Eye, Eye, Captain!

Nicole is really happy with her eye-decorated eye patch -- it's the only one she's worn since I finished the eye. She says it scares the boys (at her age, that's a good thing).
I didn't end up using Jane's eye pattern. I started it, using size 40 thread so it would be small enough for the patch. It's a wonderful eye, but it's made with rings. Because it was going on this yellow patch, I thought it needed to be more solid (didn't want her looking like she had jaundice).
This one is made with a Lizbeth size 40 thread. The center rose is black (for the pupil) and green (for the iris), and surrounded by sort of modified block tatting in white with a long connecting chain in black for the outline and lashes. I think it's too round and am trying to think up a better way to do it. Since it's glued to the eyepatch, thread ends don't really matter. That would make it easier to figure out an eye shaped more like her own. I don't know that she'd want it changed, though. Like I said -- this one scares the boys!
P.S. I suggested to Nicole the other night that I thought could make an eye that looked more like her own and we could change it. She said, "No Way! This one scares the boys!" I guess she'll be keeping that one.

Not tatting -- but Important

A month ago my 8-year-0ld niece, Nicole, was diagnosed with Amblyopia. She is required to patch her right eye for six out of seven days -- every waking hour. Turns out she's allergic to the adhesive they use for stick-on occlusion eye-patches, and paper tape, and every other adhesive (though I admit we didn't try cellophane tape, it was a near-run thing).

My sister, Bonnie, made her a Pirate Patch with felt and polar fleece and a narrow elastic strap. That was cool for about 10 minutes -- then she peeked.

Bonnie found some felt patches that fit around and over her glasses, but they allowed light in around the edges. Then she cut a foam cosmetic applicator pad to put in the felt patch which kept Nicole's eye shut, but it was bulky and uncomfortable because it got too warm. She kept peeking or sticking her fingers under the patch.

These are her new patches. I am in no way related to or affiliated with
Anissa’s Fun Eye Patches
but, I do think anyone who has a child needing an occlusive eye patch should invest in these! Anissa's Fun Eye Patches have a lot of other patterns available, good for boys or girls. She likes these patches, and was excited to wear them. That was such a relief after the earlier patch problems. Nicole chose a pink and purple leopard print, a rainbow, some ladybugs, the flip-flops she's wearing in the picture, and a yellow blank one she can decorate. She's asked me to make a tatted eye for it. Fortunately, Jane Eborall has the perfect pattern. When it's done, I'll get Nicole to pose for you again.