Goodbye 2020!

Are you ready for 2020 to disappear? I am! We have about five hours to go here in the Chicago area. I will not be staying up until midnight. I haven't done that in years!

I started off the day by adding another Eightsome Reel motif to my doily that may become a tablecloth or curtain. I'm still not sure what I want it to be!

I also worked on button ornaments. I decided to play with some ideas using the December 1 base pattern. I scrapped three or four that I messed up, but I'm happy that I have three to show for my efforts today.

Let's hope 2021 brings happiness and health to all!

Falling behind

Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today. I said that to a student just yesterday. I guess I should heed my own advice.

I've been so caught up with tatting Ice Drops this past year, that I haven't taken much time to work on anything else, and now the Christmas crunch is on!

I was planning on making stockings for my grandchildren this week, finishing up the little bit of Christmas shopping I need to do, and enjoying the Christmas season.

However, as Robert Burns said, "The best laid schemes o' mice an' men / Gang aft a-gley." I've been called in to sub five times in the past week. Dave "forced" me to clean the upstairs with him (a task that I had been dreading, and I'm very happy to have it done!). I spent a good part of the day with my friends Denise and Mary Lou, something we hadn't done in years.

Little has been accomplished! I did manage to cut out one Christmas stocking before heading in to school yesterday... only three to go! Yesterday, I was able to tat while subbing.

I am making progress on my sister-in-law's runner. I believe I need eleven more rows of three to finish it. At a rate of four hours per row, I really have my work cut out for me.

So, you might not be reading much here in the next week. I've been glancing at blogs, but haven't really taken much time to read or comment. Yes, the Christmas crunch is on, and I am determined to achieve my goals!

Fox asked

Fox remembered that I had tried a blogging app on my iPad a while back. I had forgotten! With a little bit of looking, I found that the app I had used was called Blogo. I tried this morning, and Blogo seems to work no longer... sigh! The Blogger app doesn’t work either, as I found out from reading Jane Eborall’s post from Fringe.

After about a half hour, I had the brilliant idea to access my blog through Safari. Duh! Simple solution! It’s just like blogging from my computer! However, I can’t add pictures. On to the next step... when in doubt, ask! Now I’m working through Chrome. There are three little vertical dots in the upper right hand corner. I tapped in that, then on Request Desktop Site, and I now have full functionality, just like I have on my computer! There is a little bit of lag time, but nothing I can't deal with.

I haven’t allowed much time for tatting the past few days. Instead, I’ve been helping daughter Carol (aka Madam Director) with last minute preparations for the middle school production of James and the Giant Peach. I’m pretty good at last minute shopping and costume alterations, if I do say so myself. Las t night was opening night, and it was wonderful! Dave and I will be heading off to help set up for dinner theater as soon as Carol calls..

I made a little progress on my sister-in-law’s runner, and I’ve made very few mistakes!

This morning I started another Ice Drop. I feel like I need to play catch-up!

Oops! I did it again!

I forgot to blog yesterday. I didn't really have much to record.

I've been working on my sister-in-law's runner. I'm almost finished with my first ball of Lizbeth Linen Med. I think I will need two more balls to finish.

I finished another pendant in DMC Diamant. I do enjoy working with this thread!

Caribbean

I started the day off right by tatting an Ice Drop in size 20 Lizbeth #122, Caribbean. I tried an idea on this one that doesn't really work for me. I only added picots on every other chain on the inside chains. It looks okay, but doesn't look as neat as I thought it would. It just looks like I forgot picots!

Then I started the next motif on my sister-in-law's runner. I couldn't figure out why the pattern repeat wasn't working, so I set it aside and headed off for my appointment at the dentist. After lunch, I looked at the motif and realized what I had done. I forgot the second ring!

It would have been easier to snip and start over, but I stubbornly spent the time retro-tatting. Now, I'm back where I should be. My goal was to tat two of these motifs today. Whoops!

Another shopping day

I really don't enjoy shopping, but I forgot a few things the other day, so I met up with daughter Carol and we went shopping for everything from toothpaste to floor tiles. Of course shopping did not keep me from enjoying some time with my hobbies!

I'm pretty sure it's a given now that I will tat an Ice Drop a day. I have to... I have a lifetime supply of glass gems! This one is in size 20 Lizbeth #115, Springtime.

I'm very happy that I finally figured out how to convert an Inkle loom pattern to one that can be used with a rigid heddle. This pattern is exactly what I was trying to accomplish! Sometimes it takes me a while to understand how something works, and understanding a draft for an Inkle pattern really challenged me!

I'm back to working on my sister-in-law's runner. I do love this pattern, and I'm finding that even thought I haven't worked on it in quite a while, I haven't lost the rhythm of the pattern! In case you've forgotten, this pattern is Eightsome Reel from A Pattern Book of Tatting by Mary Konior.

I hope to stay home tomorrow. I have lots of catching up to do!

Rainy Sunday

It was another dreary day, and it looks like it will be a blustery day tomorrow. Luckily, I have plenty to keep me busy!

I started the day off with an Ice Drop, of course! I'm still working from the same ball of size 20 Lizbeth #124, Spring Garden.

I've been neglecting my sister-in-law's runner, so I picked it up again today and added one motif. If I would only take the time to work on one motif a day, I would have this done pretty quickly.

I managed to work three pattern repeats on my band. Each pattern repeat is 22 picks (rows), and the repeat is 1 1/4" long. I feel like I'm getting better with the band weaving. I've been checking the width  after each pick to make sure it's a consistent 3/4". I was very pleased that I made no mistakes today!

I've also been neglecting my Renulek doily. I did manage two pattern repeats today, so I'm a little more than 1/4 of the way around.

One last Ice Drop in Spring Garden finished off my day, which turned out to be pretty productive!

Laundry day

I really enjoy laundry day! I set tatting goals between loads of laundry, and I always manage to accomplish quite a bit.

In the mood for something a little different, I chose my Blue Fudge Ice Drop pattern. The thread is size 20 Flora #216. The glass gem doesn't show up very well in the picture. The domed side has a silver mirror finish.

I actually like the color of the glass gem on the flat back better. It's blue!

My sister-in-law's runner is growing. It's now 6 1/2" x 10 1/2". So, it's about 1/4 finished. The pattern is Eightsome Reel from A Pattern Book of Tatting by Mary Konior. The thread is size 20 Lizbeth #693, Linen Med.

I also worked on round 7 of Renulek's Wiosna 2017. Round 7 has not been posted on the blog yet, but I'm working off the pattern I purchased from her Etsy shop.

I decided to finish my day with another Blue Fudge Ice Drop. This one is in size 20 Lizbeth #124, Spring Garden. I think I see butterflies around a flower! 😄

The occasional blogger

That's what I feel like! I get up in the morning and have good intentions for how my day will go, and somehow I get lost in details. The end result... I forget to blog!

Yesterday my new Celtic shuttles from Meng's Crafts came in the mail. I'm looking forward to trying these new beauties!

I did a little experimenting with size 40 thread. Some of the coin beads I purchased are much thinner than the glass gems I've been using. I changed the stitch count for the first round to 5-5-5-5 for the rings and 9-1--1-9 for the chains. For round 2 I changed the ring count to 7-7-7, and the chains to 10. It's a little snug, but I think it the size 40 works better for these thinner beads. The shuttle is one of my new ones from Rita Richmond of Shuttle by Design. Rita's shuttles seem to sell as fast as she posts them. The good news is, she takes orders!

I got a little further with Renulek's Wiosna 2017. Round 6 has now been posted!

Progress! Each square motif in my sister-in-law's runner means progress to me!

I don't see much tatting ahead today. I'm subbing for music, so I will be having fun singing and dancing with little kids! Luckily, they don't care that I'm off key when I sing or that I look goofy dancing. 😊
SaveSaveSaveSave

Keepin' busy

I've had so much fun the past few days, I forgot to post yesterday!

I've ordered so purchased so many glass gems and coin beads, I can't remember where they came from! I believe this pretty bead was on eBay.

 Yesterday, I finished round 5 of Renulek's Wiosna 2017.

You know my fascination with blue! The thread is size 20 Lizbeth #603, Ecru. I'm not normally a fan of ecru, but I do like the Lizbeth shade.

This morning I started round 6 of Renulek's Wiosna 2017! Round 6 has not been posted on the web site yet. The complete pattern is available in Renulek's Etsy shop. I purchased the pattern when it first became available, because I wanted to be able to keep it in a more condensed version than it would have been if I printed out each individual round. Plus, I like supporting designers!

I know I said I was only going to post pictures of my sister-in-law's runner as I finished rows, but I found that I wasn't taking the time to work on it. So, I think I'll post my progress whenever the mood strikes! 😉

I haven't done any weaving in a while. I was kind of stuck, because I was trying to come up with a neat project. My mom is always coming up with great ideas, and I strive to be just like her! Yesterday afternoon I got to thinking about weaving, and it dawned on me that I really enjoy weaving scarves. I have loads of yarn that I purchased specifically for making scarves. What was I waiting for?

Isn't this a pretty yarn? It's from Hobby Lobby, and I love the way it works up. I'm sure I'll have lots of scarves on hand, and I'm guessing that my family will not be interested in all that I make. So, I'll have to find a home for them. I'm sure I'll find some takers!
SaveSave

Save the date!

Tollway Tatters will be meeting on Saturday, March 18. If you're in the Chicago area, we would love to have you join us! We meet at the Hinsdale Oasis on 294 at 10 a.m. We always have a lot of fun!

Now that I'm working on length, I will post pictures of my sister-in-law's runner as I finish a row of three motifs... if I remember! The pattern is Eightsome Reel from A Pattern Book of Tatting by Mary Konior. the thread is size 20 Lizbeth #693, Linen Med.

I really didn't need any more gems for tatting Ice Drops, but when I searched 20 mm coins on Etsy, I saw these beautiful pieces and just had to have them!

I also found these. Just think of the possibilities!

I tatted one Ice Drop ornament today.

I also tatted my first Ice Drop pin.

 A little bar pin stitched to the back, and I'm all set for St. Patrick's Day!

Sharing Ice Drop love!

Yesterday was our monthly retiree lunch, which is held at a different restaurant each month. I haven't attended since September. Somehow, other activities have gotten in the way! We were a small group of seven this month, and I knew that three of the ladies attending are fans of my Ice Drops, so I took some along to share. Why not?

Daughter Joanne chose her favorite Ice Drops when she was down visiting a couple of weeks ago. She found this adorable display stand on Amazon. It looks great, but it only holds 18 Ice Drops and she took 25 home. Now she's trying to decide if she should buy another tree and request more Ice Drops. I guess I'd better get tatting. My supply is getting pretty low!

I only managed to tat one Ice Drop yesterday, and I haven't tatted any today. I've beet too buys running errands, lunching with friends, and shopping for my sewing students.

I did manage to tat one more motif for my sister-in-law's runner. At the rate I've slowed down, she might not get this before Christmas! 

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!

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!