Friday, July 8, 2011

Motif #25 Second Round - Mary Konior's 'Patchwork' as a Pendant !

Also:  Nostalgic Hometown Fourth of July

Reinstating photographs

With little fanfare, I’m finally finishing my Second Round of the 25 Motif Challenge!  I’m quite embarrassed that it has taken me almost two years to complete it, especially since I was up to #18 in June of 2010, and well within sight of the ‘finish line’ date of Sept. 2010.   I never dreamed it would take me a whole other year to post the last seven motifs! (Thank you, Sharon, for understanding!)     Computer problems and several other distractions are to blame. I do hope to start a third round soon, as my computer issues are finally in the process of being cleared up. I had hoped when DH retired three years ago already (!) that Time would seem to slow down, but instead it has speeded up!

Motif #25 - Mary Konior's 'Patchwork' Motif - as a Pendant

Way back in November 2008, a few months after starting my blog, I showed another of this same motif in white thread, encased in a paperweight, but the beauty of the pattern is more defined here. (I decided to wear it on ’point’, so it might look a little ‘different’ to you. )


I have no idea when I tatted this motif - possibly in the late 1990s.

The true ‘gold’ color is more evident in the next photo.

 
Even in size 12 DMC perle cotton (equivalent to size 30 Cebelia), it is a 'larger' pendant, at 3" across.


I like the way the pendant looks with this particular jacket. The lace looks right at home, even though the jacket is modern and sporty (and happens to be Pittsburgh’s sports teams’ colors!)


This motif sat in my stash for many years. I never dreamed I’d eventually wear it as a piece of jewelry!   I'm sure Mary would be pleased! 









New ideas for my pendants

In my usual fashion, I attached the motif to a black 'velvet' paper circle, but I didn‘t want to use glue on this very special piece of tatting! (The large rhinestone is glued onto the paper - not the tatting, but does add to the design.)

For attaching this motif to the velvet disc, I discovered the wonderful little brads that you can find with scrapbook supplies. The tatting stays secure on the paper, and the brads also add a little 'bling'. (I did dot the outer edges with a bit of glue stick, which easily washes out if necessary)

However, my biggest ‘change’ was in adding a metal ‘backing’ to the pendant, after I discovered some new (to me) very sticky, wide, double-sided tape. As I’m sure you’re aware, all kinds of metallic embellishments are available at craft stores these days. I had to hunt for just the right one. I wanted to use a filigree rather than a solid metal backing, because I needed two 'holes' to stabilize the large motif, in the position shown in the first photo. I used large black jump rings that are also ‘new’ to craft stores.

Since discovering how strong this tacky tape is, I’ve decided that all my smaller pendants on the paper discs need to be attached to a metal backing, which adds a finishing touch, but importantly, adds 'weight', and keeps the pendant from twisting over. I now look for these metal pendants when they are on sale. 
HOMETOWN 4TH OF JULY - 2011

In this post I also want to acknowledge the 235th Birthday of the USA. I made my usual nostalgic ‘trip down memory lane’ by attending my hometown’s annual 4th of July celebration.




These wonderful horses are

beautifully trained!

They are so majestic, and gentle!
Kids loved riding in the ‘cart’











These houses are along the parade route, on a nice tree-lined street.







I should mention that the town is only 2 miles long and has only 2 streets running through it.  But it has a wonderful park, where I spent a lot of my chlidhood - and doing a lot of crafts!!    Everything was within walking distance, including the schools. 

Although I live only 5 miles away (across the river) from my hometown, and can visit anytime, it's on the Fourth of July that it comes alive with nostalgia and memories from the 1950s and early 1960s, during my childhood and my graduation from high school.  My parents had moved there in 1945 (into the then brand new rental duplexes, near the high school) from New England when my dad was transferred to the Pittsburgh area.  So I spent my entire childhood there, through my graduation in 1961.  They then decided to move because the duplexes were going to be sold as townhouses, and they didn't want a mortgage at their age.  They moved to a very nice apartment in the next town, and my mother finally got a bigger kitchen!  And I started my secretarial 'career' in 1962 and got married in 1964.  But we always returned to the old hometown for the Fourth of July.  

What I kind of 'glossed over' above was the date of my high school graduation.  And doing the math - yes, it's been 50 years!  I just can't believe it!   So I spent some time walking around the old Alma Mater.  It's now quite updated and and modern, with renovated classrooms that have access to today's technology, and a recently built stadium with lights, plus new tennis courts.   In 1961 our yearbook shows many photos of the first big construction project that doubled the size of the original 1926 school and added the modern gymnasium.  I still refer to it as the 'new addiition' (LOL!)

Of course, I had to talk to the new band director, who was quite interested in my tales from the past!  As I've mentioned before, there are no majorettes in 'my' band these days, but the musicians sound great, and they have the flags, which are very colorful.     I couldn't help but think about  my marvelous last Fourth of July parade, when I led the band as head majorette! 
Memories, memories ...... ! 

I think I did mention somewhere in my blog that my husband and I were in the parade with the GTO a few times, and as recently as 2000, which was fun!  But the car will oveheat in the hot weather and slow-moving parade, so we haven't done that for awhile!  

Hope you are all having a good summer!

20 comments:

  1. very pretty pendant :) your parade made me nostalgic as well :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Your pendant is truly lovely. The picture with the jacket really shows it off nicely!
    I married a small town guy and 2 years ago got to be part of the 125th celebration on the 4th of July. Just a tiny taste of what you and he had but wonderful. I envy you both.
    And lastly, thank you for all your encouraging comments to me, I really appreciate them! (I've enjoyed the 25 motif challenge a lot!)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Beautiful pendant! Your idea of attaching the tatting to velvet and then to a metal backing sounds really good. It looks lovely with your outfit.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Love the pendant!!!! I also searched and found all of your 3-D items. Your bell and the 3-D especially caught my eye. You really need to write these up!!! I'll test tat for you :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Your pendant looks wonderful! I love reading your stories. They help me recall some of the wonderful times I've had as well! I admit to being a little lax about visiting the town where I went to high school, mainly because it's not the sleepy little town I knew, instead it's a bustling suburb!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love it "on point" as a pendant! :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Kathy, your pendant is beautiful! Everything you do with tatting is absolutely lovely! :) I don't wear much tatted Jewelry, but that is one that I would wear! ♥

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi, Just one thing thanks for your lovely comment on my blog and I am glad you enjoyed my piece about Italy. I have something else to post which I think you might like to see.
    I have enjoyed reading your piece about the 4th July, for me I have always like the thought of being born on the 4th July, unfortunately I dont get a bank holiday. I used to work in the City of London and on the 4th July the American companies had your flags flying high, I used to think they were for me, of course they were not it was to celebrate the your day.
    This year for the first time ever I was away for my birthday, my husband is not into birthdays does not see why they need to be celebrated well thats up to him, to me its the one day of the year of me even if I am a year older.
    I hope you are having a lovely summer and I look forward to visiting your blog again.
    take care
    Margaret

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi Kathy,

    You left me such a nice message on my blog that I wanted to write back to you personally but I couldn't find a link to email you so I have to write here in your comments.

    I love that Mary Konior design (patchwork) - always a fan of those opposite direction chains. I like the look of them. I also find your play with the triangle design very interesting.

    Thank you so much for all the nice things you said. I can only agree with you that the internet has made the world so much smaller and I have met many lovely people through blogging and tatting forums.

    All good wishes,
    Frivole

    ReplyDelete
  10. p.s. forgot to say, I didn't answer all your questions but if you'd like to email me, I've now added a link at the top right-hand corner of my blog.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Very pretty. I am wondering if you have had a chance to work on the pattern for those cute little shoes? I would love to make some up for Christmas. Thanks for sharing as you do!

    ReplyDelete
  12. The pendant looks great mounted like that. And in just the color to match that suit, too - how did I know? I loved reading about your hometown and the parades. I actually drive through my hometown every day when I go to work but sometimes the nostalgia for the town the way it was pops up, usually when I'm talking to my children about the way it was way back then. Thanks for sharing a bit of your history.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hi, Kathy,
    Lovely pendant! Your tatting is lovely to look at, as always.

    Also wanted to thank you for all the lovely comments you leave on tat-ology. You always make me smile. Thanks for the thoughtful comments and the time toat you take to write them. I appreciate your input a lot!

    Also, why DO they put that little hole in the bobbins? They are in the plastic ones too, so your theory about the ease of metal-making is not the reason I suspect!
    A mystery!
    Fox : ))

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hi, Kathy!
    Had to leave this here...
    Wanted to tell you that I giggled when I read your comment on Gina's blog - Twilight Zone all right!!!

    Why did I not comment? WHy did no one else? Funny, I suppose the Internet Conglomerate can just do major things and it matters not what we think! Sort of like elections. ; ))

    Thanks for the chuckle.
    Fox ; )

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hi Kathy,

    Could not find an e-mail address for you so leaving you a message on here.
    Its a lovely pattern and I am going to make some for christmas card in the christmas thread, will post them when I have done some, the thread on the pratice one was an old coats yellow no idea of the number or name as I have an old ball left. and gold thread by Lizbeth they are both no 20.

    I found doing the 5 points made it so small so I thought I would try a 10 point one which I thought made it look better and sit better.

    Thanks for leaving a comment on my blog, I do appreciate your lovely comments as I do every comment I get.
    Margaret

    ReplyDelete
  16. Kathy, is your 3-D bell pattern from back in 2009 available? can't find any other way to contact you except through your blog comments. Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  17. Your pendant is very elegant! :) I love the way you added jewels to it for just a touch of shimmer. :)

    ReplyDelete
  18. Thanks, Kathy, for the wonderful comments you have left on tat-ology! I love hearing what you have to say, as your messages are so original and entertaining! You are funny! And observant!
    Cheers,
    Fox

    ReplyDelete
  19. I really like that pendant!

    Also,
    Thanks for commenting on my blog. I use general white glue (it's extra strong, washable, non-toxic etc.. similar to Elmer's but a local brand).

    That is the effect I get when I brush vs. when I soak. It's interesting really... guess it's kind of like sponge brushing vs. roller brushing paint on to a wall. same substance, different tool = different effect.

    The flower is just some stitch counts that I came up with. Made 2 motifs and overlapped them. I'm sure the motif has been made at some point in time before mine, but what I've done came from my head.

    I don't mind sharing my stitch count if you'd like to send me an email (tatmaster at tatterme dot com)

    ReplyDelete
  20. Kathy, Again, you made me blush! Thank you for your wonderful comment on tat-ology today. It made me feel... squarely placed somehow, in the tatting community. I needed that!
    Fox : )

    ReplyDelete