I almost did it again!

I fired up my computer last night, read blogs, shut down, and then realized that I forgot to blog. So this morning I fired up my computer, read blogs, shut down, and again realized that I forgot to blog. This evening I fired up my computer, read blogs, and was getting ready to shut down, when I realized I still hadn't blogged. I'm happy to say that I caught myself just in time!

As you can see, I've finished Round 2 of Doily VI from Tatted Treasures by Jan Stawasz. I'm not sure if I'll get much done tonight. It's been a long week at school, and I'm feeling kind of lazy. So maybe I'll just put my feet up and doze in my chair for a change of pace! ;-)

Starting Round 2

Doily VI from Tatted Treasures by Jan Stawasz, size 20 Lizbeth #168 Latte Foam

Round 2 is easy-peasy! I just need a little more energy at the end of the day so that I can get more tatting done. ;-)

Before school, I worked a little bit on my newest Spinning Wheel in size 10 Teenybopper from Yarnplayer.

If only we had a snow day... I could get so much done!

Doily VI, Round 1

This is my newest project, Doily VI from Tatted Treasures by Jan Stawasz. I'm using size 20 Lizbeth #168, Latte Foam. Round 1 went smoothly until I reached the last ring. For some reason, I had trouble getting it to work, and the last inside ring looks a little squished. If anyone else has tatted this doily and has any tips, I'd love to hear them!

Prepping

I wanted to use two of my favorite shuttles for my next project, which meant I had to use up some thread left on shuttles! There was very little thread left on the one shuttle, so I just unwound it and put it in the circular file. However, the other shuttle had quite a bit of hand-dyed thread left on it, so...

I tatted some Leaf Braid (from Tatting with Visual Patterns by Mary Konior). I'm not sure of the color. I think it may be Summer Trail, but it's been too long since I used it, and I'm too lazy to look back and see what I made with it!

My next task was to wind my shuttles with size 20 Lizbeth #168, Latte Foam. The shuttles are from Grizzly Mountain Arts. The top shuttle is the GMA signature logo. The bottom shuttle is one that I commissioned Dave to make for me when my dad passed away. Dad was almost as big a fan of Dave's work as I am!

Never let it be said that I've forgotten my beloved Spinning Wheel! This one is in size 10 Teeny Bopper from Yarnplayer. The shuttles are ones that I blinged recently. They match origami pouches that I made for myself. I certainly am self-indulgent!

Caribbean Krzyz

Believe it or not, this is my fifth Krzyz! I do enjoy tatting this pattern from Tatted Treasures by Jan Stawasz. This time I used size 20 Lizbeth Caribbean #122.

I think it may be time to move on to another pattern. I made a major mistake on this one... I forgot the very first join, and I didn't notice it until I was almost finished with the cross! There was a time when I would have chucked the whole piece because of that missed join, but not this time. Instead, I did a little creative sewing. I figure if sewing picots together was good enough for tatters in the 1800s, it's good enough for me now!

Here are the five crosses together. I like each and every one of them! I think I should really get to work setting up a photography area... the Apple logo does detract from the beauty of the crosses!

Blue River Glades

This is one of my favorite Lizbeth threads. I love the combination of blues and greens, and the color is so serene!

For this Krzyz by Jan Stawasz (Tatted Treasures), I turned the doodad slightly. I can't say that I prefer it one way or the other. I do think that certain color doodads go well with certain threads, and I really like the silver tone with the Blue River Glades!

The shuttles are by Chris Hinton. The top one is from Christmas 2009, and the rose inlay shuttle is one of my favorites. It's so smooth, and it has my initials on the back. I really do treat myself well! ;-)

Spring Garden

Thank you to Alicja for pointing out that I had the wrong word for cross! I guess that's what I get for looking at my enlarged copy instead of the book. I'm so sorry for the mix-up!

I love this pattern! As you can see, today I tatted Krzyz by Jan Stawasz in size 20 Lizbeth #124, Spring Garden.

Today I used a flat doodad, which is very slightly larger than the domed one I used yesterday. A little bit of steam did the trick, and I'm happy with the flat doodad in the center. However, I don't think I like the multi-colored thread for this pattern. I think a more subtle blend of colors shows off the pattern better.

I feel very lucky to own these two shuttles from Chris Hinton. The Palmetto Tatters shuttle was a gift from my dear friend Sue Anna. If I understand correctly, these were the last shuttles Chris made before his laser machine stopped working.

The shuttle on the right is a sea horse. If I remember correctly, Chris based this design on Anne B's Seahorse Dragon but couldn't work the wings into the design. Anne B's Seahorse Dragon is Debbie Arnold's Seahorse with wings. So, in my mind, this shuttle is a representation of Debbie's pattern. No matter how you look at it, it's a beautiful shuttle!

Krzyz by Jan Stawasz

Thank you to Alicja for pointing out that I had the wrong word for cross! I guess that's what I get for looking at my enlarged copy instead of the book. I'm so sorry for the mix-up!

I love tatting this pretty little cross from Tatted Treasures! When the Tollway Tatters met on Monday, I borrowed a doodad from one of my buddies to see if it would fit in the center of the cross. It did, so I decided to give it a go.

It didn't take too much extra time to add the doodad. However, since the doodad has a domed shape, this would not make a good bookmark. Wouldn't it be pretty framed?

The thread is size 20 Lizbeth # 168, Latte Foam. I love the soft color variations in this thread, perfect for this cross. The shuttles are gifts from my tatting buddies, Sue Anna and Denise. They totally understand my addiction to shuttles and threads!

Tollway Tatters meet again!

What a wonderful day for the Tollway Tatters to meet! There was very little traffic as we traveled to our meeting place, which made for a very relaxing drive!

There were goodies galore that were shared with all...

Denise brought hackle pliers for us. Fly fishermen use them, but so do the Shuttle Brothers! Denise went on a search after seeing them on the Shuttle Brothers' site, and she generously gave some to each of us. Carol called them reverse tweezers, just to give you an idea of how they work.

I brought Origami pouches for everyone to choose from. The idea is for everyone to decorate them with tatting. The hardest part will be deciding which designs and colors will work best with the bags!

Marilee asked to see some of my Spinning Wheel glass mats, so I brought them along as well.

Carol found a deal on Vera Bradley tape measures and brought them along for us. I was sure I took a picture of Carol, but it's not on my phone. I know she was there, because she was sitting right next to me! Sorry, Carol... I'll make sure I have a picture next time!

Sue Anna baked cookies... yum!

I could tell Denise had a lot of fun today!

It was great to have Barbara back with us! She missed the last meeting because of health problems, but she was ready to have a good time tatting today!

Marilee was all smiles today!

She brought along some beautiful hand-dyed wool/silk blend, and this is the color I chose!

I managed to finish my Pansy Spinning Wheel today. Sue Anna liked it so much, I let her take it home with her. I know it will be well-loved!

Marilee was busy designing today. It's so much fun to see her working out a design!

The question is, should this be a pendant and earring set, or should it be a necklace made of these three elements? It will be fun to see what Marilee decides to do!

I'm beat! I think I must have had too much fun today!

Do you remember?

Back when I first started blogging, many tatters were decorating jeans bags. I even joined in the fun, but I don't know where my jeans bag is now... probably some place really safe. ;-)

Anyway, this past summer I started thinking that it would be fun to decorate an Origami pouch with tatting. So I bought some fabric that I thought would be perfect for embellishing and started making bags. I worked on finishing them this week... better late than never! This one is my favorite. Did you notice that it's blue?

Now I need to figure out how I want to decorate it!

I'm making pretty good progress on my Pansy Spinning Wheel. I really like the way the colors flow, and I can hardly wait to finish it!

Pansy Spinning Wheel

I'm working on reorganizing my sewing room, and as I was sorting through my thread stash, this one caught my eye! This is Pansy, size 20 HDT from Yarnplayer. You know the pattern...

Use it up or throw it out!

Well, I couldn't throw out the leftover hand-dyed thread from my latest Spinning Wheel. So, I tatted a doodad ornament and three butterflies. Now I am free to move on to a new project!

...or finish up a work-in-progress. ;-)

Guess what?

I finished another Spinning Wheel glass mat!

The colors are much prettier in person. This is size 20 HDT from LadyShuttleMaker. The pattern is Spinning Wheel glass mat from Tatting with Visual Patterns by Mary Konior.

I love it!

Calling all tatters!

Well, all tatters who live in or can drive to the Chicago area and would like to join us for our next Tollway Tatters meeting. We'll be meeting on Monday, February 18. If you'd like to join us, email me and I'll give you the details.

Today was a busy day around our house. Dave spent the day working on the remodel of our back porch, and I spent the day having my own fun!

I spent most of the day working on this stack of Origami pouches that I started back in August. School started, and my pile of Origami pouches languished until today. I made good progress, but there's still a lot to do.

When I needed a break from hand-sewing, I worked on my latest Spinning Wheel. It's coming along nicely!

I ended my craft-filled day by completing Jane's TIAS. I think this baby buggy is adorable! Now I think I'm ready for a good night's sleep!

Starting another...

Spinning Wheel glass mat!

I just can't help myself! This hand-dyed thread was sitting in the basket next to my chair, and it was just calling to be made into a Spinning Wheel. I couldn't find a tag, but I'm pretty sure this is thread from LadyShuttleMaker. Does that tell you that I have a little too much HDT?

The view from my chair is getting a little cluttered.

I think I'd better spend a little time sprucing up tomorrow!

Flower Heart

Isn't this the sweetest little heart? I love it! It's about 1 1/4", and it's a very quick tat.

Flower Heart is from Kelly at Tatfully Yours. I used some more of my Raspberry Sorbet from Tatskool. I may have enough left for one more. I'm sure going to try!

Thank you for this adorable pattern, Kelly!

Before school!

After my last post, I looked at the clock and thought... You can do it, Diane. And I did! Day 10 of Jane's TIAS is complete. Now I really have to hustle and pack my lunch, eat my breakfast, and get off to school!

Tri-Heart

Linda B. Taliaferro offered this pretty little heart pattern on InTatters. I used size 20 Lizbeth, Pink Cocoa #166. This is a very easy pattern to tat, and it's so pretty!

I have 4 split rings left on Day 10 of Jane's TIAS. I'm getting better with split rings, but I'm still very awkward. I hope to finish those 4 split rings when I get home from school today. I just ran out of steam last night. Who knew 4 split rings could be so taxing? ;-)

Small Tatted Heart

When I saw this adorable little heart on Allison's blog, I just knew I had to make it! The pattern is by Betsy Evans, and it is a very easy tat. I used some of the Raspberry Sorbet from Tatskool. I have very little left of this pretty thread. I sure have enjoyed working with it!

Slowly but surely...

I'm managing to get some of this pretty Hen and Chick edging designed by Mary Konior done. It's amazing how delicate size 70 thread is, especially after working with size 20!

I still have a little Raspberry Sorbet left, so I'm working on little projects. I sure like the pink next to this doodad!

Baby buggy?

I just finished the Day 9 installment of Jane's TIAS, and it sure is looking like a baby buggy!

I managed to finish my Raspberry Sorbet Spinning Wheel before I left for school this morning. I'm not normally a pink person, but this sure turned out pretty!

So, what do I do with all my Spinning Wheel glass mats? Most of them have become gifts, although I have selfishly kept my favorites for myself. Some line the drawers of one of my shuttle display cases. Some are used as doilies around the house, and I have a few in a little round tin just waiting for a home. It's nice to have something I really love to give as a special gift when an occasion arises!

Almost...

Yes, I almost finished my latest Spinning Wheel glass mat last night. With less than 10 minutes left of the Super Bowl, I just couldn't keep my eyes open any more.

If only I hadn't spent an hour cleaning in the kitchen yesterday afternoon...

If only I hadn't talked on the phone with family and friends...

If only I hadn't spent hours searching the Internet for new light fixtures...

If only I hadn't waited until Sunday to grade 4th and 5th grade essays...

...I might have finished my Spinning Wheel! ;-)

I guess life is full of choices!

Spinning Wheel glass mat from Tatting With Visual Patterns by Mary Konior
size 20 HDT, Raspberry Sorbet from Tatskool
Tatsy shuttle decoupaged with Origami paper (holds a whole skein of HDT)

Gunhild's Romantic Hexagon

I finished Gunhild's Romantic Hexagon early this morning. Isn't it pretty? I used size 20 Lizbeth #124, Spring Garden and #676, Leaf Green Dark. The finished size is 3 3/4" from point to point. Thanks for asking, Michelle!

I love this pattern, and I plan on trying other color combinations!

Tatting here, tatting there...

tatting projects everywhere! Yes, I have been tatting this week, just in small doses... not enough to blog about. However, once I put all my little bits of tatting into perspective, I see that I have accomplished far more than I realized!

This morning I took time between laundry loads to tat Day 8 of Jane's TIAS. I'm afraid if anyone actually watched me tat a split ring, gales of laughter would be heard throughout the universe... yes, it is that funny to watch my contortions, both finger and facial! Nevertheless, I am managing to keep up with the TIAS for the first time ever!

I'm also test-tatting "Romantic Hexagon" by Gunhild. I LOVE this pattern! I think I will have to make it in a variety of colors. I love the way the pattern flows, and I keep looking at my apothecary jar and imagining which colors I could use for the next one!

I did make a little progress with my Hen and Chick edging. I love working with size 70 thread, as long as I don't make a mistake!

This morning I started on the 7th spoke of my Spinning Wheel glass mat from Tatting with Visual Patterns by Mary Konior. This is the only project I have going that does not require a copy of the pattern. I wonder why? ;-)