I've started a 2nd bag. I didn't have enough gold beads so I used some dark multicolored ones. This rayon floss is some I bought at a garage sale one year. They had gold and black and I'm using the black. It's much different from the new floss I've bought. It's slicker than snot and I have to watch or the knots come out. They don't do that on the new floss. It's also a different brand - C. U. Springer Marlitt , from Germany. There are 10 m on a skein instead of the 8 of DMC and 4 strands instead of 6. It will have a nice feel to it when done, I'm sure. I'm not leaving as much play in the picots this time so there won't be as much slackness. I'm also doing the 2nd half of the split ring by starting with the 2nd ds like you're supposed to. I couldn't tell that it made any difference in the past but thought I'd still go with it. After I do these, I may make one for the county fair.

Guess I'll miss the online class again. I really have so much to try to do tonight. I want to get things boxed up from one corner and moved to the basement. I should be getting my summer clothes out and I still want to walk the treadmill. If I do all that, I won't get to tat, so I'll probably cut corners somewhere. Aaaaccck! I just remembered something else I wanted to do before coming home today - guess it will wait until tomorrow.

I also got 2 more books from I.O.L.I. library. The Bath Tatting Book and Mlle.Riego De La Branchardiere. oooohhh, quick glance and pretty stuff!

Here is the amulet bag. It turned out okay to good. I see a few things I'll change next time. This time I only did a single set stitch handle which is fine for what I want. I'm debating on whether to make a little fabric bag for the inside. You can't really put anything in there otherwise. The next one will be from black rayon floss to make it slick and shiny. Hoping to use gold beads, if I have enough. That one will go to Kim, the new secretary. The purple one goes to Wilma, the Safety Section secretary.

Here's a tip if you've never done a split ring with beads in the picots. I automatically assumed all the beads went on the shuttle core thread as usual. WRONG! The beads that are on the 2nd half of the split ring picots need to be on that thread - which is called the ball thread or shuttle 2. On this particular project, there are 20 beads on the picot. So for the 2nd half, you slide the 20 beads from shuttle 2 up to your fingers and loop it, pinch it there while you make the wrapped ds. It will slide like a charm then. But if you had the beads on the core thread and slide them around to that side - it won't work! I had to do some retro-tatting and it wasn't pretty being around me at the time.

This is another weekend good for outdoors work, but I'm not going to get much done. I went back to bed this morning after being up early and slept til nearly noon. This week just kinda took the beans right outta me. Laundry is done, dishes, and I finished the amulet bag. Picked some wildflowers from down over the hill. I was going to hunt mushrooms but Andy was down there with a friend hunting and I didn't see til I was already there. I did find 2 but gave them to Andy since he really didn't have all that many. My DIL had told me earlier how badly she wanted some. I walked the treadmill this evening and showered and here I am.

Tomorrow will be busy since I'm going to see my grandson. I kinda thought about getting up early so I could run some errands in town before I go instead of doing it when I get back - since I'll be tired from the drive. We'll see if I can get up in time.

Oh, made out all the bills this evening too - and that's one time consuming chore I'm glad to have done. I need to find the paperwork for my car lease too. I don't remember the miles I'm allowed and I'm concerned that I'm getting close.

Last night I got one side of the amulet bag done - I think! It's a continuous tat........aaaccckkk no! I just realized I will have to string another 320 beads to do the other side! It really is quick once the beads are strung however. Some split rings and huge beaded picots! Will be gone all day today...........depends on the weather tonight if I will be in or out. And some other experiments that I'm joining in on - sure eats the time up, if not the energy. Maybe I'll have the tatted bag by the weekend. Now I'm wishing I'd used a cobalt blue thread with these beads since the beads are more striking than the thread. Sigh.................that's what playing is for.

Last night I strung 320 beads and wound 2 shuttles CTM. I'm going to have a go at that set stitch amulet bag of Dianna Stevens in It's In The Bag. The crocus is on hold til I at least try this. It's more beads than tatting and I thought it probably took longer to string the beads than it will to tat. These are purple/blue beads I bought at the Blue Moon in Ireland. It was a little bead shop just down from where I was staying on Bachelor's Walk. I think these are the ones that the color washes out of when they get wet - hugely disappointing.

I have some stuff ready to send to someone in Singapore, but didn't get the box addressed today. I have a conference over the next few days but I think I can still leave early enough to make it to the post office. I also have 6 overdue books for the library. Had a voice message yesterday that I needed to contact the library about my severely overdue books. They are ONE WEEK overdue. Yesterday. I'll drop them off tomorrow.

My son got his car back today. Seems Pep Boys gave him the wrong alternator and that's why it still wasn't running right. My oldest son was here when I got home this evening - he & Bailey had been mushroom hunting and had about 8 or so, 1 very very tall one! Bailey found 2 box turtles and they frightened a squirrel that practically flew across the creek.

Maybe I'll get to tat a bit tonight.

.
I'm so tired. Must be that outdoor air effect. I was out mowing on my new mower this afternoon - I love to mow. My son was tilling the ground for my garden so maybe I'll get that planted next weekend. TOMATOES!!!!!

Found 10 mushrooms yesterday and 34 today. Feast tomorrow!

Tatting.............not much done this weekend. I spent a lot of time looking for specific patterns or trying to remember exactly what I did have. I started tatting a crocus from Sharon Brigg's newsletter. This is the first opportunity I've had to try something from it. So far, I've got TWO petals done. and yeah, that's pathetic. The plan was to make some flowers for the secretarys at work because I neglected to get them something for Secretary's Day which was last Wednesday. I don't think I want to wait 2 weeks to give them something though, so I'm looking for something fast and easy now. I think I already gave one a bookmark last year. The other one is new so it wouldn't matter. Those crocuses sure look pretty though - so maybe mom's day gifts for my daughter and daughter-in-law.

For now, I think I might try for an early night

I was just telling someone about the filet crochet I had done in the past.

"I once did several blocks with different animals or baby items but they were out of different Workbaskets, not even in the same year, so they didn't match up. I still have the individual blocks around somewhere. Then I once did a very large panel of a cherub holding a basket of flowers above the head and fastened it to a fabric covered stretcher frame. I eventually took it down and off the frame. One corner has come apart and needs repaired. I have some pictures somewhere of it on the wall. Then there was the top I made for myself that had a filet crochet yoke - it was all crocheted, but the top had some kind of pattern. It was a "smock" top, back in the 70's when those were popular. Dang heavy too! Unfortunately, once I washed it (cheap cotton thread - only thing I knew of back then) it shrunk. So then my daughter, who was 5 or 6 at the time, wore it as a dress once or twice. Then my granddaughter wore it when she was 4 or 5 - so it's sort of an unintentional heirloom."

I'll have to find some photos.

I made a large number of gifts over the years. So many things I couldn't begin to list them. I've had the embarrassment of commenting on an item in someone's home, only to be reminded that I made it for them! I think that's why I like the ofoto albums. I scan what I make and have a record of it. Most of my tatting belongs to someone else - very few of them family members. So I've decided to back off from the exchanges for the next year and focus on tatting some things for family. The bonnet I'm recreating will end up going in one of my unmarried sons chests for his future child. There is another bonnet I started a year or two ago - very close to being done and I lost the thread - but found it now. It will go to the other son. Perhaps I'll tat them some booties too. I crocheted sweaters and blankets for my other grandkids, the youngest of which is 7 now. I've also made all of them tooth fairy pillows of some kind - except the 2 youngest who are now losing teeth without my contribution! But I still have time and in fact, I came across a pattern that I think will suit the boys well recently. My granddaughter has a crocheted tooth fairy doll, which turned out quite nice. That one was a big project - the doll is over 12" tall and on a stand. I think I made my niece's the crocheted tooth fairy pillows with a little bag when they were young. Those are so lacy and delicate looking for the ease in the making.

Here are Celine and Elise from Tatted Butterflys by Adelheid Dangela. Celine is done in size 80 DMC tatting thread - it's a variegated gold/brown. Elise is also in size 80, a variegated pastel and a deep rose for the body and rings. I thought one lower wing was noticeably smaller than the other, but when I pinch them together, they are the same size, but still the tension is tighter on one. I think the way the color changes adds an illusion in size too. The brown/gold reminds me of moths you see in late summer/early autumn. I think that thread would be good for leaves - also the red varigated - then you would have the spectacular fall foliage we have here.

Now I need to do my changes on the Dorcas bonnet and I have a couple of people I'm looking for patterns for that I need to attend to. And then I can PLAY! The county fair is in July and I'm not sure what I want to enter. I may enter the fan I've already done and perhaps some earrings in the handmade jewelry category. I'd also like to try a necklace, but if I try to have them done for the fair - then I get stressed. That reminds me, I still have the table topper I started in Ireland that I'd meant to enter last year...........still not done. There is also a card case I started and it's probably 3/4 done that I want to complete. That one is an antique pattern from an old Needlecraft. I have a crocheted one too that is done and I wanted to compare the two.

But before I get too entrenched in anything, I want to finish the organizing I started months ago! My riding mower is supposed to come in this weekend and if it does and we get it picked up - lots of yard work to do. And Andy (son) might get the garden tilled so I can plant! I'll have to plant some butterfly attracting plants this year so I can have real flutters all over the place!

I bought a bunny in a cabbage patch tea for one yesterday at Cracker Barrel. 50% off since it was an Easter item which means I only paid $5.30 with tax! It's precious! Here are what Tea-for-One pots look like. I collect them - don't have either of these.

Last night I finished "Elise" from Adelheid Dangela's Tatted Butterflys pattern book. Then I wet and blocked it, hoping to balance the lower wings with the pinning. This morning, I could still tell the one side was tighter than the other. Looks a bit lopsided.
I used size 70 or 80 tatting thread, something I don't normally do. It didn't look as tiny as it used to, believe it or not! But my tension is considerably tighter on the 2nd wing. I'm not sure.............it's for a RR. I think I'll keep it for myself and do a better one for the recipient. The colors didn't match the way it looked they would to begin with anyway.

I did go ahead and start a completely different flutter last night, just because these are so small, I feel a need to include a second flutter to compensate for size.

This is my LAST tat for the roundrobins I'm involved in. Gotta finish up some other stuff before I get into any more.

ReadyMade

Can you imagine mowing this?

What about chiggers?

Can you substitute clover for grass?

Just enjoyed reading the comments on the foot flip-flop issue at Not Martha . I was amazed at how many comments there were! We used to have those all the time growing up - those rubber thong shoes. As a child, they didn't bug me too bad, but I hate them now. I used to keep some for the creek or a quick put-on to go get the mail, but they tend to slide sideways on my feet and then my toes are pulling on the thong painfully and my heels are still in the gravel as I gamely limp down the drive. I think that's why I never even tried thong panties or lingerie. Knowing how much those toe thongs hurt...........no way am I gonna brutalize such delicate skin!

Not a minute to tat last night.

My son's car keeps dying so he made arrangements to have it checked today and decided we would take it there last evening. But he also worked until 9:00 p.m. so I had to pick him up from work first and come home. I didn't even get out of the car while he put some gas in his car from the lawnmower gas can - he was almost on empty! Then we jumpstarted it and let it charge up a bit. And down the highway we go. We are approximately 9 or so miles from this business. Three miles down the road, he is failing and pulls into a side road. He is so far ahead of me that I didn't see it til I passed and it took awhile to find a turn-around. We briefly jumpstart and only charge a few minutes as we are blocking the road, even if it is a side road. One person pulled around us in the grass. This time we didn't even get a mile down the road so we charged a bit longer. I said "tell me where you are going because it's dark and once your car dies and there are no lights - I can't see you" So he says there is a main road ahead and he takes off. I lose him, it's dark, it's a back road I'm not familiar with altho I could find my way in the daylight. I am nearly to Dayton, a train is on the track and I know I didn't pass him and I know he likely didn't make it this far, so I turn around and go back, hoping I am covering the same ground. I am close to our original take off point and he is no where in sight. I turn around and head out again - and finally come to a point where I think he may have taken a turn. And yes, a mile or so down this road, there he is, pulled into a business drive. I almost miss him because it is so dark. We charge even longer this time, discussing what will happen if he can't get through the light at the highway before stalling again. He takes off like a bat out of hell again, thinking the faster he goes, the sooner he will get to his destination before it dies again. sigh.................at this point, I give it to the Universe.......He made it through the highway light and we are zooming down 38 when I get stopped at a light. I lose track of him again and there is considerable traffic on this road. I make my way down the highway, watching intently - and I don't see him anywhere. I go all the way to Raisor Pontiac, which is where I think he is going. No where. So much freakin' traffic and I'm trying to go slow and watch for him. A moonless night too. I backtrack all the way back to the light I was stopped at and turn around. This time I go even slower and I am almost at Kmart again, where he works part-time, scanning the lots all along the way - when it dawns on me that he goes to the Raisor's FORD place, right across from Kmart, to get his car worked on usually. Sigh..............I turn into this Raisor's and I'm creeping along in the lot, looking for any sign of him and here he comes sprinting! He made it there without stalling, watching in frustration as I passed by once, twice.............finally turning in. His cell phone was dead and so he hadn't brought it with him and we had no way to communicate ..................arrrrggghhh

We shoulda just had the damn thing towed.

We had a very late dinner. I checked some email and went to bed. No tatting!

Sand in the Gears - Archives

If you have children, you will love these stories of parenting! Other good writing too. I've only poked around a little bit.

But if you go to the tribute he wrote about his young daughter who died from a brain tumor, be prepared to weep. I was just there, not knowing.................now you know.

Two bookmarks and 4 flutters! The thread is Altin Basak - both the variegated and solid, size 50. The motifs were both from the Japanese book that I don't have with me to name.
Both motifs were experimental. The oval one was originally a motif with only 3 center motifs that I expanded to 5 to make it long enough for a bookmark. The rectangular one was a single motif and I made 3, joining as I went. The tail is a new idea. I felt a single tassel in the center wouldn't look as nice as 2 in the corners but if they were in the corners, they needed to come together farther down. I like the way the it turned out. I really like the way the variegated worked up in this one too.


These earrings were tatted in some size 50 altin basak - plain black thread with multicolored beads. The pattern was given to me by Carol Amich - her own design! Thank you Carol!

They did work up very nicely with the beads and didn't take all that long. I completed one before I went to my daughter's for Easter and completed the 2nd one while at her house waiting on the last minute dinner fixings. I also painted some stiffener on the thread of these - hoping it will protect the thread from wear and tear and exposure.

Just a quickie!

Beautiful day - sun shining after raining all night and morning. Went to my daugher's for early dinner and had a pleasant visit with everyone.

I finished the 2nd bookmark with that very pretty thread yesterday. I'll post a scan tomorrow. Also tatted some earrings today from Carol Amich's design. I still need to finish the ends and attach to ear wires - then will post those too.

Then, when time permits, I need to rework the Dorcas bonnet backside. One more butterfly for RR. A coupla more bookmarks to do, I think. And then back to Penelope or maybe start a peacock!

But for now, I gotta go get J. from work - his car is dying all the time so Mom is to the rescue. Poor fella is winding up the semester projects and preparing for finals too.

Wow! Easter snuck up on me!

Here's a bunny edging I designed a few years ago.



Bunnies in a Row

Wind 2 shuttles CTM (continuous thread method). You might only want a couple yards on each shuttle until you try it out.

I use a paper clip or safety pin to anchor that first chain stitch. I’ll remove it when I join there.

VSP – very small picot. Used for joining only, no decorative value.
BP – big picot. Used for bunny feet in this case – I make them ½ - ¾ inch in length.
VBP – very big picot. Used for bunny ears – I make them 1 – 1 ¼ inch in length.
RW – reverse work

Ch 2ds, vsp, 10 ds. rw

R 11 ds, j to place where safety pin or paper clip was in the first ch (in subsequent bunnies, this will be a vsp join), 2 ds, BP, 2 ds, BP, 2 ds, VSP, 11 ds, clr, rw

Using ch shuttle for the ring, R 7 ds, VBP, 3 ds, VBP, 7 ds, clr, do NOT rw.

Still using ch shuttle but as the ball thread now, Ch 10ds, vsp, 2 ds, j to p on last r

At this point, you are ready to start a 2nd bunny. If not, just cut, tie & hide ends. Turn up the p for the bunny feet so they are pointing loop up, like the ears.

If you are going on, leave a space of about ¼ inch and make a lock stitch. Repeat from beginning, but at the very first vsp in the ch, j to last bunny ch instead.

I finished the motif this morning - just need to hide my thread and block and decide what I'm going to do with it. I'm pleased with the colors. I had made a square motif out of the multicolored thread - think I may add a few more and make a bookmark.

Another sunny day! I had to serve at a grievance process early this afternoon, so now that I'm home and checking my mail, I'm having a little trouble getting motivated to do anything else.

Last night we moved the treadmill to the basement and the entertainment center to the sewing room. I still have one corner in there to sort through and stuff from the living room to go to the basement. Then I can start getting some work done.

Got my seahorse shuttles from The Shuttleshop today! Yesterday, I received a metal shuttle from an ebay win. I'm trying to remember if I have one like it. It has a pointed tip, no hook - no stamping on it anywhere. I think it's chrome plated.

Don't rememeber if I mentioned it but I've been using the wooden shuttle with a hook that I bought from The Lacemaker on Lace Day. It holds a lot of thread and I like that particular hook on the end, but it's a pain to wind. I think as I use it more, the slots that the thread goes through will wear smoother. Size 70 or 80 thread wouldn't be a problem, but the thicker threads don't slide through as slick. I like the shape of it too - squarish and flat. I'd seen one that someone else had - a stranger to me, so I couldn't examine it closely, and admired the look of it then. There were 2 sizes and I bought the smaller one - which feels a little bigger in my hand than the shuttles I typically use. I don't think I would like the bigger one.

Well, I have to sort out some tatting stuff - some to send off, some to describe, and take care of other matters too. (like dishes!)
Maybe more later.

LOL! Hobbes makes you dizzy if you watch him very long!

I'm still tatting the motif from the Japanese book. I made it longer and will probably make it a bookmark - but I may frame it if I find a suitable frame. My son says rain is in the forecast so I may have more indoor time to work on it in a day or so.

Today I went shopping! Planned shopping, for the most part. I got a riding mower with a bagger........mine has been barely usable for several years now - in fact, my neighbors have mowed the big part in return for permission to hunt over the hill. But Scott & Tammy were divorced last year and he had his nephew mow and one of my other neighbors - but I really prefer to mow it myself - so I'm back in business again. We can't get the push mower started yet either. sigh.............

I also got a wheelbarrow. So much brush and twigs to clean up around here.

Then, I went to Big Lots and bought some make up to play with. Cheeep. I didn't really need anything but wanted to play around with a few colors. Already tried some out! Also got some nail polish, which I don't usually wear as my nails are short and tend to break - but it's toenail showing time!

I haven't been home much to do anything today.......so I'm gonna get off here and do some chores and catch up on other stuff. Then perhaps I will have time to tat!

I tatted a good part of the morning and played Mousetrap with my grandson before taking him to the bus stop - and briefly this afternoon. Most of the time I was raking leaves though. So I'm starting to ache here and there, but avoided blisters. Beautiful sunny day out and I think it hit 80ºF! Couldn't get the mower started but son Jesse said he'd try tomorrow. I've never had this problem with the pull start before - only this mower. Makes me feel like a weakling. Well, I'm off to bed so I can be like Hobbes tomorrow!

I definitely need to learn how to do thumbnails and also a sidebar with links.
This is my birthday roundrobin tat for Dolly and also the final part in it. It's been fun - wish more had participated as I love the creativity and resourcefulness of these groups.

In work now to redo the display window. It has taken me longer than I expected and I'm not sure the packing tape will hold everything, but it's done. I think it will be enjoyed.

Now to go back home and clean and tat!

I tried tatting that motif from the Japanese book at our lace meeting this morning and kept screwing up. I had done it the hard way the first time so I wanted to try the easier way........kept forgetting a short chain with everyone talking. So I worked on it this evening and it turned out - like the thread too. Now, I'm doing an oval motif from the same book and thread - will make it into a bookmark, using the variegated for the center and will use the solid for the outside. I will try to do my last flutter this weekend too and then I will be done with roundrobins.

In these motifs - where it tells you to start is not necessarily the best place to start. I realized in the 2nd try, that I could've bridged out to the final row if I'd caught it early enough. I'm doing split rings on the middle rings of this motif - and then the outer part is all alternating rings. Easy tat.

Chris wanted me to help her with the 2nd half of her ds - she wasn't doing something right. It's just as hard to watch someone who is doing something wrong as something right. LOL! She was going so fast I couldn't tell if she was going under or over the shuttle thread when returning. I thought it was under so helped her see that and then it was looking a little neater. I think she was just making the 1st st unknowingly, over and over, yet it wasn't making the set stitch really.

I said I didn't really want to be secretary again.

Color is such a KEY to any kind of art, including tatting. I bought several of these little frames that are basically a backing, glass and corner clips. The corner clips are different pastel colors. I changed the color I was using for the frame to more closely match the dominant color of the motif, added a couple of flutters in the same thread of the motif - and it all came together. I'll post the scan when I resize it.

I finished a little fan that I started on Lace Day this evening, mostly because I wanted the shuttle empty. And it worked out perfectly, emptying the shuttle on the last join. I still have thread on the chain shuttle, but that's ok - I only needed one for the moment, which I promptly wound with a thread that I also purchased on Lace Day. I'm looking at a Japanese tatting book, Tatting, by Yusai Shakoin, which has so many pretty things in it. There is a little drawstring bag that I'm particularly attracted to, but it's a bigger project than I want to tackle right now while I still have some other obligations to finish up. I think I will just make a small motif from the book to test the thread and the book diagrams at the same time. Variegated threads are always a challenge. They look so pretty on the ball but I think there must be an art to knowing just what kind of piece to tat with them. Bookmarks usually look good. Hearts too. If the motif is too small, the colors don't balance out, seeming too concentrated without the hint of the others showing strongly enough. They look like a mistake, no matter how perfectly tatted. And then some large pieces look too busy with solid variegated. The larger pieces tend to look better if the variegated is alternated or used with a solid color. Sometimes the lesser used color in the variegated is the one that should be matched with a solid and sometimes the more dominant color should be matched. I'm reluctant to use a variegated in a large project because it's a lot of tatting time and effort that doesn't always pull it off. You can almost be certain that a solid color will look good in a large project. I do prefer using color most of the time, but that drawstring bag is probably going to be white when I make it. The cloth bag underneath will provide the color. Or.............I could use a white cloth bag and make the tatted part the color. Oh sheesh! Now I'm going to have to make TWO bags - no way around it!

No problem - tatting is never wasted. I can think of at least 3 people to give an extra bag to if I can bear to part with it. LOL!

Ummm, just remembered I want to scan Hopie's ice crystals before sending on.

Last night I bought some of those Altoids breath strips in the tiny, tiny tin! It will be a perfect container for a little bit of beads on the go. It measures 1" x 1 3/4". I bought cinnamon and they had peppermint there. I'd like to find ginger too.

I'm not sure whether to take some tatting with me to my DIL's today or not. I think I'll be busy most of the time that I am there today. It's a beautifully sunny day already. So much I want to get done here too.

I finished the motif last night which turned out nicely, but doesn't look right in the frame. I tried a different frame. Still not right. It's not the motif - it's the proportions of everything. It doesn't resonate with my sense of balance somehow. I think it may be a bit too delicate for the way I have it displayed. I may need more of something similar. I'm tired of separating floss though. Maybe I will do something else.

Last evening I continued with a motif I had started a week or so ago with 2 strands of multicolored cotton floss. It's an old pattern - a rose framed in tatted loops/rings. It took me awhile to find the book the pattern was in. Originally, I wanted to find a green to make the flower stand out but then I decided to continue with the same color. I have a plan for this motif but I'm also playing with the thread - testing to see how it works out. If it's not quite right for the project, it's not a big loss in time.

I've been slowly gathering my books and putting them on a bookshelf that was meant to go in my bedroom...........but - I never tat in my bedroom, so why am I storing my tatting supplies in there??? It would be helpful if I put my treadmill elsewhere.......like the basement. Okay - weekend project is to clean up that room more - since J. has almost everything out that he wants........'cept it's s'posed to be 80º F out! I have soooo much to do outside - and we have a lace group meeting Sat. morning.

Oh, I'm off all week to help at my son's - but I'll only be there half days so ..............

Copter Fun Got this from Spinning Jennie's site. How frustrating! I did manage to get past the 1st obstacle once.

It's getting nice out - really looking forward to good weather!

These flutters go fast! I'd like to make the body part a little more stable - a larger thread might help too. The white body was a bigger thread and it seems easier to work with. I figured out by the 3rd one to do less ds between the chains joining the upper and lower wing picots. It defines the wing shape better. I think it calls for 3 ds and 2 worked better - I might only do 1 next time I try it. I'm not real sure I like the bead in the head part either - it's kind of big in comparison to the rest of the body.

I keep forgetting about the online tatting class! I wish the chat window enlarged. I don't like that dinky little spot to keep track of the conversation. I keep scrolling up to see what I've missed when I turn my head and it automatically goes to the bottom whenever anyone posts which they do one after the other in that class. It's frustrating so it's almost better to just get the log later. The problem is that you don't have the opportunity to ask questions that way.

It's cold this week so that is helpful in the sense that I stay in and can catch up on my tatting. Once it warms up, I'll be outside trying to get the yard in shape and planting the garden.

Last night I started a new flutter for my RR. It's a butterfly in profile with beads, pattern by Rosemarie Peel. First, I had to convert the picot length to inches - it was given in millimeters (((GGGG))). I really need to make some picot gauges to fit those measurements now, but being in a hurry, I just drew a line and measured off with my fingers and thread when the long picots were called for. This really is a very simple butterfly.

I got to the part where you add the beads onto the picots..........and it was bedtime already. My crochet hook wouldn't fit in the bead. The beading needle did very fit nicely but I had to use a loop of thread through that and then the picot thread and it was too thick! I think now I could find a way with the two threads, but I decided to call it a night at that point.

I looked desperately for my size 16 hook this morning.........no where so I grabbed my container of metal hooks, hoping I had stuck it in there. I worked on it during lunch. I had another size 14 hook in the container that did go through some of the beads so I proceeded on. Spilled the beads TWICE! But I kept tatting on.............It's only chaining from picot to picot and the beads are added to the long picots. It took me longer to add the beads than it did to tat.

It's DONE! Cutie too, but now, the pink variegated thread looks more lavender than pink - especially with the multicolored pink beads - which I thought would add zing to the thread! LOL! The flutter is much smaller than the photo suggested (see the book Migrating Butterflies for a photo) so I will need to make a flock of flutters for the next recipient!


I was searching for something else in my pattern books last night, which I never found, and came across so many other tatted projects I want to do. I found the knitted lace hood pattern I want to make and since I have the needles now and had the thread/yarn for some time, I could be working on that before it gets too hot. How many tenses did I just use in that sentence???? Ha! It says what I want it to say so I'm stickin' to it!

I was going to use a really bright pink thread on that butterfly and then I decided it was too dark for the beads. I think I'll try it now and see if it works better than the pale pink variegated. I would like a little bigger black thread too. The size 50 altin basak is smaller than the other size 50 AB that I have.

sigh...........other issues waiting on me..............

Aren't these just the sweetest?

I got them from here but the site is whacky - won't let me click on links because it moves them around.

I changed my settings to only show 10 posts........I noticed it was taking some time to load, even with the fast server I have at work. You can always go to the archives to see what was in the past!

Here's the beautiful butterfly I got from Gail!


And here is my finished fan:

Sigh..................
Busy weekend.

Lace Day went well - I took photos and will have them developed soon. I was too lazy to go into town today. I have a gorgeous butterfly from Gail - I'll post it tomorrow. And a new earring pattern from Carol A. - I'll post those as soon as I make 'em. Spent lots of money! Got 3 shuttles, 4 counting my commemorative shuttle, a picot gauge, 8 new balls of thread, some 0000 knitting needles, and 2 new tatting books. It's amazing how that all adds up!

I was a little disappointed that only Chris from our group had another fan, a bobbin lace fan, still on the pillow. Oh well.......I could have fair entries done already! I don't think I'll enter the fans in tatting though - perhaps make up a display that could be used for home decor instead.

When I got home Saturday, I had an ebay win in the mail. I'd bid on an antique pincushion - a porcelain woman with the pincushion skirt. The doll part is in good shape, but the cloth leaves a lot to be desired - which is good - I wanted to recreate the skirt part and now I won't feel guilty about taking off a perfectly good one! There was also a crocheted heart pincushion - obviously ancient - and it looked like the thread at the top had been cut or come loose, but now that I look at it, I don't think so. Oh, wait, yes - I was pulling the wrong thread. I hadn't really wanted it, but since I've got it, I may try to repair it. I've made one similar to this, but it had scallops on the outside edge and this is just a chain. Very plain.

I won the shuttle bid too, that I mentioned in a recent entry. I have to send payment for this one so it will take a little longer to get. I think the sewing machine part is a shuttle mechanism too - but not anything I can use. Both these auctions included pins and buttons and snaps - stuff I don't need and already have to get rid of myself.

I'm anxious to have time to organize my stuff now. Tatting spread throughout the house and I don't know where half of it is.

I've got several thank-you bookmarks to make. But I still have 2 RR flutters and a birthday RR to finish. Rework the Dorcas bonnet and maybe get back to the elephant. I also have some book reviews to finish...........

And it's almost mushroom hunting season!

I should check in my needlework kits to see if there is something my DIL would like to try while she is laid up. Maybe she would like to try some crochet? It's fairly easy. She doesn't have a lot of patience so I think tatting is out for the moment. I picked up a RX at the pharmacy last night before I went over - she's having nausea from the painkiller again. She could use a distraction, I think.

Well, what shall I tat first????? Use new threads????? I got some BRIGHT colors. BRILLIANT hues. CHEERY!

I saw on Compulsively Crafty that she had painted a bathroom in shocking pink! I rather like it, you know? Debating on the bathroom here.............I like those bright colors. My bedroom is purple and it is my favorite room at the moment. The bathroom is a deep blue - and yes it looks good. Dark colors are not bad - it's balanced with plenty of white so it's not overpowering. I'm kinda drawn to that pink though. Don't think my son would like it - (GGG) I'll wait til he moves out.

Hot diggity! Somehow I finished the fan last night. I went to my daughter's right after work to babysit. They were going to a Dave Matthews concert. I thought I brought everything I needed with me................NOT! We ended up making a run home so I could get my beads and another floss card of thread that I thought I had picked up and didn't. I had to separate a skein of floss - which is time consuming, but rayon is slick so it really isn't too bad. Then I had to wind it on a shuttle, attach a new thread..............oh, I had some ends to hide on the last few blossoms too and even after my trip home, I didn't have a very good hook for that. I use my size 14 hook most of the time and the one on my neck is a size 14, but the hook is shaped differently and it just doesn't slip under the ds waistband like my other one does. Plus it was quite warm yesterday and the chair I was sitting in felt hot. I was sweating. My granddaughter was sweating. When the kids got home, they agreed those particular chairs are hot in warm in weather. They hold the heat in - which is great in the winter.

It was so late last night that I didn't have time to block the fan - I'll do it tonight - along with getting Bailey's birthday present and other last minute chores. This has been a very busy week. Amiee got home from the hospital yesterday so I didn't have Bailey to take to the babysitter this morning. Her mom will be there to help today.

I brought some variegated cotton floss with me last night and separated 2 strands of that out and made a little rose. I didn't have a suitable thread with me to do the remainder of the motif..........but I brought it with me today and might give it a go during lunch. This particular floss is DMC and they have a larger size - size 8 I think - that matches. I would like to do a little more Hardanger when time permits. Also want to work with some of the needle laces. I got an Anna this week. I usually just order the May issue for the tatting feature, but I decided to go ahead and try 6 months of it since I like other needlecrafts too. They had a white table runner this time with needlelace insertion. Not the prettiest I've seen, but it reminded me that I wanted to try it. There was also one photo on the back previewing the next issue - well, more than one photo, but one of tatting - it looks like a light green coaster. Quite a bit of solid in the middle and the usual clover variation around. I'm not sure how it's so solid unless it is all chain work - it was too small to really see.

Got word that Gail, from my Roundrobins, is coming to Lace Day! I love putting faces with names. I kinda thought Wilma from Cincy was coming - I've met her a few times, but I don't remember the others who came last time. They may have been bobbin lacers too.

It's amazing how many canvas tatting bags I've accumulated in the past year. I have one from Heirloom Corner, one from last year's Lace Day by Circle City people, and one made for me in the Xmas exchange. They are all about the same size, fairly small, but perfect for a single project. Then I bought this big canvas tote from Annette's site, Making it up as I go, with a butterfly mandala. It's much bigger so I've got stuff in it today, as well as one of the smaller bags that already had tatting stuff in it. No wonder I can't keep track of anything! LOL!

I also learned I've got a surprise coming to me in the mail. (((gggggg))) Can't wait!

Yesterday I emailed an ebay seller to ask for a closer look at a shuttle. His name is the same as my son-in-law which is also the name of a famous male diet guru. ((((gggg)))). The shuttle is supposedly a Boye, but it didn't look like it in the original photo and even in the bigger one, it didn't look like the typical boye metal one. So I bid - we'll see if I win if it is anything special. I still couldn't tell from the photo. And he included a scan of another part, which I believe is a sewing machine part. I'm not sure why he grouped them together.

Ah, other obligations call......

I've been enjoying this site off and on: Compulsively Crafty
I'm gonna have to figure out how to put links in the sidebar!

Here's the fan in progress! Not blocked - some of the petals on the blossoms were folded while scanning. It will look so pretty when it's done tho. Only 2 blossoms left to do. I was so tired last night that my eyelids were barely staying open. So I went to bed about 1/2 hour hearly. I didn't even hear my grandson arrive this morning. I want to go over and help get their house cleaned up tonight so A. can come home to a comfortable home tomorrow and not feel like she needs to get up and do something.

Oh, here is the other big fan that will be on display Saturday. And I'll have the little hairpin lace fans and hopefully a couple of split ring fans.


I don't think I have enough thread on my shuttle for 2 more blossoms - that means I'll have to separate another skein - aaaacck! If I hadn't screwed up the very first one, there would've been enough. 8 yards per skein, and I separated the 6 strands into 2 strands per floss holder and tat with the 2 strands. I get 4 blossoms out of every floss holder card - which comes out to 2 yards per blossom! And about 1/2 hour per blossom. If I weren't so tired and didn't stop to either get up and take care of something else or end up retro-tatting, I think it could be done in 20 minutes easy.

(((GG))) My grandson informed me this morning that if I hadn't gotten his birthday present yet and if I had $30, I could get him the Yugiho (sp?) deck from K-Mart. If he said it once, he said it 10 times within a half hour. Then he can beat Kyle at the game. (gggg!) His birthday is Saturday and he will be seven.

Bought one prize for the tat-off last night.

The sun is shining and it's expected to be very nice again! I still have leaves to rake - but I guess they will wait.

I was thinking last night what I want to look for from the vendors on Saturday. There is a beautiful set of picot gauges that the Lacemaker has - I wanted them so bad last time. I really don't need any thread, but I can't seem to resist bright new fresh colors - or a new variegated. There are a few brands that might be available there that I can't normally get. And books - I don't really need any more books- I have sooo many now.........but there is always that ONE new pattern of something! I don't need any more reference books, that's for sure.

This will be such a short weekend. Lace Day & Bailey's birthday all on Saturday and Sunday will be my chore day then.

Big projects take so long.....and this fan isn't really a BIG project. It's big compared to a little motif though.

If I start right now......I still won't finish. LOL! But I will be close!

Everyone wants to know where to find this:Heirloom Handkerchief Handout Even a beginning tatter can turn a simple edging into an heirloom. Somewhere, I have the old white handkerchiefs my dad used to carry. I should dye them in soft pinks and blues and tat an edging on them, making the baby bonnet, as a true heirloom in more than one way.

Four more blossoms to go!

I finished the update for our informational flyer for Lace Day & sent them to B. to put in the final format.

Still need to figure out exactly how many categories to be judged for the tat-off.

My DIL got through the back surgery this morning great! Saw her at noon. Hope it continues.

Stayed after work to finish up some injury statistics for a safety committee tomorrow. That really ate into my evening. I might only get 2 more blossoms done tonight. My grandson will be here at 5:30 a.m. the next 3 mornings, so I should try to get to bed earlier. HA!

I'm hoping to have enough time to tat a little something to put in one of those frames for a prize for the tat-off ....or to put in the raffle. A fan, ideally.

.....off to tat.........

Bummer...........turned out I left the shuttle, thread and beads at work! No matter, I simply started attaching the blossoms that were done to the rest of the fan. Got 3 attached.

When I returned home from my grandson's birthday party at the skating rink, the mail had arrived and I had a flutter from Ginny in my roundrobin and a package from an ebay win. The flutter was lovely, as they all are, and I expect it will show up on the roundrobin page referred to in ealier posts. The ebay package consisted of an automatic needle threader, a thimble, a little pair of scissors, a screwdriver, and a part to a Singer sewing machine. None of which I'll use, except maybe the screwdriver. There was also shuttle in there - and that was what I wanted. It is flat on one side and curved on the other, which wasn't obvious in the online photo. A brass rivet in the center - and the two pieces turn. It's completely filled with thread, looks like a nice 6 cord around size 30 or smaller, but not as small as 70/80. It's a creamy mottled sort of color, different from any I have. Glad I bid on it. It didn't go for all that much, but coming from Australia, the postage was high.



I finished attaching the last 2 yellow blossoms to the fan last evening and made one lavendar one. The bead I want to use was too small for the crochet hook so I used a different one to test. Now I've got one of the bigger ones, prestrung, and will give it a go here shortly.

I have 2 blossoms left to attach. I've taken a break because my eyes kept slamming shut, even though it is early. Well, relatively speaking, for a Friday night....it's early. I do want to finish the last two. Then tomorrow I can start on the last 12 blossoms with the bead. The viney part that attaches the blossoms to the handle is going quickly and the next row will go even faster, because it will be alllllll green. This part is ivory where it attaches to the handle and then has the green leaves that attach to the blossoms. chains = ivory; rings = green leaves.

I did make an error at the beginning......very difficult to read the diagram, and it's the opposite side of where I am really. It's a little different at the beginning and the end and I missed the correct join - in 2 places. One was a miscount on the handle chain.....the other was the join to the blossom, but it will be okay. I can't fix it without redoing the whole thing, which I'm not doing. I always think I am being so careful and then I see the mistake way down the road. Most of time, I redo it, but it won't make a significant difference in this. The pale green looks really pale now! Maybe I should have gone with the stronger one but there are only 2 choices in rayon and the other is bright compared to the other colors I'm using. I wanted the green softer.

I have 3 different skeins of multicolored cotton floss that I drug out of my room sometime this week during a search for something else. I'm dying to make something from at least one of them! I pick them up everytime I sit down in that chair - touching and stroking them as if they will tell me their secrets and whisper what they want to be. And I have ideas!

I got the booklet today about the county fair and categories to enter in. It is July 19-26, always over my birthday and hotter than hades. I can enter 2 items under each category. There is tatting, of course, and then I could enter 2 somethings tatted in home decor (freestanding and hanging), handmade jewelry techniques. I could also do something in sewing, trimmed in tatting and there are 6 categories in sewing.. There is also wearable art. I could use tatting in any of the drawing/painting sections; dolls & bears; christmas decorations (hanging and freestanding); or enter my shuttles in the collection division. Or......I could enter a collection of tatted butterflies, or tatted hearts.......anything with a minimum of 3 items. But frankly, getting 2 for the tatting alone might be all I can do.

Two more blossoms!

All 12 blossoms for the 1st row are done! Well, I have to hide that final end.......but now I can tat those on. My youngest grandson is celebrating a birthday tomorrow, tho it's not really until the 5th, but his mom's having back surgery on Monday so they wanted to go ahead and do it while she is mobile. I'll be taking some time off after she is home to help out.

I rather like this concept of feminism: "To me feminism connotes a respect and admiration for women. Not above men, not instead of men(although believe me sister, I went to Oberlin and I been all through that stuff) but as the simply wonderful unique creatures we are."
Came from this page.
Okay, I'm finding some strange things on the web. ((g)) Funny - strange things. But it's those amusing and entertaining sites that keep me from getting too bogged down in seriousness.

Not a lot of tatty stuff to talk about today, although in a minute, I'm going to turn my attention to last minute details of our tat-off for lace day. Thank goodness I'm not going to be one of the tatters! I decided last time that it wasn't for me. I tried to tat too fast and my arm ached for 2 weeks. Forget that stuff..............more fun to watch and be judgemental! :-)

Looking through some files on my computer........ here's my baby.........
playing with the videocam. It doesn't work right anymore and I forget what he was doing at the time....there was a specific reason he was hamming it up. 21 years old now, 3rd year college boy. His older brother's photo is home.........maybe I'll add it tomorrow. I don't have any really small ones of my oldest son and my daughter.......eventually, I'll have them.

Yesterday, I literally had my tatting in my pocket. For the connection to that sentence, see here to find the poem, Tatting in My Pocket. It's generally not convenient for me to carry tatting with me that isn't in a container. I need my crochet hook, even though my clover has a pick, I prefer the crochet hook for the smaller threads; I need my scissors; I need my reading glasses.............I just like to have it all with me and it isn't feasible to carry that around with me on campus. Yesterday, however, I had my little shuttle in my pocket and it was loaded with the yellow rayon floss I'm using on the blossoms. The blossoms are simply rings so I didn't need a ball thread or 2nd shuttle. There were 2 occasions yesterday when I found myself waiting on someone - in fact, neither person showed up...........and I tatted blissfully away. I made one more blossom last night at home, but I was so tired I went to bed early.

I just realized this morning that I'm covering for 2 other people this week...........I only thought it would be one..... and it's not that they left me much to do, but it's that being "on call" that wears me out. Remembering the pager (I don't even remember to carry my own) and answering questions I don't typically answer. Every day. I'll be glad when everyone is back.

I was looking at the info for the IOLI convention yesterday too. I think I'll plan my vacation around it as there are several people I want to see on the east coast and this would be a good opportunity. I'll probably only go on vendor day for the convention. The classes are far too expensive for me. If that was the cost for the whole week and you could go to break outs, I would consider it, but there is nothing being offered that I am overly interested in. Especially not to the tune of $220. But then, I'm a self-teacher from forever back - and while I do see the value in learning from someone else, I know I can do it myself. It's usually the finer points of a craft that I want to learn from another. I like bobbin lace, but I don't really have the time to devote to it. There isn't a whole lot more about tatting I could learn........what I do now is practice and refine techniques I already know..........experiment.............try something new once in awhile. I'm more interested in new patterns, threads and tools than technique.........and how to use all of them in new applications. So I like to go to see what is out there - for the entertainment of it. But as far as instruction.........not enough draw for me.

There are also other crafts I want to pick back up on. Painting is as much of a passion for me as tatting, but it takes up space and time so I've put it aside ................. and I really miss it. I can take the tatting anywhere. Painting must be done at home. I also have a quilt to finish and another to start and I want to get those done. I've decided to not hold any offices with my lace group next term. It's taking up time I'm less willing to give now.

Hmmmm, reading the material about the convention, it looks like I can hit the sales room anytime after Tuesday which would be wonderful in allowing me more flexibility in my visiting. I see Karey S. is an instructor and while I like the idea of the camisole top, it is still too expensive for what I feel I would take away from it. Lots of wire stuff going on. I like wire wrapped jewelry, but I've not been particularly attracted to tatted, knit, crochet or bobbin lace wire items. An interesting diversion, but not something I would stay with. I see it more as artistic expression than anything.

My daughter's elephant is on hold for the time being. Hopie said I had to name it.........so, planned elephant is now dubbed Penelope!

Wow, this month is nearly over! I need to get the April birthday RR underway too. This will be the last one........what shall I make?

Don't know where I would wear it but it's gorgeous!

My hummingbird shuttle arrived yesterday already! Very pretty - don't know if I will actually try to use it or not. LOL!

I found my striped bag last night but no shuttle in it. It's from The Wooded Hamlet........I can never remember the name of the place but I found a website yesterday and recognized the name. I remember they had a striped shuttle I really wanted but there was a flaw in it and no others to pick from like it.

I got 2 more blossoms done last night. So little done! I brought it with me today though as I have a few hours to kill between 5 & 7 this evening. It probably wouldn't take so long but I finish the ends on each before I start another. I did learn a little trick from Kendra at our last lace meeting. When you start a ring, you can hide the end at that time.......she was demonstrated adding a new thread with the start of a ring without a knot, but I realized I could use the same technique for starting a ring based motif. I've always hidden the ends later. This is really nice for this motif, because it starts as a ring and then has the rings around it, so you end up with the one thread at the end to hide. The leafy vine atttaches to each blossom and to the fan handle so they are all joined at once, after the blossoms are done. I think. No directions to tell me otherwise and the letters A, B, C, etc. don't make logical sequence. They are not referred to in the directions either or I would make it a point to translate that part. If I want to use the bead in the blossoms, I'm going to have to change how it is made, but only slightly. Add an extra picot and add the bead as shown in Rosemarie Peel's book about adding beads. In that case the picot is pulled down but I think I can make a picot on the down side to begin with. We'll see.

bobbin lace creations I figure anything you can do with bobbin lace, you can probably do with tatting. I'm filing this idea away for a future project!

And here at Jewel Palace there are tatted motifs. Click on tatting at the top and then there is another link (the purple tatted thingie) to the motifs..........it says they are of wool. I'm not sure how these would be used.....coasters? Doesn't say how to order or the prices, but it does tell how each item is made - other things besides tatting.

And here are some fun limericks with illustrations! Oh, there is some tatting there too.......nice earrings.

Oh! And look at this Pretty!

Looks like another male tatter. Frank doesn't give much info about it though. I didn't even see a place to contact him at.

Here is the Rocking Horse from Kate's Kritters tatted in size 12 perle Valdani color Jewels. The thread tatted nicely. The colors didn't quite stand out the way I expected. I think the muted/bright variegated doesn't work so well on this motif. It's pretty easy........I had to keep referring to the drawing. I would love to see this book updated. It was created in the 80's with line drawn diagrams and not particularly easy to follow directions. No mistakes in the directions, but I do have trouble reading them. I got the rhythm of it after awhile. It takes a bit to get into a particular designer's way of expression.

I'm still working on the rayon floss fan. The handle is done, the floss separated for the blossoms and I got one blossom done last night. Actually, I got 2 done, but one is not quite right. Since the directions are in Spanish, and even from what I've translated, not too detailed, I've been relying on the diagram. I don't think this is the prettiest way to make a blossom, but I'll go ahead with it rather than try to redo it another way........since I'm getting into a time crunch now. It will still be pretty.

The tatted fan on this site is very much like the handle of the fan I am now tatting, except mine has 12 spokes and the ring at the bottom is a little different. Now imagine 2 rows of posies at the top of that with leaves interspersed.

Want to practice your split rings?? Just found this split ring dragonfly pattern! Cute! I now have THREE dragonfly patterns!

Yes! I just found another tatting blog! Keisha's!

Bummer! Just realized this is the week I told someone I'd fill in for them at an evening meeting..........plus I'm carrying the boss's pager. County schools have spring break this week and just as many people gone as last week when the university had spring break.

Time has been at a premium lately and every time I sit at my chair to tat, I realize I've got my tatting stuff strung all over the house and I don't even know exactly where. It's beginning to bother me, especially when I'm trying to track down this bead, that thread, and whatever happened to the shuttle I bought at the Feast? I don't know where it's at. It should be in a striped bag, but I thought I emptied that out.

I'm getting a hummingbird shuttle.......on it's way today! Plus one I won in an auction and a set I ordered from The Shuttleshop . And I have a commemorative shuttle coming from our Lace Day.

I won a shuttle a while back that says "lydia pinkham" on it. This one has the pick so maybe it is the real mccoy. It also had a little metal tube with sewing thread in it.........also stamped in the metal "Lydia Pinkham Vegetable Compound." What is on the shuttle is not easy to see - quite worn. I've suddenly acquired several shuttles in a very short time. I really don't want any more unless they are exceptional in some way to me. I have 5 blanks to paint myself.........if I ever get to paint again. I don't even need any more of my clover colored utility shuttles.............just need to empty what I have!

Spring Cleaning is hanging over my head, big time! Well, work is calling me too.

Thumb Pianos - Lucinda Ellison Musical Instruments
I followed this from a gourd link - wow.............and I was just gonna paint them.

LOL! My boss just planted this song in my head by bringing it up. To the tune of chopsticks:
Nobody likes me
Everybody hates me
I'll go eat some worms!
Big ones, fat ones
Little tiny scrawny ones
Oh how they do squirm!

My aunt sang it to me in my childhood whenever I was complaining..........it's hard to be in a grouchy mood and sing this at the same time!

Here's that bookmark I made for my sister.


Nell has a new item on her webpage. Pretty snowflake sachet!

Here is where this shuttle is made - and I want a hummingbird when it is available!

Tatting and chocolate go hand in hand. For me, it's also tatting and licorice. I love black licorice. I don't permit myself to buy it very often because I will eat the whole bag. Easily done too, since no one else likes it!

I ran/drove to Walmart during my lunch hour to buy a box of Puffs Plus to comfort my often running nose. My smelling sense is still lame but I'm getting it back. Also bought some Werther's Originals and Riesens for the candy jar sitting by my computer which is right next to my office door, within reach of passersby. :-) When I sat out front, candy didn't last a day.......but now that I'm inside somewhere, they have to stop and talk to me. Not really, but I think they think so. I also bought a bag of black licorice sticks. Already had two and tucked them away in a drawer. Not because I don't want to share - I know no one here likes it - but if I don't hide it, I'll be eating it alllllllll day!

I worked a little on the fan last night. I don't know why it's so late when I finally get to tatting. I hope to get the handle done by the weekend and then do the florets at the weekend. Then I might still have time to do some more miniature fans before Lace Day. None are on fansticks though. :-( I have one tiny fanstick somewhere - that I bought in Ireland from Ann Keller. I believe I have a pattern for that size too. I may have to go check her - AAACCCCKKKKK - it's not showing up! I even tried a search. The last time I visited, it had changed somewhat but was still at the same url. booooo...

This licorice is soooo fresh! Soft & supple and easy to chew. I still can't taste real well though.

Tatting..........where was I? Oh, fansticks. I've been buying fans as I see them that are cheeeeeep with the idea of experimenting. I bought some at The Feast of the Hunter's Moon last October. LOL! I found this one site that looked to have good photos and little movies - but it won't work on my computer. Shucks, I wanted to see the naked man. One of the braves last autumn was damn close to naked. I wondered if it was the same fellow. I'm not in any of these photos, btw. I borrowed clothes from another lacer to appear in period costume. Guess I better get busy making my own. I bought a lovely shuttle while there and I can't remember where it is now.

back to fansticks.............at the Feast, I also bought a couple of fans for the fansticks - laser cut wood. My intentions are bigger than my time pool.

I now have 5 spokes done and I can see in this light where the floss color is slightly different when it is on white. It's very antiquey looking, so maybe that will save me? Plus I will have it on a background that is not white. They looked the same at home and when I have it laying on a manilla folder, they all look the same. Just have to stay away from that stark white background.

sigh.............believe it or not, I do have interests other than tatting. I've been wanting to paint for ages and ages now. I have wire to play with and stones. I sew now and then. And Spring makes me anxious to plant garden.

There are so many pretty flutters coming to the Butterfly 4 roundrobin. Several of my RR partners are including scans of what they are sending out. Talent, inspiration, and generosity abound!

Penguin buddies! I just love this!

Finally! Here we are - the RED butterfly.

Looking at it here, it looks like those are chains around the initial ring in the upper wing, but it isn't. It's another ring. They aren't meant to be close enough in size to be like onion rings like this one in Hope's site. But I didn't like the way they flopped as I was tatting, so I joined them the same way you do onion rings. Almost like a giant dimpled ring (((smile))).

Didn't get to work on the fan last night. After raking leaves and walking the treadmill, I dashed back and forth from kitchen to computer as I followed the online tatting class. It was late anyway. Then, the first skein of floss didn't go too far on that fan handle, so I had to buy more and I separated that last night. Floss takes so long. :-( And I'm sure I'll have to separate another one before I'm done. I've got 3 out of 12 spokes done so far. I did have more floss from that skein, but because I tangled it and got frustrated, I cut it....and I'd like to avoid hiding any ends as much as possible.

When I got the extra floss, I also found some lavender crystal beads that I'm strongly considering for the flowers - as a center - if I can figure out how because they are daisy florals if I remember right. Not with me at the moment.

I received my flutter from Martha last night and I've dubbed it the Million Picot Butterfly! It should be here eventually. She adapted a motif from a camisole for it. I just love seeing everyone else's way of doing things.

I'll be glad when Lace Day is done so I can get back to tatting regular stuff, although I've been wanting to do these fans and never had a reason before. I still have those "thank you" bookmarks to do and my daughter's elephant. I haven't told her about it yet..............so of course, I haven't given her this link. My daughter-in-law is having back surgery next week so I'll be taking some time off when she returns home to help out there. They only live about 10 minutes away. Maybe I'll put a spare tatting bag in the car so I don't have to try to remember to pick something up before I leave the house. I do have one edging in my purse I would like to finish. It's a little forget-me-not edging and it will go on a pillowslip. I already have one done - the edging - not the embroidery on the pillowslip. Another UFO! I also HAVE to get to work on J's quilt!

It's lovely out again. I may try to dispose of more leaves tonight, depending on how windy it is. I have so much to do this weekend! Figure out my state tax form, my daughter is frosting my hair, visiting my grandson, organizing the tat-off and the LL flyer for Lace day, ....................why am I suddenly pooped? Oh yeah, I wanted to change the display window at work and that will involve some sewing, among other things.

Lace - the invention of a goddess and the occupation of a queen -Vinciolo

Well, that says it all, huh? I grabbed that little quote from the Lacefairy site I mentioned yesterday. It just fit so perfectly - I am a goddess and my name means queen!

I changed my mind about the fan I'm making. Decided to do one out of Realce #426 which I bought through Georgia. I am so excited that she is moving so close! Teri's fan has too many daisies. I'll be sick of daisy doos long before I am done with it. Plus, looking through the pages of instructions and diagrams, I felt it was confusing. I can figure it out, but it shouldn't be that hard. So I opted for one with half as many daisies and instructions in another language.................but I can follow the diagram nicely, thank you. I've already started the handle part. Bummer, just remembered I wanted to use the Michael's 40% off coupon for a fold-up display board to use for these fans at lace day. It expires today and I don't have a paper for next week's and the Exponent won't be printed during Spring Break so it will be another week before I get it.

Back to the fan. I'm using the rayon floss because it was so much prettier than the silk floss I had. Skipped the beads for now, but I might put them on the blossoms. The handle part is off white and the blossoms willl be lavender and yellow, in keeping with the color scheme of the others.

At the moment, I reek of wintergreen scented liniment, which I applied liberally after my shower to soothe muscles after 2 days of leaf raking. Did you know that when you apply liniment to wide open pores, that you feel on FIRE? Well, now you do. I drank a beer to put the fire out. Not just any beer - Tequiza! - with blue agave nectar and the natural flavor of lime. Not bad. One was enough though.

So now I'm in for an evening of quiet and tatting. Oops, one more little tidbit! How to make bedroom slippers out of maxi pads! No kidding! Includes a link to a photo! ROTFL!

I finished the butterfly between loads of laundry and listened to an abe tape at the same time! I kept thinking something looked awfully familiar about this pattern and finally, I recalled the Handy Hands butterfly stamp I have...........GOOD GOLLY MISS MOLLY! Yep, from the same original pattern. They revised it for the stamp........I revised it differently.

For some reason, uploading images from my home pc doesn't work. It'll be Monday before you can see. :-(
But here is the one Beverlee made for Amy in the same Butterfly robin: It's from the same pattern, but a little different from mine.

Beautiful day out so I'm going to be cleaning inside and out both!

I thought I'd have the RED butterfly done, but it was so late when I got to it last night that I only got the one side finished. Ready to do the other side. It's just the chain edging though. sigh........then I will start on a fan pattern by Teri Dusenbury......which I won't post here.

Bina is guest teacher at the Online Tatting class. I keep forgetting to go there. The lesson is using an angel motif. Have to admit I'm a little tired of angels. I do like winged creatures for tatting because you can tat the loveliest wings, but I think I was bombarded with too many angel images too long. I have those gorgeous ceremic child angels on my Christmas tree every year - so many that I can't put anything else on there! I had Bessie Pease Gutmann's sleeping angel on my checks for 3 years til the bank changed it's coding and I changed banks. And there are some paintings I absolutely adore, but I'm tired of tatting angels. I was wondering this morning if fairies could be tatted with enough flair? Their little bodies are so slender and delicate though.........it's hard to convey, but I may give it a go sometime. Anyone else interested in tatted fairies???? Now, if you are interested in lace fairies, go here to the Lacefairy. Click on "lacemaking" on the left and it will take you to a needlelace fairy. And then on that page, you can enlarge the one shown or you can scroll down to the gallery and click on lace fairies which will take you to that one and a bobbin lace fairy.

If anyone has made a tatted fairy, I would love to see it! Email me or post a comment telling me where I can see it and everyone else can see it too! Hey, we might just come up with a new pattern book! LOL!

Well, I'm off to spit and polish!........errrr.....or at least straighten the clutter.

I got the photo on today! Now, the next step is to figure out how to do thumbnails that you can click on to see more detail. I try to keep the pictures fairly small on here but you can't see the detail very well that way.

I started a red (RED!) butterfly last night from an old old pattern. Good thing I took Kendra's advice and traced it through beforehand. The directions completely forgot a ring. I ended up improvising and changing it a bit for ease in tatting and stability. There were 2 concentric (?) or nested rings, but the 2nd was considerably larger than the first and the directions did not attach them to each other. I didn't like the way they flopped when I did it that way so I ...........did it over! I'm also using a blending thread - a Sulky, sliver (not silver) metallic 145-8020....which is multicolored and tinsely looking, with numerous colors. I was afraid it would stretch, but that hasn't been an issue yet. I try to remember to tat a bit looser so that I won't be pulling so tightly, but the ring is so large, that I ended up tugging on it more than usual anyway. LOL! One side and bottom done and will do the other tonight and the outer chainwork. It's looking pretty ..............and different from the one in the picture which was originally part of a handkerchief corner and in size 70. This is in size 20 Aida. I love the rich red of this ball. The pattern is from House of White Birches Tatting #6 - Forty Original Designs, very last page. The #17 edging would look nice on the hairpin lace fan too. Maybe later....I have other fans I want to do in the meantime.

Omigosh! I just figured out who that guy was in the DVD I watched last night - Men with Brooms..........Paul Gross - oh, what was that show - a transplanted Canadian mountie in NYC? LOVE HIM!! LOL! I kept looking at him last night and wondering where I had seen him before - kept thinking of some super hero of some kind. Well, he was super..........his dead father would appear to him and tell him how to solve a case, and he had that pet wolf...............hooowwwllllll!

ahem...........back to tatting.........

okay.......I had to look it up.........Due South was the series. He's Canadian. His humor came across much better in Due South, but Men in Brooms is funny overall. My favorite re-runs, that aren't showing now are Due South and .......sheesh........blank mind........Northern Exposure....The Alaska show. I swear it was based on Tom Bodett's writing about Alaska.

Once again, I'm having trouble getting the scan to show up. I'll try again tomorrow. :-)

(GGG) Okay, when they are here...... The yellow one was the 1st and same as the one in Georgia's online class - forget now who did it. ahhhh.....Eliz' ??? For some reason, hers looked bigger - maybe cause it has a very short tassel. You can see it here.

2nd one is the purple and yellow - used clovers to attach to the loops.
3rd is all purple (really lavender) and I reversed the clovers and chains and used beads, So far, everything is in size 30 cebelia.

4th one - size 20 here......used a single ring for attaching and the single row of chains looked kinda plain after the clovers on the others, so I added a second row of chains - also have yellow blending filament, which is so sparkly - really doesn't show that much on the scan.

These are the quickie directions -

Make a length of hairpin lace with the specified number of loops on each side. If you need help learning hairpin lace...go here.
Before I took the loops off the loom, I encased each side in a large safety pin - helps keep them from getting tangled and lost in each other. I also hid my ends so I wouldn't have to do that later.

21 is a good number of loops. I used 25 on the ones with clovers, experimenting - just attached 2 loops on each outside edge - think 3 looks better - so the number of loops does need to be in multiples - keeping in mind the more there are, the wider the spread. Both fans with clovers ended up with 9 places to attach and I don't think you would want it any wider than that - almost a complete semi-circle. So for 9 attachments in multiples of 3, you would need 27 loops. If you wanted to use 4 loops with each attachment, it would be 36 loops - it's your call - whatever you want to try.

clovers were:
R 3 p sep by 3 ds, 3ds;
R 3ds, j to prev r, 5 ds, j to 3 loops, 5 ds, p, 3 ds;
R 3 ds, j to prev r, 3 ds, 2 p sep by 3 ds
chains with the clovers were 2 ds, 5 p sep by 2 ds, 2 ds

When chains were attaching to the loops, I used ch 3, p, ch 5, attach to 3 loops, ch 5, p, ch 3
Clovers were same as before except you aren't joining to the loops with the big ring

The ring and double chain: Rings were 2 ds, p, 2ds, p, 2 ds, j to loops, 2 ds, p, 2 ds, p, 2 ds
1st row of chains were 5 p sep by 2 ds
2nd row was 9 p sep by 2 ds, j at base of ring below

This is fun playing! Once the blank is made - the toppings are endless and not very time consuming. Clovers and chains were done in one pass and there are numerous variations on that. You could add several rows if you want to get more complex. Use your favorite edging. Add beads, blending filament, charms..........the time invested is small compared to most tatting projects, so go for it! There was one I started and didn't like the way it was going.....snip, snip.....off came the offending rings and I still had the blank for another go at it. Play with color combinations. Use up small bits of thread - too much for butterflys but too little for a bookmark. Make up your blanks ahead and then add toppings when you're bored with a big project - save them for card stuffers, little gifts, momentos.......

I put a tassel on all of mine. Most I slipped through the loops. On the all-lavender one, I made a short chain in set stitch (3 of the first half of ds, 3 of 2nd half of ds, repeat for length) and threaded it through the loops, joining and then leaving the ends long enough to match the other threads I looped through that for the tassel. A ribbon would work just as well.

I got my new threads today. Gorgeous colors but it isn't the size 12 perle I'm used to seeing. Looks more like size 20 and coarser than I expected. But I got a complimentary ball with my order! :-) Very fast. Hmmmm, holding it against the size 20 and the size 30 I just tatted with, it's in between. Larger than 30 but smaller than 20. This could be interesting. I'm thinking I might just try this on a rocking horse pattern from Kate's Kritters that I'm reviewing. It's an older publication, but our group doesn't have a review on it yet. This color Jewels will look nice in that. I'll show ya later. :-)

Pretty shuttles! LOL! I don't even pay this much on ebay........I'd like to see it close up before I bought it, but I can drool in the meantime.

I was still struggling with images til this nifty fella from blogger fixed it! Here's the Paisley Heart I mentioned in an earlier post.


And the alligator!

LOLOLOL! I have a few other blogs that have nothing to do with tatting - and one I just finally got around to writing in. I picked a new template.........and it changes colors while you are reading it!!! KEWWWLLLLL! I'd do it here, but then I would lose all the added stuff it took me forever to figure out. Maybe I'll eventually link it from here, but don't hold your breath. I don't think it's typical tatter material.

Ziiiinnnnggg! That was my perk for this nasty subzero day that started out at 9º this morning. I don't even know what it is now - but it's still frigid. I'm gonna go treadmilling now and shower thoughts of love, peace and joy on the world. We're all in this together, you know.

Last night I finished hairpin lace fan 3 and started on number 4. This one has blending filament in it and yellow beads. But I'm going to cut off the tatting part and start over. I decided to try nested rings or onion rings, as they are sometimes called, and I didn't get the outer ring quite big enough. I also don't like those beads with that thread, so I may skip those and just have pretty picots instead. The thread is size 20 and seems big compared to the 30 I've been working with. Those nested rings look rather large and clunky too..........might just do something else.

I ordered some new thread over the weekend too from Sew Thankful. First time I've ordered from there. I may try some of the Valdani quilting thread later.

I've just made my life less hectic so maybe there will be more time for tatting, amongst other things. Now if I could just get over this cold.........drink water, drink water, drink water.

Ahhh, now that should be easier on the eyes!

Took my granddaughter to the mall today to shop for some clothes for her birthday. I hate clothes shopping. Absolutely hate it. 2 hours later and 2 pairs of jeans and one purse.....we sat and had some ice cream from the Dairy Queen inside the mall. Oh, she bounced on the bouncing thing too - whatever you call it.

I've not been very nostalgic the last few years, but sitting in the mall brought back a LOT of memories. I worked there off and on in 2nd jobs to have enough income. Ever since I got a good enough job to not need the 2nd income, I've avoided the mall if I could. Much has changed. Much is the same. I couldn't believe all the 70's style of clothes. I didn't like them back then and I sure don't like them any better now. Mostly because my body doesn't accommodate the style very well. You know, most of it wasn't very flattering. Granny dresses weren't too bad, but I didn't like to wear dresses that much. Katie's other gift was a see-through ruler with tatted flowers, butterflies and doves.

My daughter's birthday is tomorrow. No elephant. :-( In fact, I have nothing for her at the moment.

In a moment I am going to:
1) Wash the dishes and put some clothes away.
or
2) take a nap.

Kinda sluggish still from this cold. At my daughter's last night, Andy also had a cold and Jesse was at home with a cold (sons). None of us could taste anything. I think we are about at day 10 on this - time for it to end!

(((((SMILE))))))) I was experimenting with a hairpin lace fan that I had printed a picture of a long time ago from Georgia's online class about hairpin lace. Since Hope got me inspired to try it, it was a cinch to make the piece. There were no instructions, but I could guess from the photo. Very very simple - just a row of chains with picots along one side of the strip and a tassel through the loops on the other side. I'm working on a version now with clovers and chains for the fan top. Then I'll add beads, maybe a more intricate design, and a different handle/tail/tassle. This will fit right in with our theme of fans for my lace group's Lace Day in April.

hmmmm.......blending filaments too.......

later.........finding numerous fan patterns .........now if I could just find more time to tat them!

Fixed! Lost some comments along the way and found one I missed before.

Been surfing for free lace graphics. What I want is sadly lacking. Working on revamping the Lace Group's brochure and just wanted to see what was available. Even Mark's free graphics weren't where they used to be. He gave me permission to use one on some Xmas tags once, and he had them on etatters for anyone to use, but since I'm not there anymore, can't really check. Want more than just tatting though and since he also does bobbin lace, I thought he might have a few. Maybe we'll continue to use Carolyn's. I just wanted to inject some variety into it. His might be too cutesy for this group's tastes though.

Other than changing my text color and finding out how to add pictures, I think I'll quit messing with this for awhile. I'm not getting an inch of tatting done hardly! I don't like the bright pink motifs on the elephant blanket...........very strongly considering doing them again in a different color. They are pretty by themselves but I just don't like them next to the turquoise, especially after using the goldy yellow for the round before. Guess I could make a couple of different samples before I work the elephant around it - since I'm obviously not going to get it done in time.

Well........I tried to move the comment box - again....and screwed something up. At this point, I have all the code in and updated and published and it's not showing. So I don't think it is me - will have to wait and see what happens!

I've gotten some info back that says blogger is having a problem. Guess I'll wait til tomorrow for fixes.

Please, please, please do me a favor and leave a comment so I can see if the comment box works. It comes up differently for me since I put it there and I can't really test it properly. Thanks!

I noticed there are some new Butterfly patterns resulting from the Roundrobins! It's a pleasure to know so many talented and generous people. I only have 3 more flutters to make for my last roundrobin....and so many choices! And one more for the birthday roundrobin. I haven't signed up for any more. I'm a little discouraged by those who have been unable to continue. I'm also a little tired of the motifs I've been doing. I want to do a crinoline/sunbonnet girl exchange. Once I finish these roundrobins and a few other obligations, maybe I'll arrange an exchange.

I brought my elephant tatting with me today. I only got 1 ring and 1 chain done last night. Too busy trying to decipher a math lesson. I brought the math with me today too...........I'D RATHER TAT!!!! Unfortunately, I only have 2 arms and my eyes insist on both going in the same direction..........or I could do both at the same time. Sometimes I think there was a little flaw in the way we were made. Wouldn't it be nice to sprout extra arms and legs and eyes or other body parts as we needed them.......and then pack them away when we didn't? I'm getting visions of huge boulders of people who wouldn't know when to stop sprouting. Okay, the original plan was a good one.

mmmm......I'm really liking the idea of a pinafore/crinoline/sunbonnet girl exchange. And they are always potential angels.....I gotta figure out smilie graphics for here. :-)

Oh yeah...........got my shuttle from the Shuttlemaker last night. A bright blue leaning towards turquoise - wood. Very big! Not like a Tatsy though, not that long, but it will hold a ton of thread.........which might be good for that table topper I need to get back to. I need to see if I can do the tatting on that continuously by bridging from one motif to another or if it will still require a cut & tie when I complete a motif. It's that lovely rose doily in The Big Book of Tatting. Too big for a doily, IMO, and I'm not a doily person anyway, but I thought it would make a nice table topper for a small round table - or a pedestle thingie I'm considering for my office. Except the colors are wrong for my office. I think I originally intended that it would be a gift. I have the blossoms done, just doing the connecting tatting - a sort of filigree look to it. But back to the shuttle...........this one is wide where most aren't. I don't like to put so much thread on that it hangs out the sides. I think it's hard on the shuttle itself, causing the cheaper plastic ones to become sprung - and probably the other kinds too. I've never put that much thread on. I also think having it hanging out like that means you touch it more, rubbing body oil and grime into it even more than with regular handling. The palms of my hands sweat more than the fingers and that's what the thread would be constantly touching - my palms - as I manipulated the shuttle around.

Cool! Looking through this site that I linked to from Not Martha I found tulip socks I wasn't planning on knitting any socks.........but whoo - whee - make a nice gift for my granddaughter for next Christmas. And that's about how long it will take me!

Lots of new flutters in these roundrobins!
Butterfly 4
Butterfly 3
I see there are a few new patterns and more to come!

That reminds me - I won a shuttle on ebay - sent the payment out today. Lost 2 other bids although they were not shuttles. Sometimes that stuff goes for way more than what it's worth - at least to me. Frankly, I'm happy with what I have and only look at something really unusual. Rosita has those -but for way too much. I've decided I will go to the Isle of Barbados and find one on my own - have lotsa fun in the sun too, drink some Jamaican Rum.......make it worth my time!

Elephant tatting is going very very slowly, just like an elephant plodding through the jungle. Now I understand why Hopie howls with laughter when I say I will have it done on the 10th. I will probably still be working on it when I finally get around to visiting her. Maybe a new goal should be to have it done by county fair time????? I was going to borrow it back from my daughter to enter anyway. And that table topper I started last May....LAST MAY.......to enter in last year's fair. .........sigh.........

Oh wow! I love this butterfly mandala! Makin' it up as I go | Powered by CafePress.com I'm wondering how I can use this as a background for all the tatted butterflys from my roundrobins and exchanges. I could ask her if she could make a print without the other background stuff. Or.....I could just have the mandala framed as a companion to the one with with all the tatted butterflys. I think I have too many tattings to fit on the outside of this mandala anyway - but they might look good as 2 separate pieces. Maybe I'll just get the canvas bag to put my tatting in.

Got this bitchin' cold and I'm really tired right now. Oh, I already talked about that somewhere else.

I'm still working on the 3rd round of the blanket for the elephant. The turquoise thread fades onto my fingers where I hold the chain thread. I wasn't real crazy about the color combo at this point, but maybe it will be what I expected when I get more done. It's not bad, just maybe not in the best order - but I already changed my mind once! This thread is so shiny and with the beads, it is quite elegant looking so I haven't even considered adding a gold or silver blending thread so far. I did initially, but I'm not sure it will fit in now. I have some nice silver beads for the head dress of the elephant too - but they are so fat it will be a problem if I frame it under glass. Maybe if I tat one every year for my daughter's birthday, I will finally get one I really like - plus she will have a whole collection. LOL! How many framed elephants are tooooo many?

Sent off the heart to my Birthday RR partner for the month today. I really do like those little frames!

Well, head hurts and stomach a little queasy so I'm outa here.