Concerning Zarina 
May 16, 2008
A Pink Bunny Joining the Foray
but what a bunny. I don't exactly know what is wrong. Are the picots too big for this bunny?
Here is the original pattern by Heather. Please provide your comments on what is wrong with my bunny.
In this journal, there will be my twenty-third motif for the 25 Motif Challenge.
|May 15, 2008
Tatting Therapy Part 2
As per my previous journal, here is a batch of tatting I made all in pink.
You can find the pattern of these bookmarks when you click on the name of the bookmarks.
From left to right: A fan bookmark, Brigit's Butterfly, Brigit's Sweetheart and Birgit's Li'l Heart. I added my signature tassel to make it a bookmark.
Diane, I am a slow tatter too. But once the shuttles are loaded, I just keep on going till I'm too tired. This will have to make up for the coming weeks when I won't pick it up.
I will be sending some of these bookmarks to several friends all over the world to have them test them out if they make ideal bookmarks.
In this journal, there will be my twentieth, twenty-first and twenty-second motifs for the 25 Motif Challenge.
|May 14, 2008
Tatting Therapy
From the day I have got the tatting shuttles until early this morning, I have been tatting like crazy. These large shuttles are DANGEROUS once loaded. Remember when we were using the normal shuttles, we always say there is enough thread for a bookmark or something. Well, these shuttles can hold thread for three bookmarks (not even half loaded) to four bookmarks and still have nearly one third full of shuttles. I got caught last night, until 4 am.
This is my first experience using Coffee and Cream size 20. There was just enough thread for two Kersti's Sweetheart bookmarks and Floral bookmark.
Aside from the picture, TattingChic invited me to be her friend at eTatters. Somehow, I managed to get onto Kersti's profile page. There are some others before me who asked about her website. Just be patience while she is working on it.
Then I loaded the second shuttle with some left over crochet thread I had from my previous project. The thread was not so nice to use but the bookmarks turned out ok. You can find the pattern of these bookmarks when you click on the name of the bookmarks.
From left to right: Birgit's Suncatcher, Brigit's Sweetheart, and Birgit's Peacock Heart. I added my signature tassel to make it a bookmark.
I promised someone who is hosting the all pink blog that I will show some of the tatting I have made using Hakelgarn 20 pink thread which is loaded into the white shuttle. But I confused myself with one ring of two types for a very lovely fan motif. I ripped a small portion so I can make the correct ring. Plus, hopefully I have the heart to complete a butterfly I was working on which had a wing 'broken off' last night.
Why am I not using the new HDTs? Well, first I was suppose to start doing my master's project but my assigned supervisor have not received the appointment letter. Second, I want to see how some of the patterns I have printed out work as a bookmark (in the practical sense). Plus, I need to find the ideal butterfly since Marina so love butterflies.
In this journal, there will be my seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth motifs for the 25 Motif Challenge.
|May 13, 2008
I Meant to Publish This After Labour Day
I was very pleased with the bookmarks I made during Labour Day. It was already scanned but just needed to be edited and write up the journal for it. Unfortunately, the day after the world (feels like it) seems to crumble around me.
I would not elaborate much but in a nutshell: I was prepared to follow my heart desire for my career development (going into the teaching line). But then after lunch, got a phone call from my mum that put that on hold. It is not any medical emergencies but it just shows me that I need to hold on to my work here for the need of the extra cash. As everyone knows, the teaching line at universities (or else where) are paid low. So I dealt with it and made some 'demands' to ensure my life at my current employer is bearable.
Here are some bookmarks I have made. The bookmark in Fuschia on the right is the floral bookmark which got everyone talking about it. While working on the second last flower did I realized that I was doing it wrong. So as of today, I made two more and one in Coffee and Cream size 20. The latter will only be posted later (you'll see why).
The left and middle bookmark is the Sweetheart bookmark. Finally, managed to tat the original pattern in Fuschia. That is my third try and I will make it two motifs for the 25 Chanllenge since two is a bit different and I have counted these as two halves motifs. Hahaha.
This will be my fifteenth and sixteenth motif for the 25 Motif Challenge.
Last Saturday, I got a surprise from Jon through the postal service. The bookmark she tatted using the HDT I gave her, dropped onto my lap when I opened the envelope.
Jon, Thank you for the personal note. It meant a lot to me.
Here is the picture of it I swiped from her blog.
May 9, 2008
My shuttles shipment
Has finally arrived after more than two weeks of waiting - felt like more. I was prepared to put up a fight with the postmaster at the post deport which was on the way to work. Decided to take things into my hand and this morning dropped by there.
Surprise! Surprise! The cute little box is at the table (or whatever you called the place for all our mails) to be delivered today. Took it to the office and had to control myself not to load the shuttle with the thread I had purchased together.
All the following pictures were taken from Sherry's Etsy shop. I just cannot wait to get home to take pictures and downloading and all those stuffs.
These are the large shuttles I purchased. I did not realize that it was huge so I cannot imagine the huge or double decker shuttles.
In addition, I made an arrangement with her to purchase a HDT which was not put up for sale in her shop. So with her permission, feast your eyes on her Marina HDT. This thread, the name actually is special to me because it is the same as my sister. So I will be making a few bookmarks for her using this thread. One of them will be the lovely Kersti's floral bookmark which had everyone talking about. Looking at it in my hands, I wished I had bought more than one. So Sherry, the next batch you will dye for us - give a holler so I can purchase more.
Apr 30, 2008
I'm bored
I have one doily planned to use with 'Buttercup' HDT but my shuttles have not arrived yet - together with two other HDTs (one of them you all have not seen over at Etsy...). Anyway, I am busy mounting the tatted edging to a towel for the May Towel Exchange project. That should keep me busy till Labour Day.
I have done up another bookmark from Kersti's collection (which I notice from last week that I am not able to access her website. Anyone knows what happened to her?) and two versions of the Sweetheart bookmark I have made earlier. The third version is the exact of the original pattern - finally S I G H. Been to lazy to scan and upload into my site. See how it goes for Labour Day but I foresee me sleeping in.
Looking for more challenges (non-craft) for this year. Actually on semester break and since there were no exams last semester, had a longer break. So May is rolling in and comest my master's project. A supervisor has been assigned but waiting for her agreement. If everything goes on schedule I should be on my toes in two weeks time.
As of today, so many people are leaving and a bunch of them end of May. What will it be like here? No more familiar faces. No more people to gossip with, swap stories. Well, I will be busy then and totally blur at work (foresee 36-hour days looming ahead).
|Apr 24, 2008
'Tuscany' Jessica bookmark
I am going to my second round of my first batch of HDTs. After two weekends of fixing the mess, I have done this bookmark. It looks quite cool and the pattern is great, it lies flat without any intervention.
The only thing is I don't think I place the tassel correctly - I just did not want to tie and cut twice so I just continued with the tassel. What do you think?
This will be my fourteenth motif for the 25 Motif Challenge.
|Apr 22, 2008
Part of the blog call
I am so please to see that I am part of the Killer Tatting Links of Sherry Pence aka LadyShuttleMaker's blog. Thank you so much for the acknowledgement.
I mean, everyone in the tatting world knows her for her HDTs and handmade ceramic shuttles.
Now, if only I have more time to do more bookmarks. I just love making them because they are not too big or small for a tatting project. Plus, its a marriage of two of my favourtie hobbies.
|Apr 21, 2008
'Tiedye Berry Surprise' Stump bookmark
When I first saw the thread, I was thinking, "Oh no, it's too soft and does not look so 'pact' as the others."
With that in mind, I found this pattern from the collection that does not involves picot and I feel the pattern is just right for the thread.
So when its done, I was right. I actually made three bookmarks (well the third requires more thread so that is on hold until I get back to this thread). But is it not lovely? The color and you should feel the bookmark - it is so light. But I would not recommend the threadunless you are doing this pattern or any that do not have any picots.
This will be my thirteenth motif for the 25 Motif Challenge.
|Apr 18, 2008
'Buttercup' Zahra bookmark
From the collection of bookmark patterns, I have chosen this one to finish off the remaining thread on the shuttles (but it is still not enough to finish the last repeat).
I like the pattern because first, it lies flat without any stiffening. Second, you won't mess up (unless you skip a line) because the pattern of one repeat is very long to remember.
This will be my twelveth motif for the 25 Motif Challenge.
|Apr 17, 2008
HTML Codes for 'Comments' and 'TrackBack'
After three days of searching high and low, FOUND IT. I should have thought about it earlier but just did not click.
For those who are keen on designing your own website (like me), here is the link to help you.
|'Buttercup' Inspired-Italian Split Ring modified bookmark
Remember when I was doing the same in Coffee and Cream, I mentioned that I want to join the rings in the middle. Well, I tried it using the thread I purchased from Sherry, and it is perfect.
It was too late to finish it and I got work the next day (today), so here is the preview of the bookmark.
Here is the revision (in red) I've made of the pattern:
Split ring:
sh 1: 3-3-3-3
sh 2: 3-3
Leave the split ring open and make a new ring with sh 2: 6-3 LP 3 close
go back to split ring: 3-3,
close split ring.
Second split ring:
sh 1: 3-3-3-3
sh 2: 3-3
Leave the split ring open and make a new ring with sh 2: 3+3 LP 3 (join to ring attached to split ring) close
go back to split ring: 3-3,
close split ring.
Repeat second split ring for desired length.
The last split ring:
Chain 3-3-3-3-3-3
Split ring:
sh 1 3-3-3-3
sh 2: 3-3+3-3 (join is to opposite sh 2 ring) close.
Repeat for same number of rings, repeat chain to end
If there is any mistake in the pattern, kindly highlight to me.
This will be my eleventh motif for the 25 Motif Challenge.
|Updating my site
I am trying to make my blog as user friendly as possible. I want to put the link where visitors can leave a comment for a SPECIFIC journal. Well, the one I put on trial last night was not working. The comments was placed in ALL the journals. Plus, when I used the Netscape browser (me using Mozilla Firefox) the comment was repeated five times. So, I am removing that facility at the moment. Please leave a comment at the ShoutBox on the left.
Let me do more research to get this up.
|'Coffee and Cream' Sweet Heart bookmark
Since there is still some thread left on the shuttles, I chose this pattern. And I love it, so simple and easy to be use as a bookmark.
You can't see the heart because I messed up (as usual). I forgot to count the joint as a picot. So instead, I just continued and it became a flower instead. Which is good because I will be using it when I read A Night Train to Lisbon by Pascal Mercier and this book belongs to a guy. The bookmark will go along with the book when I return to him.
This is another pattern which I will use again and again, but hopefully following the exact pattern.
This will be my tenth motif for the 25 Motif Challenge.
Leave a comment |Apr 16, 2008
My Shuttles Purchase
I realized that I need to add to my collection (just two at the moment) of shuttles. After finding Etsy for hand dyed threads, HDT and Sherry's shop who makes ceramic shuttles, it has filled my mind a lot.
After religiously visiting her site almost everyday, she mentions that there will new items up for sale. There were two shuttles that I fell in love and the Penscola thread. I need blue to add to my growing HDT collection. She mentioned a few names of HDT coming out and there is one I must have. So, I made an arrangement with her to swap one of the HDT for this color - which I am only to post once its up in her shop. But you can guess which HDT it is at the teaser page.
My purchase has been shipped yesterday, so hopefully by next week it will be safely in my hands and pictures to be uploaded here.
Here are the comments dropped by fellow ring members:
|LadyShuttleMaker Wednesday, April 16, 2008 Zarina, I have to say that I SO enjoy seeing the HDT tatting you are doing! You really do make it look so lovely! I was especially taken with your "autumn medley" motif! Good on you! Let's hope that this time your post is faster.....
TattingChic Wednesday, April 16, 2008 I' so glad we can finally leave a comment...seeing as I always have to comment...LOL. No, I really have wanted to tell you that I have enjoyed looking at your blog and your tatting is very nice.
Zarina Thursday, April 17, 2008 Thank you very much. If you have notice, all the leave a comment box is having the same comments. Need to revamp the site. Like this comment? [yes] [no] (Score: 0 by 0)
Diane Cademartori Thursday, April 17, 2008 Zarina, I hope this comment goes through... this is my third try! I love your bookmarks, and I'm so glad you're trying hand-dyed thread! You will love Sherry's shuttle, I'm sure of it!
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'Coffee and Cream' Italian-inspired split ring bookmark
My next color to experiment is the Coffee and Cream size 20 from Sherry. This is another pattern which I found and looked nice because of the many picots (I guess that is what makes it very lacy looking. Because I am using the same thread for both shuttles, I got a bit confuse on which is shuttle 1 and 2 but I got the hang of it.
I have used the same tassel as the one I have used for the 'Fuschia' spring blossom bookmark. Another thing I notice about this pattern is that if I joined all the rings in the middle with long picots, it will look more neat. I will do that with my next thread.
It would have been a great success but I joined two rings towards the end - thus the crookedness of the result. I lost my connection (not the Internet) of the first ring and thought I've taken it out, but no - only saw that when the ring is close. I have not successfully opened a ring, as you can see.
This will be my ninth motif for the 25 Motif Challenge.
|Apr 15, 2008
'Fuschia' spring blossom bookmark
I have been eyeing this pattern for a long time thinking it was a complicated pattern. It is but it was very simple to do. But the bookmark will be difficult to use. It does not lie flat (unless I stiff the bookmark which I tend not to do) and it tends to twist. It is quite long because mum wants it peeking out the book (most likely her Quran). This will have to suffice while waiting for the ideal one for her. It's taking me longer to churn out bookmarks than I thought it will be. I have many to give out, for starters for my sis (but that will wait for my new purchase that has the color of her name) and a dear friend.
It is done in a most delicious color that makes my mouth water just thinking about it - and I have not actually look at it but you can see why. The stem I followed the pattern but I ended with a flower with many petals - I think its more than ten. I completed the flower to finish off the thread. The length is just enough and the stem & petal what sticks out of the Quran.
This is the close up of the pattern.
This is my eighth motif for the 25 Motif Challenge.
|Inspired Bookmark from Kira's Star using Autumn Medley - part 2
I have prepared a journal yesterday for this but I seem to have lost it. Anyway, this is a trial of the bookmark. As you can see, the first joint I did not join all the picots - thus it looks very crowded. I ran out of thread so it will be a very stubby bookmark only for my own use.
The lesson to be learned when designing own patterns (either from scratch or a variation of an existing pattern), is to follow your instinct. They are normally the right choice - well not always.
Last night I showed to my sister. She loved it not only because it was lacy but variegated. It is very seldom we can purchase those kind of thread off the counter. I promised her I will make one (could be a different pattern but using either Sherry's or Marilee's thread) for her.
My five-year-old nephew, the son of my sister was working on his activity books. Before he went up to bed (they are staying at our house until the end of my sister's confinement period), he asked for a marker for his book from his mother. She told him to get from me. So I 'loan' this bookmark for the night. Before I went up, I took it back. He knows how to use it because he seen me use these for my readings and generally I let them handle the book and the bookmark. My mum gave me the idea to make some for them using thick paper. I have scissors that can make wavy edges and I will let them design their own. More about it later.
|Apr 14, 2008
New sites for more tatting patterns
Thanks to Bonnie, I have found another great site. There are many bookmarks pattern which I would like to try.
I am in the experimenting mode - both on different patterns and the thread I purchased from Sherry. In addition, it will hopefully add up to the 25 Motif Challenge before my studies steps in another few weeks.
Apr 12, 2008
Inspired Bookmark from Kira's Star using Autumn Medley
Due the thread is so fine and I need to get a simple pattern to work with, I somehow stumbled onto a new design for a bookmark. It is using the motif of the first round of the Kira's star and leaving it as a square. Instead of the normal chain in between the clover, I have improvised with picots. As can be seen, it does not fit at all plus I left out the joint of the last and first clover. This will most likely embellish a greeting card.
I joined several squares to get the length that I wanted. The top picture is the close up of the square.
The width is just nice for this fine thread so it makes a very remarkable bookmark. Actually the feel of it is more like lace. Saving it to give mum for her Quran. And the ending, I will use super glue. I dare not use my normal method of threading in using a needle.
This will be my sixth and accidentally, seventh motifs for the 25 Motif Challenge.
Apr 11, 2008
25 motif challenge
I found that using size 20 thread (my current favourite), I need a bigger shuttle than the standard Clover shuttle. I put one large shuttle in my Etsy cart - so how it goes since LadyShuttleMaker is coming out with new colors and one of them named, Marina - same as my sister.
In addition, I have joined the 25 Motif Challenge. This is what it is all about:
The Challenge sign up page. Tat 25 motives within the next year. A motif can be a medallion, snowflake, heart, bookmark, butterfly, earrings or any small piece of tatting. These articles may be tatted from published patterns and it's always nice to know where the pattern came from, or they may be designs that you have created. Post pictures on your blog, web page or photo page. Add a comment below the current post giving the location of your pictures and you will be added to the list of links.
I have so far done five motifs. Hopefully by tomorrow I will have motif no. 6 (should be 7 but that one cannot be uploaded until the time comes).
The day after
I ran out of thread (maybe but was not able to hold onto the shuttle) for the bookmark in Tuscany.
In order to load the thread I need to go to war which I am not in the mind to do now.
Yesterday, I went through some sites to see how other people unwind thread from skeins. The study chair I was using in my room is quite wide and I thought it would just fit snugly for the thread. It was not but it did work. Here is me unwinding Autumn Medley.
I have to tat something else using the thread because it was too fine and it broke when I was trying to close a SR. Thus, I am tatting for the Doily Exchange 2008 for Shuttles and Needles group. I am using Jane's method of joining thread without making any knots. (Maybe I will do again the flowery SMCR using the two colors.) It is coming beautifully but no pictures until my partner has it in her hands. But I will create a bookmark (with a very simple pattern) using the thread to show off the colors.
Apr 10, 2008
Flowery SMCR bookmark in Tuscany
The pattern is so great that it does not require any intervention to ensure the tatting lies flat on its own. My first attempt is quite good but I don't like to see the second color to show - and hiding the ends could be very frustrating. And another thing about this try, I cannot use 'big' picots for this pattern. It does not fit in.
I was rushing the second round (in green) last night because I wanted to load (yes, I have only a pair of shuttles) the new threads I received, plus mum wanted to buy groceries at Tesco. And then, I came upon a join which I loaded the second time the green thread - luckily it ended at the end of the chain.
The first thread I loaded is Tuscany from LadyShuttleMaker. First all, I made a mess of the whole skein - I should have placed at holders so that I can easily load the thread again. Now it is all jumbled. But the bookmark is so beautiful with the different colors interweaved and after each 'flower', the shape is so sturdy that I doubt I will need to do anything afterwards.
My next choice of thread to be loaded is Autumn Medley. This will be smaller and I'm planning to make it longer.
Apr 9, 2008
Conquering SMCR and SR
With one small project (a bookmark), I have learned to tat with two shuttles, SMCR (self-closing mock ring), SR (split ring), and shoe-lace trick. It was quite difficult in the beginning. Started with the pink thread (had plenty to be use for practice) but it was too thin. So then I switched to some left over of the variegated pink thread.
I have used this lovely pattern from Jane Eborall, Flowery SCMR Bookmark.
Here is my first attempt at it. The beginning was not good, I could not get the two split rings to be on opposite sides but I'm going to be using this pattern a lot.
My shipment has arrived - after I went down to the mailing room to follow up. The new service is really crap. Only when there is a courier waiting for me, then they will call you up. Just now he said - yes, I've seen your name. I felt like smacking him for being so I-don't-care attitude. This is not the first time - I even have sent an email to my employee about this. Looks like another email will be coming.
Back to the shipment, the colors look so beautiful but I still have to work on the threads. In addition, I found another great Etsy seller with a different color palete - will see how it goes. Pictures? need to get my camera at home.
Apr 8, 2008
Pictures of my recent purchases
After handing in my assignments yesterday, I have sat myself down to download some photos. First, this is the yarn I got from Kim for my next project - knitting a stole.
Here is my "toolbox" to store my tatting projects. Of all the places (searched many stores for these), I found the right boxes at Bake With Yen - a shop selling all the ingredients and tools for baking. The small box is to put my working projects. To keep all the yarns that is not being use is in the green box.
My experiments
To get more practise in the gauge and size of picots throughout the project, here are two motifs worked in size 10 and 20. Hopefully, the shipment will arrive soon so I can start making bookmarks.
Mar 26, 2008
Drooling for the shipment
After many emails and phone calls with PayPal, finally got my threads to be shipped. Got all this from Etsy.com
I have put in the individual pictures of some of the colors I'm waiting for but was wasted effort. Putting in the day after.
FUCHSIA size 20 varigated hand dyed tatting crochet thread 50 yrd skein
SEAWEED size 80 varigated hand dyed tatting crochet thread 50 yrd skein
AUTUMN MEDLEY size 80 varigated hand dyed tatting crochet thread 50 yrd skein
TUSCANY size 20 varigated hand dyed tatting crochet thread 50 yrd skein
Mar 25, 2008
My outing at Kim's
Yesterday, dropped by at Kim's shop. I can see how she can flourish at such a secluded shop at Endah Parade. Lots of ladies were there asking for her help. At first, I wanted to purchase a tatting thread so I can do something with the one I first bought from her (I can at least do some red flowers with leaves). Then I was thinking since it will be a hassle to get there I might as well purchase more. So I bought a stash of yarn for a stole. She even offered me her magazine for the pattern. My hands are itching to start but then I have two assignments I need to pass up on Apr 6, two project for the Yahoo! Shuttles and Needles group, a quilt which has been delayed for at least five years, and a pink shawl. Well, that sums it up on how busy I will be for the next few months.
Pictures of the thread? Its still in the camera and will only do it later this week.
Mar 22, 2008
First tatting using the correct thread
Thanks to the Yahoo! Shuttles and Needles group, I have found some shops that carry tatting thread. Even though the choices were not so plentiful, got some to practice some tatting.
Feb 19, 2008
Just now, I received news that my officemate just gave birth to her third child - a son. This week onwards, there are so many officemates and my sister that are due to give birth. So everywhere I turn, there is someone's pregnant. I recognized a colleague that she is pregnant but she denied it last week. But yesterday, she told me that I guessed right. I said how far along is it. She did not answered but I suspect for quite awhile.
I am currently reading Lie Down With Lions by Ken Follet. It is one of his earliest work but still enjoyable. The only time I open the book is during lunch time but the story is very engaging. Unfortunately I need to work on my master's assignments at full throttle to ensure I finish on time with time to spare. I hate doing it last minute because usually my body will weaken itself at that time.
For several weeks I have been foraging blogs of a craft Yahoo! group members I am in and making me want to knit (on-going shawl), crochet and tatting (both planning on bookmarks only). Anyway, here are some I have done. The blue bookmark I made several years ago which I'm planning to give to an intern who is finishing this Friday. The other bookmark was done recently while waiting for me to purchase the yarn and knitting needles.
Copyright © 2008 Zarina ZA