Making a bookmark: Tatting

Mentioned earlier in both my facebook page and blog post, I am into tatting just recently. This is an ancient lace making technique. There are various ways of tatting, just to name some- : finger, needle and shuttle tatting. Above bookmark is made by shuttle tatting.

In the beginning, I struggled with it especially when there is a need to undo a wrong stitch. It can be very frustrating. During that time, it was a struggle and half the time I wanted to give up. I remember the instructor said it can be difficult in the beginning and hence I persisted.

So below is the process.

Making the other part of the bookmark is more challenging, as the 1st half of the bookmark kept getting into the way when I was tatting.

Below are the close up shots of the bookmark.

Right side

When the bookmark is completed, I felt tremendous pride and happiness that I did it!

If you are looking for some instructions on how to tat the bookmark, I am afraid I am going to disappoint you. I am not giving instructions on how to do the bookmark. This is because the design is copyrighted. The second reason being I am still very new to tatting and I think I am not good at giving instructions. I think I have to take numerous pictures when I tat but this is quite impossible since both hands are required in tatting.

Below are some websites for you to learn tatting, should you be interested in the craft.

• http://www.carriestatting.com/ (offers right handed and left handed instructions)
• You Tube (for visual beginners)

If you are interested to know how to read tatting patterns , below site is for you.
http://www.tattedtreasures.com/2011/09/reading-patterns-and-making-projects-part-1/

Don't thank me, I am still in the learning process. I didn't really help much.

Linky to Creativity 521

Vanda "Miss Joaquim" and the Armenian Church

Who is Vanda Miss Joaquim?

In case you are wondering, who is Vanda Miss Joaquim. That is Singapore's national flower (selected in 15 Apr 1981), an orchid, named after the Miss Agnes Joaquim (7 Apr 1864 - 2 Jul 1899). The flower is a cross between Burmese Vanda teres (pod parent) and the Malayan Vanda hookeriana (pollen parent). It is a hardy flower and free flowering. 

The Vanda Miss Joaquim was selected from among 40 flowers, out of which 30 were orchids, as Singapore's national flower. This makes Singapore the only country to have a hybrid as her national flower. Among the several varieties of Vanda Miss Joaquim, the variety "Agnes" was chosen particularly for its vibrant colours, hardiness and resilience - qualities which reflect the Singapore spirit. Its ability to bloom throughout the year also won the judges over.

At Istana near the Villa

Buckill Hall at National Orchid Garden

Agnes Joaquim

Miss Agnes Joaquim, an Armenian, bred it and the plant was taken to taken to  H. N. Ridley, the director of the Singapore Botanic Garden at the time, who first described the hybrid plant in the Gardeners' Chronicle on 24 June 1893.

Agnes Joaquim won prizes at annual flower shows and famously won the prize for the rarest orchid at the 1899 annual flower show. The first prize was for a hybrid that was named after her, Vanda 'Miss Joaquim'. However, already suffering from cancer then, she died soon after receiving this prize.

Besides gardening, she was also an active member of the Armenian Church and a skilled embroiderer.

Agnes was the eldest daughter and second child of a brood of 11 of Parsick (Basil) Joaquim, an Armenian merchant and commercial agent. Their family had an illustrious history of contributions to the Singapore community, beginning with Agnes' father's philanthropy towards the general community.