Thursday, December 23, 2010

Ho! Ho! Ho!

It's hard to believe that tomorrow is Christmas Eve! I thought I'd better catch up a little with my blogging. I probably won't be posting again before the New Year, so here goes...


On Monday we had our Soup Club Christmas party at my house... soup, snacks, and movies! Great fun! From left to right... Peggy, me, Edna, and Judy.


Yesterday I received a surprise package from Battatter... totally unexpected! Isn't the gingerbread house adorable? Thank you, Carol!


I received Jane's wonderful magnetic butterfly bookmark earlier this week. Thank you, Jane! It's fabulous! I've already put it to work. No, it's not a tatting book. I have a PIG mentality... Problem with Instant Gratification. I've been tatting, but I needed to finish something quickly, so I turned to crochet. It seems I'm doing a little bit of everything lately!


Robert in northern Iowa sent me this sweet little Christmas stocking ornament as a thank you for winning one of my blog giveaways. Thank you, Robert! I love Christmas stockings!


Yes, I have been tatting. I won this pretty little linen hanky on eBay. The original stickers were still on it. The original sold at a price of 6/$1.00. Amazing! The edging is from The Craft of Tatting by Bessie M. Attenborough. I think I found this book at Alibris, but it's been so long, I'm not sure. It's an old library copy. Oh, how I wish that the trend in the 70s had not been to dispose of dust jackets! I really would have liked to see what this one looked like. If anyone out there in Tatland has this book with a dust jacket, would you mind posting a picture? The thread is size 80 Lizbeth, color #121 Marble. The pinks in the thread and the hanky match perfectly! The shuttle is one of Chris Hinton's new Tatted Shuttles, an epoxy shuttle with tatting embedded in it. The tatting in this shuttle is by AnneB. The shuttle holds a ton of thread, and it's a joy to use!


Here are the crocheted motifs I've been working on... all finished Tuesday night and Wednesday morning! I have no idea what I'll do with them, but they're lovely little bits of lace, so who cares!? My mom made my blocking board for me several years ago. I bought a styrofoam board, and some gingham table cloth material, flannel backed vinyl. My mom's a whiz at stuff like this, so she put it all together, and I don't mind saying that it's probably my most used craft tool! Thanks, Mom!


Last, but not least, I was visiting InTatters this morning, and someone posted that she was having a problem understanding a bookmark pattern. I guess I was in the mood for a challenge! I printed off the directions, and started the bookmark this morning. It seems like a pretty straightforward pattern to me. I'll let you know how it turns out. I'm using size 40 Lizbeth, color #116 (I think... I lost the tag). The shuttle is one of my decoupaged Sew Mates. I used sparkly Christmas fabric. I really like the combination of fabric and no point shuttles. Maybe I should come up with a shuttle-a-month for the next year! ; )

Well, if you've made it this far, I'm impressed with your stamina! I wish all of you a very merry Christmas, and a safe, healthy, and happy new year!

18 comments:

  1. You have been busy! Fun Post. Have a Very Happy Holiday, Diane! I look forward to seeing what your creative muse has in store for you in the coming year!
    ♥ Fox : )

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  2. You must have been a "good girl" this year, for sure :)
    Merry Christmas to you and yours!

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  3. Sounds like you're going to have a really good holiday!

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  4. Wow, what a long and interesting post. I so enjoyed it. Glad the butterfly arrived - couldn't resist sending it when you mentioned you liked blue!! My giveaway hasn't arrived yet but I guess that's down to Royal Fail yet again!!!!

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  5. My Bessie book doesn't have a dustjacket either and it wasn't a library copy.

    Ah..you've been crocheting too! That book looks interesting! No..it does not...do NOT need more books...must look away...

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  6. Merry Christmas Diane!

    I have enjoyed all of your posts and seeing the many items you have made. You always have such interesting things to show us. Have learned a lot, too. Looking forward to seeing what you have in store for us next year.

    Enjoy the Holidays!

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  7. Stellar post, Diane! Wishing you much joy over the holidays and many muse-inspired tat posts in 2011. *hugs*

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  8. Merry Christmas! I, too, turn to crochet to do something "fast". I am such a pokey tatter :)

    Hope you have a wonderful holiday - and best wishes for 2011!

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  9. I, too, really enjoyed reading your post this Christmas eve morning. Pippa is playing with her Turbo toy, DH is in his recliner with a cuppa java; and, I'm reading blogs!
    COULD NOT wait any longer to open my Christmas exchange box from you ~ Oh my! I'm so tickled to receive one of your MK tatted windmills and a decoupage shuttle. I plan to tat myself a bracelet and attach my Frog prince and the B and locket…guess I will have to have a photo of my new gt. grandchild when s/he arrives; and, Pippa! LOL A kid and a kitten ~ why not? And I love that dark purple Lisbeth thread. Everything is so cool…thank you!
    Have a wonderful Christmas filled with love and warm hugs…
    xxxx Bev

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  10. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas!

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  11. Hi Diane,

    A belated Merry Christmas to you and your family. You are surely busy this time of the year but yet you have time to crochet and tat. You received such lovely presents. I hope it is not too late to request for a shuttle exchange. Would you like to do a shuttle exchange with me?

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  12. Lots of nice stuff here. I really like your Christmasy looking shuttle.

    Your mom was a genius to use the vinyl gingham material. I made my blocking board with regular gingham cloth and keep having to replace the plastic wrap over it.

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  13. Querida amiga, gracias por tu felicitación. Te deseo un 2011 lleno de felicidad.Besos.

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  14. Diane, querida amiga
    que seu novo ano iniciado a apenas uma hora, te traga felicidades, harmonia, saúde, alegrias e muito amor
    que o Cristo Jesus, esteja sempre pertinho de você.
    c/carinho
    Teresa

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  15. Diane
    dear old friend
    happiness is mine, for you know, someone so sweet, caring and dedicated
    I'm sure you are very loved by everyone who is part of your life.
    to be yourself.
    That your year 2011, is always accompanied by peace, love, affection and many new friendships, because you deserve everything and more.
    Kisses in your heart, that Christ Jesus is always in tight thee, dear friend
    w / affection
    Teresa Grazioli

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