Inspiration can strike at the oddest times. While waiting for Fourth of July fireworks display to start I sketched out a quasi-design for the fleur de lis edging. The only sketchable surface on hand was The Sprout's travel-sized magna doodle pad. Too funny!
So now it is time to tat up test pieces to see if it works or if I go back to the drawing board. (Isn't the dreaming phase always the most fun? The application phase can get a bit knotty.)
As I haven't started tatting the design test, I sat down with my green tea and picked a lovely, small tatted heart to write about. It has been dear to my heart ever since it first appeared online.
Small Tatted Heart
Designed by Betsy Evans
© 1998
I have made this heart many times. This small heart was created to celebrate Connecticut Tatters Get-together, October 1, 1998.
This heart may be small, but it is big on grace and elegance. Back in January, 2009, I emailed Betsy to ask if she had ever considered working this heart into an edging. She had a forthcoming snowflake book coming out at the time — all snowflakes with 6 or 12 points. Don't rightly know if her snowflake book is out yet. Anyone in tat-land got the latest info on when or if it is published?
Betsy created a Rainbow Heart Bookmark with her small tatted heart design in 2001. It is one I use for my most engaging reads.
This second snippet I found while organizing my tatting supplies. It is my first attempt at making onion rings. Once again I used the variegated purple thread. Isn't it funny how I gravitate toward the same one, even though I have spool-upon-spool, hank-upon-hank and even a cone or two of cotton thread to choose from?
Are onion rings supposed to have so many layers?
In Shrek, Donkey and Shrek discuss how ogres are like onions because they have layers. Now I need some "ogres are like onions" green thread! Another random burst of oddly timed inspiration.
Last but not least is a sexy little black edging I tatted way back in the 1980s. Isn't it stunning? I don't have the pattern written down. Not sure where I found it. Does anyone recognize this pattern?
I will knuckle down and count out the stitches one day, but fine black thread can be terribly taxing on the eyes. No matter how favorable the lighting, my poor, aging eyes strain to scrutinize it.
Off to refill my tea and tat while The Sprout naps.
Wishing you all blissful me time to create something beautiful.
See you next Tuesday for more communi-tea!
Completely off-topic, but worthy of a tangential remark:
Did I mention that I have started wearing progressive lenses? It's another name for no-line bifocals for folks like me who are in denial about our aging eyes.
When Shakespeare wrote, ". . . that which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet," he meant that it doesn't matter what things are called. But ladies and gents, let me tell you, when the "forty-something" life changes slowly creep up on you, it matters.
So in a cunning attempt to camouflage and compensate, I chose a contemporary Anne Klein frame in a brown metallic for a more youthful, professional look. So far the deception is working.
9 comments:
That heart is so pretty! I really like it. I wish the pattern was more readily available. I don't think I'll be running across any Connecticut Tatter's Get-together patterns anytime soon, LOL! :)
Thanks for reminding me that I had forgotten to link to the pattern! You will find that it is there now.
This heart looks equally charming in solid or variegated thread. Please do share a photo of your heart after you've completed it. I'd love to see!
Good morning!! What a great post to start the morning off with. I love this little heart too and have tatted it many times also.
I love how the onion ring looks, but I have such a hard time closing the rings. I don't know if I am doing something wrong, but my thread usually snaps and breaks when I try to close the ring.
The edging you tatted is very nice. I don't recognize the pattern, but sure would like it if you write it out.
I hope to get some tatting done today so I can join in on Tatting Tea Tuesday. I finished two pieces yesterday that I hope to scan tocday and post on my blog.
Have a great day!!
That's a very pretty little heart! Onion rings... oh, my! I haven't tried them yet... I'm afraid of the accompanying food craving!
I too love the heart. It's so dainty. Yep! I can relate to the eye story...In denial of the bi-focal, I opted to get the readers. I only use them when I am tatting. However, my next pair will be transitions, too.
Hi there! I just got your comment on my blog about the Jan Stawasz shuttles. I got mine through a "Karen in Krokaw" who posted on eTatters that Jan was making a bunch of shuttles (he makes them in "spurts") and did anyone want any. So the people who responded got them.
If you want one I can only suggest that you look up a "Karen in Krokaw" on InTatters and message her. She's only limited to when Jan makes them and then she can't get anymore until he makes more. I have no idea if she joined InTatters or not. THat's all I can suggest! They are hard to come by.
TattingChic, I remember that eTatters post and I'm kicking myself that I didn't respond. Especially since Jan Stawasz was hospitalized recently. Hope he's feeling better. Checking InTatters and crossing my fingers that there will be more shuttles offered in the future.
In the meantime, hoping to see more of your lovely laces!
Do I have the wrong blog in my bloglist?
hmmm...love that edging...thought it was clunies at first along the bottom.
Sorry for the confusion, Gina!
After browsing your blog list I do believe at the time you linked to my blog it was the only one...but I recently added a tatting-only blog to my repertoire.
Here is the breakdown:
A Parently Speaking = Isdihara's mommy blog
http://isdihara.blogspot.com
Ambitatterous = Isdihara tatting blog
http://ambitatterous.blogspot.com
You are welcome to link to one or both, as you like. I'm so thankful that you are interested enough to link at all. Big hugs to you!
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