Busy weekend

This weekend was my granddaughter Eva's 8th grade graduation ceremony, so Saturday was a busy family day... and fun!

Eva and her brother are home-schooled, and they attend a co-op once a week. Her graduating class was small, but the ceremony was just as nice as any I've ever attended. Eva is on the far right.

The kids all posed for a silly picture at the end of the ceremony.

When I was doing up the dishes after lunch, I saw a squirrel in the back yard. We've lived on this farm for 34 years, and this is our first squirrel! Can you see him on the porch rail? Now I need to find out where he's nesting.

I spent all of my free time this weekend working on the mermaid tail afghan. I really wanted to finish it so that I could show it to the kids at school this week. The yarn was donated by Michael's, and I only had enough to make the small afghan. This is much smaller than I expected, but I'm sure some little girl will love it. I'm hoping to finish an adult-sized one in time for the play.

Now that this afghan is finished, I feel free to spend more time tatting! ;-)

Special request

I received a request from my 10-year-old granddaughter, Eva. 

In case you can't read the fine print, it says, "I want to learn how to tat." What's a grandma to do?

This morning we purchased Marilee Rockley's tatting class from Craftsy (see link in my sidebar if you're interested), and we set up shop. Eva's tatting supplies are at the top of the photo, mine are at the bottom. Jane, Eva LOVES her Roly Poly bag!

Eva wants to tat like Grandma, so she's pinching the thread between her thumb and middle finger. What can I say? It's easier for me. My hand goes kind of numb when I pinch between my pointer and thumb.

We're still working on winding the thread around her pointer finger the correct way. For now, we're both very pleased that she can manage the flip!

Eva's going to practice making a long chain this week. We're hoping to get together next week for another lesson. Luckily, she has a marvelous teacher online whenever she wants to move forward. Eva loves your class, Marilee!

Lazy days...

I am suddenly feeling very lazy, and I'm not accomplishing much. However, I have managed to bling some more shuttles! I liked the roses so much, I decided to do another batch. What will I do with them all? I really don't know right now.

Granddaughter Eva, the one who wants to learn how to tat is going to get a special birthday gift this year... blinged shuttles, and her very own beginning tatting book! Knots in Thread by Sparrow Kelley has wonderful large illustrations, large print, and 6 simple patterns, perfect for a 10-year-old! There's even a template for making picot gauges in the back. I can hardly wait for her birthday party on Sunday!

I bought a package of these napkins when I was out shopping earlier in the week. I think the shuttles look perfect for a little girl, and I have enough left from the napkin to decorate several more shuttles. I think Grandma might need a set to match Eva's!

The question now is, what shall I do with the 11 remaining napkins? How about a giveaway? The first 11 people to email their mailing info to me will get one of these cheerful napkins. Let the blinging begin!