Piece for Beanpop.

[navygreen]

beanpop had requested an exchange piece earlier in the week, and her only requirements were that it be "pink and black." Well, I had pink variegated thread in a great size, but I'd not been able to locate ANY black thread of the same measurement. And I had black thread from making my choker, but the only pink I could find in the same range was a pale, pale pink - baby's pink.

I hoped it would do. As I started working it up, I fell in LOVE with the results.

Not only that, but about 2/3 of the way through the pattern last night, I happened upon a new term in tatting: "SS." I panicked until I figured out from looking through a few copies of patterns here that I was saving for another time that "SS" meant "switch shuttles" - and then I panicked even more. I don't know *how* to use multiple shuttles! That's the technique I was most hoping to ask for help on at the Shuttlebugs meeting, and I didn't get to go!

To make matters even worse, Cox went down here in our area last night. From around 10:30pm until at least 3:30am (that's when I went to bed, it could have been even later), we had no phone, cable or internet service at all. The modem couldn't find any server, the television didn't work, and the phone read a constant state of "No Line." So I was unable to Google or browse for help among tatting sources, and I was stuck.

I stared at the piece for a while, and then I stared at the pattern. I decided to attempt adding a shuttle at a particular spot, took a deep breath, and I hoped for the best. I worked VERY slowly for the remainder of the two-shuttle section, and I breathed a sigh of relief when I returned to the regular, normal rest of the pattern... but I DID IT. I successfully completed a double-shuttle pattern, and I figured it out ALL BY MYSELF.

I finished the piece around 2am, and I stayed up to pin it and starch it overnight. I've already taken pictures of the finished piece, and I will share them here. I absolutely adore it, and I will always remember that beanpop inspired me to attempt a double-shuttle without even knowing it - she's truly one of my biggest tatting supporters, so it's no surprise! *hugs her*




Remember, now, that Karen had requested only something "pink and black" - she gave me no direction. I'd been saving this adorable little seahorse pattern for "someday," and I thought it might be kinda spunky in "pink and black," so I gave it a go. I'm not sure what she'll do with it now, as it's not quite long enough for an appropriate bookmark, but I love the little guy already. He's so cute!



And while I was finishing up a movie, I worked up some bits of leftover thread into twisted chains. I felt my pinky going numb, but I just kept working until the thread was used up (a few more minutes, nothing long). When I finished, I stopped to look, and I was surprised to see my pinky had a distinct indention in it - I guess my tension was even tighter than I had thought!

Comments

[navygreen.livejournal.com]

Thanks! He's just so cute - I love him! Almost better, even, in this smaller thread (he's worked up in the same size as your 'Lighthouse,' in case you wondered).

The finger didn't really hurt much, but that's probably because it went completely numb. You have to have good tension when making chains, but a typical pattern is made up of rings and chains both, so your pinky "gets a break" every other minute or two. Since I was making a long, long chain and nothing else, my pinky got over-tensioned, I think. ;-)

[beanpop.livejournal.com]

Oh it's perfect! :D That's so exciting! I'm going to hang him up right next to my computer. :D Oh this makes my day better.

*hugs you tightly* I'm glad I was able to help, even though indirectly! :) Do you need my new address to send it?

[navygreen.livejournal.com]

Yes, actually, I do. I was going to search back in your journal for it, as I know you've posted it before, even in the 'location' spots of your posts. But if you'll email it to me, that would be even better. :-)

[dragonbloodink.livejournal.com]

That is just darling! What a cute little seahorse!

[navygreen.livejournal.com]

Thank!

[navygreen.livejournal.com]

Err... thank YOU. Nevermind my overexcited fingers. ;-)

Wow!!

[keri80.livejournal.com]

Beautiful work as always. I want a bookmark still!!! In answer to your question the other day. I just bought the shuttle to help with some of my jewelry work. I noticed that tatting has quite a few knots and was looking at it as another tool of sorts. If tatting is that bad on your hands, I'll pass on learning a new skill. Plus sometimes I want some that was made for me instead of the other way around.

Re: Wow!!

[navygreen.livejournal.com]

My goal for tonight is to get up an official post for tatting requests. Keep an eye out. ;-)

[violentmae.livejournal.com]

Oh wow! That's cool. And love the ail polish.

I'm kind of new to your journal, so I've been wondering why you love Slytherin so much.

[navygreen.livejournal.com]

Oooooh, I just like my bad boys. Always have. ;-)

[violentmae.livejournal.com]

Hehe, that's what I figured. ;)

[dandelion-diva.livejournal.com]

Oh, that's gorgeous! I love pale pink and black together. Very cute seahorse. Love the curly tail. :)

Hope your pinky's better now.

[navygreen.livejournal.com]

Yep, all better. It only took about 20 minutes for the dent to go away, and it didn't hurt any longer as soon as I unwrapped the thread. :-)

[taryns-mom.livejournal.com]

Damn, that's cute!


(so are your Slytherin nails)


Iffen you ever find yourself with a dragon you wanna make, our colors are Green and Black ;-)

[navygreen.livejournal.com]

I've seen a very intricate dragon pattern online. I'm not sure yet whether I could make it, but if I did, it's a large piece that would have to be commissioned, I'm afraid (a lot of hours and work). If I run across it again, I'll send you a pic and see if you'd be interested.

[shoebox_addict]

Oh my gosh, it's a seahorse!! I love it!!

Also, your nails are love. I did mine in blue to match the OotP book cover. :D

[navygreen.livejournal.com]

Thanks! And I had to re-paint my nails again for the book release, too. ;-)

[shoebox_addict]

YW. Haha, me too. Had to be pink for Tonksie!

[mrs-picasso.livejournal.com]

Love the seahorse!! That is a great idea for a pattern shape.

[navygreen.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

[cateyes25.livejournal.com]

That is just too cute Nicole. I love it :)

[navygreen.livejournal.com]

Thank you. :-)

[laneymunoz.livejournal.com]

That is SO cute!

[navygreen.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[histrionic02.livejournal.com]

You're so creative. :)

[navygreen.livejournal.com]

Actually, the person who designed the pattern is the creative one. I'm just the one that followed it. But thanks. ;-)