Small JS Doily Completed

I finished the "lost & found" little doily designed by Jan Stawasz.  I did run out of thread... but managed to find which one I had used which was Anchor Freccia in size 16, a thread I have not used much in the past. I knew it definitely wasn't my usual Lizbeth and couldn't remember which one but luckily I found it!

Now I really need to tat a few more snowflakes to include in my Christmas cards, time is getting on.   I hope you're all enjoying some cheer in your holiday preparations in spite of the difficult circumstances.

It will no doubt be an unusual Christmas for most of us but I hope you'll still be able to find joy and happiness with your families and friends.

Best wishes,

Frivole

WIP - Jan Stawasz

I just found this at the bottom of a bag!  I'd forgotten it to be honest, and never finished it.  I love this small doily by Jan Stawasz from his book:  Tatted Treasures.  I made it once in dark green several years ago (click here if you'd like to see the green version).

It's a bit of shame that Jan Stawasz didn't name most of his projects.  This one is just called "Doily XIV".  It makes it more difficult to refer to his designs; it would be more memorable to say it's his "Daisy Doily" or something similar.

Anyway, I'm well on the way to finishing it now.  I hope I don't run out of thread on my shuttles... because I can't remember which thread I used!  It's definitely not my usual Lizbeth 20 as it is finer... but which one is it?

Best wishes,

Frivole

Small Doily Completed

Tada!  Finished it last night.  I like the shape of the points.  It's a small doily which only just fits on the bed of my scanner so about 8.5 inches across.

Photo

I like the way he uses that curve of chains to get a lot of width in just one round.  This is a recurring theme in his patterns.

Photo

And can you see that gorgeous pair of pea pod earrings?

Aren't they sweet?

I just received them in the post a couple of days ago.

A lovely gift from a thoughtful friend.

I've been wearing them since.

Scan

I recently started scanning my tatting - don't know why I didn't think of it before...  especially useful when I complete things in the evening and I struggle to take good photos in artificial light.  But as I said, this doily was nearly too big to be scanned, you can see there is a little bit missing from the edges on the scanned image above.

What do you think?  Do you scan or take photos of your tatting?  Which works best for you?  I suppose the advantage of scanning is that it's so easy!  You don't have to worry about lighting or background or fuzziness... just place it on the glass, and press the button.  The advantage of photography is that you can vary the angle and the composition, add objects for a more interesting photo, take it outside, etc. so obviously, a lot more flexibility with the camera.

Now I must tear myself away from the tatting and go do some jobs!!

Best wishes,

Cup Winner!

Do you remember earlier in the summer when I said that my Mother-in-Law had suggested I enter our Village Fête competition with one of my doilies?

Well, I was away for the Fête so didn't get to see my entry amongst the others but I was delighted upon my return to learn that not only had I won first prize in my category, but was also awarded the Rose Bowl which is for The Best Exhibit in the Overall Domestic Section!  I even get to have my name engraved on the cup.

I'm chuffed.

I may even have to enter again next year....

Well, someone needs to promote the merits of tatting in my neck of the woods!

Best wishes,

TADA! Second Jan Stawasz Doily Completed

Here I was flying away on the last few repeats of the last round of this doily when disaster struck!!  I couldn't believe my eyes - OH NO!  Shock, horror:  there was one too many rings on one scallop of the previous row!  I kept looking at it, hoping to find a solution that wouldn't involve me cutting out the mistake on the row below and struggling to join it back in as an invisible way as possible.  But no, there was no avoiding it, I had to cut and re-do.

The re-join is not perfect (up close anyway) so I'll have to ask advice on the best way to join in these circumstances and how to deal with the ends that result.

But anyway, enough talking, out with the mistake and the last few repeats completed:

Jan Stawasz Doily, tatted in Lizbeth, size 20, écru.

Close-up

Doily on darker background (our wood dining table)

I am delighted with this doily and after two Jan Stawasz projects, remain a fan of his designs.  When I started tatting again just a year or two ago, I didn't think I had it in me to tackle larger projects like this but I have really enjoyed making my two doilies... and I don't think this one will be the last either!

Thanks for all of your comments of support whilst the doily was in progress.  

Best wishes,