Wednesday, May 14, 2008

A Tatted Pillow to Cushion the Blow

Have you ever had a time when life seemed to keep dealing you one blow after another? Where it seemed that maybe if you could cover your body and mind in pillows maybe the blows wouldn't be quite so HARD. What sort of pillows would you use? Well, my friends, mine would be covered in tatting. Much like this one.

Side view of Tatted Pillow Designed by TattingChic.


Some people THRIVE in the face of adversity....I tat.


Yes, you heard me right, I tat. I do that soul saving activity second only to prayer and other such spiritual rituals...tatting. Few things are more calming, more peace-giving, or mind-salvaging than the friend I've found in tatting. I thought I'd share the latest thing I've managed to dig out of my tatting closet. It's this pillow I designed and tatted about 15 years ago. I borrowed a motif from a vintage pattern book and designed an edging to complement the frilly motif to go around the pillow. I've taken a close-up of the edging for you to see below.


Close-up of Tatted Edging Designed by TattingChic

The latest blow to come about in my life that caused all these philosophical ramblings about pillows and needing cushions and protections was this....

this piece of paper says it all:


This is what the Insurance Inspector stamped on an important piece of paper after coming out to look at my car yesterday. The "collision" happend last week. In the rain...which rendered one of my favorite sayings in times of trial and tribulation completely null and void. That saying is, "Well, it could be worse...it could be raining!" This is usually followed by a cheesy grin flashed in hopes of lightening the mood of whatever disaster is going on...but seeing as both I and the guy involved in the collision were both standing in the rain exchanging insurance info it seemed to be a mute point. At least he was kind, the insurance people were kind. We won't say anymore about my sad car or other happenings because you know what they say, "a picture is worth a thousand words" I'll spare you the "woah is me" story going on in my life right now...just know I could use a few more pillows right now. How about you?

Okay, so enough about that....Let's take one more look at some pretty tatting HEAD-ON (not like my collision which was rear-end...lol)


Well, that's all the tatting I have to share for you here today. I hope you enjoyed crashing over here for a while. And here's hoping you travel safely wherever you may roam today be it by foot, bicycle, automobile, or surfing the internet, or here in Cali...surfing the waves... May no one wipeout today.

Comments and newcomers are always welcome and appreciated. Happy tatting and safe traveling wherever you may go!



50 absolutely fabulous things were said:

Carol Schockling Lawecki said...

((((TattingChic)))))) I do hope you were not hurt in the accident, or anyone else for that matter. As long as you were not hurt, cars can be replaced. So sorry to hear the car was a total loss. Your pillow is very comforting and is very BEAUTIFUL! The motif and edging are both lovely!

SweetAnnee said...

Oh I love it
You are GREAT
I have ALWAYS wanted to tat
but alas ..no one to show me
how..
deena

SweetAnnee said...

Bet that tatting on my blog is from an antique or vintage piece.
Tis Martha's work. I love her things..Deena

Lace-lovin' Librarian ~ Diane said...

I'm sorry to hear about your accident. Sometimes it just seems like one tragedy follows another! This has been, without a doubt, the most emotional year of my life... well, maybe the year of the divorce was, but any way... I agree with you about tatting. There's something about the motion of tatting and the creation of beautiful lace that is soothing to the body and the spirit.

Your pillow is gorgeous! I think I could take comfort in just hugging such a beautiful pillow.

Unknown said...

Hi Carol, thank you for asking, but it doesn't seem that I was hurt in the accident. I have chronic back pain and so my back hurts, but it hurt the same the day before the accident, too. So, what does that tell ya? Thank you for the compliments on my pillow.

Hi Sweetanee/Deena, Thanks for you fun compliments. I think I have seen Martha's place before...maybe I'll have to take a gander over there again...LOL. BTW, if you ever decide you truly want to learn there is a lot of online resources available and there's eTatters (a click on the badge on my right sidebar will take you there) and Gina "The Tatting Goddess" has a list of links she listed on her blog today for newbiew on how to learn. I have a link to that on my side bar under "Tatting Techniques" I would be happy to help in any way I could so if the day every comes that you really truly want to learn we are all here to help you. FOR REALS!!!

Diane, DITTO, DITTO, and DITTO. Thank you for the lovely compliments about my pillow. You are a dear.

Melissa said...

I just love this pillow!!! It is amazing!!!

Marilee Rockley said...

That is so good that you were not hurt in the accident.
Yes, I agree that tatting is a comforting process.
Your pillow is beautiful! Pillows are something I have not seen so much on tatting blogs. I think a tatted comfort pillow is a great idea.

Unknown said...

Thank you, Melissa. I'm glad you like my little pillow. The cotton for the sham was white cotton from an old sheet that I tea-dyed to match the ecru thread.

I'm glad you stopped by, Yarnplayer, I'm glad you like my idea.I think the actual tatting is the most comforting thing for me, but the pillow isn't too bad either...LOL.

Nerm said...

I am so, so sorry you are having a down time, but what a beautiful, almost fairytale looking, pillow!
If anything can bolster your sagging morale, this pillow can. You are so talented. I know what you mean about tatting for stress relief. That's what I do with knitting or crochet. Keep the hands busy and the brain disengaged, right? Luv, Nerm

Tattycat said...

Let me add my blessings that you were not hurt. Cars can be replaced - I hope. I do definitely find tatting one of the most comforting activities in my life. Rain, shine, sleet, snow or dark of night.... Wait, that sounds familiar... Seriously, I tat for everything, especially doctor's offices. When in doubt, tat. The pillow is magnificent. It looks like a perfect place to rest a weary head. Great work and thank you for sharing it with us.

Unknown said...

Thanks for popping in, Nerm. You're right, any kind of handiwork is very soothing. Thanks for your kind words.

Hi Tattycat. Thank you for your blessings, chuckles, and compliments...all appreciated :)
(even the attempt at plagiarism...LOL)

Pat Winter Gatherings said...

Thank you for visiting my blog and leaving such wonderfully sweet comments. Your tatted pillow is to die for. I tried tatting and just didn't have the patience for it. I know I will try again some day because it is the closest thing to making lace which I absolutely love. I love seeing your work.
Sorry about your accident.I do hope you didn't get hurt. What a note to be posted on the car.Yikes!

Unknown said...

Thank you for stopping by, Pat Winter. Each one of those ccmments I left is quite sincere. I'm glad you like my pillow and I hope you do learn tatting someday. Lot's of online resources available. Let me know if there's ever anything I can do to point you in the right direction.

Birds of a Feather said...

(((hugs))) hope you are safe and sound! we should all be wrapped in such loveliness, i agree!
i'm laughing at your comment ~ my son is the only one who will treasure hunt with me. i couldn't even bribe the girls! we did have a great day ~ wonderful memories! xo heidi

Unknown said...

Thanks for the hugs, Heidi. As far as my comment on your blog goes all I have to say is "oopsy"...lol.

Wendy said...

Your tatting work is exquisite! I love all things made by hand. One day I would like to give tatting a try, if I can find a friend who can get me started.

So sorry to hear about your car!! But at least cars can be replaced...people can't!

CIELO said...

Well, that is a lovely pillow to hide your problems.... there is another place where you can hide: "O LORD, give heed to my cry; hide me in the shadow of Your wings" (Psalms 17)

Blessings

cielo

Unknown said...

Hi Wendy, thanks for stopping by. If you are ever serious about learning to tat let me know and maybe we can find you some online tutorials that will help. Thank you for your kind comments.

Cielo, thank you, I love Psalms and I couldn't agree more. You'll notice I wrote that the comfort I find in tatting is second only to prayer. Besides, It's the good Lord who gave me the ability to tat anyway. Blessings to you, too!

Diane at Crafty Passions said...

Thank you for visiting my blog,and thank you for telling me you write in journals too...I was thinking I was the only one.
I love your blog so much, my grandmother showed me how to tat,she called it making lace on your thumb,I could NEVER do nice work like she did,but how I tried.Your seet blog reminds me of that happy time I use to spend with her.
Diane

Unknown said...

Obe, I'm so happy that my blog could remind you of a happy memory with your grandmother. That's cute, "making lace on your thumb" I guess that's true, it is! Come back anytime you want to be reminded of good times with your grandma.

Cindy said...

Thank heavens you were not hurt, but sorry about your car. For me, the fun part would be to get a new car!
I'm in "those" times right now too - but tatting is not yet comforting, only frustrating. You must have the patience of a saint. I will get there yet! (Tatting, not sainthood . . .)
No matter what, every day is a gift :)

Cindy said...

And did I mention how beautiful your pillow is? I started with that thought . . .

Unknown said...

Thank you for your very nice thoughts. I'm sorry you are going through a difficult time, too. Thank you for reminding me that everyday is a gift. :)

Von said...

Hello TC! Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving me a note. Yours is the first tatting blog I've seen! Tatting is so beautiful and something I wish I could get the hang of, but my attempts were pretty pathetic. Perhaps one day I'll have better luck. In the meantime, visiting here will give me lots of inspiration!

Unknown said...

Hi, Von, welcome to my corner of blog-land. I hope you come back often. There are quite a few tatting blogs out there. On the sidebar on the right is a list of a lot of tatting blogs and links. Some have tutorials. A site that I have found to be pretty supportive to all levels of tatters is eTatters. It's free and there's a big badge on the right. One click will take you there. Let me know if I can ever answer any tatting questions for you.

Rebecca Ramsey said...

I'm so sorry about your accident! But I'm glad that you are okay and tatting away!
Your pillow is incredible.
Becky

Anonymous said...

I am glad to hear you were not injured..Right??? Your tatting is so beautiful. Wish I had that kind of talent.
Lisa

Kalynne Pudner said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog! I must say, your tatted pillows are more attractive than my tapeworms.

Glad the accident story had a (relatively) happy ending!

Unknown said...

Hi Becky, I'm glad you stopped by again and I appreciate you kind comments. I enjoy your blog it's so entertaining to read.

Thank you, Lisa. I'm pretty sure all that I got was a little bruise on the knee since nothing hurts worse than the usual aches and pains. Thanks for dropping in again.Wish you had this kind of talent? This from a very talented artiste, herself.

Kalynne Pudner, ya know that was a pretty funny post you have about the tapeworms...I have to say I LOVE victorian and vintage thingies, but that funky lil' add reminded me that all the "snake-oil" kinda stuff that went on then sure makes me appreciate living in the here and now. Thank you for that dose of reality and for the compliment on my tatted pillow. I'm glad you stopped by.

Kathleen Grace said...

I am so sorry to hear about your accident, but it COULD be worse...you are still alive, I hope you werent hurt. Your tatting is just beautiful. I love tatting, it looks very difficult, is it?

Unknown said...

Hi Kathleen Grace, I'm glad you dropped in for a visit. What a pretty name, too. I think that when learning to tat it can be a little difficult and then it gets easier because it's just a double stitch done over and over. I think people say it's difficult because in the past not a lot of people did it to explain it and written instructions where terrible, now there's a strong online community of tatters that are very supportive and even free videos online and instructions are a bit more universal and graphed out so they can be understood internationally.

Unknown said...

If I have to take another of life's bumps may it be with a tatted pillow.

Unknown said...

LOL....I couldn't agree more, Clyde. Thanks for dropping by.

Knotty-girl said...

This pillow is positively gorgeous!! You are very talented!!

Excellent work!!

Hugs to you!!

Unknown said...

Thank you for stopping by for a visit, Knotty Girl, and thank you for the very nice compliment. I have to say I love your User ID name...wish I'd thought of it, it's great!

Charmingdesigns said...

I'll get back to you with some place to check out. I got my soldering iron on ebay after figuring out what I should get. Its easy...well, it does take practice lol Volcano Arts has everything a person needs. solder,flux,iron,glass,foil. thats all you HAVE to have.oh my goodness your blog is beautiful...I'll come back and check out all your friends.Laurie

Unknown said...

Thanks for getting back to me, Laurie from CharmingDesigns. Please, do come back to visit, often! I'll look up Volcano Arts.

Sandi McBride said...

Your poor car...and poor you...no,I take that back, you are not poor...you are apparently the possessor of a rare talent..tatting...I loved watching my Great Aunt Florence and Great Aunt Edith tat...
thanks for stopping in to see me!
Sandi

Unknown said...

I just found your site via a link to All Things Bright and Beautiful. Actually it was link from someone who commented to her. My Grandmother tatted every moment she wasn't busy doing something else. I decided someone needed to learn this art and so I struggled to get the 'feel' she told me I would learn. I eventually did get the feel of when the thread was correct and I can tat. But don't. Every now and again I pick up a shuttle just to make sure I haven't lost the feel and technique...I haven't...I guess it like learning to swim..once you know how, you always know. So finding you is exciting and it may spur me to actually make something. My mother could not learn from her right handed mother because she was left handed and could not convert it. Now my left handed daughter is showing an interest in learning from me who is of course right handed. So we'll see. I'm adding you to my bloglines and look forward to reading your site.

Unknown said...

Thanks for sharing about your great aunts, Sandi McBride. I always love hearing stories about how people first saw or hear of tatting, esp. when it involves a relative.

Well, I'm so glad you found me, too, stljoie. Isn't blog-hopping fun? You are welcome back anytime. Yes, please do tat something I would love to see it and let me know when you post it!! As far as your daughter being left-handed, I have taught 2 left handed people to tat. One mirrored what I did with his left hand, the other wished to tat like right handed people do because the left hand controls the tension and she felt that was the most important task as far as handed-ness went. I am confident you can teach her when the time comes. Feel free to browse the tatting links on the right. I especially enjoy eTatters. Lot's of eye candy and friendly tatters. Hope to hear from you again, soon!

Bronwyn said...

Wow, the pillow is absolutely beautiful! Sorry to hear about your car:( That's nasty!!! I hope it all gets sorted out soon.

La Belette Rouge said...

This post is a reminder of how many stories, sufferings, prayers and sublimations can be found in the fibers of arts and crafts.

I am so sorry that you have had adversity that left you tattered--and your car shattered. But, for your sake, I am so happy you have found tatting to be soul saving.

Beautiful pillow and post.:-)

Unknown said...

Hello, Bronwyn, what a pretty name. I'm glad you like my tatted pillow and that you stopped by. Thank you for you kind words. Hope to have you here again.

La Balette Rouge, so true. Many a secret heart ache has been woven into needlearts. Thank you for your kind thoughts, but, eh, things will get better from here on out...I'm hoping for the best and keeping my faith in God. Thanks for visiting, come again, anytime, you are always welcome here.

Miss Rhea said...

Wow, your work is incredibly beautiful !! :) How wonderful to keep a precious art form alive. :) Glad you weren't hurt in the accident. I totaled a car once, it is such a sick feeling, but it does pass in time. :)

LadyShuttleMaker aka MadMadPotter said...

That is the most gorgeous pillow I have ever seen! I am sorry about your car....my heart goes out to you, as it seems like you are going through some tough times! I wish I could make it all better!

Unknown said...

Hi Miss Rhea, thanks for the nice comments on the tatting and kind thoughts of my safety. So, this too shall pass...is that what you're saying??? lol.

Sherry!!! So glad you could finally make "the rounds" with all of us tatters. You've been missed, but I'm glad that you are safe and sound. Thank you for complimenting my tatted pillow and don't worry about me, just keep me in your prayers, sweetie. You're just a nice gal. Sure appreciate ya stoppin' by, I'm glad you can. Hope your big home-goods shipment arrives soon.

CJ STITCHING AND BLOOMS said...

Hello. Your tatting on the pillow is incredibly beautiful. Maybe oneday I will be able to create a simple tatted motif. HugsJudy

Unknown said...

Hi Judy, so nice of you to stop by and I appreciate your nice words about the tatted pillow. Don't give up on tatting, you will be tatting lovely motives before you know it. Let me know if I can ever answer any question. There are lot's of helpful people out here on the internt. Hugs back!

Grizzly Mountain Arts said...

That pillow is simply stunning! Neither Dave nor I tat, but we are constantly amazed at the intricate work you fiber artists do! Beautiful! I'm so sorry to hear about your accident! We were rear-ended summer before last and I'm still dealing with the "leavings".LOL Like you, I'm a chronic back pain patient, so ANYTHING that screws with your back is BAD. I hope you get to feeling much better soon and that you don't have many lasting effects. Be sure and take advantage of the other guy's insurance and go to physical therapy! Take care! Jo :)

Unknown said...

Thank you for your compliments about my pillow and well wishes for my health, Jo. I appreciate them. I, in turn, am amazed at the beautiful needlework tools daves makes over at your place. Someday, maybe I will have the good fortune to have one of your lovely shuttles.