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...