Playing around with Designs

 

Sooooo, I was working on my Quilt-Inspired Designs for Split Ring Tatting book(s) getting them ready for printing and instead of doing what I was SUPPOSED to be doing (proofing what I have done!) I started to ‘play’ with the basic design on the left.

If you look at the basic design you can see that it is assymetric. But I decided to play with it anyway to see what a more complex pattern it could make.

The design on the right is the outcome. At first glance it looks symmetrical….but that is actually deceiving. It IS & IS NOT symmetrical.

My next step will be to play with what happens when I change the color of the diamonds.

A brief synopsis of what I've been doing lately

I have a new view of life lately!!! I have been getting ready to go to the IOLI Convention in Iowa City, Iowa (which was July 27-August 1) for over a year now. It all started when I was proposing classes to the Convention coordinators over a year ago. They liked the idea of a quilt-themed tatting class based upon Split Ring Tatting Technique. I had been playing around with the quilt idea to create tatting patterns for a while, but had not really dived into the topic. When this class topic was chosen, I DID immerse myself into the world of historic quilt blocks–a world of color, repetition and symmetry, all concepts that I enjoy in my tatting.

So for over a year, I have been studying historic quilt blocks and converting the designs into tatting. Once again, Split Ring Tatting Technique gave me the base to create my tatted quilt-interpretations.
I created two different books based upon quilt designs: Patchwork Quilt Blocks in Split Ring Tatting & Quilt-Inspired Designs in Split Ring Tatting. They are quite different from one another.

For the last year, I have spent every spare free minute I had working on some aspect of these two books….getting all the details done. I knew I was going to be ‘down-to- the wire’ with getting them printed that I decided to test my publishing skills by getting a third book done: Block Alphabets in Split Ring Tatting. This book of 2 different block alphabets (and frames to use the letters/number) had been about 90% done for several years. This book had lost my interest to finish due to the fun I was having with the Quilt-Inspired books. But I ‘buckled-down’ and poured my time into finishing it.
All three of these books were published and printed in the time span of end of June to the beginning of July. I had possession of 3 boxes of my 5 books all in time to go to IOLI Convention where I debutted them.

Now they are available for purchase on my website: www.TheShuttleSmith.com 

Click on the “Tatting Books” tab. 

Payment is via PayPal

As both the author & publisher, your direct purchase from me is sincerely appreciated!

The cat’s in the bag–really!

 

If you look closely you can see a tail (white-tipped) and a paw

 

 

He really is in the bag!

 

I was working in my studio the other day and I was taking something out of a box. Pip (the cat) saw the box and was trying to get into it. I didn’t want this to happen so, I distracted him by putting a paper bag down and open onto the floor. Pip was immediately drawn to it, and crawled inside–a relatively tight fit, and started to purr loudly. I got a camera and took these photos. He was a happy cat.  Enjoy!

Don’t you just love the color of my carpeting?!?!? I pulled it out of a dumpster at work about 20 years ago! It works!!!

17 July 15 Update

Now that I have my 3 new ‘Fun with Split Ring Tatting’ books done I feel like I am on an downhill course. I am actively getting ready to go to IOLI Convention in Iowa City, Iowa in a couple of weeks (first week in August). My studio is a total mess, though I will have to say that it is a relatively ‘organized’ mess. I have piles of stuff that I am amassing to go to Convention. I’m teaching so I have had to get handouts and supplies for each different class. I am also vending, debutting my 3 new books and my two old books as well as my copper-enameled and leather tatting shuttles.

The two photos above are the Leather Tatting Shuttles that I am making for sale in the vending room. 

The top photo shows shuttles ‘almost’ done. The bottom photo show shuttles ‘on the way’ to done.

When I get back from Convention, I will put them for sale on my Etsy store along with some enameled tatting shuttles and my 3 new books. For a while, my 3 new books will only be available from me:

• Block Alphabets in Split Ring Tatting
• Quilt-Inspired Designs in Split Ring Tatting
• Patchwork Quilt Blocks in Split Ring Tatting

I really have only this weekend to get things done, because next Thursday I get on an AmTrak train here in Omaha, Nebraska to go to Grand Junction, Colorado for a vacation for a few days. I’m looking forward to tatting (& talking to people about tatting) on the train. Hopefully I’ll have pictures to share.

Tonight, friends are coming over to help my husband learn to brew beer with the kit I bought him for Christmas. I have a bit of a secret: I love a good (dark, flavorful) beer! In fact, one of my favorite things is to sit on my porch, with my cats, tatting and a good beer. I don’t drink usually more than one….too many calories and alcohol. I’m really a cheap drunk!

New Split Ring Tatting Book #4

FRONT COVER

BACK COVER

I’m debutting 3 new books in my ‘Fun with Split Ring Tatting’ series at the IOLI Convention in Iowa City, Iowa the first week in August.

I have books being printed (as I type) and am hoping that barring any complications, I hope to have my books in hand by the time I leave to drive to Convention.

After convention, I will make all my 3 new books available for purchase through my website (PayPal processing & free shipping to US addresses) or through my Etsy shop (which I am still setting up) before releasing through wholesale outlets.

What you see above is the front and back covers.

What I did ALL weekend!!!! 2 NEW BOOKS!!!

I Need Help Naming my 2 New Quilt-Inspired Design in Split Ring Tatting

I'm hoping that a 'Quilter/Tatter' can help me decide 'how' to name my 2 new Quilt-Inspired Fun with Split Ring Tatting books.

Book Number One is what I might call 'Patchwork' designs. They are all square pieces and based upon stacking 'square-rings' (4-4-4-4). All designs are based upon historically-named 'quilt-blocks'. SEE DESIGNS BELOW


Book Number Two is a deviation from Book #1 in that it features a variety of designs that are all still 'Quilt-Inspired'. Deviations included designs based upon 'offset-rings' in diamond shaped based patterns, non-square shapes, hexagon-based, more open-work, and 'pinwheel'-based designs. SEE DESIGNS BELOW



Any ideas as to how to name these books???? I do want to use the terms 'Quilt-Inspired', 'Split Ring Tatting' in the title for both.

PS. I am working feverishly to get these 2 books laid out and printed/published by the end of July. They will be debutted at the IOLI Convention the first week in August along with another new book: Block Alphabets in Split Ring Tatting