12 years

With family visiting, it's harm to find time to blog. I had to make the time today, because it was 12 years ago today that I started my blog. Who would have ever thought that I'd have something to write about for 12 years? How do I keep track of the time? I first blogged on my 55th birthday. You can do the math!

We've had a very wet spring, and Dave really wanted to work in his vegetable garden this weekend. However, heavy showers yesterday made that impossible. He did spend some time working on weeding flower beds today, and the chickens seemed to follow him wherever he went.

A few weeks ago, someone posted about tatting with Serafil thread. I'm always interested in new threads, so I went on a search and found some on Etsy. These arrived from South Korea last week, and I fell in love with the colors immediately!

Daughter Joanne was attracted to the gold thread, and she asked me to tat an Ice Drop for her. The thread is super smooth, and I enjoyed working with it. It's very slightly thicker than size 20 Lizbeth. There's about 200 ft per spool, and the cost was $4 per spool. I really didn't need any more thread, but I sure am glad I tried this!

Joanne and I were surprised that our June pattern, Chrysanthemum, came out a few days early. We both started on our squares right away. There were two variations of this pattern, and I decided to try them both. The original pattern called for the white petals to be loose, as you can see on the two outside squares. The designer decided to recommend that those petals be pinned so that they couldn't poke through to the back of the afghan. After trying both ways, I decided I preferred the loose petals, so that's how I finished up my third square.

My June blocks are finished, so this project will be set aside until the July pattern is released. Joanne still has two squares to go, but we are both enjoying the Flora afghan from The Crochet Crowd!

Catching up

I know it's been a long time between blog posts. Honestly, I just haven't felt like blogging. I've been engrossed in working on multiple projects, watching technique videos, reading, and subbing. There just aren't enough hours in the day!

I only tatted when I had free time at school this week, and that wasn't very often! This is the Pink Fudge pattern I'm playing with. I'm not sure this is the stitch count is what I'm looking for, so I'll keep playing. The shuttles are from Veronica of TattingShuttles on Etsy. I'm really drawn to Russian designs. I've probably been greatly influenced by my mom, who has a love of Russian and Chinese history and art.

The second block pattern for the Flora crochet-along from The Crochet Crowd came out on the 15th. Only two blocks were needed of this design. Mikey said this is the easiest of the blocks. It was very easy to crochet.

While doing a little craft organizing yesterday, I found a shawl that I had started years ago. I couldn't figure out where I was in the pattern. The notes were lost somewhere along the way. So, I unraveled the 4" on the needles and started a new pattern. This one is Blue Jean Saturday by Deby Lake, a free pattern download on Ravelry. So far, I'm really enjoying working with this super fine yarn!

I've made a little more progress on Caesious from Curls  by Hunter Hammersen. I'm almost near the end of my leftover ball of Mandala. This may be large enough for one of the little ones. If not, it's been good practice. I'm not sure if I'll ever make a full-sized version of this pattern. It's easy enough to follow, but I think it looks kind of boring.

Sir William Wallace Cademartori is enjoying daughter Carol's newly finished waffle stitch afghan.

This is the longest afghan I have ever made, just as Carol ordered. She wanted it long enough to tuck under her chin and over her toes. The afghan is longer than she is tall, and she loves it! What more could a mother ask for?

Suddenly...

Suddenly, my dashboard is back on Blogger! Now I wonder where my profile picture went. Technology baffles me at times!

This is Dave's busy season, so I was home alone for most of the day yesterday. I decided I needed to work on the third Chrysanthemum block for the Flora crochet-along. I think I read or heard in the tutorial that each block should take about four hours. I figured that left me plenty of time to tat. Wrong! This block took me all day! Still, I'm happy to be caught up. The pattern for the next block will be released on the 15th.

I needed something I could pick up and put down easily so that I could help Dave with paperwork. So, I started daughter Carol's waffle stitch afghan. She chose five different colors to incorporate, and I am eager to see how this one will look!

Tollway Tatters tat again!

We had a beautiful day for tatting on the tollway!

I remembered to take pictures of everyone, but not their projects! Brandy was tatting a cross, and Kathy was working on an edging to decorate her period costume for reenactments.

Sue Anna was working on a beaded project... one of Marilee's designs?

I didn't think to ask what Chris was working on. Nancy was tatting a beautiful doily.

I saw what Thea was working on, but I can't recall. We did have a wonderful time, although we missed several of our friends. Hopefully, more will be able to join us the next time we meet on Saturday, June 8!

I managed to complete one Ice Drop using another of Veronica's beautiful shuttles!

I even managed to work on my Tat-a-Renda tat-along doily! I sure am moving slowly on this one.

Last night I took time to work on my second block for the Flora crochet-along. I managed to finish about half of the gray border. I finished off the gray and cream early this morning. I have one more block to complete before the 15th. I think I'll be able to keep up!