They won't go there yet, however. Not until I can come up with a finished version of the pattern that I like. I think I have enough of an idea to create a square, but the cross still eludes me. I'm trying to come up with a way to connect the bottom portion to the top while maintaining the flow of the pattern. For now, the scraps have been set aside, in a bag that recently held chocolate coins.
After getting caught in a loop of designing and redesigning, I decided to take a break from the cross to clear my mind. I meant to do more carefree tatting with a snowflake pattern I had drafted a few weeks ago.
As usual, I found my mind wandering, thinking of all the alterations I could make to the snowflake. This caused me to incorrectly join a ring, and as I tried to open the ring with a pair of tweezers, the thread broke! Apparently tweezers are a hazard to thread!
Of course I could not alter just one snowflake. The lavender snowflake was also adjusted, from two rounds to one. (On the left side are the originals, and on the right side are the alterations).
My mind is still spinning with ideas of other options and designs.
On another note, I spotted a butterfly drinking nectar while hiking around Prince William Forest Park. The photo came out surprisingly well for being taken with my phone:
Your new creations, the cross and the snowflakes, are coming along nicely. I like them all :-) The butterfly came out wonderfully!
ReplyDeleteLovely photo of the butterfly. I was given a tip of using a small pair of scissors to open a ring, which sounds similar to your tweezers, but the first time I tried it the thread broke, so I wasn't converted! Good luck with the cross.
ReplyDeleteHmmm, that's sounds more dangerous than the tweezers! I think I would have had more luck if my ring had a picot in it to start the opening process. Or maybe I need a duller pair of tweezers.
DeleteLove the design of the cross and your snowflakes :). Looking forward to when they are available :). Gorgeous photo of the butterfly :).
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jenn. I'm going to put the snowflakes into a bundle for my shop. Just need to design one more and there will be 5 (plus bonus variations). Hoping it won't take me too long!
DeleteIt's interesting to see that you have such a large "scrap" collection! My grandchildren raid my scraps when the come to visit. When I visit them, they very proudly un-wad their collections of lace... yes, they wad them up in balls... sigh!
ReplyDeleteI use tweezers to open rings all the time, but first I loosen the last stitch or two with a tapestry needle. I guess we all have methods that work for us.
I'm feeling the urge to tat snowflakes again!
Tweezers worked well for me in the past (in fact they were the ONLY way I ever successfully opened a ring). I must have been using a sharper pair this time. It probably didn't help that I had no picots in the ring I was trying to open.
DeleteI'm trying to imagine your grandchildren wadding the tatting up into balls, and your reaction the first time you saw what they had done with your tatting :)
Pray enlighten me Robin, Which of the pieces you consider "scrap" ?!!! If those are scraps, please refrain from peering into my stash of "good-to-publish" tatting ;-P
ReplyDeleteSeriously, I don't see Anything wrong with any of your tatting pictured above :-) Don't play with my Tattered nerves ;-P
Gorgeous nature photography , too !
LOL muskaan, you do have a way with words! You have caught me...I am VERY hard on myself (not so much with others). I was actually embarrassed to post the work in progress for the cross without a finished product. That's why the photo is taken on a diagonal (where I felt it looked more presentable). Hahaha :)
DeleteI was going to start the same way as muskaan, but she beat me to it, so I will say if those are scarp good job you don't see mine.
ReplyDeleteYour butterfly picture is really brilliant and captured just at the right moment.
I am looking forward to seeing your new snowflake and cross.
Margaret
You and muskaan make me giggle :)
DeleteYour squares and crosses are all awesome!!! :) I wouldn't call those scraps!! :)
ReplyDeleteAnd you snowflakes look wonderful!!! :)
Thank you!
DeleteI would not call them scraps either! they are beautiful and I would use them to decorate beautiful book covers, if you feel there are parts imperfect cover them with silk flowers and beads. Love you nature pics too and as always a wonderful post!
ReplyDelete