The "stained glass" effect

This is one unfinished example of what I've been working on this week.

I like the "stained glass" effect that comes from combining a bright multicolored thread (my own HDT "Roses" in this case) with black outlines. I'm attempting a series of variations on the same basic pattern, my own original "Wondrous Window", which I plan to submit as a collection to a magazine for consideration. Shown here is the space-filling effect from adding beads over crossed picots - my first time trying this technique. I was inspired to try it from seeing this technique used to perfection in tatted jewelry by Iris.

I have some skeins wound, and will be dyeing a batch of greens shortly.

What Bina did with my "Duchess" pattern

Presented here with Bina's permission, these are two of her creative interpretations of my "Duchess" design (a pattern available in my "Boutique Tatting" book).

Here is what Bina has to say about them:

"Both show how I changed the finding attachment method to the one Nina uses in her Beanile work with the sandwiched rings. Also the segment bridging the second layer using the spiral tatting including the beads, uses 40 size 11 beads per side regardless if they are regular or hex beads. In the mulberry one, I substituted clunys for the victorian sets going in and out of the first round of petals with the large bead between."

I think they're both incredible! I'm so thrilled to know that people can be inspired by my little seeds of ideas to come up with their own fantastic creations. Keep going!

"Roses" and frogs

The thread used in these frog closures is size 20 Lizbeth in black from Handy Hands. The design is my own original, and may break a couple of tatting "rules" because at some areas I am joining into 2 picots at once, and there are chains on top in a 3-D effect, but personally I am very pleased with how these are turning out. They are a custom order I'm making for a lady who says she is going to use them on a blouse.

I've dyed yet another batch of "Roses" threads BUT - this batch turned out a little different - the dark red didn't get as dark as in my previous batches. Since I'm an individual artist painting threads entirely by hand, the amounts are small, the colors are unique, and the dye batches do vary! Just so you know, in case you are completing a project started with a previous batch.

I dyed a few solid color skeins with that red, which leans toward the rust, or scarlet side. It's a very difficult color to capture with the camera, so I've put a bright red Lego brick in the photo for reference.

Acorns and pansies

I feel very honored to have received this Renee "acorn" award from TattingChic. It's really nice that this award has no rules about passing it on, since there are so many deserving bloggers that I wouldn't know where to start.

This award originated with Bella Sinclair, and here's what Bella has to say about it:

"This one is meaningful to me in three profound ways. Firstly, it was created in honor of Renee, one human being who has made such a difference in the lives of many just by being. Her honestly, wit, intelligence, and grit are a tremendous source of inspiration. She can elicit raucous laughter and guffaws in her banter, and then turn right around and offer the most heartfelt, gentle words of wisdom and emotional support. She is a spreader of love, simple and true. And her love is infectious.

Secondly, this award was created in collaboration with one of my best friends, Ces. She is, in Renee's own words, truly original. She is an incredible artist, both in pen and ink and paint. She is fiery passion with a gentle hand. She is laughter, fun, joy, intellectual stimulation, a sister. The concept and design of the award belong to Ces.

Thirdly, this is a brand new award, and I have the pleasure and honor of spreading the seed, watching it grow. I hope it finds its way to those who are like Renee: the acorn, a small package becoming a tall and sturdy oak giving more acorns, becoming tall and sturdy oaks, giving acorns…"
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Yet another honor: my "Purple Pansy" HDT was chosen as part of an exquisite
Etsy Treasury put together by meekssandygirl. Just look at all the beautiful Pansies!

Zigzag split chain

Not that anybody would ever want to do this, but...

...I think I have solved the mystery of how to produce Victorian Sets (also known as rickrack or zigzag tatting) in a shuttle tatted split chain.

It is recommended that you master the normal split chain technique before trying this variation. Beginners to tatting take note - this is just my fanatical messing around and not normal tatting, LOL.

Ok, here we go:

Anchor the shuttle thread just like a normal split chain. Since I like to work a split chain from left to right, I then turn the work like turning the page of a book.

Make the first half of a double stitch, using the usual split chain technique.


Ok, here's the trick! Roll the chain over, away from you (clockwise).

Repeat as desired. The chain will get extra twist put in from all those rotations in the same direction, but when doing the second half that extra twist will come out because the rotations will be the opposite way.
To get the thread in position for repeating the second half, roll the chain in the opposite direction from what you did to repeat the first halves. So now you'll be rolling the chain toward yourself (counterclockwise) to get the thread into the necessary position.

Split chain problem

The tangled mess in the photo is an attempt to do a split chain of "Victorian Sets" (1st half of a double stitch repeated a # of times, followed by the 2nd half repeated a # of times, completing one set).

This is not a tutorial. I haven't a clue how it could be done in a split chain, even though I can make a normal split chain.

I am working the split chain in the red thread from left to right. I had to roll the whole thing to get the thread in positon to keep repeating the 1st half. Managed 3 1st halves, but now the thread is wrapped around the core several times from that, and how to coax 2nd halves from that tangled mess? I'm thinking it can't be done. Anybody know how?

Purple Pansy, Blue Pansy

The "Purple Pansy" has only shaded purple with yellow, no blue.

The "Blue Pansy" has the same blues from my "Morning Glory" batch with some yellow added. These blues are brighter than the "Soft Blues" batch I did recently.

I've had several requests for solids to go with the multi-colored threads. I"ll definitely try to get more solids made. The trouble I run into is I can only dye a limited amount of thread at a time, so I have more ideas than time to do them all, LOL. Anyway, the limited availability is part of what makes HDT just more special, I think.

April has arrived!

LOL! Mr. Snowman won't last long!

It's wonderful to see things growing again.






I was "stuck" on what to do next with this doily design, sampling, cutting out, and sampling again, but I may get it to work yet.


I'll be dyeing some more thread in the "Pansy" series - "Purple Pansy" and "Blue Pansy" now, which will be different from the "Soft Pansy" I did last week. There can never be too many pansies, LOL!