Calling all Mac users!

I love my Mac! What else can I say? I use PCs at school, so I'm very familiar with both operating systems. I just happen to prefer my Mac!

Anyway, a week or so ago my mom told me about a program she found called NoteBook. Have any of you Mac users tried it? You can try it for free for 30 days. Of course, I love free trials! I'm hooked! I've been organizing my crafts with tabs like Blogs, E-mail, Patterns, Projects, etc. That means I've spent very little time crafting, but I'm feeling so much more organized. I've even started a list of books I want to read! You can try the program out at http://www.circusponies.com/.

Another Apple note... daughter Alison has downloaded an app for her iPhone called BestCamera. Some day I hope to own an iPhone, but for now I'll just enjoy learning from Alison. The app allows you to use filters to change the look of your photos and then post them or e-mail them to friends. She took a very cool picture of the ceiling fan in her bedroom. I'm not much of a camera person, but some of the apps that are available make me want to delve even further into technology. If only I had more time to play!


As for tatting... I totally messed up my motif from the Japanese Book... on the last join of course. It's been after dark when I've had a chance to sit down and tat. I just can't seem to focus well enough at night to fix my mistakes, so later today I'll take time to try and undo that oopsie. It's such a pretty motif!


Inspired by Fox, I've gotten back into tatting my coaster motifs. The Japanese motif was an attempt to add variety to my coasters. I may still try to use the Japanese motif, but for now I'll focus on what I know works!

I finished my first striped sock, and have started the second. Again, I've finished a sock with a pencil point toe. Maybe the toe will change when the socks have been washed. I think I'll use a different pattern for the next pair of socks, though. This is the only sock pattern I've knit that gave me a pointed toe! The legs seem awfully skinny to me, but I'll reserve judgement until I've completed both socks and tried them on. I'm not trying the first sock on yet. I'm afraid I'll become discouraged and not finish the second one!

The hurrier I go...

the behinder I get! Does anyone else remember that saying? That's how I feel these days! So, my tatting sits by my chair, and I get very little done!


I really want to make some more coasters, and I can't wait to get started with my new book from Jon. Somehow, life is really getting in my way! I have a solution... quit work! Somehow, I don't think my tatting would pay the bills, though! ; )

My goal: tat tonight, and then post a picture tomorrow! Wish me luck!

What a month!

I can't believe how busy I've been for the past month! Where has the time gone? Back-to-school activities headed up the list. I'm still not where I like to be in terms of organization, but the kids have all been great, so my lack of organization hasn't been a problem. I would like to give up one or two committees, but what would I do with my free time? ; )


Sept. 5 was Erich and Yvette's wedding. We had such a wonderful time! My niece Phoebe, nephew Erich, and daughter Carol were all born the same year, 3 months apart. Erich is the first of the three to get married. We all think Yvette and her family are wonderful! Isn't that a great way to start a marriage?


There were so many photos to choose from! Left to right: my sister Janet, my mom Nancy, my brother David, and me. Our sister Lisa is in Italy and could not attend the wedding. She missed a great time! Mom spent the week before the wedding with Janet, and the week after with me. I think she was pretty tired by the time she headed home to Alabama!


I did manage to finish the brown socks. The right one turned out great, but the left one... hmmm... I'm not sure what I did, but the toe came out looking like a pencil point. I gave the socks to Mom, but I'm feeling pretty guilty about giving her a pencil point toe sock. I may just have to knit another pair for her and take the messed up ones back!

I started another pair of socks in self-striping yarn. The leg looks awfully skinny, but when I put my hand through, it looks okay. I may have to give this pair to one of my daughters with skinnier legs than mine!

Sunday, I finally found some time to tat! My sewing room is a disaster right now... Mom offered to help me organize it, but somehow we ran out of time! Because the sewing room is such a mess, I had to do a little cleaning in order to find my tatting supplies! You think I jest? Hah! Mom is my witness! Carol too! It's so bad, Carol set up an ironing board in her bedroom... mine can't be found for all the clutter! Anyway... I've started a piece for another coaster from Tatting Lace, one of my Japanese books. The Japanese books are very expensive, but the designs are so very beautiful! I'm very proud of the fact that when I looked at the chart for this piece, I knew I needed two shuttles to make it work. Believe me, I wouldn't have figured that out a year ago! The pattern is very simple and pretty. I hope to have it finished this week... time will tell!