Happy Birthday to me...

Today's my birthday.  Don't tell anyone, but I turn 27 today.  Livi wants to take me to the movies to see TinTin.  Then we are going to come back to the house and watch movies and "chill out" lol.  Of course, I'll be eating some Baskin Robbin's ice cream cake.... my favorite. Chris got me one of LadyShuttleMaker's silver shuttles for my birthday and I am SOOO excited to get that in the mail.  I bought a silver chain so that I can wear it as a pendant if I want to.  :o)
Oh, I went to Hobby Lobby yesterday, and was delightfully excited to find a Lizbeth thread holder there.  Of course, I had to support their carrying it by buying one for myself... naturally, right?

I'm *hoping* to get some tatting done today because I've been super swamped with card making that I haven't been able to do any tatting and it makes me sad.  My cards are going to be super late to getting in the mail, but oh well.  Mom put a special "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year" insert in the cards; so, hopefully that'll make it okay that they will arrive after Christmas :o)

Hen and Chicks... scrapbook paper!

I have a problem.  When I get stressed, my first "remedy" is ALWAYS a stop to the craft store.  So, despite the fact that I don't actually have money to spend because I don't have a job, I just feel the need to go buy things to craft.  I always justify this practice with self promises to make something sell-able or gift-able.  I have a not so secret desire to start up an Etsy shop, just saying...

So, after taking two dreaded finals, Livi and I took a trip to Archiver's in Cordova (it's about a 30 minute drive). They have loads scrapbook paper and stamps.  I actually went looking for something for my dad.  I was making some earrings for Livi's teacher's the other day and he asked me what I was going to make him.  I went blank for a while.  I had no idea that he had any interest in something handmade from me.  I've thought of something wonderful though, but I'll wait to share just in case he comes across my blog.

But, while I was looking for "manly" paper, I found this sheet that had pretty lace flowers.  They look "crocheted" and then on the back was a pretty pink and white "lacey" kind of design.  I fell in love and bought it without "really" looking at it.
Then when we got out to the car, I decided to give my purchases another look-see, and this what I found:

It's so obviously Hens and Chicks.  

This made me love my purchase even more.  I may even go get some more.  Who knows?

But if you are interested in this paper for yourself, it's made by Cratepaper, part of the Emma's Shoppe Collection.  Let me tell ya... I'm in love with it. :o)

I also, unintentionally I might add, picked up my dad an item from the same collection.  I picked up a sheet of the crossword puzzle with the back side being wood-grain, I guess that's what you'd call it anyway.

Pulling an All-nighter....

I have 2 finals in the morning.  Back to back.  It would probably be a good idea to sleep tonight but since my little one has been sick all weekend, I didn't get much studying done.  Plus, it's torture to try to get to the campus in time to be in my seat at. 8 am when I don't stay up the night before.
So, you remember how I said in my last post that I had on done one skein/ hank of thread?  Well that wasn't completely truthful.  It was the only full skein. (over 50 yards) I did however do this small one (I don't know the exact length, but it is much smaller than the other.)  Anyway, I haven't had the heart to undo the other one.  It's so pretty and hanging on the wall right now.  I did however want to see all the colors were going to look worked up.  I think it's really pretty don't you?

And then I tore off like a 1.5" piece of cardboard and wrapped some thread around it before I started dyeing stuff and this what I produced:

I actually really like how it turned out.  It actually has a "tie dye" kind of look to it.  I felt like I was tatting dangerously lol As you can probably see, I didn't see any point of taking the thread off the cardboard to start tatting.  I think it will be very interesting to see if the shades get lighter as I progress through this sample.  Also, I didn't do a very good job at dyeing this evenly, so the top portion had more red which is why the first little medallion I did has more red speckles than the second.  I will definitely be trying this method more... maybe with just 2 colors instead of 3 though :o)

BTW These were all done with either DMC size 80 tatting thread OR some white vintage thread that I had bought off etsy.  

3 down and 3 to go

3 more finals and then my brain can focus on tatting.... and take a break from all the craziness!

I have been doing some painting, but I'm wiped out so I'm not going to post pictures of them yet.... especially since they aren't done yet. ( and when I say "they" I am referring to some wooden jewelry/ trinket boxes that I was decorating for yet another birthday party for one of Livi's friends)

I did however come up with this super cute idea tonight while thinking of teacher's gifts.  They are going to be earrings.  The design is actually Baiduri from Jon's Elegant Tatting gems, just not the whole round...

Both are size 40 Lizbeth Charcoal.  The one on the left I added antique  copper  Pearl Ex  to  Mod podge and then  painted the entire piece.  On the right, this one has only been painted with Mod Podge.

But I didn't stop there, because I plan on these being earrings, I not only painted them with mod podge, but added some of Jacquard's Pearl Ex pigment in with the mod podge before painting.  I've done two so that you can tell the difference.  I rather like the effect over all.  I makes it look really shiny (though you can't tell that it's shiny due to the scan :o(  ).  I would definitely not do it to just any piece of tatting.  But for this occasion, I think it looks nice.


Also... try not to drool too much.  And certainly don't get your hopes up too much, because I'm still working at it.  Just being able to do something once doesn't mean a whole lot.  But... here's my first real attempt at dyeing thread.  I've tried doing a little before with hot water dyes, but only very small batches and only messing around.
This however turned out beautifully.  I only did one though.  Really I just didn't have enough white thread to make another hank. Plus, the hanks are not exactly the easiest things to make. I don't think they are easy anyway.

Blog name change....

So I changed the name of my blog.  It's not a huge deal, but I didn't care for the other one.  Livi and I are big fans of the Pinkalicious series by Victoria and Elizabeth Kann. So that and the fact that it seems like you can put "ilicious" on the end of any word and make it super cute inspired the name "Tat-ilicious".

So, what do you think?

Freak Snowstorm

Nothing like a freak snow "storm" to get you in the mood for snowflakes! lol Memphis never gets snow ... at least not until like late February or early March-ish.  But it's snowing now.  I'm *hoping* it will delay my BioOrganic test in the morning. I should study anyhow though, just in case. :o(

So to celebrate this snowy occasion.... I finished Jon's Almas, this time in Azalea Medium (Lizbeth size 40) and also Jon's Baiduri in Blue Ice.

 I'm hoping the ADD will not get the best of me, and instead of jumping around in the book I can continue to do them in order and thanks to Jon, alphabetically :o) I've already started on #5 Cintamani.  My mom actually picked the colors for this next one.  I won't spoil the surprise, but it is turning out nicely. 

Boy-O! I've been busy...

So, I've been gone for about a week now... but this past week as pretty crazy.  Last Saturday we took Livi to see her pony "Ice Cream" again.  We had a special visitor.  His name is Buddy Bear.  Buddy Bear is the class bear that gets to visit each of the students in Livi's preschool class for one week.  During that week we had to take note of all the things we did with Buddy Bear.  Livi really enjoyed that.  So, we took Buddy Bear to meet Ice Cream :o)

**Update: That good looking man beside my baby is her daddy and my "one true love" aka Chris :o) ****

So, that was fun.  

Then, I had the honor or winning Anika's giveaway and received a wonderfully fun package as a result of that:

She was just absolutely mesmerized by the fact the shuttle could come apart.  Also included in the package as you can probally see was a wonderfully beautiful mix of threads.  And a little ring that fit Livi better than my stubby little fingers but since my baby is so darn cute, it works out perfectly :o)

So, Thank you Anika for the package, Livi and I loved it.

Here is a snowflake that I tatted with the pink and black thread of Anika's:

This is from Jon Yusoff's Elegant Tatting Gems Adan.

For the most part when I was tatting this I was in the house and couldn't really see the purple midtones on this thread and then went outside to finish tatting it while Livi was playing outside and just fell in love with it!

So, I slipped in a little subtle note there did you notice?  I purchased Jon's Elegant Tatting Gems.  I love it! It's wonderful! I'm *trying* to tat my way through it.  So I actually started with the first one:

Jon Yusoff's Adiratna

And I am now working on third "Almas" now BUT I made a crucial error on one of the points and while I am going to tat until the shuttles run out of thread, I don't know that I will add new thread to complete it.  I may just wind the shuttles with new thread and start over.  This decision is mostly a result of the fact that I just received 8 new balls of Lizbeth in the mail today.  They are all solid colors.  I am sure you will see them in due time. 

But here is my progress on Almas thus far:

And here are some other workings I've been holding on to:

These are both the 2nd of December by Bjorn.  The Black one is size 70 Star tatting thread.  I picked it and the mystery pink thread up on Etsy.  The pink one is not deformed by the way, it just hasn't been starched, or in any manipulated.  

Also, hopefully you've made it this far in this super long post.  I've lost all of my needles.  I hid the strings on the black star and put the needle on the top of my Diet Dr Pepper can (dumb I know) and then forgot that I put the needle there and threw the can away.  So, I'm actually not being lazy with hiding my ends... I just need to go to the store and get new needles.  (I actually have some needles but they are all the wrong size)

And here is the finished product of my 3rd day of December by Bjorn:

And here is Three Mountains by Karey Solomon in Lizbeth 40 Turquoise lt (color 662) (It's one of the new shades... isn't it pretty?)

Okay... I'm tired of updating now lol

My beginnings....

So I mentioned on my first post that I am a beginner.  I taught myself this past June.  Thanks to Jane Eborall's wonderful website mostly.  But it occurred to  me today that I have never shared some of my very very earliest of workings.... so here they are... please don't laugh to hard.... or do it's okay :o)

So this first picture is my very first butterfly and my first (and only come to think of it) "chain" of single colored split rings the butterfly was done in Lizbeth 20 Spring Garden and then split rings were just done in embroidery floss.

And then there's this huge thing and if you know the pattern and and author of the pattern could you enlighten me?  I had never though that I would actually share this piece so I didn't write down the source.  Also since I messed up with the center by adding a extra stitches... I just kept it that way for the whole middle flower.  It is not that way in the original pattern.  But anyway, I actually did this one with "braiding cord" I guess that's what you'd call it... that or hemp.  And this thing is slightly longer than the length of my forearm, which is 8 inches.. and this piece is 10 inches.  ( I took the time to measure both of these mid sentence.)

So I think I've improved don't you?

*** update... if you are wondering, at this point in my hobby I had not yet discovered clover shuttles(which I love) and while I had a susan bates shuttle I didn't care for it.  So I was using wooden clothespin exclusively for the huge bookmark and the single colored split rings.  I did however use the susan bates for the butterfly.

Well, I lied.

Yesterday (or was it the day before?) But anywho... I said I was working on a snowflake... but then as I was whiping around the 5th corner, I realized that I was running out of thread, so I made a star.  This works out because Livi wanted a star anyway. :o) I don't think she really understands the concept of a snowflake.  (We do live in the south, and she's only seen snow once or twice).

Lene Bjorn's 9th day of December (but with as a star instead of a snowflake) from 24 Snowflakes in Tatting

I really like how the star turned out.  I really like holding it up to the light and looking at the silhouette of it, but I'll have to figure how to capture that before I can post it :o)

Moving forward:

So, I loved the Ninth of December so much, that I just had to try another snowflake.  However I am in the last lap (as they say) of the semester, so I don't get to tat everything I like as it takes away from crucial studying time, but I did start the Third of December: I'm going to do the outside row in Lizbeth 684 (Leaf Green I think... not the light, I guess it's medium) But this part is in Lizbeth size 20 Victorian Red:

And I tatted this actually a few weeks ago, but never got around to posting it.  Prob because it took me working on it off and on for a few weeks and then I lost the piece and the two shuttles I was working on it with for like a week. But anyway, it's the MK Glass mat.  Lizbeth size 80 Pink Cocoa.  As you may notice, I didn't go by the pattern verbatim and I actually did not forget to attach the last middle ring, I actually was just not paying attention and attached originally to the wrong ring and just cut it.  I may go back and sew this together.  Also, this is scanned on index cards because I felt bad that I hadn't hid the ends on this piece even though it's been done now for so long.  So, I just draped the loose ends between two index cards and scanned.  Pretty sneaky huh?  ;o)

Snowflakes... no pics yet...

Well, tomorrow I have to identify an unknown sample of bacteria, which means that today I have to put together my "cheat sheet" with all the different tests to perform (Gram, acid fast, and a whole host of other things... citrate, oxidase.... blah blah blah, right?)
BUT yesterday... I got the 24 Snowflakes by Bjorn. Since they all looked so wonderful, I handed the book to Livi and told her to pick out which one I would do first.  She picked the ninth.... I looked at it.  Looked back and her and with a very unsure tone said, "Um, are you sure?" So, when I take a break from studying, I'm working on that :o) She calls it the up and down one :o) So, whenever I get that done I'll have a picture.  I'm doing it in size 40 Confetti and it looks pretty cool so far. I've just never done the "block" tatting. That is what it is called, right?

I call it "The Livi Leaf"....

Livi: because that's my baby's name (well, her name is Olivia, but I call her Livi)
Leaf: because that's what it looks like.

I did this one in Lizbeth size 20 Seagreen (dk I think).

Here's the pattern:  

Do you think method of diagram is easy to understand?  I distorted it a little, but only because I thought it might be easier to read the numbers that way. I know I can't hardly understand written out patterns, but I love diagrams, and I have a drawing program, but it would be a hassle at this time and place to get to (hook up my other computer, blah, blah, blah...)

Anyway, tell me if you try it. Especially if you like it, but even if you don't I would love suggestions!

update:*** I've just noticed that distorted it looks a lot like the maple leaf pattern.  So, I felt the need to add that I was inspired by the Maple Leaf that Tammy Rodgers diagrammed, but I was trying to go for something a little more narrow... so that I can put two of them together maybe coupled with red beads... like mistletoe maybe??****

Awww.... how cute...

So I've been looking for the Tammy Rodger's Maple leaf pattern/ diagram for awhile and every time I would just find a bunch of dead links. So, when I found it today I made sure to print it out :o)

So, here it is.... I left out all the non joining picots... it's size 80 Pink Cocoa.  It's so cute... and measures in at ~1 in X 2in.... so it's super tiny...

I don't really like what I did with the tail.... but other than that little bit I just think it's darling!

Decorated Shuttles....

So, I took a stab at decorating a couple of my shuttles.  Which turned out to be a good project when I was studying since there's so much waiting between coats.
What do you think?
The one with Cameron Diaz's eye (from a magazine) is a Sewmate
The clover I started with a metallic sapphire on which I topped with  a sheet of pink tissue.  Then covered it with the fingernail polish that I got Livi and myself that just a purple and blue glitter and is called "frenzy"
On the bottom side, I took covered it with part of a mascara add from another magazine. (And topped with Frenzy)
I like them, but the pictures don't do them justice.  They are very shiny and also, there is isn't that odd yellow spot on the mascara ad one.  I think that's just from the scanner not liking to be propped open... it'll just have to get over it though.

Also, I want to add something to the eye one... But, I don't want to overdo it.... Any suggestions?

:o)

So I tatted this adorable little bracelet for Livi to give to one of her friends for her birthday.  Unfortunately, I decided to do it at the very last minute and didn't get a chance to take a picture of it.  It makes me sad. BUT Livi says she wants one too but instead of in Yellow like her friend's she wants one in Rainbow. :o) Also, just about everyday she asks me when I'm going to teach her how to tat. It's so cute!! She's four, so she lacks a lot of the skills necessary to actually learn it, but I have sat her down with one of those friendship braiding wheels so she could make a braided bracelet with yarn or embroidery floss, she's likes that :o)  Any time she gets a hold of one my shuttles, or a pair, she likes to twirl them above her head likes she going to rope something. Did I mention that she's a little cowgirl.  She has cowgirl boots and a cowgirl hat.  Her Papaw even has a farm with horses and she's been horseback riding ever since she was like a year old.  She even has an actual pony.  How many four years old do you know that actually have a pony? :o) (It's name is Ice Cream)

Livi on Ice Cream

So, once I get Livi's bracelet made, I'll have pics related to tatting.  :o)

Yes U can update

Alright, the flower row is finished now....(Except that one last set of threads to hide)

Well I made the bare-threads on the last row a little long,   but since it was first bare thread  attempt I'm not going to beat my self up over it. :o)

Yes U Can Update plus some design ideas...

Since I don't have any test to obsess over right now, I got some tatting done.  So here is a not so good scan of my progress on the "Yes U Can" doily:

So, as you can probably see, I have only a couple more flowers to do. I have already done the other rainbow taffy flower, I just need to do the 2 remaining yellow flowers.  I will probably finish this before I go to bed.  I'm please with it.  I say that this is not a good scan because it slid a bit when I closed the lid on the scanner and it distorted it a little. 

My mom has "hired" me sweetly so tat some ornaments for the Christmas cards she is going to send out this year.  This has inspired me to design something new.  Here are some of the ideas that I've been kind of playing with:

I messed up on the bow, which is why I kind of scratched one of them out.  Also, I wasn't too impressed with the top corner design, which is why it looks like the one below it.  I like the idea of the others... I just need to sit down and figure out what stitch counts will work I guess.  BUT, what do y'all think so far? 

distraction generator #2

Having ADD is obviously not enough to distract me from my huge BioOrganic test in the morning. lol Add a four year and it's a wonder I get anything done.... but sometimes Livi is distracted by my parents or my brother who came in town for a couple of days.  I was a little excited... thinking: I might actually get some studying done! Then comes in my number 2 distraction (or "distract-er" I guess).  Layla.... (the cat) feels the need to be in my face and prefers to sit on my books whenever I've stolen a moment away from the little one to study.  It's so cute but somewhat frustrating.... but I stole a picture of her... and it didn't turn out half bad.... (If I had an actual camera rather than a webcam she would have been running lol) She's a strange cat... but I'll have to tell her tale another day :o)

Layla. suspects something at this point lol and that's my shoulder and part of my face lol  In case you are concerned... I have a neck. I just shot the picture over the shoulder because that was the only way I could get a picture of Layla's face lol. 

And another note before I hit the books again... I do like the Eric Clapton song. BUT I adopted her from the local animal shelter in 2005 (she had been waiting for someone to adopt her for about 6 months, poor thing, but also lucky that it's a no kill shelter) and I didn't see any reason to change the name they had already given her, so in short... I didn't name her.

Yes I can!!

So, not that I actually think anyone has just been sitting on the edge of their seats to see this but...  here is overdue update on my Yes U can doily:

Over all... I really like it. It was a little difficult to sew in the ends but I managed, and it feels pretty stable, so that's good.  I really like the colors.  I don't know why but I've been craving yellows. Maybe it's the fall season?

And this tiny thing I managed to tat while waiting at the doctor's office today.  It's Lizbeth size 80 Grape Splash.  It's SOO cute! Oh, and if you don't recognize it, it's Dress Trim by Mary Konior.

I really LOVE the Mary Konior book and all the patterns in it... but I'm looking forward to trying out new books in the future.  That's what I'm asking Santa for this year :o) especially since he's already been asking what I want. Any suggestions??

a little insight to my life

I've been studying just about all day. I'm tired, but really need to study some more... but for right now... we are getting ready for bed.  Livi and I share a room.  It's really not that bad.  Once Chris and I finally tie the knot and get our own place, she'll finally get her own room and I'll miss her. lol But back to right now... we are getting ready for bed, which entails, her singing a "Happy Birthday Jesus" song at the top of her lungs while I give up on my studying until after she's fallen asleep... but as long as she's singing... spending some free time online.... except now... I think she's writing on my books.... so goodnight!

Yes U Can update... somewhat

I have not abandoned my Yes U can doily, but I did just realize that I didn't do a "complete" bare thread row. And because I didn't do a complete one, I can do half of the next row with out attaching it to the previous row, if that makes any sense.  So I decided to try out one of the flower motifs.... but it looks so tiny, but maybe that's just because I'm only seeing one of them....

I added the whole ball for a reference on size, does it look right?
Also, does anyone else leave their balls in the bags or is that just me? I like it better that way... big chunks of thread don't come off and get tangled this way.
Also, I've just realized that I haven't shown a picture of  the bare thread row which is complete now, but I don't have time to scan it right now.... its back to studying for me :o)

UPDATE: lol I just realized that I made an error while making one of the last joins. I was wondering why it looked somewhat lopsided.  Still cute mind you :o) but... Go figure.

Some fall break...

I'm being tested tomorrow on my knowledge of acetylcholine (along with nicotinic receptors and muscarinic receptors), epinephrine, norepinephrine, isoproterenol, and dopamine, and opiods, and CNS depressants and stimulants.... Pharamacology sounds fun doesn't it? I got a whole list of other fancy words I need to study for my microbiology lab midterm tomorrow too.... And blow me down and call me shorty... by golly I got me a BioOrganic test on Thursday.  It must be my lucky week :o) That lovely test will be on Nucleic Acids... woohoo!

But even with all the studying, I did manage to tat this lovely thing this weekend.  It's 2 pieces of the pattern Flower Patch by Mary Konior, in Lizbeth size 40 Mountain Breeze.  I want to do at least 2 more and make it a bookmark... but I may do a mat of it... who knows?

Hair Clips

So, I mentioned these the other day, well... one of them anyways.  I liked it so much that I did another one but with a different pattern.  The Zebra one with the greenish button is the pattern that I blogged about on my last post.  But the confetti colored one is the Mary Konior Rosette that was on one of her patterns. I can't remember the name though. Until I get an actual camera, I can only show scans. Scans are nice and all but for something like a hair clip, being able to see the actual three dimensional shape is also nice.
Livi wore the Zebra one to school today and I wore the confetti one today. We both got compliments :o)
Also, the hair clips have 3 holes in them so I just sewed the tatting onto the hair clip via those holes. :o)  My mom thinks I should also glue them on the back just to be sure, but I'm a little apprehensive to do so just because I don't want the glue to ruin (discolor) my tatting in the long run.

little circular flower thing :o)

Well, for the 5th Tuesday in a row, I'll have another test tomorrow morning.  Really, I'm not complaining, because I have 3 Tuesday Thursday classes and it would be WAY more stressful to have 3 tests on one day, but luckily they have been spaced out.  So I haven't had much time to do anything elaborate (like work on the Yes U Can Doily) BUT I did manage this little cute flower circle thing. I was going for a Jack and Jill type thing but once I missed a join, I just kept going to see what would happen with it. I did another in Zebra and attached it to a barrette which turned out super cute.  I'll post a picture of it tomorrow. But here's one in Lizbeth size 40 Rainbow Taffy!  If you would like to do this as well, all the rings are the same size in a 3:1:1:3 ratio, with 3 rings on the outside to every one on the inside.  :o) also, 2 sets of the inner rings are joined by two picots.

Here are a couple of examples of my Sharpie works...  They are only pics taken with my webcam... but that's alright.

Here's my "Yes U Can"  doily update

So, I started out just doing a "one shuttle bare thread rings row"... but ( and this is actually kind of silly) I was about 4 rings (8 when you consider there's one on top and one on bottom) short of being done and decided I did not like it so I cut it off because I thought  of a better idea. What do you think?  I'm using three different colors, all size 40 Lizbeth, but I'm using Blue Ice, Lemon, and Rainbow Taffy. I think after I go around like this, I will either go back around doing the three alternating sets OR I'll just do one in what would be the center. I really like it so far. I'm also planning to do the flowers in the next row with  these colors, but I may leave off the Blue Ice for one row. 

Just for records sake, I didn't like how I had it before the cut because I made the bare threads too long and none of them were the same size as any other. Then I watched a you tube video about using a post it note to judge the length of the bare threads.... which I really and truly think is genius! But of course, when I started this row, I didn't have a post it.... so I'm using a folded up gum wrapper. lol

Quick Note...

Well, if I weren't staying up to utilize my Livi's asleep time to work on my Genetics problem set that's due in less that 12 hours, I would totally tell you all about the book I got in the mail today that I am totally in love with already.  Just a little book called Tatting With Visual Patterns by Mary Konior.  ;o)

Yes U can update...

I was just about to start on the next row of this challenge and suddenly remembered that I hadn't scanned my progress so far... so here is my version thus far:

I've decided to use Lizbeth size 40 Blue Ice or color number 163 :o) and it's sitting on a navy blue leather bible, but on my screen the bible looks kind of green.

My baby girl is just too cute

So I'll post a little later on today about my tatting updates, but i was just looking at my baby girl's school pictures and just had to blog about it. lol She is such a cutie! She is so delightful too. I tell people she's borderline angelic :o)  So... here's is my Livi (Olivia):

And I feel bad about putting the proof copies... just because copyright laws are so insane these days, but I've also added their information, so maybe that makes it better in some ways. But isn't she adorable?