As I was reading Bridge City Tatting a few days ago, I saw that Jeff used a craft X-stitch mouse pad to display tatting. For the longest time, I had the tatted strawberry in this mousepad I have at work with a rectangular window that originally housed a cheat sheet for a new computer system in place. I took the strawberry out when I taught it back in August and had not put anything else in but seeing Jeff's post got me to pull out the dragon-in-process and stick it in there to see how it will fit size-wise. I can also put a photo of my family in there, which is what I will probably ultimately do.

It took me four days to complete the dragon but not because it is hard or very big. I was just gone a lot, to a shower in Noblesville Friday night, staying overnight there and then traveling to another one in Ft. Wayne on Saturday. I was pretty tuckered when I got home last night and only worked on it a little bit. I finished it up this morning. The pattern comes from Anne at Nuperelle's blogspot. Like Ginny, I used regular split rings instead of single shuttle split rings. You eventually use 2 shuttles anyway so I'm not sure why it's created with SSSRs but as long as you know some kind of split ring, it's very easy. I'm chomping at the bit to make another with beads and without picots.

Original Jewelry Designs: Is It New or Just New to You?
This was a headline from the Beading Daily newsletter and I felt it was relevant to the tatting world too. One reason I post the vintage patterns is to show a bit of what has been done before. I don't want to squelch anyone's design potential but with so many pattern books out now, it's easy to be unaware of a pattern that has already been done which is similar or even exactly like your own. Even those who have been following the design explosion for years can overlook what exists simply because there is so much of it. I am amazed at how intricate and elaborate many of the old patterns are. It's pretty hard to come up with an entirely new edging or motif these days.

I was also reading the Lace-Loving-Librarian's blog the other day where she mentioned a kindle. Kindle? what the hell is that? So I googled it and found it's been out since last November. It sounds pretty good but I doubt that I will invest in it anytime soon. I'd like to hear more about it from users though.

I spent the afternoon at my oldest son's house for a cookout so I'm still pretty tired. Wanted to make a quick post before I possibly fall asleep though.