Birthday Bonanza!

It was my birthday Wednesday and my, what a week my birthday has given me! The weather was even drop dead gorgeous, bordering on summer weather at 17 degrees outside. I went and bought myself a tiny birthday gift, some size 26 tapestry needles and a gorgeous black thread (what size it is, I'm not sure, either 25 or 40, or something in between). While picking them up, the wonderful Fox even presented me with a couple of gorgeous shuttles. Soon as I got them I went straight to the park and just started tatting little doodles I have in my sketchbook and found one I like quite a bit, the little oval there. I think I'll be making it into a pair of earings for myself. When I got home I also made the triangular motif from another pattern I found online and even though I usualy only use size 10 thread, I am loving the look of the fine thread as well.




I've started working on a pair of lace panties ..don'tkillmemum... (the tutorial for which can be found here) and despite my fear of having to spend so long hiding the ends on each individual piece used, I was pleasantly surprised at how quick and easy it was thanks to the needle tatting, and have decided to change it up a bit now that I have one front panel done, I will be making a second one and using them on the front of a camosile for a nice lacy top effect! Now I know I won't be finishing it any time soon, I will have to make the camisole for it custom to ensure that the lace is the right size and not to funky looking, but it will look absolutely gorgeous once completed! The only thing I have to complain about is how fat the tatting is when done with the needle, and I don't even know if that can be counted as a complaint! If I were to do it with a shuttle, it would take far, far longer and I don't think I would have the patience for that!

On top of my tatting, I also got a chance to go to the Toronto Sportsman Show with my parents and my boyfriend earlier today, and what a blast I had. There was a dog show there, my mum and I just sat getting licked by puppies for most of it. That may be the most therapeutic thing in the world, being kissed by dozens and dozens of dogs. We rounded the day off with a somewhat disappointing dinner, but overall, it was worth it a million times over!

Cheers!
-Elizabita

And So I Continue

The weekend hath cometh and is almost gone, what I would give for two consecutive days off in a week, I never quite find the time to relax if I only have one day off, I try doing everything that needs doing and before I know it, it's night time! I did however get to start on a couple of projects today. The first one is a split ring chain that will be the centre for a simple choker with four shuttle celtic tatting around the edge, and while not necessarily complicated, is fun to do. The pattern is based on a couple of epaulets designed for a friend (that's a failed one in the picture, I was so excited to finally try four shuttle tatting I forgot to properly hide the ends and the final ring came undone!) The other thing I made is just a simple set of earings (well, just one for the time being... heh heh). The pattern is really really simple, just four rings with different sizes and picots. The next time I make them, I might add more picots to the side rings, as well as using a white thread, to give it the appearance of an angel.

Today, I also managed to get my first instructable posted for the wire trees that I make from time to time, since I had made one for my boss last night (she loved it!), you can view it here.

The icing on the cake for me today however was this, I had shown my friend the lovely Fox a tattoo of a shuttle I had recently recieved, and she featured in on her blog! It really made my short weekend a wonderful one!

Cheers!
-Elizabita

A New Beginning

First and foremost, Welcome to Deliciously Knotty! My *latest* attempt at blogging. Yes, just my latest. I've never been very good with keeping up with posting, as my last blog will attest to (but in my defense, I moved shortly after starting it, so became pre occupied with real life...ok I got lazy). This time I'll do it different, I promise! I'll learn all the ways to properly format, and I'll take pictures, and I'll update at least once a week! Even if it means that I will have to write a million posts at once and keep baiting you all with bread crumbs I've created. This blog will be mostly about tatting as that is my preferred craft but it will also be about other crafts that I try such as my wire work and sewing (both pathetic at best, but fun!).

Lets just jump in though, shall we? I'll start with a mock interview of me interviewing me I think... this should be fun.

Q: So Elizabita, your favorite craft is tatting, how long have you been doing that?

A: For just over a year now, I moved in with my sister temporarily and where she lived there was nothing- and I do mean nothing to do, so I would browse the web all day, and I discovered Totus Mel, and I saw that she had instructions to learn how to tat so using a tapestry needle and using the internet I taught myself how to.

Q: You taught yourself how to? That's quite a feat, what did you find hardest when you were first learning?

A: Thank-you! At first my biggest problem was how short the needle I decided to use was, it was pathetically short! I could barely fit a small chain onto it, and everything came out so fat! After that I used a doll-makers needle since it's much longer and that worked out better- I still use it when I needle tatt.

Q: Do you only needle tat or do you shuttle tat as well? And if so which do you prefer?

A: I both needle tatt and shuttle tatt at this point in time and like each for different things, the needle for speed and chunky looks, the shuttle for more delicate stuff. If I'm using anything other than size 10 thread, it's definitely shuttle, actually it's usually shuttle, I'll zone out while watching TV and tatting then the show will end and I'll have earrings or something.

Q: Do you design your own pieces or do you use patterns?

A: I do both! I use patterns from time to time, but I like making my own designs to, even if I'm not very good at it. More often then not though, I'm modifying patterns to suit my needs which works superbly well for me, I even once turned a doily into these things to wear on your feet while belly dancing.

Q: That's pretty cool. Besides tatting, are there any other crafts you indulge in?

A: Lots! I'll try anything really, I enjoy sewing, and I've been trying wire work lately. The tree in the picture with the tatting, I actually made one afternoon and I'm really pleased with how it came out. I also do *bad* knitting, origami, paper cutting, beading....

Q: That's quite a list indeed! I guess it's never ending.

A: Much to the dismay of those that live with me, no, not really heh heh.

Q: Well thanks so much for your time! We really appreciate it!

A: No problem other half of me! you know I'm with you no matter what!

And there you have it, a brief interview with me, by me! An introduction to me? Maybe. A clear sign of my insanity? Most definitely! Remember, tune back next week kids when I show you some of what I'm currently working on!

-Elizabita