incredible spirit

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Indomitable, indefatigable, inspiring spirit! This is how I see Donna McDade, my incredible 86 year old friend! You might remember her previous participation in my DAL 2023 where she belted out 5 Celtic snowflakes. This time she broke her own record. Read on to be impressed again .... 

All the DAL 2025 challenge entries can be found here - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mQmdXWXQmcbXQ48nRz9FBeTJf_DoJqKz/view

This post is long long long delayed! My main delay was because I wanted to diagram all her versions for clear patterns. Unfortunately only one has been done so far. But the task is still in my to-do list, just pushed further ... And then I couldn't get my head to cooperate and so many other distractions kept creeping in. There is also lots of celebratory news from Donna's creativity, too, which I will share in a 2nd post. 

Donna started by tatting 6 DAL 2025 motifs as seen below ... Note that there are only 6 motifs here while later she added a 7th and a larger 8th, too.

And following is how the outer rounds designed and tatted by her turned the basic motif into such lovely versions!

Version 1 - Curled Ring at Chain

This is very interesting. At first glance it looks like a repeat of the previous round. However, using two shuttles, she makes two rings one of which curls over the previous ring. I think it is a clever application. 

Version 2 - Topped with Trefoils

I was able to complete the diagram for this single-shuttle round that she designed.

Version 3 - Spot Me

I chose this name because I couldn't really spot the 'mistakes' which had Donna cursing the 'Evil Tat Demon'! The pink shade, though, is the red bleeding into the white. 

Version 4 - Flower

The model says it all!

Version 5 - X & O Rings

 

This is what Donna called her 5th version (A and B) with simple split ring round and then weaving another split ring braid through the former. It suddenly gets uplifted from a simple split ring round, doesn't it.

Version 6 - Curls and Folds

Can you identify the variety of rings used in this version? Besides the normal rings in the center, there are curled, split, and folded rings and well as folded chains! Some of the folded rings didn't quite measure up since it was her first attempt at them inspired by my Folded Fun motifs published in the IOLI Bulletin.

Version 7 - Beaded

Quite festive! With plenty of potential for more embellishments.

BONUS! Curled Rings Cross

Donna increased the repeats from 6 to 8 enabling her to design the cross with lots of curled rings. The cross is already sewed on to fabric. 

And all the 7 versions together. These motifs also found their spot on a quilt as seen in the lead pic above! Donna's twin passions - quilting and tatting. Most of her tatted motifs are appliqued to her handmade quilts.

I would like you to return to read my next post and see the creative talents of this incredible lady. Adding it here would not do justice to her work and accomplishments.

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If you wish to try your hand at designing more rounds, jump in any time and contact me with your version.
Pattern: https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2025/02/dal-2025-challenge.html
1st round-up: https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2025/03/colour-me-happy.html
2nd round-up: https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2025/06/design-tatting.html

All participant patterns:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mQmdXWXQmcbXQ48nRz9FBeTJf_DoJqKz/view

Many many thanks for your enthusiastic participation ... hope your indomitable spirit rubs off on me, too!

design tatting

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 Its been a while since I updated the entries that came in for my DAL 2025 challenge. I shared the first 7 versions (with patterns!) here - https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2025/03/colour-me-happy.html. Now, the next one to start the challenge was Donna McDade who made 8 versions (3 up from last year's DAL)! I will dedicate an entire post to her next time, since there is a lot of good news to share and celebrate. Meanwhile, these are what my other wonderful participants sent in .....

All versions of Muskaan's DAL 2025 Challenge can be found here -https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mQmdXWXQmcbXQ48nRz9FBeTJf_DoJqKz/view

Anita Barry 

See the dense 3rd round? Those are Louise Uteg's stacked rings from her 1970s original doily!  

I think this 4-round version looks like a nice Christmas wreath.

Padma Mandayam

Round 3 was inspired and adapted from Lella Loops' version, with the addition of a 4th original round.

Written pattern is shared in the google doc.

Janet Crow

A colourful spring version with inclusion of butterflies and more rounds. She graciously presented the pattern in a PDF. https://drive.google.com/file/d/16wfGTDxjNovnfWMYmZfqIgn1tmwDzIgY/view

The motif glued to her hand-sewn bag in which she carries her tatting supplies to meetings, etc.!

Lillyan

Janet's 14 year-old talented granddaughter is trying her hand at many crafts, including tatting! Her version is like clubbing where she adapted and applied Karey Solomon's Cat & Mice pattern. Pattern will be shared if they get due permission.

 Margaret Davies

Despite all the curve balls life throws her way, Margaret has valiantly participated again. She shared her WIP here - https://margaretsdesignercards.blogspot.com/2025/03/happy-international-tatting-day-and.html

Her 5th round ruffled and she decided to cut it off. While this modification lays flat, she might tweak the stitch count at a future date. Hence no pattern shared yet.  

Elisabeth Dobbler   worked the initial 2-round motif but was discouraged with the way her picots came out. Shelved for the present. The WIP pic is in the doc.

Join in whenever you can! This is open-ended. Perhaps I will also climb out of my limbo to add another round or two to my own version.

Words fail to express my gratitude and happiness to all participants! 

Related Posts
https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2025/02/dal-2025-challenge.html  Start the challenge any time you wish, and send me your version!
https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2025/03/colour-me-happy.html  First batch of DAL 2025 versions

https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/search/label/DAL  Previous DAL challenges

a 3 in 1 leaf

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Ninetta has announced our new game for the month of October however I couldn't post my second submission for September in time even though I finished tatting it on the night of 30th Sep ;-D

 What can I say! When I have multiples of any motif I enjoy rearranging them to see what shapes emerge. I've already shown several such for the E15 Leaf Doodle #1. This motif is so adaptable that it boggles my mind. (All links related to E15 leaves are at the end of this post)

This time I took all three versions (tatted back in Dec2023) and thought the arrangement looked very much like the leaf of a grape plant. All that was needed was to tat an edge all around them, keeping them in place and wouldn't take too long.

I placed them again on blank paper and drew an outline in pencil. Took a pic. I referred back to the pic several times to confirm where to join. 

Used Victorian sets with a few picots thrown in for a textured outline. A darker shade of thread was an oopsie, not deliberate, LOL.

TIP: In Victorian sets, make the picot between 1st half-stitch set and 2nd half-stitch set for it to face outward. And a slightly longer picot.

I was simply winging it and have no stitch count. There is a very short split chain at the base to center the stem. I've left a few inches of tails for future addition.

Tatting didn't take long as expected, but unfortunately  I couldn't include the intended bunch of grapes in time. Task for future, hopefully within this month. 

If you look closely you will also see a bit of a mess in the center. No sweat! In nature perhaps a little birdie or a caterpillar shredded a portion and that's what it is ;-D

I think this looks better in real than in the pics - hubby identified it immediately as a grape leaf - and I could've done a better job. Nevertheless the joy counts for a great deal! Call it Leaf Relief!!!

Related Posts - 

https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2023/12/the-power-of-15.html
https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2023/12/lets-flourish.html
https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2023/12/lighting-up.html
https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2024/01/barely-in-time.html
https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2024/05/inflating-leaf.html
https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2024/09/e15-leafy-bonanza.html
https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2024/09/leafy-game.html
https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2024/09/leafy-birdie.html

leafy birdie

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 I wasn't going to participate in this month's game thinking I might not be able to find the time. However our members are always so inspiring and following my own declaration that it tats up quickly, one night I picked up my materials. As it is, I've been on a good tatting spree, making progress on the Glossary samples and entries.

Game of the Month in Endrucks 1920 Project FB group: Leaf Me Endrucks Sep2024
Pattern used : E15 Leaf Doodle #2 (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1i8XWpjtcrvK8C_cfa8KyGvJiXNn_KPP7/view). 

Laurel Leaf : I visualized a long narrow leaf and simply winged it. The right side is basically the same pattern with more repeats. The return back is my variation on the go.

Birdie #1 Idea : At this stage doesn't it look like a bird looking over its shoulder?!

Birdie #2 Idea : And at the very end, from this angle, it is definitely a birdie!

One can add details or leave the impressionist look.

The leaf from another angle.

In Sanbest #11, three strands, it is 5 cms long and 1.5 cms wide.

When I tatted this, nobody had yet worked it in metallic. And also because I wanted it to hold its shape and be able to twist it if needed.... because .... 

it was to go on a paperclip!

A curled up dried rustic leaf on a paperclip.

Or flattened out - leaf or birdie on paperclip.

Worked with one shuttle and ball. Hence I had to use mock rings in a few places on the way back.

At work.

So one more variant gets added to the power of this E15 motif! More adaptations and ideas in links listed below. And several more to come from our participants when I do the round-up!

I have one more idea in mind. Let's see if it can be done in time ....

Like I said, I've been in a very relaxed frame of mind probably because I could tat almost daily and yet make consistent progress on the book. However, my blog did get neglected since I tried to stay focused. Multi-tasking is not all it is touted to be, LOL.

Related Posts - The many variations from a single motif extracted from Frau Endrucks' pattern #15.

https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2024/09/leafy-game.html
https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2024/09/e15-leafy-bonanza.html
https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2023/12/the-power-of-15.html
https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2023/12/lets-flourish.html
https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2023/12/lighting-up.html
https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2024/01/barely-in-time.html
https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2024/05/inflating-leaf.html

lollygagging or not

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Whatever it is, I'm sure happy to pause and share this slightly mixed bag of fun and possibilities! Let's start with the Tatted Fringe and adaptations and practice pattern I shared in my last two posts.

Yesterday Elisabeth Dobler wrote to me and sent me some photos which I share here with her kind permission. And this is what she says - 

Today our tatting group met again and I showed them the new technique of Corina Meyfeldt and you. It was so funny - we had so much fun! Some members of my group were so creative and tried new ways to apply this new technique. Initially I wanted to teach them the various possibilities of the captured picot but we didn't have enough time - we tatted 3 hours only the new technique! 

Thank you very much for sharing this new skills!

From the top and the side!

Oh the possibilities of colour, size, and form!

She and her group are so creative! Soon I will share her beautiful application of the captured picots.

https://occhi-freunde-oberschwaben.de/  ; https://www.instagram.com/occhi_freunde_oberschwaben/

💖💖💖

Almost simultaneously I received this message from Stephanie Wilson -

I like your fringed star. The colors are pretty and I don’t mind ‘messy’ fringe. It looks nice to me.

Got me thinking – do you think we could do something similar using the daisy picot technique? Long picots *between* the daisy picot stitches, then cut them after we’re finished? I don’t have time to try it now, but it sounds like it would work….in my head, at least.

And the answer is yes! sorry I didn't get time to try it out, but this is the only caveat to keep in mind - if we attach the fringe to the core thread, it will take up space like any stitch. Hence if a pattern is not written with a fringe in mind, one must take care to adjust the total stitches accordingly. Of course, this can be countered by adding the fringe to the picot thread, and if one wants the fringe facing down/inwards, then tat a downward or inward facing picot on which you attach the fringe!

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I didn't mention it in my last post, but I had used the spot fringe as thorns in the tiny Thorny Wreath from 2015. (https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2015/12/thorny-wreath-pattern.html)

And this Christmas Troll (Ruth Perry's pattern) where I frayed the picots for an afro, could well have had additional fringe to give it a denser style (https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2016/12/a-new-look-or.html)

And of course, the recent Fringe Star practice pattern and ideas was shared in the last post.

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Unrelated, but I wanted to update, hence adding it here. While looking for something in my choco-tatting boxes one leaf fell out which I noticed after the box was kept back.It was the same leaf I'd wanted to tat for the pumpkin, but didn't have time. Serendipitous! Of course I simply tied and whip stitches the tails to hide them and voila it looks kind of complete now. This is the E25 Extract Me Pumpkin by Julie Myers with my little tds variation and the addition of E25 palm leaf. (details - https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2024/08/veg-patch-game.html ; https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2022/09/palm-or-plant-help.html

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Related Posts - 

https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2015/12/fringe-benefits.html

https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2024/08/on-fringes.html

https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2024/08/starburst-fringe.html

https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2022/10/no-truncation.html

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Many thanks to all for sharing your joy, thoughts, and ideas ladies! It's always satisfying to see interest being generated and tatters at play.

💖💖💖

on the fringes

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 Or not so much on the fringes? 

FRINGE(s) is a kind of decorative edge made of lots of hanging threads.  

FRINGE TATTING usually involves very long adjoining picots at the outermost edge of the piece, which are then cut and trimmed to size. These may be frayed if needed. (thanks to Anita Barry, who also shared a pic for the Glossary)

TATTED  FRINGE  AND  ADAPTATIONS -

Then came the Tatted Fringe shared by Corina Meyfeldt in November 2015 here - http://cmhandmade.blogspot.com/2015/11/fringe-sort-of.html . 

Unlike the former, the tatted fringe requires an auxiliary or spare thread.

She first tatted a chain with long adjoining picots on the main core thread; then snipped and trimmed the picots, spread them out and wound the shuttle to start the project. Snipping the picot tips separates the individual stitches.  Corina brought forth each fringe from the core thread as required. 

Tatted Fringe on Picot -

Notice that in the above WIP ring, I placed some of the fringes on the ring loop or left-hand thread while others remain on the shuttle thread. Thus we have the option of placing the fringe on the picot as well as on the core. Just like one would do for beads!

The above tatted fringe (made of metallic thread) is positioned on both the core as well as picot threads.

An extended application of Corina's method.

This can be done on rings as well as chains and gives a thicker fringe.

Spot Adaptation (using luggage tags) -

In December of the same year I shared my spot adaptation, with pictorial, here - https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2015/12/fringe-benefits.html

Instead of tatting a chain of long picots, I used luggage tag loops to make a lark's head knot on the core thread wherever and whenever required. These scraps can be tied frontside or backside (see next pic).

Besides, we have the freedom to include as many colours and threads as desired. Again, though not shown, the tag can be tied to the left-hand thread (on picot) or the core thread.

Seen together on a chain. Look closely and you will see that I brought the left-hand thread over and between the luggage tag, thus securing the fringe. 

NOTE: Since the tatted fringe makes a stitch on the core thread, care must be taken with the total stitch count in a pattern not written for a fringe. 

Tatted Fringe Picot! -

Now this is probably something new. Or at least I haven't come across it yet.

Since I had a few fringes left on the shuttle after tatting the first sample, I tatted a second ring but put all the fringes on the loop around the hand. And made a picot! 

UPDATE (Dec2024): 

BEADED FRINGE - aka Beaded Stem (Corina Meyfeldt) and Single File Beaded Picot (Nina Libin)

https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2017/05/rising-month-late.html

https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2024/11/soup-catcher.html

https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/search/label/beaded%20fringe

So, that's all for now folks. Editing (and tatting samples for) the book Six T's of Shuttle Tatting, by Net Best, is taking me to the fringes of the tatting world and tatting literature! It is making me delve deep and wide and sometimes inspiration strikes and I go off on a short explorative excursion. Hope you enjoyed this short journey and can find some applications for these fringes. And if you have any new  technique or effect, please let me know so that it can be included in the Glossary. 

east to west heart!

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My Budding Heart pattern was published in the Feb 2024 issue of 'Talking Tatting' (No.58.3 quarterly newsletter of Queensland Tatters, Australia), courtesy of Judith Connors. I think this is perhaps the third or fourth pattern she has chosen for publication and it is such a huge yet humbling endorsement.

💗💗

Several versions have been tatted which I sometimes come across on different platforms, but to remind you of one very special version from Krystyna Mura (Poland) - https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2021/02/palentine-day.html

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And most recently, is splocik's (Poland) play with the pattern - not one but four! Such cute versions and I love how she attached the dimple to the flower, thus anchoring the long outline. She shares her thoughts and process here - https://oczka2.blogspot.com/2024/02/zainspirowao-mnie-serduszko-frywolitkowe.html

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If you remember, this heart is part of the Buddy Hearts (2020) collection of 5 patterns, three of which were shared by Anita Barry(USA)! https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2019/02/buddy-hearts.html. This set has been taught in the Online Tatting Class (Feb 2019) and published in the IOLI Bulletin (Summer 2020). Good to see the widespread reach of these little motifs.

You can download all 5 here (long version) - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1frJpMRiHu5fOEH9Zs3VANVGIURZA126_/view   and (short diagram-only version) - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DZFxEDvEwe-rPUv1evgPaxic1sbaEnHC/view 

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I had a mind to tat a new heart pattern but couldn't manage my time and other commitments. However, it is definitely on my trial list and should be shared well before the next season of hearts.  

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💗Many many thanks to Judith, splocik, and of course, Anita and Krystyna!💗

what a heart

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Hearts are great motifs to learn and apply new techniques, practice and hone skills, embellish, and create new designs! Look at where this tiny little heart has travelled so far .... without forgetting it's origins!

It all started with Endrucks' pattern #3 (1920), an edging which was reworked and presented by Anita Barry (2020), which inspired AlenAlea Rako to turn it into squares (2021), from which I espied a heart (2022) and Sue Bradham saw a butterfly (2022).

A few months later, when we chose this heart pattern for one of our games (Pretty Me Endrucks Aug2022), more adaptations came about! These include a key chain by Marina MadJar tatting, an enlarged heart motif and one-pass bookmark by Margaret Davies, a coaster by Ninetta Caruso, and a butterfly by Stephaine Mc (Tattimic). Pattern links here - https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2022/09/aug-roundup-1.html

During our game and later, several arrangements were shared including 3-in-1 Earrings, Collar, Bookmark, and other ideas. https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2022/09/playful-hearts.html. 

This heart continued to inspire and Ninetta, through her coaster, designed the Tat Me Snowflake (2 versions) in Nov - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZENvdgxihM0YI3Ar_UxP9lqRwprmFotP/view  

2023 started with the pattern being tatted and published by Judith Connors in their Talking Tatting, Feb2023 newsletter. She kindly permitted us to share her complete article  - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aJ34xgaE67A0aI8LTj2xYpvx-NQLrBx1/view 

Later in June, Michelle Forclaz made additions to the hearts to make the Inside Out Flowers. https://drive.google.com/file/d/13L0NCvkqJM94Bnbnbf4ogVUzhhYjuaSN/view  The pdf also shows a few other adaptations she tried such as a little teddy bear, fox head, and butterfly.

Meanwhile tatters have often picked up the pattern and shared their versions, many with beads, and applications. And 2 new patterns emerged in December.

E3 Heart Butterfly by Jiamrat Supapol https://drive.google.com/file/d/19DWVrfGhrbb-l80icUsFiq4msQhmJTjl/view

and the E3 Heart Square Motif by Reiko Akamatsu where she adapted the E42 doily center to fit snugly inside the square. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YxBre5DlW3RcW3ZJFY7-VrDnzvWeuN6m/view

For more heart derivatives, check the Hearts Directory - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MpYw9XMB8Asz8zusj1ZpHvX8A8Ww424-rEVORtxcL1w/view

For more E3 pattern derivatives, check out the other Directories as well. We now have a composite doc listing all directory links (making it easier to reference, etc.). Endrucks Directories  - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1w1TZBg-HIzseGEUoJ-rko7tNbtSgZY5A18Oy2Y9Hh0Y/view

Please note that in this post, I have included pics of only the 'new' models that haven't been shared here so far. 

Hearty thanks to each and every Endrucksian mentioned here! Hope you continue your exploration and experimentation, sharing the beautiful results.