2013 TIAS

I loaded my shuttles for this year's TIAS from Jane Eborall the day I received the notification of it! I tend to get bogged down in details, so I was very pleased when Jane suggested a variegated thread for the first part. I grabbed the ball of thread to my right and went hunting for shuttles to match! I'm using size 20 Lizbeth #165, Grape Splash. I have now idea what this will be, but I'm going to try and keep up this year.

I was thrilled to open my mail today... four new shuttles from Randy Houtz! I've been admiring these shuttles for a long time, and I decided to make my purchase now. I really don't need any more shuttles, but I wanted these for my collection. I'll be retiring in a few years, and I know that I'll be on a much more restricted budget. Yes, I am enjoying working with bobbin style shuttles. I wasn't sure that would ever happen. ;-)

There was also a slip of paper saying that I had a package from Poland to pick up at the post office, so I quickly drove back to town. I'm glad I did! There are quite a few patterns that immediately caught my eye. I've already started one. Maybe it will be finished tomorrow!

Keeping up with Allison

I decided that the first round of Kira's Star by Birgit Phelps makes a beautiful little snowflake by itself! Again, Lizbeth Grape Splash... trying to use thread already on the shuttles. The shuttles are two Clovers that I blinged. Apparently I didn't use enough glitter. ;-)

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery...

...or so I've been told!

This image was posted on Facebook. I was intrigued, so I followed the link to Pinterest, and then on to an embroidery site. It looks like tatting, but it's not.

I decided to try and tat the design from the image, and this is how it turned out. The thread is size 20 Lizbeth, Grape Splash #165. For this post, I wanted to give credit to the person who created the machine embroidery, but of course I couldn't find either the Facebook or the Pinterest post, so I Googled and found a tatted image of the same snowflake...

by Birgit Phelps! I hope the person who "imitated" Birgit's pattern gave her credit. I will not be posting a pattern for this snowflake. It's Birgit's pattern from 2002, Kira's Star.

Birgit, if you're reading this, I would love to hear from you. I don't know if this is a pattern that was for sale, or even if it was ever offered to the tatting community. If it is a pattern for purchase, please let me know so that I can compensate you, and thank you for designing such a beautiful snowflake!

Update ~ I just found Birgit's pattern here. My stitch count is different, and my second round is different, but it is still Birgit's pattern. Thank you, again, Birgit!

Never let it be said...

that I limit myself to one project at a time!

I couldn't help myself. I went looking for something... I've forgotten what... I saw the thread holder, shuttle, hanky, and thread all within a few inches of each other, and I knew I just had to start another project!

I purchased the hanky at a discount store when I was visiting Mom in Alabama a while back. The thread holder and shuttle were decorated by me during my Mod Podge binge last year. The thread is size 80 Lizbeth #165, Grape Splash. The pattern is Baby Lace from Tatting with Visual Patterns by Mary Konior.

I sure am enjoying working with the fine threads!