UMI & TSURU

Tischband Tat Along Repeat #3

2012-03-05T21:15:00.002+08:00

I am excited to see the 3 repeats joined up but it will have to wait for now. I still have quite a number of leaves to tat to connect them up. Thank you so much for all your suggestions in my earlier post. I agree that what it is will be used as will determine how it will be joined. The motif measures only 3.5 inches wide. I have not decided what to use it yet.

These are links to some of the Tat Along participants:
Neeneral; Tat-ilicious; Mariya; Night; Cindy; Orsi; Frivole; Eliz; Martha; Tat-ilicious; Frivole; Red;

If I missed your link, please let me know.

A Wreath of Roses

2012-03-03T20:30:00.006+08:00

I made these using Vicki's pattern for Judy who celebrated a birthday recently. Judy loves roses and pink. I chose a few shades and made her half a dozen (plus 2, apparently I cannot count) blooms. Judy is very talented and has made some very lovely needle art. I am hoping she can use these in her artwork. Thank you Vicki for the pattern of this lovely rose.

Roses by Victats

2012-03-02T21:02:00.001+08:00

This pattern called 'Roses are Red' is by Victats. Thank you Vicki for sharing the pattern. I have been looking for a tatted rose bloom outline for some time now. I tried designing one without any luck. This one is so pretty.

Thank You

2012-03-01T20:48:00.003+08:00

You have all left kind comforting words about Umi. Thank you. Yes, I do miss her.

She is now in a white urn/pot placed near the window because that is where she loved to sit. I will tat her something with little crystals because she just loved anything dangling, don't they all?

I think Tsuru misses her most when no one's home but when we're back, she loves all the attention. This past week she has been sleeping with me in my bed. She gets extra hugs and kisses too.

Thank you for all your comments and e-mails. I do appreciate it.

Here is a video where Umi is enjoying her little knitted rat from Judy.

Umi

2012-02-28T23:23:00.002+08:00

I lost my Umi today.

She had been sick for the past weeks and had not been eating. Stayed about a week at the animal clinic with an IV drip and meds. Her liver enzymes were high and she had jaundice. We brought her home last Friday and gave her sub-cutaneous fluids twice a day.

She was 10+ years old, not yet 11.

I hope she had a good life with us.

We will miss her.

Cucumber Melon Soup

2012-02-27T20:46:00.001+08:00

I love Chinese soups. This is an old cucmber soup with fish maw, dried scallops etc. AAA is not so keen on Chinese soups expecially if it has Chinese herbs. So if we dine at this restaurant, I must have a soup and this is perfect for one. The stock is made, ingredients put into the melon and steamed using the melon as the soup bowl.

More Magas

2012-02-25T21:44:00.001+08:00

Thank you for your comments in the Maga post. I tried tatting it again using Perle Cotton Size 8 thread. Thank you Wally for the pattern and your tip. I tried it in the orange bloom. The difference is that the petals are wider and I like it. Now, how can I make the petals overlap a little like yours?

Tischband Tat Along

2012-02-24T21:54:00.001+08:00

This is a second repeat that has been completed. I will do another before joining two repeats together.

Shall I join it this way as in the pattern written by Ruth?

Or join it this way? Each repeat is about 6.5 by 3.5 inches.

Maga - Puerto Rican Hibiscus

2012-02-22T20:44:00.002+08:00

This pattern is by Wally Sosa and can be found here. I am sorry I did not do this pattern justice. Mine is unlike the photo from the pattern because I got too carried away blocking. I was not sure how to do the chain stitch. I think it should be tatted with a larger thread. I used Altin Basak Size 50. The Hibiscus is also the national flower of Malaysia.

Give Your Pet

2012-02-21T22:10:00.000+08:00

. . . . . a BIG hug today. They miss you when you are away. This is Tsuru telling me how she missed me. She will inch her way in between the notebook and me and this time she plonked herself on the keyboard. For a few minutes, I could not access the keyboard and after a while she shifted and tabbed her way through the screen.

INGLORIOUS TATTING

2012-02-20T21:35:00.004+08:00

I took the words out of Fox's mouth. She said use it, but do not do it. But I have done it!!

This is my inglorious tatting. Oh frustration . . . can you see that it has been joined at all the wrong places. Now instead of a straight row, it is a curved one.

To remedy it, I had to cut out two flowers and tatted 2 fresh ones to join. If you are joining the leaves to 'double flower medallions' like this, I suggest you do the top and bottom leaves first before tackling the side leaves.

Anyway, just wanted to point you to these blogs where the Tischband Tat Along is progressing: Cindy; Frivole; Diane; Eliz; Fox; Tattabugg; Corina; Red; Neeneral; Jess;

Do send me a link if I missed your blog post on the Tat Along.

Flower Medallions Set 8

2012-02-18T20:45:00.003+08:00

This colour combination is Lizbeth 40 Country Grape Swirl #140 and Lilac Dark #641. If you have not started on this Tat Along, I suggest you make picots smaller than this. It would look neater and easier to join up. I forgot to post this earlier.

Remembering the Tatting Goddess

2012-02-17T21:06:00.000+08:00

I spent sometime today tatting one of Gina's pattern. I downloaded this many months back but was hesitant to tat it as I did not know how it looked. Anyway, here it is - Gina's Seashell

Everyday, before I put in a post, one of the first things I do is visit Threads of a Tatting Goddess. I looked forward to see if Gina had posted and if she did not, there I would find all the new posts for the day.

Yesterday I typed in 'Gina' on the search bar of this blog and reminisced. You would be surprised at how many blog posts came up. We have never met or talked face to face, we did not know much about each other's lives except what was said on our blogs but we shared the love of tatting.

My progress - Tischband Tat Along

2012-02-16T21:18:00.000+08:00

If you are wondering about the thread used for the Blatt 2 (leaves), I tatted using Lizbeth 40 Leafy Greens #138 and Jungle Greens #167. I had to untat the second leaf a few times as I made mistakes joining them up.

Gina . . . . you will be missed

2012-02-15T21:02:00.002+08:00

Happy Valentines

2012-02-14T20:31:00.002+08:00

This is my one contribution of a tatted heart so I chose to post it today to wish you all a Happy Valentine's Day. I noticed some hearts these past few weeks in your tatting blogs.

This is a pattern called Regal Heart from Teri Dusenbury's Tatting Hearts book. This is tatted in Aktin Basak Size 50 in Color #328. I hope you like this.

Tischband Tat Along - Blatt 2 Pattern

2012-02-13T20:25:00.014+08:00

Find out more about the Tat Along here and here.

Pattern for Blatt 2 (Leaf)
Shuttle and ball thread. For Size 40 threads, wind about 1m on the shuttle. Start chain using a safety pin or paper clip.

- joining picot
-- normal picot
turn: make a lock stitch and flip tatting
*: joining sites

Click to enlarge

Fig. 1

Fig. 2

Fig. 3

Ch 4 - 4 - 4 - 4 - 5 -- turn

5 + 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 + turn (join to picot made with safety pin / paper clip) (Fig. 1)

Tip: Allow some space on the core thread under the picots for joining. Do not push the stitches together too much.

Ch 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 + turn

Ch 5 + 5 + 5 + 5 + 2 - 2 + 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 + turn

Ch 5 + 5 + 5 + 5 + 4 + 4 + 5 + 5 + 5 + turn (Fig. 2)
Ch 6 + 6 + 6 + 6 + 6 + 5 + 5 + 5 + turn
Ch 6 + 6 + 6 + 6 + 2 - 2 + 6 + 6 + 6 + turn (Fig. 3)

Ch 6 + 6 + 6 + 4 + 4 + 6 + 6 + 6 + turn

Ch 6 + * 6 + 6 + 6 + 6 + 6 + 6 + turn *

Ch 6 + 6 + 6 + * 6 + 6 + 6 +

End as desired and cut threads.

Make four Blatt 2 (leaf) taking note of joining sites indicated by *.

Please leave a comment or e-mail me if you have any questions or if you find any mistakes in my interpretation of the pattern.

This pattern is from Ruth Scharf's book Occhi and is shared here with permission from Ruth. If you would like to buy the book, you may do so by contacting Volker Scharf at Volker.Scharf@t-online.de.

Flower Medallions Set 7

2012-02-11T20:49:00.002+08:00

What about Lizbeth 40 Purple Iris Fusion #162 and Lilac Dark #611. I hope you are having fun coordinating colours. I was looking at the Tischband pattern and was thinking that you could also tat the leaves first and tat the flowers to join the leaves. I guess you need to try it out and decide which method you prefer. Do share how you would do it. I am going to post the Blatt 2 pattern by Ruth Scharf soon.

Flower Medallions Set 6

2012-02-10T21:03:00.001+08:00

Am I collecting flower medallions. Yes, it looks that way. These were tatted in Dark Purple #633 and Purple Iris Fusion #162. Both are Lizbeth 40. Yes that is dark purple and not black. Too dark?? The flowers are joined by one picot. I always have to remind myself not to forget to join to the next flower.

You must visit Diane and Cindy to see their pretty blossoms.

Flower Medallions Set 5

2012-02-09T21:05:00.003+08:00

I hope you are having fun with your flower medallions too. Have you seen what Fox tatted up? Sweet!

This set of flower medallions was used to illustrated the Blute pattern. Tatted in Lizbeth 40 Country Grape Swirl #140 and Country Grape Medium # 637.

Fruits of the Night Blooming Epiphylum

2012-02-08T21:19:00.001+08:00

The flowers last only one night. I posted them here.

There are three fruits developing on the very same plant at the moment.

They look luscious. I wonder if there are any seeds inside. We will wait and see.

I bought another Epiphylum plant just before Christmas and this one has red leaves. I am waiting for it to flower.

Tischband Tat Along - Blute 1 Pattern

2012-02-07T20:59:00.019+08:00

If you would like to join the Tat-Along, read about it here and leave a comment.

Pattern: Each repeat of Tischband requires you to tat four Blute 1 (flower medallions) and four Blatt 2 (leaves). This pattern may look difficult but it isn't. We will tat these in stages. After you tat 4 flower medallions, you tat the leaves and join them to the flowers.

Colours: You can plan to have all your flower medallions in one colour thread or multi-colours. I planned mine to be in shades of pink and purple tatted in Size 40 threads. I am also doing my leaves in different shades of green. You decide how you want to do them.

BLUTE 1

Shuttle and ball thread. For Size 40 threads, wind about 1.5m on the shuttle.

R 6 -- 6 (medium picot, large enough for 6 rings to join to);

Ch 6;

{R 6 + 6; Ch 6} repeat until you have a total of 6 rings and 6 chains;

Join last chain to 1st ring;

{Ch 8, + join to base of ring} repeat until you have a total of 6 chains;
{Ch 10, + join to base of ring} repeat until you have a total of 6 chains;
{Ch 12, + join to base of ring} repeat until you have a total of 6 chains;
{Ch 14, + join to base of ring} repeat until you have a total of 6 chains;
{Ch 3-2-2-2-2-2-2-3, + join to base of ring} repeat until you have a total of 6 chains;

End as desired and cut threads. Make four.

This is Blute 1 tatted up.

I did not join the chains to the base of the rings,

instead I joined it to the junction in between the chains.

I prefer it this way but you can choose either method.

Optional (You can also choose to join the next Blute later)
If you are making more than one repeat:

Make a 2nd Blute and join outer most chain at the 4th picot to the corresponding chain of the 1st Blute.

Blute Pair #1

Make another pair of Blute.

Blute Pair #2

The Blatt 2 (leaves) pattern will be posted next week so look out for it. In the meantime I hope you will try tatting the Blute 1. Please post your flower medallions on your blog and alert everyone by posting a link here in the comment section. If you do not have a blog and would like me to post them here for you, just send me a photo via e-mail.

This pattern is from Ruth Scharf's book Occhi and is shared here with permission from Ruth. If you would like to buy the book, you may do so by contacting Volker Scharf at Volker.Scharf@t-online.de.

Thermal Tsuru

2012-02-06T21:11:00.000+08:00

What a variety of colours.

Someone was playing with the photo editor.

Tat Along Challenge - Tischband by Ruth Scharf

2012-02-04T21:16:00.000+08:00

Are you fascinated by this pattern called Tischband by Ruth Scharf? I am starting a Tat-Along using this Ruth Scharf's pattern.

If you have her book Occhi (Book 1), please refer to the Tischband pattern and tat along with me. You can tat just one repeat or as many as you want.

If you do not have Ruth's book, not to worry as Ruth has so kindly given special permission to share that pattern with you here.

I have been tatting flower medallions or what Ruth calls Blute 1. In the Tischband pattern, you tat multiples of Blute 1 and Blatt 2.

If you would like to join the tat-along, just leave a comment on this post. Anyone can join and all we ask of you is to post your progress on your blog so that we can show Ruth the progress of the Tat-Along.

It would be fun to see the results of different tatters from all over the world. So if you are up for it, join in. There is no time limit, so no pressure, tat along at your own pace.

Flower Medallions Set 4

2012-02-03T20:52:00.004+08:00

I am afraid I have not had time to tat anything else but these. They were supposed to be tatted in between other projects. These were tatted in Lizbeth 40 in Dark Purple #633 and Fruit Fizz #139. This flower medallion pattern is from Ruth Scharf.

Spicy Ladies Fingers

2012-02-02T20:53:00.004+08:00

Chop some garlic and one medium sized onion

Soak some dried prawns in water for 30 mins

and rinse off the extra salt.

Slice up some ladies fingers / okra

Stir fry garlic and onion in a little oil, add dried prawns, okra and some ready made chilli.

Serve with steamed rice and dinner is ready.

Flower Medallions Set 3

2012-02-01T20:53:00.004+08:00

Has it been a month already. Where did the 4 weeks go, in a blink of an eye. Set 3 is tatted in Lizbeth Size 40 #635 Violet Pink Dark and #139 Fruit Fizz. If you noticed, I used one colour from the last set with a new colour. I had fun coordinating the colours. Some are more contrasting than others. If you have a Lizbeth colour suggestions, I would love to hear what you have in mind.

Kiam Chye Soup

2012-01-31T21:14:00.029+08:00

This was what mom cooked for lunch on the first day of the Chinese New Year. It is a pork bone soup stock with one pig hock (front) and 2 pig tails, meat balls, mushrooms, carrots, tomatoes, cauliflower, brocolli, young corn, salted mustard greens, pickled plums, assam gelugor pieces. It is a soup which is slightly salty, sour and yummy. You can have it on its own or with rice. It was a huge pot of soup and you can store it for days. It gets even more delicious after that.

Dragon Paper Cutting

2012-01-30T20:52:00.001+08:00

This is now hanging on mom's front door. Bought this from the local supermarket a couple of weeks back. Now we have them in plastic cut outs and decal stickers but nothing like the authentic paper cutting. This year I did not have time to buy plants except for one stalk of the lucky bamboo.

Mountain of Pork

2012-01-28T20:31:00.028+08:00

Turn away now, raw meat ahead. . . .

We were at the local market on the eve of the last market day before the Chinese New Year and this was the amount of meat being prepared for sale. In the old, old days, it was only at Chinese New Year that we feasted on meat and wore new clothes and so the tradition lives on.

Flower Medallions Set 2

2012-01-27T21:08:00.002+08:00

That was Set 1, this is Set 2. Set 1 was tatted in Lizbeth Size 40 threads in #635 Violet Pink Dark and #157 Raspberry Frappe.

Set 2 is tatted in Lizbeth Size 40 #145 Pink Parade and #157 Raspberry Frappe. Fox asked why the picots looked different. Well, these flower medallions have not been blocked.

Also some medallions look larger than others. It could be the colours playing a trick on the eye or my tension is just off. No worries, we are all imperfect!

Anne Bruvold's Chinese Dragon

2012-01-26T20:45:00.002+08:00

In all, I tatted 3 Chinese dragons from Anne's pattern which can be found here.

Dragon #1 was posted a few days ago and was tatted in Lizbeth Size 40 #147 Red Burst and I used a Swarovski crystal for the sun.

Dragon #2 was used as a Chinese New Year e-card sent to family and friends. This one was tatted in Altin Basak Size 50 - #2328 (red with gold strand) and #2347 (gold with gold strand) for the sun.

Dragon #3 was tatted using Lizbeth Size 20 #611 Gold and Flora Size 20 #244 Charcoal for a black pearl.

They all seem slightly different with its own personality.

Chinese Ink Brush Painting Framed

2012-01-25T20:42:00.036+08:00

Remember this from last year? Finally, I had the painting scroll-mounted and framed. I had wanted a bamboo design for the frame but the shop did not have it and for convenience, I had it done by the same person. Not many framers can do Chinese scroll-mounting.
I have kept the painting rolled up for nearly a year and thought it was about time it saw daylight. I wish I had a more well-kept house to show you the rest of it.

If you are interested in getting a painting from Song Qi Xian, you can as he is currently at Vivocity Singapore till mid February 2012. His paintings this time round are more colourful but I still do prefer his bamboos. Drop by and see him paint.

Chinese New Year Cards

2012-01-24T20:57:00.002+08:00

I sent some cards to a few people this year. I try to do this every year but sometimes, time just slips by so quickly. Dragon year is normally a fertile year meaning more Chinese babies will be born this year. Read about the dragon in the Chinese zodiac here.

Happy Chinese New Year

2012-01-23T20:43:00.013+08:00

Gong Xi Fa Cai

Nami's Gold Fish

2012-01-21T21:17:00.000+08:00

I joined the dorsal fin at the wrong place. A lot of tie and cut as I did not use the split chain method. I can imagine a lot of fishes in different colours from this pattern. I think I will try to tat this again and add a larger bead for the eye. This one was tatted in Altin Basak Size 50 in gold with gold strand (#2351) and Lizbeth Size 40 #147 Red Burst. Link to Nami's blog for the pattern. Thank you Nami.

Miltoniopsis Orchid

2012-01-20T20:46:00.000+08:00

These remind me of pansies but this is actually a Miltoniopsis orchid. It is also called the pansy orchid and it is related to the Oncidiums. I hope I did not mislead you to think that I grew these orchids. I have no green fingers and orchids seems to die on me rather quickly.

Valentine Coaster from Annie

2012-01-19T23:51:00.000+08:00

Don't you love the quilted Valentine coaster? What a pretty colour palette and the heart was so carefully hand stitched. This came in the mail from Annie today. The card with the hummingbird has an important message - "Every moment of the year has its own beauty". I will try to remember that. Thank you so much, Annie!

Mary Konior Tatting Book Collection Complete

2012-01-18T20:58:00.003+08:00

Finally I got this hardcover book after months of searching for it. It completes the collection. Did Mary Konior publish 4 tatting books? Otherwise I have to change the blog post title.

This is also the first Mary Konior tatting book I refered to when I borrowed it from the National Library years back. That book was a softcover and it was so well used, I was afraid it would lose some pages. This one I have is of course second hand but it is in very good condition and looks almost brand new. I was so delighted to get it from Barter Books, UK and I received excellent sales service too. Thank you, Nicola.

Flower Medallions

2012-01-17T20:51:00.003+08:00

I have been tatting these flower medallions in between other tatting projects. I am using Lizbeth 40 in various colours. Perhaps it will keep me wondering how each colour would turn out. That way I would get less bored. Anyway it is quite fast to tat. Two medallions can be made in one night's sitting of TV, if I devote myself to tatting and not surf the web looking for jewellery. I have been looking to replace my broken ring.

Ruth Scharf's Books

2012-01-16T20:34:00.014+08:00

Thank you for all your comments on this post. A friend shared this pattern with me. I did not know where the pattern was from but was intrigued because it was quite unusual. It was not till much later while reading tatting blogs that it was identified as a Ruth Scharf pattern. I looked for the books and finally obtained the above two books from Georgia Seitz.

So for those of you still looking for her books, you might want to check with Georgia or you may want to e-mail Ruth Scharf directly. I do have her e-mail as listed in the book. E-mail me separately. By the way the book is in German.

It is interesting how a variegated thread tatted looked like stripes in this pattern. You either love it or hate it.

I have this doily with me but it was easier to look for the photo than the actual doily. So if you have this book, are you up for a challenge? I am starting a new project from book 1. Would anyone like to join me?

Canopy

2012-01-14T21:08:00.017+08:00

I first saw the Canopy bookmark when Gina tatted and posted it on her blog. At that time, I was waiting for Martha's book to arrive. It reminded me of the architectural drawing symbols for trees. I used Lizbeth Size 40 Pink Parade #145. I like the subtle color changes in this thread.

One day . . . . . is here!!

2012-01-13T20:35:00.002+08:00

If you read yesterday's post, then you would not think the title strange. Well, since I found the photo, I wanted to show you this. The pattern is from Ruth Scharf and this was one doily I tatted all by myself after my tatting classes in 2006. I was intrigued at why I chose these colours but here it is . . . . bright and colourful. Both colours are from Olympus. There are mistakes so it looks a little warped. I am sure you can spot it. And this is one piece which could not lay flat without blocking. It was a mess!

Hugs #2

2012-01-12T21:01:00.011+08:00

Hugs #2 is tatted in Olympus thread in a shade of variegated pink. I threw away the plastic wrapping with the colour # so no reference here. Unlike other threads, there isn't a label but I remember getting this colour because I loved the pink. I used it to tat a Ruth Scharf doily pattern years back. I should show you that one day.

Green Slipper Orchid Blooms

2012-01-11T21:23:00.002+08:00

Aren't they beautiful? Green and white. Perfect centrepiece for a table arrangement. That way you need not cut it from the plant.

Hugs Bookmark

2012-01-10T20:43:00.002+08:00

From Martha Ess' book Playing with Picots, this pattern called HUGS was easy and quick to tat. I used the Altin Basak Size 50 threads that Margaretha sent me. This one is #3001, the same one I used for the owl earlier. I put tassels on both ends.

Pink Roses Letter Openers

2012-01-09T20:47:00.000+08:00

I wanted to add a personal touch to these bone china letter openers before giving them away. These were motifs which I tatted sometime back and you always seem to get questions 'What are you going to do with them?' Well you could use it this way.

The top pattern is by Ruth Scharf and the bottom is a Mary Konior.

More Critters on the Block - Gecko

2012-01-07T20:40:00.000+08:00

I love how the pattern created the tail of this gecko. The tatting pattern started from the tip of the tail and the stitches gradually increased. Amazing! Tatted in two different colours, first one is in DMC perle cotton 8 Col 69 and the second is in Lizbeth 40 Autumn Apple Pie (#169).

Nyonya Kueh for Dessert

2012-01-06T21:29:00.000+08:00

Colourful and yummy too. My favourite is the blue and white one with kaya (coconut jam). These are all local peranakan nonya kueh.

From the back row, left to right - Kueh lapis (layered), Seri muka (glutinous rice and pandan leaf custard), Kueh bingka (tapioca), coconut candy (shredded coconut with condensed milk);
Centre row, left to right - Kueh talam and Ang ku kueh;
Front row - Nagasari (the blue dye is extracted from the Clitorea ternatea flowers).

More Critters on the Block - Skunk

2012-01-05T21:48:00.014+08:00

I really wanted to tat this when I first saw it but thought it might be more difficult than others but it wasn't so. Not difficult at all.

Tsuru sometimes flicks her tail and because she is black and white, I often call it her skunk tail.

More Critters on the Block - Dachshund

2012-01-04T20:48:00.000+08:00

This is a light brown Dachshund. Pattern is by Martha Ess from the above titled book. This is tatted in DMC perle cotton 8 Col. 841. All these bookmarks have been given away as gifts. I had a busy time tatting during the weeks leading up to Christmas but they are quite quick to tat up and makes a nice gift, I think. I hope the recipients loved it.

Post Last Week

2012-01-03T21:19:00.002+08:00

Who does not love receiving post. Especially when they are from friends far away. Look what came in the mail early last week.

A wool snowflake handsewn by Judy and a handmade card from Margaret.

Thank you both.

Two Little Lambs

2012-01-02T20:30:00.005+08:00

Now I definitely know I made a mistake somewhere . . . . as both these lambs look different. A slip of the mind and concentration. What are these to be? They are just about 0.75 inches in length. Tiny! Tatted in Size 40 threads from Martha's book.

Happy New Year

2012-01-01T00:01:00.000+08:00

As we welcome 2012,

I wish you all the very best in this coming year.

More Critters on the Block - Owl

2011-12-31T21:09:00.001+08:00

Red owl is tatted in cotton perle 8 and light blue aqua owl is tatted in Altin Basak 50 #3001. I love tatting with this Altin Basak thread, they are so comfortable and soft yet holds up quite well. This Altin Basak is from Typstatting in exchange for some pastel Clover shuttles. If you look at the second owl, you will see that the aqua made up the head. It just turned out that way.

Martha paid attention to such small details when creating these patterns and they all look so true to form. Thank you Martha.

More Critters on the Block - Sheep

2011-12-30T20:58:00.013+08:00

This was a little fiddly to tat as you had to brush away the picots to see where you needed to join to and I am sure I made some mistakes, somewhere. But after it was done, I think the Sheep looked really cute. What do you think?? This one is tatted in Venus Size 40 white (#800) and dark grey (#486).

This is the lamb pattern tatted up in Venus size 40 white (#800) and pink (#107). This is a wee bit smaller. If I am up for it, I might tat another to make it a pair. There must be something wrong with my chain tension as some were much longer than others, or this little lamb had a bit too much for dinner.

Mom's Christmas Tree Snowflaked

2011-12-29T20:56:00.002+08:00

As promised, photos to show you mom's tree laden with 50 snowflakes which I tatted throughout 2011. I actually added 3 more, from my tatted motifs so there are about 53 snowflakes on this 4 ft tree. And I thought 50 were too many. Part of the tree which was facing the wall had no snowflakes.

What did she say about the snowflakes? They are all different. Hmmm. . . . . some are pretty. Where did you find 50 different patterns?

Some of the bigger snowflakes started to fold as I did not stiffen them. Sorry the photos are not great as my rechargeable battery ran out even before I started using the camera and I did not bring the charger with me. I had to use my mobile phone camera.

Blue Elephant Family Mobile for J

2011-12-28T20:27:00.017+08:00

These blue elephants were a request from my sister. I tatted them earlier but just assembled them into a mobile for her for Christmas. I used some Czech fire polished crystals and nylon fishing line and hung it on a straight horizontal stick but you could also tie it on a round frame. I did not starch or stiffen this so the larger elephants tend to fold but if placed against a wall or glass pane, it isn't so bad, otherwise we might have to fix the elephant in a frame or laminate it. This will do for now.

More Critters on the Block - Hornet

2011-12-27T20:33:00.005+08:00

I tatted two of these. The hornet pattern is from Martha Ess. The tails are made up as I tat. Do you see what resembles an angel in tail of hornet #2? Totally impromptu. Also had to show you that the smiling sun charm front and back. Found it in the local bead shop and it was on sale. I used Milford Size 40 black and Altin Basak #2351 with the gold strand. It added a little sparkle to the hornet.

Boxing Day Tatting

2011-12-26T21:07:00.003+08:00

I did not tat this today but just showing them to you while I am busy somewhere else today. I showed you this little turtle before here. Now it has a tail and a charm.

Seasons Greetings

2011-12-25T21:00:00.013+08:00

From Umi & Tsuru

This is Christmas 2011 Snowflake #50

Myra Piper's pattern.

Challenge is complete.

Little Teapot Bookmark

2011-12-24T21:39:00.001+08:00

I did not realise the red I used for the teapot and the tail was a different shade. I found this teapot charm sometime back and rediscovered it in my bead stash recently when I was looking for charms to add.

And More Bookmarks - Hummingbirds

2011-12-23T21:22:00.018+08:00

Just added tails and charms to the hummingbirds I tatted earlier. The hummingbird pattern is from Martha Ess. I did not have time to go to the bead store to get more charms so these will have to do. I am sure at the bead shop there will be charms to match the tatting.

Little Sister Angel Bookmark

2011-12-22T21:32:00.011+08:00

I tatted these Martha Ess' angels earlier. Just added the tail and charm and viola, bookmarks. The bottom one is tatted in silk that Fox gave me. I am doing this with some of the smaller designs for quick gifts.

Bookmark Gifts - Grasshoppers

2011-12-21T21:04:00.017+08:00

Added split ring and spiral tails to these little grasshoppers, plus charms and they become bookmarks.

Remember the little blue whale, here it is with a tail and a charm too. If the tail is too long, make a few knots. Both patterns are from Martha Ess.

Bamboo China

2011-12-20T20:52:00.001+08:00

These were lovely to dine from.

I enjoyed the painting on the plate and the teacup.

The colour was soothing and

it reflected the theme of the restaurant

Christmas 2011 Snowflake #49

2011-12-19T20:48:00.001+08:00

One more snowflake to reach 50. I doubt mom's tree will take 50 snowflakes, or maybe it will. I will take a photo and post it before the new year. This one is a pattern (#28) from Myra Piper on page 10 of her book. Tatted in two rounds, 2m on the shuttle for round 1 and 3m on the shuttle for round 2.

Alligator in Jungle Greens

2011-12-17T21:35:00.002+08:00

Another one from Martha Ess "More Critters on the Block'. This alligator pattern looked so realistic. Lizbeth 40 Jungle Greens seemed a suitable colour for this one.

Chilli Crab

2011-12-16T20:29:00.027+08:00

Chilli crab is a popular dish in Singapore and I love the dish too but eating it is a messy affair. So I thought this was a lovely variation.

Deep fried soft shell crab dipped in the chilli crab sauce. No mess of taking the meat off the shells.

Christmas 2011 Snowflake #48

2011-12-15T21:04:00.008+08:00

This pattern looked interesting in Myra Piper's book on page 12 but when I tatted this up it looked different. I think the proportions are slightly off and it looks too much like a hexagon here. Anyway this is #48 of the snowflakes. I spoke to mom this week and she was saying she might not put up the tree this year. Oh dear!! We will see what happens.

Venetia

2011-12-14T21:01:00.034+08:00

'The truly rich are those who can enjoy what they have'

~Venetia Stanley-Smith~

'At home with Venetia in Kyoto' is a programme I enjoy. Try to catch an episode if you can. You can watch it on NHK World on cable (Starhub Channel 148, every Tuesday at 9.30pm in Singapore) or at this channel KCET if you are in the US. Watch this video clip here on Venetia's garden art.

Angel in Autumn Apple Pie

2011-12-13T20:07:00.017+08:00

This one is Anne Bruvold's SSSR Angel in Lizbeth Size 40 Autumn Apple Pie. Made this one with a short tail. The colours did not end up symmetrical on the angel but that's fine.

Writing on the Wall

2011-12-12T21:07:00.003+08:00

This was at the entrance of a restaurant. The ladies at the restaurant offered to take photos of us but I actually wanted a photo of the wall. They were amused but I am sure they are familiar with strange requests.

Sleeping Tsuru

2011-12-10T19:43:00.002+08:00

I was careful not to wake her but cats have acute senses.

She woke up after.

One eye first.

Then both eyes.

Whale in Blue

2011-12-09T20:45:00.000+08:00

specifically Lizbeth 40 Blue River Glades #164. This ball of thread is from Tabatha. The whale pattern is from Martha Ess in her book 'More Critters on the Block'. The whale measures only 1.7 inches in length. I love the size. What's next?

Chatucak Market

2011-12-08T21:18:00.001+08:00

I took these photos at Chatucak Market in Bangkok last year. I love what they did with the plants - a cottage filled with lush greenery and they were selling coconut ice cream in the front. I already had mine before we came across this one.

Christmas 2011 Snowflake #47

2011-12-07T21:05:00.000+08:00

This is a pattern from Myra Piper, #11 in her book. Tatted in Size 40, 5 metres of thread was required in the shuttle. It was very quick to tat and easy too. I like the square shape and yes it is a very 'unusual' snowflake.

Car Wash

2011-12-06T20:31:00.000+08:00

It was early Sunday morning. We woke up early, had our favourite fish ball noodles and was headed home but not before a car wash. When the car wash attendant saw the car, he shook his head and smiled. The car was filthy as the day before it went through some dusty roads and then it rained. But they did an excellent job at the car wash.

Angels Incorporated

2011-12-05T20:57:00.003+08:00

I added 925 silver ear hooks to the little angels and tatted a tail for the larger version with an angel charm. I found this angel charm at the local bead shop and thought it would be most suitable with these tatted angels.

If you noticed, I made a mistake in the angel, one less ring on one side of the skirt. I did not see it until I finished it. Hmmm, my imperfect angel bookmark. Thank you Anne Bruvold for this pattern and Tatting Marie for introducing it.

Umi Woken Up

2011-12-03T20:51:00.011+08:00

Is this too much of a close-up? Umi was curled up sleeping and I crept up slowly to take this shot. As soon as I did, she decided to move and no chance to take more photos.

This one is just for Gian.

Anne Bruvold's SSSR Angel

2011-12-02T20:37:00.001+08:00

I admit I did not use the single shuttle split ring (SSSR) technique, instead I tatted using two shuttles with split rings and the self closing mock ring (SCMR). I love the little angels. Done in Size 40 and 60 threads.

I first saw this pattern when Marie gave me a tatted angel. Marie and I exchanged blinged shuttles last year and she sent me this little angel which I used to decorate mom's tree last year. See this post here. I think I will make a few more to include in Christmas cards or gift tags.

Brilliant Frangipanni

2011-12-01T21:19:00.004+08:00

This frangipanni is bright pink/almost red. It looks very striking with the dark green leaves. They come in many colours. This plant Plumeria makes a very attractive small tree in the garden. The flower emits a scent and the bark produces poisonous sap. We now have many varieties compared to decades back when only the white variety was seen, usually planted in cemeteries.

Christmas 2011 Snowflake #46

2011-11-30T20:56:00.010+08:00

One more from Susanne Rolf. This is also from her Mustersammlung book on page 34. I really enjoyed tatting this. It was done in 2 rounds and the small rings are all the same size. I think it is a pretty pattern. In Size 40 threads, I used up 3m per shuttle for round 1; 5m for Shuttle 1 and 3m for Shuttle 2 in round 2.

Peanuts Envelope

2011-11-29T21:21:00.000+08:00

This came from Tabatha. She did not know that Snoopy was about the only comic strip I enjoyed growing up. I remember I could not get enough of it in the newspaper, I bought some of the books. I wonder where they are now, the books. Tabatha sent me 3 balls of Lizbeth Size 40 in autumn apple pie, jungle greens and blue river glades. You'll see some tatting in those colours soon. Thank you Tabatha.

Turtle

2011-11-28T20:14:00.021+08:00

This little turtle's shell is out of shape. It looks more rounded in the pattern. I think I should have tightened the chains to make it curve more. I added the little tail. This pattern is from Martha Ess in her book 'More Critters on the Block'.

Kueh Bangkit

2011-11-26T20:48:00.042+08:00

Grandma use to make this for the Chinese New Year and we were all roped in to help. I remember dusting the wooden moulds with flour before putting the dough in, levelling it off with a knife and knocking them out. Patterns like what you see in the photo are made on the top surface with a comb and they are ready for baking. I have not eaten these for a long time so when we got these from a friend, it was such a treat. Even Umi and Tsuru loved it. It crumbles and melts in your mouth. It is made with tapioca flour, eggs, sugar and coconut milk. Recipes are available on the web.

Years back, I found this wooden mould in a charity shop. It sits in my kitchen cabinet and I have never used it but it reminds me of the times we spent with grandma making new year goodies. This mould already has elaborate patterns on it so a comb is not necessary. Of course the comb is a new one, used only for baking.

Christmas 2011 Snowflake #45

2011-11-25T20:56:00.023+08:00

This is a pattern from Susanne Rolf on page 38 of her book Mustersammlung. The block tatting seemed too large for the overall motif. What do you think? This is tatted in Size 40 threads using up 3 metres of thread in each shuttle.

Clockwork

2011-11-24T21:02:00.001+08:00

At 7am every morning, cats gather on this balcony.

At 7:05am or thereabouts pigeons gather because a kind soul would throw leftover bread on this grass patch every morning.

So who started this routine, the kind soul or the pigeons, then came the cats who gather to watch. It is amusing yet heart warming.

Martha's Hummingbird

2011-11-23T21:18:00.019+08:00

The first and last hummingbird have mistakes in it. I was too distracted watching a movie on TV. Three are tatted in Lizbeth 40 and the yellow one in Perle 8. The hummingbirds in Size 40 are only 1.4 inches and the Perle 8 is about 1.7 inches in length. This pattern is by Martha Ess.

Bleeding Heart Vine

2011-11-22T21:30:00.000+08:00

It has flowered many times and sometimes the flower bud really looks anatomically like a heart. My photos do not do it justice. It is called Clerodendrum thomsoniae.

Criss Cross Bookmark #2

2011-11-21T21:02:00.022+08:00

This is tatted in Milford Satin Perle No. 5 in Ombre Red. It ended up quite a large bookmark measuring about 8.5 inches in length. It looks very different from the first one I tatted. Good for larger books. The long picots may have been a little too short so it does look bunched up in the centre. I think if you are going to tat this, a more sturdy thread would hold its shape better.

Dream Houses

2011-11-19T21:14:00.002+08:00

Whenever we pass this street, I imagine living in one of these houses. These are old townhouses in a prime location which have been refurbished and conserved. In Singapore, living in houses is a luxury. Ninety percent of the population live in apartments.

Grasshopper

2011-11-18T20:51:00.024+08:00

When I saw this pattern in the book, the grasshopper looked so realistic, I just had to try it first. The bottom right grasshopper was tatted first in Leafy Greens Lizbeth 40 #138, then the variegated green Anchor Perle Cotton 8 in Col.1215 and last is done in Rootbeer Float Lizbeth 40 #150. I am enjoying Martha's book of 'More Critters on the Block'.

Stained Glass Lamp Stands

2011-11-17T20:46:00.032+08:00

I found this shop in Chinatown. All the lamps are from Taiwan. I wondered if they sold just the lamp stands for my future stained glass lamp shades. I have not done stained glass for a long time and my phoenix is waiting to be finished. I wonder when I can get back to it. The cat and lilypad stands caught my eye.

Criss Cross Bookmark

2011-11-16T20:43:00.014+08:00

This was really enjoyable to tat. Blocking is needed to get the bookmark in a nice shape. And care must be taken to make sure the very long picots are not twisted before joining. As you can see one of mine is twisted. I used Lizbeth 40 #138 Leafy Greens. This measures about 6 inches in length. I wound about 7m of thread on the shuttle. I am going to try this again in a larger sized thread and see how that looks. The criss cross bookmark pattern is from Martha Ess on page 18 of her 'Playing With Picots' book.

Wire Sculptures

2011-11-15T20:36:00.021+08:00

This is the Esplanade Theatres in Singapore

Locally it is also know as the Durian because it resembles the fruit

The last time I was there, on display in the foyer were wire sculptures

There were others but they were quite difficult to photograph. Hope you enjoyed these.

Slalom Bookmark

2011-11-14T21:19:00.022+08:00

Slalom is a pattern from Martha Ess on page 12 of the 'Playing With Picots' book. It looked very unusual so I had to try it. It looks abstract. This measures about 5 inches with 12 repeats. I used 4m (per shuttle) of Lizbeth Size 40 threads in #633 Purple Dark and #162 Purple Iris Fusion. I wonder how it will look in one colour.

Mirror, Mirror Bookmark #3

2011-11-12T21:13:00.004+08:00

Now this one I did with Size 20 threads in #132 Tropical Punch and # 620 Azalea Medium. Since it was a Size 20 thread, I kept the picots larger like the first one. The bookmark measures about 6 inches without the tail. Used up 5m of threads on each shuttle for 10 repeats.

Elevens

2011-11-11T11:11:00.026+08:00

I scheduled this post for no other reason but for the fun of it. It is 11/11/11 at 11:11am in Singapore. Do I have photos of eleven seals. Did you count?

I found this beautiful to the eye and knowing all were hand carved, made it even more special. Margaret and Fox, I hope you enjoyed these photos. All these seals are exhibited at the Shanghai Museum.

Happy Bookmark

2011-11-10T21:03:00.022+08:00

Another pattern by Martha Ess. I used Lizbeth 40 #136 Autumn Spice and #138 Leafy Greens. I made 10 repeats using 3m on each shuttle. Row 1 was quite fiddly as the thin threads were turning and swirling so when you add Row 2, you have to be careful when you join to the picots making sure that it is not twisted. Perhaps using Size 20 threads will not be so cumbersome. It looks very unusual and quite pretty. It measures about 4.5 inches excluding the tail.