HDT Addicts stand up and unite!

I think it was in one of Gina's posts the other day....she mentioned how she will buy a spool of thread because it looks so beautiful but when she goes to tat it up it looks like crap. I sometimes worry about that with my own Hand Dyed Threads. I decided to go ahead and tat up some size 20 "Sunset Clouds" because it is my most inspired thread to date and has the highest number of color changes. I was thinking, "I hope this isn't one of those threads that looks better in skein form than in tatting." Well, you can judge for yourself, here is a sneak peak:

I, for one, am delighted with it and it has pushed me to really think critically about how the threads will tat up. The whole purpose of this thread was that I wanted people to be able to see the sunset in it. Can you?

O.k. next topic:
Hello, my name is Sherry and I am addicted to HDT. Thanks to Yarnplayer for getting me hooked. I couldn't afford to sustain my own habit so I became a supplier.
We know that Clyde and Laura and Diane are addicts too but there are several others out there. Perhaps we need to start a support group. If you are an addict will you please raise your hand by leaving a comment on this post?

If you haven't tried HDT you are probably thinking, "What's the big deal? How is it any better than regular thread?" Well, you will just have to see for yourself...it really is quite an experience the first time you tat with HDT; it's hard to go back to regular thread. Maybe it's all the love that is put into making them that makes them better. We certainly know that the dyes make them stronger and shinier. I am not sure I can quite put my finger on it. Just beware, if you try HDT you are running the risk of becomming an addict yourself.

With all silliness aside, my goal is to list a new batch of thread everyday until I run out of thread. I don't want to bore you with HDT posts everyday so you might just have to check the shop to see what is new.
I will blog about a thread if I think it is particularly worthy such as this "Tuscany" thread inspired by an Italian landscape painting.



Also, I am adding size 10 tatting thread to the shop very soon.

Inspiration overload BEWARE!!!

I have been busy. I am kept up at night with all the ideas I have been having....sooooo, I have to take advantage of the creative bursts when I can.
Here are the results. I apologize if these posts are getting tiresome...it's just what is going on right now.

All these new tatting threads are totally handpainted. I mix the dyes as I would water paints and then I "go to town" on the thread as if it were a canvas. These theads have complex shading and color variances. I hope you enjoy them.


I love fuchsia flowers. Being an artist, I cannot commit to just one favorite flower but this one is definately in my top 5.

"FUCHSIA"

This next tatting thread I am super excited about!!! I was agonizing over if it could be done without ruining a whole bunch of expensive thread. But since the idea sprouted I couldn't get it off my mind so I just had to give it a go.

"SUNSET CLOUDS"

And finally, I created "TUTTI FRUTTI" which is similar to the "Cirque de Couleur". This batch, being handpainted, is much more colorful and saturated.

"TUTTI FRUTTI"

More fun with dyeing and the Christmas season

I dyed another small batch of thread. I don't know why but I was in a really orangey mood and came up with a nice Mandarin Orange and a Grapefruit blend.


This is the Grapefruit blend.

I decided to re-work one of my tatting motifs using the hand dyed size 80 mandarin thread and some red thread from coats & clark that ended up bleeding when I blocked it.
But anyway here is the motif and following is a computerized rendition of what it would look like repeated. I really like it, but I think I'll use different colors before I undertake such a monumental task.
This pattern is available in my shop.




It's bright huh?

I've been trying to get myself in the holiday mood. I haven't been feeling well and I think the Autumn season just went by way too fast, but anyhow I put up my Christmas tree last night and I think I might jump on the bandwagon and start tatting some snowflakes.
Here is a hand dyed Christmas blend called "Jolly Christmas"; another attempt to help myself get into the spirit of things.


I am going to be a little late in getting the December "Shuttle of the Month" out but when it is finished it is guaranteed to be really unique.

Also, here is a little side note about my new thread dyeing endeavour. Yarnplayer is my friend and I am certainly not trying to compete with her. I cleared this venture with her awhile back before I even started blogging about it. Her threads are fantastic and I support her %100.
I am dyeing thread for my own personal interests. I dye enough for me, some to give away and one or two of each color to sell in my shop to help pay for materials...and that is that!

Tatting "Heritage Cross" in Patriotic thread

This cross is from Tatted Bookmarks published by Handy Hands, pattern "Heritage Cross" by Dee Powell. Page 24.
It is a super simple pattern and I altered it a bit to make it larger.
This is tatted in my hand dyed "patriotic" tatting thread size 80.
I put a few skeins up in my Etsy shop if anyone is interested.

Holiday Shipping on Shuttles and trying my hand at dyeing.

From now until Christmas please enjoy Holiday Shipping on all Ceramic Shuttles.
Holiday Shipping =
FREE to United States
$1.00 to Canada
and $2.50 Everywhere Else
Now that is pretty stinkin awesome right?

I have reorganized all the shuttles in the shop and will be adding more very soon!

Now on to the photos: I have been dying (pun intended) to try my hand at hand dyeing some tatting thread for some time now. I just haven't had a whole lot of free time until now. It was a lot of fun and I really like the results. I used size 20 Hakelgarn and size 80 DMC cordonnet. I think my fav's are the chocolate browns and the patriotic thread. I will probably give some away for gifts this year.
Anyhow, it is quite a bit of work and it makes me appreciate Marilee's thread all the more.