Cross Twist Cross Twist...keep going!

The GPP is well underway.  I've started into the horns and have chosen to do a "decorative" braid.  It isn't really showing up yet, but it is adding lovely texture. 

As you can see in the pictures I've also had to find some creative bobbin management solutions.  There are about 36 pairs on the pillow; 72 bobbins that have to fit and work in a braid that's less than an inch wide.  Yep, that's what you get for using size 100 silk thread.

I'm worrying, however, that it's not going to be done in 4 months.

GPP in Progress - Feb 28

The top of the helmet is done.  Woot.  This, however has helped me to see that a number of the areas I've mapped out will have to be redone.  Things that are too small, eliminating sewings, trying to decide about doing a pattern instead of just a cloth weave.

I'm also STILL working on that altar cloth for the temple, but I've given up on the maze for Convention.  I was having issues with the pattern and I honestly don't think I can get it done by July 1 AND get Loki done by August.  On a bright note I'm now thinking of putting Loki in the fair.  Not that I think I'll win anything, but just for the cool factor. *shrug*

Waiting for the UPS man.

I have one itty-bitty section of the GPP done.  And by itty-bitty I mean 1/8 of an inch wide and about 3 inches long.  It used 8 pairs and still wasn't quite wide enough for my taste.  I took one look at the pricking and realized I didn't have enough bobbins, even with the 24 pairs I'd borrowed from Marie, to do the larger section on the image.

What's a lace making geek to do?  Buy more bobbins obviously.  Nothing can stand in the way of a lace project once on the pillow.  Nor Loki and his army - don't even mention the Hulk Smash...that was just a little hiccup.

While I wait for my bobbins to arrive I doodled a cartoon, did a drawing, and got the other lace project pricking drawn.  Oh and survived 2 migraines. *smiles*

So here is the drawing - Slight of Hand.  Really need to make more art. Enjoy!

Van Sciver lace making suppler shout out!

I am Burdened with a Glorious (or crazy) Purpose

I am a lace maker.  I am a geek.  I am a geek lace maker.  Whilst watching Avengers (again) I got a good look at Loki's helm - along with Tom Hiddleston's face, but that's a topic for different blog.  On the side of the helm are a series of holes, ostensibly so that the actor could hear.   This pattern, which I can see on the screen, but can't get a screen shot of to share, caused a series of thoughts to occur in approximately 3 seconds.

"That looks like a Milanese lace braid"
"I could make that Milanese lace pattern"
"I could make the helmet in  lace"
"I could make a lace Loki"
"I could DO that!"
"Dude, I am SO doing that!"

Well, after much time putting together the right angles and working in Illustrator on my *bleeping* PC I have the following.  The flow chart Loki and the Pricking Template Loki.

In order to proced I needed a pillow, some bobbins, and thread.  I had lace on both my pillows and borrowed bobbins.  I have since spangeled all my bobbins . . .

and cleared my pillow of the Milanese moon.

 Which turned out nice for the first time doing this style.

I will do my best to document and share my Loki lace project for I, like the god of mischief, am burdened with a glorious purpose!    Or just a crazy idea.

Little Things

I have had a rough time.  My dad died suddenly and I was horribly sick at the same time.  I didn't get to spent much time with him over Christmas because of the cold.  I was a remarkable and loving man.

His last woodworking project was to make me a book press.  It's not finished, but I can sand and seal it.  Part of me thinks I need to do something to remember him, but then I think the best memorial is to live life to the fullest.  To enjoy everyday and to do well those things I love to do.  As dad would often quote, "To thine ownself be true and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man."

With that said I am finishing one project - a Milanese moon - and starting two others.  One is a tape lace pilgrimage labyrinth and the other is a Milanese Loki, both of my own design.

I also need one of these:

Too little time so much geeking.

Positive Thinking

I could make this a new years post as it is about positive thinking, but I wont. I've been voraciously ill. I'm still not well, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. The only thing I've really had the energy for is moaning, watching Netflix, and lace making. I have completed about a dozen centers for the altar cloth I'm working on. I also got quite a bit done on the Milanese moon (bobbin lace). Along with watching all of "Wallander", which if you like crime drama it's quite good. Doesn't hurt that two of my favorite actors are in it. And so, while I was quite thoroughly miserable I was productive. Let's not make this a theme mind you. I do think I'm more productive when well, but it is nice to feel I wasn't completely useless over Christmas.

Two New Stars

Hot off the pillow and shuttles, here are two stars that I finished up today.  The white one is tatting the other is tape lace made with bobbins.  I'd never done the braided fillings before and they turned out fine for a first time.   

I also used spangled midland bobbins on loan to me.  I'm liking how little room they take up on the pillow, but not so sure about the spangles yet.   I've got an intense Milanese moon on my nice pillow right now and am about to start into some sewings. We shall see.