11.12.13 Snowflake

I apologise for the title of this snowflake but could not think of a name so late in the evening and wanted to get the pattern to you as soon as possible.  Many thanks to all who have showed interest in it. 

The reason for calling the snowflake 11.12.13 is because today is the last time this century that there will be three consecutive numbers.  

Anyway it has been an evening of blood, sweat and tears trying to get the pattern written in an understandable form and Jane got cross with me - over the internet!  I just can't understand why a pattern is so difficult to write down.   Okay yes I should have written it in a better form when I first tatted it, but I just can't work like that.

11.12.13 SNOWFLAKE © Sally Kerson 2013

Abbreviations

R ring

p picot

vsp Very small picot

Cl close

RW Reverse work

DNRW do not reverse work

LCh Lock chain (first half made normally, second half wrapped)

SR Split ring

Lj Lock join

LBP Long beaded picot (for bugle bead)

+B add bead to picot

BBB Move 3 beads onto picot

MB Move bead from shuttle 2

T & C Tie and Cut

Materials required – 4 yards on Sh1 and 3 ½ yards on Sh2 wound CTM. Add 24 size 11 seed beads to shuttle 2. 6 more size 11 seed beads are added to picots and 6 bugle beads for long beaded picots plus 6 safety pins or paper clips for holding the picots.

R1: 4 p 2 vsp 4 LBP 4 vsp 2 p 4 Cl DNRW

R2: 4 +B (R1) 2 vsp 4 LBP 4 vsp 2 p 4 Cl DNRW

R3, R4 & R5 – repeat R2

SR6: 4 +B (R5) 2 vsp 4 LBP 4 / 4 +B (R1) 2 Cl RW

LCh * 11 vsp 1 RW

R7: 6 + (LBP) 6 Cl RW SS 3 bead around hand before starting

R8: 1 Lj (vsp on LCh) 7 BBB MB 7 vsp 1 Cl DNRW SS

Ch: 1 + (vsp R8)

LCh: 11 Lj (vsp on same inner R)

Ch: 2 Lj (vsp on next ring)**

Repeat from * to ** and Lj into the first Lch on R1 T & C

More Christmas Tatting

I have been making quite a few of these snowflakes in white and pale colours and now pleased with them.

My aim was to use bugle beads in the pattern, partly because I have so many of them but also I think they do enhance a tatted snowflake. Oh and by the way it is made in one go.

Here are some more Christmas Trees on buttons and now I really must get on and start writing cards etc.

If anyone is interested in the snowflake pattern please comment.  It has not been written out fully although I am pleased to share it with anyone if there is a demand, otherwise I will leave it so that only I am able to understand the instructions!

Christmas tree on a button

My favourite Christmas tatting, at the moment, is this tree on a button.  Of course the pattern is Jane's and it can be found here I tested it for her ages ago but never managed to start a massive production until last week.  A dozen have been made so far and will show you more next time on different coloured buttons.  This particular one I pinned to my coat today that is why it looks slightly squished at the bottom and  I was wearing a fluffy scarf so that moulted all over it too!

It is busy busy here with so much to do before Christmas but I am determined to find time to tat, even if it means stopping up late at night.   I am also working on a snowflake design, nothing complicated but I have run it past 'big sister' and she likes it. 
However, is there room for another tatted snowflake in the world?

Ribbon Christmas Trees

In recent weeks I have taken my tatting to some Christmas Fairs, although I have only managed to sell a very small proportion of what I have made. Many of the items are seasonal tatting and so they will be stored away until next year, or be given to friends. 

I sort of got hooked on this pattern last year and made quite a few of these trees and did manage to sell four of them to one person today, apparently she is going to hang them on the door knobs of her kitchen cupboards!  The pattern can be found here and I really recommend it to those who have just started making split rings, because after making these trees you will be super good at them!  

The latest news from the garage is that all the wood making equipment is being maintained and serviced, it has had rather a bashing in the last few months.  Also there were some shuttle blanks on the work bench when I last looked, so production will be resumed as soon as possible. I hope those who have already received their shuttles are pleased with them. 

50 years ago

Today is a very momentous day as most of you are probably aware for it marks 50 years since President J.F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas.  But it was also the day when C.S. Lewis died in his home near Oxford, England but of course his death was rather overshadowed by what was happening in America.  

Tomorrow marks 50 years since the first screening on UK television of Dr. Who and so there is a special episode to mark the occasion on Saturday evening.  Although my childhood memories of Dr. Who were more to do with hiding behind the sofa as I was so frightened!

But there is no good dwelling too much on the past we have to look forward and tomorrow marks the day when the next batch of shuttles will go on sale at 20.00 GMT, and here are a few photos of them.

These are pear and holly wood

And a pair of Christmas earrings, sorry not sure where the pattern came from as I have had it on my computer for ages.

Mrs Odum's Daisy

A few days ago I posted three parcels to the USA, all in connection with tatting, so I hope the recipients enjoy receiving their shuttles and other bits and pieces.  Because these parcels were international the Post Office here in England is getting very much stricter about the contents. Because of this I decided that unfortunately it would unwise to put  any red sunflower seeds in them, which was my original plan.  

On many blogs it is evident that  Christmas is coming and the usual tatting related items are being shown. I find it interesting to see the wonderful variety, even from year to year, that people produce with their shuttles and thread.  This little gem was on Jane's blog three weeks ago Mrs Odums daisy (see also link to Elizabeth's blog) , and therefore I had to have a go at it before Christmas tatting set in! 

For the centre I used  little rings from a bracelet they are slightly smaller than the rings from the toothbrushes, but work well and I plan to use them on other patterns especially if they call for a ring in the centre.  By covering a ring it is possible to move onto the next row with a split ring so avoiding a join and also the centre is much firmer.

The next batch of shuttles have now arrived at Jane's house (my sister), she needs to sort them and list them and they will be put into her shop very soon.

Poppies and a Winner!

As promised I can now announce the winner of the giveaway from the last blog post.  But before I do, thank you so much for the wonderful memories that you shared, all of them were really so touching and personal and just made me think that these little gems from our lives make us who we are.   

And the winner is the person who made the 14th comment........ 

True Random Number Generator

Min: 1

Max: 43

Result:

14

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is mb duke, please can you send me your address to popabobbinshuttle@gmail.com and congratulations!

Today is Remembrance Day when at the eleventh hour on the eleventh day of the eleventh month the armistice was signed in 1918 to end the Great War.

I made this poppy four years ago, it was my first and last attempt at this technique which Martha so kindly shared, perhaps it needs revisiting.

         Here is the one that my son made, no he is not a child but now aged 37 years old!

I will never forget Remembrance Day this year as  I moved into another part of the church building today where there is now a new Parish Office.  Well have not actually completed the move but the computer and main bits of equipment are now in there.   In fact it was really hectic this morning,  one of the pre-school helpers was dressed as Luke Skywalker, an electrician was sorting out the odd bits left from the recent building work.  The Vicar and I were trying to move office equipment and another person was sorting out the computer etc so it was a manic and crazy morning!