Rainbow Taffy

This has been my carry-along project for the last couple of days.

It's amazing how much can be accomplished when you do a little bit here and a little bit there!

I'm still going on the same ball of Rainbow Taffy!

I'll be sure to let you know how many Ice Drops I get out of one ball!

Have you ever woken up with an idea you just had to try? I did today. Although I had my shuttles ready for a different Ice Drop, I decided to go with my idea, and I'm glad I did!

This is another variation of my Pink Fudge Ice Drop. I really like this pattern, and the addition of small beads on the side rings adds just the perfect amount of bling!

So, what was the Ice Drop I abandoned? This one. The Fudge Dark thread hides the pink of the glass gem, but it's really pretty in person.

It's easy to come up with new color combinations with bowls and vases filled with glass gems everywhere I look! This is a glow-in-the-dark gem from Hobby Lobby. I'll have to go in a dark room to see if it really does glow.

I picked up my sister-in-law's runner again today. It's been well over a week since I worked on it. I do like the way the pattern goes together.

As I was straightening up my tatting supplies, I spied these little pearl beads, and I just had to tat one more Ice Drop for the day.

The big question is, will I take some time off and relax tonight or will I tat some more? Stay tuned!

Another Pink Fudge variation

One of the ladies on the Ice Drop Addicts page on Facebook mentioned that she tats the decorative round before tatting the round that encases the glass gem. I encase the glass gem and then tat the decorative round.

This time, I decided to try Nancy's way. I felt that it took me longer to finish the Ice Drop this way, but that's probably because I've developed a rhythm for completing the Ice Drops my way. One thing I did notice is that although this glass gem is slightly larger than some of the others, it fit very nicely. I think that's because the chain that surrounds the gem does not fit as snugly.

In any case, I really like the way this turned out. Did you notice the pink in the beads? Who says pink and orange don't go together? Not I!

Pink Fudge revisited

In my Fudge series of Ice Drops, I think I like Pink Fudge the best. It's simple and fancy at the same time.

I decided to change it up a bit this time. I changed the chain stitch count from 6 to 7 on rounds 1 and 3, and I added beads after tatting the center ring on round 3. It's not a big change, but I do like the way it looks!

Root Beer Fudge

The glass gem reminds me of root beer, so this is a Root Beer Fudge Ice Drop!

Minty Fudge improved!

Thanks to suggestions from tatting friends, I no have a Minty Fudge Ice Drop that I love! Several people suggested beads at the top of the frilly rings, which I totally agreed with. The suggestion that had the biggest impact was from muskaan, who suggested longer chains.

Although I was not careful in snugging up my chains, I think all will agree that there is a vast improvement over my first version. Thank you all, dear tatting friends, and a special thanks to muskaan!

Minty Fudge

Hmmm... it seems like something is missing with this design. Anyone have any ideas?

Purple Fudge

It took me most of today to design this Purple Fudge Ice Drop. Working with dark brown can be really difficult, especially when trying to retro-tat!

Although it took me much longer than I would have liked, I am really pleased with the way this one turned out. The pattern is a bit fiddly because of using the shoelace trick and lock joins, but I will most likely tat it again.

I have my Ice Drop patterns saved as PDFs on my computer, but I haven't figured out how to make them available on my blog. I'm just not that interested in learning something new on the computer, I guess. If you are interested in any of my patterns (Blue Fudge, Pink Fudge, Purple Fudge), just send me an email and I will send the file to you. The patterns are also available in the Files section of the Ice Drop Addicts page on Facebook.

On another note, today is daughter Andrea's birthday. Happy birthday, my dear, sweet, lovable daughter!

Caught snoozin'

I guess that flu bug hit me a little harder than I had thought. After a day of subbing, sewing class, and a quick supper, I fell fast asleep in my chair.

While I was relaxing and recuperating on Monday, I focused on St. Patrick's Day themed Ice Drops.

One of my tatting friends had suggested dangling the charm from the bottom of the tatting. Well, I tried it. I think it looks okay, but it just doesn't appeal to me.

I do enjoy playing with different colored glass gems and ribbons.

When I use a charm that I think is too big for the front, I add it to the back. I really can leave the charms off, but many of my friends and relatives like the charms, and I'm happy to add them for their pleasure!

My dining room table has turned in to Sewing Central! The three girls I teach have their permanent work stations. One of the moms has joined the group, and she brings her own machine.

We're currently working on Origami Pouches using my favorite tutorial. The tutorial calls for two layers of fabric, but we're making our first bags using cloth napkins that Mom found and sent my way. Using the napkins eliminates part of the process and gives a nice sturdy fabric for my students to practice their sewing skills.

The good, the bad, and the ugly

The good... Joanne and family came to visit for the weekend!

The bad... Our visit was cut short.

The ugly... I came down with stomach flu on Saturday, and it hit Dave on Sunday.

Joanne and family drove down on Thursday. I subbed, so they actually arrived at the house about an hour before I did. That was probably good, as it gave Joanne, Jan, and the kids a little time to unwind from their long drive.

On Friday, Joanne and I took the kids on a short shopping trip. Mom is going to weave some placemats for Joanne, and we went to choose fabric.

Mom takes the fabric and cuts it into bias strips, which she then weaves. The final product looks nothing like the original. It's always a surprise!

It was a beautiful day, so after lunch we went outside to play with the kids.

They love playing tag with Mommy!

It's a good thing we had lots of fun on Friday, because the flu bug hit me early Saturday morning. I slept the day away while Dave and Jan worked on drywalling and tiling the bathroom.

The plan was to start the flooring on Sunday, but Dave woke up feeling sick. So, instead of having a work day, Joanne and family packed up and drove home. It's a good thing they didn't wait around for us, because Dave and I slept the day away.

I'm amazed at how much Dave and Jan were able to accomplish in the short time they had available. The bathroom project may take a bit long than we hoped, but it will get done.

I'm starting to feel normal again. My friend Denise called to check on me this morning, and I had to cut our conversation short. Now that I've been up for a while and had a little to eat, I'm feeling much better!

While Joanne was here, she and Sophia chose Ice Drops to take home with them. They want to have their own Ice Drop tree! Sophia liked my Blue Fudge Ice Drop and asked if I would make a pink one. I started it Friday afternoon while the kids were napping, but didn't finish it in time for her to take home. I guess I'll have to come up with Ice Drops for each of the twins so that they all have something in the mail. Oh, darn! 😍

One more

I subbed again today, so there wasn't much time for tatting.

I did manage to finish one Ice Drop, but I'm too tired to tat any more tonight. Maybe I'll have more energy tomorrow!

Fudge!

Fudge Dk to be exact!

It was right next to my favorite chair, and I could see lovely blue glass gems over on the coffee table. I thought they'd make a beautiful combination, and I think I was right! The pattern is a variation on the Ice Drop.

Mary Donohue had shown something similar on the Ice Drop Addicts page on Facebook. I wanted to try her pattern, but my Internet connection was so slow this morning, I decided to try and do it from memory. Mine isn't exactly like Mary's, but it's close enough! Thank you for the inspiration, Mary!

I added another motif to my runner project today. I wonder how many motifs I'll get out of one ball of thread? I guess I'll find out!

This silver glass gem just called out for the silver and white ribbon.

I'm surprised at how much I like the white gem with this thread. So far, I have 16 Ice Drops out of my ball of Lizbeth #153, Rainbow Taffy. It's kind of fun to try and make each one different while determining how many can be made from one ball of thread!

Three more

I subbed today, but before leaving for school, I managed to finish two Ice Drops. Yes, I woke up very early... 4:30... and I didn't have to leave until 7:30. I had plenty of time to get ready for school and tat!

I love that different glass gems and ribbons can change the look so much!

During the teacher's plan time, I was able to finish my latest Spinning Wheel glass mat from Tatting with Visual Patterns by Mary Konior. The wood shuttles are from Rita Richmond of Shuttle by Design. The cross shuttle is a decal, and the flowers are hand painted.

After school, I had time for one more Ice Drop. This one is with a glow-in-the-dark gem. I wonder if I'll ever think to look at it in the dark to see if it really glows? 😀

I knew it wouldn't work...

I've used these beach-themed beads before, and I knew they were too big for the Ice Drops. However, as you can see, I just had to give it one more try. I think I'll put these beads away now. I'll find another use for them, just not with Ice Drops!

Despite taking a very long nap this afternoon, I managed to tat another motif for my sister-in-law's runner. I really am enjoying tatting this pattern in this color!

Hello, Kitty!

I only had time for one Ice Drop today and as I put it together, I thought of my friend Carol. Hello, Kitty!

Dave and I had a great time with two daughters and two grandchildren today. The only way it could have been better would have been with four daughters and seven grandchildren! ;-)

Having fun!

Today was laundry day. It may sound strange, but I really enjoy doing laundry. My morning is automatically divided into chunks of time, and I like to set goals for those chunks. Sometimes it's cleaning, and sometimes it's crafting. Today it was a bit of both.

My plan was to tat just one Eightsome Reel motif for my sister-in-law's runner.

Sometimes plans are meant to be changed!

Because I tatted two Eightsome Reel motifs, I only had time for four Ice Drops.

I don't know if you can see this little cat charm or not, but it's really cute!

The Rainbow Taffy thread is so cheerful!

All of the charms I used today are from a pack of 100 assorted charms I found on Amazon.

I love the dove!

This cute little owl made me smile!

Daughter Alison and kids are coming down to visit tomorrow, so I don't think I'll be doing much tatting. It's a good thing I had plenty of time to tat today!

A tatting filled day!

I started my day finishing another Eightsome Reel motif for my sister-in-law's runner.

Then I decided to move on to Ice Drops. I had a new ball of Lizbeth #153, Rainbow Taffy sitting by my chair. Keeping with the basic pattern, I managed to tat five Ice Drops today.

All five are tatted in Rainbow Taffy, but I used different glass gems, ribbons, and charms for each one. This adorable bird charm was too large for the front, so I put it on the back.

I love this turquoise gem! 💕

The leaf charm seemed perfect for the green glass gem.

This glass gem is gold with peach undertones... really pretty!

This glass gem looks more pink than purple in person.

Here are all five together. I wonder how many Ice Drops can be made with one ball of thread? Maybe I'll keep going with this ball so that I can find out! :-)