After I made this, it occurred to me that this sort of thing doesn't have to be confined to Christmas. You could just as easily put spring, summer, autumn, or other holiday scenes on satin balls. Then if you had an attractive "something" (I'm not exactly sure what, it would probably end up being a random find) to hang them from, you could create an attractive year-round display that changes every few months. After I get the current WIP done (and I WILL!), I might start working on this.
A couple of days ago, another cardinal flew into my inbox.
This one was tatted by Beelizabeth. It's always gratifying to see that other people can follow my instructions-- and that they want to! Based on Beelizabeth's feedback, I have, I hope, clarified the directions for the beak a bit. That's the only really fiddly part, as it combines the techniques of dimpled ring and downward-facing picot, and then that picot gets twisted and the thread tails passed through it. After that, it's all straightforward rings and chains. Thank you, Beelizabeth!
I LOVE this pattern! Beelizabeth did a great job!
ReplyDeleteI've been obsessed with the pattern since I received it! So far I've tatted two cardinals - one was a practice run, not caring about front-side back-side, but I didn't do the wing correctly (MY fault!). However, the second one is 'almost' perfect, except inexplicably, I made mistakes on the stitch counts in the body rings - the easiest part!! So I'm hoping the third cardinal is 'a charm'!
As I tatted it, I kept thinking - "So cool! How did she ever think of this?"
As to the ball ornament, indeed it can have a year-round background. But you don't have to have something to hang it from. I often use egg holders to display my ball ornaments (the goose-egg holders would be best, for stability). Many years ago the craft stores had a larger imitation brass plastic 'ring' (about an 1-1/2" high that flared out at the bottom (no legs) - like a snow-globe base. Unfortunately a quick browse of the internet isn't showing them. I'll keep looking.
Just wanted you to know I LOVE this pattern!! Thanks so much for sharing it with us!
That is so great! :)
ReplyDeleteI really think I should make this since it's our state bird. Okay... another addition to the to-do list!
ReplyDeleteKathy, the body might not be the easiest part, simply because the ring size does change! It wouldn't be a tragedy if you made all the rings the same size, though. You would just end up with a circle instead of an oval, resulting in a slightly more well-fed looking bird.
ReplyDeleteDiane, I'll send you the pattern, just because I like being an enabler!