Weekend with Mom

Mom hasn't been feeling up to snuff for the past few weeks, so my sister Janet and I flew down to spend the weekend with her. We did a little shopping, a little dining out, and a little bit of helping out around Mom's apartment. We had a lovely time!

One of Mom's favorite places to go is Ed's. It's under new ownership, so some of the menu items have changed. What hasn't changed is the lovely view of Mobile Bay. There was a beautiful breeze, and we had a very nice meal.

Our waitress was very sweet and friendly, and she was kind enough to take a picture of us.

Mom's friend Sezer gave me a beautiful abalone tatting shuttle and a ball of size 70 thread. I look forward to making something special for her. Sezer is the lady who showed me her gorgeous Oye pieces at Christmas.

While I was gone, my newest shuttle from Middy Clark of The Knotted Vine arrived. I couldn't resist the blue butterfly! Although I've never met Middy Clark, I feel a special bond with her. I learned to tat from her grandmother Mildred Clark's video long ago.

I managed to tat more than I thought I would over the weekend.

I tatted on the plane, and I tatted while Mom napped, and while we watched movies.

Our high school volleyball team hosts Mean Green Goes Pink night every year to raise money for the Beverly K. Roberts Cancer Foundation. Bev worked at our local bank, taught Sunday School, and was a wonderful person. When she passed away, some of her co-workers started a foundation in her name. The money raised goes to helping out local families who have a loved one undergoing cancer treatment.

Our school colors are green and gold. I decided to tat green and gold Ice Drops as well as pink ones. They'll go on a tree. I'll have to figure out a way to wrap and display them so that the Ice Drops don't fall off. I hope they raise some money!

Mom's been weaving!

This is a Thanksgiving table scarf that Mom just finished weaving for my sister Janet. Isn't it gorgeous? Mom found a mistake when she was finished... remember that blind man on the galloping horse, Mom! ...so she's planning on weaving another with no mistakes. I am so lucky to have such a talented Mom!

Tatting for Mom

I really meant to do something special for my mom this Mother's Day, but I had a hard time thinking of what I could do that would be meaningful without taking up a lot of space. Mom works very hard to keep clutter under control.

This morning, it hit me... a tatted bookmark! My mom has been my greatest influence when it comes to a love of reading and needlework. So, Mom, this bookmark is for you! Belated Happy Mother's Day! Love, Diane

The pattern is No 36: Insertion from The DMC Book of Charted Tatting Designs by Kirstine Nikolajsen & Inge Lise Nikolajsen. The thread is Yarnplayer's "Golden Glow", the same thread I used for the tatted crosses for the stole Mom is weaving.

Mom's first motif

Mom just e-mailed a picture of her first tatted motif made with her new Grizzly Mountain Arts tatting shuttle. Isn't her motif beautiful? I'm so proud of her!

While Mom was visiting, she really liked being able to work with the Tatsy shuttle, and she admired Dave Stanbrough's shuttles that I've collected. So, I e-mailed Dave and asked if he could make twin shuttles for Mom and me the size of a Tatsy. Obviously, he did! Mom's arrived yesterday, and she got right down to work. I should be getting mine in the mail today! Is it possible that Mom and I are having too much fun? Nah!

Teaching Mom to tat

Mom and I have been having a wonderful visit, but the best part has been that Mom has been learning how to tat! I finally found something I could teach my mom!


We started by watching Bev Dillon's Tatted Lace From Start to Finishing, and Mom was hooked! However, Mom was having trouble getting the flip, so we switched to Mildred Clark's Tatting I - The Basics. As we were watching, I realized that this is the video I learned from. I like Mildred's method, because she has you use two different colors, which helps you see how the double knot is formed. Mom and I went shopping for size 3 crochet thread, loaded up a Tatsy shuttle, and then Mom was able to easily see how it all worked.

I called the Yarn Barn in Kansas to see if Mildred's video is available on DVD, and it is! So, Mom and I each ordered it. I watch it every once in a while to try and perfect my technique. I love having videos as reference tools, probably because I learn more easily when I watch than when I read!


I went to the doctor yesterday, and I have graduated to only wearing the brace when I go out. I begin physical therapy next week (3 times a week for 4 weeks). Yes, I tatted with size 3 thread and a Tatsy, along with Mom, but she lasted much longer than I did! My wrist let me know it had had enough after two chains and two rings. That's o.k. Today I'll shoot for 3 rings and 3 chains! Pictures are courtesy of daughter Carol, who refuses to be drawn to "the dark side"!


It looks like it's going to be a blustery day here, so Mom and I will spend the day talking and tatting... life is good!