Spring Flowers & Stawasz Tatting

Out shopping with my daughter yesterday, we spotted this very pretty version of grape hyacinth (Muscari).  I have the darker purpley blue ones in my garden but we both though this pale blue version with frilly edges was lovely.  I bought a pot for our garden and one for my mother-in-law.

It's resting on one of my favourite small mats,

a design by Jan Stawasz

I like to see the gradation of colour

as the flowers open…

I'm still only making very slow progress on this other Jan Stawasz piece.  The way I attached the individual motifs on the diagonal rather than square means I'd have to add quite a few to get to the right shape, if I decided to go with the same orientation as the original, before I can make a border.  

I was not actually planning to make this as big as the one in the book.  So I may carry on with it orientated the other way and improvise slightly for the border.  In the above photo, the small motifs are square to the border.  The way I was making it, the small motifs are diamonds.  I think it might work anyway.  

I think I'll make the next round of larger, eight-sided motifs and then re-assess the situation.  Even then it will work out fairly big I think.

I particularly like the big medallions in this.

Lastly, I'm sad to report that the sleeve of my red crochet cardigan IS NOT WORKING OUT!!  (can you tell I'm getting a bit frustrated with it?)  Still, I have been wearing it sleeveless and it's quite nice that way too.  But I do want it with sleeves.  I'll get there eventually.

Best wishes,

Frivole