Sunday, June 8, 2008

A Bit of This and That

Marilee Rockley's "Dreams" again -- this time in purple DMC Cébélia size 30 with a button closure for my 12-year-old niece. As I had so much trouble counting to 5 to make a zig-zag chain, this one is made with spiral chains of 25 second half ds separated by small split rings. I put the beads on picots off the split rings. That seemed to work pretty well for keeping them on the outside of the chain. The drop beads are just clear teardrops, but they are what she liked best.
Using that same purple and some mint green Cébélia with some shades of purple and green seed beads I'm making another bald doily. I like the center of this pattern really well. It's when I get to those three rows of chians that I choke on it. They just don't work for me. This one is now in the "thinking stage" -- I figure if I think about it long enough, I can come up with something that will suit me, and let me use the outer row -- which I find very attractive.
Finally, I've got Jane's TIAS3 up to Day 9. Poor, sad thing -- I think it's waving me off with a little misshapen hand. I do believe the beads were too big and inconsistently sized. I'm not too certain about the colors either. That pretty pink button is starting to look orange to me.
Now, I have to leave town for almost the entire month of June -- and my little old laptop doesn't have any capacity for wireless or high speed internet connection. I'll have to see if I can catch up on the weekends -- either that or start over. That would work, because now I know where to put in at least one set of magic threads! I'm wondering if three strands of quilting thread might equal size 20 thread (since I don't have any size 20 this one's all done with size 30). Maybe better thread and bead sizing would get it to shape up a bit.

9 comments:

OmonSan said...

Hi! Sometimes both your fingers, pattern and thread works against you. Not to mention your own head. For me it seems to be so more times than not. I like your dolie and I have not dared to try Jane's TIAS yet. Hang in there all our fumbleness - is there such a word? - will pass!

Unknown said...

WOw, you've been busy. Your necklace set looks nice and your beaded doily that you improvised looks very nice. I hope you upload that to the pretty doily tat-along forum on eTatters so they can see there. You can even say that I encouraged you to do so if you feel embarrassed...it's so lovely you really should show them. I think it's wonderful...yes, everyone's TIAS is starting to look like something missing a head and an arm...but that will all change in a few days won't it. Good luck on your out of towning.

Lace-lovin' Librarian ~ Diane said...

I love the purple and green together! I might have to make a bald doily too... Your pink button still looks pink on my computer. I wonder what this could be?

Tattycat said...

The jewelry is lovely as usual. I'm sure she is thrilled. I love the bald doily in my favorite colors! I don't think your little TIAS looks at all pitiful!

LadyShuttleMaker aka MadMadPotter said...

Pretty!

Tatskool said...

The doiley is beautiful, where does the pattern come from. The negative spaces are fab and your colours perfect.
Hope you are going somewhere nice.

Marty said...

Pamela, the pattern is here:

http://digilander.libero.it/chiacchierino/variation%20on%20rmm.html

This purple and green one is made without all the decorative picots in the pattern. This is just the center (modified to be just one round) and the next two rounds. It's those stacked chains I want to change. Thanks for all the nice comments, everyone!

As for where I'm going to be for the month -- Nah, not somewhere nice. I'm working in Kemmerer, Wyoming. Not exactly un-nice, but it's not a vacation!

Tatskool said...

Gosh it looks soooh different. It's so good to see what people do with a pattern, after seeing yours it looks very appealing. It's nice as it is without the stacked chains I do agree.

Carol Schockling Lawecki said...

Hi Marty, Great job on the necklace and earrings. I'm sure your niece will love it. The beaded doily is very pretty, I'll have to print off the pattern and try it sometime.