I was going to use slightly more sedate shades of pink to go with the purples, but somehow they got away from me. Actually, I like this color combo a lot, and they look surprisingly good next to the sober navy of the vase, as you will see next time.
From left to right, the colors are Lizbeth 162 Purple Iris Fusion; 157 Raspberry Frappe; 631 Country Purple Light with Krystledawne's "Twilight Grape" HDT; 618 Magenta Dark with 623 Pink Raspberry Light; and 165 Grape Splash.
All that remains is to tat the stems and join them to the vase. The pattern actually calls for the stems to be tatted continuously with their respective flowers, but of course that only works if you're tatting in monochrome. When using different thread colors, you obviously have to cut them off to switch to green.
I have to admit, when I saw the piece in plain ecru in the book, I did not care for the two flowers on the right. I thought the block-tatted bud looked too chunky, and the one next to it looked too spiky. Seeing them in colors, I have changed my mind. A variegated thread gives the block tatting some depth, while two bright, solid colors make the spiky flower look bold and cheerful. But if I tat this pattern again in monochrome (which I think I will), I will replace these two flowers with something different.
Today is the first day of Sherry's TIAS (pattern here, everyone's photos here).
So far, this one also looks rather floral. I see a pollinating insect (the small split ring) approaching a flower (the larger ring). All those long picots look like petals and wings to me. Of course, it's only day 1, so this is not a real guess yet, just practicing seeing pictures when I don't actually know what I'm looking at.
Sherry did say that any color of thread would do, solid or variegated, so I went with this colorful Manuela thread. I hope it won't be too much! It's a fun colorway, but its usefulness is limited, so I thought I might as well try it when I don't know what I'm tatting anyway. In fact, I had completely forgotten I had this thread till Carollyn used it recently. The label with the color number is long gone, but I suppose it's moot anyway since you can no longer buy it. It's been a long time since I tatted with Manuela, and I had forgotten how nice it is. I do wish it were still being made!
Your flowers are wonderful!!! :)
ReplyDeletehey those flowers are great! and you brought that pattern to life I never even looked that closely at the flowers till now! And may I complement your eye on knowing your threads! you could be on a tatting game show :) cant wait to see what delicate thing appears next for the Manuela, it did have a good slide to it! :(
ReplyDeleteMost of the time, I'm pretty good about saving the labels. It's important to me to know what the colors/ brands are, in case I ever want to buy them again. And I like to give that info on the blog too, in case somebody else sees a color they like and want to get for themselves.
DeleteOh my goodness! I love the flowers!
ReplyDeleteAnd the thread you chose for the TIAS is lovely!
I was drawn to the right most flower bud in the pattern but after looking at yours, love the one in the middle. Great colours! It is going to be a beautiful vase of flowers.
ReplyDeleteThe flowers look wonderful in colour.
ReplyDeleteLike you I did not like the bud, Although Wendy and I have done the first vase of flowers we have not attempted the second one in the book, having said that she might have, your flowers look great in those colours, and I am looking forward to seeing it when you have finished it.
ReplyDeleteMargaret