Free Pattern! "Flat Carnation"

 This happy little flower showed itself when I was experimenting with daisy picots and folded rings. The downloadable pattern is here: https://www.keepandshare.com/doc/8251628/flat-carnation-pdf-567k?da=y 

 My video demonstration is posted on YouTube: https://youtu.be/PyVJKPP2Lwk 

Have fun!

Been Doing Macrame and Walking at the Beach

Macrame Flat Rose

 If you're interested in macrame, there are a great many excellent instructional videos on YouTube. I made these projects following the directions by Macrame Tita.

Macrame Rhomboid Pendant

Macrame Seahorse

Lake Michigan

 Away from the city on a weekday, the shoreline is not crowded and offers tranquil views and cool breezes. 
Fun fact: I've moved several times in my life, yet I've always lived less than 20 miles from the shore of Lake Michigan.

Rawley Point Lighthouse

A vacation outing, even for just a few hours, refreshes one's outlook. We surely all need it!

Tulip Jimmy

 The pink and orange colors of this tulip inspired a new dye batch. Since the name of the tulip cultivar is "Jimmy" I'm calling this batch "Tulip Jimmy". Look for it in my Etsy Shop.

In the Sand

"In the Sand" hand dyed size 5

"Footprints in the Sand" Daylily inspired the "In the Sand" dye batch

Since the new "Elisa" thread became available I bought a few balls to try for hand dyeing. I like it! Substantial, yet not as chunky as size 3. I'll buy more size 5.

I have been reassured that there is no way coronavirus could travel through the mail, so hand dyed thread is again available in my Etsy shop - BUT - a word of caution: always wash your hands after handling the mail. If your mail carrier happened to be infected (people can be carriers of the virus and contaminate others even if they don't have any symptoms yet) the coronavirus might be passed on to you. 

Of course tatters don't need to be reminded to wash their hands!

"Lilac Sea" size 20

"Nectarine" size 40

Macrame Nylon Loop Zipper Pull

How to add a zipper pull loop to a motif using macrame cord:

Cut a piece of nylon or polyester macrame cord about 12 inches (30 cm) long. 
Fold it in half. Put the cut ends down through the motif where it will be attached.

Pull the ends through until the loop is at the desired size.

It is easier to keep the cord in place by pinning it down.

Now begin a square knot sinnet. The 2 cut ends are the working cords. The loop is the filler.

Bring the right working cord over the filler to the left. 

Place the left working cord over it, under the filler, and through the loop formed by the right cord. 

Tighten, and you have the first half of a square knot.

Bring the left cord over and to the right of the filler.

Place the right cord over it, under the filler, and through the loop formed by the left cord.

Tighten, and you have a finished square knot.

Repeat square knots for desired length of sinnet. If you forget which half comes next, look to see which side has a completed knot "bump". That's the side to pick up the working cord from.

Trim the tails to about 1/4 inch (6mm).

Carefully melt them with a safety lighter, observing all safety precautions. Press the melted drops into the knot with the edge of the lighter. Or, press with your thumb, but take care to not get burnt.

Attach to anything!

Left handed Tatting a Simple Motif

This simple motif is good for beginners to practice double stitches, picots, rings, chains, and the join.

The right handed version has also been uploaded to my YouTube channel. Actually, the left handed video is simply my right handed original flipped mirror image using an app! Works great...except silly me, I forgot that "counterclockwise" would become "clockwise" in the lefty version. Oh well!

I used "Elisa" size 5 thread for the demo. I love the size and the thread is perfect! Oh, of course, I hand dyed it :-)