Back to Patterns

Sometimes I need a break from patterns, mostly because I struggle with following them, but lately I have needed some inspiration.  And since tomorrow is #WowWednesday I thought I would shine a light on Jon Yusoff and her blog: Tat-A-Renda as well as her books (which you should purchase, if you haven't already).

First off let me admit to the heinous act of taking my pattern books apart (I know my Librarian Friends are probably freaking out) but lets settle something carrying one page of a book in my purse is far easier than carrying an entire book. 

Right now I am enjoying some pages from Jon Yusoff's tatted snowflakes book.  This Milky Way snowflake and the "Twirly Whirly" one have become my recent favourites. expecially since I have figured out how to add red beads to the Twirly Whirly snowflake to make it look like a peppermint twist. (Pictures to come later)

You will need to learn split rings to work most of these patterns but they are clearly designed with love, care and a passion for Tatting.  

Again, check out her website:  Tat-A-Renda and see what she has been up to, and if you are interested in her books they can be found in a number of places, but if possible, purchase them directly from her (through her website I image) since there is not middle man to take majority of the money.

Christmas is Coming....

Sometimes I find it so frustrating that the retail industry puts out Christmas items before Remembrance Day, Halloween and Thanksgiving; that frustration can't be any more evident when walking into Micheals!  Micheals.

Winter is coming, Christmas is coming; it's inevitable.  How we witness each Holiday as it passes, is what matters.  It doesn't matter that Micheals is stocking Halloween and Fall items along side Christmas.

No.  What matters is that we Remember on November 11th, and that we are Thankful for all we have that first Sunday in October and that when Christmas comes we hold our family members dear and remember those who needs us more than ever.

We should remember everyone and help them when they need a kind word or a helping hand.

Sometimes

It's September 3rd and usually I do all I can to avoid noticing this day.  But sometimes it sits there in my peripheral vision, a nagging reminder of eleven years, eleven birthdays.  Eleven.  Today, it's different, I don't miss you like I used to, there is a knot of reminder in my stomach, but I don't hold the knot the same way.

In the past I would hold this knot, caress it and wonder why I don't feel myself.

Well today: No. Today I will invite this knot to tea, have a conversation and send it on its way, with blessings and love and light.

There is no room here for the knot of September Third anymore.

Bead Shop Mayhem: The Struggle is Real

After today's wonderful moments of "inter-web" catastrophes and reminding myself that a wonderful walk on a beautiful sunny Sunday (after a stormy Saturday). I really can't complain about a bead shop having the wrong business hours posted on their Facebook page.  I will however lament that this did not go over well for me since this was my first attempt to visit this store (given that it was local and only a short 20 minute walk away from my house) and at time time is not inciting me to check out the store again any time soon.

I did however take the 45 minute leisurely stroll down to my favourite bead shop just off Johnson St, on Broad (I believe: Victoria Bead Town) in downtown Victoria only to discover some new beads that I "really-really" had to have!  There was one little glitch, I realized when I got home that it meant I would have to re-do a garter belt.  Am I sad?  No not really, because to be honest, the initial garter belt was "not sparkly or fancy" enough with simple glass beads on them.  I wanted sparkle! I wanted something the Bride will be happy to hold on to for her daughter or future daughter-in-law to wear when she walks down the aisle (Something Old, Something Blue)

And I have yet to be disappointed by the selection or even the wonderful service I always receive at Victoria Bead Town Designs, and 10% off VIP card is always a nice treat!  

Back to the initial bead shop, it was a moment today that I am starting to considered that maybe my cousin is on the right track with the idea of recycling old glass beaded jewelry she finds at garage sales and in Thrift Shops.  Not only does it reuse what will otherwise eventually end-up in a landfill, but it removes the dismay when faced with other shops being closed on a sunny Sunday.

Summer is Almost Over...

As summer ends and I sew in the ends of the last few octopi I have made for children at Kids Klub I feel excitement and some vague sense of "bittersweet"; partially because summer is ending and the long days spent splashing in the water on Beach days or the short moments teaching the children how to make felted animals or simply play a few rounds of Uno are shortening just like the time the sun spends in the sky is shortening.

Already I am making plans for the years and months that lie ahead.  We (my partner and I) know what is up with my health and we are taking the steps to get me better while I take on the challenge of finally going back to school. (YAY)

It's going to be busy, but I will learn to budget my time and at least post here once a week, even if it is just pictures of what I am getting up too in the tatting world.

Waste Not, Want Not

It's impressive what people are willing to throw away; either because some pieces got lost or broken and what a negative impact that has on our environment!

Mr. Smith saved this from wasting away for years and years and millennia at the local dump; it can certainly be used by me! I'm looking forward to embellishing the edges with tatted lace and making info cards for the center panel. 

Oh the possibilities are endless for next year's Fribrations Festival as a demonstrator!

Fibrations Festival 2015

Fibrations Festival is a one day festival held in Victoria BC each Summer; the past few years it was housed on the grounds of St. Ann's Academy, this year it was at Robert J Porter Park.

This was my first year attending this event as well as volunteering both with the Fibrations crew and as a member of the Victoria Embroiderers Guild (despite not paying my dues yet) and I had some very mixed impressions of the day.

Volunteering as part of the Festival was an incredible experience and I was there for set-up at 8am and tear down at 4:30, on the whole it was great experience; watching the vendors arrive with their items to sell, setting up tents and tables, and watching as the donations for the Raffle table were being submitted and arranged.

I would do it again.



I also loved the demonstrations that were available for patrons to attend.  Although I volunteered for two shifts with Fibrations and on with The Victoria Embroiderers Guild I was able to attend at least one demonstration.  

The first demo of the day was the one I was most interested in: Basic Kumihumo.

What a skill to learn!  And so simple!  It has instant gratification for children; and in a world where gratification is instant this is a craft that will fill that need for a quick and easy completion of a craft AND help work on patience, fine motor skills as well as allow for a chance for children to work their creative minds a little.

                                                                        Now attending this event with the Victoria Embroiderers Guild is another story all together.

An experience that leaves me questioning why I would want to pay my registration fee for this year.  As an interested party in joining the Guild one can imagine my dismay when I was excited enough to volunteer to help out at the Guild table at the event only to be reminded that I was not yet a member.

I understand how that would look (in hind-sight),  however it would really impress upon the Guild to request that interested members are made fully aware of their position and told not to volunteer for events until after their registration fees are paid.

I am also well aware that the protocol for registering is that interested parties are able to attend 2 meetings before paying their yearly dues, and it was come to an agreement that my volunteering would be considered my second meeting.  However, it still leaves a bitter taste in my mouth and I will be taking the next few weeks to decide on whether I want to actually pay my dues (I really, really want to be a part of the Lace Special Interest Group and that really is the only reason for joining) However I think that it would be interesting to join and "shake things up a little".  Clearly it is time to add fresh eyes and a new perspective to the group thus improving membership: I hope.

As for volunteering with Fibrations: I am so on it for next year!!!