Showing posts with label Ruthie May. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ruthie May. Show all posts

Monday, 3 August 2020

stormy calm

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Or so it seems! Blue skies one moment, and the next stormy grey clouds converge together, enclosing the sun (or is it an orange eye of the storm?). That’s how I see these 2 snowflakes!

If you remember Ruthie May and I joined forces to tat Robin Perfetti’s Challenge Snowflake. It was fun corresponding together and watching each other’s progress.


While I worked it with shuttles and monochrome Anchor size 40 thread, Ruthie selected a grey-scale palette along with orange (don't you just love that splash of orange?!), from her embroidery skeins. 6 strands, needle tatting.

My readers know that none of the several techniques used in the pattern are new to me; most already applied in my own patterns. But the pattern is just so attractive and irrestible. Also, it is good practice, good refresher! And such a clever combo, and padding the stitch makes the chains hold their shape nicely.

Ruthie : This was my introduction to balanced doubles. I had previously seen a video demo link on the subject from Georgia Seitz. I said to myself I'm never gonna need or want to use that. Then I saw your post with the link to the snowflake challenge Balanced doubles included. To coin your phrase never say never. You never know what life will throw at you.”

Needle Tatting tutorials and resources - https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/p/tatting-resources.html

I think instead of 5mm double picot recommended for size 40, I would prefer 7mm. As it turned out, except for the first, I used 6mm.

Ruthie - “…. I was delighted that the color work added the gradient affect that I was looking for. The thread increased the size of the snowflake and gave it a puffy texture that I desired for a mug coaster." 

Alongside Robin's Floral Edging (see recent posts) where I have turned the corner. Snowflake measures 3.5" in size 40. Love it!!! 

Ruthie was successful in making the mug coaster she wanted! In 6 stranded embroidery thread, the final measurement is 5.5".

Ruthie : "It measures 3 1/2 inches across the middle not including the SCMR around the edges. 

Regret:The embroidery thread that I used was not kind to my picots. It separated and became (splitty) which is what embroidery threads do for a reason. Though, I could see myself using that effect in other projects to create an interesting feather, fur, or frilly texture.”

We never stop learning, and what better way than with/through pretty lace, with like-minded tatters.

Many thanks, Robin, for sharing your beautiful patterns ! 

Friday, 31 July 2020

excitedly

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Day 2 of my Distraction continues.....7
As I said yesterday, I wound 2 shuttles, ctm,  with Anchor size 40, and started Robin's Challenge Snowflake.  Rounds 1 & 2 seen.
Then I deliberately left off and picked up the size 80 edging. 13 repeats done so far.
Both patterns can be found here - http://tattingbythebay.blogspot.com/p/free-patterns.html

Ruthie May is tatting along, working the snowflake in 6 stranded embroidery thread and using needle.


After 2 rounds, the snowflake measures 1.5". I like how the padded chains keep their shape. I think it's the first time I worked it in size 40. So much neater than size 20. (https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2015/11/pds-padded-double-stitch.html)

I've used self-closing mock Josephine Rings in 2 of my patterns - I had called it SCM(J)R, not having come across it before. Love them!
https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2016/06/under-pinning.html and
https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2019/11/frost-flower-pictopattern.html

Followed the pattern exactly,  except for  this lock join in the end. I substituted it with Reverse Join because I want the red shuttle back in action in next round. (https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2020/07/lock-join-plus.html)

Let's see what tomorrow brings. I'll have to get back to my usual (new) life routine, so.... What I do know is that I am having fun :-D

Sunday, 5 July 2020

welcome intrusions

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It has been amazing - the interest and the exploration that has already moved far and wide ... almost overnight! I cannot thank my tatting mates enough for their enthusiasm and for embracing the potential of Intruding Picot (ip)!


In chronological order -
Wally Sosa - This multi-talented and creative lady had also discovered this picot, calling it 'Evil', and dismissing it! Above is a nice comparison between, and combo of, normal and intruding picots.

Wally Sosa - Introducing the Rolled intruding picot! She combined her rolled picot with the ip to create such an interesting effect. And there's more - she has already tatted a beautiful motif/pendant using these and will be sharing a tutorial soon. Can't wait ....

Ruthie May - She interrupted her doily to try out her first intruding picots (thankfully she didn't close the ring - who wants to open a ring?!) and she has created this lovely pearl tatting/Maltese ring effect! It is something that had not occurred to me.

Ninetta Caruso - Can't keep her away from metallic threads and beads ;-D
Such a wonderful Beaded ip - as seen from front and back! Think of the scope for play....

Anita Barry - Independently, she came up with the Pearl tatting effect.
In the trefoil, one can see the dimpled effect in the side rings, and she has pulled up the ip in the middle ring! Creates a matted/woven effect.

Anita Barry - sent in this exploratory trial piece as well. The messy one on the right makes me think of snipping the ip and ruffling them!

This is my Filled Ring trial using ip. Didn't come out right, but I can put it down as proof of concept at this stage. Had thought of twisting them, but that was too fiddly. However, it can be quite easy if done on a chain.
I want to try it with SCMR. I also want to try it with folded rings and chains. Could we weave them as well or am I getting way ahead of my skills, head in clouds?
Lots of homework ;-D

UPDATE : Jane McLellan created a lovely bookmark using interlaced rings and intruding picots! Check it out - https://janemactats.blogspot.com/2020/07/muskaan-bookmark.html

Present Summary -
So, what a spread, with many more ideas to try out besides a downward facing picot - Rolled, Pearled & Maltese (using a single thread is now possible!), Filled, Beaded, Dimpled, Ruffled (inside!), Mock rings, Onion rings, bead in center of ring and other functions ..... this is just the start of the Intrusion!
UPDATE : I have used it successfully with dot picots, dot picot strings, double picot, twisted picot, and even a half-closed ring with twisted picot as it's base!


And speaking of welcome intrusions, a few more prettified butterflies flew in after 2 years! Did they get lost in migration - I hope not. Care to send in more Make Me Pretty Butterflies?
Corinne worked her cute version for an event by Association Francaise de Frivolite.

 Krystyna Mura posted her version - I couldn't even recognise it - so great is the transformation!

Madhur Dadlani was inspired by Corinne's version and posted this cool freshness!



Keep Intruding, dear tatters. No 'stings' attached :-)))