Blue River Glades

This is one of my favorite Lizbeth threads. I love the combination of blues and greens, and the color is so serene!

For this Krzyz by Jan Stawasz (Tatted Treasures), I turned the doodad slightly. I can't say that I prefer it one way or the other. I do think that certain color doodads go well with certain threads, and I really like the silver tone with the Blue River Glades!

The shuttles are by Chris Hinton. The top one is from Christmas 2009, and the rose inlay shuttle is one of my favorites. It's so smooth, and it has my initials on the back. I really do treat myself well! ;-)

Spring Garden

Thank you to Alicja for pointing out that I had the wrong word for cross! I guess that's what I get for looking at my enlarged copy instead of the book. I'm so sorry for the mix-up!

I love this pattern! As you can see, today I tatted Krzyz by Jan Stawasz in size 20 Lizbeth #124, Spring Garden.

Today I used a flat doodad, which is very slightly larger than the domed one I used yesterday. A little bit of steam did the trick, and I'm happy with the flat doodad in the center. However, I don't think I like the multi-colored thread for this pattern. I think a more subtle blend of colors shows off the pattern better.

I feel very lucky to own these two shuttles from Chris Hinton. The Palmetto Tatters shuttle was a gift from my dear friend Sue Anna. If I understand correctly, these were the last shuttles Chris made before his laser machine stopped working.

The shuttle on the right is a sea horse. If I remember correctly, Chris based this design on Anne B's Seahorse Dragon but couldn't work the wings into the design. Anne B's Seahorse Dragon is Debbie Arnold's Seahorse with wings. So, in my mind, this shuttle is a representation of Debbie's pattern. No matter how you look at it, it's a beautiful shuttle!

Sulky Blendables #4029 ~ Mocha Mauve

School is out for the summer, so I'm hoping I have more time to tat. So far, I've been too busy to spend very much time with my shuttles. I did manage to complete this set of Stumpy motifs for Chris and Erin Hinton. I'm really looking forward to the day when they start posting pictures of their Tatted Shuttles!

This Clover shuttle is another one that I decorated with fabric from Ann. She certainly was generous with her fabrics!

New Member Shuttle!

I received my new Tatting Forums member shuttle today! I suppose having one with my name on it should have been enough, but...

I rather like having a shuttle that says Lace-Lovin' Librarian!

Thanks Chris and Erin!

Sulky Blendables #4007 ~ Red Brick

I do like the way this thread looks tatted up! I was reading the information on the color chart that I picked up at The Original Sewing and Quilting Expo, and I learned that the color changes in this thread occur every 2 1/2 - 5". I haven't looked closely to see if the changes are truly random as the information indicates, but I do like the flow!

The shuttle is Blue Diamond from LaCossette. Isn't it pretty? I am finding that these shuttles work best for me when I'm using size 40 thread... is that normal? I wonder if the thread binds up on the bobbin because of the way I'm winding it. Does anyone have any insight? I do love the light weight of these shuttles, and the crochet hook in the end makes joining a breeze!

...and now I have another set of motifs to send off to Chris and Erin Hinton to be made into Tatted Shuttles. I have no idea how long it takes for Chris to make these shuttles, but they do turn out nice and I think they're well worth the wait. I can just imagine people admiring my tatting encased in epoxy 100 years from now! ; )

By the way, I've made the offer before, but everyone may not have seen it. If there are any of these Sulky Blendables threads that you would like to try, please let me know. Send me an email with your mailing information and the colors that appeal to you, and I will be happy to send samples of thread. The 30 wt. Sulky has 500 yards per spool. That's a lot of thread, and I'm pretty sure I won't have time to tat it all!

Sulky Blendables #4002 ~ Buttercream

While waiting for loads of laundry today, I managed to tat two more Stumpy motifs, this time in Sulky Blendables #4002. You're looking at the top side of another shuttle decorated by my friend Jenny... very appropriate for a librarian!

I really like the back side of this shuttle. I sing a song with the pre-schoolers at the beginning of each library class...

I love books, and they love me.
I get them free at the library.
Read them once.
Read them twice.
Library books are oh so nice.
See ya at the library!

And now I have another set of shuttle-shaped motifs to send off to Chris Hinton at The Shuttle Shop to be shuttle-fied!

Sulky Blendables #4004 ~ Golden Flame

I am really enjoying tatting with my Sulky Blendables thread collection! I haven't really done any research into this thread, but I'm assuming that because of its name, it is meant to be used with another thread as an accent. I've been tatting with a single strand, and yes, it is very fine. Honestly, I've been uninspired by some of the threads when looking at them on the spool. However, once I start tatting with them, they seem to come to life!

For me, the Stumpy motif by Kersti Anear is the perfect way to try out all of the different colors. Each motif takes me about an hour to tat. I've been tatting two of each color to send to Chris Hinton at The Shuttle Shop to be made into Tatted Shuttles. I get the joy of tatting with a purpose, and Chris has motifs to practice with so that he can perfect his shuttles... win/win! No, I am not selling these motifs. I am just having fun helping out a very talented shuttle maker. If you are interested in ordering one of Chris's shuttles, all you have to do is go to The Tatting Forums and contact his wife Erin. She can provide you with information on shuttle styles and prices.

Now that I've finished my samples of #4004, I'm really looking forward to trying another color! Yes, I do have TWO fish shuttles from my very talented friend Jenny. Aren't I a lucky girl?

Winder Shuttle Giveaway!

Chris Hinton's Winder Shuttle Version 1.0


Winder Shuttle Version 1.1

Chris and Erin Hinton at The Shuttle Shop are hosting a new tatting forum called... The Tatting Forums! Chris has been developing a new winder shuttle, which I have had the privilege of testing. I've tried out the first two versions, and the third version will be on its way soon. This process is so much fun for me!

To celebrate the new site (just a little over a month old), Chris and Erin are going to be giving away one of their new winder shuttles on September 1, around 8:00 p.m., to one lucky registered member of The Tatting Forums!

Why not join us? We're a small group so far, but there are a lot of familiar names. Besides... you might be the lucky winner!