corettadeesign

Angel bookmark

2011-10-04T19:28:00.000-07:00

I designed this sweet little angel per a custom request. Her sparkly center and tassel will help you fly through your book. A great gift for the true Angels in your life. Find her here on Etsy.

Challenges

2011-10-01T19:52:00.000-07:00

Recently on inTatters I participated in an exchange where I was supposed to pick a technique, learn it and tat something with it to send to a partner. I chose Cluny and hanging Cluny. I have not yet mastered it... and after seeing so many other's work on this skill and how lovely they did I am sad and ashamed.... When I told my husband this, he said I just needed more practice. It's true. But I am posting pics of my efforts anyway because a fellow tatter got it in the mail, so if she has to suffer it... so do you. :) Actually, putting it here will remind me to practice it.

My partner for the exchange worked on a whole bunch of fun techniques, Cluny among them. Here is what I received from her. The little blue one I had added to my tatting bag's zipper as it was in need of some attention. It has a nice home there. She did a lovely job.

Here is what she was unfortunate enough to get from me. ;)

Tatting Pattern on clothes

2011-09-21T12:27:00.000-07:00

The white frill on the side of the dress is a silhouette of the first tatting design I ever completed. When I saw this dress I had to buy one for each of my girls. I'm obsessed like that.

Tatted Heart Pattern

2011-08-31T22:15:00.000-07:00

I began designing Tatting Patterns with this heart. My cousin had seen my baby wearing a red star tattie and found someone local to teach her to tat as she had just recently had a baby girl as well. She got very excited about Tatties and wanted a heart. She commented that the star (which is a Sharon Albers' pattern) would be a good start for the point of the heart. I agreed and we discussed. I can't really remember where it fell into my hands but I tried all sorts of things and came up with what I thought worked the best: over and over and over.

Recently there was a discussion on inTatters about small hearts. And I shared a picture of mine. I was willing to share the pattern but I have never written out patterns for anyone else before. I just have them in my trusty notebook and I know what the notes mean so when Sheron offered to test tat it for me I let her.

She brought up some interesting inquiries that I haven't revisited for the past two years but as I tatted up answers to her various questions I had very strong de ja vu. I had tried it all before, and abandoned most of it.

The Answers to her questions look like this: :)

#2 is the "Right way" done according to my pattern as written. It has some "uncustomary" methods but it's what does the trick consistently.

Hopefully I will be able to lay it all out and share it soon. I feel I owe something FREE to the Tatting community that I love so much. Seriously.

Any one else want to test tat it?

Cow and Pig Tatting

2011-08-30T22:22:00.000-07:00

I recently just finished a custom request.

In the process I had been searching first to see if patterns that suited the request already existed. The closest thing I found was a picture on Rozella Linden's blog of a baby pig done with celtic tatting. I hunted her down and sent her hunting for the pattern that she hadn't published yet. She was awesome about sharing it with me. I WILL try to learn cluny (which is a technique that she uses on the pig's ear) but I haven't yet. I was able to figure out the Celtic weave though and that has sent me looking for more Celtic tatting fun.

As lovely as Rozella's pig was it was a bit too complex for the usage of a Tattie. So inspired by Rozella I created a simplified version for which the pattern is currently being test tatted. For my fellow tatters I will post it here when it is ready for sharing.

The next item up for design was a cow. I had to start from square one on this. When I told my husband (who was a gem about looking at the designs over and over and helping me modify them) what it was for he was so shocked. But they turned out so stinkin' cute, if I do say so myself and no, I don't normally think cows are cute. I used to milk them growing up. I know their dark inner stupidity...

Moving right along: I am totally loving this cow. I have a huge urge to tat a crescent moon and sew it and Bess (this is the cows name) on a onesie for my six month old little boy.

And now the two barn yard friends are listed waiting to go to their new home.

Family Picture

2011-08-27T17:47:00.000-07:00

I am always weary about paying a photographer to take a family picture for us...
Why?
My kids are such pests about taking pictures. Even after an awesome photo session I end up doing editing. Are we really that un-photogenic? or just that much of a pain...

So here we are in all our edited together glory.

and the source to get us there:

Now that the Deal is Sealed...

2011-08-11T10:21:00.000-07:00

Now that the couple is Married and on their life's way I am happy to show you their announcements and special invitation cards. :) These were done as a gift.

The mini cards were designed on a template so they could print them at home.
The bride wanted the announcement to match her wedding colors so that was fun for me to be able to play with. I also pulled her shirt down over her tummy photo-editing style.

It's always nice to start with awesome photography.
Utah Valley will be gifted with the photographer in a few short weeks.

Best wishes to the young couple!

Chinese American

2011-06-15T01:20:00.000-07:00

We all have our own ideas of what we want. I know I certainly do. Sometimes it takes us a while to come up with what that is though. Seeing things we don't want. It helps us decide what we do want. Whatever that may be.

This was a two sided announcement printed on heavy nice 5x7 cover stock.

I had lots of ideas but it's not about me, its about coming up with what the couple wants. :)

Bookmark Exchange

2011-06-13T10:16:00.001-07:00

I recently participated in an online forum for Tatting InTatters' exchange. I used a pattern that was the first pattern I ever tatted a bookmark from. It is from the book by the staff of work basket magazine. It is on page 55 called Whirls and Swirls bookmark.

I have tatted it many times since and still love it. I have given most of them away. However, prompted by a thread on inTatters I plan to tat this a few more times in different variations of the two colors to see how it changes the look of the same pattern. I don't have a lot of tat time lately so it is slow progress but here is a picture of the bookmark I completed and sent to a fellow tatter.

and the bookmark I got in return for the exchange.

Since the pattern he used was a free pattern he thoughtfully printed out a copy to share with me.

Tattie Designs

2011-05-21T13:41:00.000-07:00

I keep thinking that I have gathered all the designs for a picture... then I take a picture and realize how many I have forgotten to include.
So here is an example of SOME of the designs anyway that are available. You can request colors as well.

All designs are my own except for the owl and stars, which for the most part are variations of the original pattern. I have received permission from the creators of the pattern to sell the work I do from the pattern's variation. If I have omitted someone's credit it is in no intention of malice. As for the flowers and the butterflies, most of them are so common in tatting know-how, that I doubt anyone can really claim creation over someone else. The wreath is included in this. I may be wrong on this point but I have seen these standard designs so often in tatting that I don't think I am. This is often the case with small motifs such as are utilized by Tatties for instance; I will come up with something that is new to me and then a few month's later see it, or something very similar somewhere. A good example of this is the pumpkin. I created my version and about 4 months later was looking at old Tatting magazines and found a pumpkin that looked very similar, it had different methodology but the end result was comparable.

If a fellow tatter is interested in my Patterns for purchase please contact me.

THe WinNerS!

2011-04-25T20:04:00.000-07:00

Okee Dokey Folks!

I suppose I wasn't clear on commenting on the blog post and on the comment form on the bottom. ...and since my blog imports to facebook, I had a facebook entry too. Considering the mess of my life after moving cross country, this is not surprising, at least to me... So I decided to include all entries, however they came. I assigned entries a number based on the order they came in.

It went like this:
1 Cori (comment form)
2 Kelly (facebook)
3 Morgan (blog)
4 Kendra (blog)
5 Kat (blog)
6 Mariposa (blog)
7 Jel (blog)
8 Karen (blog)
9 Danielle (blog)
10 Julie (blog)
11 Klemm (blog)
12 Angie (blog)
13 Lyudmila (comment form)
14 Sassy2 (blog)
15 Jessica (comment form)
16 BigMamma (blog)
17 Carrie (comment form)

There were 17 entries (I did a bad job of promoting this giveaway I guess... :)
The Tattie Sets were also given a number since I didn't want to choose.
Random.org said the first Winner is:

#2 Kelly

She gets this one

and the second winner is.....

#8 Karen

Who gets this one:

This one has been shifting around in my inventory box for the past year or so waiting to be given away. I know it's going to a good home. :)

Since my winners are also returning customers I know where to ship them, so don't worry about contacting me. I will ship them out to you tomorrow. CONGRATS!

Thanks all for participating and watch for anther give away for Tatties' third birthday. :)
I might get around to another one before then... we'll see.

Just a reminder:
Tatties coupon code F1M0A is good for 10 % off @ my Etsy store valid till the end of April.

Happy Birthday Tatties!

2011-04-17T19:38:00.001-07:00

Has it really been a year? It's been TWO since Tatties were "born."

Although my personal life has had a bit of an upheaval I still think Tatties Second year mark is something to celebrate.

So Celebrate we will!

Lets keep it simple this year, tell me what your favorite Tattie design is by commenting on this post and you will be entered to win a set of Tatties. Since Tatties is Two, we'll have two winners!
Your entry will put you in the running for one of these sets of Tatties:

You can find Tattie Designs by looking back through this site, or by looking on the Tatties Fan page and photo albums on Facebook.com/cd.Tatties or on corettadeesign.etsy.com.

Tatties will declare the winners (determined by Random.org) on the two year anniversary of the day this photo was taken (April 25th) since it is now the Tatties image.

Share the giveaway! Share the Tattie LOVE!

Tatties are turning Two!

2011-04-10T20:23:00.000-07:00

Tatties turn two soon so in honor of the birthday there will be a giveaway as that is usual and customary... And FUN!

Last year on Tatties' first birthday we gave away two Tatties to two winners, what was I thinking? Hmmm what should I do this year?

TIAS the end

2011-02-16T11:26:00.001-08:00

TIAS has finally landed for me. After having a baby I wasn't able to pick up my tatting for a while to finish the TIAS, which turned out to be a plane. How fun!

and just for fun.... in honor of what is next to come as change for our family, my little plane flying over my little slice of paradise... for the next few weeks before we move.

Happy Valentine's Day

2011-02-14T10:29:00.001-08:00

Last night my daughter asked for a "big red heart Tattie" for Valentine's Day. I was in a crunch last night and pulled out my patterns. I found this heart, dropped a very few knots from the pattern and she was pleased as could be this morning to find that I had actually done it.

My husband says I am obsessed...

2011-02-08T16:12:00.001-08:00

My husband said this weekend that I was obsessed with tatting. He might be right.
This last weekend we had our fourth child.
I had a undefined goal in the back of my mind. I wanted to finish a wreath and a four leaf clover before he was born. The wreath was easy, I was just getting settled in, paperwork and the like. Then came the Shamrock.

Now, that's not hard time wise... but here's the challenge, I was in good labor by then...
and I am one of those nutty people who like to do it "natural."

No matter. So between contractions I tatted, and in some cases un-tatted, when I counted wrong or missed a join or whatever. I tatted in transition. Not because I am awesome... but because I am obsessed... apparently. It helped me concentrate on something else and I completed the goal... other than pulling the last ring tight because my hands were too sweaty by that point and I was ready to push. I think I have pretty easy labors.

So here is baby Gideon and his Lucky Shamrock.

This Tattie isn't for sale though... (like you'd want it anyway). It's going in Gideon's baby book.

TIAS day 7-9

2011-02-08T14:14:00.000-08:00

So after seeing the pattern addition on day 7 I was pretty sure it was an airplane....
and then days 7, 8, and 9 I was even more sure that this would end up being a pink and brown airplane. My three year old little boy will be thrilled with the shape, I may have to make it again in blue and white or something. :) Still though, one day left to be sure... I tatted days 7-9 last Friday morning. Then I got so busy having a baby...
Then Monday morning when the last part of the pattern was posted I was nursing the baby at 2am in my hospital room and got to see ISA's work be added to the blog as I read through the posting via my iPod touch. I couldn't download the pdf pattern, even if I had been awake enough to work on it because the hospital internet restrictions... I know because I did try. :)
So here's days 7-9... awaiting final lift off due to a wing issue...

A Request creates some New designs

2011-02-02T17:02:00.000-08:00

I had a customer request a larger flower for her baby's blessing. I didn't have any white flowers on hand that were larger than the one I originally presented to her so I took the challenge to create something new or at least something that wasn't part of my traditional offerings.

The original white flower, great for general use but I can see why she wanted something more:

The results, un-jeweled:

She chose the largest one and jeweled it looks like so.

The size difference is about a half an inch, which makes a lot of difference in a Tattie.

In the mean time I enjoyed the challenge and I really like the one in the middle and just need to work out some kinks to get it to lay flat, the first one worked out well, but repeat attempts with slight changes aren't rendering the same results. Tat, tat, tat, re-tat. :)

Watercolor resist

2011-01-31T16:40:00.000-08:00

The series I did of my kids... I will wait till the youngest (who is still waiting to be born) is a little older and probably re-do Nev's when I do one for him.

TIAS day 5 and 6

2011-01-31T14:46:00.000-08:00

Here are days 5 and 6 progress. I learned an interesting thing about putting the beads on... but broke three needle threaders in the process... one belonged to my 6 and a half year old and she wasn't too happy about it. It's been replaced and I know a better method for this kind of application now. :)

Pink and Brown

2011-01-26T15:20:00.000-08:00

The adorable color set that now decorates a large selection of baby girl clothes is pink and brown.

I'll admit, I agree, it is super cute. In fact, I purchased a pair of pink and brown jammies for my lil gal just becuase I liked them, I never do that, there always has to be a need for me to buy clothes for my kids (thankfully we've been set on the hand me downs most of the time).

Anyway here are a few pink and browns listed on Etsy.

And some others that I have recently finished tatting, though the crystals haven't been set on them all yet, though I am sure you can guess where they go. Not all of them will be listed on Etsy so if you want a specific one, speak up. :)

I also had a little brain child today, because of the fact that I am pregnant with a little boy and wanted to make up a turtle pattern the brown tatted item on top in the next picture is my first attempt at that. The second is another part of that brain child to produce a different flower. The flower I feel like is a straight off success I'll keep thinking on the turtle.

TIAS day 4

2011-01-22T11:46:00.000-08:00

Today I saw the pattern addition and got really excited because the first thing that came to my mind was an alligator. Granted a pink and brown alligator is kinda silly, but I still like the colors. :)

I fell behind a few days because I wasn't feeling well but it's all caught up now.

TIAS day 3

2011-01-22T11:37:00.000-08:00

Who knows what it is at this point...

TIAS day 2

2011-01-21T22:47:00.000-08:00

Here is day two which features a CTJ (continuous thread join) which is a new technique to me.

Mother Daughter sets

2011-01-18T21:30:00.000-08:00

I have a new friend to thank for this idea. A customer requested some custom Mother Daughter sets for herself and her friend. In the process of development I was able to create a new design, modify one created by another designer and create my own variations. And how cute are mother daughter matching sets?

I know my daughters love them. My oldest is always asking for me to make her something that matches the tatted jewelry I have or something that matches her sister's Tatties. So why didn't I think of it? Because it's always better to be able to make new friends and fun to collaborate on the creative process.

If you have a request, I'd love to grant it. Existing designs can be modified to become a pendant to match a baby's Tattie. Let's collaborate, email me: corettadeesign@gmail.com or fill out the form at the bottom of the page.

Here are some Mother Daughter sets:

Mother's necklace with matching Tattie for baby

Mother's necklace with matching Tattie for toddler girl to go on a clip

Mother and daughter matching Tattie necklaces

TIAS

2011-01-13T14:01:00.001-08:00

This year I am participating in Jane Eborall's "Tat it and see" aka TIAS game.
This is day 1's work.

The fun is in not knowing what I am tatting.

The days are spread apart to give everyone who is participating time to keep up.
It is interesting to watch Jane's TIAS blog and see all the different examples of the same pattern with different colors and different tatters, etc. I am certain my color choice will be silly at the end of it all but that's part of the fun.

I'll post my progress as it goes.

Coupon Code for CorettaDeesign Etsy shop

2010-12-15T23:46:00.000-08:00

I have decided to extend the use of the available coupon code CMAS10 to December 2oth (2010). This coupon gives you an incredible 20% off anything in my Etsy shop, which is a really big deal if you are looking at the Tattie Sets which are already at a reduced price. This extended deadline should allow for Christmas Delivery in the Continental United States. Great for your little gal for Christmas, as stocking stuffers, and all year round whether she's newborn or ... well lets just say lots older. :)

Tatties can stay on for days and are low profile and will stay on even when a hat is worn over them in cold weather. Great for winter wear when that hat comes off indoors!

Like Tatties on Facebook to be aware of new coupons as soon as they come out!

Another reason to Tat (as if I needed one)

2010-12-03T15:00:00.001-08:00

Last year I started a doily out of Christmas variegated thread to use under a nativity set I made. I never finished the doily. I was making it up as I went along... It probably would have worked, but at some point, a child who shall remain un-blamed/ un-named smeared the thing with pink chap-stick. I was frustrated and threw it in a laundry bag to wash it... but washed it with a bunch of towels. Fuzzies stuck to it.

I thought it was a bigger deal than it was and I almost threw it out. But was just starting to get use out of my pottery kiln and thought it might be good as a stencil or something. As it worked out the fuzzies weren't a big deal. I ironed the doily and picked off the fuzzies and when I glazed a set of serving plates I used it as a glaze stencil.

Then I clear glazed it and fired it. The worst part about ceramics is waiting for the kiln to cool off enough to open it and touch the finished pieces. Maybe this is just me and my lack of patience or excitement to see finished pieces.

I did a set of three serving plates using the tatting as a stencil. My idea was Christmas serving plates that weren't red and green so they could be pretty and useful all year round.

The blue tatting reminds me of snowflakes on the white plates.
I am thrilled with them and look forward to using tatting in raw clay.

Tattie Sets

2010-11-30T11:46:00.001-08:00

It's been so fun for my girls to have their holiday Tatties and figured a set of year round Tatties would be something to try.
I just listed these four sets on Etsy.

Year Round Tatties (sets of 12)

Holiday sets of 6 Tatties

Buying by the set saves on each individual Tattie (most designs run 5.50 or more in consideration of time and crystals used) buying by the set saves on shipping costs as well.

Most of the patterns used are my own, or common knowledge in tatting. The only ones that I know that belongs to someone are the stars are variations of Sharon Alber's Star pattern
And the owl pattern is a variation of Barbara Payne's Little Owl Earrings.

Tatted Jewelry

2010-11-03T22:26:00.000-07:00

Princess Tattie as Costume element

2010-10-29T14:09:00.000-07:00

We had a crown for her costume. She wouldn't wear it. But she wanted her Princess Tattie.

Glad we could come to a compromise.

Tatting and practical Appliqué

2010-10-18T11:35:00.001-07:00

Using tatting for appliqué isn't a new idea, however, I haven't done a whole lot of it myself. The other day though my little gal got a pair of hand me down pants that she really likes. (Yes, the 18 month old has a very definite opinion on clothes.) The pants were getting pretty thread bare in one of the knees.

They needed a patch but if I just put a denim patch on it, they would certainly become her least favorite pants... so I pulled out an experimental tatting piece, that had too much a mind of it's own to be successfully used as a Tattie (I tried) and cut a piece of denim from another pair of junked pants. I placed the denim on the inside and the tatting on the outside and hand sewed it on while the kids played in the park. Since I'd tried it as a Tattie it already had a crystal affixed to the center of it.

This little gal LOVES her Tatties so when I showed her her finished pants, she loved them even more and had to have them on right then and back on the swings!

Facebook giveaway

2010-10-14T00:36:00.000-07:00

Get in on your Free Tattie by liking Tatties on Facebook (there on the right) and sending qualifying info.
Only a few days left.

Fall Flowers

2010-10-12T10:11:00.001-07:00

Halloween/ Fall flower

This flower is so fun because it looks great made in one color or two, with two colors it highlights that it is two flower shapes in one.
Available on Etsy and on sale till the 15th of October (2010).

Also available is the traditional 5 petal flower in bright festive orange.

Halloween: Bats

2010-10-06T09:08:00.000-07:00

So last year I modified a design I found online to come up with this:

It was cute, but a bit too precarious for Tattie usage.

So this year I worked at it again. Coming up with this little bat.

It holds it's shape (unlike the previous one) and tats up nicely.
Available for you on Etsy.

He can be jeweled with a multicolor crystal or a red one for those a bit more bloodthirsty.

For the record I do think I like the red the best.

Happy Halloween: Pumpkins

2010-10-05T09:31:00.000-07:00

For Halloween since it is one of my favorite holidays I had to get some fun Tattie designs created.

Here is the first: a sweet pumpkin with a peridot crystal.

These are so bright and cheery they are almost too cute to be a Halloween decoration.

Maybe I just like Orange. That could be it...

Available for you on Etsy. On sale even till Oct 14, 2010.

This one goes to Gina

2010-09-29T14:14:00.000-07:00

This one was a long time in thought, and thankfully not as long to tat. It's been a busy sort of time but I haven't forgotten, I've been testing things out. The clasp used on this bracelet doesn't have an open/close end. It's a solid ring. I wanted that because I think it will hold better and be longer lasting. The challenge for me was to figure out how to tat it onto the piece with more than one picot holding the clasp to the work. The magnetic clasp is fabulous since it does itself which I find is the problem with getting bracelets on, you always need help and help isn't always there.

Don't tell me I have man hands, one: it is rude and two: I have mom hands. :) I think the bracelet is charming enough that I took the time to make one for myself too.

You can request your own, just let me know the size of your wrist. For now I think they will go for $16.99.

Princess

2010-09-21T16:45:00.001-07:00

My little Princesses have worn the Tattie Princess crowns plenty, but only now do I finally get a picture of my 17 month old wearing one.

County Fair

2010-08-28T20:11:00.000-07:00

Remember this post? I made another one with a swallowtail adaptation and added picots

I entered this, a necklace based off the motif designed by Monica Manceñido

I also entered a smallish doily made of variegated thread, pattern from a vintage tatting book I have.

Edging from Clark's J & P Coats pattern book # 229

2010-07-28T13:20:00.000-07:00

In 1946 this little pattern book cost 10 cents.

I paid more for that on Ebay. That's the deal with vintage. In today's world we don't use edging so much any more. I guess that's what is the lost part of Tatting being called a "lost art."

For the record, it isn't lost. I found it, if you want it come talk to me. :)

Today tatters typically make doilies and booties, and little pretties for embellishing cards and such, they also tat for lace jewelry and other fantastic accessories. Tatters these days are always finding new uses for the art.

I personally like tatted bookmarks, I never used a bookmark till I tatted myself one. Now, of course, I am hooked. And my husband is too. You can tat a manly bookmark, just so you know. I bought a few vintage tatting books, because as a Tatter, I should own at least 6 tatting books, and I thought some vintage ones would be a fun way to start a collection. I bought the older ones knowing they were mostly edging, and thinking that if for nothing else they would be good patterns for bookmarks.

Now, this particular edging makes a lovely bookmark I think.

It ended up as a gift to a friend.

Find Tatties Locally

2010-07-20T17:34:00.000-07:00

Web sites are listed for your convenience only. Tatties are not typically shown on each store's website since they are typically a very small part of what that store sells. Prices vary from location to location depending on the arrangement with that location.

AMERICAN FORK, Utah

Lemea Salon and Gift Gallery
http://www.lemeaspa.com/
45 W Main Street

Little Things Mean a Lot
http://www.littlethingsmeanalot.com/
457 East State Road

EAGLE MOUNTAIN, Utah

http://corettadeesign.com
come pick them up directly from me
corettadeesign@gmail.com to set up a time
801-616-3381

LEHI, Utah

Pioneer Party
http://pioneerpartyandgift.blogspot.com/
154 West Main Street

Now and Then Antique Boutique Consignment
http://www.nowandthenstore.com/Now%26Then/welcome.html
4161 North Thanksgiving Way

OREM, Utah

Pebbles in My Pocket
http://pebblesinmypocket.blogspot.com/
http://www.qbaroo.com/pebblesinmypocket/products.cfm
1132 South State Street

Dressed in White
(had 6 in the store)
http://www.dressedinwhite.com/index.php/
236 East University Parkway

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah

Pebbles in My Pocket
http://pebblesinmypocket.blogspot.com/
http://www.qbaroo.com/pebblesinmypocket/products.cfm
6185 Highland Drive

SMITHFIELD, Utah

The Bewitched Closet
http://thebewitchedcloset.blogspot.com/
159 North Main

ST. GEORGE, Utah

Pebbles in My Pocket
http://pebblesinmypocket.blogspot.com/
http://www.qbaroo.com/pebblesinmypocket/products.cfm
779 South Bluff Street

Or order though my Etsy Store
http://www.etsy.com/shop/corettadeesign

Contrast

2010-07-02T13:05:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago my husband mentioned how much he liked black and white stuff. So for Father's Day I'd made or bought the kids matching outfits so they would all match when I put together his Father's Day Fame to take to work this year.

And of course the baby needed a matching Tattie. She wasn't in a good mood for photography so the one I used in the frame you can't see the Tattie so much. So here are some better views.

So on Father's Day we all went to church in our matching outfits. And later had my father take a family picture. The black and white is striking and so cute. This design of flower in two colors accentuates the center and outer flower shapes.

Owl Tatties

2010-06-28T08:56:00.000-07:00

From this post I mused that Tattabugg's owl pattern would make a cute Tattie. The designer's name is Barbara Payne and she has graciously agreed to let me sell Tatties using my modification of her pattern for the purpose. Thanks!
They do make a fabulous Tattie!

Thanks so much to Barbara for her fabulous design!
Currently they are available for purchase through me directly but they will be available on Etsy soon.

Hey little princess!

2010-06-25T21:45:00.000-07:00

My newest original design. I had a brain child while in the car taking the kids to Lagoon. Dear husband was driving. I try not to drive and tat at the same time. ;)
Meet Princess crowns! I feel like a child, I love them so much and ohhh the possibilities!

I'll get one a picture of one on my little gal soon so you can see them in use.

Tatted necklace

2010-06-18T18:21:00.000-07:00

This butterfly was designed by Monica Manceñido. This butterfly just begged to be made into a choker considering where it's ins and outs were. I modified it a bit adding more picots to the outer edges and tatting it into a choker with a tatted spiral chain. I have also done one with a swallowtail variation added by Mercy (who's last name I don't know). Truly Neck Lace.

Patriotic and Summer Tatties

2010-06-18T17:52:00.001-07:00

With the 4th of July coming up I've added some patriotic Tatties to my inventory. These are of course USA patriotic. Since that's where I belong. :)

Also with the summer comes Ice Cream cones. This is my own design and I am totally in love with this little thing, but have yet to make more than one. The first one doesn't count since it was not proportionate and just a test to see if what was in my head would work in tatting, but I do think this second one proves that it works. Now, to make more. :)

Popsicle blue

2010-06-09T11:52:00.000-07:00

Thanks to a color suggestion I was able to put to use some thread that I was given that typically has a different use. I think it works fine for tatting though and because of the rather large variety I was given I now have a lot more thread colors to choose from. It is a different size of thread than I typically use so I do have to modify my patterns a bit to get the right size of Tattie. It's worth it though. Here is a bright popsicle blue star Tattie. I got some new crystals that have a little more color to them which looks nice on certain colors of Tatties, this one has one of the new crystals.

Since I have been gone on vacation for over a week I don't have much tatting to show for all the new thread. I thought with all the driving (we went to Yellowstone NP) that I would have lots of tatting time. But it didn't quite work out like that.

Finished baptism set

2010-06-08T09:58:00.000-07:00

She was going to wear her hair in double french braids so the large and small set go one on each side. For refrence. Karo syrup isn't the best application for wet hair and warm hands for confimation. Maybe small bobby pins. Still thinking on that.

Tatted ring

2010-06-05T10:00:00.000-07:00

Just something I did to test something else out. Re-purposing a typical throw away.

I was demonstrating a Tatted spiral chain and ended up making it into a ring.

Owl earrings

2010-06-02T09:40:00.000-07:00

This pattern was developed by a fellow tatter, "tattabugg".
They are bitty little owls made into earrings. Like SERIOUSLY tiny. Size 80 thread which is about the same size as thread for sewing, okay, actually smaller. Sewing thread is size 50.
The owls end up being just a half inch.
I am actually going to keep this pair. (It seems I rarely keep something for myself!)

I was thinking of creating an owl pattern for tatties... but with this... she's done the work for me. They are so cute and would make such cute tatties, just need them a bit bigger. :)

Ducky Dress

2010-05-28T10:16:00.000-07:00

Ducky to match the dress. I'm still not sold on the pattern yet, it needs more work, but it's better to have something while she fits the dress!

White

2010-05-21T17:15:00.000-07:00

There are many white occasions, but do you really have to wear a white dress after you are baptized? No, the answer is no. My niece chose a white and bright orange dress. She's spunky and I like her, what else can I say? Her mom was a bit worried that all the other girls
in their white fluffy dresses might make her daughter rethink her choice and so we decided a little something extra would help her out a bit. I though a little white reminder necklace would be fun. The cord is clear with some floating beads on each side. I'll be adding some white tatties for her hair as well. Maybe a white flower with an orange center... we'll see, since that means I need to buy orange thread.

Sunshine yellow earrings

2010-05-11T08:34:00.000-07:00

Tatting on a ring made these earrings light-weight and cheerful.

Bookmark Bracelet

2010-05-10T15:22:00.000-07:00

So finally, I found the right clasp for this bracelet.
Two magnet clasps on the corners. I also made some earrings to go with it.

And here's the set. It's coming your way Heidi!

oh dear....

2010-05-08T21:43:00.001-07:00

A flower to finish and very little thread left.

I find myself in this predicament more than I'd like to admit.
This one was actually quite a generous amount left compared to many other instances.
All done and look I even had about an inch and a half before the knot on the shuttle and about that much left on the tail end.

Let's just say I am getting pretty dang fast at finger tatting with a inch diameter ring or less.

Mexican Ancestor

2010-05-01T09:10:00.000-07:00

Here is an edit of an old painting that had been folded into half and then three times down the length. Folding old paintings is never a good idea, in case you were wondering. If you ever must transport a painting any way but flat, rolling it loosely is the only way to do it, but even that should be avoided since the canvas treatment tends to be brittle and can flake off as you see happened when this one was folded.
(The photographer had to pin it down to keep it from folding in on itself while he took the picture)
Click on the image to enlarge it so you can really see.
Before the image was edited After

Anyway after some tender loving care she's ready to see the world again!
Oh, and she's not my Ancestor in case you were wondering.

Not your color?

2010-04-30T09:40:00.000-07:00

When taking pics of my own kids, lets just say they aren't all that cooperative.

But I can make things work thanks to the after the fact editing I can do.
The purple background was nice for the girls... Not so much for the little guy. I had to do some facial edits to the little man since he had some scratches and such on his face (he's a boy after all)

Before

After

and the matching set looks smashing on the wall!

And the Winner is.....

2010-04-25T21:18:00.000-07:00

Okay are you ready!?
I am excited... and I'm not even entered. Thanks so much for joining my first ever Givaway!

Okay so the rules were:
One entry through the blog by leaving a comment.
One Entry by becoming a Fan on Facebook
So two possible entries. If you were Already a fan of Tatties on facebook, that's awesome! you got an entry right there, but you had to comment on the blog! So if you didn't comment... sorry maybe next time.

First off, THANKS to all of you who entered and your sweet comments. Thanks to all who chose to follow the blog and who became Facebook fans. Pelase keep watching Tatties on Facebook and corettadeesign on Etsy for new items and designs, I am adding jewelry items as well. And as always if you have something specific in mind request, suggest, customize!

Ok....
So the way I figured it we had 43 entries. Of those 15 were double entries. So in order of comments you got one or two numbers example: Dani was the first blog comment so she got entry #s 1 &2. She got #2 because she was also an early follower on facebook.
I used random.org so if you don't like the results complain to the random universe!

SO..... For this Tattie The winner is:

1-43 generated #9

So who is #9? Morgan

So she gets to share the love!

For our second giveaway, this sweet butterfly Tattie

Goes to: # 6

btw both our winners had two entries.

Winners: contact me via corettadeesign at gmail dot com with your mailing info so I can send you your prize!

Maybe next time we have a give away we'll get to that third prize...

Happy Birthday Tatties! And Congrats to our winners and Thanks to all who entered the giveaway!
If you wish you'd won... Tatties are still on SALE via corettadeesign on Etsy or direct buy (if you live near me) till Tomorrow night when I get around to changing all the postings back to their original price. So HURRY!

Little Chick: I didn't forget!

2010-04-23T20:48:00.000-07:00

So awhile ago, back before Easter, a ducky/ chick shape was suggested. I'd been thinking about it. I haven't forgotten about it, it's just not there yet. So maybe by next Easter...
See progression, the first one the mini blue and yellow one a mini with thread scraps, to see where to reverse work or not etc.

Share your thoughts, I need suggestions or thoughts on this one.

Tatties Turns ONE: Giveaway!

2010-04-17T12:05:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Tatties!
Today is the anniversary of the day the first Tattie was worn. Want to see it?

Tatties are one year old today.
This girl continues to be my inspiration she's just over a year old and still uses them.

She also likes to pull them out of their little purse.

How Tatties came to be:
This little girl was born.

The nurses put a purple bow on her lil head.

My husband asked how they got it to stick. The nurse told him KY and showed us a tube of this:

We took the little gal home.

I have tatted for about 5 years and had a little tatted pink flower hanging around that I planned to use on a card for embellishment. I had picked up some swarovski crystals for jewelry making before the gal was born and decided to put it on the flower. Bling! Lovely. So when I had to take my little one in for a jaundice test I got her all dressed up and used some KY to put the Tattie on her head. Better than the bow! I took the opportunity to take a pic of all the kids.

And since then Tatties have expanded to different shapes and colors and are worn by various types of people. Cancer patients, baby girls, older girls and Mommies too! Can you just imagine how fabulous they'd look on a bride?! They are used in scrapbooking, cardmaking and jewelry as well. there are even knock offs.... /:{

Gifties!
corettadeesign is giving away some Tatties!
Because it's our birthday, but we know there are lots of other birthdays out there that could use a little Tattie bling!
We are giving away a Tattie: This one right here, same as the First Tattie

If this Post gets more than 20 comment/entries I will give away another Tattie
This one: The original Butterfly Tattie

And if Tatties Facebook fan page gets more than 20 new Fans I will give away this Set of Tatties:

RULES:
Just like at a birthday party there are some things that I must explain to you (like sit back so everyone can see):
Everyone gets one entry through the blog by leaving a comment.
You can Tweet it if you want, but I don't tweet.... so no extra entry there, sorry. :)
Become a Fan on Facebook by clicking there on the right and you get an extra entry.
Already a fan of Tatties on facebook, that's awesome! you get an entry right there, I won't forget you early followers. (Just be sure you leave a comment so that I know you want to be included in the give away!)

The winner/s will be picked the day this picture was taken:

Just so you know: April 25th I will post the winner/s and how to send me your address so I can send you your giftie!

Also be sure to check out my Etsy store as all Tatties are on sale.
Let the fun begin!
So, share friends share, spread the Tattie love and let your friends know about the giveaway and Tatties in general. It's Spring and Summer and Tattie Season!

Bookmark and bracelet

2010-04-14T14:19:00.000-07:00

So I mentioned that for International Tatting Day that I would tat myself a new bookmark. My old one was black. I stuck with the same pattern because quite frankly, I love it, but this time I did chocolate brown. It is Carolyn Groves' pattern.

I got almost all of it done on ITD but had about half a square to finish which happened the day after. It is now hanging out in the book I am reading. While I was finishing it I was thinking about what to make for my Sis inLaw's birthday, and since her birthday fell on ITD I had to tat her something as a gift. She chose a bracelet... or a portrait of her husband (that last one was a joke, I hope). I thought the bookmark would make a cool bracelet so I added in some other colors that she chose and added some picots and here's where it is currently.

I am thinking on how to clasp it and get it the right length to fit her wrist. It's a wide style of bracelet... and I am thinking I might like one too. I tat a lot, but other people always end up with it. I keep very little for myself.
Here's the bracelet in process with the completed bookmark, the pattern called originally for more squares but I like shorter bookmarks.

Earrings

2010-04-12T12:23:00.001-07:00

Some earrings I made over the weekend.
I strayed from the pattern a bit on the middle part of the earrings and it makes kinda a heart shaped silhouette. That's a bonus right? I didn't get a picture of the other set that I made where I stuck to the pattern, but I did place the beads the same. These earrings also used the Split-Ring technique, which I haven't done very often. But it's not a hard thing to learn when you figure out what method of it you want to do and can wrap your brain around it. :)
This pattern was presented as finger tatting. Which is useful to know when you get down to an inch and a half of thread while making a ring... Or so you can get down to an inch and a half of thread while tatting a ring. For the record it can be done. I did it this weekend. I'll show progress on that project later.

Tatting has it's own Day!

2010-03-31T20:52:00.002-07:00

It may seem like a joke since it falls on April Fool's day, but it's no joke.

See that little box on the right? yup the facebook one? Become a fan and tomorrow you get FREE shipping at my Etsy store. I will refund you the difference via paypal.

AND if you are wishing you could tat, check out Tatting Chic's blogoversary give away! I've been Tatting for about 5 years and I still don't own a tatting book so I would love one.

I will celebrate Tatting Day by making myself another bookmark since my beloved one accidentally was gifted to one of my fellow public library patrons. I will probably also refine my design for a Chick. No picture yet.

And I participated in InTatter's Pendant exchange. Here's what I received.

Lovely is it not? She dyed her own thread, even my husband noticed the way the colors were all nicely spaced. The picture isn't that great at showing how colorful it really is. I love it and now I know who to hit up for Tatting on a plastic ring. I can't wait to try it again. I made for her a blue fluttery Butterfly pendant from the last post.

Also I found a neat-o site for Cluny. I have never cared for them but I saw her stuff and I think I may just learn it. I think her blog is in French so when I get over looking at her pretty pictures I will ask my husband to translate for me.

Fluttering Butterfly Pendant

2010-03-29T13:05:00.000-07:00

More Spring on the brain, I guess.

I participated in a Tatting Exchange with fellow tatters. This is my original design.
I and my daughter loved it so much I didn't hesitate when she said she wanted one for her and her sister (who is still too young to appreciate it, or even wear it).
But I figured if we loved it maybe someone else would too so it is now for sale on Etsy.
The antennae act as the bail. You can choose your own butterfly color if you don't prefer the variegated blue. Contact me directly or order through Etsy.

Linky Parties:

Spring Snail

2010-03-19T13:53:00.000-07:00

Here is a new design for spring. Since that's tomorrow!
Via a customer suggestion I bring you a Snail.
You can choose your color too!

Butterfly Hair clip

2010-03-15T22:07:00.000-07:00

There is a little girl that I adore. She isn't even mine. For her birthday I decided to try something new. It took me longer than planned and a month after her birthday I finally gave my gift. Now my own daughter wants one. I really should get on that. The wings come from a book by Monica Hahn (Christmas Angels and other Tatting Patterns), I can't say the same for the body and antenna because I didn't understand the instructions for it, so I made up my own.
Here's the little gal wearing her new butterfly hair clip.

I first had the Tatted Wings with a red body. It was a no go.

So I undid that and made the body black also modifying the pattern a little for longer antennae. I added a set of crystals to the lower portion of the wings.

I put red velvet ribbon on the clip and then attached the butterfly actually sewing the butterfly to the clip: I worked hard and long on the tatting I don't want hot glue to fail me.

Gosh I might even want one.

Look for me

2010-03-09T13:16:00.001-08:00

Lucky you!

2010-03-08T11:54:00.000-08:00

It's finally here. I have been working on a shamrock shape. There have been lots of semi successful clover shapes. But I bring to you the Lucky Shamrock.
I am so thrilled with this one.
It's worthy of being called a Tattie.
There will be one available in Lehi, Utah midweek. As well as one on Etsy today.
Gotta keep with the traditional unavailability of the lucky shamrock right?

Made in bright green 100 percent cotton with a genuine swarovski crystal.

Also available in 3 leaf.

Embellish

2010-02-22T13:57:00.001-08:00

Since this past Valentine's Day my hubby and I were going to be apart (he was snowshoeing with friends, I'm a good wife, I know) I decided to forgo the traditional red and pink... and go blue. I embellished with fabric and sewn stitches as well as a Blue Heart Tattie.

Not to be left out

2010-02-16T21:50:00.000-08:00

I have a 5 year old girl who didn't want to be left out when it came to getting something special made for her by Mom. She likes to wear the Tatties to church and school. Sometimes she will request something in particular. I don't get many pictures of her wearing them because she doesn't like to pose. For some reason it's harder to get her to hold still for a picture than it is the 10 month old.

A while ago she asked for a blue flower to match her shirt. Bless her she asked for it the day before she wanted to actually wear it. By the time I got her to hold still the next morning she already had coat and back pack on ready to go. :)

For Christmas I made us matching outfits and this little gal requested a yellow star to wear with her outfit. She said she wanted it to match her sister's flower, but not be copying.

Often the ones I end up making for her specifically are a larger size.

Karo syrup works to stick them in abundant hair. We've lost lots of hair clips, but never a Tattie.

Loves and Loves

2010-02-09T21:48:00.001-08:00

Today, while making hearts I had an idea... due to a small shortage of thread and I really think I like it. The one on the left is todays brain child and the one on the right is the original Tattie heart. What do you prefer?

Valentine Heart--on SALE till Feb 11, 2010

2010-02-06T10:19:00.000-08:00

On my Etsy site I have these three items on Sale for the next week in honor of Valentine's Day.

Here is an indication of their size.

New designs in progress

2010-01-22T09:43:00.000-08:00

I am working on creating a few new designs for upcoming

holidays and some customer suggestions.

Here's a list:

Snail

Bunny

Clover

Turtle
Duck/chick

Valentines Day is covered with hearts, I think, but if you have other suggestions I'll take them.

Request a color. Heart shown here in Cream.

Tatting firsts and Creations

2010-01-04T20:43:00.000-08:00

Often while I tat Zurich will play with one of my shuttles or the small pieces I have tatted. One day he kept picking up butterfly after butterfly and throwing it back down, "Ahcah!" He was disgruntled that none of them were helicopters. So I set out to make him a tatted helicopter.

I used the little fishy pattern by Sharon Albers as a base, though since I have used it in various ways since first looking it up I only refrenced what was in my head and not the actual pattern. I used two really long picots on the top and on the bottom to little picots for the wheels. After completing the design I tied the two top picots together which makes them spin out to the sides and look like propellers. Zurich was thrilled and I didn't even have to tell him what it was. :)

Here's Zurich admiring his new tiny helicopter. He's very careful about it too, meaning, when he is done playing with it he brings it to me and says, "ahcah cleam up." He wants me to put it up high somewhere safe. Then he comes and asks for it later, "Ahcah?" and squints his eyes and shoves his head down into his shoulders and pinches his fingers toghether. It cracks me up.

This was my first tatting done with beads... yup, I've been tatting for about 4 years and just barely used beads. I just never saw the need for them before. I saw a lot of patterns with them and liked them better without the beads. But this one made sense to me. I got this from a pattern from a book my sister let me borrow. "Tatted Snowflakes" by Vida Sunderman. However, I again, modified the pattern from the original. Since I didn't like the way they used the beads. So it's a bit different than the pattern. I used it as an ornament and ended up making two and giving them away.

And this was my first 3D tatting. A little umbrella ornament. I think it is SO adorable. I ended up giving this one away too. I actually followed this pattern and stiffened it aroud a lightbulb. This two came from a book my sister lent me Christmas Angels and Other Tatting Patterns by Monica Hahn.

Christmas

2009-12-08T10:35:00.000-08:00

The Christmas Star is from a Pattern by Sharon Albers and can be found on her site. She has many variations and I have just utilized a combination of them if memory serves me right.

Baby face

2009-11-04T08:46:00.000-08:00

These classic family shots were taken by Brina Vance from Vance Photography you can contact her for your own Fabulously priced family session by emailing her at BrinaVance@yahoo.com.

Halloween Tattie

2009-10-29T10:32:00.000-07:00

Maybe these little bats will be avaliable next year.
They need a few more changes to the design.
However, in the mean time my little hairless gal will wear it.
Happy Halloween!

It's a classic

2009-10-05T11:48:00.000-07:00

Picture with text overlay is a classic announcement style.
Looks simple right? But there are at least 6 major changes that made this Classic Picture announcement work. I'm not talking about the text either.
Lets play a game shall we? and see if you can spot them all.
Click on image below to see what I started with and the end result.

Congratulations to Marie and Ryan. Thanks for letting me be a part of this awesome time.

Against the grain

2009-08-22T01:26:00.000-07:00

I realize that I am going against the grain with these Tatties since the IN thing now is HUMONGOUS floral arrangements for a baby girl's head. I'm just not into that. I like the delicate and graceful elegance.

Especially for baby girls of the bald persuasion (but also great for girls with a little hair, or deep hairlines as well). Each is set with a Genuine Austrian Crystal. They are tatted out of 100% Cotton thread.

People tell me what is so great about a Tattie:
It’s always on. Unlike a headband (that snags on things and comes off or gets twisted around, or falls off during all the repositioning of holding a baby) it stays on through clothing changes, holding, touching, snuggling etc.
It always looks great.
It’s easy to put on and take off. Instructions for application and removal with the gel (ky gelly) can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnxZONJE7BE
but Karo syrup and Elmer's glue are also water soluble, come off easy and stick great.
Easy to care for: To wash simply rinse off by hand and press between a towel to get excess water out and let dry. Ocassionally you can throw it in a zippered laundry bag and send it through washing machine, this may be more necessary if you are using Elmers glue.
You can apply a Tattie when it is still damp.
It’s unique.
It’s delicate and girly.
It’s obvious, catches the eye and a great way to avoid people’s questions about whether my baby (who is dressed in pink) is a boy or a girl.
It’s not overbearing.
Totally reusable, and reusable and reusable.
They aren't very thick so they can also be used as a scrapbooking / card making embellishment.

Hand tatted out of 100% cotton thread and set with Genuine Austrian Crystal.

You can purchase through Etsy or soon you will be able to buy direct ($ savings).

Simple adjustments

2009-08-15T00:27:00.000-07:00

I had some fun shots of the two older kids and wanted to just spice them up a bit.
before and afters

I have my brother to thank for this shot, and of course my poser daughter... poser as in posing...

Family octagon

2009-08-10T12:42:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite edits...
a family picture... from three different pictures. while the pictures of us each individually were cool, I thought it would be neato to capture us all together... so I worked that out.

Tips for Tatties

2009-06-28T09:54:00.000-07:00

When applying a Tattie, cover the entire back of the design with adhesive of your choice.

If you are having trouble using KYgelly or surgical jelly watch this video for the trick, it's an extra step but it is worth it in hot weather. Also KY gelly takes longer to dry than Surgical gelly (available at Walgreens for about $2.something for a large tube).

If your child has a fever and you typically use Karo syrup, it's time to temporarily trade adhesives since Karo syrup gets more liquid when overly warm. This may also be necessary when it's particularly hot and your baby is sweating a lot.

Obviously, as with anything small, once it is off your child's head remove from child's reach. Do not let child suck on a Tattie.

If you notice a Tattie is loose, remove it to avoid loosing it.

Keep Tatties in the ziplock bag they came in or other suitable container.

Carry a travel size bottle of Karo syrup (or adhesive of your choice) in your diaper bag for quick reapplication.

Occasionally throw Tatties in a Zippered laundry bag and throw in the regular wash cycle. This seems especially useful if you use Karo or Elmers glue as your primary adhesive.

After removing a Tattie, rinse off old adhesive from Tattie pres between towel and let dry so it is ready for next use.

Do not soak a tattie. They can be washed but not soaked.

Tatties may not be suitable for children who can reach the top of their head and are prone to sticking things in their mouth. This might apply to children between the ages 9 months to 3 years. If you would like to use Tatties on these ages just make sure you remove the Tattie before putting a child down for a nap, bed, etc. This works for my 11 month old.

If you have tips to share email me: CorettaDeesign AT gmail DOT com or comment.

5 heads

2009-06-25T13:31:00.001-07:00

A cute batch of grandchildren needed 5 switches and I also removed the baby's binki and the cookie on the little boy's face in the bottom right corner as well as cropping out the lady on the left and centering the picture a bit more... (more space on the bottom).

Fun Idea

2009-06-05T12:03:00.000-07:00

I recently finished this project via Etsy Alchemy. The client wanted it as an engagement gift for her two friends. She wanted it to be black and white and photographic looking. She said, "This is going to be a gift and the idea behind it is that I was walking along and "happened" to see two intersecting street signs with the two specific names." I thought it was a fun idea and a fun project. However, just to keep things a surprise... (the odds of the friends coming across my blog I find rather low but it is the web) I have inserted false names. Well, okay they aren't false. They are mine and my husband's. Though they might as well be false. :)

How to Adhere/ Remove a Tattie

2009-05-29T14:11:00.000-07:00

or view on youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnxZONJE7BE

This will be a fun series

2009-05-29T12:46:00.000-07:00

This is a project I finally had a chance to do. It's a one layer watercolor resist of my Olea. I am trying to decide if I keep it long or crop it like the second picture. I want to do one of each of my kids. I just need to find my favorite source pic of the other two. My husband really likes the idea of a series of them. We seem to really like series/sets.

Announcing Genève

2009-05-20T13:48:00.000-07:00

The last few months I've been on a hiatus preparing to deliver my little baby girl... and then adjusting to life with three little darlings. This announcement I actually designed in the hospital a few hours after having her and sent it to family via email.

Fonts for fun

2009-05-18T15:52:00.000-07:00

I posted on my personal blog about this a while back, and I think it needs to be included here because it's one of those design/ hobby/ fun things. www.yourfonts.com
A cheap alternative to the font programs out there for those who don't want to pay for a full font editing program, and don't need that clean lined font... but who want to play around. And really who doesn't?

It's easy, and fast all you need is printer scanner and a nice pen... or an editing program, and a pdf reader. I used this site to make fonts for the kids I taught preschool to, from their handwriting. A major hit with the parents to have their handwriting preserved this way just at the point where they learned to write their letters. I also did three different versions (moods) of my own handwriting, I had my husband do it too which came in handy for our anniversary book this year ( I might post about that later).

update July 2009: They got the hint... and now are charging $10 for the service, glad I cashed in on it when I did.

Tatties

2009-05-12T12:09:00.000-07:00

I recently gave birth to our third child. A lovely little girl. This means I have taken a break from design work, in theory. But I never really leave my joy alone. In the mean time I have created little pretties for baby girls of the hairless persuasion. They are hand tatted (handmade lace) and most of them are set with Genuine Austrian Crystals. If you want some leave me a comment or contact me and let me know. Typically the design is a flower or butterfly, but I'm inventing new ones as I go along. They adhere to the scalp and come off with water. They can stay on as long as your child goes between baths or... their older brother pries them off. :)

Random assortment of art from back in the day

2009-04-25T13:25:00.000-07:00

Pearl of Peas (watercolor)

Emerging (Charcoal and PrismaColor on Gesso)

Interference (watercolor)

Train Wrench

Turtle Tea
This is one of my husband's favorites, at every move or transition he confiscates it and hangs it in his office at work.

I love this one, but so did my friend so I gave it to her. It's so bright and cheery.

Series of Eyes... (one of them currently hangs in the guest bathroom... tee-hee-hee along with a set of charcoal-lift outhouses). This is fun because it's the same thing done in what? 10 different styles and about that many mediums. I have my favorites.

Oil painting still life

Balanced Life

2009-01-08T12:11:00.000-08:00

A recent business card and flier design. The flier will be mailed in an envelope. I've actually taken a yoga class from her, it was a few years ago now but it was one of the things that got me doing yoga. She's great. So if you are in the Magic Valley you should give Maggie a try, who can pass up a free hour? This was a fun project. She already had a logo so I just worked off of that.

Family picture

2009-01-03T13:28:00.000-08:00

They didn't want the neighbor's house in the background. We had quite a few options but the source option chosen is presented here. I took the photo and it didn't need any head switching. YAY! This one was put together to hang in their front room. If you look close you will see some of the obvious differences... like baby binki, green box and sunlight on the dad's hair.

2009-01-02T13:16:00.000-08:00

Tatting
Email me with your request for a quote or fill out a contact form. Be sure to specify color. You can order through Etsy as well.
Design Services
Email me with your request for a quote or fill out a contact form.
Photo Editing Services
Email me the pictures you want worked with and your hopes and I can give you a quote.

Standard Packaging for Wedding Announcements
The following is a possible break down of some of my invitation deesign packages. There is more variability than this list innumerates. For example: you can choose the printer yourself so that you can pick up the invitations locally, change quantity, choose photo printing, choose hourly rate design or standard rate. All these options may affect your price to be less than is stated in this list. There are also a lot of deesign and size options that we can discuss, for examples of each package click the link under the package name. Email me (corettadeesign@gmail.com) and we can start a discussion.
For a quote use the contact form at the bottom of the page.

I recommend designs that use standard envelope sizes that mail for regular postage price.

Contact corettadeesign

2008-12-30T21:32:00.000-08:00

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Getting that Christmas card photo...

2008-12-15T14:31:00.001-08:00

We don't always have the coinage to go to a really great custom/professional photographer (though I know a few who are GREAT)... and so that's where I put myself to work. This time of year it seems rather important to all of us to get a good family picture. I have done quite a few fam pic edits the last few weeks. I am only posting the more dramatic. Most recent was my own family. Talk about a multiple source compilation. And we are all happy with the end result. With a few snapshots, a nice family picture can be created given the right touch and attention.

Bridals

2008-12-05T10:03:00.000-08:00

Over Thanksgiving I took some bridals for the most recent announcement design job. This was fun. This is just a collage of some of them. There was editing on every photo because of a blemish on the bride's face. We all get them... and we all don't want them to stay forever on a picture. She'd had pictures taken by a studio professional but wasn't happy with the results since they didn't look like her or show her personality. They also were rather awkward looking as the poses and settings she was put in were not right for her. I dare say she has plenty to choose from now. :) Thanks for the fun Kendra! It was a win win since I don't claim to be a photographer and she got the pics for free. :)

Creative head switching

2008-11-25T20:51:00.001-08:00

Looking at Source Pictures and the Photo Edit is like a game of "what's different" between the pictures. See how many differences you can find. :)
Some photo edits are easier than others. This one was very involved. Click picture to enlarge. There were two head switches and significant color changing and matching. Each picture source had very different color profiles and to make them all one cohesive, believable picture takes a critical eye. Softening, blending, skin work, etc. After I finish a project I like to overlay the original picture and edited picture and shut off and on the layers and watch the heads move. This one was significantly humorous to watch because of the baby head switch since it looks like he is turning his head.

The Set

2008-11-22T14:41:00.000-08:00

As I suspected, changes were minimal. Here is the finished set that will go out to the couple's friends and family in the next few weeks. Congrats to the cute couple. When I dropped off the finished printed announcements the groom thanked me and said the announcements were the only thing his bride was happy about. Glad I could please. :)

When presented with a Choice...

2008-11-14T15:47:00.000-08:00

What would you choose? I don't typically post the comps, because they are unfinished work (and I think intellectual theft is EVIL, esp being a victim of it), but the idea here is relevant and examples illustrate better the point.

I recently finished some wedding announcements. Typically people don't know exactly what they want. That's where a designer comes in handy. We all like choices. When I do announcements I like to give a few comps, typically 4, for the decision challenged (this seems to include all of us). This kind of guidance has really proved helpful to gauge what the client wants and usually one comp is a home run. Then I work on the mini cards to match. Since I know what design the client likes these cards are easy to get right on. Typically most of the time spent on a job is spent on the comps, research and exploration is the best use of time and energy. The amount we gain is directly related to end result. So what did this couple choose? Next post. Along with the cards to match and any edits that they requested. You will see next time that changes are pretty minimal from the comps to the finished product because of the energy spent getting it right in the first place.

Blank Canvas

2008-10-16T13:47:00.000-07:00

We recently finished our basement. This means I have bare walls begging for art. The way we finished the walls says fairytale to me. So I think a series is in order. My plan is a fairy tale series presented more iconic-ly rather than literally. In order to do this the right way though I need to go back to the original fairy tale... or at least as far as Grimm rather than Disney. See what I'm saying. I am happy to include nursery rhymes as well. Gary really likes the wood cut I did... however I don't have a press or the tool necessary to do it all wood cut. I also don't think I will use human figures. So I have some thinking and planning to do. I plan to do in color at this point.