Sand Dollar -nuntium duodetrecesimum

Either I took more for this sample of thread from Diane or the patterns were smaller.    This is Robin Perfetti's Small Snowflake from the Snowflake Variations book.

We had a tatter new to our TCT last month, Doris, and she has a little book of various hand-drawn patterns in it.  I took pictures and made this one.

And this one which caused me NO end of problems including missing the second ring (seriously?) and a lot of finger tatting with about an inch of thread.  (That's what you get for being greedy, Michelle.)

Here are all three.

Steel blue- - nuntium ducentesimum nonagesimum septimum

Here is Robin Perfetti's Noelle in Steel Blue.  This is a lovely color too.  It's so fun to do all of these and strangely rewarding to finish off each sample from Diane.  I wish I could figure out how to accurately photograph the colors, they really are beautiful.

motif from fabric - nuntium ducentesimum nonagesimum sextum

Frivole recently figured out a pattern for a design which was on some fabric.  I have the same fabric (bags from Happy Bluebird) so I had to try it too.

A very pleasing tat- I don't usually care for single-shuttle pieces but I liked this one.  The true bonus was the video that Frivole made.  Not only does she show how to tat this medallion, she also shows several techniques which she uses.  I couldn't get the magic loop to work like she does (maybe tat too tightly?) but the folded-join!  I have puzzled about the folded join for, well, forever!  Written directions just escaped me every time.  Now that I've seen it, they make complete sense.  I've made at least three different things and used it successfully each time!

Today's flake - nuntium ducentesimum nonagesimum quintum

Today's flake is made with the wonderfully named Frappé, Lizbeth Metallic.  This is another of Jon Yusoff's patterns but I've cleverly put the book away and if I don't post now, it won't happen.

I really like how the small rings at the halfway point seem to go up and down.  Clever pattern as always.

Eclipse -- nuntium ducentesimum nonagesimum quartum

Here's another Lizbeth metallic snowflake.  This one is from Robin Perfetti's Snowflake Pattern Pack and it's called Eclipse.

Lizbeth Metallic Turquoise Blue size 20

One thing that I really like about this metallic thread is that it's VERY easy to untat with it.  I don't know why that top arm is so wonky, I must not have snugged up the chain very well.

Just like potato chips! - nuntium ducentesimum nonagesimum tertium

At our TCT retreat, Diane showed us this bracelet from a Facebook post.  I *think* it's from Poland and a tatter named Alicja.  If I understand it correctly, she challenged everyone to make one (or more) and has provided her pattern freely. 
I couldn't stop.  I made two reds and two purples!

Lizbeth 20 

They are super fun to make.  (Even though I still dislike beads).

Diane to the rescue aka Metallic snowflake #3 - nuntium ducentesimum nonagesimum secundum

Thank goodness for Diane, the Lace Lovin' Librarian!  I greedily tried to make a second flake from the Lizbeth Metallic Rose which she kindly shared with me and ran out!  So in a complete fit "need to complete it", I requested two more arm-lengths so I could complete Frivole's Le Flocon Frivole.  And Diane being the kind person she is, got it instantly in the post.

I trimmed that offending bit of thread after the photo!

Whew, I don't know how long I could have lived with that incomplete flake.

Thanks, Diane.  I'll sleep easier now.

Metallic snowflake #2 - nuntium ducentesimum nonagesimum primum

Here's one with Lizbeth Metallic Silver.  It's very pretty in person.

This is Robin Perfetti's First Snowfall and I remember when I first tried it, I had the dickens of a time remembering the large rings below the central ones.  Guess what?  Same problem.  Because I had a limited amount of the precious Lizbeth Metallic, I distatified an arm and a half!  I have put a note on my pattern to watch out for this.  I know several people have said this but the metallic shine doesn't really come through in the photos.  If you are even mildly thinking of trying this thread, go for it!

Metallic snowflake - nuntium ducentesimum nonagesimum

Here's the Lizbeth Metallic Rose snowflake that I was able to complete. (See previous post for the one where I ran out of this thread.) It's a pattern by Betsy Evans.  It's very easy to do and the result is pretty nice.

I wonder if the pink snowflakes will be a hit?  The metallic thread certainly does give more body to the flakes which is very appealing.

School tomorrow, sigh.  I know that once the kids come it will be fun but I sure have enjoyed my summer!

Doily from last summer - nuntium ducentesimum undenonagesimum

My elder daughter tats and last summer we decided to make a Renulek doily together, she doing one round then I the other.  This one is called DAISY, here's the pattern.  We used ecru and herbal garden, size 20 and found out that one of us tats much more tightly than the other.  Guess which is which?

We completed it this spring but I never posted about it so here it is!

Argh - nuntium ducentesimum duodenonagesimum

At our TCT retreat, Diana shared a lot of her thread with us.   I've been using the Lizbeth metallic to see if I want to order some for the "season".  I've been making things but unwilling to photograph them until they are blocked (ironed).  I thought I had enough for a second flake from the lovely Rose color but I guess not.

As metallic threads go, this is very nice.  It still kinks a bit and I have to be careful to tat a tiny bit more loosely or the rings don't close but all in all. It's pretty good.

That is my completely unsolicited opinion.... : )

peacock ice drop - nuntium ducentesimum octogesimum septimum

At our TCT retreat, Diane the Lace Lovin' Librarian was most generous.  She shared many things including thread, thread and thread; beads and even patterns.  Through her encouragement, I tried some SLon beading thread with Shelley Perrault's pattern and a peacock bead.  Because the SLon is so thin, I had to modify it on the outside.  I think it turned out okay.

I wound both bobbins full and I think I have enough to do another one.  I have another bead so why not?  : )

Black lace - nuntium ducentesimum octogesimum sextum

I don't often work with black thread, I think my eyes are too old for it.  At the recent craft fair, I did sell a bracelet which I'd made for my daughter but she "grew out of/ grew up of" so I'd put it on the table to see what would happen.  Blow me down, it sold.  So I thought about making another and went back to Totus Mel's pattern.  I didn't do the original in size 10 (not my thing) but she was young and slight enough that it worked.

This time I decided to modify it a bit.  I know, me modify anything?  But I did and I'm pleased with the result.

My darling daughter's hand (top view)

All laid out- if I make the pair, I will modify so that the sides are equal.

As you can see, the sides aren't the same, that's because I put the hooks in as I tatted but realized I needed a LOT more to go around the wrist.  The difference in thread size was a lot.  Actually both my slim daughter and I can wear it, she fastens it in a different place but it doesn't flop.  Younger daughter said she would wear these for a wedding if they were white.  (and they matched her dress) So maybe I should try a white/off white pair with beads?

TCT 2018 retreat - nuntium ducentesimum octogesimum quintum

Wow did we have fun or what!  Many thanks to Cindy  who did so much of the organizing and the shopping.  She's so organized we even are ready for next year!

The Timberhaze is an amazing location which again was an oasis of calm and lots of laughter and tatting.  In fact I'm not sure it's a good idea to tell everyone how wonderful it is because we want to go again and it fills up fast!  The craft room alone is amazing. 

Photo by Cindy

We had another lovely commemorative shuttle from Frivole. 

Another wonderful photo by Cindy

We went to a nearby winery one day and out for dinner the first evening but the majority of the time was tatting, tatting and more tatting!

My first goal was to get my four lucky pennies done.  I finally found them in ND when we were there last week.  So here's the first thing I made:

That doesn't seem to be a lucky penny.  Right!  Diane had brought a pattern for the peacock bead from Shelley Perreault.  I tried the metallic Lizbeth (isn't that a gorgeous color?) but it was too big so I made an ice drop.  Go figure, Diane was in the room....

Diane is so, so generous.  She brought a lot of supplies including all of the metallic Lizbeth threads.  She offered and offered so I happily took some (a lot- gulp!).

My plan is to make a snowflake in each of the colors I chose and see which I like most.  Then I order my own stash.  It's much nicer than most metallics and doesn't seem to hurt my hands.  But it isn't regular Lizbeth for sure.

Next, my penny.  I've made about 10 of these and suddenly I couldn't get it to work!

Grr, I tried altering the stitch counts and NOTHING worked.  I even called in the expert - Heidi and she couldn't figure it out either.  Turns out the size of large picot on the back side is VERY important.  Mine was too small.

Finally success.

Isn't that the cutest box ever?  Diane, of course.

Next I tried tatting on a button like Cindy does.

Cindy has tatted on buttons for a few years now and always makes such lovely things.  With the Mocha metallic and Cindy's guidance on the beads, I gave it a try.  (This is Cindy's pattern.)  And in case you haven't noticed it, look at the gorgeous "bin" that she made for each of us.  Mine has wine corks- how appropriate!

Next, then more pennies!

Where did the picture of the fourth one go?  I don't know!  Who cares!  

Now I'm off on my next tatting adventure- where will it be?