continuing belatedly

Pin It now!

 This is how I feel ... 2025 is simply continuing into 2026, LOL. Not looking for anything special, anything different, anything grand. I am more than happy to continue as is. 

Since I did not prepare any special image, and I do like a post with at least one pic, let me borrow what I did for our Endrucks 1920 Project Facebook group. And all the tatting you see is by our Endrucksian tatters!!!

So wishing all who visit my blog and especially those who take the time to read and comment, my 

💗heartfelt wishes for a happy, healthy, and fun-filled 2026 with tons of creative time to fulfill all your desires! 💗

Under one of my recent posts in FB, I noticed one question - What is the Endrucks 1920 Project? 

Now that got my curiousity and I immediately clicked on it and this is what Meta AI has to say about our Project ... 

All stars on the border are tatted by
🌺Anita Schaeder 🌺Anna Bonelli 🌺Anna Tedesco 🌺Antonia Lai 🌺Cristina Reb
🌺Daniela Galli 🌺Irma Noemi Figueroa 🌺Jane McLellan 🌺Jiamrat Supapol 

🌺Krystyna Mura 🌺Lella Loops  🌺Manju Talekar 🌺Margaret Davies 🌺Muskaan 

🌺Ninetta Caruso 🌺Paola Bevilacqua 🌺Paola Emilia Rotuletti 🌺Reiko Akamatsu 

🌺Ruth Palsson 🌺Sally Biggers 🌺Silvana Buonvino 🌺Stephanie Wilson 

🌺Ulrike Klauser 🌺Winnie Ho

Majority of the stars & snowflakes are derivatives of E3 & E12 for the Tat Me Endrucks Dec2022 game and the rest are the E15 Leafy Stars which I showcased recently. Links to roundups for details are listed at the end of this post.

🌺💗🌺💗🌺

A brief recap of the year gone bay to emphasize the continuity since there are a lot of fairly big to medium sized projects underway ....

• Net Best's book that I am editing - the Glossary which I considered almost done last January with merely some samples to be tatted ... turns out there was so much more to add and improve. At present only some models need to be tatted and a bit of clean-up is required. And then to get to the chapters.
• The updating of all PDFs in our EP collection is still ongoing, though Ninetta and I have covered some ground there. This may carry on through the year.
• Since late late August, we are also compiling a tutorial resource doc dedicated to techniques and effects used in our  Endrucks' patterns and derivatives. This doc will be released very soon though some PDFs remain to be completed.
• Manju had derived the entire alphabet from E17 which I am diagramming and presenting. While she has sent me the pattern and pics for all, I have managed to finish A to N. So the rest will continue through the next several months. The HAPPY you see above is Manju's!
• My blogging might continue to be sporadic if I follow in the footsteps of 2025 and I might not be able to respond to each and every comment, though I definitely read and appreciate each. 

I lost almost six months at a stretch last year when I couldn't focus on any 'heavy' thinking (the updating came at the right time in that sense). This year I hope no such problem will loom up. I have learned to not stress myself out trying to reach a deadline - I do what I can, when I can, and how I can, to the best of my ability and circumstances .... enjoying the journey and each moment.

Meanwhile I learned a lot, read and researched, discussed with experts, and concepts became clearer, and I also received patterns and books from friends!

💗many many thanks to all of you for being a part of my journey 💗

Roundup Posts 

https://ninettacaruso.blogspot.com/2024/08/roundup-1-stars-and-snowflakes-for.html

https://ninettacaruso.blogspot.com/2024/08/stars-and-snowflakes-for-tatme-dec2022.html

https://ninettacaruso.blogspot.com/2024/08/it-was-my-turn-stars-and-snowflakes-for.html

https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2025/10/leaf-to-star-spinoff.html

https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2025/12/more-e15-leafy-stars.html

the years flow

Pin It now!

 

I've taken a few decisions for 2025 - objectives I hope to achieve. Focus on completing the book edit and hope for it to be published before this year is out, and also blog more. There's so much I learned in the past year but didn't get around to sharing.

This also means cutting down or pausing a few other tasks and projects. 

Hope you have sorted out your priorities for this year? May the underlying thread remain the enjoyment of self and also spreading the joy of the journey and destination.

💙💚💙💚💙 

The above collection of samples kind of symbolize my past year and perhaps even the future. These are all rings with the vapour stitch where I experimented with variables wraps, etc. Some look fine, others do not. While the bouquet looks fine, the unfinished/unpolished and incomplete nature also comes through. 2024 was a year spent in learning, exploring, experimenting, completing some projects while some remained unfinished. I chased a lot of projects, wanted to take up more than I did, and enjoyed almost all despite the paucity of time. I was happy to push through my comfort zone, too. And you have joined me in all my journeys. Hope to read your comments again this year!

💙💚💙💚💙 

UPDATE: I had sent this to Natalie to cross off the Vapour Stitch box in her PICOT Bingo game. However I could not complete the game.

unlimited

Pin It now!

- Unlimited -

is my wish for all my readers as we usher in 2024! 

May we have unlimited ideas surging in our minds to use up our already unlimited stash of threads and embellishments; unlimited time to work our magic; unlimited peace, inspiring friends, and good health for a smoothly enjoyable journey ....

and

May we have the privilege of setting our own limits!

Thank you for being part of my journey and hope you continue to join me ...

muskaan

tats all she wrote

Pin It now!

🌺 Wishes for a very happy, healthy, creative 2023 🌺

 💕 Thank you and hope to see you around for another year 💕

feeble firsts

Pin It now!

Believe me, I have never done bauble tatting! Oh, every year I think I will embellish at least one bauble, but all for nothing. In December 2021, the admin of the Italian FB group 'Chiacchierino: Filo Amore e Fantasia' held an online event with my MatheMagical Star pattern and several tatters used it to cover their bauble ornaments. All this really inspired me to do one..er 2, er 4.

Due to paucity of time and energy, I settled on using whatever motifs I had on hand - a SOUP (Sewing On/Using Pieces) moment. These 4cm ornaments will soon celebrate their 20th buy-day! At the time we didn't have a lot of options in this city and since the tree was decorated only the 1st 2 years, I am hesitant to buy. Next time I will certainly include more beads and crystals, more flamboyance. Perhaps I Should buy a few good quality and larger sized baubles. This little exercise has got me excited and more confident.

In chronological order - 

Bauble #1 - This edging is draped diagonally and temporarily taped down behind. (don't look behind!). But in Anchor size 20, it is too thick. A daintier edging/insertion would look better. And a tiny motif or 2 on the bare side spaces? 

Interlaced Cumulus pattern - https://tipsaroundthehome.blogspot.com/2020/05/puffy-clouds.html

Bauble #2 - There is no good angle to capture both flakes in a pic. These are in Lizbeth 20 and perhaps the reason I put them together. Spin Away above and ConcentriCity below.

I used a matching blue metallic thread to join the 2 flakes together. It really isn't difficult! Without cutting the thread from the reel, I sewed through the picots, and finally adjusted the tension and positions before snipping, tying, and hiding. Keeping the thread on the reel gave me a lot of leeway with no fear of running short.

Bauble #3 - This is the small version of the MatheMagical Star in size 40 - the only one that ... the others were too large for this bauble. And I kind of liked how the crystals sat like a crown on top.

On the underside is the Folded Fun Star. I hope you can see how I went a bit adventurous and joined the 2 stars.

Bauble #4 - Messy but looks better in real. I was going for an organic look by not tying down each twisted picot. But very difficult to photograph.

I simply sprinkled a few of my snowflakes instead of suspending them - yup lazy. Hubby even offered to put up a string of lights but I hope to be better prepared next time.

It happens Every year! I let the sunny days slip by and when I finally get around to decorating the tree, the sun gives me the slip! So the pic comes out insipid. Oh well, this should be a staunch reminder to start early this year!

I really want to thank all the wonderful versions shared by tatters around the globe - in the event (one tatter inserted it inside a transparent star ornament; and others who used beads in exciting arrangement) as well as ornaments in general - that got my juices running, finally. Feeble firsts, but determined to be better later this year!

All the star and snowflake patterns can be found here -https://docs.google.com/document/d/1r4OmXX_c5LjFebMN2UbSNiYqXYETLmoridK0X1YIQco/view

a future perhaps

Pin It now!

 

My last post for this year, with a potential doily design! 

Imagine if my hubby felt it looked like our tatted doilies, then something good is rubbing off on him, LOL. He was scrolling for some notebooks/sketchbooks and immediately bought this for me. There is a vinyl dustcover and blank pages of good thickness. We all know what the sketches will be of ....

Wishing all my readers, followers, friends and visitors a very creative year ahead....

and stay connected...let's continue our journey together

mishmash 2020

Pin It now!

 

The year was such a mishmash, such a dump in many ways and creative individuals took refuge in their arts and crafts.

We had to step out of our comfort zone while staying in the comfort of our home

It brought us closer while keeping us apart

It kept our radiant smiles hidden while our masks became colourful and decorative

It revealed many truths while many were deliberately hidden

It altered the hierarchy of ailments and treatments

Old adages, conventions, and behaviours seemed to fall apart

Oh what a hodgepodge - normal, new normal, ultra new normal?

'It was the best of times It was the worst of times?'

So what will the new year unfold? Or will our mishmash continue ....

Whatever the future holds, humanity is resilient and hope springs eternal!

So let's celebrate each moment, each life, each other 💕

leap into a new year

Pin It now!

In a couple of hours earthlings will begin to usher in and celebrate the new year. 
A couple of pics of, perhaps, my most ambitious designing challenge to date ..... the furious flurry of the 25 Snowflake Project. I thank you for patiently following my 7 month long journey, and many have thrilled me with their enthusiastic response through actual tatting and tweaking!

I wish all my beloved readers, friends, and followers a hugely creative year ahead with peace, happiness, and good health.
You have all brightened and enlightened my life :-)))

I have made a couple more versions/variations since this pic was taken and will gradually share all patterns.
Find all snowflake patterns here.
I'm glad many of these are flower flakes or summer flakes -- with record winter spell -- chilliest and longest spell for over a Century !!! 

finito

Pin It now!

#24 & #25 in Land of Laces' 25 Snowflake Project.

Phew, it's done! The last 2, in the nick of time. And yet, I feel, actually I find, there are still so many ideas on my drawing board yet to see the light of day. And a couple midway on my shuttles.
Anyways, plenty of time for all that.

First, season's greetings to all my readers. Almost everywhere I see/read, the weather is playing havoc or is pretty 'un'seasonal. Hope good cheer prevails over and above the weatherman's predictions.

#24 is a throwback idea from 2016. This stacked adaptation is called Double Dotted Snowflake. I had liked how the twin dots appear close together, forming a virtual circle,  under the arches. I need to tat one more to confirm that it works as neatly as when 2 separate motifs are stacked. But more details, along with pattern, later.

And the final, #25, is a deliberately wonky tree which has spunk to be seen as crooked ;-p 

I came across this graphic card with this sketch in one of the blogs a couple of months back (can't find that blog now), and Loved the freeform sketch with character!

It was easy to convert to tatting, but beading took me a lot of time.

UPDATE : Pattern for this tree motif is posted in pdf here.

Now I need to take a group photo of all 25(+) models for this project. Wonder how I'll fit them all in one frame ... i have an idea, but like so many, execution belies imagination ;-D

looking in looking out

Pin It now!

It’s that time of the year – a transition from the past year to the new! 

A time to look back but also to look forward through the glass of a windowpane, perhaps?

here’s wishing every person who steps in (leaving ‘thoughtprints’ below) or 

peeps in (a quick glance through the window) 

a very happy, creative, peaceful, and TATalizing 2019 !

I thank you for being a part of my blogging journey – 

happy memories of inspiring interaction, personal growth, and creative connection.

I hope you stay a bit to answer a few questions....

Q.1. What is the best thing you like about this blog?

Q.2. What is it you most dislike about this blog? 

Windowpane Square is this new motif I’ve been working on sporadically. It started out as a kind of pointless exercise and that’s what I called it – a pointless square ;-P But you see the paradox there?!

As I went along, though, loads of ideas cropped up. The large negative space can be filled in completely or partially; cut out a square from cardstock and glue this as a frame …. Hey it’s a window frame with a windowpane !!! The accessories could be glued (mixed media) or tatted over the 'pane' or behind it depending on whether the viewer is in front of the window or behind it?

I was hoping to make at least one such new year’s card out of it, but my whole world slows down during winters.

In order for it to look more like a window, I tried using 2 colours. 

Each of these has a slight tweak. The bottom 2 don't have picots in the center.

All squares are worked in size 40 Anchor and measure about 5cms. 

Q.3. Does the square look better in single colour, variegated/tinted, or 2 colours? 

All 5 laid together. One can join motifs to make a large fabric. 

I think it might lend itself to a Magic Square, with the use of SCMRs, but am not certain yet. Robin?

Q.4. Of these 5 squares, which do you like best?

Your answers will help me improve both blog and motif presentations. 

And here’s another arrangement I am eager to tat – a bookmark or wide lace, with some overlap between corners. My first thought had been to interlink them. What do you think?

the old with the new

Pin It now!

As we shed the old year for the new, memories of the old stay with us.

Here’s something old with something new to symbolise this transition on the eve of 2018. 

And since I love tatting, it seemed apt …

The old comes from many of the discarded bits from recent projects or experiments, 

used to make the bouquet.

The new is all Josephine Chains or Spiral Tatting - to complete the bouquet with stems 

and leaves as well as outline the card topper.

The 'leaves' are mock rings held in place with an under-over or alligator join.

This was the December topic for kocham frywolitkę or I Love Tatting, set by Renata.

The post and examples seem to indicate only spiral/Josephine chains not rings, 

so that’s what I went with.

Except for a random few rings or the set of 3 which used a thick thread, all the rest is in size 40.

Do you recognise some of the floral medallions? 

The pink are from Doily #10 ; 

most others are from later trials of my Aspiration doily center ; 

the small 3D (layered onion rings) marigolds were made to empty the shuttles. 

 

The dark blue trim of Josephine chain is in size 20, made in one pass.

TIP : In order to turn the corner, I left a picot, and switched from 1^st half stitch for vertical sides to 2^nd half stitch for horizontal sides. It creates a fairly distinct corner.

Do visit the above link to Renata’s blog as well as this link to Justyna’s blog 

for some beautiful applications and tatting !

Here’s wishing all my readers

A very happy, peaceful, healthy and creative 2018

With lots of tatting thrown in !

And looking forward to even more interaction ...

seasons greetings

Pin It now!

When Denise sent me a picture of her crocheted Santas/elves I was hooked immediately! They were a hit with the kids who received them as well. 

It would make a lovely gift wrap adornment for my niece, along with a Christmas/party themed wrapping paper for one of the books.

She kindly sent me the pinterest link. After some searching, this is where I found the original pattern 'Noelzinho' by Norminha.

There are many versions of this face, but I like this the best.

Crocheted in wool in keeping with the season - it is getting chilly here with the minimum in single digit! It measures 4 inches vertically, including the pompom.

And I also fell in love with this snowflake which Bernice worked and tatted it immediately. I’m going through a slowdown phase but this snowflake truly perked me up. I'm glad to be reminded of this blog which has so many patterns and tutorials.

Worked in size 40, it measures 2¼” across. I worked it in one pass, climbing out with a split ring.
The pattern is Snowflake for the Christmas tree by Agnieszka Michalowska 
    

I used to love Josephine Rings, but have gradually veered towards dots. Dots turn out smaller than the JRs as I had discovered earlier.

  

This is one of the rare snowflake patterns that has 7 arms! 

An error on my part had led to 7 arms on this Ice Snowflake and I didn’t discover it till months after it was shared!

In the wake of such lovely patterns, I don’t really see the obsession with 6 dendrites. Do you?

This is one snowflake I’m going to find difficult to give away, despite the watchful eyes of Santa ;-P And for 'the flower within' look, I would love to use 2 colours next time, working the rows separately.

I wish my readers a very happy, creative and satisfying future 

filled with daydreams that come true !

Z

chirPINg yarn

Pin It now!

bird and nest made with yarn

It's the last day of the month, and we know what that means - yes, the pinterest challenge ! 

While browsing through some crochet patterns, I stumbled upon a cute domherre made with yarn and it immediately called to me. There was an added incentive when she mentioned a Christmas connection – perfect timing! Google landed me with this Christmas story written by Richard W. O’Donnell  about the most famous of Christmas carols (guess which ?). 

It is very easy and with different yarn colours, we can whip up many different birds in a jiffy !!!

I inserted blue pearl pins for the eyes.

The feathers appear a bit ruffled – what would you expect, when confronted to such curious scrutiny by the sparrows?! Although it did appear to be having a swinging time when rid of the company ;-)

TIP : Use fresh yarn, or straighten it out! This grey was the last of a ball of yarn and hence some strands are not as straight.

Be warned  -- These next pictures are Not for the faint-hearted bird lover ! ☺

When I pierced the eyes, it struck me what a great pincushion this would make! For that, the bird needed to sit comfortably. Tried a glass bowl which seemed to work okay. Then, I also came across a pin showing how to weave a small basket , which seemed very easy & fun to make. Well, I adapted it as a nest for this bird, leaving off the handle & fabric base.

I cut the circular card stock into 9 equal slits (at 40º angle). Also, I could weave the entire basket and crochet the edge all in one continuous process, without cutting off the yarn !  

Even DH had fun watching me weave the basket - he & BIL are constantly telling me that I still haven't grown out of my childhood ;-P I agree :-D

Find the excellent bullfinch pictorial by Camilla here

And the woven basket (nest) pictorial by Natalia here

Bird measures : 3” head to tail, 1½” top - down
Nest measures : 1” high, 2¼” across top, 1¾” across base

Do you recognize the coincidental symbolism? Bird that symbolizes happiness, Christmas but is also migratory, and the pins that could well be pins from pinterest.com !!! And wonder what project eggs it's sitting on ;-P

This has been a happy pinterest challenge journey through the year - I accomplished my personal objectives to a satisfactory degree and hope to continue -  but I must fly away for at least a year.
Who can tell about 2018 – I might like to be back with the lovely pin chicks again ! They are such an inspiring lot – coming up with exquisite pieces despite many personal pitfalls. It is a pleasure getting to know Suzanne, Margaret, and Margaret-2. Carollyn was already a friendly correspondent.

January 2017 starts a new pinterest challenge, and this time they will be posting every two months. You are cordially invited to join in - merely post a project inspired by pinterest, every 2 months ! Simply leave a comment on any of the pin chicks' blog/post to tell them you'll be one of them :-) It is fun !

Currently, the nesting bird pincushion is perched on my bedside cabinet – on hand ! That's the lamp base in the background, and my tablet in foreground. Took away my pencil stand & moisturiser to avoid cluttering the pic.

Related Posts :

click on ‘pinterest challenge’ tag for all twelve challenges of year 2016

The October post has jumped to December.

abcd

And before I leave my readers this year, to meet again next year .....

good health, peace and prosperity to all
a very happy new year 

abcd