Suggestion Box

[Sonja]

In Holland we did an exchange: Look for a kind of tape and make tatting around. Something like this (the one I got):

boekenlegger2.jpg
But you can take every tape you like

[Antiquarian]

I've been lurking on the suggestion threads trying to come up with a nice theme for an exchange in July/August. I've also been trying to just get a sense of what people are up to . . . Both in tatting and in life. Here is my current short list of themes and I would love people's thoughts on things.

• Something never tatted - Tat something you've never done before or use a size thread you haven't tried yet.
• Doily - a 4-5 in diameter motif.
• Bookmark
• Seasons - select a favorite season and tat something based on that. (Or I could restrict it to Fall/Spring)

[PattyD]

In keeping with the desire to make challenges and exchanges as appealing to newbies as it is to the more experienced tatters. How about a goal of simply making a change in a pattern. The patterns and the changes can be small, simple or as wildly unexpected as the individual tatter. For instance, someone who has been tatting a short time could simply alter the picot pattern, adding or rearranging the picots called for in the pattern. Someone with a few more technique skills under their belt could alter a motif by adding another round or replacing a plain chain with spiral one or add beads or whatever suits their fancy. To me an exchange is all about personal best and the willingness to try a new adventure. To me the challenge is to get there, with whatever adventure appeals.

[PattyD]

1. House - shelter/protection
2. Heart - true love/love of family
3. Flower or Flower Basket - good wishes, beauty in the home
4. Rabbit - Hope/Faith, peace with nature
5. Birds or a Bird in a nest - happiness/joy
6. Fruit or fruit basket - generosity, plenty
7. Fish - Christ's blessing/fertility
8. Rose - Beauty/affection, the Virgin Mary
9. Teapot or Coffeepot - hospitality
10. Pine cone - motherhood/fruitfulness, eternity
11. Angels or Churches - God's guidance in the home, spiritual guidance
12. St. Nicholas/Santa Claus - giving and sharing, unselfishness and goodwill

Deb

Wouldn't it be a fun project to make up a pattern booklet for all these lovely things and have the proceeds go to support InTatters? The items could be ornaments or used on a Christmas quilt or sewn to a Christmas tablecloth, or sun catchers or ....

[Lynette]

This sounds like a good idea!!

[Antiquarian]

I've been trying to figure out how to create a poll to find out when are the best times of the year for exchanges. I have less than half the amount of participants for the summer exchange as for the winter one. I had wanted to make one up that had the year broken down into 2 moth groupings (Jan/Feb, March/April, May/June, etc...) Might be good to see when is a better time of the year for them.

[mmccurry]

Any time of the year is fine with me....I love exchanges!!!