Kaplan thread

I decided to try out some of my new polyester thread from Greece today. The brand name is Kaplan. The color is gorgeous. The sheet is beautiful. The thread is smooth as silk. It does take a bit of getting used to. I found that I needed to hold virtually every double stitch with my thumb nail to keep the stitches nice and snug. Sometimes the picots sort of disappeared, so I don't think this thread is ideal for Ice Drops. I think I may use it for a simple ring and chain edging for a hanky.

I'm sure I'll find uses for this beautiful thread, and when I find projects that I like it for, I'll be sure and let you know!

I received a Christmas present in the mail today from Mandy Kerwell-Bez in France. There's a lovely handmade card with one of Mandy's gorgeous needle tatted Ice Drops. Her designs are amazing! Although Mandy is a needle tatter, she decided to try her hand at making shuttles. Lucky me... two of them are now mine! I'm looking forward to trying them out. Thank you, Mandy!

Ice Drop fun

I do enjoy playing with the basic Ice Drop to see how I can vary the look without a full blown design change. This is the basic pattern with five graduated picots. The shuttle is from Pekalo Designs on Etsy. The little took is for adjusting the tips, and it works very well!

This is the basic pattern done in one pass, which eliminates the chains next to the glass gem. Most of the time, I prefer the basic pattern, but I do understand the appeal of showing more of the glass gem. The shuttle is from Grizzly Mountain Arts. I love Dave's new rose design!

Mandy Kerwell-Bez designed "Hope." She's a needle tatter from France, and her designer are marvelous! I love my little owl shuttle from Grizzly Mountain Arts!

Oops!

I forgot to blog yesterday! I didn't really have anything to post. Daughter Carol and I went shopping for goodies to make up raffle baskets for the play this weekend. The directors and alumni are performing Rock of Ages. I'm not at all familiar with this musical, so it will be a complete surprise for me. They're trying to raise money for new stage curtains. I hope they're able to reach their goal!

I received a lovely surprise in the mail, an Ice Drop tatted by Mandy Kerwell-Bez, an Ice Drop Addict from France! She also sent me two rivolis so that I can tat my own. I've ordered a pretty silver neck chain to wear with it. I am thrilled to pieces! Thank you, Mandy!

I also received two new shuttles from Middy Clark of TheKnotted Vine. I adore these little shuttles! I love tatting with the teardrop shaped shuttles, and the red shuttle looked like something Mom would love... her favorite color is red!

Speaking of Mom, she loved the penny I tatted in the lighter green and asked if I could tat one in a darker green. Anything for Mom! The pattern is Shelley Perreault's Peacock Coins. I'll be adding a pin back to this at Mom's request. It does look pretty!

One of the chickens laid an egg today! It's not as large as it appears in the picture... camera angles and curled fingers can be deceiving. Dave found an egg over the weekend, but the chicken must have been in the rafters when she laid it. This is the first one found in a nesting box. I may grow to like these chickens after all! ;-)