Thursday, April 3, 2025

Finished!

 

I just finished my scrappy afghan, and I love it! It's 50" wide and 70" long, much longer than needed for me. I'm 5' 4". Our school superintendent is retiring next year, and he's about 6' 4", so I'm thinking of saving it as a retirement present for him. However, I might change my mind!

Monday, March 31, 2025

Lots of crochet time

I've spent a lot of time crocheting for the past two days. I finished another cowl, which I have tucked away for next year.

Of course the leftovers went into my scrappy afghan. It's coming along nicely, with only 6" left to go. I think I'll achieve my goal of finishing the afghan this week!

Saturday, March 29, 2025

Busy week

Even though this week was our Spring Break, it was not a time of fun and relaxation. Dave's car has been in and out of the shop for the past six weeks, so we decided it was time to get a new one. I had forgotten how time consuming car shopping can be! It took us a total of three days, but we now have a new, reliable vehicle.


I didn't get as much crafting time in as I had hoped to, but I still accomplished quite a bit. It took me all week to finish one more pattern repeat of Renulek's Spring Doily 2025. Honestly, I put off tatting until today. It's just easier for me to take crocheting or knitting in the car, and we were in the car quite a bit this week.


I now have three more cowls in my stash. I'll be putting them away until the weather turns colder next fall.


My scrappy afghan is growing. I measured it last night and figured out that I only need 12 more inches. The three skeins in the lower part of the picture will be used for my next three cowls, and the leftovers from those cowls will be added to the afghan. I think I'll be concentrating on crocheting for the next week. I'd really like to finish this afghan before the weather turns nice and warm.

We'll see what the coming week brings!


Sunday, March 23, 2025

Weekend projects

 

A friend of mine bought a couple of Woobles kits so that she could learn to crochet. She decided that crochet wasn't for her, at least not by making toys, and she asked if I would make up the two turtles for her daughters. They didn't take long to make, and they are pretty cute.

I've started round 13 of Renulek's Spring Doily 2025. This round will take a while to complete. I figure it took a little over two hours for me to tat one pattern repeat. I'm using Lizbeth #615 Yellow Lt.

My sister came down to visit this weekend, and we decided to work on Spring trees. I forgot to take a picture of Janet's progress, but I did take a short video of the tree I completed before attaching it to a base. This one will go to my friend Rhiannon.

I feel like I've accomplished a lot this weekend, and I'm ready to get back to crafting!

Thursday, March 20, 2025

Round 12

 

I am very pleased with the way round 12 of Renulek's Spring Doily 2025 looks. I used size 20 Lizbeth #712 Kelly Green Med.

The doily looks great as it is, but I'm eager to get started with round 13. My color has been chosen, and my shuttles have been wound. It's time to get started!

Monday, March 17, 2025

Round 11

 

I can hardly believe that I finished round 11 in two days! I used size 20 Lizbeth #677 Lime Green Med. 

I really like the way the colors and pattern work together to show eight distinct sides. 

On to round 12!

Saturday, March 15, 2025

Round 10

 

I finished round 10 of Renulek's Spring Doily 2025 last night just before bedtime. I think it would be beautiful if I stopped right here, but I'm eager to work on round 11.

Round 10 is in size 20 Lizbeth #704 Sky Blue Med. Can you guess which color I'll use next?

Wednesday, March 12, 2025

Round 9

 

This afternoon I was able to complete round 9 of Renulek's Spring Doily 2025. I love the way this is coming together! Round 9 is in size 20 Lizbeth #710 Bright Blue Lt. 

My finger is pretty well healed and the high school play is over, so I think I might be able to carve out a little more tatting time. The weather is warming up, and Dave has started working in the yard. That's a blessing and a curse. He always does a wonderful job with the yard and the different gardens, but he seems to need my opinion when I'm in the middle of something! I really don't mind stopping what I'm doing, After all, we all get to enjoy the fruits of his labor!

Wednesday, March 5, 2025

Two more

 

Today I tatted two more pattern repeats of Renulek's Spring Doily 2025. I'm guessing that it takes me a little over an hour to tat one pattern repeat.

I'm going to try my best to finish this round by the end of the weekend. That may be difficult, because this weekend is the high school drama club production of Crazy for You. It should be fun!

Tuesday, March 4, 2025

Starting round 9

 

Today I started round 9 of Renulek's Spring Doily 2025 in size 20 Lizbeth #710 Bright Blue Lt. This round is going to be easy!

Sunday, March 2, 2025

Round 8


The last few days have been unexpectedly busy, so I really didn't think I'd find enough time to finish round 8 of Renulek's Spring Doily 2025. I did have to pay close attention to the pattern, but I mad it through with no blunders. On to round 9!

Thursday, February 27, 2025

Awkward

 

Crafting has been a bit awkward since I sliced my finger the other day. I decided to attempt crochet first, figuring that working with a thicker fiber would be easier. Luckily, I only had a couple of rounds left to do on the top cowl. I found that if I moved the yarn closer to my hand, I was able to crochet. It took a bit of time to figure out how to adjust my tension, but I did it!

I supped Tuesday and Wednesday, so I worked on these two cowls and managed to finish them both.

This morning I decided it was time to test out tatting, and I think I did pretty well. It did take more time to finish a pattern repeat, but I wasn't deterred by how long it took. I'm actually quite pleased!

It seems that typing is my biggest challenge right now. I'm a touch typist, and I find that I'm making tons of mistakes. It's driving me a little crazy!

Monday, February 24, 2025

 

Round 8 of Renulek's Spring Doily 2025 is coming along nicely. I'm really glad I chose blue for this round.


I may be out of commission for a few days. I used a new bread knife while preparing dinner tonight. I can verify that it is the sharpest knife I've ever owned. Typing this post is a challenge, so I'm guessing that crafting will be even more challenging. I guess I'll see what tomorrow brings!

Sunday, February 23, 2025

Losing track of time

Well, I did it again. I lost track of time and missed our Tollway Tatters meeting. I simply forgot that this week was the last Saturday of the month. I'll try to do better next month.


I'm still working with the Drapey Cowl pattern. I'm sure I'll lose interest as the weather gets warmer, but for now I'm still going strong.

I have to pay close attention to round 8 of Renulek's Spring Doily 2025. I finished one pattern repeat yesterday and one today. This is not a round that is easy for me to remember!

Friday, February 21, 2025

Starting round 8

 

I finished the first pattern repeat of round 8, Renulek's Spring Doily 2025. For this round, I'm using size 20 Lizbeth #704 Sky Blue Med. 

I really don't know how long it took to tat one repeat. I started in the morning, worked a little more in the early afternoon, and finished in the late afternoon. I'm not sure I want to know how long it took!

Thursday, February 20, 2025

Back in the swing of things

 

It did me a world of good to take a break from crafting. I'm no back to doing the things I enjoy, but at a much slower pace. I started a new cowl several days ago. I've been very careful to not work for too long.

I finished round 7 of Renulek's Spring Doily 2025. I really like the way the colors are coming together.

Most of my time has been spent embellishing costumes for the upcoming high school musical, Crazy for You. Daughter Carol bought the dresses and boas. I attached the boas to the dresses after adjusting the straps to fit each of the girls. Working on costumes is not my favorite thing to do, but I am happy to help where I can when it comes to the Drama Club!

Sunday, February 16, 2025

Another tree

 

Yesterday, daughter Carol and I shopped for supplies to embellish dresses for the play. Shopping isn't hard, but it sure wears me out!

This afternoon I worked on another bejeweled tree. I haven't decided for sure yet, but I think I'll be donating this one for the raffle as well. I may even make a third one!

Friday, February 14, 2025

Bejeweled

 

As expected, I had no time for crafting yesterday. Lucky me, today I did! There was a half day of school for students, and since there was no lunch served I had the day off.

The high school musical, Crazy for You, is in three weeks. There will be a raffle to benefit a sophomore boy who is being treated for abdominal sarcoma. I've chosen to donate a bejeweled tree to the raffle, and since it's almost Spring, I decided to go with a Spring theme.

Weather permitting, I'll be helping daughter Carol with costume alterations tomorrow. Tonight, I think I'll just relax!

Wednesday, February 12, 2025

Starting round 7

 

We had an e-learning day for school today, which meant no work for me. So, I spent a good portion of the day tatting. #677 Lime Green Med was my choice for round 7, and I really like the look.

I'll be back at school tomorrow, and I have a doctor's appointment in the morning. I really don't expect to have much time for crafting. It's a good thing I had time today!

Tuesday, February 11, 2025

Round 6

 

Tatting doesn't bother my sore right hand, so I spent my free time working on round 6 of Renulek's Spring Doily 2025. I used size 20 Lizbeth #712 Kelley Green Med. In think I'll just stick with tatting for a few days and avoid crocheting!

Monday, February 10, 2025

Round 5

 


I took my time with round 5 because of my sore hand, and I'm glad I did. I really enjoyed tatting this round in size 20 Lizbeth #622 Pink Med.

My right hand is still very sore, so I'll probably take things slowly for the rest of the week. There's no sense in rushing things. I'll just enjoy my slow progress!

Friday, February 7, 2025

Just one


Well, I did it. I overworked my hands, and my right hand is really sore today. I'm pretty sure crocheting was my downfall. I wasn't successful trying to crochet a few stitches today, but I was able to do one pattern repeat on Renulek's Spring Doily 2025. I was very careful to not do too much today. I did quite a few hand exercises throughout the day, and my hand feels so much better than it did this morning. I'm not going to push it. I plan on taking it easy through the weekend. You'd think I'd know by now to not overdo it!

Thursday, February 6, 2025

Starting round 5

 

At lunchtime today, I realized that I am more than half finished with my latest cowl. About a half hour a day of crocheting really pays off.

My scrappy afghan is now 29 inches long. I really like the way it's looking.

I also started round 5 of Renulek's Spring Doily 2025. I'm using size 20 Lizbeth #622 Pink Med. Each pattern repeat takes me about an hour, so I know I have a couple of days left to work on this round.

I think I'm done for the day. My hands are a little sore from all I've been doing. It's better to take a break now than to have to take several days off later. 

Wednesday, February 5, 2025

Round 4

 

Round 4 of Renulek's Spring Doily 2025 was quick and easy. I chose to go back to #712 Kelly Green Med. It just seemed to frame the center perfectly.

I've already chosen the color for round 5, and my shuttles are wound. I think I've done enough tatting for today. Round 5 looks a little more complicated, so I think I'll just study the pattern for a bit before getting started. Time to relax!

Tuesday, February 4, 2025

Round 3

 

Today I worked on and finished round 3 of Renulek's Spring Doily 2025. For this round I used size 20 Lizbeth #187 Green Ice. I love the way this doily looks so far!

Monday, February 3, 2025

Focus on tatting

 

After spending time with Linda yesterday, I decided to focus on tatting today. First thing this morning, I worked on my latest bookmark, "Wildflowers" from Four Dozen Tatted Bookmarks by Robin Perfetti. I'm using size 20 Lizbeth #112 Carousel.

The rest of the day I worked on Renulek's Spring Doily 2025. Round 2 is in size 20 Lizbeth #677 Lime Green Med. I haven't decided which color I want to use for round 3. I have colors chosen for the doily, but I think I might look at my threads again and choose something different from what I have set aside. I think I may have too many choices!


Sunday, February 2, 2025

A new tatting friend

 

Linda recently joined our Tollway Tatters group on Facebook and asked if anyone was interested in getting together to tat. Yes! We met today at Culver's in New Lenox, and spent about three hours together. A man stopped by and asked if we could make him some socks, which made us laugh. He was then kind enough to take our picture. We're both hoping we can get together again soon.

My scrappy afghan is now 24" long. I haven't measured the width yet, but I'm guessing that I will make it about 60" long.

I finished another Drapey Cowl before leaving to meet Linda. Yes, I have already started another!

Friday, January 31, 2025

Asymmetry

 

I finished my Asymmetry bookmark from Four Dozen Tatted Bookmarks by Robin Perfetti. I really enjoyed tatting this one. I did notice that I managed to twist the last chain, but not until after I'd buried the ends. Somehow I think it will be okay.

I finished another Drapey Cowl this afternoon. I didn't think I'd like like the color combination, but now that it's finished I really like it.

My scrappy afghan is now 17" long. I haven't decided yet how long I'll make it. I guess I should measure the width and go from there.

The weekend is looking really busy, so I'm not sure how much I'll get done, but I'll be sure to post my accomplishments!

Thursday, January 30, 2025

Project progress

 

I started off round 2 of Renulek's Spring Doily 2025 with a mistake. I thought the second ring looked strange, but I couldn't figure out why. So, I kept on tatting. When I started the second pattern repeat, I realized that I was short one picot and three double stitches. So, I snipped off the mistake and started round 2 again. It looks much better now.

My scrap afghan is now 16" long. It's nice to have something to work on that doesn't take much concentration at the end of a busy day.

Since the weather has turned warmer, I haven't had the urge to finish cowls quickly. This has been my take along project that I work on between lunches at school. It's only a total of about 30 minutes a day, but I do enjoy seeing how projects grow little by little.

Wednesday, January 29, 2025

Gettin' started

When I saw the release of Renulek's Spring Doily 2025, I went right to her Etsy shop and purchased it. It was fun choosing colors of thread and shuttles this morning. For round 1 I'm using size 20 Lizbeth #712 Kelly Green Med. The shuttles are from Rita Richmond of Shuttle by Design. Round 1 is about 2.5 inches.

It sure is a pretty center!

 

Tuesday, January 28, 2025

Ready to turn


I managed to get a little tatting time in this morning, and I'm ready to make the turn on the end. I think I could have tatted quite a bit this morning, but I let myself get distracted looking at tatting patterns. I really need to maintain focus!


My scrap afghan is growing. I crocheted a bit before going to bed last night, and then again this afternoon. It's getting long enough that my lap is getting warm. I guess I'm hoping for some chilly weather so that I can continue working on it!

Monday, January 27, 2025

Feelin' productive

 

I'm feeling pretty good about today. I took my crocheting with me, and I was able to finish this Drapey Cowl while subbing. I actually pulled out my tatting, which is full of mistakes. Still, I had something to do with my hands while supervising students.


Mom had a dentist appointment this afternoon, which really didn't take much time. In fact, there was time enough to start another Drapey Cowl before dinner!