Shuttle Exchange

Exchanges are so much fun. First you get to figure out what you want to share with someone else. That means you get to pick through your stash and discover all the things you'd forgotten you have in there. Then you get to pick out about eleventy-million things and sort through those making little piles of nope-have-to-use-that-right-now, maybe, and no-way-why-did-I-buy-that. After that there's the refining of the maybe pile: "Ummmm...what are we exchanging?" I just participated in a shuttle exchange hosted by Alieen (also known as Wickedtats) of Wicked Nothings.

I got the most wonderful shuttle from Marie McCarty! It's hand carved and so smooth! Look:

Isn't it pretty? That's a thread sample she also sent. I'm going to wind it on that shuttle and make something. What should I make? Picking a pattern is a whole 'nother problem.

I just did send off a package to my exchange partner. I'm not telling who it is, because my partner should get to see it live before seeing it here, but this is what I sent: 

I'm not trying to overdo it, but those two little Clover shuttles are ones that I decorated, and they are negative images of each other -- how could I break up a set? The thread is Lizbeth size 40 that my sister sprinkle-dyed. It's an interesting process using wet thread, dry dye, and a salt shaker.  I hope my partner likes pink!

Speaking of Bookmarks...

Exchanges are so much fun.  I like getting things from other tatters -- they're always inspiring.  These are the bookmarks I received this year:
The top one (with the card and pretty tatted strawberry and bee) is from Tattabugg.  It's Mary Konior's Black Magic made in size 80 black and a lovely bluish turquoise (yummy!).  It's very delicate looking, and beautifully blocked.

The flower lattice bookmark in variegated pink, green and brown is from Anika.  I got a little note with it that has single-ring picot flowers on it in matching colors (and one little blue flower).  It reminds me of the climbing rose trellis in our backyard when I was little.

The last one is from Catriona (it even came with a huge "Royal Mail" stamp -- Queen Elizabeth II is looking quite young on it).  The bookmark is  a stretched out "Stumpy" from a pattern by Kersti.  She made it in size 10 Lizbeth Caribbean -- that's one of my favorite variegates from Lizbeth!  For someone who says she hasn't been tatting very long, the stitches are certainly even and well tensioned.

My books will be happy to have such lovely bits marking 'em.

Since this was an exchange, I made bookmarks for other people and sent them on their way.  I did that about 10 days ago, so I hope they've all arrived.  The turquoise butterfly string is made from Lizbeth 20 "dark sea green" and "wildflower" from my own pattern.  I made it without buttons -- which don't do well inside books.  But I like it a lot, so I made another with the little tiny buttons in size 80.  I made a really, really long tail so none of the buttons have to actually be inside the book.  The last one is also size 80 made of "Midnight Escape" variegated thread my sister dyed for me.  It's from Edging Pattern No. 8902 in "The Tatter's Treasure Chest" edited by Mary Carolyn Waldrep.  The tassel and it's hanger were added on with separate threads at the end.

I was very tempted to add a second bookmark to each package to divest myself of all those "Made in Hawaii" but they were a ONE bookmark exchange, so I practiced restraint.  Perhaps they'll find their way into a Holiday Exchange package this year.

Heart and Shuttles

One last heart. I forgot about this one, it turned up when I turned out my tatting bag (I do clean and organize now and then, just don't want to go overboard about it). It's really little, about the size of a U.S. dime, even though it's made with size 30 Cebeliá thread. It's one of the things we learned at tatting guild -- last year. Since I learned last year, and never did it again, I don't think I can do it again!

Now -- on to the shuttles. Diane (Lace-lovin' Librarian) had the prettiest shuttle that I really needed. It's blue with a pattern of lines making what almost looks like tatted shamrocks. I offered to trade her for one I did with a blue and green paisley pattern. She got right on the job; and I got the loveliest surprise package today. I've got the pretty blue papered shuttle, two balls of size 70 thread, and a beautiful glittery bag. See?

Once I get to the post office I'll get my part of the exchange sent off. Only now I really need to find something pretty to package it in, don't I? :)

I've been covering shuttles like a mad fool. I don't know why, but it's a soothing thing to do. I think it's a bit like making mudpies or playing with papier mâche. You get to get grubby, ignore everyone (works ever better if you put in earphones connected to an MP3 player with a really good book), and stay up way too late. I do this stuff a bit differently than Diane. I use a regular paint brush, not as many coats of decoupage and I don't use fingernail top coat (but I've got to look into that and the sponge brushes!). Instead of a craft knife, I use a curved nail scissors. Knives and I don't play well together. (It's not me -- they bite.) Anyway, here's a photo of the last lot. None of these have had the final coat of acrylic spray applied (I've been too lazy to lace them into the spray box). The ones outlined by the squiggly red line are all the same pattern, but different colors -- like a six shuttle set (so alliterative!) -- I don't even mind the tan one! The bunch outlined in turquoise are all Clover shuttles (yeah, like you couldn't tell, huh?). The ladybug shuttles are all made with stickers on tissue paper, as is the firecracker (the blue next to the blue with a ladybug). There's a lavender one in the bottom row and the one black shuttle that are made with nail stickers on tissue paper. I've decided to not buy any more of the nail stickers once I've used those I have. I'm not creative enough with them and they end up just ...well... stuck there.

Hearts, Hearts and More Hearts

Valentine's Day got away from me -- it happened while I was busy being ill. Who has time to post anything when they're stumbling around looking for tissues and anti-cold pills? I suppose that's why Blogger has that convenient schedule a pre-prepared post option. But, really, pre-prepare -- who does that? Never mind, don't tell me. I'm certain it would be just too, too depressing. I've been making hearts for Valentine's Day, though -- quite a few of 'em.
This nice blue heart I've been calling "Snowy Heart" (because it's based on my own snowflake pattern) I made to send off to my exchange partner for the Tattinggoddess Valentine Exchange. It's made of size 20 Lizbeth thread in a pale blue and is about 5 inches wide and 6 inches tall.
Once that one was done and shipped off, I made another one with a few changes. This one is made with Lizbeth size 20 pink and variegated pink. This resulted in parts of it just looking washed out, but I rather liked the effect. Instead of the chains with the little ring pairs I used split rings around the outside of the bottom part of the heart -- those make it look a bit more substantial. Then I made the other ring pairs "Dimpled Yorkies" -- sort of hearts on my heart. I'm thinking about what to do with this one. Maybe it will just sit in my tatting drawer until next Valentine's Day.
Then I did a couple of little hearts. This one is Jane Eborall's Flurry Heartache. Sort of -- I didn't have the big beads ready to hand and was too lazy to get up, so I just used a pile of little beads. It's made from Lizbeth size 20 in Dark Seagreen and Wildflower colorway. It's a great pattern all made in one round -- one pair of threads to hide at the end. I'm going to get some bigger beads and make more!
This next one I saw somewhere on the 'net and made a scribbled drawing. That scribble was stuck into the back of my purse. I was probably at work *sigh* so I didn't write down the website or anything. Duh. If anyone recognizes it, please let me know! Its made with the same Dark Seagreen and Wildflower, also in one pass, but it starts with a chain on a paperclip. It's such a clever idea. Yes, I have to make more of these as well.
Finally, I made more of Anne Bruvold's Christmas Hearts. I was going to join them together in one of the many variations Anne made available. I didn't have the pattern at hand, though -- it was inside the computer way over in the other room and I was so comfortable. So...I just joined three of them together clear down one side. I could see that the remaining space would be too large for a single heart and too small for two additional hearts. It sat around looking at me reproachfully for a day or two. Then I decided what it needed was a head and a bit of crocheting. Voila! Butterfly.

Exchange

No, no, not the kind you do after you get something and wonder what in the world the gift giver was thinking. Really, who wears garters with bells on them? Wait ... I got distracted.

This exchange was a trade of generosity. The Christmas Exchange over at the Tatting Forums was a lot of fun, and I was lucky enough to have LaceRN as my "Secret Santa". Wow, does she know how to pack a sleigh -- well, okay, a nice tin. Isn't this a great tin? I love snowmen -- they all look so happy. I got a really magnificent hand-made card, too.

That's not all though -- the inside was packed! It contained a whole skein of Christmas HDT, an entire ball of Lizbeth size 20 Christmas green mix, and a ball of Coats & Clarks blue size 70 thread. Nice variety and colors, right? Then, to go with the thread she tucked in two shuttles. Ah, but not just ordinary shuttles -- look closer. I've got decorated, blinged, fancy-dancy shuttles. One little pink clover with sparkles and gems and one substantial, holiday-appropriate Tatsy. For garnish on the thread she packed in a whole tube of red Czech glass beads. Now these aren't wimpy little seed beads -- these are "notice me!" accent beads.
The two little glass charms certainly charmed me -- they're frogs! Frogs! Have you got that? FROGS! I collect frogs! I've got a whole shelf in my room full of frog figurines; I have frog ornaments for the tree, I've got stuffed frogs; I have a variety of frog earrings. Frogs -- I love 'em!
(I've saved the best for the last -- but it's rather like not noticing the elephant in the room, eh?)
Tatting from another tatter is especially valued -- we all know how much work goes into it. See my butterfly? It's bright, cheery and very SCMR. :) Okay, the other two elephants are obvious. Two (yeah, TWO) beautiful ornaments. These are made in size 10 thread and fastened to the ornaments with large pearl-headed pins. Only the size 10 thread would do for those pins and only those pins would work with the size 10 thread. Now, that's something I've got to try. I don't know why size 10 never occurred to me before. These ornaments are really miniature showcases for tatting. The knots are visible and the construction stands out proud. These ornaments are ones you can show a non-tatter and say, "See? THIS is tatting." Thanks, LaceRN!

Rings 'n' things

I've been tatting -- really I have. I just didn't seem to have anything I could show. My InTatters exchange partner has informed me that she received the pendant I sent, though. I thought sure the poor thing had disappeared behind some monster machine in the Post office or something. Nope, it made it safely. It's made with Oren Bayan silver thread and purple mini-seed beads (a whole pot-load of 'em). The necklace part is a twisted metal cable inside a purple protective casing. Really, it matches better than this picture makes it appear.
The other things I've been doing I'll trot out when they're finished. I'm still emptying bobbins, too. I've been making more butterflies -- the little four ring ones. But, I've also made a couple of Jane Eborall's Butterfly Bookmarks without the bookmark tails, and one tiny one with a tail for really tiny books! I've got a few more bobbins with enough thread to make Butterfly Bookmarks, if I mix the colors. That should be interesting. I might very well end up with a Christmas Butterfly, because I've got a bobbin each of red and green that are about evenly matched in amounts.

As for the ornament challenge...it has foundered. *sigh* It will get back on track pretty soon though. I ordered covered styrofoam ornaments and they've been received! I think the plastic ones are going to end up with my nieces. They can decorate them by gluing or sticking things on 'em. My patience with them (the ornaments, not the nieces -- hmmmmm, wait, some days it's them too!) has been exhausted.

Sharing Valentines

These are the hearts Martha Ess received from me for the Tattinggoddess Valentine Exchange. The Butterfly Heart bookmark is from Dianna Stevens' Animal Bookmarks: A Tatted Zoo. The ornament is an adaptation of Iris Niebach's Cornelia from Tatted Doilies. The last heart is the one I created for Sharon Briggs' Design-Tat course. Martha didn't get the one shown (it's got an oops in one pair of rings -- they are mismatched!), but I didn't get a picture of the one I did send. This was a really fun exchange. I never know what to put in a package for an exchange and always feel like I reap more than I sow.

Happy Valentine's Day to Me!

Look at this wonderful collection of goodies Karey Solomon sent my way! The Valentine Exchange (through the group Tattinggoddessupdates) was a fun one.
I've got two skeins of hand dyed thread -- one in shades of blue (my favorite color) and other in lotsacolors. I need to think up something special for the multi-colored one. It looks like a spring flower garden to me.
The little heart-shaped maze game I have to leave at home. I was so tempted to take it to work, but then I wouldn't get anything done because I enjoy playing with little things like that.
The paper in the heart-shaped notepad has little pale roses on the pages. It's the perfect thing to put little notes in Nicole's school lunch box.
Then I've got a beautifully pink cotton bandanna -- these are great things. If you tie 'em around your neck, they're warmer than a scarf, because the wind can't blow through 'em -- no holes! They work really well to keep hair tamed under a helmet. I've got a little collection of them in my snowmobile bag but they are getting a bit worn. Nobody will lose me if I wear this hot pink!


I saved the best for last. This is a beautiful heart Karey tatted in a dusty rose color (my scanner can't do justice to the color). Not only did she send the heart, she sent the pattern for this "Y-Knot Heart." Isn't it a pretty one? It has the most wonderful outline: not too pointy, not too tomato-shaped.

Pretty good for Valentine's Day, eh?

Thanks, Karey!

Thread Exchange

Way back in December (you know, last year) I participated in a thread exchange in one of the tatting groups. I had five partners, but only showed off the lovely thread I got from Dorcas. I made that into a bookmark for a friend. But just look at what else I got from Leah, Maria, Jeanne, and Lily:

These are generous women! I have not made anything with these threads yet -- they are just a bit like my HDT stash. Ooooo, if I use it then I won't have it any more. Talk about cake and eating and that sort of thing.

Icy Ornament

I had to wait until this one reached it's destination before posting it. It was part of the package I sent off for an InTatters Secret Santa Exchange. It seems that people have stopped taking pleasure in anticipation! Packages are being opened as they arrive (I can hardly wait -- until Christmas. I like to have things to open that morning!). Anyway, this ornament is not a secret anymore. :)

This one is adapted from "Ice Crystal" in Tatting Patterns and Designs by Blomqvist and Persson. It's made from my sister's Desert Green thread dyed on a DMC size 80 tatting cotton, and has red seed beads at the picot joins.

I think if I do this one again, I might make the bottom piece a bit differently so it would fit higher up in to the empty spaces left by the top piece. Still I do like this one.

I wonder how well the other patterns in the Blomqvist and Persson will adapt to ornaments? There's a thought.

Giving and getting

Sue, the amazing list-mom from Here-Be-Tatters organized a "Christmas in July" exchange. It had to have been a huge amount of work because there were so many participants. All those lovely things in the first picture are what I received from Irma from Chile. New things to hang on my tree this December, a towel which just matches my bathroom, the prettiest cut-work mat I've ever seen, and thread to make an edging for that mat or make more snowflakes or use for jewelry...such possibilities...a neck or vest ornament with a wooden holder, and, finally, a pretty blue satin bag covered with tatting in which to keep all my special things. Right now, it's holding all those tatted bits I don't have homes for yet.
The giving was just as fun as the getting, but after the loot I got, I feel like a piker! Maria, my exchange partner from Portugal, received those things in the second picture. (You'll note the absence of anything so large and pretty as the hand-towel and the mat).
Hey! When's the next exchange? I've got to get started!