Putting them all together.

Don't ya just hate it when you know what pattern you want to make but can't find where you put it?

I have that problem especially when I print patterns from the computer.  That one or two pieces of paper are fine for a while then they just disappear!  I think there is a secret place somewhere in my house where loose patterns go to party and I'm not invited.

This even happens with my own patterns.  I have written out and shared patterns here on my blog plus I have some that I've not finished writing out or diagramming yet and once in awhile I actually want to tat them again.  I go looking for those printed sheets and can't find them anywhere (I think I hear them snickering at me as I search for them.) Yes, I could just reprint them but I hate to do that when I know I have them printed somewhere!

I started thinking that if they were all together in a folder or notebook that they would be harder to lose.  Think about it, it wouldn't be as easy for them to slip between the seat cushions or fall behind the end table, or find other ways to sneak off to their private little party.

I began by printing off the patterns I've posted here - they are the most complete.

I printed them in booklet form, reducing the patterns from the original size of 8 1/2 by 11 inch paper to be half that size.  A few of them ended up being on two pages but most worked okay on one side.  The print is a bit smaller of course, but mostly can still be read easily.  The finished size of 5 1/2" by 8 1/2" makes it a nice size to take with me if I want - this size will fit in my purse.

I did not make any changes to the way the patterns show on-line except for the size.  Each one still has their own definitions instead of one page at the start of the booklet.  The pictures are still the same.  I printed on both sides of the paper.

This has given me a lot of respect to anyone who self-publishes, whether it's patterns or any other type of book.  This was quite a bit of work - trying to get patterns with two pages to face each other instead of back-to-back, putting them in the order I want, and trying not to miss any.  They are mostly in alphabetical order except for a couple that needed to be on facing pages which caused them to be a little out of order.

As I finish up new patterns I will probably just put them in new booklet instead of trying to add to this one.  Having done this one I have some ideas on how I would do it differently the next time.

This was a fun exercise.  And maybe these will now be a bit harder to lose. They will just have to miss the party, ha!

"I'm writing a book. I've got the page numbers done."

Steven Wright

brainyquotes.com

Hanging Basket Edging

Hanging Basket Edging © Wanda Salmans 2012

I'm working on another runner edging in Lizbeth size 10 #603 Ecru and #698 Fudge Medium.

I'm doing my Hanging Basket Edging that I have on my patterns page. When I designed it I made it in size 20, the size I usually work in.  It lay nicely without a lot of blocking.

This time, with this thread, it just isn't looking quite as nice as I thought it would. I admit I made a mistake, making one ring smaller than the pattern calls for, but I repeated the mistake consistently, making that the pattern all the way across. I didn't think it would make much difference. I don't know if it really does make that much difference or it's just the thread size difference, or something else entirely, but I'm not liking how it hangs very much. I'm going to finish both runner ends and  block them well and see how they look.  It might look better when finished.

I guess if I'm not happy enough with them to take to a craft show I'll have a runner just for me.

I guess a mistake wouldn't be a total loss then, right?

"Mistakes are proof you are trying."

Spider Web Snood

I've finally been spending a little time on Craftree.com finding out more of what it has to offer, discovering more of the helpful things that are being added all the time.  There is a large library of books and patterns you can look through with descriptions of the books, what kind and how many patterns in each, and other facts about the books you might find helpful. These books can be added to your personal virtual bookshelf which makes it easier to find a pattern when you don't remember which book it's in.  And just keep track of which books you have so you don't buy duplicates. :-) 

This weekend I went through most of my books and added them to my virtual bookshelf there.  I found several I forgot that I had!  One of these forgotten books was from Dillie Delights, "Twinkling Stars and Small Tatted Gifts" by Marsha Brackner.  I haven't thought of this book in years.  Looking through it I remembered I had made (and still have) a snood sized for a doll.  I went looking for it and actually found it!

"Spider Web Snood" © 1986 from Twinkling Stars and Small Tatted Gifts 

tatted by Wanda Salmans 

I made this snood with size 30 DMC Cebellia thread, though the book recommends either size 10 or 20.  I don't remember exactly what year I made it must have been either in the late 80's or possibly the very early 90's.  It was before I started tatting exclusively Front side/Back side, I just don't remember when I started that.

"Spider Web Snood" © 1986 from Twinkling Stars and Small Tatted Gifts 

tatted by Wanda Salmans 

The book has several snood patterns that are suggested could be used as bags and pin cushions.  I only remember making the one snood out of the book even though my daughters were young and had long hair at the time.  I have no idea why I didn't try making at least one for them.

Besides the snoods the book includes patterns for two stars, a snowflake, and a candy cane.  There are also suggestions for ways to use tatting.  I would consider most of the patterns good for beginners as there are few advanced techniques used.  There are no tatting instructions included but does have definitions of how to read the patterns in the book.  For technique help it refers to several other Dillie Delights books.

I'm sure these patterns wouldn't take very long to make.  I have granddaughters now, I wonder if they would wear a snood?

"How can I control my life when I can't control my hair?"

Author Unknown

Random tatting

The zipper pulls on my purse are wearing out.  The purse has fake leather pulls which last okay, but the material that actually attaches to the zipper do not.  As these pulls are used a lot something needed to be done.

The plan was to get black grosgrain ribbon to go on the ring and tat around that.  The problem was there was no black grosgrain ribbon to be found anywhere in the stores I was able to check, including Hobby Lobby.  There were spaces on the shelves where this ribbon usually is but every place was out of the black.  There were a lot of other colors but of course nothing that matched or coordinated with my purse.

Except white.

White ended up the only other choice.  All the thread colors worked okay with it, but I think the black would have been better.

The pull is longer than the original, but that isn't a problem.  The tatting is doubled so it looks the same on both sides, so no matter if the purse is open or closed the pulls hang with the tatting visible.

Thanks to Marilee Rockley for tatting only partway around a do-dad.  I don't know why I never thought of that.  I wanted a pair of earrings to go with a blouse but didn't have a lot of time to make them. I was inspired to make these even though I would have liked to add beads as well.  When I'm in a hurry beads are not a good idea.  Check out Marilee's cute little earrings on her blog,  they are very pretty.

I've just finished tatting the center for my Craftree Round Robin doily.  After several starts at tatting it I finally did it without mistakes.  Now I need to write out the pattern and get everything sent off in the mail.  I think I'm the last one in the group to get their center done.  I'm looking forward to seeing every one's doilies. 

I've also been working on an edging but have gotten frustrated with it.  One of the colors keeps twisting so bad the rings are hard to close.  Yes, Fox, it is Lizbeth thread.  It's only one of the balls but that is more than enough!  I'm going to try to finish anyway as the thread colors go well with the material.  Wish me luck :-)

lolsotrue #2009

Google: I know everything

Facebook: I know everyone

Internet: Without me, you're all nothing

Electricity: Keep talking fools