Iris' TIAS Day Three

 

No confirmation from Iris yet as to whether I have this right. I hope so. Still no idea, but I'm having fun tatting it and am excited to see what it is going to be.

Iris' TIAS Part 2

 

I hope I still have this right. I think it is so pretty and I'm having fun tatting it. It is nice to be led step by step instead of getting overwhelmed by a large pattern that might discourage me. Thanks Iris!

Iris' TIAS steps 1 - 12

 

This is going to be fun! I hope I have it right so far. I had tatted the last clover in the dark color and had to redo that, but no problem. I'm using Flora size 20.

Thank you Iris for doing this for us. I, for one, always enjoy them.

Victorian Hearts

 

 

I had intended to finish tatting this little, red heart and post it as a Valentine's wish. Obviously, I didn't make it. Here it is anyway along with a picture of the two I tatted last year. Last year's are both in size 20. The red is size 80 on the ball thread and size 20 on the shuttle thread. I'm not sure if I am happy with it yet. I wanted a little variation in the color, which I got. I also thought the bigger ring in the middle would take up some of the negative space. I think I'm okay with that. I believe I might use the larger ring at the bottom to hold a tassel for a bookmark. This one measure 1 1/4" across and 1 1/2" top to bottom. The others are about 2" both ways.

Presents from South Korea

 

Don't you just love it when the letter carrier has a package for you? Sure you do! I received these lovely gifts from Lady Shuttle Maker, aka Sherry Pence. They have been here for a few days, but I wanted to wait and post them when it was almost time for her to be back from vacation.

The eye glass case is very beautiful and elegant. It feels like silk. The beads were in the little yellow case which is just the right size for a shuttle. I love the Jungle Fever hand dyed thread. I have no idea what the interesting postcard says on the front of course. On the back she is thinking me for my contribution to 4 o'clock rock and encouragement in her life. I feel I get much more encouragement than I give.

Thank you dear Sherry. I hope you had a wonderful vacation and a very special Valentine's Day tomorrow!

Eternal Rose Cross #2

 

I found this size 10 in orange and it makes a huge difference. Orange happens to be the favorite color of a friend. Guess what she is getting for her birthday?

I really need to order some variegated size 10. I think the roses would be much prettier and real looking.

Thanks again Yarnplayer for the lovely pattern.

Eternal Rose Cross by Yarnplayer

 

This is a simple,lovely pattern and a joy to tat. Thank you so much Yarnplayer for sharing it with us. I didn't have any pretty size 10 thread. The pink is a size 3 cotton and too big, but I still think it is pretty. The white is size 20 Flora. If I can get some nice size 10 for the roses, I'm thinking these would make great gifts.

Looking to the Future

Looking to the future - the future of the arts with which we have been gifted and the tools and fruits thereof. How does that sound?

This is something I have been wanting to talk about for some time. It is not meant to be at all maudlin. In fact, quite the opposite. It is about planning for future generations to take up our arts and see them preserved and perfected as we ourselves have tried to do. Since this is a tatting blog, we all know that closest to my heart is my tatting. I do love to do other things and have tools, supplies and finished pieces to be preserved in those arts as well. When I go to my tatting cabinet and pull out drawers, I can almost see each of my grandmothers with shuttles in hands and lace flying out from their fingers. It pretty much always looked like a blur to me. I have those shuttles. I see crochet hooks and knitting needles making clothing and blankets. I have those hooks and needles. It just so happened that out of nine granchildren on each side, I was the one who was interested in these particluar things. Some of my cousins have other interests and do quite well with them.

All of this to say, someone needs to be appointed as guardians of these things for the future. Most of us, no matter how humble we consider our means, have wills or some form of written instructions as to the disposition of our worldly goods when we no longer need them. Children are interested in assets and personal possessions for the most part. I have tried to cover those things. Those of you with minor children probably have guardianship papers naming who you want to raise your children in your place if necessary. My husband and I both have "Living Wills" and "Durable Power of Attorney, including medical decisions. I have started sharing lots of heirlooms with the grandchildren of my generation that I know will love them most and see that the next recipient knows the value and history of that particular piece. One thing that bothers me is that I have no one interested in learning what I know or taking it any further than it will be when I am gone. I'm sure I can not be alone in this. It could be that our girls and my brother's daughter will one day slow down enough to realize they want to learn, but I'm not looking for that to happen. They are different people and have their own lives and interests. That is not for me to control or make them feel guilty.

What I have been talking to my husband about is naming at least two of my tatting friends to be contacted about taking my tatting things and seeing them divided up where they will do the most good. That could be to help new tatters with supplies like we helped Sherry with her "Four O'Clock Rock" class. Some people might want a special shuttle to keep for their own because my dad made it or Lady Shuttle Maker made it. I don't want someone to uncover a chest of tatting one day that no one remembers to whom it belonged or what it was for. None of us want that. I want to think of my snowflakes hanging on someone's tree for many years to come and recognizing the love that went into them. (Nor would it hurt my feelings if a piece of my lace ended up in a museum.)

I recently heard someone say that all of us want to be remembered. I hope my children and their children will remember me for lots of things, mostly the love that I feel for them. Also I hope I am setting a good example for them to know what it is to lead a life of good morals and sharing what we have with others. After that, I hope someone will one day hold my shuttles in hand and say, "I remember when...."

Clover Drop Heart in "Hydrangea" HDT

 

I finally managed to get a little tatting done. Between arthritis and sinusitis, I've not been very productive. This design is by Nancy Tracy of Be-stitched copyright 2005. The thread is Lady Shuttle Maker's hand dyed thread named "Hydrangea." The thread is size 20 and the heart is about 2 1/4" wide. Happy February everyone!

Leprechaun Tales

Any of you who are interested need to visit the Leprechaun blog. We have a new family member named Conor. Also, Oisin had a new adventure at the grocery store Wednesday and wants to tell you about it.

Pansy Angel #3 by Blossoms & Blessings

 

I took a break from this angel to tat the dragon. Now I've finished the angel and I really like her in this thread. It is Lady Shuttle Maker's hand dyed thread "Fuchsia" in size 20. I have almost depleted my stash of this color. Guess that means I like it!

Clyde's says things are better in three's. Now I've done three!

Speaking of Clyde, we had a lovely conversation last night. I discovered that my VOIP phone plan allows me to call Canada for free! His voice was exactly as I had expected and I felt as if I've always talked to him. Sometimes good friends sure do get scattered far away from each other.

Karey Solomon's Dragonet

 

Here is my very feeble attempt to tat Karey Solomon's Dragonet. I love Karey's dragons, but they don't seem to love me. I've had this book for some time and finally decided I must brave at least one of the dragons. I seem to have made the belly to small and the claws are too close in and not defined sufficiently for me. If any of you have any suggestions or insight to these patterns, please let me know. I think my brain cells found out where Jane's were vacationing and have joined them there! If they were present before I started this project, they have certainly deserted me now.

Dragonet is tatted in size 20 Flora with size 11 purple beads.

Cyber Counter

Well, was I shocked yesterday when I saw that my counter said 19? Yes! It should have said 55,019. Has anyone else had their's drop off like that?

No tatting again today. I have been in bed with my back most of the last 3 days. Might have to try tatting lying down.

Blossoms & Blessings Angel in Coral Reef

 

I see lots of these angels in my future. I love this design. If you need to tat a quick gift for a sick or burdened friend, this is perfect. Thanks again to Blossoms and Blessings Designs.

The thread is size 20 hand dyed thread named "Coral Reef" by Tatskool. I don't know if you can tell in the picture, but I actually used three different threads from the "Coral Reef" colorway in this angel. The rings in the bottom on the skirt are a lighter blue than the other blue and then the variegated of course.

Experiment and have fun! The link to the pattern is in the previous post.

Pansey Angel in Hand Dyed Thread

Thanks to Blossoms and Blessings Designs for sharing this pattern. This little angel was a joy to tat. I've had the pattern printed and waiting for a couple of months. Yesterday, I decided it was time to tat it. It is quick and the pattern is very easy to follow. You only have to end once - between the wings and the skirt.

I used Lady Shuttle Maker's hand dyed thread "Summer Bouquet", size 20 and the angel is about 4" tall. The pattern can be found here.

 

 

Lovely card and gifts from Clyde

 

Clyde sent me this beautiful Hawaiian Christmas card which arrived today. It is very intricately cut in white with a brown paper behind it. So pretty I think I will have to frame it. The thread is Marilee's hand dyed red from Tourmaline in size 80. The Celtic snowflake is tatted in size 50 Apple Blossom. The little copper darts are for marking pages. I have never seen them before, but they will be put to good use.

Thank you so much Clyde for your very thoughtful, and generous, gift to me. Happy New Year!

Coral Reef Doily Finished!

My grandmother always said it was bad luck to take old work, among other things, into the new year. In that spirit, I was determined to finish this doily and get it posted today. It needs a good blocking, but a light pressing will have to do for now.

This is Pamela's Coral Reef thread, of course. I had a set of the solids to mix with it. I was very fortunate that she had saved a skein of the batch I bought. I ran out of the variegated! Now I know what some of you felt like in this situation.

 

Wishing you and yours a safe and prosperous New Year!

Laura, Bill, Isaac and Oisin

It's A Leprechaun's Life

Pamela, Fergal, Oisin and I decided the Leprechauns needed a blog of their own. They all have so much to say. This way those of you who are interested, which has to be everyone, wink wink, can go there to follow their persuits. Of course, there will be tatting and hand dyed thread involved. We hope you will visit often!

Jon's Quantiesque Snowflake #3

 

This one counts as this year since I finished tatting it last night and I'm getting it posted on Christmas day - right? I just love this pattern and tatting it in Sherry's Old St. Nick and Country Christmas hand dyed threads was a true pleasure.

I will now go put snowflake #74 on the Rainbow Christmas Tree.

Merry Christmas to all!

Quantiesque #2

 

I liked the way Heather used her own HDT called Many Colors with white to tat one of her snowflakes, so I did it with this thread. Trouble is, I don't know what the thread is except size 20. I thought it was Sherry's Grapefruit until I started tatting with it and realized it I was wrong. If you dyed this thread, please forgive me and let me know so I can give you credit. It kind of looks like a store bought variegated, but I just don't know!

By the way, I want to thank my friend >Jane for a wonderful favor. She has given me the rank of "stark staring bonkers." Now I can forget all kind of things and not have to worry about it! Come to think of it I can proabaly get away with all sorts of mischief too. Thanks Jane! No, really.

Quantiesque #3 halfway done in Sherry's Old Saint Nick and Country Christmas. Thank you again Jon for this pattern. I love it.

Quantiesque Snowflake #1

 

Yes, there will be more of these. Probably lots more. It is Jon's Quantiesque Snowflake that she so sweetly shared with us as a gift. Thank you so much Jon. I love it and can't wait to see how many color combinations I can find. The thread is Pamela's Coral Reef with the solid blue to match for round 2. Both are size 20.

Way to go Jon and Pamela!

Oh, this is snowflake #72 on my tree.

Oisin the Exchange Student

Oisin went to class with his new dad, the college instructor today. He had two choices for subjects - Economics and Personal Finances. He chose wisely - Personal Finance! He is posing with his fellow classmates in this picture. They were a little hesitant at first. Oisin soon won them over with his Leprechaun charm!

 

Here he is with Dad after his exam has been graded. Yippee! An A+ on his first exam!

 

A close up with his test. He is so pleased with himself.

 

Another picture with Dad in his office. I had my concerns about these two bonding, but I am sure now that my fears were unfounded!

 

Here he is in front of Dad's computer screen. He wants all of you to see where is going to be taking classes now. He is used to a big university, but this is a interesting change for him.


One last picture in Dad's office. I hope you all have enjoyed this little glimpse into Oisin's new world. He is excited to hear comments about what you think!
Tomorrow he will stay home and tat with Mom. She has some new HDT's to unwind from skeins and he is sure to be a big help.

New Tackle Box for Laura!

 

 

 

Most people would wonder why in the world does Laura need a tackle box as she never goes fishing. Those of you in my tatting world know exactly why! I saw this last weekend in our brand new Bass Pro Shop very reasonably priced. I waited a week to see if I really wanted it and, obviously, I did. The four trays can stand on end of on their bottoms. They are divided long ways and have partitions to set more dividers as needed. I know you can buy boxes like this several places, but not four of them together in a nice bag like this one. It has a shoulder strap and compartments on each end as well.

This will be my "mobile tatting cabinet." Now I get to see how much stuff I can fit in there.

If you don't have a Bass Pro Shop, I bet you could find one on line!

Rainbow Christmas Tree 2008

 

 

 

 

I couldn't wait until tomorrow. I wish there was some way I could get pictures from every angle. I also wish I could make it look as amazing in pictures as it does in my den. No brag. Just fact!

By the way, there are 71 snowflakes on this tree, 61 of them tatted by me. Just in case you were wondering.

Oh, the reason there is no tree skirt can be explained by the little boy who eats apples by himself!