Thursday, April 7, 2011

Sticky Fingers

At it again.  Sad, isn't it? 
All of these use glitter ModPodge® for one or two layers.  Shiny -- gimmie shiny, shiny with sparkles is even better!

This is what I've been doing when my fingers need a rest.  Tat one night, glue, color, cut the next.  :)   After the marathon they've been doing with the blue and brown doily, getting sticky was good for them.

I don't know about all you other tatters, but the threads cut into my fingers, sometimes.  I have an almost permanent line across the middle finger on my left hand and the crease on the side of the top knuckle of my right little finger is deeper than it used to be.  Most of the time I remember to tape up. (Oooo, sounds so athletic!)  I use fabric bandages and just cut off the sticky part.  That nifty little gauze pad just gets chucked out.  I can cover the three most worn places with one bandage.  I've got a favorite brand and they are hard to find.  When I do find them I buy all available and hoard them (No, no, no!  I'm not telling what they are then somebody else would go buy them and how could I hoard then?).  Oh, okay -- they're Curad brand.  They're thinner than most and the adhesive doesn't come through the tape to get on the tatting.  I've made do with others, but it really is just making do.

Oh, yes, I got carried away there for a bit.  These shuttles are all covered in bits of fractals I found in various places on the net.  There are some really artistic mathematicians out there! I colored some of the pieces of the Aero shuttles that don't get covered in paper with Sharpie® markers in matching colors.  I decided to try some without folding the paper around the sides.  I never fold the paper under on the Clover shuttles, so figured it should work for the Aeros as well.  The gray is only visible on the inside of the shuttle.  Believe it or not, I've still got more shuttles to play with.  Ahhhh, anticipation and mud pies...makes you feel like a kid again.

Oh, and thanks, Diane -- these shuttle flowers are much prettier than rows and rows.  :)

14 comments:

Miranda said...

Well, you have been busy, haven't you?

I sometimes have the problem of thread cutting into fingers, too, especially with larger threads (one reason I like size 80 so much). I use crochet hold, and find that a leather quilter's thimble on the index finger works well for me. If you use the "normal" hold, the thimble would go on the middle finger.

Lace-lovin' Librarian ~ Diane said...

Look at those gorgeous shuttle flowers! I especially like the peacock feather (second set of Clovers, top left). Oh, and I love the bottom one on the top set of Clovers. Could it be time for another swap? Shuttles only this time! I'm willing if you are! ; )

Sharren - Tatting in Greenwood, South Carolina said...

Love your dressed-up shuttles! Great job!

I have actually sliced the side of my middle finger, left hand, with the point of a Clover shuttle - they can be wicked sharp!

Bree at "Bree's Way" said...

I thought those were bits of fractal art... I love fractals and have several for wall paper. your shuttles are incredible, , just absolutely beautiful!

Martha said...

These are so pretty. I especially love how the fractals swirl out of the dimple of the Aeros.

I don't often get trouble with the thread cutting into my fingers, but if I do a lot of block tatting, I get a sore spot on my finger where I push the hook through the tiny picots, until I've built my block-tat callus up again.

IsDihara said...

Your shuttles look FAB using that fractal paper and glitter ModPodge! Love the bright colors and swirly designs.

Why aren't folks decoupaging the newly re-introduced Boye shuttles, I wonder? Bling makes shuttles better!

Unknown said...

Realmente ¡¡HERMOSAS!! todas, no se cual me gusta más, no podría decidirme, ¡GUAU! las quiero todas.

Cuida tus dedos. En el índice puedes utilizar un dedal de los que se utilizan para separar hilos cuando tejes tricot.

Margarets designer cards said...

I have trouble with thread as it slips off my fingers as I tat, so I tend to wind the thread around my little finger more than it should be. Beautiful shuttles and lovely flower display
Margaret

B said...

Your shuttles are smashing!!! I'm going to be at Shuttlebirds. What are you charging for the Clover and Aero shuttles?

Marty said...

B, $15

Bonnie said...

Those look super cool! I bet you had alot of fun making them and I hope you had a blast selling them at Shuttlebirds. I anxiously awaiting posts all about it.

Anke said...

OMG, I did not know you are selling your shuttles . And for 15 USD!!! So you have send me such a treasure.
It's such fun tatting with them.
Thank you again, Marty!
Anke from Germany

Marty said...

Anke, send me an email at marty1055 at yahoo dot com (make it look like a real address though m----1066@yahoo.com
and I'll get back to you.

tattrldy said...

How did I ? Such lovely shuttles! I bet they make tatting that much more fun. And I bet they would really catch the eye of passers-by when you tat in public.
If I'm tatting a lot I also put a bandaid on my middle finger. As you were getting to which brand you like to use I was thinking "Curad" - yep, me too.