Motif # 3

I rediscovered the few balls of Opera thread I have in my Size 20 stash. It is a softer thread and just as much fun to tat with as the Altin Basak. I made this rose cross designed by Lily Qualls Morales with a few alterations to make it in one round.

I didn't have a pattern per se for Motif # 2. I used 5 ds between joins or picots for the chains and 2 ds between joins or picots for the rings. I think 6 ds would also work for the chains.

I won!

A while ago I was the winner of Krystledawne's blogaversary give away. I can count the number of times I won anything in my entire life, in other words it is very seldom. Imagine my big surprise when I opened my mail and found these lovely tatted earrings, necklace and ring. Thank you so much Krystle for your overwhelming generosity! I truly love the jewelry and the shaded color. I have had lots of compliments already. The reason the picture is not that good is because I put the items on the scanner. I couldn't figure out a way to get the ring in the right position and still get the lid to close most of the way.

Motif # 2

Have you noticed that some patterns are nice and easy to work and some seem like such a struggle, where you have to retro tat over and over? Well this little bookmark is in the first category, nice and easy. It was such a joy to tat! I persume it is a variation of an antique edging pattern called "Basket Edge". I used Altin Basak 50 variegated on the shuttle and shaded green for the chains. This thread seems to be a size all of its own, somewhere between a Size 20 and 30. I would call it a Size 25. I love tatting with this Turkish thread and am so glad to have a nice stash of it.

Motif # 1

I have decided to do another 25 motif challenge since I had so much fun both times. This bookmark is my motif # 1 the third time around. I used Lizbeth Size 20 thread called Carousel and I did front side/back side tatting. I figured out that when I am working the directional ring if I put the shuttle through the loop before I close the ring it looks just like the opposite ring. This pattern was provided by Jane from South Africa who rewrote a pattern from an Anna Burda magazine. You can find it on Jane Eborall's blog. It's the March 11, 2009 entry.

Motif # 25

I finished the 25 motif challenge for the second time! I have truly enjoyed participating and would like to go for another 25.

This lovely Celtic cross is one of Jane Eborall's patterns. I used Size 20 Flora thread.

Rosette

This rosette is a design by Jon Yusoff. You can find the free pattern on her blog: http://tatsaway-patterns.blogspot.com/

Thanks again Jon for sharing yet another beautiful design. I used Altin Basak Size 50 thread that works up between a Size 20 and 30. It is a very nice thread to tat with and comes in many lovely colors. This is my motif # 24 the second time around.

Mothers Day

Today I had an e-mail from my mom that she received her Mothers Day card including her surprise. She was really happy with it. I believe the pattern is from a Bead and Button Magazine. The designer is Lisa Kan. It was incredibly easy and fun to follow the instructions for this netted piece. The fire polished rounds are very shiny and added just the right amount of bling.

I have to confess that with all those time consuming hobbies I have let the house slide more and more. But I found this awesome website that helps me break down cleaning and decluttering jobs into 15 minute increments. How wonderful is that? www.flylady.net I still have time to work on my hobbies and take care of the house in the evenings.