tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63075966464383728172024-02-20T15:27:33.083+08:00Val's Simple PassionsValeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07751165269626905417noreply@blogger.comBlogger243125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6307596646438372817.post-70790897383789923232015-06-30T15:10:00.000+08:002015-06-30T15:10:00.832+08:00Bobbin Gobblin'<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
For those who know me, my passions are vast and many. Making bobbin lace is one. It was actually incidental that I got started on it. If you recall, my tatting teacher's teacher, Mrs Sheila Dutton, was visiting one year and the group did bobbin lace. It looked challenging but I made a plunge to pick up a few techniques. The pieces I made weren't much to show, but you might want to see the bobbins I gathered subsequently.</div>
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Sheila sewed the bobbin cases, and they are beautiful! They can't be left empty; oh, absolutely not. The enthusiasm to purchase a few bobbins got the better of me, and... Well, the rest is history.</div>
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Thought you might enjoy some eye candy.</div>
<br />Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07751165269626905417noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6307596646438372817.post-56395405848733401772015-06-28T15:30:00.000+08:002015-06-28T15:30:02.975+08:00Doll Boots Class<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Just as a person needs clothes, so does a doll. I am working on some doll clothes, and what an adventure! It's looking up patterns of doll dresses, accessories and fabrics (of course), and due to my inexperience, I thought I should work on a prototype. Details will be in another post.</div>
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A couple of months back, a fellow bear-making friend agreed to give a lesson on making leather doll boots. Ooh, that was exciting. Started by cutting out the template for the boots and tracing the parts onto a piece of leather.<span style="text-align: center;"> Then holes were hammered onto the leather for sewing the pieces together.</span></div>
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The steps weren't complicated.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ldEpTsSeLrU/VY5EGZoEAhI/AAAAAAAAB_s/KX9oaHjM8PY/s1600/boot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ldEpTsSeLrU/VY5EGZoEAhI/AAAAAAAAB_s/KX9oaHjM8PY/s320/boot.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Aa4AKEX3q04/VY5EJbCTcXI/AAAAAAAAB_8/eg4v5mInEkU/s1600/leather%2Bcuts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Aa4AKEX3q04/VY5EJbCTcXI/AAAAAAAAB_8/eg4v5mInEkU/s320/leather%2Bcuts.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Voila! A proud new pair of leather doll boots! These are so cool!</div>
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Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07751165269626905417noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6307596646438372817.post-39411608949567895262015-05-19T12:00:00.000+08:002015-05-19T12:00:07.848+08:00Doll'in Up Next!At a gathering last year, I was introduced to a porcelain doll teacher. What did you think? I know I wouldn't pass up the chance to making my own doll! Finally I could start in late November, and got to casting my doll parts. I was going to make a portrait doll from a mold by renowned doll artist Dianna Effner. A portrait doll is a doll which is made to the likeness of a real person. The process was fascinating.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1q3Ig5NLZXld_SJht3qE1icBYZ8F4QqtrPMmu7n8wU2pT60ux79OSjkQUtyULzDgcvah9yOFha412m5QkN1dCkLecbKeeeqVtG2a-EzH6mxHrTGo6yAJMnFSEg86xKG8rJgLFxNUPnZWJ/s1600/IMG_1099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1q3Ig5NLZXld_SJht3qE1icBYZ8F4QqtrPMmu7n8wU2pT60ux79OSjkQUtyULzDgcvah9yOFha412m5QkN1dCkLecbKeeeqVtG2a-EzH6mxHrTGo6yAJMnFSEg86xKG8rJgLFxNUPnZWJ/s320/IMG_1099.JPG" width="165" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First, porcelain slip was poured into a plaster mold, and a layer of clay sets to form the doll parts.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibLREQzv18eLodHZ9cyp3oYxAwuk_y_UNPxc9dGsCtOwEQdx1OcT-ibEM06wjdUCUJ5BgP9Fp6IDAYj9HQD1nxyJZ-9HcmE3TwTbnZgquQMHiXMNn0_rfwKODNjOwfS-ikyWH6d6PYSlBb/s1600/IMG_1111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibLREQzv18eLodHZ9cyp3oYxAwuk_y_UNPxc9dGsCtOwEQdx1OcT-ibEM06wjdUCUJ5BgP9Fp6IDAYj9HQD1nxyJZ-9HcmE3TwTbnZgquQMHiXMNn0_rfwKODNjOwfS-ikyWH6d6PYSlBb/s320/IMG_1111.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Once the parts are leather hard, they are soft-fired in a kiln.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zcLl3E5LV_4/VViXKjL39sI/AAAAAAAAB98/Hbe5VbAwRxM/s1600/IMG_1105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zcLl3E5LV_4/VViXKjL39sI/AAAAAAAAB98/Hbe5VbAwRxM/s200/IMG_1105.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Then it's time to sand away the parting mold lines, and cut the eyes. The key is to ensure that <br />
the windows to the soul are symmetrically shaped.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VNnRGfgThoA/VViXJoJkoTI/AAAAAAAAB90/FfSPlrf5Cu8/s1600/IMG_1102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="201" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VNnRGfgThoA/VViXJoJkoTI/AAAAAAAAB90/FfSPlrf5Cu8/s400/IMG_1102.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A refined set of doll parts are now ready to be bisque-fired.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgak_u8fcwSbqtQpgJE38iUdPSDSTGNY3hSQRSv4RuNm8V7Miis5bVtBwt4aOkl5-iy1JtiPGaatuT1-GzgOHKsvVNNTVL37Igo1YGTvMFLF_-3cNMzuwko-zfC_gPmXVJNL3x0dq8PUVtF/s1600/IMG_1172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgak_u8fcwSbqtQpgJE38iUdPSDSTGNY3hSQRSv4RuNm8V7Miis5bVtBwt4aOkl5-iy1JtiPGaatuT1-GzgOHKsvVNNTVL37Igo1YGTvMFLF_-3cNMzuwko-zfC_gPmXVJNL3x0dq8PUVtF/s400/IMG_1172.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here are some of the brushes and painting tools used to paint the doll, starting with the face.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2-qg1unJ71wBUtgdxzCmX3moh0E-3JdGovoGsKfGgSQjK_4lZFjZBwaiKaTq0Tw9BCFDnZbH1tXRjlq-FjdcQ95EdT3CsRP1d93xFCBaTPyXFwRHRhxVZA9z2l3ybPhbz18efDNlxtPIu/s1600/IMG_2754.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2-qg1unJ71wBUtgdxzCmX3moh0E-3JdGovoGsKfGgSQjK_4lZFjZBwaiKaTq0Tw9BCFDnZbH1tXRjlq-FjdcQ95EdT3CsRP1d93xFCBaTPyXFwRHRhxVZA9z2l3ybPhbz18efDNlxtPIu/s320/IMG_2754.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The painting of the features, such as the eyebrows, eyelashes, lips and even the rouge, had to done in layers, <br />
and fired a few rounds to achieve the desired effects. Similarly, the other parts of the body, <br />
like the limbs and shoulder had to be painted to give the parts depth, and a 3D feel.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d3SFAlH0yYc/VVicbmwc7yI/AAAAAAAAB-k/RaHZRIsIjzo/s1600/IMG_2764.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d3SFAlH0yYc/VVicbmwc7yI/AAAAAAAAB-k/RaHZRIsIjzo/s400/IMG_2764.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This doll has a soft fabric body, which would be sewn and attached to the different body parts.</td></tr>
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I will have more pictures and the fully made-up porcelain doll to show in the next posts.<br />
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Till then. Have a great week!Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07751165269626905417noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6307596646438372817.post-5275367246893080132015-05-17T20:35:00.003+08:002015-05-18T11:06:53.277+08:00Meeting CooperIn this cyber age, meeting new friends online is easy, but all the fun is in seeing them in person, or persons. Last month, my teddy bears and I got to meet Kay and Brian Cooper from Australia! Kay is the bear artist behind Cooper Bears. Thanks to Esther (the artist who creates all the lovely Esther Bears), we ~ Esther, Paula (a porcelain doll teacher whom I will introduce in another post) and I ~ met Kay and Brian for coffee in town. Of course our teddy bears had to come along too! Bucket, their famous travelling bear, came to coffee, and all the bears chatted excitedly among themselves.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjulKOqf632P_-LAewn1x3yM44QfXzCpdpnk5UCTmyFiC1UfLulR18Duhe2YmbxqgE4MT5sVvobwb3CG5K-IOBnw3-Uo4DXAFdtZiVHVKB7Ks-Hm4Rf0P5TPpBxGJTl5pfSwLkpbJfmnMHE/s1600/gardens-by-the-bay-with-kay-and-brian-cooper_16868525009_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjulKOqf632P_-LAewn1x3yM44QfXzCpdpnk5UCTmyFiC1UfLulR18Duhe2YmbxqgE4MT5sVvobwb3CG5K-IOBnw3-Uo4DXAFdtZiVHVKB7Ks-Hm4Rf0P5TPpBxGJTl5pfSwLkpbJfmnMHE/s400/gardens-by-the-bay-with-kay-and-brian-cooper_16868525009_o.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sugar with our coffee?</td></tr>
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After coffee, the group adjourned to Gardens by the Bay. As we went through the entrance to the gardens, in the distance, there was the cluster of Supertrees. We gasped at the magnificent 16-storey-high structures that juxtaposed the varieties of trees and shrubs. According to the official website of Gardens, 11 of the 12 Supertrees have been embedded with environmentally sustainable photovoltaic cells to harvest solar energy.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-faHHsQz4f6M/VVh7YTDLD-I/AAAAAAAAB8c/h9lxhhKD1Wo/s1600/gardens-by-the-bay-with-kay-and-brian-cooper_16868533089_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-faHHsQz4f6M/VVh7YTDLD-I/AAAAAAAAB8c/h9lxhhKD1Wo/s400/gardens-by-the-bay-with-kay-and-brian-cooper_16868533089_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Not to be missed is the OCBC Skyway, a 128-metre-long walkway at a height of 22-metres that connects two Supertrees at the Supertree Grove. Although the walkway was a steel bridge, it felt a little wobbly, especially with a bunch of us strolling on it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SZCzbyUL2Gc/VVh5bSRZjMI/AAAAAAAAB8M/3d3PgyiM4II/s1600/gardens-by-the-bay-with-kay-and-brian-cooper_16867204750_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="336" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SZCzbyUL2Gc/VVh5bSRZjMI/AAAAAAAAB8M/3d3PgyiM4II/s400/gardens-by-the-bay-with-kay-and-brian-cooper_16867204750_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From left: Esther, Kay, Brian, Marcia and me</td></tr>
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We managed to cover a small area of the gardens, and are impressed.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p-ykDF8aBWo/VVh-rl9badI/AAAAAAAAB8w/EWvEZ0DhkNQ/s1600/gardens-by-the-bay-with-kay-and-brian-cooper_17054754055_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p-ykDF8aBWo/VVh-rl9badI/AAAAAAAAB8w/EWvEZ0DhkNQ/s400/gardens-by-the-bay-with-kay-and-brian-cooper_17054754055_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marina Bay Sands is just opposite the Gardens.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N1Yan32uaIs/VVh-XGahodI/AAAAAAAAB8o/Clj0m5Ko15Y/s1600/gardens-by-the-bay-with-kay-and-brian-cooper_17054754365_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N1Yan32uaIs/VVh-XGahodI/AAAAAAAAB8o/Clj0m5Ko15Y/s400/gardens-by-the-bay-with-kay-and-brian-cooper_17054754365_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The joyful koi in the gardens</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-blm8kYDCZvY/VVh5R6_idRI/AAAAAAAAB8A/rzdzoAtc5O4/s1600/gardens-by-the-bay-with-kay-and-brian-cooper_16847339317_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-blm8kYDCZvY/VVh5R6_idRI/AAAAAAAAB8A/rzdzoAtc5O4/s400/gardens-by-the-bay-with-kay-and-brian-cooper_16847339317_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Planet' by Marc Quinn (b. 1964) is a sculpture that depicts the sculptor's son, Lucas.</td></tr>
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As night fell, we headed for a scrumptious meal at Satay by the Bay, a hawker-style eatery that featured local cuisine. The spread was totally mouthwatering.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CNlML0nJDOQ/VViB6MOKYhI/AAAAAAAAB88/tWd20So1UMg/s1600/gardens-by-the-bay-with-kay-and-brian-cooper_16847331877_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CNlML0nJDOQ/VViB6MOKYhI/AAAAAAAAB88/tWd20So1UMg/s400/gardens-by-the-bay-with-kay-and-brian-cooper_16847331877_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From left: Marcia, Esther, Kay, Brian and Paula.</td></tr>
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On our way out after dinner, we were treated to a light display that lit up the gardens. You must see them for yourselves! It's magical.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zv9Zsd6UDrE/VViEDna60II/AAAAAAAAB9I/bhbnQAk7PA8/s1600/gardens-by-the-bay-with-kay-and-brian-cooper_16867208330_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zv9Zsd6UDrE/VViEDna60II/AAAAAAAAB9I/bhbnQAk7PA8/s640/gardens-by-the-bay-with-kay-and-brian-cooper_16867208330_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9EsPRvPpZ5g/VViEHF3byVI/AAAAAAAAB9Q/sGdW16IakBw/s1600/gardens-by-the-bay-with-kay-and-brian-cooper_16868534469_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9EsPRvPpZ5g/VViEHF3byVI/AAAAAAAAB9Q/sGdW16IakBw/s400/gardens-by-the-bay-with-kay-and-brian-cooper_16868534469_o.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Does this not remind you of the neon forests in 'Avatar'?</td></tr>
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<br />Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07751165269626905417noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6307596646438372817.post-35934410052901270962014-06-06T09:00:00.000+08:002014-06-06T09:00:00.310+08:00Two Little Alphabet Keyringsfor two lovely colleagues... Thanks for all your help, Juliana and Terrenz!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AE0uL5xbZ9Y/U46ZR5gcD2I/AAAAAAAAB08/2uMg1647pmM/s1600/JT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AE0uL5xbZ9Y/U46ZR5gcD2I/AAAAAAAAB08/2uMg1647pmM/s1600/JT.jpg" height="316" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alphabet motifs from <em>Tatting Lace</em> by Applemints, tatted in #40 Lisbeth threads.</td></tr>
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Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07751165269626905417noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6307596646438372817.post-6996876897464864102014-06-04T10:55:00.001+08:002014-06-04T10:55:36.777+08:00A Simple Cuff BraceletThe school holidays are finally here!<br />
Am gearing up to finish a lot of re-organizing -- my craft supplies, display cupboard, books and patterns -- all need some TLC! I think I have a couple of giveaways in the works. Look out! ;)<br />
Here's a cuff bracelet I tatted. Pretty simple with basic motifs and some delica beads for a bit of glitter.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FNeypkXQlMA/U46JRSu_chI/AAAAAAAAB0c/4RK39WgR-0M/s1600/bracelet2.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FNeypkXQlMA/U46JRSu_chI/AAAAAAAAB0c/4RK39WgR-0M/s1600/bracelet2.jpg.jpg" height="306" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tatted using a #20 Japanese cotton in Baby Blue, and a 5mm medium grey Swaroski pearl</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJpKBFsVuqaqMa01F8ujo4njf_SkB0C8jgN56HDiOFAxt4DlcZBZEICrQEbDMaxN7MidV2jXtH2oOssCXaRrihVrwt7op8fZgMJ8bttG_9UJxKZAJM59ZooHvsEBvzY208hyphenhyphen8eDnw9QNgS/s1600/braceletdetail.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJpKBFsVuqaqMa01F8ujo4njf_SkB0C8jgN56HDiOFAxt4DlcZBZEICrQEbDMaxN7MidV2jXtH2oOssCXaRrihVrwt7op8fZgMJ8bttG_9UJxKZAJM59ZooHvsEBvzY208hyphenhyphen8eDnw9QNgS/s1600/braceletdetail.jpg.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A detailed view of the centre motif</td></tr>
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Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07751165269626905417noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6307596646438372817.post-16659042898670930752014-05-25T21:13:00.001+08:002014-05-25T21:14:52.857+08:00A Lacey DayIt's another restful Sunday for me today. Decided to tat although there was no chocolate in sight. Am very pleased with the final product. It's a very sweet bow/ribbon, isn't it?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><em></em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb-ZgyU7eR7rBwdx_hY0mz1spDBybzDJQKUR753n3DHphCoAwSkIvnLsr3d3ex2m5pOUpV9oAI6pUC_9tiA1epg8RbH0pWGuqBC240swJMJ2KlSFpwy80znShK0OwOf1QzfcWvvN83YnZQ/s1600/ribbon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><em><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb-ZgyU7eR7rBwdx_hY0mz1spDBybzDJQKUR753n3DHphCoAwSkIvnLsr3d3ex2m5pOUpV9oAI6pUC_9tiA1epg8RbH0pWGuqBC240swJMJ2KlSFpwy80znShK0OwOf1QzfcWvvN83YnZQ/s1600/ribbon.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></em></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tatted in DMC #30 Ecru; pattern from <em>Tatting Lace</em> by Applemints (a Japanese tatting book).</td></tr>
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My former colleague, who was the Editorial Director at my previous workplace, sent me a picture of this lovely crochet-clad tree he came across in the street in Curitiba (Brazil). He said he saw this tree and thought of me. How sweet of him!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V9T8pgna35c/U4Hp8SiTDMI/AAAAAAAAB0A/KrmTp4-GZjk/s1600/10362387_10152379053109654_247128577_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V9T8pgna35c/U4Hp8SiTDMI/AAAAAAAAB0A/KrmTp4-GZjk/s1600/10362387_10152379053109654_247128577_n.jpg" height="640" width="475" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo courtesy of Douglas Amrine</td></tr>
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Hope your weekend is sweet and restful too.Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07751165269626905417noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6307596646438372817.post-66308982304813908232014-05-20T21:20:00.001+08:002014-06-04T10:56:48.303+08:00Down the Garden PathLife's been really busy, and there's hardly any time or energy left after work to do anything. I still try to tat a little on and off, but progress is slow. Yesterday, however, I managed to sit down to tat! Although I don't enjoy making small motifs and hiding in ends often, this pattern is delightful. I feel rather cheerful after working on this.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yCMzuvcwAvQ/U3rCsepMgRI/AAAAAAAABzs/Y1ZX12Awx5k/s1600/gardenpath1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yCMzuvcwAvQ/U3rCsepMgRI/AAAAAAAABzs/Y1ZX12Awx5k/s1600/gardenpath1.jpg" height="262" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Down the Garden Path by Pamela Palmer in Tatting Treats 3; tatted in a combination of Flora and Lisbeth threads #20.</td></tr>
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Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07751165269626905417noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6307596646438372817.post-28965139399906619772014-04-20T09:30:00.000+08:002014-04-20T09:30:00.059+08:00The Collar's Ready!It's been a rather busy time, but I've managed to squeeze in some time to tat a collar for my teddy bear. I'm happy, and I hope she is too!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d8rvYVUzoJQ/U1MfG3roi7I/AAAAAAAABzI/pC93aiPzzlM/s1600/teddycollar.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d8rvYVUzoJQ/U1MfG3roi7I/AAAAAAAABzI/pC93aiPzzlM/s1600/teddycollar.jpg.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oS_BJsmeAus/U1MfIpE8kCI/AAAAAAAABzM/vVGL13k_KUQ/s1600/tatted+collar.jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oS_BJsmeAus/U1MfIpE8kCI/AAAAAAAABzM/vVGL13k_KUQ/s1600/tatted+collar.jpg.jpg" height="313" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A pattern from Jan Stawasz's <em>Tatted Treasures</em>, tatted in DMC #30 white.</td></tr>
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Last month, Sheila Dutton, my lace teacher from the UK came to visit. I'll have the story in my next post.</div>
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Happy Easter!</div>
Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07751165269626905417noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6307596646438372817.post-78356933578852821992014-03-18T12:00:00.000+08:002014-03-18T12:00:03.912+08:00Heart ImmortalisedLove this delicate-looking tatted heart by Mark Myers. Very dainty.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6cfDcxDqZBo/UxqWaOg4OHI/AAAAAAAAByE/V19nw5OjQrA/s1600/heart-tat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6cfDcxDqZBo/UxqWaOg4OHI/AAAAAAAAByE/V19nw5OjQrA/s1600/heart-tat.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tatted in DMC #70 White</td></tr>
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Decided to stiffen it, thus, 'immortalised'.</div>
Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07751165269626905417noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6307596646438372817.post-38142849455626594452014-03-13T17:46:00.002+08:002014-03-13T17:46:30.167+08:00A Stitched PostcardI signed up for <em><a href="http://dowhatyouloveforlife.com/swap/" target="_blank">The Great Big Stitched Postcard Swap</a></em>, and the given theme is "Create". Very interesting! I decided to create the letters that spell the theme. Some letters were tatted, others cut out from felt.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DHiIb4VDZ04/UyF7721wbLI/AAAAAAAAByk/SPMb3UJidzI/s1600/prep+materials.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DHiIb4VDZ04/UyF7721wbLI/AAAAAAAAByk/SPMb3UJidzI/s1600/prep+materials.jpg" height="318" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Materials were gathered.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC05hq_S9jHI5iqu30fA-Gi8E0-tIfdyRVQHUp0UNFHH5zJr9LMc7cvvuiy952qdcz52O-YMKU0sBkbd7Xf905kOGZuyTgDJQ_j166eTwiV9cLP21FcAw89Y15EzUFm_vyj_jfdeIiUjqC/s1600/pin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC05hq_S9jHI5iqu30fA-Gi8E0-tIfdyRVQHUp0UNFHH5zJr9LMc7cvvuiy952qdcz52O-YMKU0sBkbd7Xf905kOGZuyTgDJQ_j166eTwiV9cLP21FcAw89Y15EzUFm_vyj_jfdeIiUjqC/s1600/pin.jpg" height="318" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Letters were positioned and pinned down. There is even a stamp for the back of the postcard!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2JMfwGhYReRAT9nITfvwALki3BVFUPXB8eCsUXkWrlQeHpDQ8qS09wCJ1QbfzNtp1QqXPmez_oJtNnsAr9QBjk4bbdLJGlLgRs38woWy7HbRI0oCOVEpS-nSPWUtWII7AZelEYqVyultB/s1600/post-front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2JMfwGhYReRAT9nITfvwALki3BVFUPXB8eCsUXkWrlQeHpDQ8qS09wCJ1QbfzNtp1QqXPmez_oJtNnsAr9QBjk4bbdLJGlLgRs38woWy7HbRI0oCOVEpS-nSPWUtWII7AZelEYqVyultB/s1600/post-front.jpg" height="275" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The letters were first glued to the fabric, then stitched down, on the front!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4bXfMwKMRJg/UyF77uiaROI/AAAAAAAAByw/d8LFq8rnk9o/s1600/post-back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4bXfMwKMRJg/UyF77uiaROI/AAAAAAAAByw/d8LFq8rnk9o/s1600/post-back.jpg" height="273" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The back is ready too!</td></tr>
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It's the first time I've stitched a postcard, and I'm rather pleased with the outcome. Love the owl stamp! Now I hope my swap partner is happy with this too.Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07751165269626905417noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6307596646438372817.post-48555728434744531112014-03-11T12:00:00.000+08:002014-03-11T12:00:04.006+08:00Motif from a Japanese Tatting BookWas again looking to tat a motif, and spotted this lovely motif in a Japanese title <em>A New Approach to Tatting</em> by Yusai Shokoin. Very sweet, and I added some seed beads for the fun of it. Not that fun adding beads, actually, because I find that if my concentration slipped even just for a bit, I missed putting in the required bead or two! ")<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AZZoDLiZ6zk/UxqVD-I_F-I/AAAAAAAABx4/LU6BcKJK-94/s1600/jap+motif.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AZZoDLiZ6zk/UxqVD-I_F-I/AAAAAAAABx4/LU6BcKJK-94/s1600/jap+motif.jpg" height="400" width="380" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tatted in Flora #20 Light Blue</td></tr>
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Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07751165269626905417noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6307596646438372817.post-186048734066773742014-03-10T12:00:00.000+08:002014-03-10T12:00:09.809+08:00Bling-ing OnAfter the first round of blinging my Clovers <a href="http://valspassions.blogspot.sg/2014/02/playing-with-shuttle.html" target="_blank">here</a>, I looked around for more items to play with. Found these netting needles that I bought online some time back. Hmm, nice potentials!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtrcJbHzOBU1JV4a3q5kV4qLeE2kK7P9tpJBb7amM_fGouWExezATciVuGdcXpvNZcLQqeQ-S_yhp-24R-xO7RocwikaY46JKQPqHD4NQxkWVZ8NjSAVoTrsrdvGzXQJ4i34l_el6NfQTO/s1600/prep+netting+shuttles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtrcJbHzOBU1JV4a3q5kV4qLeE2kK7P9tpJBb7amM_fGouWExezATciVuGdcXpvNZcLQqeQ-S_yhp-24R-xO7RocwikaY46JKQPqHD4NQxkWVZ8NjSAVoTrsrdvGzXQJ4i34l_el6NfQTO/s1600/prep+netting+shuttles.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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And they became transformed... Good fun!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B6zaGbVF32g/UxqRflTVwOI/AAAAAAAABxs/DlRBL5qO9IU/s1600/netting+shuttles-bling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B6zaGbVF32g/UxqRflTVwOI/AAAAAAAABxs/DlRBL5qO9IU/s1600/netting+shuttles-bling.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07751165269626905417noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6307596646438372817.post-68683386424903014702014-03-08T12:00:00.000+08:002014-03-08T12:00:04.820+08:00Tat My LettersSigned up for a typography class last weekend, organised by the National Library of Singapore, and was introduced to how typefaces originated, as well as the anatomy of letters. Very interesting. When it came to hands on, participants were asked to design our own typefaces based on a purpose. I started doodling...<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pkMOBvytWFM/UxqM5_FBojI/AAAAAAAABxQ/ldcy-gvfNYc/s1600/doodling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pkMOBvytWFM/UxqM5_FBojI/AAAAAAAABxQ/ldcy-gvfNYc/s1600/doodling.jpg" height="361" width="400" /></a></div>
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Naturally I attempted to incorporate tatting in my typefaces! Not too happy with the formations yet, so will continue to improve on these a bit more. Who knows, I might just have a winning set of fonts in time to come!</div>
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Now prior to attending the class, I took to browsing the tatted alphabet patterns that tatters have come up with. There was no particular favourite, but I found this set designed by Gillian Buchanan, and worked on a few alphabets. They are quick to tat up. I may use these again somewhere else. ;P</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GQW9KVa5EwU/UxqM9xv41hI/AAAAAAAABxY/BIixQPn6-GU/s1600/alphabets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GQW9KVa5EwU/UxqM9xv41hI/AAAAAAAABxY/BIixQPn6-GU/s1600/alphabets.jpg" height="293" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tatted in Milford #40 Light Brown</td></tr>
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Hope you are having a great weekend.Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07751165269626905417noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6307596646438372817.post-65620187089700501132014-02-20T12:00:00.000+08:002014-02-20T13:12:43.251+08:00Ring Issue ResolvedI read on Frivole's <a href="http://leblogdefrivole.blogspot.sg/2014/02/bumper-valentine-blogpost.html" target="_blank">post</a> about how her adding of another 2nd ds to a ring before closing it actually helped to give it a better shape, and re-opening a ring was much easier with this additional 'step'. I tried it when tatting this heart that also appears on the same post.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QNXj3vYD3lA/UwQ9JyIuN3I/AAAAAAAABwE/iRzIK6vXryQ/s1600/Susheart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QNXj3vYD3lA/UwQ9JyIuN3I/AAAAAAAABwE/iRzIK6vXryQ/s1600/Susheart.jpg" height="319" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://tat-calendar.blogspot.co.uk/2007/02/february-7-susans-one-shuttle-heart.html" target="_blank">Susan's One Shuttle Heart</a> using Lisbeth #40 Red Burst</td></tr>
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I noticed that when I added a 2nd ds to the last stitch before closing the rings, the rings came together neatly, and proved all the advantages that Frivole mentioned. Thank you, Frivole, for sharing this 'technique'.<br />
I promptly tatted another heart, and am totally comfortable with working in another 2nd ds.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jqhAalAsa1E/UwQ-_cgn17I/AAAAAAAABwQ/cyxqCv382ws/s1600/Susheart-pink.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jqhAalAsa1E/UwQ-_cgn17I/AAAAAAAABwQ/cyxqCv382ws/s1600/Susheart-pink.jpg" height="312" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tatted with Flora #20 Pink</td></tr>
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Beside these, I have completed Jane Eborall's TIAS 2014 challenge. It's a sailboat! I was a little naughty in telling Jane I didn't believe it's a sailboat just the day before the final reveal, and she panicked. Got'cha there, Jane! TIAS 2014 was fun!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjILr4TzQrLt31ImBO4zwSbi3-wbl7Aa10aTFAIsJ0bYwnZxebhASCIpBDGaaBcplIVFeGhFBckjOunbCnp1WuikrXch4pEhlrAZhpLyKt2zIF9ZzwMhOcWthhdoDzI-_Wf1ze0iF8TOrTT/s1600/TIAS2014-sailboat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjILr4TzQrLt31ImBO4zwSbi3-wbl7Aa10aTFAIsJ0bYwnZxebhASCIpBDGaaBcplIVFeGhFBckjOunbCnp1WuikrXch4pEhlrAZhpLyKt2zIF9ZzwMhOcWthhdoDzI-_Wf1ze0iF8TOrTT/s1600/TIAS2014-sailboat.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tatted in Flora #20 Medium Blue and Maroon</td></tr>
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Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07751165269626905417noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6307596646438372817.post-2472234784779505192014-02-19T12:18:00.004+08:002014-02-19T12:21:26.809+08:00Playing with ShuttleThere's nothing new with that, so you may think. I'm not talking about tatting with my shuttle.<br />
I have been wanting to get my hands on blinging my own shuttle for a while... A couple of days back while out in the malls, I managed to pick up the paint and varnish, and have all the stuff I needed to do it!<br />
The inspiration came from Diane, who gave some awesome instructions <a href="http://lacelovinlibrarian.blogspot.sg/2011/03/blinging-my-way.html" target="_blank">here</a>, and Decorama also gave a very useful <a href="http://decoromana.blogspot.sg/2010/10/how-to-decoupage-tatting-shuttle.html" target="_blank">tutorial</a> on how to bling a shuttle. <br />
I have a good handful of Clovers that are loaded, and I didn't want to ruin or soil them, this being the first time I'm 'messing around' with a shuttle! So I went digging in my basket of tatting supplies, and found an empty shuttle (that I'd abandoned).<br />
The result of a few hours of playing with paint, modge podge, serviettes, varnish and lots of patience (because I had to give time for the layers of paint, modge podge, etc, to dry) is...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8UlPADmNclI/UwQuCv6TlhI/AAAAAAAABuw/gYrW-F19IIE/s1600/Shuttle-f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8UlPADmNclI/UwQuCv6TlhI/AAAAAAAABuw/gYrW-F19IIE/s1600/Shuttle-f.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the front...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PjQsVVSXrdo/UwQwHwehRQI/AAAAAAAABvE/C6PCDieVlfs/s1600/shuttle-b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PjQsVVSXrdo/UwQwHwehRQI/AAAAAAAABvE/C6PCDieVlfs/s1600/shuttle-b.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the back...</td></tr>
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I quite like what I did. Now that I've gained some confidence from this experience, more pretty shuttles will (hopefully) be added to my collection!Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07751165269626905417noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6307596646438372817.post-89023553617893408132014-02-14T10:30:00.001+08:002014-02-14T10:30:04.597+08:00Love To My Valentines<div align="center">
A quick post to wish everyone in Tatland and all my other craft friends...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xRaiOW81j0c/Uv1_HYtAvPI/AAAAAAAABuE/tfFVCkPQvPM/s1600/HeartEng.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xRaiOW81j0c/Uv1_HYtAvPI/AAAAAAAABuE/tfFVCkPQvPM/s1600/HeartEng.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heart of England by Rosemarie Peel, tatted in Flora #20 Variegated Red</td></tr>
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Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07751165269626905417noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6307596646438372817.post-1546805485291601742014-02-13T16:06:00.002+08:002014-02-13T16:09:09.600+08:00Jane's Flurry Heartache I like <a href="http://janeeborall.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/being-old-and.html" target="_blank">Jane's Flurry Heartache</a> (a motif she named thus because it gave her some 'heartache' designing it!) and what she did with <a href="http://janeeborall.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/the-little-hearts.html" target="_blank">the pieces she tatted</a>. They gave the earring/ring boxes a nice touch and finish.<br />
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Here's my version of the motif. I, too, experienced some minor 'heartache' in the beginning tatting it. LOL It was, nonetheless, a delightful little piece. Did someone say it's the season for tatting hearts?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-keGWkRqAY3I/Uvx8Je8Z-FI/AAAAAAAABt0/nhMS_YNwVQU/s1600/Heartache+Flurry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-keGWkRqAY3I/Uvx8Je8Z-FI/AAAAAAAABt0/nhMS_YNwVQU/s1600/Heartache+Flurry.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tatted in Lisbeth #40 Red Burst and Milford #40 Black</td></tr>
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Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07751165269626905417noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6307596646438372817.post-41190240747178142112014-02-11T13:05:00.001+08:002014-02-11T13:05:21.020+08:00Again, Again, AgainI find that there are some patterns that I really like to tat, but the first couple of attempts would turn out quite 'disastrous' and, this happened to be one of those. I wasn't happy with the gaps between the rings and chains being uneven; some larger than the other (repeats). The first attempt, below, was promptly abandoned.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NXjNMIp5iVI/Uvms9_kBbTI/AAAAAAAABrQ/eZIOTfj2yoE/s1600/blue+bcage+abd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NXjNMIp5iVI/Uvms9_kBbTI/AAAAAAAABrQ/eZIOTfj2yoE/s1600/blue+bcage+abd.jpg" height="320" width="303" /></a></div>
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The second, as you can see, seemed to be worse. Urgh... You'd probably predicted it's fate too!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zOe9lb3UgD4/Uvms35kID8I/AAAAAAAABrI/NtXjsJ4Cmzg/s1600/black+bcage+circle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zOe9lb3UgD4/Uvms35kID8I/AAAAAAAABrI/NtXjsJ4Cmzg/s1600/black+bcage+circle.jpg" height="320" width="313" /></a></div>
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The third attempt seemed more acceptable, but I'm still not too happy with the way it turned out. Have another go? I wonder how the other tatters deal with such 'disappointments'.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2rSqpgj85NM/UvmtDjFJA6I/AAAAAAAABrY/sY1iCyN-Bd8/s1600/lilac+bcage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2rSqpgj85NM/UvmtDjFJA6I/AAAAAAAABrY/sY1iCyN-Bd8/s1600/lilac+bcage.jpg" height="320" width="312" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birdcage by Mary Konior in <em>Tatting in Lace</em></td></tr>
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Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07751165269626905417noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6307596646438372817.post-62605702894087639512014-02-02T10:48:00.001+08:002014-02-02T10:48:33.206+08:00Year of the Golden Horse30 January marked the first day of the Lunar New Year 2014. It's the Year of the Golden Horse up next! Here are a few pictures of my simple preparation for the celebration.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u-xXnJ07no4/Uu2p7Zd6pdI/AAAAAAAABqM/3uDTLsV1IxE/s1600/Year+of+the+Horse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u-xXnJ07no4/Uu2p7Zd6pdI/AAAAAAAABqM/3uDTLsV1IxE/s1600/Year+of+the+Horse.jpg" height="640" width="392" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A simple flora arrangement that symbolises Spring, with a basket of oranges to signify prosperity and luck</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNvgskxgLMmkrPyEpwAB3cnp6yy4iJtwkD5ib5HW1voeQuRUEqYZFBZDLHQsUfYY7NTJGH2CKbEba2O0yag7ePmXramuJYEpvQL_gqS8iHgTjZHU8ZWEa_SBtpW5U2npl5QYg_4L9dTS8g/s1600/happy+tummy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNvgskxgLMmkrPyEpwAB3cnp6yy4iJtwkD5ib5HW1voeQuRUEqYZFBZDLHQsUfYY7NTJGH2CKbEba2O0yag7ePmXramuJYEpvQL_gqS8iHgTjZHU8ZWEa_SBtpW5U2npl5QYg_4L9dTS8g/s1600/happy+tummy.jpg" height="270" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cookies freshly baked by Mum -- a must-have to entertain all the guests who comes along to visit</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VYe_KpRgauE/Uu2qKVavffI/AAAAAAAABqU/LFEkcH6sbMw/s1600/laughing+buddha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VYe_KpRgauE/Uu2qKVavffI/AAAAAAAABqU/LFEkcH6sbMw/s1600/laughing+buddha.jpg" height="320" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A closer look at this little Laughing Buddha -- he hands out a red packet (Hong Bao) to wish one and all <br />
a Lucky and Smooth-sailing Year ahead</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8b4TtFnfpmA/Uu2xVlKE1AI/AAAAAAAABq0/zp_X2c-t9Nc/s1600/Horse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8b4TtFnfpmA/Uu2xVlKE1AI/AAAAAAAABq0/zp_X2c-t9Nc/s1600/Horse.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And the Golden Horse leads the way into a brand new prosperous year (picture taken at Chinatown)</td></tr>
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Here's wishing you</div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="ZH-CN" style="font-family: SimSun; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: SimSun; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><strong><span style="color: red;">马年行好运,心想事成</span></strong></span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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(May the Year of the Horse bring good luck throughout, and make your dreams come true.)</div>
Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07751165269626905417noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6307596646438372817.post-49840140907866952932014-01-23T11:23:00.000+08:002014-01-23T11:25:37.028+08:00Stegosaurus Fun!<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The latest F U N items I tatted are a "trisome" of Stegosaurus! I was looking for something interesting to tat, and found Martha Ess' books on block tatting. That same day, I caught a glimpse of Umintsuru's post. She tatted one of these! What a nice coincidence?!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xRGhQrVTGSU/UuCASajC4HI/AAAAAAAABpw/rcrpkvv1YHY/s1600/strato-detail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xRGhQrVTGSU/UuCASajC4HI/AAAAAAAABpw/rcrpkvv1YHY/s1600/strato-detail.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is what I found out about the Stegosaurus (source Wikipedia):</div>
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<strong><em>Stegosaurus</em></strong> means <em>roofed lizard</em> or <em>covered lizard</em>. These giants lived during the Late Jurassic period (some 500 to 150 million years ago), in western North America, but also in Europe, where remains were later discovered too. They are one of the most easily recognisable due to their distinctive back plates and tail spikes.</div>
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Interestingly, although heavily built, standing up to 4 metres tall and 9 metres in length (the size of a bus!), a Stegosaurus eats plants (yes, it's a herbivore!) -- ferns, conifers, fruits, mosses, etc. One lizard could weigh up to 5,000 kilogrammes!</div>
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A Stegosaurus had a heavily rounded back, short forelimbs, head held low to the ground and a stiffened tail held high in the air. It has been speculated that the spikes were used during fighting, while the plates were used to defend itself. Comparatively, the dinosaur had a relatively low-brain-to- body-mass ratio. It was thought that the animal was not very smart. In fact, because of the stumpy legs, a Stegosaurus cannot walk very fast -- only up to about 6 to 7 kilometres per hour.</div>
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I have intentions for these three "creatures", two of which will be bookmarks, and one will be a ... (perhaps a keyring, a pendant, a zipper pull, and the list goes on).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQoffxcGP8H7NbeIBX5G7ZLH81L2JcITFWsqs2Owa27yvcYsZaKK6UjfBCGhNEAp_N5PkDRf24tCaxHRUy9YovLSIqsEwfDNPMcEpCXiHuqHRKHy5vPcI48q6rzW1ifCjYFtryFT00krHH/s1600/stratos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQoffxcGP8H7NbeIBX5G7ZLH81L2JcITFWsqs2Owa27yvcYsZaKK6UjfBCGhNEAp_N5PkDRf24tCaxHRUy9YovLSIqsEwfDNPMcEpCXiHuqHRKHy5vPcI48q6rzW1ifCjYFtryFT00krHH/s1600/stratos.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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The best thing about these tatted gigantic lizards: they <u>don't bite</u>! Not at all!</div>
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Have a good day!</div>
Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07751165269626905417noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6307596646438372817.post-45691871487085080292014-01-19T13:24:00.003+08:002014-01-23T11:35:40.042+08:00Start of a Wonderful Year with these Graceful Ballerinas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AgHlMLnxxe0/Usfektnx5sI/AAAAAAAABok/-Lwczd4VsWw/s1600/IMG_20140104_180819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AgHlMLnxxe0/Usfektnx5sI/AAAAAAAABok/-Lwczd4VsWw/s320/IMG_20140104_180819.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pattern by Jane Eborall, Katrina Ballerina, #20 Flora thread</td></tr>
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<em><span style="color: black;">Dear Friends,</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: black;"></span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: black;">Life's great and several things have come into my routine, which I'm not complaining about, and these have taken me away from blogging (for a while <wink>). I hope you'd missed me, because I missed blogging and checking each and every one of your blog posts. (Only managed to take a quick peep at times.)</wink></span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;"></span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;">2014 is an AWESOME year. It's a year that is full of</span> <span style="color: #cc0000;"><strong>love</strong></span><span style="color: black;">,</span> <span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><strong>joy</strong></span><span style="color: black;">,</span> <span style="color: #ea9999;"><strong>good health</strong></span><span style="color: black;">, and</span> <span style="color: #ffd966;"><strong>prosperity</strong></span></span><span style="color: black;">. This is my wish for you. Happy New Year!</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: black;"></span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: black;">Live your passion,</span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: blue;"><strong>Val</strong></span></em>Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07751165269626905417noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6307596646438372817.post-46001004897234681372013-03-27T00:30:00.000+08:002013-03-27T17:23:20.486+08:00'Stitch Me Up' Blog Hop: My Turn!I'm very excited to showcase my first embroidery in a super long time! I signed up for the 'Stitch me up' blog hop, another first, and I have to say I really enjoyed trying out the different stitching techniques. Instead of sewing the roses on the sofa, I added 3D tatted roses to it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtU1oi8Qzjz8m2nv2b-cGwYHP-Lc5qFzey7q5V09Y6mjWzFV6MiR4MX9W7lF1EDx47jAniXQ_yAW6n6Rp7i0Dde7IKTpJhKR4OG1P5JGNEVukpSulTGeL4AbfUDZhIggup-rPhlSKl6scE/s1600/stitchmeup4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtU1oi8Qzjz8m2nv2b-cGwYHP-Lc5qFzey7q5V09Y6mjWzFV6MiR4MX9W7lF1EDx47jAniXQ_yAW6n6Rp7i0Dde7IKTpJhKR4OG1P5JGNEVukpSulTGeL4AbfUDZhIggup-rPhlSKl6scE/s200/stitchmeup4.png" width="195" /></a></div>
Thanks, <a href="http://www.sewwequilt.com/" target="_blank">Mdm Samm</a> for organising a wonderful blog hop, and <a href="http://janesfabrics.blogspot.sg/" target="_blank">Jane</a> for being the cheerleader!<br />
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I chose this delightful pattern by Debbie Martinez!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jFDQ-dXLHjg/UVBY7vNecRI/AAAAAAAABls/lgETg1wCj38/s1600/pattern.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jFDQ-dXLHjg/UVBY7vNecRI/AAAAAAAABls/lgETg1wCj38/s400/pattern.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">I made it into a dust cover for my yarn basket, and </span>I love it!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFdp9x5htlhFpUxQEn81p33YiIKUoE7B9O1pH5uJ1MiPW7ai8SWWEMDTvHuW_COZesJsn05ej-PUGx9uTi3SlEoQRwhnP_NemhrD3EDrrdFzFTD2xfj7OHaoN9HOLFdxIgGg9yA2DifBql/s1600/dustcover3-lo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFdp9x5htlhFpUxQEn81p33YiIKUoE7B9O1pH5uJ1MiPW7ai8SWWEMDTvHuW_COZesJsn05ej-PUGx9uTi3SlEoQRwhnP_NemhrD3EDrrdFzFTD2xfj7OHaoN9HOLFdxIgGg9yA2DifBql/s400/dustcover3-lo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2713WjGQ3u8/UVBSe5OBCTI/AAAAAAAABlM/pOmKgz-cP6E/s1600/dustcover2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2713WjGQ3u8/UVBSe5OBCTI/AAAAAAAABlM/pOmKgz-cP6E/s400/dustcover2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Sewing the binding for this dust cover is, well, another first for me. I did quilt lessons and have almost, yes almost, completed one baby blanket, minus the binding that is. So this is really my first attempt.<br />
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The other participants showcasing their work today are:<br />
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<span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Judy<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>@</span></span><a href="http://thatotherblogg.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">That Other
Blog</span></span></a></span></div>
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<a href="http://lauraluvsloons.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">lauraluvsloons and
Quilting too</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><a href="http://sewsharyn.blogspot.com.au/"><span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Sew
Sharyn</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><a href="http://sewinglyalong.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Sewingly
Along</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><a href="http://avanderspek.blogspot.nl/" target="_blank"><span style="background: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Anita's
quilts en handwerken</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><a href="http://quiltdoodledesigns.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="background: white; color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Quilt
Doodle Doodles</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><a href="http://www.luv2sew-betty.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Luv2Sew</span></span></a><span style="color: #0d0d0d; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 242;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><a href="http://www.busyascanbe.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Busy As Can
Be</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><a href="http://www.pawsforstitching.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Paws for
Stitching</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><a href="http://asimplelifequilts.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Quilting &
Other Craft Therapy</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><a href="http://piecefullife-elizabeth.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">pieceful
life</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><a href="http://livelovelabs.blogspot.ca/"><span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Live
Love Labs</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><a href="http://feltfree-p.blogspot.no/"><span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Felt pa
Asly</span></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><a href="http://scrapbook-chickadoodle.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #0d0d0d; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Scrapbook-ChickADoodle</span></span></a></div>
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<br />
Do visit the awesome and interesting blogs in the list. I'm having so much fun blog-hopping. </div>
Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07751165269626905417noreply@blogger.com59tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6307596646438372817.post-50597277895561229572013-03-08T12:00:00.000+08:002013-03-08T12:00:00.030+08:00A Zipper BagThis bag was a bit more challenging, with a zipper added. The result is a happy one -- the zipper was almost hidden and the sewing was not too bad at all. It will serve as another tatting bag!<br />
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Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07751165269626905417noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6307596646438372817.post-16440049224079371452013-03-07T12:00:00.001+08:002013-03-07T21:22:26.137+08:00A Drawstring PouchNext, I learnt to sew a two-faced drawstring pouch. It's great that I can choose whichever side or fabric I want to use it on. I'm already planning to sew a few to add tatting on.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglmO3g2ZcFwcxxYqjApExTDTgeSDfcQby5XKL4lL0B5cOLw9ls_Qnv-K5N4CC2Eq-aKEyD-5xkdN8ZchNwCHuTwix9NvpS4yiUPLBvZCnMpveDnpHvuy8M_mjjAPMCH64Ny_5CeYsY5Nz5/s1600/drawstring+pouch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglmO3g2ZcFwcxxYqjApExTDTgeSDfcQby5XKL4lL0B5cOLw9ls_Qnv-K5N4CC2Eq-aKEyD-5xkdN8ZchNwCHuTwix9NvpS4yiUPLBvZCnMpveDnpHvuy8M_mjjAPMCH64Ny_5CeYsY5Nz5/s400/drawstring+pouch.jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pbIqT9FkOz4/UTiUYIgEzVI/AAAAAAAABkU/_7MwB4DKcX0/s1600/drawstring2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pbIqT9FkOz4/UTiUYIgEzVI/AAAAAAAABkU/_7MwB4DKcX0/s320/drawstring2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
Valeriehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07751165269626905417noreply@blogger.com1