Shop Locket!

Shoplocket is a simple way to sell your creations from any form of social media. Try it - it is simple and easy to sign up for. I am trying it myself.

Curd and Whey - Aqua

Life has been busy!!! That busy that hobbies have to wait and so was updating the blog... However, it is always refreshing to visit my tatting friends and catching up, sharing, exchanging, etc.,etc...

I was thinking for a while what to share with you all. Than I came across this piece that I tatted during my son's school fundraiser. I named it "Curd and Whey-Aqua." Actually, it was given this unusual yet very 'yummy' already. It is an origin from Mary Knoir's edging that I came across from one of my favorite blogs and my favorite tatting person for her awesome videos Karen Cabrera. You can reach her blog here.

I used Lizbeth size 10 ocean turquoise lt-658 thread from HHtatting website.  It is a very fresh and lively aqua color. I paired the thread with copper findings and matching beads. Focal beads are handmade polymer clay beads.

I think it is very inspiring piece and I had lot of fun tatting it. I can say I was very happy after it was done. I did matching earrings in very simple yet sophisticated design. They can be worn together or without a necklace and they will tell there own story.

Let me know how you find my work. You are always an inspiration so keep visiting and lot of comments!!! This will keep me motivated to share my work and tat more...

Best!



To Buy:

Olive-Copper Glory

I have been extremely busy with almost everything in life - work, home, kids, etc. etc. However, one might not use it is as an excuse for not being in touch. So my sincere apologies!!!

I want to update my blog frequently but like I mentioned above priorities starts playing and than time lapses quickly. Thanks for the lovely comments from all my tatting friends that read my rambling and keep me motivated.

With this note, I want to share something that I tatted with not so unique design. I got this design from an old tatting book (don't remember the name at this very moment). I recall that it was a running motif of a lace or doily. I took the building block of that doily/lace and made this piece of jewelry. I call it 'Olive-Copper Glory.' I chose Lizbeth # 20 thread called 'leaf green medium'. I accented it with stone beads in variegated color and with some glass beads in terracotta color. I also used little bit of copper seed beads to give that extra 'bling' to the piece. Findings I used are pure copper findings for both earrings and necklace.

I kept design of earrings small and simple. As you notice, there are only two rings connected with a chain. How complicated that can be! Most of the length comes from the accent bead and findings. And you might notice that the same simple design is also part of the necklace that covers the center motif.

I also gifted the same piece to one of my husband's Aunt oversees. She adored it. Every time I call her now, guess what is the topic of discussion ;) ?It is loved by almost everyone who has seen me wearing it.  I hope I find some appreciation from my virtual friends as well.

This simple yet elegant piece again re-iterates the story of tatting been a versatile art with which you can experiment, innovate, and present old with new angle. I believe most of us will agree!

Green Go Bookmark

This is a sophisticated yet very simple one shuttle design for a bookmark. I got the pattern from the very first book that I owned for tattings - "Big Book of Tatting." It got lot of nice and simple pattern. I have tried other designs as well. This was done in DMC pearl cotton varigated thread. I adorned it with a beaded tail to enhance its simplicity. This again was my most requested piece. Personally, I like the beaded tail that compliments the tatting part very much.

I hope this liked by you as well!!!!

Anon!

Dream Earrings

Most of you might be familiar with this pattern. Yes- you guessed it right! It is one of the beautiful and intricate design in tatting for chandelier type earrings. This is the pattern that Marliee Rockley shares for free on her blog. You can find this pattern here.

I did this is black pearl from DMC cotton thread. It is not the right thread but the end result was quite good. I ended up making these earrings upon request. So I would say it is one popular one.

I hope you all visit me soon!!! It feels lonely....

Black Medallion Beauty

This was the first piece that I started last piece. I got inspired from the pattern that was shared by Karen Cabrera (I hope I am spelling it right :)). Her blog Entre Lanzaderas is a very good site to learn all about tatting. She has interactive videos that teach you step by step from beginner to most advanced techniques. Definitely, a good site to visit!!! I always get a ooo's and aaah's from everyone when I am wearing it. I guess

the intricate bead work on it make it attractive and lively, I guess!!! I would love to hear from you all what do you think.

I had some challenges doing this piece. I think it was due the un-consistent tension. I still struggle to keep consistent and steady hand while tatting. Perhaps, I can share some of you expertise on how to have uniform tension. I will look forward for suggestions. And of course, something that I am still learning - how to hide the ends once finish tatting.

Catching Up.....

A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL

It's feeling good to catch up after such a long time!!!! I was busy with routine knick-knacks of life. With two kids, full-time job, and a passion to tat, it sometimes becomes difficult to ignore your passions and priortize accordingly....

Well, enough of regular rambling... and thanks for giving a good listening ear... sometimes we all need one :)...

My laziness would talk for itself when I share that I have downloaded the pictures of my work just yesterday. I am exhibiting some of the things that I have got chance to tat in all this time I was lost.

I have tried tatting some of your designs but that is solely for learning purposes. So lets start ride -- Neophyte Tatting.

Seeking Help

Sorry, for the delayed post!! I have been rambling with 100 million things that I need to finish so didn't find time to say 'hi'.

I'm seeking help from all the tatting community. I wanted to know quick and easy way to block your tatting. What methods people use to make their work stand out? I know I have read in somewhere (can't remember!), clear nail polish that is often used as a top coat after polishing nails is used. However, I have tried it and it makes it dull and quite stiff.

Are there any other methods that are quick and easy and enhance your tatting? Please advice! I would really appreciate....

Looking forward for all the replies....

Drawing Patterns

As I mentioned in last blog entries, I am enrolled in the designing class. We recently did a lesson on drawing patterns. This is very first lesson and we have ways to go to get all the features of design software. I would like to share with you all my very first computer based drawing. I had fun doing it yet it was very tedious to do. I hope it makes sense as well.

I would have loved if my original design was nearly good as my drawing but I will keep trying to get it better. I am optimistic that it is only matter of stitch count and thread tension and everything should fall in place. Although I have not blocked my lace but lot of people mention that helps to settle the lace as well. Either way, I know I need to do the design again....

Best of Best!

Pattern for my Rose Ric-Rac Doily

I can't believe how time is flying... We are almost touching mid-July. It has been a very busy month with finding time to do my extra curricular activities such as Designing in Tatting class that I have joined offered by Sharon (Her Blog).

I did a pattern from a base motif for our last lesson. In our latest homework we are required to write a short and long version of pattern for the same design that we tatted. I believe this was a first homework that I was right on!!! Actually, I started writing the pattern after I had some mishaps during tatting my design and I was modifying the design as I was tatting avoiding any past mistakes that came through during writing the pattern which allowed me to change the design pattern simultaneously. However, I was writing it in long version. Only things that I had to do this time were to compile from long version to short version. Sharon wanted the homework in PDF so I also, coverted it from my handwriting to word typing and finally to PDF.

Here is pattern. Please do let me know if it makes sense and if you really like the design and adventurous enough to try it, please do.

SHORT

R 4‐4‐4‐4, C6‐6

(R4+4‐4‐4, C6‐6, R4+4‐4‐4, C6‐6) repeat twice

R4+4‐4‐4, C6‐6

Repeat 2 times for a total of 8 rings and chains. Last chain to be split chain

SR 6‐6‐6‐6; C12

For Clover leaf (CL), R4‐4‐4‐4, R4+4‐4‐4, R4+4‐4‐4

RR C24, JR12+12 (+ to second picot of last R of CL), JR 12‐12, RR C24

CL + last JR (R4‐4+4‐4, R4+4‐4‐4, R4+4‐4‐4), C12

*R6‐6+6‐6 (join to third chain of the base motif), C12

CL + last JR (R4‐4+4‐4, R4+4‐4‐4, R4+4‐4‐4), RR C24, JR R12+12, JR R12‐12, RR C24

CL + last JR (R4‐4+4‐4, R4+4‐4‐4, R4+4‐4‐4), C12**

Repeat from * to ** twice. Join at base of the first SR, cut and hide threads.

LONG

Ring 4 ds, p, 4 ds, p, 4 ds, p, 4ds, RW. (Chain 6 ds, p, 6 ds. RW. Ring 4 ds, join to the last picot of the previous ring, 4 ds, p, 4 ds, p, 4ds, RW) Repeat 5 more times. Chain 6 ds, p, 6 ds, RW. Ring 4 ds, join to the last picot of the previous ring, 4 ds, p, 4 ds, join to the first picot of the first ring, 4ds, RW. Split Chain (SC) 6 ds, p, 6 ds.

Split Ring (SR) 6 ds, p, 6 ds, p, 6 ds, p 6 ds. DO NOT RW. Chain 12 ds. Clover leaf (CL) Ring 4 ds, p, 4 ds, p, 4 ds, p, 4ds; Ring 4 ds, join to first picot of the first ring, 4 ds, p, 4 ds, p, 4ds; Ring 4 ds, join to the third picot of second ring, 4 ds, p, 4 ds, p, 4ds, RW.

Rick Rac (RR) Chain 24 ds; Josephine Ring (JR) 12 ds, join to second picot of last ring on CL, 12 ds; JR 12 ds, p, 12 ds; RR Chain 24, CL (Ring 4 ds, p, 4 ds, join to the picot of JR, 4 ds, p 4ds; Ring 4 ds, join to the last picot of first ring, 4 ds, p, 4 ds, p 4 ds), RW. Chain 12 ds.

*Ring 6 ds, p, 6 ds, join to third chain on the base motif, 6 ds, p 6 ds. Chain 12 ds. CL (Ring 4 ds, p, 4 ds, join to the picot of JR, 4 ds, p 4ds; Ring 4 ds, join to the last picot of first ring, 4 ds, p, 4 ds, p 4 ds). RR Chain 24 ds. JR 12 ds, join to the second picot of last ring of CL, 12 ds. JR 12 ds, p, 12 ds. RR Chain 24 ds. CL (Ring 4 ds, p, 4 ds, join to the picot of JR, 4 ds, p 4ds; Ring 4 ds, join to the last picot of first ring, 4 ds, p, 4 ds, p 4 ds). Chain 12 ds.**

Repeat from * to ** twice. Join at the base of first SR, cut and hide the ends.

Abbreviations:

C = Chain

Ds = double‐stitch

JR = Josephine Ring

P = picot

R = Ring

RR = Rick Rac

RW = Reverse work

SR = Spilt Ring

SC = Spilt Chain

Sharons Tatting Design Class 2011

Sharon is offering a tatting design class this year again and I happen to enroll in it. It is a very good opportunity to know many expert and new tatters like me in the class. We all work together to learn the basics and than take them to each others proximity depending upon the level.

We are on lesson 4 that wanted us to create our own design using a common ring and flower center motif. I was bit nervous about this lesson since I have tatted using other people's pattern but have not tried creating my own design. I am still learning in tatting and I don't think I have reached far enough to do the 'real designing'. Despite my apprehension, I was able to come up with a fair design on paper. I was able to bring my basic techniques to play for this lesson. I was able to design something that include split rings and chains, clover leaves, rick-rack and Josephine knot. Real challenge came when I started tatting it.

I think I still need to work on my stitch count. My design came out be bit cramped and crowded yet I wanted it to have little bit more negative space than what I ended up having. I believe having two transitioning rings instead of only one big one from the basic motif might have helped a bit. I will try again to see if this theory works. For now, I'm proud of my design in spite of the difficulties that I came across. Perhaps, I can get some more suggestions from my blog friends-- ;)-- what say???

Anon!

Spring 2011 Bookmark Exchange

We finally see some sun in California after such a dramatic weather..... I hope summer has finally arrived ;)...

My passion for tatting was motivation for me this year to join inTatters for spring 2011 bookmark exchange and also join, a designing class that is offered by Sharon. I believe that things like bookmark exchange and 'have to do homework' keeps me up for tatting. Otherwise, it gets hard to even pick up shuttle and thread in the frantic everyday life!!!

I was so happy to receive my bookmark in mail yesterday. It was not just bookmark but also some lovely words from my tatting buddy. I can't tell you the exact feeling--it was amazing! When I opened the envelope and saw a letter, my eyes just brightened!!! It's just that we have forgotten this old ritual of writing to each other. But I really appreciate that my tatting buddy was very thoughtful and shared herself with me!! I went through lot of mood swings as I was reading line by line and kept wondering as someone was telling her story sitting right next to me. I was happy reading it for a moment yet nostalgic at some stances.

Along with the letter came a bookmark!!! I call it a 'friendship bookmark'. Very well worked on and with utmost precision. She picked a turquoise blue and violet shade with colors blended at right consistency. Not just me, my mom-in-law was amazed while glancing at it. It brought a huge smile to me and still very appreciative with amount of effort and sincerity that my buddy opened herself up with me!!!!

On my end, I chose to do "fan ornament" pattern by Teri Dusenbury. I picked up white thread to do it. I hope my receiving tatting buddy finds it useful and likes it as well!!! It is gift made by heart for my stranger tatting buddy!!!

Until further....

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother Day's to everyone!! I hope everyone had a blast day and made wishes, received cool gifts and relaxed for one more "Mommy day". I can add that it is an awesome feeling when kids around you wish you happy M-day be it any kid. One feeling of it makes you be happy and cherish the moment.

On the separate note, Mother's day also gave me head start of my TAT-Tatting proficiency program (Apprentice Phase I). I finished the first project today. I believe this project was for evaluating on how you perform on starting the project and finish off the project. I want to make a note of it that the sense that this is going to get evaluated made me nervous and I was extra cautious in my tatting. I don't know if it is good or bad. To me I believe, I do a good job (than this one) otherwise. I will let you all decide!

For the new beginning....

"Goodies" in the Mail

I'm certainly getting a lot more mail... that's basically it.
Sam Mendes

It was fun day yesterday!! I can seen green, red, peach, gold, blue, all wrapped in a cardboard box with some packing materials. Colors of these threads were so fresh to eyes and tempting to start working with them right away. I am not being anecdotal here but explaining how I really felt about the threads, which I received from Handy Hands. They looked awesome!!!

I have not started working with at this moment because of work and other stuff yet I'm equally excited that week is winding up today and I can finally start planning to what I should start making with them. We'll see!

Stay tune, friends!

Spiral Bloom Earrings

Some Background:

With all the inspiring thoughts that I received on my come back blog entry, I thought to start with a happy note!!! I came across this beautiful thread from that I got from Yarnplayer as a sample when I ordered her first book “Boutique Tatting”. I’m not sure what it is called but I made these small earrings before with them as well!

I came across many of your fresh ideas and designs as I refreshed myself again with Tatting community on the net. This was inspiring enough to come up with something that I can call my own design. I can’t address my self as a designer yet because I guess it would take lot more effort, time and commitment. I am still a neophyte who is taking baby steps and learn everyday.

Design:

It is a very simple design with a simple three ring tatted flowers extended on two long helix strings made using Josephine knots. Both strings are joined on the top by simple 8-8 ring through which findings are attached to the piece.

It was a mind-boggling event since I am not so good in drawing designs on paper yet. I would appreciate some expert advice on how to draw awesome designs as many of you (Yarnplayer, Jon Yousf, Elizabeth, etc.) use in making diagrams or patterns?

Another challenge that I came across was finishing off the piece. I used steam iron to set the piece and than used some clear nail polish to finish it off. It wasn’t impressive end piece. But to my surprise, the clear nail polish changed the appearance of the color of the thread. It became dark and dull. I would again appreciate some expert advise here as to what is recommended way to finish the piece off?

I hope to hear back from you. Your feedback is very important for me through this learning phase. Please help me improve through this progression to next phase of tatting!

With Regards!

Hola!!! Come back after long time...

Hi all

I guess it was a long break.... Well, lot has been happening for almost past two years. I have been EXTREMELY busy in my life. I got my daughter in June 2009 and started school (my graduate degree) in the fall of same year. Now that I am half way back in getting full sleep (my daughter still needs some cuddling in middle of the night), and almost done with school, my creative juices are kicking back again.

I was away for long time but my interest in tatting and other forms of art never faded away. I oftenly visited many of you through your blogs (Yarnplayer, Sharon, Tattingchic, Elizabeths Lace, to name a few!). I tried to be up to date on some stuff but might have lagged behind to keep up with all the details. I would appreciate if I get the view of latest and greatest in tatting community.

With a long and boring opening, I would like to ask if some of you tried tatting on the rings. I know Elizabeth did. I am trying to learn the technique from Jon Yousf's book. However, not clear on the second part of the double stitch. Do we bring the tatting shuttle through the ring and than into the loop? Is there a way to do this on smaller rings through which shuttle can't pass? Insights, suggestions, feedback is highly appreciated!!!

I hope to hear back from you all!

Looking for help

Hi All-

It's been a while since I dropped in few words. I wanted to ask for some favor from all you tatting experts out there. I have started TAT program. I think I be regular after I start making stuff for this program. Actually I'm stuck with TOT. Does anyone has good insights to tat over thread technique? Can some one teach me? Please reach out...

Looking forward...

Very busy schedule....

Sorry, Friends but I'm not getting much of time these days to be on the computer. Sleepless nights and taking care of two kids, in keep me so busy. My daughter Meher is almost 4 months old. Can't believe it! Time flies so fast... and I'm only 15 days away from going back to work. Not to mention that my daughter is giving me hard time for taking bottle. She just refuses to take. Please let me know if you have any advice for me...

Also, wanted to share that I have started my school this fall for my Graduate degree. I have been postponing it for a while now until I got an ultimatum from the University to either enroll this fall or my admittance will be dropped. I was not left with an option so I had to join. It was refreshing though very stressful. I'm almost starting back after 7 years.

I wanted to drop in hi to all my tatting friends. I will post something soon again...

Rose Garden Doily--Motif # 7

Finally, I finished this project that I started lon time ago (sigh). After I got my baby, things have been bit crazy... especially time management. So my apolpgies for not coming to my blog on regular basis. With only less than 2 months to go for this challenge to finish, I'm loosing my heart! I'm still trying my best with my new responsibility to finish this challenge.

This is a design that I got from the book "Big Book of Tatting." I don't have electronic version for the pattern but please let me know if you need one and I can post it. I guess this is also one of the motifs that Tatting design challenge has as a building block so I'm going to post that in that challenge as well.

I hope you guys like this piece as well and leave me lots of feedback as you guys have been doing in the past..

Anon!

It's a girl!

It's been long wait... finally after 40 weeks and 6 days, we got a beautiful baby girl. She is adorable little angle. With her our family finally casts complete! With one girl and one boy, we feel our family is well balanced now.

Everyone knows about the blues that comes with new one in a package. Sleepless nights, exhaustion, and cravings for help, I was not able to touch my blog. Now that I'm at my Mom's with extra pair of hands, I finally got some minutes to type in 'Hi' to everyone and broke the news.

I will post my motif soon that I started before I deliver. It is from Yarnplayer book and very new experiment for me. I hope you guys will keep visiting me! See you soon....