Adventure

Dave and I are not very adventurous. Every once in a while we get together with his sister and her husband and go to a fabulous restaurant. Karen and Larry know how to choose the best places. Last night we went to Rosebud Steakhouse in Munster, Indiana. 

I didn't take pictures of everyone else's meals, but I did take pictures of mine! This is Buratta Salad. After tasting that fresh mozzarella, I don't think I'll ever be able to eat a mozzarella cheese stick from the grocery store again.

For the main course, I chose Rigatoni Vodka, which I had never heard of before. Oh, my goodness! It was so good!

Karen and Larry insisted that we get dessert. I chose Butter Cake with Caramel Gelato. It was heavenly. No, I did not eat all of it. I have enough leftovers for two more meals, and I know I will savor every bite.

When we arrived home, we were both too full and sleepy to do anything. So, I waited until this morning to finish round 5 of Renulek's Spring Doily 2024. I forgot to post the yellow thread. It's size 20 Lizbeth #170 Pineapple Parfait. For round 5 I used size 20 Lizbeth #679 Lime Green.

I have my shuttles wound for round 6, but I don't expect to get much tatting done today. I have a routine doctor appointment this morning, then my longer day at school. Daughter Carol asked if I could do some alterations to costumes for the musical Catch Me If You Can, which is in a week and a half. So, I'll be heading off to play practice to check out costumes. I'll bring them home with me, and hopefully get the alterations done in time for Wednesday's practice. It will be a busy day!

Busy weekend

We had a very busy weekend. I managed to pop in for the Tollway Tatters for a few minutes on Saturday. We had people coming over to pick up some furniture that we no longer needed. Also, my sister was down visiting for the weekend, and we had bejeweled trees to make!

I managed to finish four trees for grandchildren. I only have two left to finish for Christmas presents. After that, I will be doing them just for fun. Janet is working on a black and gold tree for a friend. Today was especially fun, because Janet's daughter-in-law and granddaughter came down to work on tress with us. 

Renulek's Spring Doily 2024 is coming along nicely. Round 4 took quite a bit of time, and I made a couple of big mistakes that took me a while to fix. On the next to the last motif I decided that I had the pattern memorized, so I tatted without referring to the pattern. That was not a good idea. Rather than take the time to retro-tat the whole motif, I cut it out and started it again. I was ready to tat the last motif when I noticed that I had joined a chain to the wrong ring. Luckily, that didn't take long to fix.

On to the next round!

Another start

 

This morning I started Renulek's Spring Doily 2024. I know the pattern is available for free on her blog, but I chose to purchase the pattern on Etsy. 

I have five colors chosen, but I may change my mind. This is size 20 Lizbeth #623 Raspberry Pink Lt. Now I have to decide which color to use next!

Revisiting Ice Drops

 

All of the reorganizing I've been doing for the past week got me to thinking about Ice Drops. So, I pulled out my pattern book and started with the Basic Ice Drop that got me into tatting with cabochons. This is the original pattern with a chain around the edge of the glass gem.

This is the same pattern without the extra chain. Isn't it strange that they look so different? I have an idea for an Ice Drop tree, and I think I will be using this blue, Lizbeth #704 Sky Blue Med. 

I finished off some St. Patrick's Day gnomes today. Adding the beards takes very little time. These are all for my daughters and grandchildren, but I'm pretty sure I will have some to pass out at school by the time I finish!

Checkin' in

I have nothing to show. For the past week, Dave and I have been building bookcases and organizing. I knit a few rows on a dishcloth when I'm at school, but it's been all about the house when I'm at home.

I hope to have something to share soon! 

Getting ready

My three youngest grandchildren asked for St. Patrick's Day gnomes.

So, I cranked out bodies and hats yesterday.

I also worked on beanbags for the social workers at school.

Since today is Tuesday, I'm going to focus on my test tatting project. I do miss reading about Tatting Tea Tuesday, even though tea is not my favorite drink. I much prefer coffee!

Mission accomplished!

Dave and I spent the weekend shopping for bookcases, putting them together, and sorting through craft supplies. There's still a lot of sorting and storing to be done, but we accomplished what we set out to do. There's nothing picture worthy yet, but I'll share once more of the clutter is out of the way.

Test tatting is going slowly. My hands just don't seem to want to hold on to the shuttle for very long.

The big news is that despite all the activity around here this weekend, I finished my Valentine gnomes!

Gnome progress

I finished my Valentine gnome bodies on Thursday and Friday, and then I got to work finishing them off. Six are done with nine to go!

Gnome hats

 

I thought I hadn't accomplished much yesterday, and then I realized I finished eight gnome hats in addition to working on my test tatting project. Not bad!

Keepin' busy

Daughter Alison was down to visit this weekend, and she asked if I would teach her to crochet little beanbags. After a little bit of research, I found a pattern for a crocheted chicken. The body was perfect for what Alison wanted. However, my understanding of the pattern was imperfect. I ended up with a whale tail.

I reread the directions and came up with the pyramid shape that Alison was looking for. I forgot to take pictures of all that I made. They're quick and easy. I filled some with dried beans and some with pony beads. I like the idea of the pony beads so that the beanbags can be tossed in the washing machine. The sound and the feel of the beans is more relaxing, so I'll probably make her some more of each.

Why beanbags? Alison is doing post-grad work in counseling, and she will use them as fidget toys when working with clients. 

I know the kids at school would love these, but I also know that they would be tossing them in the air or throwing them at each other. I think I'll refrain from passing these out at school!

Sunday was a cranking day. I cranked out bodies and hats for 15 gnomes. My goal is to have all 15 gnomes put together this week.

Test tatting is going well. I'm getting pretty good at those split rings, probably because there's only one on each round!

 

Tree time

 

My sister is visiting this weekend, so Friday and Saturday were tree days. I subbed on Friday, which meant I couldn't get started until late afternoon. Still, two more trees are ready for next  Christmas!

Valentine gnomes

Last weekend I cranked out seven Valentine gnomes to work on throughout the week. Assembly line production goes so much faster, and I have quite a few I'd like to make and give away for Valentine's Day.

The downside to making gnomes this way is it's harder to make them each different.

This set of gnomes does have a slight variation with each one.

The same yarn was used for the body and hats on all of them.

I used up my ball of white fluffy yarn, and had just enough left to make a mixed colored beard on this one. I like the look! 

With seven gnomes, I did manage to have three different beard colors.

I didn't look when pulling the beads for the noses out of my bead bag.

All but one ended up with a read nose. The hearts for the hats were also just pulled out of a bag. So, there are hearts in three colors and two sizes.

When they're all together, I guess they do look different from each other. 

I haven't decided what I'll work on today. I think I need my second cup of coffee first!