Autumn Tatting

 I've not gotten a lot of tatting done recently, but designing the maple leaf kind of makes up for it, I think.

I did a bit more designing recently, but it was sort of by accident. Another family in our church lost a loved one but I didn't have any crosses on hand to give them. The Medallion Cross bookmark drew my interest for this, but I thought I'd do something just a bit different on the arms. I just glanced at the pattern and took off. A bit more of the cross was changed than I planned, but it looks good. 

These have slightly different stitch counts. I like the one on the right, which is the second one I made. The rings of the arms are slightly larger than the ones on the left.

 

The pattern for the original Medallion Cross Bookmark is on My Patterns page. The modified version hasn't been completed yet. I'm not sure if I'll retain the name but make it v2 or change it. We'll see.

On a good note, I think I've figured out what I'm making for my Christmas ornament this year! I have to finalize the stitch counts, but I'm pleased with it. My husband thinks it's cute. 

Wishing you all here in the states a very happy Thanksgiving!

  

Tennessee Maple Leaf

 In October my husband and I took a trip to the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee. This is the time of year you hear about how beautiful the fall foliage is. There were trees in full fall colors, there were trees that were still green, and there were trees that were bare. It was beautiful, not as much color as we were expecting, but we weren't disappointed. 

We didn't see as much wildlife as we thought, but we did see some. Like several black bears. This one was on the side of the road as we drove into Gatlinburg. He didn't pay any attention to the traffic.

Everywhere there were signs to not feed the bears, not leave food in your car, and lock your car doors, as bears have figured out how to open car doors. These signs are in town and in the National park. We took them seriously.

I took my tatting with me (of course!) and I actually did a little bit. I was inspired to make a maple leaf in fall colors with Lizbeth 136 Autumn Spice. This is a lovely, variegated thread, just right for making fall leaves. I brought along size 10 to make it easy to see and work with in dim lighting that you may have in hotel rooms, and while we traveled.

Tennessee Maple Leaf 1.0

There are beautiful patterns on the Internet of maple leaves, but I didn't look them up. (There are a lot of tattoos that come up when searching for them!) This is what I came up with while on our trip.

I had made the mistake of leaving home without a hat of any sort, but the weather was cool and windy in some places. Instead of buying a souvenir hat I bought a plain, black one at Walmart. I didn't get the leaf finished in time while we were there, but I added the leaf to it on the way home.

Yes, I made another, different, leaf, made while thinking of how to make the maple leaf. They look pretty good on the hat.

I have written out the pattern, but while verifying the pattern, I decided to change it up a bit. Not much, just a little, this one made in size 20 as I was home. Same Autumn Spice, just smaller thread.

Tennessee Maple Leaf 2.0

The modification gives it a bit more height and makes the stitch counts more consistent. I also made a change in the way the stem is made. I think I'll put both ways on the pattern. Depending on how the rest of the day goes, and if my computer will cooperate, I'm hoping to have it finished by the end of today.

Here at home, we've been enjoying beautiful warm days that don't feel like fall at all. There have been a few cool days, but they don't last long. There were just enough cold nights that the leaves turned color, then fell. Most leaves left on the trees won't be there much longer. The weather man says that it will get much cooler next week, but it's November, we should expect that. 

 

I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving, but it seems to be coming very fast. Then it will be Advent and Christmas. And I still haven't decided what my Christmas ornament will be this year! I really need to get on it!

Update: I've added Tennessee Maple Leaf pattern to My Patterns page. November 15, 2025

"Anyone who thinks fallen leaves are dead has never watched them dancing on a windy day." –Shira Tamir

Button and Pumpkin

 A few weeks ago, I posted several buttons I had tatted around. I shared one on Facebook, which prompted several people to ask if there was a pattern. Now there is!

I've called this one Button Molly.

I've listed this on the My Patterns page as Button Molly so it would be with other patterns that use buttons.

If you've visited My Patterns page lately, you might have noticed I'm starting to put thumbnail pictures beside the pattern name. It's slow going, but I'm hoping this helps when looking at the patterns. 

My sister is a member of an American Legion Auxiliary that does bingo every few months. The entry fee is usually something like items for the local food bank. Anyone playing brings a white elephant or inexpensive, wrapped item for prizes. For the most recent bingo night I decided to make something I had seen on Pinterest several places, including a site called 'Devine by Designs'. I had what it took to make it, and it looked easy enough, and it was.

Didn't this glass pumpkin come out great? I had picked up the glass from the second hand store a while back. The leaves and twine I picked up from Hobby Lobby when they were half price. The light string I had from a year or two ago. I heard several comments from people once it was opened about how cute it was. I have another glass like this and I'm thinking about making one for me.

The bingo night theme was Halloween, and there were some amazing costumes! Mine was sort of sad because I didn't spend much time and no money on it. I dressed up as a lint catcher. This picture makes me look somewhat demented. I guess that's okay for Halloween.

It is already November, and I haven't yet decided what I'm making for my yearly Christmas ornament for family. I need to get on it!

Do you have your tatting done for Christmas yet?

"Halloween is not only about putting on a costume, but it's about finding the imagination and costume within ourselves." 

                                                                 Elvis Duran