I like to make things that are practical. Tatting bookmarks is one of my 'practical' creative activities. They are useful and make special presents for friends and colleagues. Because they don't take too long to make, I can finish one within 5 train trips.!! I usually tat a bookmark on the way home from work by train, the trip takes about 1 hour. It helps with distracting me from constantly thinking about work. Four of the bookmarks in the pictures won first, second and third prizes at 2009 and 2010 Castle Hill Shows, Sydney.
Here is my version of the pin cushion from the tutorial section at 'crazy mom quilts' by AMANDAJEAN. I have added a tatted edge to make the seam between the cushion and the tin look neat and pretty. I'm following AMANDAJEAN's Blog and have been admiring her quilts and creative ideas.
I made this lap quilt for my dearest friend's birthday in December 2007. Marijke is a typical lovely Dutch lady. To make it feel special for the occasion, I chose the fabrics with the Australian national flower, Wattle, for the quilt. I picked up the idea for the quilt pattern from a cushion cover that I saw at one of the local craft fairs.
Linda Robertus has introduced me to the fabric postcard. These were the first three cards that I made. The very first one is the one with the butterfly. I sent it to Linda to thank her for suggesting this creative idea to me. It's a lovely and practical way of using up scraps. I have still got the frog one. The lady in the middle was Loralie Designs. She has gone (for good) to a Christmas party last year.!!
Last year, I learnt a new way (to me) of knitting a square from a book called 'Domino Knitting' by Vivian Hoxbro. It's a good way for me to use up bits and pieces of left over wools. My first project was a pot stand. It is now residing in my kitchen and regularly used.
In February this year, I joined the local Bernina Club and have been to a few sewing lessons to learn from the experts. Last month (April), I have managed to make this quilt for a friend's baby boy who was born on the day the quilt was finished. With help from the BSR of my beloved Bernina Aurora 440 QE, I have managed to add some free motion quilting to the quilt. I'm still a long way from mastering the technique.!!
In March this year, I ventured into the open category and this piece came third at 2010 Castle Hill Show, Sydney. The doily didn't live up to its name but I was still quite pleased with the result. The pattern was originally designed by Florence Anthony. I have added some beads to the centre of each motif to make the piece a bit more unique to my taste. During the process of making this doily, I have discovered that I like to tat with beads.
I started to learn how to tat properly in April 2008 at the NSW Tatters' Guild. Clare Banks was my first teacher. Shirley Reynolds was one another fellow student of Clare who started to learn to tat on the same day as me. I have become a member of the Guild since then. At the Guild's monthly meeting on the first Saturday of the month at Dence Park, Epping (Sydney), I have met and become good friend with a number of lovely ladies. They share their wealth of knowledge and experience with me. I have learnt and still am learning a lot from them. I won the first prize in the beginner category for the piece shown at 2009 Castle Hill Show, Sydney, in March. It's the first time that I entered the competition, so I was quite pleased with the outcome. The pattern of this doily is from "Needle Tatting from the Heart by Tina Neudorf, Edited by Barbara Foster, Handy Hands, Inc'.
I like to make things that are practical. Tatting bookmarks is one of my 'practical' creative activities. They are useful and make special presents for friends and colleagues. Because they don't take too long to make, I can finish one within 5 train trips.!! I usually tat a bookmark on the way home from work by train, the trip takes about 1 hour. It helps with distracting me from constantly thinking about work. Four of the bookmarks in the pictures won first, second and third prizes at 2009 and 2010 Castle Hill Shows, Sydney.
