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.

Hearts and Countdown to Spring

 

My first try at the "Strong Ukraine" heart pattern designed by FairyLaceAndMore. It's a very clever pattern! I enjoyed the challenge, and was happily surprised to discover a matching blue crystal in my stash.☺ 

New batch of "Thistle" hand dyed thread.

This picture got a lot of views on social media a couple weeks ago. The thread is hand dyed "Tourmaline", the pattern is my own "Heart Aglow", and the steam engine is from a board game box.

Crocuses are beginning to emerge from the cold ground here in my corner of Wisconsin. A welcome sign of spring!

This Lego set is for building a model of a Saturn V rocket. It actually belongs to one of my kids (who's not a kid anymore) so it's been sitting around several years. I got it out as sort of a calming pastime to keep my mind off of worrying about things I really can't do much to change.