Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Song Birds

Song Birds

     This was the first pattern I have ever tatted.  The first time tatting, I used a shuttle.  When I was reading over the steps on how to shuttle tat a ring, I somehow skipped over the part of the flip.  I made the bottom ring, without flipping my stitches, and closed the ring.  While studying the picture, it seemed like I should split my stitches to get the beak to turn out right.  I tatted the top part, not flipping the stitches, and finger tatted the bottom of the head.  Not realizing it at the time, I was making a split ring.  I thought I had the rings down, so on to making the chains.  Studying the instructions, that flip thing came up.  I gave it a few tries and no flip.

     At that time I found something on needle tatting and thought it looked easy enough to learn, then teach Mom.  So I went to the local fabric store and bought a 5" doll needle.  Boy was I hooked!!  A couple years latter, I picked up the shuttle.  Reading the instructions on making a ring, this flip thing came up.  On the third try I finally got it!!  

     Lately, I started tatting the little birds to use up the extra thread on my shuttles.  They developed into a flock of singing birds.  Here are 44 song birds for the Church's Hymnals.  The pattern is called "Bird on a Wire", by Sherren Morgan.  All are done in Lizbeth size 20 thread.



55 of 100 motif challenge.




     When we started needle tatting, I made this heart to wear so our tatting tools are at our fingertips.  It constists of a size 10 crochet hook, scissors, and a pick.  Mine was made with glow-in-the-dark polymer clay.




     Mom has tried the needle a few times.  She's usually so busy, she doesn't keep with it yet.  Maybe someday.



Monday, April 29, 2013

Fad Of The Month


     This was a little mail order club that would send you a secret craft every month.  Unfortunately, it's not around anymore.  These little craft kits came with everything you need to complete that craft. 

       About a year ago, I found a box full of these little kits at an estate sale.  This one is called "Treat Tote".  You can put eggs, candy, or even rolls into the folds.  If it gets dirty, it can be washed.  Mine is decorated for Easter, with my hand painted Easter Eggs.



Friday, April 26, 2013

New Books

New Books

     I rarely do this...but ever-so-often, you have to treat yourself.  I ordered two of Iris Neibach's books"Fantasia 3:  Edgings and Insertions" and "Just for Fun:  Tated Jewelry".  The edging books is just wonderful.  One I would recommend!  Both books are wonderfully diagramed and are in English and German.  One has Italian also.

 
 

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Palm Crosses

Palm Crosses

     These were crosses made from the palm leaves we received on Palm Sunday.  A few of us made the crosses to hand out for Easter.  They are an easy pattern, check out the link. 




Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Cross For Dad

Cross For Dad

     I have the best parent a person could ask for!!!   I thought it was time to make my dad another cross.  I've wire-wrapped two silver ones and he wears one everyday.  While looking at the local craft store, I stumbled across a gold cross.  The arms on the cross unscrew so you can add beads to them and then add super glue to the ends so it don't come apart.   
     Word of warning!!!  DON'T COMPLETELY UNSCREW IT, ADD THE SUPER GLUE AND TRY TO SCREW IT BACK TOGETHER!!!  Your not super woman, and can't completely screw it together before it dries, with your fingers glued to it!!  Unscrew it partly, glue it and screw it together. 




Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Jenny's Hanky

Jenny's Hanky

     The Antique Road Show is coming to Boise in June.  My husband asked if we had anything old and unusual to take.  As I was digging though the cedar chest I came across an envolope.  It was from an old dear friend of the family,  Jenny Gibson. She passed away in the 70's.   In the envelope was gorgeous silk hanky with beautiful gold tatting.  The tatting is WOW!!!  It looks like it may have been peal cotton number 12....very dainty!!   It's too pretty to put back into the cedar chest, so it may go into my Bible.
 


 


Monday, April 22, 2013

Friday, April 19, 2013

Easter Bracelet

Easter Bracelet

     This was the result of showing one of my needle tatting students, how to add a bead to the middle of a ring.  The bracelet was done in size 10 crochet thread.



Thursday, April 18, 2013

Chinese Lantern Earrings

Chinese Lantern Earrings

     This pattern is from Sook Yi, from In Tatters.     The bead in the middle was my touch, needed to have a light inside.  The lantern was made with Lizbeth, size 20, azalea medium.
 




Wednesday, April 17, 2013

The Rare Holly Dragon

The Rare Holly Dragon

     This is another "Fire-Fly" dragon.  Their eyes and wings glow.  This dragon is found in the high mountains of the Alps.  She was done in Lizabeth, size 20, Victorian red; glow in the dark sewing thread and; Kreinik, size 4, lime.


 
 This is the final dragon of the migration54 of 100 motif challenge. 

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Fire-Fly Dragon

Fire-Fly Dragon

      Don't let the name fool you, this is no small dragon.  This species of dragons are one of the largest and most elusive.   This type is found in the darkest of nights, having glowing eyes and wings.  

     The dragon was done in Lizbeth, size 20, black; size 80 purple, and Kreinik glow in the dark grape in size 4.  The Kreinik wasn't strong enough to use by itself, but the added size 80 worked well.  I also used Thread Haven (thread conditioner) to make it stronger and slicker. 
 






 

Monday, April 15, 2013

Adventurine Earrings

Adventurine Earrings

 These are a pair of pretty 8 x 10 earrings, I made for a friend.




Friday, April 12, 2013

Coral Reef Dragon

Coral Reef Dragon

     This type is dragon is found along the coral reefs of the tropics.  These dragons love the water and blend well with the reefs.  This one was done in Lizbeth, size 20, salmon med and ocean turquoise dark.  




 

Thursday, April 11, 2013

West Pine Dragon

West Pine Dragon

     This dragon is found only on Hitt Mountain, in Idaho.  He was done in Lizbeth, size 20, autumn spice and leaf green medium.
 





 

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Ben Franklin Dime Store


     Boy, does that bring back memories!!  Do you remember them?  I didn't know they were still around.  My grandpa would take me there when I'd stayed the summer with him.  
      
     My parents stopped there on their way back from his house (now my uncles) and bought me some shuttles.  They sent me 6 Susan Bates shuttles.

      I've been experimenting with scrap booking stickers to see how well they hold up.  I had to add 3 coats of colorless fingernail polish to get a good gloss.  2 coats left the shuttles matted.  I also was experimenting with different colors of fingernail polish.  The polish doesn't seem to peel off, like the Lacis Sew Mates, but time will tell.  I'm not into bobbin shuttles because they loosen while tightening the stitch.  These shuttles have a breaking system, to prevent the bobbin from loosening.  So far I love them.

 
 Front & Back
 


 
 

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Arizona Dragon

Arizona Dragon

     This dragon is found in the southwestern deserts in the US.  This dragon was done in Lizbeth, size 20, autumn spice.


Monday, April 8, 2013

Purple Paua Scroll

Purple Paua Scroll

Scroll work with a purple paua shell and mother-of-pearl cabochon.



Friday, April 5, 2013

Everglades Dragon

Everglades Dragon

     This dragon is found in the everglades, usually nesting near the alligators.   This dragon was done in Lizbeth, size 20, blue river glades.


Thursday, April 4, 2013

Western Oregon Dragon

Western Oregon Dragon

      This dragon is found western Oregon, around the cranberry bogs.  This dragon was done in Lizbeth, size 20, cranberry blush.



Wednesday, April 3, 2013

North American Dragon

North American Dragon

     Excuse the dark pictures, they migrate during the night.  Rarely are they seen by humans.  This dragon migrates thought out the United States in early April.  Watch the skies, you may see it.  This one is done in Lizbeth, size 20, springtime







April Special:  10% off all turquoise jewelry.

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

California Dragon

California Dragon

     This dragon is on it's way to the California fruit tree areas.  It was done in Lizbeth, size 20, fruit fizz.


Monday, April 1, 2013

Ocean Necklace

Ocean Necklace

     The balls reminds me of the ocean and bubbles forming around the reefs.  Another blue paua shell.









Humm, Mother-In-Laws b-day today.