In a Creative Mood

My boy was busy with his prelim exams during Sep Teachers' Day celebrations, so he did these and gave his teachers only during graduation day (from Junior College). Baked the macarons with the help of his sister. How time flies, my boy is taking his A-level exams already, and going NS in another 3 months!

Kristine has been reluctant to tat because of sweaty palms, but here's her attempt almost totally on her own.

Here's my new tatted lucky clover design - simple and sweet. There is of course a bookmark version simply by extending the stem and adoing a tassel. 

I haven't been participating in many swaps, so only these few works to show. This abstract postcard came from Lee Kirk (USA).  Look felted but it's actually a fabric wipe.

Next is Paper Traders' "Over/Under" ATC swap, whereby we create a design by painting over a layer under it.  Mine were easily done once I get the idea going, by sponging distress ink on a cut-out word 福 over prints of 如意 stamped with a Chinese seal which I craved during one of the library workshops I attended.  I love the effect and the very oriental look! 

Received a poppies card from Debra Claxton (USA) and a pumpkin card from Beckie Holso (USA).

Artist Trading Cards (ATCs)

What are Artist Trading Cards (ATCs) ?

This is what I was trying to find out this past week. In gist, ATCs are miniature works of art created on 2 ½ X 3 ½ inch or 64 X 89 mm card stock. They are originals, small editions and self-produced.

Want to know more about ATCs?

Well, on the front of an ATC, an artist creates an original work to showcase their art. It can be a one-off, part of a series, or a limited edition. On the back, the artist puts their info (name, contact details, title of the ATC, number if it's a limited edition, and date it was created). ATCs can be made in any medium and using any technique, and can be traded or exchanged, but not sold.

This is really all you need to know to start making your ATCs.

ATC and tatting ?

Yes, I came across Laura's ATCs and I too think it is a wonderful idea to use small motifs of tatting to adorn these cards. A neat way to use all the small tatted motifs and you can trade them too and start a collection. So, I tried my hand at it.

Here are the first 2 of ATCs I created in duplicate, with original tatted motifs and combining with scrapbooking papers cut with QuicKutz dies; all done up with acid-free materials.

How about them ? Well, I'm hooked!

Paper Clip of the Month / Motif No. 21 - Lucky 4-leaf Clover, TIAS Day 2

This is the 2nd paper clip pattern I did for Georgia's Online Tatting Class - Lucky Four Leaf Clover. You can also tat it as a 3-leaf shamrock or tat it as a bookmark. This is my favourite paper clip pattern at the moment! These will be my Motif No. 21 for the 25 Motif Challenge. Which version do you like better?

I have just finished Day 2 of Iris' TIAS and finishing a 2nd piece of bookmark. Since the start of this year, I found lesser time to do anything at all (much less to tat) with my 3 children now in primary school. No joke coaching all 3 together in their homework after a whole day at work, and all 3 yelling for your attention (yah, only me when DH is not back from work yet) to help them in their problems, plus the project works of my eldest boy in the Primary 6 gifted programme. Time to start thinking/worrying about selection of secondary school for my boy soon with all the stuff on direct admission system even before taking the PSLE. That's how stressing the education system in Singapore!

Motif No. 7/25 - Lucky Sequin Clover

Another 2 colleagues are leaving. I love to make the 4-leaf clover bookmarks to give away since it is a symbol of good luck. The leaves of 4-leaf clovers are said to stand for Hope, Faith, Love, and Luck, so I hope my Lucky Sequin Clover will bring them luck in love, happiness, success and fortune. These will be Motif No. 7/25 for the challenge. The centre piece already went to Eileen, the other bookmark will go to Kim next week:

I have the pattern in written form already, but as I am not well-versed with drawing programmes, Jane Eborall has graciously agreed to help with the drawings. Just one catch to the pattern, I used heart-shaped sequins in a certain size I found in my stash, and I'm not sure if they are easily available. I didn't start off with using sequins, but as the design evolved, I remembered Jane's Share a Tat challenge and decided to check through my stash to see what I have. I didn't join Jane's challenge earlier as I have problem finding the sequin size called for. But we can adapt patterns to whatever sizes we have, can’t we ? Well, the pattern will be up on Jane's website soon.