Nothing to show

I've had nothing to show since Monday. I've been busy with subbing and cutting out fabric for a quilt, so Dorset buttons and tatting have been on the back burner... until last night!

I had one color left from the Cranberry Spice thread pack, Cranberry bush. I started on the Dorset buttons last night, and worked on them whenever I had a few free minutes. A little bit here, and a little bit there meant that I was able to finish my set of six just before dinner tonight. Now it's time to add the tatting!

Playing with thread

Mom and I went to get our hair cut this morning, and then I spent the rest of the day playing with thread!

My blog posts will probably be pretty boring for a while. I have quite a selection of buttons and donuts that I plan to tat around with size 40 Lizbeth #669 Poppy Red. My December 1 button ornament pattern is pretty simple and tats up quickly, and I want to be sure to have plenty of ornaments for Christmas in the Village!

I plan on having some Dorset Crosswheel centers, so I'll be stitching up some of them as well.

My 5/8" four hole button stash doesn't seem to be getting smaller, even though I feel like I've been going through them like crazy!

It took me a while to figure out the Dorset Crosswheel variation. This was another one of those times when I wondered why I found it so difficult once I was finished!

I gave away most of my 5/8" two hole buttons, but I found some more so I might as well use them!

My final button of the day was supposed to be a Lychett Basket. This looks nothing like the picture on the pattern page! I'll use it as a center for a button ornament, but I know I'll be much happier when I create one that looks like the pattern picture!

Brookfield Zoo

We took the kids to Brookfield Zoo yesterday. We left about 8:30 in the morning and returned home around 4. It was a hot and sunny day, so we were all exhausted by the end of the day. I hadn't been to the zoo in about 30 years. It was pretty much as I remembered it. Some of the areas were closed, and some of the animals just didn't make an appearance. I imagine they didn't like the heat any more than we did!

I snuck in a little time for myself today. This morning I made two Dorset buttons.

This afternoon I tatted a donut ornament. I think I have just enough thread for one more ornament in Red Burst. I've already started it, and I should finish it tomorrow. 

It's taken me a little over two weeks to use up this ball of size 40 Lizbeth. When I finish the last ornament, I'll take a picture of what I've been able to tat from one ball of thread. It's pretty amazing!

Starting the day off right

Starting the day with tatting always seems to set things right! This ball of size 40 Lizbeth #147 Red Burst seems to go on forever! I may not achieve my goal of finishing up the ball this weekend.

We all headed over to daughter Carol's house for a delicious lunch of macaroni and cheese, hot dogs, and salad. Joanne and the kids spent the afternoon with Carol, and Mom and I headed home after lunch.

While Mom was napping, I made another Dorset button. This time I used size 10 Lizbeth and it went much faster. I think the stitches look more even, but I need to work on keeping my center in the center!

After dinner, I decided to try 12 wt Sulky Blendables with a smaller 1/2" ring. I love the sheen of the Sulky thread, and I think I did a much better job with the center this time.

Special buttons call for special storage, and I just happened to have this cute little button tin on hand!