Meeting goals

I had two goals for the weekend, and I met them both!

The first was to finish a set of five Ice Drops for my college roommate, Eileen. We've been best friends since high school. We haven't seen each other for years, but when we talk on the phone, our conversation picks up where we left off.

Eileen loved my Doodle Ice Drop pattern, and now the set is ready to mail off to her. Each one is slightly different. Five is my favorite number. Eileen has five spots for Ice Drops, and we are celebrating 50 years of friendship!

My second goal was to finish the sleeves for my knit-along sweater. We were only expected to knit one sleeve this week, but knitting two at a time made it very easy to complete both sleeves in short order. In a week and a half we will get the instructions for assembling the sweater. I'm pretty sure I can figure out what to do, but I'm going to stick with the knit-along schedule just to make sure I don't mess up!

The best day ever!

Tollway Tatters met today, and we had a wonderful time!

I'm not great at taking selfies, but I did try! Here I am with Sue Anna.

This is the very talented Marilee Rockley.

Here's my friend and partner in crime, Denise.

This is my fabulous shuttle making friend, Rita Richmond! I'd like to say she drove all the way from New Jersey just to join us, but the reality is that a fortunate turn of events brought her to the midwest for the weekend and she was able to join our little group for a few hours.

Rita hand delivered this very special shuttle, one of Rita's hand-made shuttles with gorgeous painted pansies. This shuttle is a gift from my college roommate Eileen. We've been friends since our senior year in high school. I was maid of honor in Eileen's wedding, and she was matron of honor in mine. We can go months, even years without talking and pick up where we left off. Guess what? Eileen loves my Ice Drops! 😍

Julie popped in from Iowa! Again, it was just a happy accident that brought her back to the Chicago area the weekend that we were meeting. Julie was able to meet with us once before, and we were all very glad to meet up with her again!

Before Rita started her journey back to New Jersey, her husband was kind enough to take a picture of us.

Shortly after Rita left, Elaine joined us! Unfortunately, I totally forgot to take a picture of Elaine. I'll get her next time! Elaine is a needle tatter, and learned about us through Facebook. I guess it pays to advertise!

Rita brought along thread samples of Lizbeth. I chose Royal Blue!

This is a little out of order, but I finished this Ice Drop before leaving for Tollway Tatters this morning.

I tatted this Ice Drop while we were chatting today. I don't know if you can tell, but the color is Lizbeth Blue Ice.

When I got home, I finished a second Ice Drop out of Rita's sample.

Rita asked if I would see how many Ice Drops I could tat from one 10 yard sample. In the process, we managed to figure out that it takes about 5 yards for an Ice Drop, 3 on the shuttle, 2 on the ball. I had 60" of thread left when I was finished... all interesting tidbits!

I had contacted Rita before Christmas and asked if she could create a shuttle based on the Russian nesting dolls I purchased. This is the result! Isn't it beautiful?

We asked Rita if she brought any shuttles along that we could purchase. It just so happened she did!

I really didn't need any more shuttles, because these arrived in the mail yesterday! Can you tell I'm a happy camper?