Back in business

It's been very quiet around here. Our Internet went out Friday, came back for a very short time on Saturday and Sunday, and then went out again. Of course, I waited too long to make the service call, so I wasn't able to schedule service until yesterday afternoon. Luckily, the tech guy was very knowledgeable and had us back in business in about an hour. Something was wrong with the cable between the receiver on the shed and the house. A new line has been run, and I can easily access the Internet again!

I'm really enjoying working my way through Gina Barrett's boo, Dorset Ring Buttons. This one is Templar Cross - traditional in #8 perle cotton.

Next up is Encased Star, also in #8 perle cotton.

This one is called Open Star. For some reason, I found this one especially difficult. The spacing of the spokes looked even when I started, but by the time i was finished, everything looked off center and unevenly spaced. I didn't quite get the look of the pointed spokes, either. This is one I will definitely try again!

These two buttons are failed attempts at Swanston - M. Howitt 1985. The gray or silver one shows what happens when I use a ring that's too small and thread that's too thick. I've been working my way through my bag of 18 mm stitch markers, and this ring was mistakenly in the package. I decided to use it anyway, without changing to a finer thread. I was only able to complete two rounds of the pattern, so the spiral affect is not evident. For the last of the 18 mm stitch markers, I switched to Sulky Blendables 12 wt. The thread size was perfect, but I should have used a solid color. I lost the spiral pattern very quickly. There was just too much going on for me to be able to see what I was doing. I think I'll save the multi-colored threads for simpler designs!

These buttons won't go to waste. I've been talking to our art teacher about Artist Trading Cards (ATCs), and she's thinking of a school wide project for students and staff members. I've started gathering materials and ideas for my ATC, and I hope to have time to work on it this weekend. If the project goes through, I'll be sure to post pictures!

Before our Internet went down, I watched some more YouTube videos from Gina-B Silkworks. I was fascinated by the Hishikazari ornaments and Yubinuki thimbles, so I ordered the kits. I saw that there was a small book on Sashiko, which I've admired for years, so that ended up in my shopping cart as well. Now a I need is the time to do it all!

Subbing has been keeping me busy. The sub shortage is greater than ever with the pandemic still looming. When I'm subbing at the middle school or high school, there are times when I am just supervising as students work on their assignments. That allows me time for tatting. However, when I'm at the elementary school, there is no time for tatting. I don't mind that at all. The little ones are so much fun to work with!

I keep my tatting bag in my purse, and when I have time I do a little tatting. I was able to complete these five button ornaments over the past week... not bad for tatting while subbing!