oh for cool breeze

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 After a long severe winter spell we are in the throes of a long hot summer spell since the start of May. The maximum temperature hovers between 40C to 45+C and now the minimum is up to 33-34C as well. And so a reminder of the cool climes in the land of firs, pines, and spruces! Christmas in June.

This was my 3rd submission for the May game - Inflate Me Endrucks.

A 3D Christmas tree assembled using 3 motifs instead of 2.

I already had the first two E15 tree doodle motifs in my stash and I just needed to tat one! These are such quick tats, done in a single sitting. Pattern: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oq9kkuSN2e0Qnh0N1fUr00MT8HrZ7-cz/view

Again I followed Pitsibaa's tutorial - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0MInK7b65Q to sew and stiffen the motifs. I left the base of the trunk and part of one side open for stuffing, while sewing down the rest. 

TIP: This time I sewed through the stitch caps rather than picots, thus leaving free picots along the sides for a more natural tree-like feel.

A large bead was inserted in the trunk. 

Then a sequin base was glued to cover the open trunk base and keep the bead inside. This was tricky coz the sequin wouldn't adhere.

TIP: Use a tiny piece of double-sided tape or a piece of tissue with glue on both sides. This insertion allows the sequin to stick and stay.

The 3D tree from 3 different angles ....

On two motifs I sewed faceted tear drop crystals to cover the open space.

Gluing the two star sequins at the tip was tricky, too. I used the above described tip to join the two sequins with a deliberate shift to get more spokes.

Another angle showing the fairy light beaded strings.

This tree is free-standing. Since one of old motifs had a loop to hang as a tree ornament, I let it be. Thus this motif has both options - to dangle or to stand!

 🌲🎄🌲🎄🌲🎄🌲🎄🌲🎄🌲🎄🌲🎄🌲🎄🌲🎄🌲🎄🌲🎄🌲🎄🌲🎄🌲🎄

 This tree ornament is also my submission for Small Decorations game by splocik. Check out the May submissions by the talented participants here - https://splocik2.blogspot.com/2024/06/male-dekoracje-2024-galeria-majowa.html. It's Christmas in June, splocik :-)

 🌲🎄🌲🎄🌲🎄🌲🎄🌲🎄🌲🎄🌲🎄🌲🎄🌲🎄🌲🎄🌲🎄🌲🎄🌲🎄🌲🎄

I apologise for not responding to emails or leaving comments in blogs, though I do try to read everything - will catch up soon, promise. Part of the reason is the weather-induced sluggishness and partly because my head is back into editing (book as well as helping out with a couple of pattern presentations). I do make quick FB forays, though. In fact even this post was delayed because I just couldn't focus on the little details that needed to be shared. Yesterday and today the temperature slid down a bit but with increased humidity, and the prediction is for rise in temps again. World over these freaky extremes are getting more and more common. We need trees, lots and lots and lots of trees!!!

 🌲🎄🌲🎄🌲🎄🌲🎄🌲🎄🌲🎄🌲🎄🌲🎄🌲🎄🌲🎄🌲🎄🌲🎄🌲🎄🌲🎄

Related Posts

https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2024/05/is-it-plane.html

https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2024/05/inflating-leaf.html

inflating the leaf

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 As part of the ongoing #InflateMeEndrucks game in May, I couldn't resist inflating this leaf! The E15 leaf doodle post was among the top 5 for several days, enticing me constantly. The motif is such a quick tat, that I succumbed.  All links at the end of post ....

This time I made it into a pendant. Although I wouldn't mind tatting a pair as earrings.

The original motif on the left. However since there were absolutely no picots along the edge, I ended up tatting 2 motifs, adding tiny picots on the outer chains.

TIP: If the Chain H is reduced from 6 to 4 stitches (left motif), the leaf comes out flatter.

TIP: Notice that the two motifs are tatted as mirror images. I followed the same diagram, but started with a backside ring.

I had also sewn in the bugle bead vein in both. 

This time I followed Pitsibaa's instructions to the T. And as I had stated, it is certainly easier to sew individual motifs than to join as one tats. More freedom, hassle-free tatting, ....

And I also remembered to blot out any extra glue solution, LOL.

After it had dried, I added the beaded chain for the pendant.

I didn't stuff the center, since I wanted the beaded veins to show through.

Future Idea - Increase the length of the joining picots between the motifs instead of keeping them tiny. So that when it is stiffened for inflation a filigree effect is visible along the seams! 

Relevant Links -

E15 Leaf Doodle #1 pattern - https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2023/12/lets-flourish.html

Pitsibaa's video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0MInK7b65Q

All about the Inflate Me Endrucks game -https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2024/05/is-it-plane.html  (including my first model and pictorial)

🍃🍃🍃🙐🙑🙐🙑🙐🙑🙐🙑🍃🍃🍃

And on a side note, here's another way to inflate leaves, LOL. 

This savory snack or side dish is called 'patra' or 'patode'. Arbi/colocasia leaves are layered, rolled, steamed, and sliced. They can be eaten as is (ones on the right), tempered, 'roasted' in little oil for crispiness (like the ones on the left), or deep fried. In Delhi, we don't normally get arbi leaves in the market, so I used to grow my own in pots every monsoon, using the vegetable bulb itself. Then the bought veggies were probably treated and they stopped germinating. Seeds didn't work either. 

Yesterday, my lovely hubby surprised me by finding the leaves in an online store (they have a couple of outlets as well) based in Delhi and bought them without my knowledge! He paid more than the cost of the 6 leaves as delivery charges but it was so worth it. Very good quality, large leaves. The rolled log was at least 12 inches long. After 15 to 20 years, I finally got to make and eat these. Thankfully I hadn't forgotten how, LOL. Plenty of slices still in the fridge. 

TIP: I used the soft silicon spatula to apply the paste between layers. It was so easy, quick, and mess-free!

is it a plane

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or is it a lobster?! 

It's always fun when we can get a two-in-one pattern! And this time it was simply a matter of perspective. What for so many years appeared to be a lobster, turned out to be an equally impressionable light aircraft, merely by shifting the angle!

Add a few necessary embellishments to further strengthen the look you want - that of a plane or a lobster.

I tackled two tasks simultaneously. Updating the E38 pdf with a diagram and two-shuttle instructions, and tatting this 3D figure for our May2024 game called 'Inflate Me Endrucks' in our Endrucks 1920 Project FB group. 

All relevant links are at the end of the post.

Sharing the process here ---

1. I tatted one motif of the E38 Lobster edging. However, all along the edge, small picots were made after every 2 stitches in the element/segment. It is through these picots that the 2nd motif will be attached.  

2. A second identical motif was tatted and joined along the edges of the first one.

3. Leave sufficient space open at the end to insert stuffing. Notice how the inner space is all hollow.

4. Tails of the second motif are hidden.

5. Through the open space, stuff cling wrap, filling the hollow.

Then sew in the opening using a different coloured thread (the mustard ends are visible)

6. Stiffen the model. I used a 3:1 PVA glue to water ratio. I made enough solution to dunk the model in it, turning it over and over till I was certain every portion had absorbed the diluted glue. Then I left it to dry on the little rack above the bowl itself.

I was supposed to dab out the excess glue from the tatted stitches, but forgot.

7. When completely dry, snip off the stitches in the opening and remove all the stuffing. Then sew in the opening again using appropriate thread.

8. Seen from the other side.

9. I consider this the Lobster side and even though lobsters are caught in traps/pots, I exercised some creative licence to hook it!

10. This is the plane or light aircraft side. Inserted a jump ring and then a larger hoop on top to allow it to dangle. Although dangling it at the tip of a wing would work so much better!

The 3D version can be used a pendant, brooch, charm, or simply displayed as a collectors' model .....

11. This is the motif upended. It appears like a citadel or those huge silos or oasts of old. There's always more to an Endrucks' design than meets the eye!!!

🦞✈️🦞✈️🦞✈️🦞

PROCESS: In converting the flat motifs to a 3D model, I referred to Pitsibaa's (Tinna Hassinen) video on how to puff up tatted motifs - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0MInK7b65Q . The only real change I made was to join the 2nd motif to the 1st while it was being tatted. However, it was not as easy, and sewing two separate motifs would've been quicker.

TIP: I found it easier to join when the edge chains were direct-tatted (reverse stitch).

Further, this motif has a large open space which can be bridged with a thrown ring.

PATTERN: Endrucks' pattern #38 (E38) - Lobster Edging pattern pdf - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EiWX78pK8oY8shFVGBFjdJIO0a4Y7fLh/view

This was prepared by Douglas Hill in Nov 2020 using a ball and shuttle. Ninetta and I are in the process of systematizing the presentations to include whatever is missing - diagram, written pattern, etc.  Hence this E38 pdf has now been updated with a diagram and short notation pattern using two shuttles. It is our endeavour to retain the  individualistic character of the volunteer's presentation despite the updates 

GAME: Our May 2024 game for which I made this model is called Inflate Me Endrucks. If you wish to join, all details can be found in this pdf - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1A0hdxz54JbLCGLiDbI_-g53Xh7eNqeKQ/view

Now you see why I chose this particular motif/pattern - two tasks in one. Updated the pdf and participated in the game, LOL.

Ninetta prepared a biscornu-shaped pin cushion covered on either side with two E30 square motifs. We wanted to provide as many visual options and ideas as possible. 

While scrolling through the main patterns and the directories of derivatives, it was easy to spot so many possibilities! We hope our participants will also see them.

EP LINKS: All relevant Endrucks 1920 Project links can be found in this active doc - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1w1TZBg-HIzseGEUoJ-rko7tNbtSgZY5A18Oy2Y9Hh0Y/view

✈️🦞✈️🦞✈️🦞✈️

I am also presenting this plane/lobster as my submission for 'Small Decorations' game by splocik - 

Check out the April entries in the round up - https://splocik2.blogspot.com/2024/05/male-dekoracje-2024-galeria-kwietniowa.html  Since I do not celebrate Christmas or Easter, etc., my entries cannot relate to those decorations. However I hope they are still valid.