Sunday, August 14, 2011

nuntium duodequadragesimum (38th post) Sad tatting

This may be the saddest thing I've ever tatted.
motif #14

I decided to make a gold star for John's family.  I knew about the blue star flag that families hang inside the front window for a soldier away but I didn't know what happens when that soldier doesn't come home.  After a little research I found that one sews a gold star over the blue star to signify the service and sacrifice for the country.  I don't know if the family had a blue star but this is my little way of honoring John and will include it in the card for the family.

Then I was reading Teresa's blog yesterday and saw the Kiva link she has and decided that we would do this too for a young man who wanted to help others in need.  I think he would like that.

The star itself is from a book I've had for a long time- Tatting for Today, I think and the thread is from a suggestion from Kathy.  It's DMC embroidery floss on a spool.  It's okay to work with but you really have to pay attention so you don't get extra picots!  I do have one and there was no chance of opening that ring although I tried for about 45 minutes.


9 comments:

  1. while the reason for the tatting is sad, the tatting is self is very good. I have used multiple strands of embroidery floss and it is a bit fussy. your Star is very good.

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  2. Your star is a lovely gift for John's family - and I'm certain John would have liked the help for others in need. I truly hope his family finds some peace in your thoughtfulness. "The soul would have no rainbow if the eyes had no tears."

    My Mom remembers the flag in her window as a little girl for her brother in WWII. He never came home, and the blue star turned to gold. I have recently been scanning old letters from him and forwarding to my aunts and uncles. It's amazing how much the death of a young soldier touches so very many - and for generations to follow.

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  3. Kiva has been a really great way to give something back to the universe for me and my family. I am ever greatful to 'The Godfather' who started us on this path. I think I will put more money into Kica and make a donation to the organization in honor of those servicemen who lost their lives in the service of our country last week.

    Your gold star us a beautiful way to honor your young student. Thank you for sharing it.

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  4. What a lovey thing to make to honor him, I have never heard of the blue star flag, I hope they display it.
    The star is beautiful and the thread is gorgeous.
    Margaret

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  5. Your tribute to John is lovely, I can only imagine how touched his family, especially his mother, will be.

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  6. Your star looks great! How thoughtful you are! :)

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  7. Michelle thanks for your message in my blog. :)
    You have started learning tatting and latin the same year of my daughter birth. :) MCLXXIX.
    A big hug
    Isa

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  8. Bonjour, et merci de votre visite. Surtout ne vous découragez pas devant mes points d'esprit (clunies)car cela fait très longtemps que j'en fais et ils nécessitent beaucoup d'entraînement.Je suis heureuse de vous compter parmi mes visiteuses. Bonne dentelle à vous et bon latin

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  9. This is a lovely, but sad, post. I was surprised that you had known and taught this particular young man. It is a very thoughtful gesture for you to send this lovely tatted gold star to the family.

    I was flattered that you credited me with suggesting DMC's metallic gold (or silver) thread on a spool. It appears you used the lighter gold thread 282ZA, and you did a wonderful job! The thread IS a little tricky to work with (I have to use less tension), but it does hold up well when closing the rings, whereas other gold threads can break.

    This is my favorite star pattern, by Marion T Leyds, from 'DMC's Festive Tatting' book (p. 16). Both that book and DMC's 'Tatting for Today' (from the early 1980s) feature lovely designs by Marion. I don't know why we don't seem to know very much about her, although I was surprised on the internet to see a cover of Piecework Magazine from Sept/Oct 2001 that had one of her 'trademark' pincushions on the COVER, with a tatting shuttle as well! They didn't often feature tatting so that was great to see! I wonder if they 'profiled' Marion in that issue? Maybe someone has that magazine.

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gratias maximas- it's wonderful to hear what you have to say!