Happy Easter

I have been planning for such a long time to post something to my blog.  Either I forget to take a picture of what I have done before giving it away or I am way too busy at work.  I feel like time is flying as I am getting older.

This cross is a pattern from Elizabeth Zipay.  I have made several in the past.  This time it is for me to wear as a pin to church tomorrow for Easter.  I need to find a different pin back but, right now I have to be satisfied with what I had in my stash.

If anyone has a better idea.....something that does not show through as much....please share. I know there is something like a earring stud that is available. Does anyone have a link?

Have a WONDERFUL, HAPPY EASTER!!

Finally....The Lace Mat

Even though in the beginning I was on a roll with the Lace Mat started by Jon Yusoff, life came into my way. I also traveled to India to see my mom. Of course during my waits at the airport, I was tatting and that peeked quite a lot of interests. The good part is that, many of them knew or had heard of tatting before. Here is my final product. Rows 1 and 4 are the same variegated thread. On rows 2 and 3, I used the matching greens which I also used alternatively in the final clovers.

Two Posts in a day?

This is totally not me.....but, I am so excited and have to do a second post today. I took a side bar from tatting and did some beadwork and want to share it with you. How do you like it?? There is one mistake - the bracelet ended up to be little too big for my wrist. Therefore, I have to give it as a gift. Ummmm...who is going to be the lucky recipient?

Lace Mat - On A Roll

Even though the third row was not my favorite, I was eager to complete it. I finished it last night and blocked it also. However, the ends have to be sewn in. So, what color should I use next. I think I am leaning to the color of the first row. On the other hand, I could order the Raspbery Lizbeth. I may lose interest in this mat if I wait too long. :) I have enough to-do's. How does a tatter have so many WIP??

Tat-Along .... onto row 3

I have now completed row 2 of the tat-along. I have to say that Jon definitely did a wonderful job in the charting. It was very easy to follow. I started on row 3 but can see that the long chains are already getting in my way. It is certainly an easy row to tat but long chains are not my favorite.

Tat-Along Lace Mat

I have also joined Jon Yusoff's call to the Tat-Along Lace Mat - original pattern by Norma Benporath. Jon has been very resourceful in creating visual with counts. Since I am going to tat with different colors in each round, I am not going to worry about continuous tatting using Split Rings and Split Chains. I found these beading needles called "Big Eye" beading needle. The middle part of the needle is like a thread looper and therefore, any size thread will go through it. Being a flexible piece of wire, when you sew in the ends, the needle bends, but it still does the job well. I completed row 1 and it definitely needed bursts of steam to make it lay flat. I did not spend a lot of time pinning it to bring it to the shape as it was late yesterday when I finished it and I was tired.

Tatted Sassy Turtle

I have been taking online tatting lessons from Teri Dusenbury . Her work is simply stunning. I was amazed at her talent; drooling whenever I saw her tatted and beaded creations. Teri used to have a blog where she shared numerous free tatting patterns (her own designs as well as vintage ones). For a long time, I did not know what happened to her until recently when I "bumped" into her on Facebook. I showed interest in learning from her and she asked me whether I wanted to be an online student (again "free of charge"). Teri has been extremely patient with me. Now I am so confident in being able to manipulate 130 - 150 inches of thread/cord and doing finger tatting. Yes, you heard that right - finger tatting with beads. Here is my first completed project in its entirety - SASSY TURTLE. I have started naming my turtles now.