Celtic Tatting

2009-04-10T23:44:00.002-05:00

Celtic Tatted Leaves and Flowers by Rozella Linden ( AKA Ruth Perry )

I am taking pre-orders for this new book and CD to be picked up at Hector Tat days. It is 8.5 x 11" comb bound and includes all the patterns on the CD in PDF files for $11.00 paid to my paypal account which is the same as my email address. I will bring enough with me to cover pre-orders plus a few more. It will be generally availabe sometime after I get home from Hector for the $11 plus shipping.

Hugs,

Ruth Perry AKA Rozella Linden

Email me at rjpoms ( insert the @ symbol here ) yahoo.com

http://tatcal.wordpress.com

http://tatting.wordpress.com

http://tat-calendar.blogspot.com

http://rozellalinden.com

2009-04-10T07:36:00.002-05:00

The pattern for this cross is on the new tat calendar site: http://tatcal.wordpress.com

Countdown to Hector = Tea minus 7 days and counting !!!

There is still room in classes on Sunday if you're not signed up yet contact Karey Solomon.

2009-04-07T09:14:00.002-05:00

Countdown to Hector tat days
Tea -10 days and counting!

I will be traveling and probably will not check email on Thursday the 16th, but should be able to check email occasionally over the weekend - that is if I'm not too tired from all the tatting friends and fun!

This is a really busy week for me with getting things ready for Hector and the Easter Cantata at church, company coming to go with me to Hector, and right now it feels like I need more time than what is available to me. Anyone got a spare few days to loan me?

Visit my new blog site: http://tatting.wordpress.com

And the new Tatting Calendar site: http://tatcal.wordpress.com

2009-03-27T11:41:00.002-05:00

This blue star is a fun design. I should probably write the pattern someday. I was reminded this past week how many stars I have designed. I'm thinking about doing a booklet of moon and star patterns. Maybe include some other astronomical ideas too. Hmmmmm so much tatting, so little time.

2009-03-26T14:43:00.002-05:00

Tatted BLING BLING ! bracelet for Hector Tat Days

Come join me at Hector tat days and create a one of a kind bracelet that can also be used to guard your teacup. I will teach how to add tatting to anything using Marie Smith's easy split chain method. We will add beads using Rhoda Auld's method of putting beads on a long picot, create a Celtic woven sample on a metal ring, and have fun making a Daisy Picot ring. This class is for advanced beginners who have mastered the double stitch, joins, and have fairly even tension in their tatted rings and chains. A kit purchase is required for this class.

Martha Ess suggested that everyone post a photo of their class samples - great idea!!!!

2009-03-25T22:05:00.004-05:00

Drug Sweep Turns Up Celtic Snail

Reported by the daughter of a fellow tatter who visited with us over the holidays:

I have kept the tatted snail you made for me in the back of my checkbook. A friend and I got pulled over after dropping someone off at a house we had never been to before. The officer asked me to step out of my car and proceeded to search my entire car and my purse. Apparently the house we left our friend at was a known drug dealer's home, and the police were watching for anyone leaving that house. The officer went through my purse and noticed a small, irregular bump on the back of my checkbook and got excited; he knew he had us!! That must certainly be a small bag of drugs!!! Alas, when he went through my checkbook all he found was a friendly, completely harmless, clean and sober purple tatted snail. The poor officer looked almost disappointed.

We're still laughing about that! Yes it was a bit disconcerting at the time but the poor officer was so sure he had a drug user and discovered only a friendly snail!. They had her friend handcuffed and patted down. She is convinced the only reason she wasn't cuffed and patted down was they didn't have a female officer on duty at the time...and all she had was a tatted snail!....

2009-02-20T22:01:00.002-06:00

Spring Leaf - Copyright (C) 2009 Ruth Perry

Begin with a ring ( 3 - 1 - 1 - 1 - 1 - 1 - 1 - 1 - 1 - 1 - 1 - 3) there are 11 picots graduated in size from small to large then back to small again Use a good picot gauge.
Chain ( - 4 + 3 + 3 + 4 + 4 + 5 + 1 - 1 + 5 + 4 + 4 + 3 + 3 + 4 +) The last join is to the first picot of this chain.
Stem BDS to desired length

The Picot gauge is the key to tatting this beautiful Spring Leaf.

Enjoy!

2009-02-19T22:16:00.001-06:00

Enough snow and ice and sleet and freezing rain, and wintery mix already!!!

2009-02-14T07:50:00.003-06:00

Pearl Tatted Valentine Heart - Copyright 2009 Ruth Perry

Instructions
You may tat a heart around any 5 petal flower that has picots at the end of the petals. This heart has a beaded double core reverse ring in the middle, and hanging cluny leaves on a balanced double stitch stem.
You may begin with a completed 5 point motif by attaching thread in the desired color to the picot of one of the points and tatting BDS chain 3 stitches, then turn and make a cluny leaf, then turn and tat 5 BDS stitches, then a picot.
Add your second color of thread, or another thread of the same color if you wish. Just wrap the new thread around one of the two that you already have, and pearl tat with the other one first. The color possibilities are delightful! You will have three threads to work with plus the tail of the new thread is also in the center so that you can pearl tat alternately 2 ds with one thread then 2 ds with the other over the end to hide the end. Pearl tat over the end for at least 8 or 10 stitches to hold it securely, then leave the end hang out and continue pearl tatting over just the one center thread. Later you will need to cut this thread close to the work.
Pearl tat 2 ds with one color, then 2 ds with the other over the core thread and thread end for about 5 repeats to make a straight secion. Next tat three ds with the outside thread and just 2 with the inside thread to make a curved section for 5 repeats. Then make 5 repeats the same number of stitches inside and outside to make another straight section.
Join to the next point of the motif, then pearl tat another straight section the length needed to go to the next point, then join to this point.
Pearl tat a straight section for about 3 repeats, then with the inside color do just 2 or 3 ds, but with the outside thread tat 2 - 1 - 1 - 1 - 2. You may wish to do the first and last of these picots medium size, and the middle two larger. You could also change the stitch and picot counts to give your heart the point that you like, by making 3 or 5 picots instead of 4.
The second side of the heart is a mirror image of the first side, or make one side different to make a modern or stylized heart. Join to the picot before the pearl tatting, then tat the mirror image of the stem and leaf.
When you have finished the second side tie the ends at the beginning picot of the motif, and then hide them and cut.

Adapting this pattern to any small motif should be fairly easy to do. Add beads around the outside for sparkle if you wish. Enjoy!

2009-02-07T01:33:00.001-06:00

Well folks, all the yard sale treasure boxes are on their way to their new homes.

I decided not to post photos of the items after all. This way it's really a surprise.

Enjoy your stuff! Hugs,
Ruth

2009-01-28T14:12:00.002-06:00

ICE - 'In Case of Emergency'

I RECEIVED THIS TODAY FROM MY SISTER, and I think it is a really good idea!!! So I am sharing it on my blog page. I am going to go put this entry in my phone book on my cell today.
I will add that my cell phone allows me to add notes to phone and address information, so I will put a list of people to contact in case of emergency in the notes for just one entry - ICE.

Apparently this is a standard procedure all paramedics follow at the scene of an accident when they come across your cell phone.

We all carry our mobile phones with names & numbers stored in its memory but nobody, other than ourselves, knows which of these numbers belong to our closest family or friends.
If we were to be involved in an accident or were taken ill, the people attending us would have our mobile phone but wouldn't know who to call. Yes, there are hundreds of numbers stored but which one is the contact person in case of an emergency? Hence, this 'ICE' (In Case of Emergency) Campaign.

The concept of 'ICE' is catching on quickly. It is a method of contact during emergency situations. As cell(mobile) phones are carried by the majority of the population, all you need to do is store the number of a contact person or persons who should be contacted during emergency under the name 'ICE' (In Case Of Emergency). The idea was thought up by a paramedic who found that when he went to the scenes of accidents, there were always mobile phones with patients, but they didn't know which number to call. He thought that it would be a good idea if there was a nationally recognized name for this purpose. In an emergency situation, Emergency Service personnel and hospital Staff would be able to quickly contact the right person by simply dialing the number you have stored as 'ICE.' For more than one contact name simply enter ICE1, ICE2 and ICE3, etc.

This is a great idea that will make a difference!Let's spread the concept of ICE by storing an ICE number in our Mobile phones today! Please forward this. It won't take too many 'forwards' before everybody will know about this. It really could save your life, or put a loved one's mind at rest. ICE will speak for you when you are not able to.

2009-01-22T17:08:00.001-06:00

2009-01-22T16:42:00.007-06:00

I've been having a little trouble with my computer lately. I think I may have found the problem last night when I turned on the light in my office in the middle of the night and shot these photos before the critters went scurrying for the cracks in the keyboard.

I'm looking into bug fixes, and hope to be back to normal soon.

My Tatting yard sale will end at midnight Friday January 23rd. Thanks to all who bid on the treasure boxes, especially those of you who participated last year, and bid again this year.

Copyright 1993 Keri Webster & 2009 Ruth Perry

2009-01-10T22:05:00.002-06:00

Announcing my 2nd annual TATTING yard sale ! ! !

Last year I auctioned off several packages of tatting related stuff by email bids and USPS mail delivery. Everyone seemed happy with their treasure boxes, and I even received a lot of thank you notes for sharing.

Last year I promised to donate 10% of receipts over the cost of shipping to the Palmetto Tatters scholarship fund. Instead I donated 20%, or $25.00. While that does not seem to be a lot of $, I'm sure that whoever was able to attend Palmetto Tat Days on a scholarship appreciated it. And the best part, I got to share lots of my unwanted tatting related stuff with friends who could use the items, or maybe just appreciated having them.

Well, while unpacking my things in our new house I realized that I still have WAY too much cool tatting things~ ! So, here goes... I will send the top 10 bidders a USPS box of tatting related stuff. This includes thread, beads, containers, vintage items, cute stuff, bags, and a few surprises. I just don't have room for everything, and there are lots of things that someone else should have to love and enjoy.

Remember 20% of what I receive over the cost of shipping will go to the Pal Tatters scholarship fund. Minimum bid is $9.00 since this is the cost of shipping!

Let the bidding begin... email me with your bid: rjpoms at yahoo.com
( change the at to @ ) I already ignoreand delete a lot of spam emails, and don't need more.

In the next several days I'll post photos of some of the items in my yard sale. It's for fun, and for a good cause - clearing out my shelves so I can buy more, uh no, I mean the scholarship fund, that's it... the scholarship fund.
Hugs,
Ruth

2008-12-21T10:11:00.001-06:00

2008-12-18T09:06:00.003-06:00

Snowflakes are not always white...

Gloria Snowflake with beads tatted by Katie V. in N.C.

The angels have halos of 5 gold beads on a long picot with 4DS below.

The stars have 5 clear beads on the picots.

2008-12-15T10:33:00.004-06:00

Gloria Snowflake - Copyright (C) 2008 Ruth Perry

Glory to God in the highest and on Earth, peace, goodwill to men.

Angels and stars adorn this snowflake. Left, size 5 Pearl Cotton 4" across. Right Cebelia size 30 2.5" across. Instructions available in PDF file.

2008-10-27T09:58:00.008-05:00

This star is a variation on the pattern I taught at my home this month at my first ever tat days in Southwestern Ohio.

Begin with a ball of thread and one shuttle about half full with any thread CTM . My sample is Flora size 20 and the finished star is about 3" in diameter.

The Balanced Double Stitch ( BDS ) allows you to tat a long chain that will lie fairly straight. Tension should be snug and every 5 or 10 stitches push the BDS together into a straight line.

Instructions:

The first ring is a "REVERSE RING" which means that you tat the entire ring as if it were the second half of a split ring. This allows you to "throw off" another ring which ends up being the center ring of the star.

Round One

Reverse Ring ( 8 - 2 - 3 ( Thrown off ring ( 3 - 3 - 3 - 3 - 3 - 3 ) 3 - 2 - 8 ) Turn

Chain (25 BDS ( three seed beads or a large picot ) 25 BDS ) Turn

Ring ( 8 - 2 - 3 + 3 - 2 - 8 ) Turn

This join is skip one picot of the center ring and join to the next.

Chain ( 25 BDS ( three seed beads or a large picot ) 25 BDS ) Turn

Repeat previous ring and chain, then cut leaving thread ends about 10" long. These will be used later.

Round Two

Wind a couple yards onto your shuttle CTM with the ball of thread. Begin on a paper clip or tie a knot between ball and shuttle and tat the 1st BDS the space of a picot from the knot to leave a picot at the beginning of the first chain of Round Two.

Ring ( 8 + 2 + 3 + 2 + 8 ) Turn

Join to the picots of two rings from Round One and to the picot of the center ring between the two rings of Round One.

Chain ( 25 BDS ( three seed beads or a large picot ) 25 BDS ) Turn

This chain weaves over one chain of Round One then under the next as shown in the photo above.

Repeat the ring and chain so that you have three rings in this round, all joined to the rings of the previous round and to the center ring. Remember to weave the chains each time.

Chain ( 25 BDS ) Cut leaving about 10" ends.

Tie the ends through the picot at the beginning of this Round, and tie again leaving about a 6" loop to hang the star or use the ends to sew it onto clothing or glue it to a card hiding the ends in the card.

Weave the last chain of the first round as shown, and tie the ends at the beginning chain of the first round to complete the star. Hide the ends.

Enjoy!

2008-10-20T22:51:00.002-05:00

Many thanks to everyone who came and enjoyed my first official tat day last Saturday. I plan to do this three times next year. Watch for information about these early 2009.

Hugs,
Ruth

2008-10-15T14:00:00.002-05:00

One idea, two very different patterns... for this weekend Mini Tat Camp at my home. Also Celtic Snowflake pattern, and a beaded choker pattern. It should be loads of fun!

Note, There has been one cancellation. My dear friend Lillian has had back surgery and will not be able to make it. So there is room for one more person Saturday, Oct. 19th Classes are 10 - 12 & 1 - 4. If someone wishes to join us, please let me know. There can be only one.

Hugs,

Ruth

2008-10-14T20:24:00.002-05:00

TattedSnowflake Jigsaw Puzzle

2008-10-09T22:42:00.001-05:00

Due to a death in the family, and visitors from out of town, it will be a few more days until the snowflake pattern is ready for testing. Thanks for your patience.

Hugs,

Ruth

2008-10-09T22:41:00.000-05:00

Food for thought...

2008-10-02T20:25:00.006-05:00

Snowflake 2008 Copyright Ruth Perry

We all had a great time in Canada, where I got to visit with good friends and meet new friends. I had some fairly new tatters in my classes. One who learned how to tat the day before. It's such a joy to see how our art is spreading! Everyone was able to do the Maple Leaf pattern. Some of the faster tatters nearly finished it in class.

The snowflake for this year is a derivation from the Maple leaf pattern. It is tatted in two rounds continuously. The first round is shuttle and ball CTM. Two split rings transition from the first round to the second where the ball thread is wound onto a second shuttle. At the completion of the second round the ends are tied together to form the loop for hanging.

NO ENDS TO HIDE!

***************************************

BDS web, Beaded Double Core Reverse Ring for the spider, and knotless tatting over the bangle. The ends are hidden while tatting over the bangle, and make the tassel at the bottom. The end from the spider fastens her to the web, and forms the loop for hanging.

Patterns will be available in a few days. Enjoy!

2008-09-22T11:51:00.003-05:00

Celtic Maple Leaf Adventure - Fringe Element Tatters Friday & Saturday, Sept 26 & 27

Contact Rita Cochran to come and join in the fun!!!

The image below is a page from the Book of Kells. The Celtic weave in the maple leaf pattern is similar to the Celtic Knot weave in green near the bottom of this page.

2008-09-18T23:20:00.005-05:00

The October 18th event is filled, but there will be several of these events next year. Watch for details in the spring 2009.

Here is what I've been doing the past two weeks. One is plastic that looks like tatting. The other is tatted. Not an easy design to duplicate, but a fun one. I'll share the directions when I get them written up. Is it a snowflake with 32 points? Or just a DOILY? Sorry for the poor quality photos, the camera angle distorts them a little bit.

2008-09-06T10:09:00.002-05:00

Tatted Lace music on utube

Enjoy!

2008-08-22T13:01:00.002-05:00

Announcing - Fall Mini Tat Camp 2008 in Southwestern Ohio

This is the first ever tat day in Lebanon Ohio at the home of Ruth Perry, aka Rozella Linden. This is the only one this year. I do plan to do this several times next year.

WHEN: Saturday, October 18

WHERE: Lebanon, OH, USA

WHAT: TATTING MINI CAMP in Southwestern Ohio

WHO: You???? There is a limit of 12!!! RSVP now! 9 spots still available...

Prices

Classes: $0.00 USD 1 morning class, 1 afternoon class, evening tat'n'chats

Food: Breakfast on your own, pitch in or donate lunch, and pay for your own supper at the historic Golden Lamb in Lebanon, Ohio, or a restaurant TBD by the group.

Lodging: I have room for a few (4 or 5) overnight sleepover guests, continental breakfasts, first come basis. $0.00 USD ($25.00 reservation fee for overnight guests will be refunded upon arrival).

There are motels within a few minutes drive, including the Great Wolf Lodge with an indoor water park next to Kings Island amusement park in case you'd like to make it a family vacation.

Transportation: OK, you have to pay for something... Dayton and Cincinnati airports are both about an hour or less depending upon time of day. You're on your own to get here. Possible pickup may be arranged with local tatters.

WHY: If you are a tatter who would like to learn - first hand - how to tat the Balanced Double Stitch and the Beaded Double Core Reverse Ring, or maybe just come and hang out with other tatters for awhile, you are invited to attend.

Beginners welcome, and will have a "learn the basics" tatting class of their own.

Shopping nearby: Hobby Lobby, Michaels, JoAnn super store, all near the Dayton Mall. ZigZag corner is only a couple hours or so away in Indiana. There will be a vendor with books, and some tatting supplies on site.

RSVP to: rjpoms (at) yahoo.com Paypal account for reservation fee is the same email.

Y'all come!

Hugs,

Ruth

2008-08-22T12:48:00.007-05:00

Our new deck addition. This was taken looking out over the back yard to the park

The new deck addition looking towards the old deck.

Here is a photo of the front of the house minus the garage, which is out of the picture on the right.

We've been putting an addition onto the deck in back, and planting flowers, watching the hot air balloons that fly over mornings and evenings several times a week, observing the progress of the young geese in their flight training, and have remained neutral in the hummingbird wars. They continue to "dogfight" over the possession of the three feeders we have put up.

The biggest and baddest of them I have named Leroy Brown. Leroy guards the territory with an "eagle eye" and promptly chases off any intruder. Unfortunately for Leroy, there are often more than one intruder.

I haven't been doing much tatting this Summer. I did contribute to the Palmetto scholarship book, but you'll have to wait til Palmetto Tat days to find out what. My lips are sealed.

2008-06-06T16:18:00.002-05:00

We've moved into our new house in Lebanon, Ohio. Seems I may have become an expert at this moving stuff, but - no, not so. It will take me a week or two to get my office setup and working again. Please excuse my being out of touch for awhile.

I can do email on my laptop, but do not have access to my files and applications for the time being.

Hugs to all!

Ruth

2008-04-08T09:47:00.002-05:00

Home from Hector Tat Days!

Sarah and I greatly enjoyed our visit to Hector, and especially seeing our friends, old and new, there! We've come away with a bit of new thread (duh, what else would you expect with so many beautiful colors right in front of our eyes?), and happy memories to file away, and patterns to try.

I was most intrigued by Karey's Dragon pattern with beaded scales. Although I do not relish stringing seed beads on thread, this pattern may warrant a bit of stringing.

A real treat was seeing the antique lace, and Mary Koinor's beautiful lace including lots of awesome tatting and a Bedfordshire bobbin lace edging on a handkerchief. Sue Hanson brought these with her for everyone to enjoy seeing in real life.

Good NEWS for everyone who wanted to go and couldn't - There will be a DVD available of clips from the event. I'll post more information about that when I have it. Shelia Boniface took photos and movie snips to make this project.

Sadly, I have acquired another obsession, or two... Naalbinding and Sprang. I taught a few people to make Snake Knot, and learned just a bit about the Viking methods of making clothing.

So much lace, so little time. And now this too.

Hugs all, more later.

2008-03-25T23:28:00.001-05:00

Celtic Angel Copyright 2008 Ruth Perry

This angel design is a variation of a machine lace piece that someone showed me last year.

2008-03-25T06:56:00.002-05:00

Earring using Balanced Double Stitch and long woven picots
Copyright 2008 Ruth Perry

This could be tatted with any size large bead in the center, just adjust the number of stitches and picots to fit around the ring. This ring has 39 BDS and makes a nice circle. Notice how well it holds the shape without bunching, ruffeling, or twisting! Also notice how I have woven the long picots over and under each other. I used the little case that floss threaders come in as a picot gauge, and Altin Basak thread in peachy pink. The teal blue seed beads and purple E beads contrast nicely with the thread.

Ring (3BDS VLP 3BDS VLP 3BDS VLP 3BDS + 3BDS + 3BDS + 3BDS VLP 3BDS VLP 3BDS VLP 3BDS + 3BDS + 3BDS + 3BDS)

Beads:
Tie a square knot in the two thread ends and put them both through a size E bead, then both of through a seed bead, one from each side, then string 12 seed beads on one thread, and pull the other thread through them from the opposite side, then both threads back down through the E bead. Pull both threads snug so the beads form a circle, and tie them in a square knot.

One thread will go over one side of the ring and the other thread under the ring. Next, string enough beads to go through the middle of the ring on both threads. Next take one thread over and the other thread under the ring again on the opposite side from before, then both through another E bead. And then, one thread through 3 seed beads from one side and the other thread through from the other side, then both back through the E bead, and back through the beads in the center of the ring.

Tie a square knot in both threads at the beginning of the ring, and hide them in the tatting, then cut the thread ends off close to the ring. Put this on an earring finding, or on a chain for a pendant.

Oh, what to do with left over thread? This "Southern Belle" starts with the ring in the center of the skirt. Now, how did I do the rest of this piece? Later. I need to leave to go teach my tatting class now.

The Belle of the ball! Copyright 2008 Ruth Perry

2008-03-19T22:57:00.000-05:00

2008-03-18T19:14:00.000-05:00

Click Here! to view the Easter Patterns from the tat-calendar.

2008-03-18T19:01:00.002-05:00

Ruth's 2008 Celtic Cross - copyright 2008 Ruth Perry
Click the link above to go to the instructions on the tat-calendar site.

2008-03-17T20:45:00.003-05:00

These patterns will be in Sarah's book, The King and the Dragon

2008-03-17T06:28:00.000-05:00

2008-03-10T20:48:00.001-05:00

Shamrocks: http://tinyurl.com/3cnr9d

Hugs,
Ruth

2008-03-07T16:43:00.002-06:00

Easter Egg with Block Tatted Ric Rac Copyright 2008 Ruth Perry

I just love the variegated thread I bought at Zig Zag corner on Wednesday!!!!
It is Anchor size 20 in Spring colors.

2008-03-03T01:01:00.001-06:00

Block Tatted Ric Rac
Copyright 2008 Ruth Perry
One tatting shuttle and ball CTM, any color of thread
This is patterned after a “Ripple” crocheted afgan, which has the mountains and valleys seen in ric rac.
Row 1
Begin with a 10 ds Zig Zag Chain alternate 10 normal stitches, then 10 direct tatted (rds), 10 ds, 10 direct tatted (rds) to desired length.
Chain 10 ds , 10 rds , 10 ds , 10 rds, repeat to desired length . There should be picots at each turn as usually done with Zig Zag chain.
Row 2
Depending upon if you decide to end on an “UP” section or a “DOWN” section you will tat the next row of either all ds or all direct tatted reverse ds. In this sample I ended on an “UP” section that is tatted with direct stitches. Make a picot, then continue tatting direct stitches.
D Chain ( - 9 – 1 + 1 + 9 + 1 – 1 + )
That is, the picot to turn for the second row, 9 direct stitches, a picot, one stitch (necessary to make the picot), join to the picot of the first row.
I used a dental tool to open up a picot to join into when the picot there wasn’t big enough to get to.
Next I tatted one direct stitch, then joined into the previous picot of this row, then 9 stitches. Next join into the picot at the top of the “mountain”, 1 stitch, necessary to make the join, and then a picot and the stitch necessary to make the picot. Next join back into the picot at the top of the mountain, then 9 stitches.
Repeat this pattern of going up and down the mountains. With two joins at the top, and two joins at the bottom to make the turns. It takes practice to make the turns look graceful.
Row 3
In this sample I began and ended on an “UP” section. To turn and tat the next row, just make a normal ds, picot, then continue this row:
chain (9 ds – 1 + 1 + 9 + 1 – 1 + 9)
Do the joining at the valleys and mountains as in the second row. Repeat to desired length, and as many rows as you wish, just alternate normal tatting on one row, and direct stitches on the next.

2008-02-28T14:04:00.002-06:00

Celtic Knot Bat Copuright 2008 Ruth Perry

While Dan and I have been sick with a cold, bronchitis, then the flu, I haven't been totally lazy.
Sarah Kelly, my great niece, and I have been working on a new tatting book which will be available at Hector Tat Days. Sarah is teaching there this year, and I'm going to just be a tatting bum and not teach this year. Hooray!

More details on the book later, but the patterns will include this bat, Sarah's Cross of Faith (the pattern she is teaching at Hector), a Slaver's bracelet with a Celtic Star Rose, Dragon Tears Necklace, Dragon's Eye Pendant, 3D Celtic Rose, a Dragon, and possibly Mr. Clank, and the Celtic Phoenix depending upon if there is room for them.

See Y'all at Zig Zag Corner in March, and at Hector in April. Lily Morales will be at Zig Zag Corner! Several of us from the Cincinnati area are planning to go.

I'm not teaching anywhere in 2008 except local venues, and the Fringe Element Tat Days in September in Canada.

My Beginning Tatting class on Tuesdays at 10 at the Middletown Senior Center in March begin next week. Sarah's next tatting class at the St. Mary's Ohio library begin this week.

Hugs to all, and hope you are keeping warm and busy! Spring can't be far away, but it's been a long cold winter.
Ruth

2008-02-21T10:59:00.002-06:00

2008-02-09T22:52:00.000-06:00

Fall Leaves for Fringe Element Tat Day in Canada in September.
Copyright 2008 Ruth Perry

2008-02-03T10:26:00.001-06:00

Due to server and network upgrades I will have limited online access today.

More tatting photos comming soon!
Ruth

2008-01-22T15:54:00.000-06:00

Tatting "outside the box" Copyright 2008 Ruth Perry

This Celtic Rosebud, Heart, and vines is just a doodle for now. The rosebud is an older design, but one that I still really like.

3D figures in tatting copyright 2008 Ruth Perry

I've been down sick with a bad cold since New Years. I finally got smart and went to see the Dr. and got some antibiotics. I've done a little tatting, working on books, and not much else other than resting and drinking plenty of fluids.

The thread is DMC Pearle cotton. The stitch for the cube and triangle is something I'm going to call a "BDS or Balanced Double Stitch". This happened one day in Orland FL in December. Lily, Dan, Nancy (my sister) and I were discussing knots. Dan showed us a sliding square knot used in rapelling, and I saw instantly that it is like a tatting ds, but the number of threads above and below the core are the same, so it is more stable. It will bend EQUALLY in either direction or make a straight line that is stable.

More later...
Hugs,
Ruth Perry

2007-12-24T20:42:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas to all - and to all a GOOD NIGHT!!!

We wish you a merry Christmas

And a Happy New Year!

2007-12-09T22:02:00.000-06:00

Vacation!!!
We just got home from a wonderful vacation in Florida, with my sister, Nancy, and brother in law, Ed. Dan and I met Nancy, and Lily Morales at a wonderful resort in Orlando. Poor Dan had to work while Lily, Nancy, and I went to see Epcot. It was all decked out in Christmas around the world, but I think my favorite was the greenhouse with lots of things growing in unique ways. They had a huge pumpkin growing on an overhead trellis, with a net under the pumpkin.

Lily, Nancy, Dan, and I sat around enjoying some oragami that Nancy did, and playing with some interesting knots. Do you know how to do a "sliding square knot"? It is used in climbing I think. Lily taught me the snake knot, and a button knot in a different way than I had ever done before.

Believe it or not, we did not do any tatting AT ALL... whew! Glad I got that out. Confession is good for the soul.

Our grandson, Ben, sang a solo in their church Christmas program and we are so proud of him. He did a great job, and sings like an angel. Granddaughter, Katie, and daughter, Carol, were both in the choir. It's not a big group, but they sound incredibly good.

I'll post some more tomorrow. It's late and that was a LONG drive. Hugs to all, Ruth

2007-11-22T21:23:00.000-06:00

T. Gobbler Swoop the Tatted Turkey - Copyright 2006 Ruth Perry

Tom Turkey has retired to the Spears family farm in South Central IL to live out his days in the peaceful surroundings of friends and family.
Hugs,
Ruth

2007-11-22T12:51:00.000-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Hugs,
Ruth Perry

2007-11-21T21:31:00.000-06:00

Snowflake Diagram - Copyright 2007 Ruth Perry

The black squares mark the position of the beads. The easiest place to begin is with one of the smaller outside edge rings.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

If you don't observe the American thanksgiving holiday... well perhaps being thankful is not confined to a holiday celebration and eating turkey with all the trimmings. Give thanks for all the good things in life, family, friends, health, happiness, and interesting things to do!

Hugs,
Ruth

2007-11-21T09:55:00.000-06:00

Eight Sided Snowflake - Copyright 2007 Ruth Perry

I want to design the right snowflake to go inside the Christmas ornament variation of my Sweet Christmas edging. This one is pretty, but alas, just a little bit too big. Back to the drawing board.

2007-11-19T16:41:00.000-06:00

Another Snowflake Copyright Ruth Perry 2006

This one needs to be blocked. It was packed away in a box.

2007-11-18T12:51:00.000-06:00

Twisted Snowflake Copyright 2004 Ruth Perry

This is an old one, but one of my favorites. It's just rings, but not your normal mignonette tatting because the bare threads cross over and under each other in a Celtic laticework pattern.

2007-11-17T21:44:00.000-06:00

Sweet Christmas Wreath Ornament Copyright 2007 Ruth Perry

This is the Sweet Christmas edging folded over a bangle bracelet, and joined together by a row around the inside of chain ( 2 - 2 ) join to both green picots, repeat.
It needs something in the center. Hmmmm, I'll have to think about that for a bit!

I got a WONDERFUL surprise in the mail today! A booklet of Riet's daisy picot patterns!!!!

Hooray! I can't wait to do some more of this beautiful technique. Maybe a daisy picot star should go in the center of the wreath?

Hugs,
Ruth

2007-11-16T12:21:00.000-06:00

Another snowflake copyright Ruth Perry 2005

This one that I tatted a couple years ago. It is similar to the doll house doilies that I tat with hand quilting thread, but this one looks to be done in about size 30 thread. It is tatted in just one row with two shuttles.

2007-11-09T22:39:00.000-06:00

Adventures in Podcasting... don't let your dog snore!
Well, we decided to record episode 2 tonight. This place can be pretty noisy during the daytime, so I thought it would be safe to record in the evening. My two little Pomeranians had already been fed their supper, and were quietly napping.
Until we started recording!!!
"Welcome to the Tatting Podcast - Episode2" Snore-zzzzzzzzzzzzzz CLair had fallen deep into peaceful sleep - and started snoring right after we began the recording session. And the joy of having good microphones is that they pick up "presence" or the snoring dog in the next room!!!

I put them outside for a bit to wake Claire up. So then when they come back in they would be quiet. Tana decided that she had a message for the world.
"Bark Bark".

Off to try one more time. LOL, maybe I'll get this posted tonight... or maybe not!

hugs,
Ruth

2007-11-09T21:49:00.000-06:00

The gauntlet is thrown down! Hey Mark!!!

I'm trying to get rid of stuff that I do not need to keep, and these images are from a scrap of fabric that I've been saving for years thinking sometime I'd get around to designing something in tatting with these as inspiration.

Well, I'm going to say that I don't really NEED to keep that piece of fabric any more. Anyone want to tat these? They look like a Mark pattern to me!

hugs,

Ruth

2007-11-08T13:54:00.000-06:00

Congratulations to everyone who won a treasure box

in my online Tatting Yard Sale!

Payment requests and emails have been sent to everyone who bid, so you all know who you are.

This was fun, and I'll probably do it again when I get the other boxes of my tatting stuff unpacked.

I will be sending Palmetto tatters a check for 10% when the payments have been made, the boxes shipped and after shipping cost has been subtracted. Not a lot of money really, but if everyone did something to help them out with funding scholarships for their tat days it would really be cool to see lots more new tatters there next year.

Hugs,
Ruth

2007-11-08T08:40:00.000-06:00

Celtic Christmas Wreath - Copyright Ruth Perry 2006

This is actually an edging with a ribbon woven through. When the ribbon is tied in a bow it is a wreath. I love the gold filagree beads and the Christmas light beads! I tied it on a Christmas candle holder last year. Just have to be careful with the flame and hot wax around the thread.

YARD SALE
Winning bids as of 6AM Thursday. Remember shipping is included!
I will donate 10% of the total amount after shipping costs to the Palmetto scholarship fund.

$45.00
$40.01
$40.00
$25.00
$20.00
$20.00
$20.00
$20.00
$20.00
$15.81

2007-11-07T21:07:00.000-06:00

Red Star / Poinsettia / Christmas Ornament Copyright 2007 Ruth Perry

I actually tatted this several years ago and put it away to write a pattern someday. The pattern is really simple. Every ring has 3 picots or joins where shown. 3ds between picots, and each chain is 3 - 3 then join to the 3rd picot of the ring just made. Then tat the next ring. The rings are all joined at the first two picots. Tat it in green and it's a wreath! Add beads if you wish... in small thread it's perfect for Christmas earrings.

I've been playing with this design since I revisited it this week, and guess what!!! If you tat two of them joined around the outside you can insert one of those decorative marbles that are flat on one side between the two of them before the final join! I tatted one with yellow on the shuttle and red ball thread, DMC Pearle cotton size 8. It looks really cool, kind of like a magic crystal or something. Now why didn't I think of that for Hector next year?

Enjoy!
Hugs,
Ruth

2007-11-07T14:07:00.000-06:00

Me tatting - about 1980 at my mom and dad's house.

2007-11-06T11:25:00.000-06:00

Video clips from Palmetto Tat Days 2007 -
Do you know these people?
Hugs, Ruth

This is just to prove how bad I am at doing video right now. I'm afraid I need to learn a bit about lighting, sorry you're in the dark, Jane. I also need to learn a lot about video editing and so on before adding much video to the tatting podcast.

2007-11-06T08:01:00.000-06:00

2007-11-02T13:03:00.000-05:00

Tatting Podcast Episode 1 published today.

Listen to my tatting podcasts with the player on the right . If you would like to publish a podcast in the tatting podcast send me a proposal.

hugs,
Ruth

2007-11-01T19:33:00.000-05:00

Block & scallop edging from a Workbasket pattern

2007-10-31T08:32:00.000-05:00

This is the Christmas ornament that I tatted for my mom & dad for Christmas when I was about 13 years old. [Or maybe much later. Mark found the pattern in a DMC book called Festive Tatting 1983, but I wonder if it was published earlier than that also. I can't imagine me having time to tat in 1983 - 1993. I was working full time and trying to raise 3 little kids on my own.]
Of course since I'm getting old my memory may be fooling me. Or I could just plain be wrong.
Has anyone seen the pattern in another book?

I know that the pattern was in a book, but I don't know what book. I added the white faceted beads there were bare threads between the rings, and in the book there was a small star or cross in the center. I just tatted a ring instead.

My mom kept it put away, and it came back to me when she passed away a few years ago. I gave it to my niece Kerri, and when she died I got it back to photograph, but her husband, Jerry, wanted to keep it.

The thread is knit cro sheen. That's the only thread that was available to me other than the small tatting thread. This measures about 3" wide by about 4" tall.

2007-10-30T22:21:00.000-05:00

Snowflake - Copyright 2007 Rozella Linden

I've been playing with thread. This snowflake is worked in one round, six figure 8 rings (twisted Celtic Rings) joined at the center. There are 6 rings thrown off, chains between.

Hugs,
Ruth

2007-10-28T10:30:00.001-05:00

2007-10-26T21:14:00.000-05:00

Adventures in Podcasting!

Well I decided last Spring that I wanted to do a tatting podcast. Here is what has happened so far, and what I have learned.

It's really all Lily Morales' fault. She came to Kansas City and brought her ipod. Our grandkids had asked for an ipod nano for Christmas, but spending $199.00 on each of the grandkids seemed a bit much, so they got generic MP3 players, dollies, and a carseat for the youngest.

Now, I had a birthday last Spring, and we got a tax refund... so * I * got an ipod. One of the good ones with video. We bought the ipod, the cables, gadgets, cases, etc. ( but I'm worth it ).

So off to learn about podcasts. I got the FREE iTunes application downloaded, bought a ripper or 3, cause it took me three tries to get one that I liked. Now, I can listen to podcasts and my movies... WOW~!

Such amazing things to learn about! No tatting podcasts though. Along the way, I had to purchase some TV and music from iTunes. Had to, honest!

Moving on to Ohio, still no tatting podcasts. Bought a webcam with mic, and a headset with mic. I also bought a book about Podcasts, Podcast Solutions - The Complete Guide to Podcasting.

Good news! The software to record audio is free, and on the disk with the book. I just had to go download the update for the software, and the plugin to convert to MP3, which is a proprietary format. But then, that was free too.

Next I needed some way to get the Tatting podcast into iTunes. Hmmmm I tried out a couple of "podcatchers" but they want to insert advertising into MY podcast. Guess that's why they are free, right? Trust me, they do make money on what's out there.

I decided on a website that does podcasts, and lets you have a store, and a blog, and lots of cool features. http://tatting.podbean.com It was not free. So now you know what I do with the money I get for the books I sell... I spend it on doing more cool tatting things.

First customer. DISASTER! She got an error message when she tried to order one of my books, so I had a go-round with the website people over fixing the bug. It's fixed now, and tested, and everyone can buy my Celtic Black Widow Spider pattern in my store, and I even put a bookstore where you can purchase tatting books from Amazon.com.

I did a bunch of graphics for the website, the store, the podcast. And I subscribed to a bunch of podcasts on iTunes, including one about doing podcasts. Personally I prefer listening to the literary things. The Walrus and the Carpenter, and Jabberwoky are my favorites, but I think I got Katie Verna hooked on iTunes and the poetry on there.

Ready, set, go!

I decided to record a sound clip of a little music box that Shirley G. gave me a year or two ago. So I plugged everything in, turned it on, and recorded.

UGH! Nasty! I edited out the noise, and got the help of my DH to do some audio stuff to clean it up. He showed me how to get a better recording. Better, all right. All the noise was much clearer, and the music was about the consistency of scraping nailes on a chalkboard.

So Dan suggested that what we really need is a sound board and a decent mic, or two. Looked on the internet and found a store about 30 miles or so from here where we could go look at stuff. Dan has worked on sound stuff before and he speaks a foreign language when he gets to talking about sound. Ohms, amps, mili amps, and a whole lot of math like fast for-EE-Yay and Descrete cosine transforms. Don't ask. You don't need to know.

So Dan got off work around 3 this afternoon, and since the store is only open M-F 10-6 we headed out.

"Hello, may I help you?"
"Yes, I'd like to do some podcasts."
"We have a kit for that. It's $99.00"
"let me see it."
Dan is listening patiently... tells the salesman to bring out specs, and some microphones to look at, and picks a midi thingy and two microphones, two cables, two mic stands, a pop filter. About 2.5 times my budget for doing this. But we didn't buy an expensive mic or anything... Some of them cost $1,000.00. Whew!

The salesman compliments us on our nice little sound studio. Dan tells me it will make a big difference when we get it all setup in the closet. OK, that's the best room we have for recording according to Dan, who is an Electrical Engineer by education.

So we bring it home, set it up, and find out that we have to go download the drivers for the midi thingy. Have to register it, then sign up for a newsletter, then it will let us download the driver software ( which is a beta version).

Great.

Uh, nothing. Is it connected? Is it turned on? Does it have the right buttons pushed in/out? Does the software know where to get the sound from? OK, now?

Nothing. Oh it's the INput that has to be setup to this thing. No that's right. OK, the OUTput has to be setup to this thingy too.

TaDa! It even records breathing from across the room... uh, OK. So we record my music box.
Uh Oh, mono. We wanted stereo. Have to go fiddle with preferences til we get it to do stereo.

All Righty then. Now what? OK I guess I have to finish writing my script, so I have something to record. :-)

I won't tell you how much this has all cost. No need to admit that we spent that much on toys. And the software was all FREE !!!

So if you want to know where I'll be, just go look in the closet, or at the computer writing a script.

Hah! Nope, tomorrow I'm going to go over to ZigZag corner for the lace guild meeting. Procrastination is an Artform. I'll get around to learning to procrastinate tomorrow, maybe.

Hugs,
Ruth - who is NOW ready to begin podcasting. I think.

Ta! Da! Ready to record

2007-10-23T00:05:00.000-05:00

2007-10-21T16:26:00.001-05:00

Celtic Knot Skeleton - Copyright 2007 Ruth Perry - Rozella Linden

My friend Donna, in Middletown, brought a page torn out of a magazine to the Queen City Lace Guild meeting last week. Oh my it looks SO MUCH like tatting!!! AARp magazine Sept 07 issue, p67. The image on the back of this page is so beautiful I could see hundreds of tatting projects in it. It looks like there are butterflies and angels, doilies, and right smack in the middle is a little Celtic Knot skeleton.

Donna asked me if I could tat him, so I'm giving it a shot. While my skeleton above is quite different than the line drawing, after all it is tatting, it follows the design for the ribs and pelvis. I will try to get the legs tatted tomorrow, and post a photo of him when he is finished!

Since it's not Halloween yet, I guess he hasn't made it all the way back to this world yet.

Hugs,
Ruth

2007-10-19T23:18:00.000-05:00

This cute little guy is tatted around a magnetic bead so he will stick to your refrigerator.

Kim Myers named him Fruity and he just had to have the first name Tootie. Presented in the online tatting class, and on the http://tat-calendar.blogspot.com/

Come check out the new podcast website I'm working on right now. http://tatting.podbean.com/

You can also visit my store for tatting instructions, and buy tatting books in the bookstore. Any tatting guild or tatting teacher who would like to do a podcast is invited to submit a proposal to be a guest presenter in a podcast.

For those of you who are not familiar with podcasting, go to http://apple.com/ and download the free itunes application and check out all the cool things it will do.

Lily Morales got me hooked on ipod last Summer between visiting with her great aunt and doing "Laundry". I'm really enjoying listening to the radio and the educational podcasts.

There weren't any "Tatting" podcasts, so someone HAD to do it. I'll be posting my first audio podcast on Monday, and starting video podcasts the first of the year.

Hugs, Ruth

2007-10-04T18:35:00.001-05:00

It's out !!!
Now shipping orders for my new book: Tatted Butterfly Garden

It is a 28 page half letter size (folded) booklet in color with instructions for 3 different flowers and 10 (or more different butterflies - the upper and lower wings are mix and match for lots more than just 10. Just for fun I included my tiny dragonfly and an easy Celtic ladybug.

Cost is $15.00 USD for 5.5" x 8.5" booklet, $20 for 8.5 x 11" large print edition, plus $2.50 shipping to US or $5.00 shippingworldwide.

The first 50 to orders will receive a surprise gift by email.

Hugs,
Ruth

2007-09-26T00:03:00.000-05:00

2007-09-23T01:09:00.000-05:00

Here is a photo of the birdie that Katie Tatted! I got to stay with her after Palmetto for a few days, and we had such a good time tatting and watching kids, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Everyone learned cool stuff in my class and I had a great time too. This is something I taught at Shuttlebirds, and in N.C. this year.

No time to tat just now, unpacking stuff from boxes. I found tatting books in a box today.

Hugs,

Ruth

2007-09-18T20:53:00.000-05:00

Oh what fun we all had in the Carolinas!!

Palmetto was great - as always! I for one like the new location. The classes are easy to get to for everyone and that's important.

After Palmetto I spent a few days with Katie V. and enjoyed resting and watching the butterflies and humming birds play outside, and her two grandkids. It's so fun spending time with Katie's grandchildren who at 2 & 3 speak and understand three languages! They are SO cute! and SO smart too. Who ever heard of a two year old speaking in paragraphs?

Then on to Jane Armstrong's to teach flowers and butterflies to a wonderful class of tatters. It always amazes me how much differently we have all learned tatting, but even tho some didn't tat the same way I learned to do, we got through the lessons and everyone had fun and learned something new. Some learned or got to practice finger tatting, some learned the hanging cluny, some learned to put a bead in the center of a double core reverse ring BDCRR I think is what Georgia called it.

Everyone tatted flowers and butterflies, Celtic butterflies too. The patterns will be available later on this fall.

I learned that the mountains are beautiful, and that I have some new best friends in NC. If you ever get a chance to go to a workshop at Jane Armstrong's house, you'll love it! The food was yummy, & the house is full of beautiful lace, and beautiful people. The Southern Seasons restaurant is really something unusual, a store and a restaurant. Such fun times.

I did have to put down a Celtic mutiny, but that wasn't serious.

I'm in TN tonight, then off to Ohio tomorrow. I should be back to doing the Calendar next week after I unpack some of the stuff in boxes this weekend.

Big Hugs to all!
Ruth

2007-09-05T12:47:00.000-05:00

Copyright 2007 Ruth Perry

I've been tatting butterflies to take with me to Palmetto, and then to N.C. where I am teaching the following weekend. But I think these will end up staying back with Palmetto Tatters for the S.C. fair. I hope to get all the spaces filled in over the next few days.

Got my computer hooked up here, and I'm doing my laundry today, then packing. I still have three boxes to go through today and a couple bags of clothes to put away. Tomorrow I'm headed South for a Palmetto Tatting vacation!!! I'll take my laptop and should be able to check email every day.

Hugs,
Ruth

2007-09-03T21:39:00.001-05:00

Greetings from Miamisburg, Ohio!!! I just got my laptop turned on and thought I'd post something to this blog. I'll be heading South on Thursday to go to Palmetto then on to teach in N. C. the following week.

We still have a little bit left to move from TN, so I'll be there later on in Sept. Sorting.

There is an awesome church in Donnelson, TN called the River of Life Church of God where we made many friends. We plan to keep in touch, and the services are recorded and can be enjoyed on their website:
http://theriverhome.org

Looking forward to seeing lots of friends in a few days!
hugs,
Ruth

2007-08-25T17:23:00.000-05:00

2007-08-25T03:01:00.000-05:00

This is my last post until I get things setup in Ohio. I'll be disconnecting our network tomorrow, and will only have WiFi access for the weekend. I'll try to check email once a day next week.

Ruth

2007-08-25T02:36:00.000-05:00

Basic Butterfly for my class in N. C. in a couple of weeks.
Copyright 2007 Ruth Perry / Rozella Linden

Supplies needed:
Tatting shuttle or tatting needle the right size for your thread
Size 20 or larger tatting thread. Two different colors that compliment or contrast, or two shades of the same color.
The thread in this sample is size 8 Pearle Cotton from DMC, red & orange. Variegated thread is OK, especially combined with a contrasting solid color. It measures about 1.5" across

Size E beads - one for each butterfly
Scissors, hook on shuttle or crochet hook

Optional:
Seed Beads, jewelery findings

Techniques:
ring, chain, joins ( required skills ) Beginners who are able to tat these with ball and shuttle or needle tatters who can work from shuttle tatting instructions should have no problem with this class.
Shoe Lace Trick, overhand knot ( if you don't know some of these yet it's OK )
We will learn to tat Double core, bead center, reverse rings
There are no ends to work in for the butterfly.

Variations:
We will explore two more variations for the upper wings and three variations for the lower wings. as well as a variation that is a flower instead of a butterfly. For those who appreciate a challenge we can also do the Funky Chicken - Celtic Winged Bird as well. This indludes the bead centered ring and hanging clunies too.

I look forward to seeing you all at Palmetto ( I plan to be there on Saturday ) and then in N. C. the following weekend.

Hugs,
Ruth

2007-08-23T08:46:00.000-05:00

Celtic Rose Pentagram Copyright 2007 Ruth Perry

I've been working on packing my things up, but haven't actually disconnected the computers yet. Thought you might enjoy seeing this combination of a Celtic Rose and a Celtic Star. It is a challenging piece to weave, but easy to tat.

2007-08-21T09:17:00.000-05:00

John Doyle Wheeler
(recollections from my great grandfather) I would be interested in hearing from anyone who finds this interesting or who can add information related to what is shared here. My grandmother was born in 1888, perhaps her birth prompted this retrospect.

Final writing February 7/88

I am about to write a few lines for the benefit of my children or anyone who should happen to take an interest in reading the life of a poor and humble Servant of mankind, one whose life has been a checkered one & full of trials & tribulations of which (none) there falls to the common lot of humanity. Let me say here, this narrative is for my children that they may know something about their father who watched over them with their mother in their infancy. And that I would give a great deal as well as derive a considerable pleasure in reading the life of my own family is what has stirred me to up to write these lines.

Your Humble Servant John Doyle* Wheeler was born on Sunday June 11th, 1854. The time of day or night I cannot state. It happened in the city of New York at No. 113 Cherry St. My mother’s name was Doyle - when my father took me to the Children’s Home which is now at No. 66 3rd Ave NY, on July 14th 1859, he registered the (register) with my mother’s maiden name Doyle, signing his own name John Wheeler. At 5 years and 1 month of age, Mother died. Up to the time I was 3 years old. I do not recollect very much, I only know I lived and had my (surrounding) my mother died when I was but 4 years old. She was of medium size, very fine featured of light complexion and dark auburn hair with rich blue eyes. You may ask how I know all this. I ask you can a child forget the last look of a fond mother? Have I not dreamed of her for a thousand and one times that I was still in her embrace? And many times when wide awake I wished I was there. Just think of it. A jewel of the brightest luster, that which you know nothing of its brilliance until the illumination ceases to be.

I remember her in her sick bed. She was not sick long. I do not remember of going to her funeral. I only recollect of my father telling me she was dead. I saw the large tears in the troubled man’s eyes. If I were an artist I know I could draw my father’s picture as he bent over the lifeless form of my mother. Oh that I could (read) my surroundings at that time, but no. I can only form a comprehension of what my memory brings back to me. From my recollection, she was about 25 years of age at her death. I recollect of her going away from home every day and taking me along. She worked in a doll factory. Whether she owned it, or worked as a laborer, I do not know. She is gone, Bless her, the tears I have shed for her since that time as numberless. After my mother left our midst, my father took me with him to his work. So you see, I have a change to know something of both my parents’ occupations in life.

My father was a tall and well proportioned man with full beard which as well as his hair was of a deep red, blue eyes and of light complexion, and always dressed well. He was what people would call a fine specimen on manhood. I forgot to mention my mother also my father were of English descent. My father’s business was keeping a bakery or confectionary. I think a combination of both. I know after my mother died, I was with him constantly and he and I both frequently slept on the counter, as it was it was not very wide he would clutch me to his bosom, how well I remember of hearing his great heart beat. Although I was but four years old I never can forget this

No. 2 (1861 written in corner)
night – look into his lamented face again. In closing this part of the subject, I will say that I still live in hopes of finding out more of these two people who have been the cause of my existence. And of many a happy hour at present as well as the (past) my financial embarrassment holds me check, and I think it is only a matter of time where I shall make an effort to gain some knowledge concerning my father and mother.

Now I wish to give an outline of the children’s home. This home was situated on Randells Island New York City just across the East River. This island was given to the city for this purpose by a Mr. Randell, hence the name Randell. At the nursery, all is babyhood, that is about all I can say of that fact anymore than we were treated very kind. The attendants were all women, kind and motherly looking too. There are four divisions at the home, at least that many that I remember of: The Nursery, The department for girls, one for boys, who ages range from six to fourteen, and one for boys whose ages range from fourteen to twenty. This class were obliged to do some kind of work. If I recollect right, all the departments were in separate buildings and from forty and one half mile apart. The girls and any those of any department took our meals at the same place; although we had to go about forty (rod) to our meals; we went to school a short part of the year, and nearly every Sunday to church. I think of different denominations for I remember the priest and (castly nobea), and holy water. Also of wearing the cross and medal which consisted of two pieces of brass, the cross represents Christ on the cross, and the medal was the mother of Christ, of an oblong shape holes so as to affix a string that they might be worn around the neck. The medal I brought with me when I left the home, if I am not mistaken. The church and school house were one and the same building. When the weather was favorable and we were at school, we were let out to play each day. I remember our playground was close to a large body of water. I think we could not be around it. In summer weather we were all taken down to this large body of water where it was fixed for bathing, and we all took a bath assisted by two or three middle aged matrons. In the winter and in summer when the weather was bad we resorted to the bath house, which was situated in the house where we lived. It was a large vat which held about fifty barrels of water, made of sheet (?) riveted together. There was the usual number of women with us on these occasions wherever we went we had these guardian angels with us. But while in the house there was but one woman over all. She was a cripple. In the building there was all sorts of gymnastics made of ladders in all manner of shapes for the boys to exercise on when the weather would not let them out of doors. They were in the same
(no page # - 18)
Room where we were when real “out of doors” Our bedroom was upstairs. We all slept in one room, two in each bed. There were about a hundred and fifty boys in our department and let me tell you, as I have often thought since. Anyone that could stand our racket and could put up with most any thing. I have said we were in charge of a kind and doting woman. Nevertheless, some of us must be punished. When playing out of doors we were called in by the ringing of a bell. And all who were not in the house after a certain time when the bell rang were punished. It happened in this way. Some of the longer boys would bring the culprits to one o=end of the room where (always) sat our governess with a rattan poised. And ordered us (I had this pleasure once) to hold out over out hand, and then oh mercy how she would bring down that stick. And you can bet we never wanted it repeated, This was done before all the boys, I presume as a warning for all coming time. In going to our meals, we marched two and two, with our governess in the lead. At the door of the dining room we marched single file one on each side of the tables. Which I remember was very long. Each one standing (never sitting) opposite a plate. Then at a word from our Governess, we took two steps backward and with bowed heads, she offered up a benediction after which, we stepped forward again and began to partake of that we long had sought. When we had finished we were marched back again. I have learned since that all these --------- were marched to and from their ------- and what has surprised me is I never heard a musical note of any kind in the two years I was there. Would it not have been pleasant for us, has be music to march by or had an entertainment occasionally with its musical charm to sooth eh juvenile breast. But I forget that this is a turntable institution. And as I have learned since leaving, the house was kept alive by contributions from those philanthropic hearts whose every pulsation is to elevate and perpetuate the human family to a better life. Only for these generous beings, this would be a cold grasping in a human world, and the circulating medium called money would lay dormant where it would do no one any good. We had a change of clothing throughout once a week this occurred just often taking our bath, and I do not remember of any sickness and but one death in this department while I was there. About this time as before mentioned, I saw my father for the last time and shortly afterwards June 3rd, 1862 with about fifty boys

No. 3
And girls were taken from the home and sent what was then called “Out West” in the State of Ohio for the purpose of finding suitable homes for us. Mr. Macy, a very kind gentleman, had charge of us. Although leaving many of our playmates behind and surging out into this great big world. Our joy knew no bounds. Everything seemed new to us. No wonder, after being shut up for years where the (r...) is the most activity we did and feel surprised? I have wondered how Mr. Macy felt – while we were passing through the city of New York. Eight or ten voices constantly exclaiming oh look at that, oh see this, what is that – and continually keeping it up like so many monkeys at a menagerie. People who saw us must have taken us for a lot of Sunday School children out for a rally day. And we were out too, we no care for the morrow. Going we knew not where. Neither did it trouble us. Only we were having a good time and seeing every thing which occupied all our spare moments – no time for trouble. Tis well, our maker in his wisdom saves us this care until later in life when we are better able to stand the hardships of the coming fate that may be in store for us. I do not remember us stopping until we reached Kinsman Ohio. At this place we were placed in a church and gave the people of that village a sort of reception in our humble way. Such as singing sacred songs which we learned to sing at the home. We seemed to take well for after we were through singing, they gave us everything we wanted to eat and fed us as though we had been starved. There these kind hearted people selected those of us who took their fancy and took them home with them with this avowed purpose. Let us hope to raise them up to that honorable man and womanhood that they might be a source of pleasure in their declining years. These children ranged in years from six to fifteen. Several of the children found homes at Kinsman. I only know one of which I can remember his name. This was John Barnes who was taken by Mr. Noble Thomson and who afterwards changed his name to Edward Thomson. This boy died in 1887 or 88 at Cortland, Ohio. There was also a girl whose name I have forgotten and the last I heard of her she was still living in that vicinity. There were no railroad at this time, at least in the neighborhood of Kinsman Ohio and going to this place in a buggy or carriage was my first experience of ever riding in one. And to go along the nice level road in a new painted buggy with two great horses and front and trees on both sides of the road was, I must say, a novel sight to me. And to see cows, hogs and chickens for the first time in my life too. Why it seemed as if I had evolved into a new being. Every thing so strange. Surely this was -------- to me; they say life is ever changing and we never have the same feeling but once. How true this is. I will leave it to the reader to judge. Every day of our life is a leaf in our history. This day I believe makes one of the longest and happiest leaves in my book of life. When the people had made their selections there remained about 12 or 14 of us who failed to suit. Or in other words were without homes. Among this number were one or two girls, and with them we were taken to the Center of Hartford. And there distributed among the towns people until the following Sunday, when we were to witness a repetition of the same as happened at Kinsman O. So when Sunday morning came, we were dressed in out best and cleanest appearance, taken to the old Baptist church west of the center (or square) and placed in the southeast corner, told to stand up and requested to sing which we did. Then the people came forward and took their pick of us. I can only remember one of the boys. This was John Hanson who found a house with a Mr. Brockway of Harford, O. And who lived with them until they died which was quite a number of years. While I found a home with Mr. D.A. Coe who lived 2 miles north and east of the Center. I will soon speak of my haps and mishaps while at this home. I can not trace any of the other children except a girl who I think was taken by a Mrs. Glaspy and who unfortunately turned out bad. I take this from reports – let us hope it is otherwise. Mr. Hanson who is a fine specimen of manhood; large, muscular, strong and able bodied and being blessed with an intellect of fine perceptions, took advantage of the liberal education offered him by Mr. Brockway and I believe is entitled to their education. A country school teacher, he is now married and lives near his father-in-law in the vicinity of Vienna O and holds the honorable office of Justice of the Peace. One instance I wish to speak of – as John and I were the last two who had the pleasure of finding a guardian and standing there we two living statues that we were, asking someone to come and take us. Finally Mrs. Coe (bless her) stepped up to me and asked if I would like to go home with him. I answered in the affirmative. She took me by the hand and kissed me and said you will go home with me and be my boy won’t you? Yes Maam said I. This woman was Mr. Coe’s third wife and being childless I became her adopted son, and she my second mother. Indeed she proved a mother to me. While this was taking place John was left standing all alone. His playmates had all gone to their adopted homes but me – and when next I looked up John was crying. For the time I felt like crying too.

No. 4
And as I was about to share his grief Mr. Brockway walked up to John and asked him if he would like to go home with him and spoke some cheering words to him that caused him to brighten up. So Mr. B walked away leading John by the hand. He and I often would go to this old church to Sunday School, and with Mrs. Rathburn, a very old lady, our teacher. We spent many a happy hour together. I don’t know what his feelings are, but he seems more like a brother to me than an old acquaintance. Mr. Coe's two first wives were named Jones. They were sisters. To his first wife was born a son. Cornealus by name, at the time of my arrival was about 17 years of age, and a daughter by his second wife, a string healthy looking girl of about 14 S-------n. Their two children were not at church on this occasion when we drove into the yard. This girl whose name was Erma stood on the porch wondering who was in that buggy. She was positive that she had never seen that sandy haired chap before. And the first word she spoke was "where in all creation did you get that red headed young one!" My adopted mother said we have brought you home a play fellow. Her only answer was, “well, humph!” turned and went into the house. I was not old enough to notice this at the time, but have often thought of it afterwards. But how must have been the feeling of Mr. Coe after this little maneuver.

As she considered me her only child, this I must say was a severe check to her future hopes. But she did not falter or diminish her attention to me in the least and stood by me with the parental faithfulness as though I were her own child. Her maiden name was Louis Faber and was Mr. Coe’s third wife. It always appeared to me that Emma hated the sight of me, and treated me as an encumbrance to useless thing to have around. But Corneal – as we always called him – did not pay much attention to me and I don’t remember of his ever s----ing me. But he was his father’s pet of which I will say more of him after a while.

Chapter 2
I have now passed from childhood into boyhood and as boys will be boys the next few years will be full of mischief and everything else that the common run of boys may think of. And hope I won’t turn out as bad as ---- bad boy. I will now give my location which is one and a half miles west from the Village of Onaugill, (?)Ohio where I always went to school. The school house stood one half a mile due west of the village, Hartford being a --- two miles or more southwest of where I lived and as I have stated where I attended Sunday school nearly every Sunday rain or shine. We usually drove to church in a buggy except when the roads were too muddy, then we had to foot it across the fields. None but Mr. Coe and myself went in this case and Mr. Coe being a very large man over six foot tall in his stocking feet. You can judge how I had to hop, step and jump to keep up. He did not seem to pay any attention to me in the least, his mind seemed to be absorbed in some other directions. So when I got to church, it found me pretty well fagged out. Then after church we repeated the operation. And after getting home we ate our dinner (Sunday we had two meals a day the second being the middle of the afternoon) and then went for the chores. It was no small affair with 22 cows to milk, calves and hogs to feed and four horses, carry in the wood etc and with no let up weekdays. I would like to know where any rest came in. No chance to play with my neighbor boys only when we went to school and then I made up for lost time on that score. I have come to the conclusion that if my children want to go to church Sunday they can do so but I will not compel them to. Neither will I ask them to work on that day. If it is a day of rest, let us put it in practice. Or in other words, enjoy ourselves on that day, or make it a day of rejoicing. Continual drudgery makes life a burden.

Now I will give the names of the neighbors; across the road (south side) was Mr. Carlton Sayer, his wife and one daughter named Mary Jane. She was then about 18 years if age and if id Emma’s companions. A half-mile west was Grandpa Jones, father of Mr. C’s two first wives, and across the road from him was a Mr. Pratt (rev.) who I think had three girls who were young ladies and one boy whose name was Whaley. The only playmate thus in the neighborhood who was about a year older than I was and the first party I ever went to was at their house.

(back of page 16)
We always went visiting in the evening after the cores were tended to. I will relate a little incident that happened there on our first visit to Mr. Pratts. We were playing what they called the him spy, where one of the party hides their face while the rest go and seclude themselves anywhere in the house and when all is ready, someone will shout ready. Then the one who hid their face will hunt for the rest. And the last one found must be the one to hide their face next time. Well what I was about to tell you -- I thought I would hide where they could not find me. So I opened a door leading from the kitchen thinking it was a closet or bedroom (had one been in the house before) and all as dark as a black cat before me. I opened the door and rushed in and the final step I took I fell about eight feet, striking the bottom of the cellar stairs all in a heap. Some of the older ones heard me fall and brought a light. By the time they arrived I had picked myself up and was coming up the steps a little worse for my experiences. The women folk thought I was killed. It put a g---- to merriment the rest of the evening. One word more about this playmate as his folks moved away after a year, I used to ask Mr. C on Saturday afternoons if I could go and play with Whaley. Sometimes he would consent and at others refuse. I knew if I could not get Saturday afternoon, my chance for any fun was mighty slim. I forgot to mention who was living with Grandpa Jones. His wife had been dead some years. A Mr. Baker (a shoemaker) who married his daughter – Julia. There had been a former marriage and one child – a boy - Willis Wentworth by name. Her marriage with Mr. B brought two children by Mr. B’s first marriage – one boy and one girl Horton and Henrietta. They were all three near Corneal and Emmanual’s

No. 5
age and most too old for my playmates, although I engaged myself with them very much. Willis always thought a great deal of me. He would hold me on his lap and tell me stories and seemed to take a great interest in me. Mr. Baker’s wife died soon after I came on about two years after and then Mr. B moved away. So I did not get much acquainted with Horton or Henrietta, but Willis remained on the place his mother (Mrs. B) left him. Considerable property and in after years he married Miss Malinda Goodrich, and settled on the old homestead. But before Willis was married and after Mr. B moved away some one had to keep house for Grandpa Jones and hunting around for some time they found a widow Hall who came with five children. This family has had a great deal to do with my past life – beginning from, the time they moved in the vicinity. But as I am getting ahead of my story will reserve this part of it. It will be remembered that the road which past my house ran east and west. I have given the neighbors on the west. The nearest neighbor east was Mr. Williams. Three fourths of a mile away there was two boys and two girls all young men and women. John and Scott and Margaret and Emma Grace. The boys were drafted into the service (Rebellion). The next was Mr. Bradly Hewitt got one girl (Nellie) and 4 boys – Rufus, Rand, Aubrey and Vint. The three former were young men. But Nellie and Vint were but 4 or 5 years older than myself. They lived near a small stream and near a sawmill and the best place to slide down hill I ever saw. We used to come from school at the noon hour to his hill and O what fun with the girls we had, and an old two horse sled. We would all get on and let em go. That’s when the fun came in. It wasn’t pulling the big sled up the hill again by any means. I shall never forget these school days and at my advanced age I am in favor of the district school for its fun as well as learning. Who can ever forget them? No one – they are the spice of our life. As this is my first summer at school, I will give the names of the school and teachers. Our teacher (very first) was Miss Margaret Chapman from Bunghill and if ever a teacher loved her scholars it was this one. After the term was over she gave us a picnic in Mr. Austin’s Sugar Camp north of the school house. What a grand good time we had. Now for the scholar’s names. I will name the girls from the oldest down. Abbie Brockway, Emagine Hull, Caroline Moffot, Erma Coe, Emma Williams, Minnie Jones, Sadie Moffot, Mary Jane Woods, Emma and Ella Parent, Nancy Creighton, Alice Turner, Nellie Hewitt, Emma Grey, Nettie Drew, Eva Reed, Laura Price, Emma Soear, Sarah Pader and a sister I forget her name. Julia and Lucy Wilson,Alice Miller, Rose Hyde, Serena Palson, a Mr. Edward Jones two oldest girls I forget their names, also Jenine and Laura Thompson, Mary Jane Brockway, Ellen Hall and a sloven girl I forget her name, and many others I cannot call to memory just now. The boys were: Albert Moffot, Arthur Thompson, Moses and Buel Brockway, Fagette and Abrien Brockway, George and William Cassidy and Charlie, Walter Baxter, Wesly Kennedy, George Hull, John and Eddie Thompson, Richard Creighton, James Moffat,
(page not numbered)
Webster Patrick, Albert Jones, George Creighton, Clarence and Albert Dewitt, Walter Palmer, Chancy Miller, Chad Brainard, Harry Spear, RW Padeau, Hudson Lorsen, William Hull, Charlie Hewitt, Kint Hewitt, Edward Williams, Patrick Watson, Joseph Garvey, and many others I am unable to recollect. Like most boys of my age, I went to school to play and being mischievous I pursued cut up capers in school hours, and as a matter of course took my turn standing on the rostrum with one of those long peaked paper hats (called dunce caps) on. But the teacher seeing I was somewhat of a bashful nature would set me in-between two of the older girls, and to tell that truth, that hurt me worse than anything she could have done with me. I tried to get out but the girls on each side of me kept me from moving either way and my only show to get out was over the top of the seat. So I made a lunge for liberty but the teacher put me back and threatened to punish me with the ruler and said she would tie me in the seat if I didn’t behave better. I would finally resolve under my embarrassment to make the best of it and love it out. Of course I was not the only bad boy in school. Others took their turn. But oh those lessons I never could get them. My head was filled with something else, anything but study. That I could not do ------- for even in mischief; even looking for something different, such as chewing paper into a soft wad and throwing it up to the ceiling where it would stick. And getting tired of that would have out of my repository (or pocket an Elden pop gun which c--- of a portion of

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And Elder an inch more or les in diameter and six or eight inches long with the pith taken out – leaving it hollow. Then with a ---- to fit, you are ready. Just chew a paper into a soft wad. Put this in one end and place another wad in the other, then push one wad through. The comparison of air in the fun will force the other out and make a noise like a small pistol. Well this was my finale. Although I would watch where the teachers back was turned and getting down behind my desk let go and then jump up into my seat with a sober face and innocent look. Yet my whole being was brimful of fun thinking I had shot my gun off and no one had seen me do it. But the noise gave me away eventually. The teacher knowing in what direction it came from would keep her weathered eye out. And I getting more bold would venture another shot. Where I would be brought up standing and then she would cuff me a few times and place me on the rostrum where the whole school could scrutinize me while she would lecture me and warn me never to repeat the operation under penalty of a good sound whipping. In the meantime, she had captured my blunderbuss and placed in the archives of her desk. Where in time se would give it back with many precautions to the future and not play with it in school hours. Now let me ask did you ever get a peep into the teacher’s repository? You will remember whatever she finds the scholar playing with in the school house she takes it from them and puts them in her desk. And this is what I saw when she raised the lid to but my little gun away:

Page 6
3 dolls partly dressed, 2 pin cushions, 1 roll of calico pieces, 1 roll of quilt blocks, 2 pair scissors, 3 cups of spruce gum, 1 crochet needle, 1 ball of yarn, 1 pen knife, 2 jack knives, 3 jews harp, 7 willow whistles, 2 tobacco boxes, 1 bunch of keys, 4 strings of buttons. (The latter a great fad in those days. Each button representing the different person who gave it), 1 jumping jack, and 4 wooden tops such as are made from spools. I can see them now as they all lay in that desk, an oh how I longed to get in there and get my pick. But that was impossible for the teacher kept it locked and the key in her pocket. You left me standing on the floor with a woe be gone expression on my (phicirogory?) and all of the scholars looking at me. Some with a smile. Some with a sneer and others a frown. Some were glad (I judge by their expressions) I had been caught in the act. Others felt a little sympathy while the rest didn’t seem to care and thought it was fun when I got over my confusion and my ears stopped tingling I took the courage to look up and first person I saw was Albert Moffat in one of the back seats. And one of the greatest cut-ups in school, winking and blinking at me and making the awfulest grimaces in order to make me laugh. He nearly succeeded but when he made a funny picture on his slate and turned it toward me I gave full vent to my pent-up feelings and laughed outright. The teacher seeing it did not punish me by standing there, sent me to my seat and ever after that Moffat and I were great friends.

Part of my life I can recount. Much I cannot. There whereabouts of my father at this time I cannot tell you. But my father had his trials and they must have been severe. However, he did not remain long in his business. The reason why I do not know. I know about the time he took me to the Children’s Aid Society of New York City and I was put into the nursery department for small children July 14, 1859, about the age of four and a half years and then stayed for about two years, my father coming to see me occasionally. I only recollect of his coming at this period later on. I remember none at the age of five and a half or nearly six years I was taken to another department where a larger class of boys were kept. There was not a day but some of the children’s parents came to see them. So you see there was this anxious expectation amongst us when ever a visitor was announced in hopes that it might be our own fond father or mother with some goody goodies or sweet treats for us. But alas! That one more visit never came at least not for me. And God only knows how many more. While there, my father came to see me every three of four weeks bringing me oranges and candy. This instance is the first I remember of learning to love my father. Did he love me? Why did he bring me these dainties? Why did he hold me on his knee and look into my face with great tears in his eyes while I was trying to bite a hole in the big orange he had given me? Perhaps he thought all I cared for then was the orange and candy. No so my Father – it has carried affection and love for you all through my life. This I cannot forget. How many times in my life when alone I have thought of him and these meetings. How I have heaved a sign for him to come to me. The tears are flowing freely as I write these lines although a man that I am I cannot help it. And hope that I may never be obliged to write them ever again. The sorrow

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And anxiety that I have endured in my younger years seemed to me a burden greater than I could bear. This was years ago and I do not wish to bring those uncomfortable feelings back. To return to my subject – my father came to see me for about ten or eleven months, then his visits ceased! Why? This is a mystery to me. This is what has bothered my brain more than any one thing in regard to my parents. Beyond this, all is pitchy darkness, No kind friend or otherwise has told me anything of him. No not one! One speck or ray of hope would make me a happy man. Did he or she have friends or relatives: They must! Where are they that they could not help him or me! No matter now. I have no use for such. Only for the charitable institutions of New York City, what would have become of me? That is another mystery. Being positive that my father would not forsake me. I have but one way out of this dilemma. About the time of the Civil War had began he must have taken part on one side or the other. If so, he lost his life. Oh that I could know where he fell that I might gather up his remains and place them under my protection. But I know nothing of this. All is lost! At our last meeting, he must have been about 30 years old. I want to say there this – I have always been watching, waiting, and living in hopes of finding him.

2007-08-20T01:36:00.000-05:00

I'm here to tell you that it IS possible to move three times in less than a year. This time it's back to Ohio, one building down from where we started a year ago.

I will be offline for awhile so that I can move my computers and equipment to our new place - again... Then it's off to teach in N. Carolina by way of Palmetto for a brief stop.

Hugs to all,
Ruth
http://tat-calendar.blogspot.com
http://theriverhome.org

2007-08-12T18:32:00.000-05:00

Vintage Tatting design: This sample tatted in WONDERFUL Omega size 30 thread I found at ZigZag Corner in Greenfield IN. on my recent trip through TN, KY, IN, and Ohio. Don't the colors just speak to your soul???? And, OH YES, there are LOTS more terrific colors.

Help!!! I'm looking for the origin of this very old tatting. I only have samples, and I know that I've seen it in a book. Perhaps someone more familiar with old tatting books can tell me in what book(s) it was published.

2007-08-11T22:00:00.000-05:00

2007-08-06T23:55:00.000-05:00

2007-07-25T02:01:00.000-05:00

Snippette the Celtic Knot Snail posted on the http://tat-calendar.blogspot.com/ July 25th

Copyright 2004 - 2007 Ruth Perry

Tatted Flower Pendant I made for a friend today. This has to be one of my all time favorite tatted flower designs!!! I've made a bunch of different color earrings, and it makes just as nice a pendant.

2007-07-21T02:31:00.001-05:00

Lauren suggested a Phoenix in honor of the release of the final Harry Potter book... This is just a quick first draft of it. I'll tat a good one tomorrow and put the instructions on the calendar soon.

2007-07-19T01:12:00.001-05:00

The 7 ring butterfly at the bottom is on the http://tat-calendar.blogspot.com today, and the top butterfly is a variation on the dragonfly in the previous post. It amazes me how one pattern leads to another. I think larger beads would look better for the tail of this butterfly, but I like the way the wings look. I'd like to work out tatting instructions for some of the real butterflies. Someday when I have time... yeah, right.

2007-07-16T17:16:00.000-05:00

Tiny Dragonfly Copyright 2007 Ruth Perry

This little guy is tatted with hand quilting thread in blue variegated and silver metalic. Unfortunately, it didn't scan well because of the beads. When I get my photo studion set up later on this week I should be able to take better photos with my camera instead of only trying to use the scanner.
One blue size E bead, three faceted black onyx beads one black seed bead, and two green seed beads.

He is a variation of the butterfly and flowers I have been tatting the past couple of days. String the E bead, faceted beads and then the black seed bead on the blue thread and pull about a yard or so through the beads. Thread the blue thread back through the faceted beads and the E bead. The black seed bead will keep the thread from pulling all the way out.

Tat a reverse ring with rings thrown off [I believe this could be done with a SCMR, but I never that those because a reverse ring does the same thing, only better] This could also be tatted using the daisy picot technique.

Reverse Ring ( 3 ( R* 3 - 5 - 2 - 3 - 2 - 5 - 3) 3 ( R*) 6 ( R* ) 3 ( R* ) 3 )
[ all four of the rings thrown off are the same as the first. ]
[ Adjust the stitch counts if needed between the rings so that the E bead fits inside the ring ]

Using the blue shuttle thread and the silver metalic as the ball thread

ChainA ( 3 + join in the space at the base of the first thrown off ring 3 + join in the first picot of the same thrown off ring 5 + join in the next picot of the same ring 12 - - - 12 + skip two picots and join the the next one 5 + 3 + join back in the space at the base of this ring. )

ChainB (3 + join in the space at the base of the next ring 3 + 5 + 8 - - - 8 + skip one picot and join in the next one 2 + 5 + 3 + join back in the space at the base of this ring.)

Chain ( 3 alligator join between the E bead and the first faceted bead by putting the shuttle thread over and the ball thread under between the rings )

ChainB in reverse order
ChainA in reverse order

Tie the two ends of the blue thread together.

Head
Chain ( 10 B 10 B 10 ) tie this in an overhand knot with the two green beads at the points of the knot.

Chain ( 6 put the core thread through bead 6 through the other bead 6 )

Tie the ends together around the chain at the beginning of the head. Use the ends to sew him to a garment or hide them in the beads and secure with a tiny bit of glue from a hypo glue. This is too small to easily see to hide them in the tatting.

When I get a better photo I'll put this pattern on the http://tat-calendar.blogspot.com

Hugs,
Ruth

2007-07-16T03:36:00.001-05:00

For some unknown reason Flowers attract butterflies. Or perhaps it's just that an unfinished flower resembles a butterfly.

2007-07-14T15:42:00.000-05:00

OK, pool party today. I decided to take a day off - NO TATTING, no designing, just having fun in the sun! I participated in a contest for the Most Creative Jump into the pool - and WON!!! The prize was a tub filled with all sorts of goodies including the kitchen towel shown here. Now I wonder where the idea for this tatted flower came from???

Yeah right. Ruth, who is totally incapable of NOT designing tatting, in TN.

2007-07-13T00:34:00.000-05:00

2007-07-12T22:03:00.001-05:00

Lucky Snowflakes Friday the 13th

http://tat-calendar.blogspot.com/

The top one is tatted in Hand Quilting thread, and measures about 2" diameter.

The bottom one is tatted in Anchor size 12 and is about 4" diameter. I used a plastic yarn needle for a picot gauge on the bottom one for all the decorative picots.

Enjoy!

2007-07-10T20:07:00.000-05:00

Christmas in July - Triangle tree, Bell, Snowflake, AND Star

One pattern... so many possibilities!

2007-07-10T00:19:00.000-05:00

Beaded Center Flower Copyright Rozella Linden 2007

The beaded center ring is the same technique I developed for the little Celtic Bird that I taught at Spokane, but with rings thrown off, and a stem and leaves, this is a pretty little flower.

2007-07-09T07:30:00.000-05:00

Sunflower and Violets Copyright Ruth Perry 1989

I was looking in some old folders for a photo I wanted to look at, and instead found this old photo I took of some flowers I tatted a LONG time ago... can it be THAT long ago???

My grandson was "helping me" clean out the garage when he was 4 years old, and found this sunflower in a box that also had scissors in it. He had seen me tatting many times, and used the scissors to take the beads out of this, which is what I used to do if I tatted something I didn't like and wanted to reuse the beads. Well, good thing I had taken a photo of it!!! I'm not sure I could tat it now or not. I'll have to give it a try, from memory and this photo.

Grandson, Thomas, is 6'5" now and will be 18 years old in a few months. Wow, how time flies. Thomas asked me to teach him to tat when he was 14 and went to fairs and festivals with me. He is quite the tatting designer. His first design was a balloon (ring with no picots) and the second was a bunny rabbit (ring with two large picots). How he's pretty busy with a job and high school, but all the memories make me smile.

The best things in life aren't things!

2007-07-08T01:23:00.000-05:00

Martha's 2001 Remembrance Ribbon

I found this easy to finger tat, and other than the obvious mistake of reversing the red and blue, and tatting it way too tight to join the third row evenly, I think my try at this beautiful pattern turned out pretty good.

I used some of the beautiful red, white, and blue Anchor thread I got in Spokane this Spring. It is Pearl in size 12. My ribbon is a little smaller than the one Martha tatted with embroidery floss. It's about 1" long x 1/2" wide.

It did make me remember the events of 2001. I think a lot of Americans have forgotten that our Capital and the World Trade Center in NY were both attacked by "soldiers" trained and sponsored by foreign governments. Terrorists, yes, but soldiers trained to kill innocent civilians in horrible acts of war.

The recent car bombing attempts in England and Scotland indicate that terrorism is alive and well in our world. We need to remember who we are, and why our young men have fought for generations, and are fighting today to protect our freedom and the way of life we enjoy. We often take our freedom for granted.

I pray that we all remember that our freedoms have come at a great price. May we appreciate the freedom we enjoy, and remember the young men and women who are living every day in danger to protect and ensure that we remain free.

May God Bless and protect them where ever they may be tonight.