I was reading Wanda's blog yesterday and had to chuckle at the little dish of shuttles she gathered while cleaning. I have collections like that every time I clean. OR, like last night, I was going through a few boxes looking for a transfer pencil that I know I saw just recently. In the process, I was finding a lot of thread, tatting thread and embroidery thread, so I was trying to put it all in one box. Then I moved on to another box and MERCY! This one had an odd assortment of shuttles of all kinds that I have evidently just tossed in there. Some were from a teaching trip. Some were from an event where I was demonstrating tatting and some ..... well, I'm just not sure how they ended up in there.

Here's the first layer - some old vintage ivory shuttles, a vintage bone shuttle (hidden) some contemporary brass shuttles, a Tatsy, and that wierd aqua colored one. Must be from the 50's.

This is the second layer: a couple of packages of Clovers, some Clovers in a plastic container, a red Aero-like shuttle, and there is a Bates Aero-like shuttle hidden.

So, sitting in my chair tonight, I couldn't help but notice all the shuttles around me. These are in the little tub to my side that is meant to hold all the shuttles and threads when I'm done so that I can take them back to my craft room in one happy swoop.

....yeah....right.....those are two different baggies of shuttles.

Also in this "tub" is my little black velvet bag that I often use to carry my tatting if I take it with me. I usually throw the project, my crochet hook and the print out of the pattern if I need it. I don't carry it around nearly as much as I used to, but if there's something I want to work on as much as possible, it comes with me. Otherwise I put my emptied shuttles in there.

And last but not least, this is this week's accumulation (so far) on the table next to me. At the weekend, I'll sort it all out and put a lot of it away, emptying shuttles along the way.

This is sort of off the path, but these are the scarves I'm knitting. The one is done and is for a little 3 year old girl. The green one is for my 4 year old great grandson. I don't have much more to knit on this one but I wish I'd added an extra "rib". I think I'm going to have to crochet around the outside to neaten up the edges. I was going to add a fringe but I think I'll pass on that. I still plan to knit them both another scarf before the frigid January cold and those will have hoods plus turned up ends that will serve as pockets and emergency mittens. You know how kids that age manage to lose what isn't attached!

One more thing I found in the box - the Clover Cutter I received in an exchange years ago! I bought another one because I couldn't find it. I also found two tatted ornaments that were gifts in prior years.

It seems like I am constantly emptying shuttles. Now I know why!

I tatted another of Anne's Christmas hearts. No errors this time but once I scanned it, I could see room for improvement. Not that I would bother - except for the T.A.T. course and I think that's why I'm paying attention. I probably won't get back to work on this last phase until after the holidays but it pays to notice where my weaknesses are NOW so I don't have to tat everything twice! I really do like this pattern for some reason. I think it's the way it comes down in the center but still leaves an interesting negative space.

Sigh.......

I just happened to glance up at the top shelf of my craft room bookshelf. And on that note, I bid you adieu, before I look anywhere else. My eyes are closed. I'm stumbling off to bed now. I don't think there are any shuttles in my bed.