Not a TIAS post

I know everyone has been blogging about the TIAS, as have I, but I have been doing other tatting besides the TIAS.  Over the last month or so I have been shopping on e-bay for vintage thread and pattern books.  As a result, I have been channeling my inner 20th century tatter and have been tatting vintage patterns with vintage thread and vintage shuttles.  It's like I'm in a tatting time warp, tatting back in the 1940's or 50's.  Then I look up at the HD TV, or check my smart phone and I realize I am in the 21st century.  Here is the first two rounds of an Anne Orr doily in vintage white Star tatting thread size 70.

I got the pattern from this book which was published in 1935 by the American Thread Company.

I also tatted this beautiful snowflake with vintage Star thread size 70 in "Shades of blue".

Motif # 16

The pattern is from a book called "Festive Tatting" published by DMC in 1982.  Now 1982 is not so vintage to me, since I had already graduated from high school by then, but it's pretty old by some standards.

TIAS 2013

I am participating in the TIAS (Tat It And See) that Sherry Pence is hosting.  To participate, go to Sherry's blog for the pattern and the TIAS 2013 blog to post your progress or see others' progress.  Here is what I have so far:

Any ideas as to what it might be?  That's the fun of this challenge.  You have no idea what you are tatting until near the end of the pattern.  Guessing is half the fun.

Distracted

I've been tatting, just not blogging. And by tatting, I mean only tatting, not blocking or sewing in ends as you'll see below. I've been spending my computer time either searching e-bay for vintage thread and pattern books, or researching Teneriffe lace.  I just discovered its existence last week while looking on e-bay and now I'm intrigued.  I found some free downloadable instruction and pattern books and some templates to make my own loom.  If you know anything about Teneriffe lace, please leave me a comment with any helpful information or links.

On the e-bay front, I have scored several stashes of vintage thread and a few pattern books.  I've probably spent more than I should, but e-bay is so addictive.  You always feel like there's another great deal if you keep looking.  And of course, once you have your heart set on an item, you have to bid just a little higher in order to get it.  But I think I'm done with e-bay for now.  I  have more thread than I know what to do with and several pattern books to get my creative juices flowing.  Speaking of vintage thread, these beautiful dream catcher earrings (pattern from God's Kid) is made with vintage Star size 70 thread.  These will go to my mother-in-law.  I get more requests to make these earrings than any other thing.

Motif # 15

Another project for others, this tea pot and tea cup will be going to my next door neighbor after I complete the sugar bowl, creamer and second tea cup.  The patterns are from Martha Ess' Tea is for Tatting and they are done in Lizbeth size 20 Royal Blue and white.  This is the Maltese tea set.

Motifs # 16 and 17

I must say I love Martha's patterns because they are so easy to follow with both written and diagrammed instructions.  

Finally, I made this bookmark just for the fun of it.  I love the color combination.  It's Lizbeth size 40 Purple Medium and Lime Green.  I can't remember where I got the pattern.  I downloaded it off the web somewhere.  If you recognize it, let me know and I'll give the designer credit.  The designer is Regina Brummett - Tatting Goddess.  Thank you Umi&Tsuru for the name of the designer.

Motif # 18

Busy, busy, busy

The kids went back to school a couple weeks ago and I thought I would have more free time to tat and blog.  But alas, that is not the case.  Between homework, bedtime routines, etc., I seem to have less time, or at least less energy to blog.  I have been tatting some.  I completed another pair of Dream Catcher earrings from God's Kid but gave them away before I had a chance to photograph them.  I also finished a Jane McClellen/Grace Tan cross, and this time I scanned it into the computer before giving it away.

Motif # 14

I love this pattern.  It's easy without being boring.  I tatted it with vintage Star size 70.  I love using vintage thread.  It seems to be saying "Thank you for taking me out of this box and making me into something beautiful."