Harlequin in progress

Where did this motif come from? 

Actually, it's a small design element that I had used in my "Nexus of Joy" necklace, which I was very surprised to find that when repeated, it fit together to form a harlequin diamond shape! So what to do with this? Well, I don't know! But, now that I've gotten past the "all those ends to hide" annoyance, I quite like it and will probably add more in different colors to find out what happens.

Yes, I bought a physical copy of the magazine just to admire my work in print! Well, as a friend told me, "We are at the age where the warranty expires!" so I'm just going to keep going while everything still works, and do it with joy!  :-) 

 To learn more: https://www.artistonish.com/may2025?AW=AW127248630

To read the magazine online: https://www.artistonish.com/may2025

My artwork 'Nexus of Joy' is now published at Artistonish

 

To learn more, please go to:

https://www.artistonish.com/may2025?AW=AW127248630

Read the magazine via the below link:

https://www.artistonish.com/may2025

Giving gentle protest vibes in tatted lace letters

 

"Tax the rich" spelled out in colorful lace lettering on a canvas bag.

For the words "tax the" I used Lizbeth size 10 thread and some of my own hand dyed. 

For the word "rich" I combined Liz gold metallic with a size 40 thread in a similar gold color, since the Liz metallic alone is a little thinner than size 10. I don't often use 2 threads as one, but this combo worked up really well. 

The alphabet pattern is "Funny Alphabet" purchased from FairyLaceAndMore on Etsy. 

After all the letters were tatted and arrangement decided, I painted a thick coat of glue on the back of each letter and pressed it firmly into place on the canvas. The glue I used is called "Aleene's Fabric Fusion" and is described as being permanent and washable. 

I've only just finished and haven't had the bag out in windy weather yet, but so far the letters seem to be stuck on quite well. I was thinking of sewing a few stitches for extra security, but hoping that won't be needed.

I tried my hand at needle lace

 

"Crocus" by Marilee Rockley

The best I can say about it is that the design is original, from a drawing I did of a crocus flower blooming in the snow. I experimented with a few needle lace fillings learned from tutorials posted by Maggie Hensel-Brown - but me being a newbie I just threw them in haphazardly, focusing mainly on the colors. I used size 20 Lizbeth threads, with the shaded green being my own hand dyed.

The idea of finishing with a wooden branch was inspired by the work of  Ágnes Herczeg. I found a fallen twig in my backyard, then cleaned and finished it by following tutorials on YouTube.

It was a good learning experience, and kept my mind distracted from worry. It was very time-consuming so I doubt that I'll do any more of this type of lacemaking, but now I have a better appreciation of it! 

I took only a few in-progress photos, but here they are:

Fun at Finger Lakes Tatting Conference

 

That's me doing a book signing and feeling like a celebrity☺. In my hair is a colorful tatted lace flower. Hand dyed thread is nearby and more tables for classes are partially visible in the background. 

Variations of the pattern project for the class that I taught, "Burst of Joy".

Some needle tatters were in my class and their work was very impressive, as shown here. I learned some new techniques, too!

Plenty of yummy food each day! This photo only shows some of the desserts.

Each teacher received a gift of a personalized stick shuttle.

Here's one of the commemorative Finger Lakes Tatting 25th anniversary shuttles available from "Shuttle By Design".

Some of the really amazing tatted lace items on display!

A trip to the Finger Lakes region is not complete without visiting some of the beautiful waterfalls!

Almost Celtic, sort of

 

I couldn't find my shamrock, so I wore this - and received a compliment! This is one of my free patterns called "Vision Necklace" which you can find on my free patterns page here: https://yarnplayertats.blogspot.com/p/my-free-patterns.html

You'll find shamrock patterns there, too!

An Irish Blessing ♥

May the road rise up to meet you.

May the wind be always at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face;

the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,

may God hold you in the palm of His hand.