Button Love Heart

I am not aiming to tat every pattern in Martha's latest book but really must try and have a go at most of them whilst the book is new and exciting.

This is a lovely pattern but rather think my choice of thread and buttons do not do it justice, will probably try paler buttons and thread next time.

But it is rather fun to tat!

More versions of Rain Drop

I admit is is a little early to think about Christmas but from now on is the busiest time of the year for me, plus I am taking a break just before the festive season to go to Singapore.  One of the things I try to do at Christmas is to thank people around me for their help and support by giving them a piece of tatting. If I am to keep this tradition going then I must start preparing now. 

So I thought these will do for this year, the main thing though is when they have all been completed is to put them somewhere and not lose them!  

Button Jar Tatting

I can't believe how quick Martha's book arrived from across the pond.  I ordered it last Monday and it arrived yesterday.  There are lots of wonderful patterns, my first shot was tatting the angel, however I did miss out a few picots and added beads to the hallow.  There are lots of other patterns that need my immediate attention. 

What I really like about this book is that Martha tells you which thread to use to correspond with the size of the button. Even better she gives the measurements in imperial as well as metric, l am such an old fashioned gal and can only cope with imperial and my trusty old tape measure!  Along with the rain drop motifs, that are an on going project, it seems that at the moment I am in button heaven!

Buttons and beads

Really excited because Martha Ess has a new tatting book out and it is full of patterns using buttons and of course I have just ordered it.  If you would like a copy go to her blog   The book is called 'Button Jar Tatting'.  In England, certainly in my childhood, nearly every household had a 'button tin' with a vast assortment of buttons in all shapes and sizes.  Most were taken off old clothes before they were thrown away, or there were spare buttons just in case you lost one off a garment. 

So following my passion with buttons just made another Raindrop version and there are more to come.

This is sort of an addiction but it is fun to play with buttons beads and thread!

Beautiful woods

These shuttles have just been finished by 'im in the garage',  the colours are amazing. 
From left to right Sequoia, Mahonia and Ebony. 

They deserved a little sunshine this afternoon!  These beauties are for sale, but do you know what I really don't want to part with them, well not just yet.   

Busy tatting another version of the raindrop and having so much fun with beads again, although have too many of them, can't help buying more packets everytime I visit Singapore.

Renulek Doily finished

I finished this doily a few days ago but I am actually not that happy with it, the thing is the  piece really needs damping, blocking and a good press.  This should not be needed but I think some parts of the pattern did not work that well. 

I have used three makes of thread on this doily Manuela, Coats and Lizbeth all 20.

Rain Drop with beads

I was trying to see whether this raindrop pattern would look better with a few beads, then  it could possibly be used as a Christmas decoration.   It worked well for the top one, but may be I should have used green and red beads as well as clear ones. However, I was in too much of a hurry and could not find them straight away!  The one below I substituted the button for a large bead and used two 80 threads wound together.  Instead of using chains around the edge I worked some lock chains.

I have actually finished the Renulek doily just need to get a good photograph of it. I don't find that particularly easy because of its size, but will try and show it you soon.