All the ends hidden so far! I can tell I'm going to have to do this in segments for the simple fact that I get BORED! It's not like I'm going to have it done tomorrow. In fact, I'm figuring at least 6 weeks and maybe 2 months. It will be sleeveless weather by then, if we're lucky. Actually the temp is 86ºF right now and it rained like crazy so I'm sure it's thickly humid too. I haven't been out yet to test the water.

So, since boredom is making me procrastinate in so many ways, I'm going to assign only a few days a week for this project and move on with the overall 25 motif project. I like to show contemporary uses for the vintage patterns and I've been trying to stick to short easy-to-tat projects. I don't know what I was thinking of when I started this one!

I haven't even gotten through all the parts in this plate. I have two more, I think, and they are fairly simple if I remember right. I plan on doing the white version of #5 either tonight or tomorrow.

I've been procrastinating by jumping into other projects, bits and pieces here and there, as well as the sort & clean mission so there's a lot I haven't posted about yet.

I've mentioned Karen's beautiful work over at Contemporary Embroidery a few times. Bragged actually about the gorgegous pieces I bought from her. (blush) I sent her some tatting awhile back that I thought might be useful in her work. Cheeky of me, I suppose. Anyway, in appreciation she sent me two of her embroidered buttons. Aren't they sweet???? She's had some with pink in some recent giveaway posts and they are adorable. Her work is unique and elegant. I suppose it doesn't really fit in all that well in my home of random decorating but I really really love to look at it. It makes you want to touch it and fear touching it at the same time because it is mostly white and who wants to be responsible for inadvertantly soiling it?

You probably know what these are, don't you? If you've done any tatting on cabone rings, curtain rings, or plastic rings as they've been known as, you recognize them. These are tiny, only 1/2" diameter. I was looking for 3/8" ones but I suspect that's the inside diameter of these. They're the smallest I could find.

I started a major tatting project with them last night. But since I've already got two big projects in the works, I'm not going to show you any more of it. Besides, it might not work out. This is another one that will take several weeks. I was inpired by something crocheted. How's that for a hint?

I'm going to run in town now and see if anyone is available to cut my raggedy hair. Be sure to check in each day this coming week. There's a little giveaway coming.

I really didn't venture out all that much this weekend and the one time I did on Sunday, it poured rain! I slept a lot and went through some of my needlecraft magazine collection. While I'm actually culling, I'm finding adorable little girl things that I have yet another chance to make now and I was reminded of things I DID get to make for my now 17 year-old-granddaughter. For instance, a pillowslip. I embroidered the crinoline lady and added a crocheted skirt. Loved doing that. I think I cross stitched Taz and a few other looney tune characters on pillows and shirts for the boys. I didn't cross stitch much - that was pretty much the extent of it. It was also before I learned to tat so most of what I made was knitted or crocheted or sewn. I crocheted her a beautiful tooth fairy doll with a bag too. Gosh, I hope I still have those instructions.

I've been strongly drawn to other forms of stitching the past year or so and much of it is along the line of embroidery although it is a lacy embroidery that I pursue. I've been especially intrigued with Karen Ruane's Contemporary Embroidery, and recently jumped at the chance to buy one of her hand embroidered silk purses. And I did jump! She had only mentioned them in her blog that day and by the time I got there, only one was left. I wanted one with color in the embroidery but I love this one too. If both had been available, I would have had to choose only one since it's a little pricey for me but what a treasure!

I'll have more views on my lace blog if you're interested but I wanted to show it here too. It's on silk and isn't it exquisite?

Can you imagine some tatted lace in very fine thread being in those circle centers? I'm thinking of all those bits and pieces I have just laying around....if you check her blog you'll find all kinds of inspiration!

I did tat the last version of the butterfly body bookmark although if this had turned out, it was going to be a bracelet since it's beaded. I tried bridging the two motifs in the center with an additional chain loop but it threw the symmetry all out of whack so I decided I was DONE with this and it's time to put it away.

I still have those committments I've been procrastinating on to do. The lining for the tatted bag and 6 more tree ornaments, plus I wanted to do some RPL for the exhibit. I'm going to a bobbinlace program with the L.A.C.E. group next weekend so I have to get ready for that. At this point I also need to mow outside again and I have flowers waiting for me to get them in the ground! Between the heat and rain and other activities, not much is getting done outside.