Suggestion Box

[dbrn]

This is a challenge I'm planning to do for myself, and I thought I'd post it here in case anyone else would be interested.

There is a German tradition that a new married couple's Christmas tree should include 12 ornaments to ensure a happy life together. Each ornament holds a different meaning:

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

There is a website for a cross-stitch Bride's Tree Stitch-along where people post which patterns they used for each month (This is where the information above came from - www.bridestreesal.blogspot.com) . All are so different and beautiful. I thought the idea would also translate well into tatting. I can think of patterns for most of them, some would be a little harder to come up with. Even if no one else is interested in doing it, I'd be interested in ideas for patterns to use for each.

Deb

[Josie Passell]

I love this idea and there's still plenty of time to make a set before Christmas.

[Susan B T]

dbrn

Very nice Idea. Love the symbol for each it. Thanks for sharing.

[Judy]

We could also turn Valerie's idea inside out. Take an existing motif and put a new edging around the outside of it. Or, take a standard simple motif and turn it into a celtic type pattern.

Just how much detail do you want in these suggestions? You want us, to take Valerie's edging idea, to choose the edging, and the pattern for it, and then describe the parameters for the answers... like must have a diameter or width of at least x cm, or must use two colors, or whatever? Or do you want to do that part?

[Judy]

There is a German tradition that a new married couple's Christmas tree should include 12 ornaments to ensure a happy life together. Each ornament holds a different meaning:

My German grandparents, who were born in Germany, never had the chance to share any of such traditions with me since I was only a few months old when they were both gone. I'm not sure that my mother ever knew either. However, there are recognizable remnants of this tradition in the box of glass, metal and cloth ornaments that were handed down to my siblings and me. We had no idea they were connected. Can't wait to tell my sister.

[PattyD]

For me the challenge is putting the lace on the fabric!

[wistarria]

I was thinking about doing a Trade Contest. A pair of original designed Thumb Shuttles (from me) for an original designed pair of tatted earrings. Would that be okay to try? Maybe make it last from (soon) to the 1st of July? Everyone who wants to trade with me, could post a picture of their earrings they'd be willing to trade, and then maybe a Poll added to it, so everyone could also vote for their favorite?

[soyloquesoy]

That sounds like an interesting idea, wistarria!

[Ireneho]

Mixed media tatting, where tatting is not the main feature of the item. Eg, Not a full tatted bookmark, pendant etc. Where tatting has been added as part of the decoration or to enhance the individual look of said item.

[GraceT]

I like Irene's mixed media idea. I also like the "any media" bookmark suggestion from Tammy — I guess they're rather similar. Maybe I like them because they're not too intimidating.