"Duchess" variation of Marilee's design

I have Marilee's book "Boutique Tatting" and it's one of my favorite. I wanted to make the necklace that is on the cover but I didn't have to many beads in the color scheme I selected, so I made a variation of it; doing only one repetition. I love it!!! I had to make a few minor variations so I was able to make it in one pass.



Here is a closeup of the main part of the necklace. This is definitively one of my favorites now. I need to buy more beads in amber tones so I can make another. I'm thinking also in earrings to complete the set.I used Aunt Lydia's #10 in ecru. The beads are from Walmart, size E and the deep amber seed beads were a gift from Aileen Chia.

Decorated Canvas Tote

I'm still in the long road of recovery and healing, but a few days ago there was enough "sunshine" for me to work in this canvas tote. I got 3 of them at a local fabric/crafts/etc shop. They were super cheap and came with a set of fabric markers and 2 stampers (leaves and a flower). I got 3 of them because as soon as I saw them, they screamed decorate me!

I stamped the leaves and paint them witht he markes and draw some stems. Then I tatted some decorated buttons that look like flowers and added a cute button butterfly.

I think it needs something else, but I can't get what is missing. May be some grass? Or more butterflies? Could you help me with ideas?



Also I got a cool set of 20 colors of Sharpies (permanent markers). They are supper cool! I have been painting the clear buttons I got a couple of months ago and also painting my tatting. Yes, painting already finished tatted items. This opens a great creative window. Can you imagine that you need something in an especific color and you do...

How to hide ends using the SSSR

On my Spanish Tatting class we were talking about ways to hide ends and I mentioned that I like to hide my ends using the SSSR. Here are photos explaining how I do it when I finish a work with a ring. I'm still working in how to do it when the work finish in a chain...



For this example I made a little doodle that starts with the middle ring of a clover.
R: 3-5-5-3.
R: 3+ 3-5.
CH: 3
JCH: 50
CH: 3
Joined the chain to the base of the rings.








Now cut the ball thread, leaving around 3 inches or what ever amount it takes to reach to the middle of the next ring. I hate to waste thread so for me 2-3 inches is fine.


Now I start the last ring, encapsulating the tail. This ring is 3+3-5.I encapsulate for 5 stitches; just reaching to the ds before making the picot. I don't like to cut ends on a picot because it disfigures the picot.

After making the picot, I start my SSSR. To make a SSSR go to thistutorial.



I made my last 4 ds using the SSSR method.





Close the SSSR and pass the loop around the base of ...

Uses of SSSR

Lately there have been a lot of discussions about the SSSR (Single Shuttle Split Ring). I learned the technique through Bina, Dora Young and Karey. Three very different ways in achieving almost same results. But what is this technique good for? Apart of making split rings with a single shuttle I have been using it to climb up from a round to another in a work with 2 colors, obtaining the one color split ring, likeTatting Chic explained andJane Eborall diagrammed.

Another use for this is to make split rings alternating colors. This works better if you have a Pelc or double bobbin shuttle. It can be worked with 2 shuttles but prepare to be patient because you have to use the shuttles together and then separate them often.

Other use for the SSSR is to hide ends without having to cut the threads and then use a needle to sew them or to use the Magic Thread. This way you are encapsulating both ends into the last ring, if the work finish in a ring. I'm working in a similar way to end th...

Sorry I'm not arround...

I haven't been arround lately because I don't feel well. The pain in the hip has return and over that I'm going through one of my depression state. ALready taking max doses of antidepresant, pain killers and other medicines and it's not fun.Have lost all the energy. I even pass the days just staring at the shuttles and books but no inspiration or desire to work in anything.Last visit to my rheumatologist he told me that he suspect of avascular necrosis of the hip, due to the Lupus and DVT's (Deep Vein Thrombophebitis) and years of steriods treatments (and over doses) for the asthma and lupus. So now what? Hip replacement? Goosh! I hope not. I had a MRI yesterday and the results will be ready tomorrow and then visit again the doctor Monday. The next 3 weeks are already full of doctors appointments. *sigh* Just when I was thinking things were going to be better.But no, I can denie that things have revert. Also I'm loosing again most of my hair, specially the back of my head a...