I was tickled by a post on a new blog that I've put in my sidebar, Katiemacs Tatting, a new tatter. Unfortunately, she does not have comments enabled so Katie, if you are reading this by some chance, GOOD FOR YOU!!!

Katie finally found a way to learn to tat from the DVD by Janette Baker. It reminds me that when I was demonstrating tatting at the Feast last week, I heard that many times..."I tried and tried and couldn't learn". It was mostly from written text so I would go through the motions slowly and explain the "flip" and saw the lightbulb go on for a few people. BUT...seeing it in person is only as good as the memory. Will those people remember it by the time they get home? How many times did I take a class, feel like I had a concept down, only to be confused a few days later at home? I don't just mean in tatting either - anything. That's where the value is in DVD's, videotapes, and videos on YouTube. Great memory refreshers!

I haven't yet viewed the DVD so I can't attest to this particular one, but I've heard several people say they learned from it so it can't be too bad. Jane Eborall has mentioned a DVD created by the Ring of Tatters on her blog and I suspect it is equally good, so it comes down to postage costs for the buyer. I don't have any idea what the difference might be, but if you are a struggling wannabe tatter with few people resources, I would strongly encourage you to get one however you can. LEGALLY!!!

Someone recently emailed me and asked if I knew how this was tatted. I gave it a pretty good shot, thinking the flowers were done with chains, using graduated picots, turned to tat in a different direction for the top curve, and then tatted and joined down the other side. You can see some some other examples here.

Turns out it is actually Oya, a Turkish needlelace. You can see examples and an explanation here and here and here and here!

How's that for inspiration???? I have a photo album I titled "inspiration" and I keep all those inspiring photos I find in it. I have yet to do anything with them, but perhaps the design class will motivate. Whoa...inspiration and motivation is not the problem...it's TIME and ENERGY! LOL!

This weekend is devoted to domestic issues, getting ready for winter inside and out. I'll probably work on the beaded bag late. It's a very simple pattern and something easy, almost mindless to do when I want to relax. I'm only on the 3rd of 8 or 9 rows, so it will be awhile before I show any progress. My bottom corners appear different and I'm perplexed about it. I certainly don't want to start over at this point. Ah well....

Part of the design class involves test tatting other members' motifs from their written and diagrammed instructions. I haven't had time to do very much - I think I posted two earlier, here and a few days earlier on September 16th. I finally had some time to start with the software program to learn the diagramming but one evening was enough. Had to take a break so I tatted this motif by Lenore atTatt3r-Lace. Lenore does all kinds of laces and has some much-loved older designs online tatted repeatedly by many of us. This motif certainly does not do her justice. I meant to start the center in such a way that I could climb out with a split chain and not have to cut & tie, but confusion reigned after all that software drawing (sounds good to me!) and I started with the wrong chain, the picot one, so that meant I'd end up with a plain chain when I need the picot one to climb out. I was halfway around before I realized it. So you can see my hidden end. Blech! This was also size 70 thread as well as being varigated so I don't think it showed off the design as well either. I had no problem with the pattern though, and that was the point of the test-tat.

The poor blocking is also my fault. I'm currently dealing with my 2 cats in the computer/craft room. They've been out all summer and I'm trying to get them used to being inside with my son's 2 cats. I have to keep them in that room with their litter box and food unless I'm around and can put the food away and intervene if the hissing gets too extreme. My son's cats are on a special diet so they can't eat each other's food. Eventually I'll wean my cats to his cat's food but one thing at a time for now.

Oh...why did I mention the cats in relation to the blocking? Well...everything I do in that room is now being monitored and interupted by one cat or antoher jumping on me and my desk to get up higher on the computer desk. I have weird typos and struggle to scan and print. Generally, I just put them out of the room temporarily. The blocking is a hurried job, done in another room where I can't see as well and then left in the craft room to dry.

I switched to a different thread, size 50 by Altin Basak, for Krystals' motif. I had no trouble tatting this one either. I think this would make an especially pretty doily or mat by connecting several together. I didn't climb out of this one either. I have done it before, tatting the chains upward instead of downward, but my brain was really on overload by this time so I took the route I knew the best.

Oooohhh,just found a new blog, about Apron Memories, by/about EllynAnne Giesel. I never wear an apron and yet I love them to pieces and have a few that I keep hidden away. I love the embroidery on one and hope to recreate it some day. Listen to the interview with ABC on the blog and hear that Southern drawl! Here's another one!



I think I need to change something for the search engine. It does not find things! I know I have photos of an apron on here that I purchased in the past year with tatting on it. Ah, HERE it is!

Enjoy!

Tatting Tea Tuesday 10-13-09

I can't believe it is Tuesday already! I've had to stop and think several times today - what day is it?

Well...adding to the post about Ravelry.com yesterday, one thing that started this was that Jeff from Bridge City Tatting, sent me a link not long ago about a pattern on Ravelry for a crocheted tea set. Since going to Canada and then the sale at ZigZag Corner, I've been trying to keep my purse closed, but it did get me exploring the site again. I do like the freebies!

This pattern was done by about 5 people on Ravelry and the pattern source is Lionbrand. I so wanted to crochet this before today, in thread so it would be small, and with a tatted edging along the rim, but.....life is busy right now.

I'm continuing my magazine culling and brought up a stack to go through later this evening, noting one that has a complete tea set on the cover. LOL! I was pretty sure I had several patterns in stash somewhere.

Last weekend I was getting antsy to embroider. I still haven't but I dropped in on a yahoo hand embroidery group I belong to and found a reference to Kreations by Karon, where doll clothes are stitched, embroidered and embellished on quilt blocks. The designer, Brenda, made duplicates of all the adorable outfits she had made her grandchildren through the years and re-interpreted them into quilt blocks. I was so "gobsmacked" ( a term I hear from our folks across the pond) that I immediately emailed her and asked if I could use a photo or two for my TG blog post!

And yeah, she gave me permission! At first, I thought this sweet christening dress had tatting on it but she said no, "some have French lace edging and some have an embroidered Picot Bullion Edging, which looks similar to tatting."
There are so many to pick from - I don't know if I could! It would be extremely expensive to get a pattern for each one but I could pick my favorite (HA!) and frame the block or make it a pillow. She also sells kits that include the fabric.

So, here I am, drinking the iced tea I've been slurping all day, and daydreaming about adorable dresses on quilt blocks! Hope you enjoy looking at them too!

Tea Quote: Tea ~ the cups that cheer but not inebriate. William Cowper

Ravelry Freebies of Note

I've been too busy to actually work on my own projects very much but I have been able to surf now and then. If you don't already belong to Ravelry.com, you should check it out. Membership is free. It's for knitters and crocheters but you never know....maybe tatters will be added in the future. At any rate, it's a good way to keep up on trends, as well as get input on thread and yarns. There are free patterns and patterns for purchase.

I love looking in the galleries and seeing what everyone is making, how they've altered it from the original and what they've done to make it work for them. It's also a great way for you to track your own projects. I really would love to see a tatting section. We have so much fun visiting each other's tatting blogs and learning how different threads and techniques work differently in the same pattern. This would be a more precise way to track those projects.

In the meantime, here are some cute projects (and free) that I thought you might enjoy.

Spring Chickens by Jacqui Turner

Spring Chickens pattern here!

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Flower Scarf by Robyn Diliberto

Flower scarf pattern here!

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Apple Cozy by Theresa Grant

Adorable Apple Cozy pattern here!

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The beer sweater by Melissa Martensen

The Beer Sweater pattern here!

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And there is a pattern for a piggy mask here! (aka swine-flu-mask) Personally, I'm so tired of the jokes about this one that I chose not to picture it here.

I'm anxious to try out the apple cozy myself. There is no real reason for an apple to have a sweater but it just looks so darned cute!

I fell at work last Friday coming back from an appointment in the rain. All is well but I'm still stiff and sore and try not to do too much that involves a lot of physical movement. I did go to the Feast of the Hunter's Moon and fulfilled my time to demo, but I only walked around with another friend enough to get the food we really wanted and then I took the bus back to my car. Later that night I met up with some high school friends for dinner so I was worn out by the time I got home and iced up my ankle as soon as I got in the door. By Sunday morning it had improved and even by last night, it had gotten considerably better over where it was in the morning.

I could sit only so long at the computer before it got uncomfortable so I didn't get to work on my Design-Tat class project or write in my blog. I did continue going through several stacks of craft magazines. I'm so proud of myself for culling them out! There are some that have maybe ONE tatting pattern in them so I will scan the pattern and then offer those for giveaways in the near future. I also have tons of knit and crochet publications. I'll try to sell them first on ebay and if they don't sell, I'll take them to the half-price book store or maybe into my lace group for them to pick through first.

So...pretty soon I'll be tatting again!

Just a quickie to say I corrected the Beginners Beaded Brooch pattern after someone let me know I neglected to put the last 6 ds on the center rings! Found out a bit more about widgets too!

I got the bracelet finished last night or as much as I'll finish it. I rarely wear bracelets and even more rarely any kind of tatted jewelry. Don't know why...I just don't, so I didn't put the jump ring fastener on it. I blocked it but I think it still looks pretty rough. If I find some more beads like this, I'll play around with the technique more. For now, I'm just happy to say I finally finished a project from one of Rita's classes! I've taken classes with Rita before and never seem to get around to finishing them. (not only hers, most others I've taken too)

So now I can get back to tatting the beaded bag from Sharon's book and catch up with the Design-Tat class. I'm demonstrating tatting at the Feast of the Hunter's Moon on Saturday and have tons of inside/outside work to catch up on at home on Sunday so I won't get to do much. I can't tat the bag at the Feast because it's definitely NOT period correct for the mid 1700's.

I cleaned up some stuff in the flower bed this evening and harvested the remainder of my basil, which I still have to cut and freeze. I also put a few outdoor things away and loaded up some garbage. That's more than I can get done most nights. I need to mow one more time, hopefully Sunday if it's not raining.

I've been having trouble wearing my contacts in my right eye so have resorted to my glasses the majority of the time. This is the 3rd day this week I've had a note to myself to make an appointment with the eye doctor and the dentist and didn't get it done. No excuse for that. My afternoon appointment cancelled and while I did have things to do, I could have made a few phone calls!

So...it will be a busy month. In fact, the rest of the year will speed right on by now...as if it hasn't already!

Tatting Tea Tuesday 10-06-09

First - a tea quote:

Ecstasy is a glass full of tea and a piece of sugar in the mouth -~ Alexander Puskin

Just a little more about Tat Day in Ontario....

The evening after the last class when we were on our own for dinner, I was invited to share pizza and a beverage with several other ladies in someone's room instead of going out. It was one last chance for chatting along with the late night ending in the classroom before everyone left the next morning. It was great fun and made for a fond memory.

The surprise gift was from Kelly Dunn of Tatfully Yours. She gave me this lovely little organza bag with a celtic tatted heart attached.

Inside of the bag was a miniature Celestial Seasonings tea tin. Can you guess what was inside?

A bag of spearmint tea! Kelly remembered that I'd said Spearmint was a favorite and gave up one of her own stash just for me! LOL! There's also this little star container of pink beads. I thought that was really sweet of her. Thank you Kelly!

Oh, and she brought this delicious dessert called Skor Squares and anticipating that we might want the recipe, she included it in the bag!

I've been working on gifts of my own lately. These teapot bookmarks are going in thank you cards to some ladies at work who went together and got me a hibiscus bush for my birthday last summer. I've been intending to do this ever since July but didn't get around to it until those days I was off last week. I just finished them Sunday night. The two on the furthest left are Lizbeth Sherbert Delight which I purchased at FET (Fringe Element Tatters) along with a burgundy that matches. They are prettier in person. Just looking at a scan makes the dark really stand out in a disjointed way. I think I've lost the label to the middle one, also a Lizbeth thread. The two on the right are hand dyed threads from Karey Solomon. No color name. They are both size 20 but I think the smaller one might really be size 30. Very pretty subtle changes in color.

(NOTE: The teapot pattern is in Martha Ess's book, Tea is for Tatting. I just add a tail to make a bookmark. I keep thinking surely everyone knows about this book, but clearly they don't judging by the questions I've been getting. Get it! It's worth it!)

I also bought a Lacis shuttle from Karey - the turquoise one. (I know it looks blue here) I just love these translucent colors! I got the magenta one at ZigZag Corner this weekend.

ZigZag Corner is closing the fabric and quilt supplies store so there was a sale going on and I had a discount punch card full from prior purchases so I made a trip for tatting supplies. They weren't on sale but I had a hefty discount coming from the card and there was this Japanese book that I'd had my eye on for awhile. I ended up getting two other books, one of Iris's books and the Janette Baker beginning tatting book. The discount was so good that I basically got one of the books free! Not the Japanese one though. LOL!

And here is the bracelet from Rita's class. Now that I've got the bookmarks done, I can finish it. Can you see it's one long strand of fixed beads? I guess they are at the Dollar Store there. I've not seen them around here, but maybe I didn't really look for them. I think it's really clever the way Rita designed this - we started in the middle, worked up the middle, then down one side and now I'm going up the other side. I made a mistake when I attached the first side to the middle in one place. It's easy to get the middle strand twisted as you go along and by golly I did, even though I was watching. I even knew at the time that it was questionable that I'd gotten the twist straightened. I'll finish it and keep it for inspiration.

If you've been to a Tat Day, you know what the vendor tables look like - books, thread, beads, shuttles, tatting tools.....there's plenty to drool over! So I didn't take photos of that; I took photos of the some out-of-the-ordinary offerings. These hand-carved shuttles and woodworked pieces are by Murray Lincoln. For some reason, I can't find my program which lists his website in his contact information. Oh wait, I found it!

Note the tatting inserted in some of the open spaces. I love the celtic love spoons.

Here we have all kinds of beads from Brenda Franklin. Kits and beads and kits and beads.....so much to pick from!

This is the raffle table. It was ongoing and items were added periodically so you had to keep buying tickets just when you thought you were done. LOL! Very clever strategy.

These items were up for auction. Rita Cochrane acted as auctioneer, climbing up on a chair to be seen by everyone. The safety geek in me cringed but I remained silent. Rita's description of each item and enticement to bid was hilarious. The auction and raffle table raised a lot of money for next year's event.

I said yesterday you would get to see some of Ginny's exquisite tatting today. See that beautiful sunflower doily? The ornaments in the center are Ginny's too. There is some other tatting around it but I'm not sure you can see it well, even when you click on it to get the bigger picture.

Last year participants were given a metal napkin holder with the instuctions to decorate to the best of their ability in tatting. I think one is missing from this photo - cut off by the frame, but they were certainly creative!

The one in the very front was the winner by popular vote. It was so pretty and dainty looking. A good choice! Next year's challenge is a little heart box to decorate.

I don't think I've ever won anything at these raffles, not even at the ones my own lace guild hosts so I was pleased as punch to win this red cake stand! I love blue glass and red glass and well...just about any colored glass, but I have very little red glass in my possession.

Here's how it looks from the top. I can use it at Christmas and Valentine's Day especially but any time is a good time. I might have to bake a cake before the day is over!

Not only did I win the cake dish, I won these beautiful lemon-scented bark roses. They are currently in my bathroom.

I show this box only because they are the most delicious cookies! I've almost eaten all of them now. They are a cranberry, citrus and oat crunch blend. It's made by Kraft so I'll have to see if the equivalent is made in the States.

Next post I'll show the thread and shuttle I bought as well as an unexpected gift. Stay tuned!

Tatting Friends in Canada

I usually post under the photo but this time I'm posting about it above. In case you ever noticed. (SMILE!)

I did get to take one class while I was in Cambridge Ontario. Rita Cochrane's class, a beaded bracelet done in one pass. It's not done yet, but Rita will be pleased to know I'm on the last row. I was ready for a break and it dawned on me that I'd brought my camera but hadn't taken a single photo so I popped up and made the rounds. That empty space there between the two ladies is where I was sitting. Do you think they noticed I was gone? They look pretty engrossed in the bracelet! I'll show mine in another post, hopefully complete by then.


The woman on the right is Ruth MacEachern who kept me informed about when I was teaching, my hotel, and just about anything else I asked about!



And here is smiling Susan Johnston, the other organizer that I heard from. I'm not sure who all was involved, but the event went smoothly, as far as I could tell.



Oh look! Here is Ginny Weathers from the Hector group! At least you can tell she is smiling! You'll see some of Ginny's exquisite tatting in the next post which will be about "what was on the tables."



Here is Kaye Judt (standing in red top) teaching one of her classes. I think it was the Paisley class but I'm not sure - might have been the Woodland Critter.



I don't know which project this group was working on but they seem pretty involved!



This is the other side of Kaye's table in this class. The lady on the left in the lavender top is Heather, a dear woman who travels from the UK every year to visit family just in time to attend their event.



Oh, those busy ladies were working on Karey Solomon's Angel class. I should have gotten closer pictures of what each is working on.



If I remember the placement of the tables correctly, this group was part of Brenda Franklin's class which was either a beaded zinnia brooch or a beaded tassel. Brenda's classes are non-tatting. There was another non-tatting class by Wynn Reid, about crochet and knitting. It's nice to have alternatives to tatting - you can bring a non-tatting friend or learn a new skill.



Rita Cochrane is in the upper right helping a student. For the life of me, I don't know why (yes, I do, my camera battery died!) I didn't get photos of Rita playing auctioneer. It was quite the feat!



And last but not the least, by any means, the young lady in the bright green top is Rita's granddaughter who was teaching some needle tatting herself! Rita's vendor sales also went to a fund that is sending her granddaughter on a school project trip to Normandy. They've been studying the battle at Normandy and have the opportunity to go there in person.....but of course, you have to have money to do that. She's a sweetie, just 16 and very good at tatting.



The next post will be about "the stuff on the tables," what I bought, and maybe what I'm doing now. Whew!

Tatting Tea Tuesday 9-29-09

From Tipnut.com:

How To Remove Coffee & Tea Stains From Mugs
If that favorite coffee mug of yours is getting a nasty brown ring inside, here are a few different methods for making your mug look brand new again:

Method #1

Wet a cloth then rub the inside of the mug with baking soda. If the stains are stubborn, soak overnight in hot water and baking soda.
Method #2

Soak the mug in bleach OR vinegar for several hours or overnight.
Method #3

Fill mug with boiling water, add two spoonfuls of dishwasher detergent then soak overnight.
Method #4

Try a paste of corn starch and vinegar, apply and let sit for a few minutes then scrub away.
Method #5

Drop two denture tablets in the mug, pour hot water over top then soak overnight.
After soaking mugs and removing the stains, rinse and wash very well before using–especially when using the bleach method.

How To Clean Stains From Teapots
Teapot Cleaning Soaks

Fill a teapot with boiling water, squeeze the juice from a wedge of lemon (1/4 lemon) and toss in the peel, add 1/8 cup of baking soda. Soak overnight, wash well in the morning.
Fill teapot with boiling water and add 1/4 to 1/2 cup Realemon juice, soak overnight then wash well in the morning.
Fill teapot with boiling water and add a couple denture tablets. Allow to sit overnight then wash with soap and water in the morning.
Put about 1/4 cup dishwasher detergent into the teapot, cover with boiling water and soak for a few hours or overnight. Wash well to remove all detergent residue.
Put 1/4 cup of washing soda in the teapot, cover with boiling water and allow to soak overnight. Wash well in the morning with hot soapy water, making sure to remove all traces of the washing soda.
Teapot Cleaning Scrubs

Sprinkle a small spoonful of salt on a damp cloth and gently scrub.
Gently scrub stains with a baking soda & water paste.
Gently scrub tea stains away with a baking soda & lemon juice paste.
Make a paste of salt and vinegar, scrub onto stain and wash off a few hours later.
You could also try the cleaning methods listed for coffee and tea stain removal from mugs. The tips above will help with mug or tea cup stains as well (modify amounts as needed).

These stain removal tips are for ceramic or common materials, for fine china or delicate porcelain teapots, choose a gentle cleaning method like baking soda soak (or paste) or try some of these tips.

After your teapot is clean and shiny, here are some tips you might enjoy for How To Make A Good Cup Of Tea.

I've uploaded the beaded blossom brooch to my Esnips site. You can click the link below or the folder link in the right sidebar. I don't know why it shows a little red x in the preview because there was no photo, only the pdf icon. Maybe it will show up when published. Ha! Famous last words! It's still clickable.

Beginners Beaded B...

Hosted by eSnips

So set yourself down with a cup of tea that reminds you of Autumn and tat this little beaded brooch!

Back from Ontario!

Yeah, I'm back! I rolled in about 8:30 p.m. last night. Originally I was to meet up with some friends in Ft. Erie but they had a last minute conflict involving a family member and a nursing home so I opted to come home. I considered stopping at Indiana Dunes but did not have the address of the bead shop I wanted to go to or several other places I want to make it a point to visit and I think I was feeling a bit homesick - odd for me, but there was a tinge of it.


I have 25 photos from the Fringe Element Tatters event in Cambridge, Ontario but it takes a lot of time to sort and edit so I picked ONE that seemed to embody the entire event for now. You can see how full the room was, the tables on the perimeter with lots of goodies to buy, the portable Ott lights, chocolate if you look closely, and you might even recognize a few people!

I got to see lots of old friends and meet some new ones. The very first person I saw when I came in to register was Fox, from Tat-ology. Not that I would have known that, but she recognized me. LOL! Guess I look like my photo. Then there was Kelly, from Tatfully Yours, who is a bright star to be around! Both ladies were such a pleasure to meet. Too bad Canada feels so far away. Well...it IS - it was a 9 hour drive for me and I consider myself close, compared to many who live in the States. I hope I get to see all of them again. Canadians are such fun!

Murray was a new face. I'll show his woodworking later. It was good to see Ruth, Karey, Kaye, Susan, Margaret, Norm (don't think I even got a chance to say hi to Norm!), Rita, Ginny, Shirley, Sylvia, Heather, Brenda, and host of other friends.


I taught two classes, one on beads and one on vintage patterns. Both were mostly informational. It's fun and all to tat with beads but it helps to know something about sizing and how to thread them and how to get them on a pattern if you've never done that before. I hadn't really planned to design anything for it but in the end, I came up with this brooch. I'll stick it in my e-snips file eventually but it is a good way to practice tatting with beads without getting too involved in other techniques. This one is a center of simple rings and a back of basic chains. I used Lizbeth thread for this sample, size 20 and beads size 11/0. Also, Brenda Franklin had her beads there - got a photo of those that will make your eyes pop! Brenda is an excellent resource for bead info.

The Vintage pattern class was about learning how to interpret vintage terms and directions into something you can use with today's modern techniques. We talked about terms, drawing the pattern out, tracing it, listing the steps, and converting them into something more contemporary. Participants were invited to bring a vintage pattern that they wanted help with. I didn't feel I accomplished much in this class and kept asking everyone if they got what they wanted from it. It was the last class at the end of two days and everyone is pretty much brain-dead from so much stimulation so I hope once they've gotten back to normal, that they'll feel free to email me with feedback - or questions. This is the first time I've done this class so I'd like to find a way to make it better. I debated on using one pattern for the class to go through and I did have one with a few things to point out.

My biggest problem with teaching in this kind of venue, with several classes going on at the same time, is the level of distraction. When I teach my lace guild members at the library locally, we are in a room by ourselves. It's usually 4-6 people, sometimes less and sometimes more, but it's very easy to clarify things. Someone asks a question and everyone can hear. But we don't have to pay for a room and this is the challenge most Tat groups face when they have these events. There's not enough money to fund separate rooms for each class. I was grateful for the good lighting at Best Western and the noise level really wasn't bad compared to other places I've been in.

Tatting guilds, as an entity, are still in their infancy. I don't think any of the major tatting events have been going for a decade yet, but even so, they've been streamlining and learning how best to host tatting events along the way and have made great strides. Those evaluation forms they give you are necessary to make improvements. I really think the best feedback comes a week or two after the event though. An initial survey followed up with a feedback form would probably offer the best input. I'm sure any feedback you offer at any time is appreciated though. Tell them what kind of classes you want. A good mixture, IMO, is one that offers a refresher on the basics, opportunities to practice the basics in new ways, and some cutting edge techniques for advanced tatters who get bored with the basic stuff. For many people, the social aspect is the most important part, but they want to enjoy the tatting too. That means they want to go home with something they actually finished but also a project that challenges them that they can work on when they leave.

I've already been asked to come back next year and tentatively accepted, although I'm expecting to make some major changes (moving, job possibly) in my personal life over the next year or two...so there's always that to consider.

It was the oddest thing, but the very day before I left for Ontario and even that morning, I suddenly got all kinds of emails from people seeking help in one way or another. It's not unusual for people to email me along that line, but they're usually spread out more.

One question that has come up 3 or 4 times is how to make the crocheted Romanian Point Lace cord. I keep thinking I'll make a tutorial but there's not much reason to when Sunshine over at Sunshine's Creations has made such a good one herself here!

I also got such a nice compliment with the tatting of a spiral bookmark by Cindy over at A Happy Bluebird. I can't really take credit for the pattern. It was from a bookmark I received in an early exchange and the pattern is actually an adaptation of an old edging. Quite clever of the tatter, to think of using two colors that way. I wish I could remember her name. When I finally tracked the edging down and put it into pattern format for the bookmark, I neglected to write her name down. I actually only documented it for me because I made several of the bookmarks that year for various family members who were graduating from high school in their school colors. It was in 2000 (included my baby) and before I started my blog. You think you're never going to forget those details, but I started forgetting stuff around 50. It finally dawned on me that I didn't HAVE to remember everything. I could look it up! Well...usually I can look it up.

Well, this has gotten quite long and I haven't even begun to describe Tat Day! I'm off for a few days and want to make the most of it in getting things organized at home.

Later...

Tatting Tea Tuesday 9/22/09

I couldn't resist this fabric on clearance at Hobby Lobby last week! The piece is a little under 2 yards. I could make an apron. A tea cozy. Napkins, placemats, a runner. Not all of that but some of it. I think it's so pretty!


I was going through a storage cube at the weekend and found this tea-for-one in there. I have them all over and I think this was in my hutch at one time before I had to clean it off for something. It's not my prettiest tea-for-one and it's not the only one with roses, but it was handy and I thought it would go with the fabric for this post. LOL!


I'm pretty sure I did not get this from one of my kids but it's a nice sentiment on the cup. "A Mother is the Truest of Friends" Mine certainly was and I hope I am too.

More printables! This is a link to a tutorial for tea soap balls and a box to gift them in.

And here we have a link to free teabag envelopes. I think there are 8 to 10 to choose from.

Tatting? That was in last night's post - I haven't been up long enough to tat today!

Today's Tea Quote: "One sip of this will bathe the drooping spirits in delight, beyond the bliss of dreams." ~ Milton

I'm working on a segment of my class for Fringe Element Tatters and I'm using this lovely Lizbeth thread but look at what is happening! This is the shuttle thread which I repeatedly wind and unwind to add beads. The thread is untwisting! It's not frayed and fuzzy yet and I'll be past this point before it does but it is still a problem. The threads tend to separate when I make a join so I have to be very careful to have them all lined up evenly.

I can't say I've actually tatted this many beads this way with any 6 cord thread so I can't say this is abnormal. I'll give it a try later when I'm not so pressed for time.


I've finished the second row on the bag. Only 7 or so more to go! And then the flap.

Sigh....this is taking me a very long time mostly because I am interupted with other projects. I'm using smaller beads than what Sharon listed but I really didn't want as much of a bead impact on this one. You can barely see them but they are silver and this will go with the dress I wore to my son's wedding which was a soft blue with some silver and rhinestone trim.

Well...back to the grindstone.