Feeling relaxed

I don't know why, but I feel extra relaxed today. It must be the beautiful weather!

The bottom of my Mochila bag is finished. Now I'm ready to move up the sides. I think I need to take a break from it now. Crocheting is really hard on my hands.

I decided it was time to add beads to the Ice Drops I'm tatting for Denise's library Christmas tree. Here, I've replaced the picot with one bead.

This one has two beads in place of the picot. I do like the stacked look!

With these two, I now have five completed.

My newest shuttle from Rita Richmond of Shuttle by Design has arrived!

The back is almost as pretty as the front!

Something different

Yesterday I did something different. I helped Dave wash and wax both our cars. That's something I haven't done in years! When I was in high school, I used to love washing the family car and mowing the lawn. My sisters weren't aware at the time, but Dad would slip me $5 for helping out with outside chores. I don't think he knew that I was helping him to avoid dusting, vacuuming, and washing floors!

My friend Denise is a very active volunteer.

Saturday, she brought up her idea at Tollway Tatters of putting together an Ice Drop tree for the Momence Library. Denise attends a fiber arts group on Tuesday. They meet at the library, and they love to teach fiber arts to anyone who would like to attend.

As you may have guessed, I enjoy tatting Ice Drops!

I took a dozen glass gems to start with, and I managed to complete three yesterday. Denise's goal is to have 125 (I think that's the number she said) with red glass gems and white thread. She has the gems. I have the thread. All is good!

I was up extra early this morning, so I decided to start my day working on my Mochila bag. I'm happy to say that my work lies flat, and I'm finally back to the point where I decided to rip it all out last week.

Now I need to set aside the crafting and do some housework. I've let the dust bunnies take over for too long!

Old favorites

One of the members of Tatting Shuttle Addicts on Facebook asked us to post a picture of our favorite shuttle. I couldn't choose just one. These three scrimshaw shuttles are my favorites, because they remind me of my dad. Dad loved scrimshaw, and so do I! These three beauties are from Grizzly Mountain Arts, and If I ever have to reduce my tatting shuttle collection, these will be the last to go!

It doesn't show up very well, but this Tudor Rose Ice Drop has a gold center. I have another idea for color combos that I hope to finish tomorrow at Tollway Tatters!

The bottom of my Mochila bag wasn't lying flat, so I ripped it out and started over... several times! I went back to the Facebook group and read many posts about this beginner bag. One lady said that once she changed to the medium sized bag everything went smoothly, so I decided to do the same thing. So far, so good!

For Joanne

Daughter Joanne said my Tudor Rose Ice Drop needed to be red, so this morning I tatted one in red!

Alenalea posted round 4 of her Mystery Doily Tat-along, so I worked on that this afternoon

I also managed to find a little time to work on my Mochila bag. I know I haven't gotten very far, but I want to make sure I do it right!

Focus!

That's what I need to do... focus! We had thunderstorms this morning, so I got distracted from my regular routine.

I talked to daughter Joanne and my friend Denise, made breakfast, and then headed out after the rain stopped. The first stop was the post office, and then I felt the urge to go to Hobby Lobby. I didn't need to go to Hobby Lobby, but I was already out and about so I figured I might as well make the trip!

I'm sure you know how it goes. I didn't need a thing, but I found plenty to buy! I met daughter Carol for lunch and then headed home.

Can you tell what I've started? I'm sure Jane Eborall and my mom could tell you.

Several months ago, Jane finished a Mochila bag, which you can see here. I read her progress with interest, but I didn't think I was really interested in crocheting with yarn.

Then I saw a post in one of my inkle weaving groups about a band that was woven for a Mochila bag. Mom and I talked about the woven band and then the bag. Mom started a bag last week, and I kept putting it off. If I hadn't seen these yarn colors at Hobby Lobby, I probably would never have started.

I can tell this is going to take me a long time. I restarted at least five times, and I've had to take out one row twice, and I've only done three rounds! I hope I catch on to this soon.

Some new shuttles and thread arrived from Japan today. These are Daiso tatting shuttles. I could have ordered just the shuttles, but I wanted to see what the Japanese thread is like.

Three shuttles came in the pack. I like pick tips, so these are great little shuttles for me.

The back end is more rounded than Clover shuttles, but the tips are nice and tight.

The thread is softer than what I'm used to using. The label says it's #20, but I'm guessing it's closer to our #10. I think I'll take it with me to Tollway Tatters for everyone to see.

That reminds me! Tollway Tatters will be meeting this Saturday, July 15 at the Hinsdale Oasis on 294. We meet at 10 a.m. near Starbucks. You'll be able to identify us easily. We wear tie-dye t-shirts and we bring lots of tatting supplies. If you're in the Chicago area, we would love to have you join us!