Lovely Gift

I recently received a lovely surprise in the post...  a beautiful handmade bag - with a matching small pouch inside too - in a fabric that features tatting!  Isn't it great?

I really like it.

I was looking at it today and was suddenly inspired to re-create one of the motifs from the bag.  Tat, tat, tat...

After a bit of trial and error...

I think this may be as close as I'm going to get to what I see on the bag.

The one on the bag is a bit more "open", maybe tatted a bit looser, or slightly longer bare threads and picots but I think the general shape and proportions are not too bad.

It was interesting trying to work out how to make it in one pass, with one shuttle only.  I found a way!  My guess is that it is an old design where each round was cut and tied.

Here is another photo that shows a smaller version of the same motif on the fabric with my tatted version next to it on the right:

Maybe a few of them put together might look nice?

Best wishes,

Frivole

Earrings in the Sun

Not doing lots of tatting still... but needed a new pair of earrings to match a blouse.  I always like making these flower earrings.  They are light and comfortable to wear but also keep their shape due to the layered design.  The pearl in the centre also adds strength and stability.

The thread I used is a lovely hand-dyed thread made by Karen Solomon of Graceful Arts Fiber Studio.  I do like her threads and the way the colours are more random rather than in a sequence as in most other variegated threads.  The thread is called "Watermelon".

Best wishes,

Frivole

Braiding in the Garden

Oooh, it's been so hot!  It's still hot.  Well, hot for the UK anyway.  I did try to modify the tatting pattern from the previous post but didn't get to a satisfactory solution (without spending a lot more time on it).  So I'm afraid that one's been put on hold for now.

For a change of scene, I decided to make a few braided bracelets.  Something really easy, that doesn't require any thinking - perfect in this hot weather.

Just a bit of simple fun...

which results in rather nice braids.

I've also been working on the crochet bag pattern (which was a lot harder and took a lot longer than expected).  I think I'm getting there with it.  One of my readers kindly offered to test the pattern for me and I've been making several samples so I could take photos and make sure everything corresponds, makes sense, is clear enough to understand.  Like many crafts, it can be really hard to clearly describe in words what you are doing with your hands.  

I've not made so many blogposts lately.  Children are now on holidays so having a bit less time for online activities but I'm enjoying a house full!

How are you?  Is it hot where you are too?  

Best wishes,

Frivole