T18:10:18.086+08:00

I don't know whether I have stumbled on something new with this one.  I made a point to take a look at Jane's techniques page to see of there is something similar to it.  If anyone had thought of something like this, Jane would most likely be the one. Well, there was this one, which describes adding bead in the centre of a split ring, but that uses two shuttle.  In my case, I added the bead in

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-26114342259859951872010-11-22T12:36:00.001+08:002010-11-22T13:24:17.104+08:00

I have been thinking about this for a while now.  Still, as I write this, I am not sure if I should.  One thing I know about tatters, ever since I join the tatting community, is that tatters are clever people.  Some can just look at a picture of a tatted piece and can figure out the stitch count and reproduce the design as per the picture.  This has happened to a few of my designs that I have

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-208919076192091782010-11-15T00:03:00.001+08:002010-11-16T22:31:43.545+08:00

Here is my pattern for this year's holiday Tatting. I chose the name Merriment because it is an easy and fun pattern to make. The pattern is downloadable from this link, Merriment Doily/Coaster. I tatted the model in size 30 thread and the finished size is 11.5cm across or 4.5 inches. At first glance, it appears that two shuttles are required.  But, you can also do it with shuttle and ball. I

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-5718572558044197942010-11-13T00:24:00.002+08:002010-11-13T00:27:35.200+08:00

Have been tatting but not able to show any of it.  Instead, here are some bookmarks that I made when I needed a break from the tatting-that-cannot-be-shown. The top two in blue variegated are from the ever so popular pattern from Jane's blog.  I think this is a sure winner pattern to be used with varigated or multicolour thread because you can start anywhere along the thread and it will still

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-13299429896231213762010-10-27T11:59:00.001+08:002010-10-27T12:03:36.205+08:00

Rachael, in Phoenix Arizona entered some tatting in a State fair and won a whole lot of ribbons for her entries. She shared photos of her win in In Tatters.  When I saw the photos, I was smiling to my self and felt good inside.  Why?, you asked. Her blue ribbon was for the Magic Moments Snowflakes .... and the pattern is from me ... whooeeee.  All I can say is that her tatting is impeccable and

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-77280627186904502562010-10-17T16:12:00.001+08:002010-10-17T20:55:12.608+08:00

My daughter returned from the UK and brought me these, Well, okay ... so I told her what to get. Still, to be able to flip through the pages ...  aahhh,  such inspirations. (Okay, it doesn't take much to please me, LOL) Close up of the books  I now have three of Mary Konior's tatting books.  I hope to be able to get the fourth, Tatting in Lace, some day. I may have to splurge a bit to get

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-10054574183615431322010-10-08T15:17:00.002+08:002010-10-08T21:10:51.847+08:00

Reading about the ravaging of Hastings Pier by fire a few days back brought a lot memories of the time when I was in Hastings & St. Leonards.  I look into my old albums of pictures of the pier taken when I was there and only found a few, how sad. Hastings Pier in the distant background The pier was built in 1869 and opened to the public in 1872.  I should say it has passed its prime when I was

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-59682700087255559802010-10-04T00:37:00.001+08:002010-10-04T00:40:33.179+08:00

Bringing your attention to this blog post that I wrote in April this year.  It was about my reaction to a certain type of multi-coloured thread that was giving me (and a few others) a headache just looking at it. The thread in question is Lizbeth Jewels #113. I was looking at it again the past few days and decided on another attempt with it.  This time I was a little wiser and decided on a

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-73934741202042085712010-09-20T23:57:00.002+08:002010-09-23T22:46:26.710+08:00

Finally understood the single-shuttle split ring, or SSSR.  I tried a few times before but never could follow the instructions.  I was on chat in InTatters with Cannalure and Soyloquesoy and casually mentioned that I am having problems with the SSSR.  Being good tatters, as all tatters are, they guided me through as I attempted it and finally managed to get it done. And to prove that I really

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-39454873037230721022010-09-15T12:30:00.037+08:002010-09-15T12:41:12.702+08:00

This post was prompted by several e-mails that I received asking me how to hide the thread ends after the tatting is complete. Tatters don't like to deal with many thread ends, or at least I have not come across any who look forwards to having loads of ends to hide.  So the best way of addressing this is to reduce the number of ends to hide.  This takes a little bit of planning even before you

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-91443072184261933532010-08-28T13:11:00.002+08:002010-08-28T13:28:04.612+08:00

or a case of gapsosis, that snippet of thread the peeks out between rings or chains when you do the next element of the pattern, like these examples. This is the method that I have been using to cure myself of the gapsosis. I fold the previous element over before tatting the next part. I don't rush when making the first double stitch of the next element.  When making the first half-stitch, I

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-35240245012898946362010-08-16T18:03:00.000+08:002010-08-16T18:03:43.845+08:00

Pic 1 This is the other method of opening rings that I usually use if the rings are small, or if there are no picots close to the end of the rings.  I use a blunt needle or my tiny hook with this method.  It can be a bit of a hassle, especially if using fine thread, but sometimes it needs to be done, right? Pic 2 Bring the shuttle thread towards the left a bit so that you can see the last

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-4232099473477117052010-08-15T10:19:00.002+08:002010-08-15T13:40:58.197+08:00

This question was brought up recently in In Tatters tatting forum.  It is a very valid question which sometimes gets overlooked in the eagerness of explaining other tatting techniques.  Here is my attempt at giving this a go. I usually use two ways of opening closed rings.  Which method I choose depends on the ring, specifically whether there are picots in it, and how close the picots are to the

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-36967593590309370532010-08-05T23:22:00.001+08:002010-09-30T23:57:55.852+08:00

The new school season has started for most countries in the  northern hemisphere.  To mark the event, I am sharing with a new bookmark pattern named Two-by-Two. You can download the pdf file from here.

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-47751150128873615702010-07-29T23:09:00.001+08:002010-07-30T07:27:39.399+08:00

This is not a tutorial about using any drawing program or software to draw tatting diagrams.  The following are more like tips and hints on how to make the drawing process easier and faster.  I am not focusing on any particular program or software.  You can do it with what ever program that you have.  I think most have the basic functions that will allow you to do it. Okay, here goes ... The

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-57126509150894285212010-07-18T23:57:00.007+08:002011-02-09T12:40:35.855+08:00

Last Sunday was a joyous day in the family when my niece got engaged.  In eastern cultures, an engagement is not just about a boy giving a girl a ring and she accepts, end of story.  Here, it is an occasion that involves the whole family, requiring lots of preparation that culminates with a ceremony of placing the ring on the girl's finger. It begins with a merisik, where a representative of the

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-13084831796914628802010-07-14T23:30:00.002+08:002010-07-14T23:35:32.693+08:00

Just a quick one that I just have to share. I received this lovely shawl from Radha, a crafting buddy from Alor Setar, a city in the north of Malaysia.  I have only met Radha once before when she came down to Kuala Lumpur to meet with a group of us for a stitching bee.  During that meeting, Radha gave a demo of hairpin lace.  Hairpin lace is something that I have always wanted to try,

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-68880214186650383262010-07-13T23:06:00.002+08:002010-07-13T23:29:44.047+08:00

Another exasperated tatter!  Can you see what is causing this? I was so eager to finish this last repeat of the motif.  When I reached the last chain, then only I realised that I had made it short of one picot.  That chain should have 5 picots and I made this one with only four.  Worse still, I started the next round at this 4-picots chain. If I had noticed it early on, I would have saved the

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-23853007501321764312010-07-09T09:51:00.002+08:002010-07-09T10:19:17.096+08:00

I was working with some beads and chanced upon this method of using beads.  I don't know if anyone had used it before but I am sharing it here anyway.  This works for joining picots only.  Sorry for the quality of the photos. Add the beads to where you are going to make the joining picots, following the pattern. Make the beaded picot loose, i.e. don't pull it close to the double stitches 

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-36940532523988653502010-06-19T17:10:00.003+08:002010-06-19T21:02:23.329+08:00

The place to swap threads. Fox of Tat-ology has come up with an idea to trade tatting thread which I think is quite ingenious.  This is unlike the standard form of exchanges where one will be assigned a partner and you are then to send to that partner whatever item that is specified for the exchange. It has received encouraging response and a special blog has been created to facilitate this

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-1706312676698008132010-06-03T16:02:00.001+08:002010-06-04T09:26:02.465+08:00

 I was playing with the balance of some thread in the the shuttles and made this up.  I don't know if this going anywhere, but just to share this ring-inside-a-ring thingy.  And, to satisfy my curiosity, has anyone done something like this before? On another front, tatting may take a back seat for the next couple of months for this, I'll be doing some sewing, clothes to be exact.  It is in

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-56074216427788782012010-05-21T14:19:00.002+08:002010-05-21T17:18:38.592+08:00

This is what I am currently working on. At first glance, it looks like a 2-shuttle work because of the rings, in this case 3-rings clover, sitting on top of the chain.  But, as you can see in the picture, I am tatting this with shuttle and ball. The picture above shows the point where I would normally need to use a second shuttle as the working shuttle because the double stitches for the chain

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-31747191588472832302010-05-15T22:34:00.000+08:002010-05-15T22:34:38.522+08:00

I had a sudden idea to make frogs, not the croaking kind but the closure type like this, They are not actually sewn onto the blouse.  They are placed there for the purpose of taking pictures. Here they are shown as two separate pieces,The thread used is Manuela size 20. I finished a few more snowflakes for a custom order of 60 pieces.  I need to make another 20 more to complete the order.  The

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-45496740929972500332010-05-09T11:22:00.001+08:002010-05-09T11:35:21.682+08:00

I used the random number generator to pick a number between 1 and 110, and I got this - And comment #63 was from Congratulations Maureen from Brisbane, Australia.  The parcel will be in the post soon. And, to round this off, the pattern for the Foldover Bookmark is available from here.

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-63498482597538238692010-05-09T00:59:00.004+08:002010-05-09T01:11:53.344+08:00

The Mother's Day giveaway that I was running here is now CLOSED.  Thank you to each and everyone who has posted comments. It has attracted 110 participation, the first is De-de and Clyde being the last one in.  The giveaway has attracted both tatters and non-tatters.  I think it must be the Primrose Path doily that is the main attraction. Gina has graciously asked for a 2nd drawing for the book

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-49213401119906068172010-05-07T21:47:00.003+08:002010-09-30T23:48:03.339+08:00

If you don't like tails on your bookmark, or tassels or ribbons that come out from the page when you close the book, maybe you'll like this.  This is a bookmark that hasn't got any of the above, but will stay on the page of the book and will not get lost in it, too.I call this a folded bookmark.  Why folded?, you asked.  The next picture should make it clear enough. The bookmark is folded

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-45010442383218036602010-05-04T23:22:00.000+08:002010-05-04T23:22:18.304+08:00

My latest finish ... which I am going to name Pretty Posy Thread used are "Fern" by Yarnplayer and "ChocoRasberry" by Tatskool both in size 40. The Pretty Posy was a second attempt.  My first tryout of this design is this one belowThe thread used is Altin Basak polyester thread. This is my first time using polyester thread for tatting. It is rather smooth and 'slippery'.  The stitches have a

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-74217881102991730172010-05-02T12:08:00.001+08:002010-05-02T12:31:36.469+08:00

I hadn't noticed that my site counter has exceeded 100K unique visits, whatever that means.  When I checked last week it had not reached 100,000 yet.  Thank you to everyone who has dropped by my blog and leaving comments.  I appreciate that very much.  You are all wonderful people. Since I already have a giveaway running, what would you say to an additional item for the giveaway, to celebrate

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-85283366296114199562010-04-30T11:03:00.005+08:002010-05-28T21:51:36.996+08:00

This Giveaway is Over. Mother's Day is just round the corner and I am feeling generous.   Let's have some fun with a giveaway. Remember this Primrose Path doily from the previous post? That's right, I am putting this up as a giveaway.Add to that, a book too, woo whoooo! Celtic Tatting Knots and Patterns by Rozella Linden. Now what good is a book of tatting patterns if you don't have any thread.

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com110tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-5849938383406557562010-04-25T22:00:00.001+08:002010-04-25T22:18:01.151+08:00

The thread used for  this Mary Konior deasign are Altin Basak #50, 3051 for the flower motifs and 312 for the border.  The finished size is approximately 16.5cm across.  I was being very good while making this, I hide the ends immediately after each motif,

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-15654177432462867072010-04-22T23:26:00.000+08:002010-04-22T23:26:20.553+08:00

After reading the comments on the earlier post regarding colours, I decided to be practical and make some samples for comparison. It started with this one all done in white, but with beads added in.  Tatted with size 20 thread, this snowflake measures about 20cm across. This second one is using the Lizbeth threads that I received from PaulaC.  It is a mix of solid and multi-coloured.  This is

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-84653752180480050902010-04-20T22:09:00.002+08:002010-04-21T11:05:55.744+08:00

In my previous post, Tatting-marie asked about the EZ bobs and how they are used. Here is a picture of the EZ bobs that I received form PaulaC. I have heard of EZ bobs before and seen pictures of it but have never used one.  I was rather excited when Paula C sent me some. They are made of soft plastic, round-shaped with a hole in the middle like a doughnut, flat on one side and curved on the

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-39210765954422077372010-04-17T23:38:00.002+08:002010-04-18T00:07:40.315+08:00

I have been on the receiving end of a couple of lovely gifts recently. First up is this collection from Diane Merlock in the US.   This is from an exchange in the Needle-and-Cratfs group to mark the 3rd anniversary of the setting up of the group.  I received a needlebook with some needles included and a fob, both finely stitched by Diane.  Diane has included some embroidery floss in the same

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-30516440342823177702010-04-14T00:46:00.002+08:002010-04-14T00:51:02.535+08:00

Take a look at this and see if you agree with me that the colours are really chaotic here, This thread is a Lizbeth sample that I receive from Handy Hands together with my order many months back.  I have not used it mainly because of the colour mix.  Individually, I could have liked the shades but when put together like this, it is too much for me to handle.  I decided to give it a go just to

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-62494800329442811202010-04-07T23:53:00.002+08:002010-04-08T00:00:13.611+08:00

LOL, but it is true! Diane posted her finished Primrose Path in her blog and it looked stunning.  Her tatting is impeccable. I felt inspired to have a go at it .... again.  That's right! I have attempted this Mary Konior's pattern before, but was overwhelmed by the many ends that needed hiding.  You can read about my first attempt here. I learned my lesson from that experience and have been

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-64219641673024178012010-04-01T00:15:00.002+08:002010-04-01T00:20:41.901+08:00

Another attempt with the front/back side tatting?  No, not really. What about right/left hand tatting? Because that was what I did to get this short strip of tatting. That's right.  The top row was tatted right-handed (right hand holding the shuttle) and the bottom row was made left-handed. The result is like front/back side tatting. Now, why would I do something like that?  For no other reason

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-28460354787807393932010-03-27T23:49:00.004+08:002010-03-27T23:57:39.825+08:00

This is a first for me in tatting the front/back side tatting.  It is a small motif/snowflake using the Yarnplayer's Snowflake HDT. Here are my first thoughts about the front/back side style of tatting (is that the correct term to use?) First, I find that my picot size is not regular when I do the back side.  I don't use a picot gauge but I have managed to make my picots of consistent size when

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-59549712966593498012010-03-24T10:58:00.000+08:002010-03-24T10:58:43.745+08:00

Now you can read this blog in several other languages besides in English.  I have added the Google Translate selection menu in the sidebar on the left.  The languages that I have chosen are based on the number of visitors to this blog. I added the translation to Malay, my own language, just for the fun of seeing how the blog will look like, but decide to take it out.  The translation was out of

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-4665195308841329432010-03-21T01:26:00.004+08:002010-03-21T11:56:29.091+08:00

The Cloudburst is my first completed tatting after I was out for a few weeks due to the dengue fever.  I have not tidied the ends and it needs a bit of blocking and pressing.  The thread I used for this is Altin Basak #50. As mentioned in my earlier post, the doily was tatted using the pop-a-bobbin shuttle.  I know it is a bit late to give my review of the shuttle, ... but I am going to do it

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33190757.post-60755666238429113032010-03-12T12:09:00.003+08:002010-03-12T12:33:44.870+08:00

I want to apologise for the nature of my previous post.  It was a case of WUI - Writing Under the Influence, muahahahaha .....  shush .... don't let the men in white coats hear you ... shuust. Anyway, I made peace with the pop-a-bobbin shuttle.  It will not press assault charges if I promise to tat a doily using it. This is the beginning of the Cloudburst doily from the book A Pattern Book of

***Jon****http://www.blogger.com/profile/15457269449603084653noreply@blogger.com10