"But, really, why does anyone create? You feel a... a restlessness inside, a need to make something new, something no one has ever seen before. You want to add to the beauty and the richness of the world with a gift, an offering that is uniquely yours. It's an act of selfishness and generosity, all rolled into one."

-- Bruce Coville,
The Last Hunt

Saturday, July 13, 2013

Resurrecting My Blog

I don't know if anyone is even still looking at this blog, it's been so long since I've posted. I simply haven't had the tatting bug lately, and have been more focused on my harp music. Sadly, I only seem to have time for one or two creative pursuits at once, so I have rotate them. I have a feeling tatting will be making an upsurge in my life for a while, so hopefully I'll get back into more regular blog posts.

Several months ago, I started a bookmark and then set it aside. I had been planning to keep it for myself. Now I have a friend in severe need of a pick-me-up, so I have finished the bookmark and will give it to her along with a good book.





This is "Flowering Quatrain", designed by Joelle Paulson. The beautiful HDT is Tatilicious's "Grackle Mess" in size 20. For the tail, I simply substituted a small SR for the final JK on the main body of the bookmark, then made a lock-stitch chain and finished it off with a motif just like the corners of the bookmark.

Anyone who has been reading my blog for a while will know that I love blues, greens, and purples, so of course I had to have this colorway as soon as Jess posted it. Her "messy" dyeing technique results (at least in this case) in fairly short color changes, making it ideal for a small piece like a bookmark. I think that Jon's "Chinese Coin" bookmark would also look incredible in this colorway, and I'll probably do that sometime soon.

A secondary motivation for getting this bookmark done was to empty the shuttles for a new project. My parents have spent the last couple of years upgrading and redecorating my grandparents' former house for use as a vacation getaway. It's just about done, but a few months ago my mom requested some small tatted motifs for framing, and I haven't done them yet. Well, I'm going to be seeing my parents in a couple of weeks, so it's time to get on it. The shuttles are now ready, the patterns and threads selected, and I have started the first of the motifs. Since there's no surprise about it, I will be posting these motifs as I finish them, so I will see you soon.

13 comments:

  1. Yessss! You are back, my tatting friend!

    Would you believe I was all set to send you an email yesterday, but the day got away on me and I forgot about it. And then, here you are!

    Lovely Flowering Quatrain bookmark - a great entrance back to Tat-Land.
    Fox : ))

    p.s. Mr G is most anxious to see news of Squijum...

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  2. Welcome back! Your quatrain is lovely and beautifully finished.

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  3. Lovely bookmark! Thanks so much for sharing the pattern!

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  4. Good to see you back! Happy tatting.

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  5. Welcome back, the bookmark is beautiful! :) I've been looking for a bookmark to make for a departing colleague, and yours has inspired me to give this one a shot!

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  6. I jumped right over here as soon as I saw your update! I also am not tatting or blogging as much as I would like, due to other distractions, but love to keep up with everyone's projects. I'm glad you finished Frivole's bookmark - wonderful design and colors, and the tassel is just right. I'm sure othe recipient will appreciate it. Your blog is a treasure trove of beautiful tatting, and I enjoy reading your posts. I, too, am curio
    us about Squijum!

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  7. It's nice to see you posting again. I also don't tat or blog as often as I'd like, so I totally understand. Love the bookmark. Can't wait to see what else you create.

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  8. Your bookmark is gorgeous!!! :)
    Can't wait to see the new projects!! :)

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  9. Very very pretty bookmark...lovely to see you back as well :-)

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  10. Your blog is still in my reading list of Treasured Tatters on my blog, so when ever you post, it pops up.
    Nice to see you again. I so enjoyed your harp music that you posted, and I do enjoy your tatting.
    That is a pretty bookmark, and I like Jess's Grackle too.

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  11. I understand the need for focusing on one interest at a time! It's good to see a post from you again!

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  12. Śliczna zakładka :) Pozdrawiam

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  13. I find tatting is like a perennials they will come back again and the harp sounds like a wonderful sidetracking pursuit I just started a tatting blog if you got the time check it out the name is "Carollyn's tatting blog" by madtatter80 let me know what you think?

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