Bead tatt and double/triple picot.

I'm still continuing learning new tatting techniques. My level is in between intermediate to advance I'm learning a new technique every week or fortnight. Feel like my tatting is slow because haven't mastered pull the top thread when ds is flipped.

I tried to follow the instructions for beaded snowflake motif it was pain taking out ds when no. of beads tatted was wrong in the end I designed simple motifs to make. There are numerous ways to bead tatt such as adding to joins or picots there's even split rings. I discovered a way to pull thread through 11/0 seed by using bent piece of beading wire (can't remember the gauge). As all of the hook are only suitable for 8/0 or E- beads however it is possible use 3mm Swarovski bicones. Beads themselves are not a problem as I have a plentiful supply and is good way to use the odd ones. Not possible to add beads on mock picot as I discovered.

Frilled Snowflake medallion by Lisa C.Trumble and another snowflake motif by Sally Magill. Sometimes I'm finding on complex techniques such as split rings I watch video on you tube to get an idea on how it's done. I find following written instructions difficult what happens if it was in different language. This time around I figured out how Josephine knots, node tatting/Victorian set and Double/triple picots are made. Possible to do 4/5 and even 6 something to experiment because the long picot is folded over the join.
Also learn split chain tatting I'll add this to next post, other techniques I hope to learn are block tatting and making cluny leaves.

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Learning cellini spiral

I had to master and learn 2 things in this project: cellini spiral and decreasing peyote stitch. I know peyote already because was one of the first stitches I learnt and all from the internet. I created 3 amulet bags using this stitch.

I found the instructions in bead magazine unclear and due to lack of diagram a real struggle to understand. This why I prefer Japanese beading recipes because they have clearer and detailed diagrams. Took me 3 tries to get the rope to spiral. First attempt there was too much red and should be more yellow/gold so had to start from scratch. My inttention was to create 2 ropes and fix them onto the beaded piece, there was huge doubt if there would be enough seed beads, so I created 8cm patches of pattern- cellini, amber and yellow. It doesn't say the art of bead embroidery you should use decreasing peyote to make the rows fit snuggly.
The whole thing is finished and submitted to Bead magazine- reader's challenge Personal challenge themed competition. I hope it will published in Oct/Nov issue, I think it was wrong not publish submission details in June/July but glad the drama is over and can go back to making atcs again. I have been suffering bouts of insomnia and depression because wasn't invited to restaurant (twice it happened)

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Update on the RZ028 Blade Liger papercraft project

I have spent 2 week making the front legs with the majority of time is guess work, if there were any instructions they would be in Korean as there are some Korean text on some of the sheets. In order for one section to be completed nearly all the parts needs to be made and it's so tedious. You are making the same part 8 or more times and also I had some problems printing on chocolate card as the black ink become faint on the second sheet. Border less printing is recommended in order to get the maximum size of the templates. Not very clear in the enclosed images, the legs are symmetrical- both sides are same as other only the top section which gives indication of direction( right or left and the only parts numbered). There 2 parts not shown in photos. This model is quite a challenge but build-able. One of those models which the sections are rendered individual in 3D program before unwrapped in pepakura. I going to return to making conventional pepakura model, how about something from WOW- World of Warcraft. It will take 2 weeks or so to complete the hind legs. Any instructions will be added later or once the whole thing is completed, there might be a chance someone else is building the model.
View the completed head.

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New blog a new start.

I was trying to close my docraft account but nothing happens as it was still there the next day. Since I have joined flickr there is no use for it and besides I'm hardly ever at the site. Even with atcs I swap them in yahoo groups and sometimes at nervousness. This blog intend to focus on hobbies I like doing such as cross stitch, card making, papercraft- making papermodels, beading and jewellery making and anything non mail art related. Might retake pictures of my old work and reopen my Etsy shop.
In the meantime much of updates lies in my photo stream.

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