Hot spell

We're having a bit of a hot spell here in Illinois, and I don't deal well with heat. Still, I managed to tat an Ice Drop today.

I also managed to finish up four more Origami pouches that I found when I was cleaning up my sewing room.

I spent a lot of time looking at all sorts of things dealing with honey bees: fabric, cross stitch patterns, jewelry, honey, bees wax. I really didn't have a reason for looking at these things. It just seemed like a natural choice for a hot and lazy day!

Functional

I had hoped to get down to Anderson, Indiana for Tatting Corner's Lace Days, but it didn't work out. Yesterday was spent helping daughter Carol out at her house doing storm cleanup, and today Dave needed to get supplies ordered for getting back to work next week. This is the longest vacation Dave has ever taken (July 4 through this Sunday), and it was important to do things that he wanted to do. I have a lot more free time than he does!

I decided to push myself with my porch walking since it was nice and cool this morning. I walk in 15 minute spurts, which is about all I can handle. In between porch walks, I managed to finish the week's laundry, clean the kitchen, and tat!

I wasn't sure if a light blue glass gem would look good with Boysenberry Dk, but I decided to give it a try, and I like the way it looks!

After finishing my porch walks, I decided it was time to tackle my sewing room. Daughter Joanne and granddaughter Eve did so much to help get me on track a few weeks ago. It was time to move the project along. My sewing room is now functional! No, it is not completely clean or organized, but I can now walk through the room, sit in my chair, and I have room to sew!

I love having Origami Pouches on hand as project bags. I've even been known to give them as gifts. I found these five partially done, and I spent the afternoon finishing them. It pays to get organized!

Playing with napkins

During my mini reorganizing spree yesterday, I found a basket of cloth napkins that Mom had given me a while back. They were meant for origami pouches, so that's what I used them for.

The floral bag on the top left is not one of the napkins, but the others are. I whipped these up this morning. The nice thing about using the napkins is they're heavy weight and don't need to be lined.

I had so much fun, I made two more after lunch!

Despite spending time sorting through and organizing skeins of yarn, I found time to tat my next Masquerade motif. Only two more rows to go, and this doily will be finished... unless I decide to put a border around it. I think a border would give it a more finished look, but I'm not sure what I'd do. Any ideas?

While dinner was cooking, I started another Ice Drop. I was trying to remember what I did the other day. Of course I didn't look at what I did before, so this one turned out different. Nothing wrong with that, I guess! The thread is size 20 Lizbeth Royal Wave. The shuttle is by Sarah Ruth Wood, who I met at Tatting Corner Tat Days. She's a lovely lady, and I hope to meet her again. Sarah's shuttles are available at Tatting Corner.

I had fun today. I wonder what tomorrow will bring?

Fumble fingers

Today was one of those days when I just couldn't get my fingers to do what I wanted them to do. It took me all morning to tat one Masquerade motif. I'd get the thread all tangled up, create knots, undo the knots, untangle the thread... all very frustrating!

So, after lunch I decided to sew instead. I finished four more Origami pouches. I said before that I planned on returning to the Quiltsalott tutorial that I've used for years, but I really liked the idea of completing the bag on my machine with no hand stitching. I made a few bags following a tutorial I found from Harujion Design, but it didn't go together quite the way I wanted it to.

After making a few bags, I realized that I was sewing too deep a seam for the boxing of the bottom. I adjusted that, and I liked the shape of the bag much better! Now I have six bags completed, one of which suits me just fine. I may keep it for myself!
SaveSave

I had plans

I really meant to get so much accomplished this afternoon, but somehow I got distracted... again!

We had rain showers all morning, so I worked on some reorganizing. My goodness, I have an awful lot of stuff! I really need to find new homes for some of it. There's no way I can use up everything I have.

I started off the afternoon with an Ice Drop in metallic thread. I was almost finished with the first round when I managed to knot the thread. Then I managed to shred it while trying to get the knot out. I gave up and threw it away. I'll try metallic thread another day!

I then moved on to a Beaded Bloom by Tamie Alliss. This one's okay, but I still struggle with getting those chains around the center bead.

Thinking that I might do better without beads, I tried again. I think this one looks worse! It really does look drab without the seed beads.

Then I moved in to the sewing room and finished two Origami pouches. I almost sewed up a lined drawstring bag as well, but the phone rang and I forgot! ;-)

Before starting this post I was finishing up the next Masquerade motif on my Sweet Tarts doily. I joined to the first square, but forgot to join to the second square, so I snipped!

I think it's time to call it a night!

Caught snoozin'

I guess that flu bug hit me a little harder than I had thought. After a day of subbing, sewing class, and a quick supper, I fell fast asleep in my chair.

While I was relaxing and recuperating on Monday, I focused on St. Patrick's Day themed Ice Drops.

One of my tatting friends had suggested dangling the charm from the bottom of the tatting. Well, I tried it. I think it looks okay, but it just doesn't appeal to me.

I do enjoy playing with different colored glass gems and ribbons.

When I use a charm that I think is too big for the front, I add it to the back. I really can leave the charms off, but many of my friends and relatives like the charms, and I'm happy to add them for their pleasure!

My dining room table has turned in to Sewing Central! The three girls I teach have their permanent work stations. One of the moms has joined the group, and she brings her own machine.

We're currently working on Origami Pouches using my favorite tutorial. The tutorial calls for two layers of fabric, but we're making our first bags using cloth napkins that Mom found and sent my way. Using the napkins eliminates part of the process and gives a nice sturdy fabric for my students to practice their sewing skills.

Calling all tatters!

Well, all tatters who live in or can drive to the Chicago area and would like to join us for our next Tollway Tatters meeting. We'll be meeting on Monday, February 18. If you'd like to join us, email me and I'll give you the details.

Today was a busy day around our house. Dave spent the day working on the remodel of our back porch, and I spent the day having my own fun!

I spent most of the day working on this stack of Origami pouches that I started back in August. School started, and my pile of Origami pouches languished until today. I made good progress, but there's still a lot to do.

When I needed a break from hand-sewing, I worked on my latest Spinning Wheel. It's coming along nicely!

I ended my craft-filled day by completing Jane's TIAS. I think this baby buggy is adorable! Now I think I'm ready for a good night's sleep!

Where has the week gone?

I knew that I hadn't blogged in a while, but I was completely surprised to see that it's been a week! I guess I've been busy...

I re-started Mary Konior's Flowerpiece doily from Tatting with Visual Patterns. The last time I picked this up to work on it, I discovered that I had left out one section of chain on the very first motif. So, I did the only logical thing... I started over!

This is the first section of chain trails. I've finished the second section of chain trails, but forgot to take a picture of it. I'm working on the last round now, and I hope to finish it this weekend.

I dropped my favorite tatting tool one time too many this week. When I tried to fix it, I only made it worse. I've had this crochet hook from Grizzly Mountain Arts for about two and a half years, so I've definitely gotten my money's worth out of it. Still, I'm sad to have damaged it so badly.

I made Alison and Eva Origami pouches with matching shuttles. They chose the fabric the last time they were down visiting. I figured that since the bags are out of the same fabric, they needed a little bling to keep them from getting mixed up!

This pretty green fabric was calling out to me, so I made more Origami pouches. I do get carried away when I find something I enjoy making!

In and out Internet

We had a terrific storm that lasted about three minutes last night. Short, but not so sweet. Apparently, our local radio station had its transmitter knocked out, so we aren't able to get any local news. Our tv is out, and our Internet has been spotty. I'll post when I can!

Babylace is crawling along.

I think I've only finished one more pattern repeat of Chain Reaction since the last time I posted about it.

Flowerpiece needs one more pattern repeat to finish the center.

I finished an Origami pouch with shuttles for myself. I LOVE this fabric, and I couldn't resist making a set to match Allison's!

Last, but not least, I have started another Spinning Wheel glass mat in Yarnplayer's Tourmaline. Why? Because I can! ; )

I've started using Word Verification again. I find it very annoying and sometimes hard to read, but I've gotten so much spam since I took it off! Plus, I've accidentally deleted a few comments that I was trying to publish. So, I'm choosing the lesser of the two evils. I hope you don't find the Word Verification too frustrating!

Tools, Totes, and Tatting

My new shuttle with matching crochet hook from Emsyjane arrived yesterday! I had written asking about a hook and shuttle combo a while back, and I was thrilled when Emma listed it in her shop. I did leave it there for at least a week. When no one else pounced, I knew the set was meant to be mine!

Denise and I were finally able to get together to exchange Christmas presents on Monday. Yes, Denise and I have new Origami pouches with matching shuttles. Denise's bag is the opposite of mine, with the holly on the outside and the poinsettias on the inside.

I love these little bags!

I started another edging tonight, this time in Lizbeth olive green #678. This one is size 20, so it's quite a bit larger. I do like this pattern!

I'm still working on my rib warmer. I'm about halfway finished with the first side. I did find my old rib warmer. It looks much smaller! I think I must have used sport weight yarn. I'm using worsted weight this time around. I may have been a bit ambitious thinking I could finish it by this weekend, but I'm still gonna try!

Busy day!

Today was catch-up day... laundry, cooking, talking on the phone. : )

I did find time to do a very little bit of tatting. I'm very pleased with the way Yarnplayer's "Knitty Gritty" looks in this edging.

I also did a little cleaning in my sewing room. I worked a little on four origami bags that I intended to give as Christmas presents... maybe next year!

It's back to school tomorrow. It will be a fun day! All of the kids will want to talk about their vacations and what they received for Christmas. I hope I have some energy left for tatting tomorrow night!

Christmas is coming!

...and that always means presents under the tree!

What is that I see? Tatting goodies? I have to get a closer look...

Wow! An origami pouch, Lizbeth thread, and blinged Starlit shuttles! I guess it must be time for a Christmas giveaway!

Yes, dear friends, this is a Christmas giveaway. Just leave a comment on this post for your chance to win this entire Christmas set. That's right... only one lucky person will receive the whole shebang!

When will the drawing be? I'm thinking about December 6, Saint Nicholas Day. Good luck to all!

Can it be?

Yes. Sadly, I am out of pink shuttles. I can't find a single undecorated pink shuttle in my house. So, I had to settle for purple...

...to make my new shuttle and bag sets!

What do you think? Is it overkill?

I had so much fun making bags with matching shuttles for Jane and Sue Anna, that I went back to Hobby Lobby for more pink and brown fabric. Wouldn't you know... the fabric I used before wasn't there, but I did find these two fabrics, and I'm very pleased with the results. I even figured out some improvements for making the bags, like measuring carefully! : )

I ask you, dear readers... can a tatter have too many project bags or too many pretty shuttles?

Paying the piper his due...

I've spent this morning cleaning. I figured I had to catch up since I've been having so much fun this summer! What fun, you may ask...

Well, I've finished another round on my doily.

My progress has slowed down. I tatted for too long, and my arm protested mightily! Lesson learned... a little here, a little there, and I can accomplish so much more!

On Tuesday, Sue Anna called me and asked if I wanted to drive to Cincinnati with her to meet Jane. I thought... are you kidding me? Of course! I would love to! was my eager reply.

I wanted to do something special for these two special ladies, so I decided to make some Dorset bags, also known as origami pouches.

Lucky for me, I have some stash!

These fabrics are from a fat quarter pack I found at Hobby Lobby a while back. I'm not normally a pink person, but I do like pink and brown together!

Sue Anna picked me up at 6:00 Thursday morning, and we made it to Cincinnati around 10:30. Unfortunately, we forgot about the time change, so we were an hour later than Jane expected. I think she forgave us! ; )

We spent the afternoon at Panera Bread, enjoying each other's company. Although I only met Sue Anna in person in June, and this was my first time to meet Jane, it was is if we had known each other forever!

Jane showed us some of her beautiful tatting. It's so much prettier than any picture!

Sue Anna and I took lots of pictures and video clips with our iPhones. Jane showed us how she organizes patterns and photos on her iPad. We're such geeks! ...and I mean that in the nicest way!

Do you see that Pop-A-Bobbin shuttle by Sue Anna? She has quite a collection of them. I am sooooo envious! Well, I'm a little less envious now, because Sue Anna gave me one of hers. Lucky me! : )

We did have a lady come up to us and ask us what we were doing. I believe she said her aunt used to tat. We offered to give her a lesson, but she declined. It's very flattering to have someone come up and ask about tatting!

We asked some young ladies in a booth near us to take pictures, which they graciously did!

We had Jane home by 6, and we had the pleasure of meeting the very handsome Nick!

Sue Anna had me home by 9:30, and she was home before midnight. That just goes to show that there's a world full of fun to be had in one little day!

So you see, I really have been having too much fun, and it's time to pay the piper his due. Bedroom and bathroom are done... off to the kitchen!