What a wonderful Christmas Eve!

We had a great time with our family gathering for Christmas Eve! We invited my friend Denise to join us, and I'm so glad she came. We had a wonderful time laughing, telling stories, and enjoying each other's company.

Denise surprised me with loads of goodies! We both love the Pioneer Woman, and Denise knew I had used up all my pretty bowls, filling them with glass gems. She found this pretty one and told me that it would hold four bags of gems... she had already figured that out!

The inspiration behind this cache of gems was Karey Solomon's Baubles, Bangles & Beads. There are marbles in the dish for making wrecking balls. At the top, there's a collection of sun, moon, and star gems. On the right are glass squares for tatting gift wrapped ice cubes. The bottom group is hexagons. I know I saw someone tatting with hexagons, but I can't remember who right now. I'll add in the name and link if I think of it later. On the left are larger glass gems. I've put a quarter next to one on the bottom so that you can get an idea of the size. The ornaments in the center got Denise to thinking about angels. I see a lot of fun tatting in my future. Thank you, Denise!

Breaking News! Linda remembered that it was Carolyn Craig who has a pattern for tatting with the hexagon gems! Thank you, Linda! The file can be found on the Just Tatting page on Facebook.

Most of the gems fit in my beautiful new bowl. Denise also gave me this pretty red dish. We had been talking about red glass dishes that we each used to have. Denise decided we each needed one for special gems.

Mine is filled with sea glass from Spain. I think it's a very good thing that I am retired!

Oops! I skipped a day!

I guess I've been having too much fun with Joanne and the kids. I didn't even think about blogging last night.

Today the elementary teachers got together for lunch to celebrate Robyn's and my retirement. Our talented friend Edna made another cake for us. How clever of her to incorporate mermaid theme!

Joanne dressed Karolina in this onesie that was a present from my friend Denise. Isn't the teddy bear adorable? The baby's pretty cute too! ;-)

We had quite a bit of broccoli in our garden, so I spent some time freezing it after supper. Yes, we had fresh broccoli for supper. After all that work (it really wasn't much work), I treated myself to some tatting time. I'd better step it up if I'm going to finish this Spinning Wheel by Friday!

Again, I spent the early morning hours working on the Mermaid Tail Afghan. Much more concentration will be need if this is to be finished in two weeks, leaving me with less tatting time. Oh, well! I guess sacrifices must be made for the Drama Club!

Denise went shopping!

...and surprised me with this adorable little Mary Engelbreit tin bucket and a ball of size 20 Lizbeth. The thread, Falling Leaves, matches the colors of the leaves on the bucket... too cute!

Her timing was great! I needed a little cheering up...

I was in my first car accident on Sunday. My poor little car! She's not even a year old, and we waited so long to get her... ten and a half years. Luckily, no one was hurt, and my car was the least damaged of the three. My Little Black Beauty will be home soon, hopefully as good as new!

I've finished two more purple snowflakes.

I'll keep tatting snowflakes until the end of October. I wonder what tatting binge will take hold next?

Why not white?

I've been enjoying making these Stumpy motifs for Chris and Erin Hinton at The Shuttle Shop. They're destined to be "Tatted Shuttles" one day, but I don't think there will be a white set any time soon. True, white is classic, crisp, and clean. It certainly looks pretty next to this sparkling blue shuttle blinged by my friend Denise.

So, why not white?

Because there wasn't enough thread on the shuttle! ; )

P.S. ~ I know... add more thread. I can't. I was using thread that was left wound on the shuttle, and I have no idea what I was using! Besides, color is so much more fun!

Tollway Tatters

We did it again! Thanks to Sue Anna making the arrangements, The Tollway Tatters met at the Hinsdale Oasis for a day of tatting, chatting, sharing, and eating. Can you tell we had a great time?

Sue Anna got to take the picture, because she has the longest arms. That's Sue Anna in the front. Clockwise from Sue Anna... my friend Denise, me, Barbara, and Marilee.

We celebrated International Tatting Day one day early. Although after our discussion regarding Leap Year, maybe we met right on time!