Tuesday, November 02, 2010

Win your own copy of Tatted Flurries


This is a snowflake standing on it's tippy toes. Yes, it really is STANDING on the picots.


I don't usually stiffen snowflakes, I just wet block them and leave them to dry. If they get droopy I wet them and just roughly block them again. The picture is crappy because it was taken in late afternoon light and my camera battery was dying. The blob it the middle is a heart shaped crystal and the little copper section at the bottom is the edge of a penny that wasn't as close to the snowflake as I thought, which was put in for perspective, but only about half of the penny shows. This snowflake got blocked and kicked around a lot before I got around to taking it's mug shot and it wilted, so I had to block it again.

Blocking 3D snowflakes is a bit of a challenge and I didn't want to have to do it a third time. So this time around I wet the snowflake thoroughly and then took a bottle of white, washable school glue that has a pointed nozzle and went over the snowflake, mostly along the bottom side of the stiches so that I didn't get lumps of glue in the picots. I expected it to be stiff. I didn't expect it to be able to stand on it's own. It isn't something I'd recommend doing to lace and I have no idea if it will wash out or not. Considering that the reason I used it, was so that I wouldn't have to block this sucker again, it will probably be a long time before I find out whether it really is washable or not. :-) This is the Magnus snowflake from the book Tatted Flurries and it's 5 inches across from point to point.

This time of year I always end up tatting a lot of snowflakes and because it's winter and I have snow on my mind I tat them in white to hang on a Christmas tree or give them away. When the weather warms up I tend to tat the same designs in colour to put on T-shirts. There are lots of things you can do with snowflakes. What are some of the ideas you have for using snowflakes? Just to give you an incentive to think of ideas, I'm going to have a contest. Add your comments to this blog post for a chance to win your own copy of Tatted Flurries. The contest will run until November 15th when all of the names will go into a hat and hubby will pick a winner. (Note, if you have already purchased the book, I'll refund your money just to be fair.) Get your thinking caps on, What can you do with a snowflake motif?

Just some additional information. This is Harmony, Magnus's little brother. This snowflake can be tatted several ways. The blue version shows it tatted with a centre motif. The white version has the centre motif and an encapsulating round that holds the one inch rhinestone in place. Magnus doesn't use the centre motif or the rhinestone and it has some connecting rings that bive it more stability, even when it isn't stiffened.


72 comments:

Karen T said...

The standing snowflake definitely took me by surprise. Fun! I was thinking of linking smaller snowflakes together to make a choker or necklace.

ancolie said...

Hi Sharon !

For Christmas, we can put tatted snowflakes everywhere: on the Christmas tree, above the fireplace, at the window ... and we could even build a dream catcher with snowflakes instead of feathers, it would be fun, right?

a tatted snowflake could also be a lovely pendant bracelet and we can use the same pattern for the smallest matching earrings. A snowflake could also be used as a head ornament, for example on headband for a little girl...
I wish you a nice day
ancolie

Martha said...

Hmm...
Small simple snowflakes in small thread could be made in a strip, connected by 2 points, to make a bookmark. I suspect these designs would be too large though.

The denser snowflake designs might work as coasters.

Work in bright colors, add a leaf, and pretend they're flowers.

Valerie said...

such an interesting 3D snowflake! i'd heard of them but not tried making any. i'd tried stiffening small flat snowflakes with white school glue and water mixture though. it works. didn't try washing it afterwards.

i'd love to win a copy of your book! it's very interesting, just looking at the pictures.

val

'RainbowRose' Connie Faulconer said...

I'm thinking snowflake appliques for a number of things, clothes, bags, quilts, hats.
Also could use as suncatchers, mobiles.

Depending on the size,,,the largers one could be hung up above a dresser or in the bathroom, for hanging earrings on, etc.

Besides all the above mentioned ideas of coasters, ornaments, bookmarks, necklaces, bracelelts, if small enough, ear rings as well.

Beautiful snowflakes Sharon! Package up that book,,,I want it LOL!!! Ok,,,draw my name first :)

Thanks :)

Jane Eborall said...

Snowflakes, because they are six sided, are the ideal basis for building up a mat of some sort!!!! I like using them in rings and calling them suncatchers!! Please put my name in the drawing.

Maureen said...

Well, I have been reading Jane's blog - and I know JUST what to do with a tatted snowflake - two of them! You make two, with lots of beads, join them up, line them with something gorgeous and make a little Christmas purse with a lucky dollar inside it! In size 80 you could hang several of them on the tree for your grandchildren!

Typstatting said...

I think they would be great as a mobile hung above a doorway! Please enter me.

Tat-a-Renda said...

I don't celebrate Christmas, so my snowflakes won't be on a tree. But, I like to join them up to make a mat. On their own, they will be appliqued on something. I tat small ones with wrapped cabone rings in the centre and turn them into zipper pulls or fobs.

Is that sufficient? Please add my name to the drawing.

Bonnie said...

I'm leaning towards saying coasters, however I bet I'd cringe when I saw someone put a sweaty glass of ice water, or a steaming cup of coffee on them.

So instead I'll say I'd make them the focal point of a handmade Christmas card.

Lace-lovin' Librarian ~ Diane said...

I plan on making a quilt this winter and decorating it with snowflakes. I'm sure I'll find some I can use in your new book!

H J Hess said...

Tat up a flurry of snowflakes, attach a small card with winter song lyrics or wintry poem. When out and about, hand them out to individuals at random. Scatter your snowflakes for winter cheer!

Vaca Vista Videos said...

I'm picking up tatting again after twenty something years and would love the book with beginner instructions and beautiful snowflakes to hang year round in each of the windows of my dining room.

My home is unconventional (my kitchen and dining room are in a totally different building than the rest of the home) and the contrast of snowflakes in the Texas heat would be a wonderful conversational starter for dinner guests.

Please pick me! :)

Josie Passell said...

Oh dear so many good ideas have already been given. I do think a tree covered only in snowflakes is spectacular and I'm always looking for new patterns.
I would love to win a copy.
happy tatting
Josie

dani, the geek said...

i've been making snowflakes into coasters... size 10 usually makes them just about the right size!

Singtatter said...

How about using the snowflake(s) to decorate book cover?

Suztats said...

I always have tatted snowflakes on my tree, or in/on Christmas cards I make. But, wouldn't a tatted snowflake be gorgeous on an invitation for a winter wedding? Hugs

dragonswing said...

I love the delicate look of tatted snowflakes--whether hanging on a tree or at varying lengths from a door frame. I also like using various sizes of threads to see the different sizes one can achieve. I definitely love the 3D look. I agree with Barb that I would have a fit if someone actually put a mug on it. But it would make a nice little doily.

Quayceetatter said...

I have been tatting snowflakes since Oct and need 60 small and big for 2 tree skirts. One tree skirt should be completed soon. Would love to have a copy of your book perhaps a gift in the future. I like small snowflakes for earrings. There is so much you can make...snowmen, angels ect..
Linda NM
http://quayceetatter.blogspot.com

Marty said...

My sister and I used a bunch of my old tatted snowflakes (made in not such nice thread) to dye a shirt for my mom a few years ago. We set them out on the dye-prepared shirt and sprayed the dye on. The shirt turned out like a snowstorm and the blue dye improved the ugly old snowflakes which I then stitched onto the hem of my niece's skirt. Like a lot of other people, I put snowflakes in bangles for suncatchers or tree ornaments. I'd love to win a copy of your book -- because I want it anyway I can get it!

Mimi said...

Oh my! This is beautiful! It's finally started getting chilly here in the south and am looking forward to sitting with a warm cup of tea and tatting some snowflakes! I'd love to tat some from your book! Thanks for the opportunity to win your book!

Teresa said...

I love the standing snowflake! And I'd love to win a copy of your book!

tatlyn said...

Last year I decorated our storm door with tatted snowflakes. I hung them on small suction cups. I'd love to add the snowflakes in your book to my collection! Please enter me in your drawing.

shannon_in_love said...

Like other posters, i think that giving them out is awesome... i love holiday jewelry so earrings, broaches

what i am going to do this year (my first year of tatted ornaments) I am going to hang them from the ceiling, like they are falling down. they are going to be up probably around thanksgiving...so thanksgiving can feel a bit special.

I would love love to win your book... drop me into the hat :)

Gina said...

I would say a snowflake could be used as the center of a doily to make a beautiful table presentation! I have not been tatting very long and I'd love the chance to be able to win a copy of your book. Thank you for this contest!

Gina
deastrega@yahoo.com

Lelia said...

I like them on card stock & send them to my friends. Always fun to share tatting.

Lelia
leliaevelyn (at) gmail
(dot) com

Randi said...

I use hand-crafted snowflakes as gifts for family and friends. I am already tatting those for this year. They tuck easily into a greeting card or add some pizazz when tied onto a gift. Needless to say, they are the prettiest of tree ornaments!

Elizabeth said...

I like to put a lot of snowflakes on a sweatshirt.
Elizabeth

Rose Anne B said...

WOW that is very nice of you to offer this chance to win a copy! Thank you. The images I see are lovely!

Not sure if this is already mentioned as you have many comments already. My idea is to tat various snowflakes of similar sizes or an occasional smaller one and connected somehow - cotton thread chained together or even a silver ring of some sort (I'd prefer an oval shape) and used as a garland. There could be crystals within and hung from the window or around the tree.

Rose Anne
raburdeny@yahoo.ca

Fox said...

I love that Harmony snowflake!

Looking at the 3-D one reminded me of Walt Disney animations and I think that your design would be brilliant animated and dancing on its wee picots!

Even better if they had little red beads on the ends! Sort of like the dancing hippos in Fantasia, if you ever saw that Disney feature.

Fox : )

Red said...

Among the usual gift ornaments - As a slightly longer-term project, joining a lot of them up in a long string as a garland for the tree.

Sally Kerson said...

Small snowflakes make lovely earrings. The larger ones I hang in a window. I would just love to win the book, you can't have enough snowflake patterns!!

Cindy said...

I'm afraid to try a 3D snowflake! But I would love to include snowflakes on a crazy quilt, or connect a row of them together to make an edging on a Christmas runner. I also love all of the other ideas! Please enter me in your drawing - I would love to have a copy of your book!

Nancy G said...

How lovely is your work! Beautiful, just beautiful. Love the 3D, something new for me to learn!

Shirley Burger said...

hi sharon, your new designs would be absolutely gorgeous attached randomly to a dark
jacket.

shirley b.

Unknown said...

I like to make them with crystals in them and use for suncatchers. The crystals make rainbow patterns all over the room and the tatting looks nice in the window. Some snowflakes can be folded or formed into flowers and dyed in any colour you want. Great contest. Thank you Sharon.

Kathy T said...

I am thinking about tatted snowflakes appliqued to a tree skirt. Love your 3D snowflake!

Kathy Niklewicz said...

This is a very generous giveaway! I definitely want to order your book, even if I'm not the lucky winner!

I can't add anything 'new' to all the snowflake ideas. However . . .

Back in the early '90s I added crystals (or mirrored gems) to the middle of snowflakes to fill the 'hole' where 'thrown-off' rings were supposed to be (I was afraid to use two shuttles!) These snowflakes sparkled in the tree and also were great as suncatchers hanging in the window.

I also like to add silk ribbon flowers to the centers of my snowflakes in pastel colors or red or burgandy for a Victorian look.

I've also pinned unstiffened snowflakes to satin-covered 'ball' ornaments (those that allow pins to go through).
The idea is to have two duplicate snowflakes opposite each other, but they don't have to touch. I'd 'divide' the ornament with some kind of cord or trim, and add flowers, gems, pearls or even feathers for a more Victorian look. I hope to show these on my blog soon.

I love your 3-D snowflakes! The white glue will never wash out, but in most cases I don't want it to. Many years ago I crocheted a large flat doily and stiffened it and formed it into a hat to hang on the door. Then years later I decided I wanted it flat again. I soaked the piece in very hot water, and now have a flat (but still stiff) doily that I use under my doll house, which sits on a round turn-table. :)

marytats said...

I put snowflakes on a navy blue sweatshirt. It really makes them pop. I get lots of compliments and I get to inform the person about tatting. - marytats

Katy said...

I see that someone else had my idea, which was to use them in a mobile. I already have a wire mobile frame that would work perfectly.

Emily G. said...

Thank you for the opportunity to win your new book! My idea (I had to think hard to get a new one here!) is this: my Dad goes for chemo every two weeks, and their IV poles sometimes have little ornaments on one hook. I think I will make some snowflakes & some chains of flakes to hang there, to give those people in sickness a little happy thought.

Shanan Strode said...

I am knitting up scarves and going to put tatted snowflakes on them to give as gifts this Christmas.
I also put small tatted snowflakes on hand made cards and gift tags and tie them on or tuck them into the gift bags.

Karen at A Glimpse Into My Reveries said...

I enjoy heirloom sewing and I can see a tatted snowflake in the center of the yoke on a little girls dress, or maybe at a waist cumberband for a pre-teen's Christmas dress.

I'd love to win your book, please enter me in the contest!

PS I love the thought of using snowflakes as coasters. I used to use small lace mediallians and they were really pretty!

Marji said...

Sharon, What a fun book. Is this a good one for a beginner? I have done some shuttle tatting but am definitely still learning.
Thanks for sharing your talent.

Anonymous said...

Marty mentioned putting snowflakes on the hem of a skirt. Now, I'm envisioning a big, floofy skirt (maybe with lots of tiers) with snowflakes attached by the top points all around the hem so that the skirt has a lovely lace hem (hanging below the hem of the denser fabric). The snowflakes could be made in colors to match or contrast... Ooo... I see a project in my future!

Alizandria said...

I love your patterns! I plan on making a 100 snowflakes/stars for christmas and hanging them from a friends ceiling after shes gone to bed and then voila wakeup and suprise! Christmas is her favorite holiday. Also planning on getting some size 80 white and making a necklace pendant and earrings to match maybe even a bracelet!

Alizandria said...

O! Please enter me in your contest. Forgot that part...Thanks!

Lorena said...

Hello all,
I have a friend that has several Christmas trees in her house and one is dedicated to my snowflakes! For about 6 years I would make her 5 different patterned snowflakes using white and ecru or just white or just ecru. Pretty with both colors per flake.

Tara said...

Thank you for the chance at the giveaway.

And I love all the suggestions currently offered by others for snowflakes.

Monica said...

Oh, I'd love a chance to win that book!

I am a bit late and have read through many wonderful ideas - my first thought went to using small snowflakes for earrings, liked the spin of having matching bracelet!

And using a bigger one to hang jewellery is a genius idea which I may have to copy!

I do think I have one that has not been mentioned: decorating pincushions with them :)

Thanks for the give-away and the fun!

Tatskool said...

I like to hang them on a Christmas card to make it special and useful.

Suzanne said...

Hi Sharon,
While I wait patiently for my copy of the book to arrive, I'm game for entering the giveaway. Putting snowflakes in the window has been mentioned, but my wherefore is a tad different.

Our house in the Pacific Northwest sits in the woods. When the days turn to perpetual grey, birds have difficulty distinguishing the forest reflected in the windows from the real thing. This leads to bad headaches, and some amount of mortality, for those who do not pull up in time. Long before I learned to tat, I would make paper cutout snowflakes and stick them randomly on the windows that presented the greatest danger to the birds. Now, I shall put tatted ones up instead!

Trayna said...

Thank you so much Sharon for giving us a chance to win your book - I love your snowflake patterns, they really look like real snowflakes.
Please enter me - Fingers crossed LOL
Thanks

Anke said...

I usually use my snowflakes for Christmas decoration. Either on a tree or at the windows they look gorgous. I never tried other ways but I guess they also would look nice as coasters, bookmarks, mini doilies (or micro?) and something like that.
In coloured thread they might be a nice summerdecoration used in similar functions.

Please enter my name to the drawing.

Anonymous said...

Sooo lovely! I want in on the contest please!
I put all different kinds of snowflakes on a cheapo Santa's hat, and now it looks like a million! I wear it every Christmas. Or you could put them on the outside of a compact or pill box, or strung together to make a garland.
carol aka battatter
www.battatter.blogspot.com

Carolivy said...

These are terrific Sharon! I almost always stiffen my snowflakes so that when I put them away in the Christmas ornament box they don't get mushed.
I love taking snowflakes and hanging them in the windows, just far enough from the glass that they can still spin. I always add a bit of micro glitter to the glue as it is drying, so the spinning snowflakes catch the sun and look all cold and sparkly just like the real thing outside.

Anonymous said...

Love it, Love it, Love it!! that is so cool!!

Uses for a snowflake? Well, I would stiffen it, line it with some pretty material, add a fastener to the top, and make it a small coin clutch!

Or fasten it to barrettes or brooch pins.

I like the idea of tatted accessories

pwrath said...

Such beautiful work!! I am deeply intrigued with snowflakes and hope to make some for Christmas. I have taught myself as best I could because no one I have come across tats. I would so love the book. Pam Wesselink pwrath@myfrontiermail.com

tatterjil said...

One snowflake with the right stringing would make a fantastic statement necklace. I've also thought of making a garland of snowflakes to hang across a doorway.
I would love to be entered in your drawing.

Tatteristic! said...

I love the snowflakes and would love to win a copy of your book. I tat snowflakes throughout the year and use them on the tree, on gifts, and anywhere else I can think of. They are so much fun. Thanks!

Wendy said...

I think a snowflake would make a pretty bookmark, with a tail added. I would love to win your book.

Tatman said...

If it is for a Christmas tree, and I tend to use small thread, join small snowflakes end to end to make a garland. Yea.....takes a LOT of flakes to do that! Also I like to put the flake on the top part of a glass ball with the hanger cap poking out the center of the flake. Of course joining a flake in several rounds makes a nice cloth(table, bedspread). Again tatting with really tiny thread you can make earrings. They are also great for adorning wedding accessories. Could be for a winter wedding, but doesn't have to be. Those are just some ideas I have. Thanks for your wonderful patterns and creativity!

Tattingrid said...

I would tat and tat and tat snowflakes till my X-mas tree tumbles over...
I'd love to win a copy of your book, but if not, I'll buy it with pleasure too...

tatting-marie said...

I have placed them on the front of the Christmas Cards for my elderly parent to send out. Used them as decorations on windows and mirrors in my home. They make a lovely centerpiece when placed on satin balls and placed in a clear bowl or vase. Also a beautiful focal point in your China cabinet . Scatter them randomly on your holiday table. Use the smaller ones on your place cards at dinner. Also place on your holiday stationary note papers and “thank you notes”. Make earrings, and medallions to wear and give as gifts. Sew the smaller ones on bows to use as decorations around the house (on lamps shades, ceiling fan pulls, in live or artificial plants). Arrange them in the shape of a tree on a wall above a table so that it looks like it is sitting on the table. Use on packages in place of bows. Use them to spell out “Happy Holiday” or “Merry Christmas” and place in a frame. Use them on a holiday clock face in place of the numbers. Decoupage them on plates or tins and fill with cookies to use and give as gifts. Use as decorations for a holiday wedding. Can also be used as decorations for an office party and when everyone is leaving let them pick one to keep. Place one on the “Angel Tree” to replace the child’s name tag - it will make those who work so hard to see that others have a happy holiday - feel good. Sew them on clothing (knit tops and sweatshirts) and I have even sewed them on my evening bags during the holidays. Always carry them in my purse at holiday time to give to sales people, cashiers and shoppers that looked “stressed out”. (They always have a smile on their face after receiving one.) Can also be used for a “treasure hunt” for the little ones during the holidays. How about decorating a holiday wreath for the front door or fireplace? Adding that “finishing touch” to your purchased Christmas Cards by adding a snowflake in the scene. Adding a different one to each of your holiday place mats makes a beautiful dinner table setting. Then each guest can have it to take home and enjoy.
I have a “special Christmas Box” filled with all different snowflakes that everyone that is a guest in our home during the holidays gets to pick one from. They were all, at one time, on my 7 & ½ foot Christmas tree that is filled with all different size white snowflakes. As I find new patterns to put on the tree I have to take others off and replace them. It is a joy to share them with others. (My red velvet tree skirt has Angels, candy canes and holly - no snowflakes as yet, but I think I see where I can add a few of them.)
I am always looking for new snowflake patterns for my tree, so please enter me in your drawing, Sharon.

Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Ladytats said...

snowflakes work really well as ornament drapes. I like to add beads in coordinating colors with a larger dangle bead at the points. the center ring has to be big enough to fit over the top of a clear glass ball ornament. the beaded snowflake points hang down around the sides of the glass ball and remind me of the look of a beaded victorian lamp shade. I have given these for christmas presents, and am trying to get more done for this year too.

mica said...

I like to make snowflakes with metallic thread and add them to get-well cards. Luckily, I haven't had to send too many of those recently! Last year I gathered up some of my snowflakes with beads that I had made over the years. I stiffened them and brought one as a hostess gift whenever we went to a friend's house over the holidays. Most of them were immediately hung on the christmas tree:)

Dena said...

Very pretty snowflake! I would love to win a copy of the book.

Sunela said...

I like to use snowflakes as coasters during Christmas. I like to also do snowflakes in color. You can connect a couple of snowflakes and make it a doily.

Dragonothe said...

My favorite ways are to use them as gift tags, stiffen them and hang them in windows, mount them on rings to become suncatchers, and of course use them as ornaments. I've also made them as edgings on pillows and on pockets, made 2 alike and put a bit of tulle with potpourri to put in my lingerie drawer. Many many ways to use them, so I keep making them!

Ilene said...

I love your snowflakes. I would use them as bookmarks or just tacked to the walls of my cube at work to provide some relief from looking at the computer screen!

Cynthia said...

I put tatted snowflakes in the "V" on shirts. I am uncomfortable with my bra showing and the snowflakes cover just enough. Please enter me in the drawing. Thanks and Peace to all.

Jeanie said...

I would use the snowflakes to decorate a picture frame :)
Please enter me in your drawing. Thank you !