In the pink

I finished the second round of the Hanging Garden doily from Tatting lace with your life. This was a very simple round, and I love the way the Azalea Lt and Green Coral Sea look together! Two rounds to go!

I pulled out my ball of Pink Cocoa today. Yes, I did crave chocolate and strawberries while tatting today!

July tatting

Last night I remembered that I didn't post a picture of my July tatting, so I'm doing it tonight. I accomplished a lot in July!

I finished my Pink Cocoa Spinning Wheel tonight. I really like the way it turned out, and I'm enjoying tatting with size 80.

I also completed round 3 of Renulek's Napkin Marta; however, I think I will retat this round. I stretched and pressed this because of severe cupping. Now it looks all distorted. So now the big question is, do I just use larger picots between rings, or do I change the stitch count? What do you think?

Reading day

I spent too much time tatting on Thursday, and I could really feel it in my hands yesterday. So, I took it easy with tatting on Friday, so easy that I forgot to blog about my day!

Granddaughter Eva is reading The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom, a book that I've had for a long time, but have never taken the time to read. I'm now halfway through it!

Other than reading, I spent time doing a little of this and a little of that.

I finished up a cowl that I had on the loom. I hemstitched each end, tied the fringed ends together, trimmed the fringe, and then braided it. I really like the way it turned out!

 

Marie has been going crazy making these adorable little trash cans or thread catchers. The original pattern I followed had triangular tips like Marie's, with buttons holding down the three corners. I'm not sure if this is the pattern I followed or not, but there's a nice tutorial here.

However, I was feeling a bit lazy today and I did not feel like looking for buttons and sewing them on, so I followed this tutorial on Craftsy. I like that this pattern is all machine stitching, making it much faster to put them together. Of course buttons or charms can still be added to give them a little pizzazz. It does take slightly longer to cut out, because there are three extra cuts to remove the tips of the triangles. Also, there are six corners to trim instead of three before turning.

I think this is a great way to use up scrap fabric (two 10" squares are needed), and since they're so easy and quick to make, they're a great giveaway!

And yes, I did take a little time to tat today, but my goal was to give my hands a rest, so I tried not to get carried away! ;-)

The thread is size 80 Lizbeth, Pink Cocoa #166. I try not to use this thread too often, as I get cravings for chocolate and strawberries!

Tri-Heart

Linda B. Taliaferro offered this pretty little heart pattern on InTatters. I used size 20 Lizbeth, Pink Cocoa #166. This is a very easy pattern to tat, and it's so pretty!

I have 4 split rings left on Day 10 of Jane's TIAS. I'm getting better with split rings, but I'm still very awkward. I hope to finish those 4 split rings when I get home from school today. I just ran out of steam last night. Who knew 4 split rings could be so taxing? ;-)

Doodad Double Dare #4, #5, and #6!

Michelle and Tattabugg have presented two lovely doodad designs! Michelle has chosen Fox's Athalia pattern in turquoise... sure wish I'd thought to use turquoise! Tattabugg took the plunge and designed her own. You'll just have to go take a look. I know you'll be inspired!

I finished my second doodad last night. It looks like it could use a little blocking. I didn't follow a pattern. I just doodled. I'm not much of a doodler, but I had fun with this.

Here are my two doodads side-by-side. I'm tempted to turn them both into bookmarks just like Michelle did. I love this sharing of ideas!

Taking the easy way out

I wasn't in the mood to fiddle around yesterday. I just wanted to tat, and I figured I should work on my Doodad Double Dare. Never ask someone to do something you're not willing to do yourself! So, I chose to start with Fox's Athalia in size 20 Lizbeth #166, Pink Cocoa. This is a great beginner pattern!

I know Fox recommended size 40, but this doodad is really heavy compared to some of the others that are set to mail out. I wasn't sure the size 40 could handle the weight. Luckily, the pattern still works well. Sorry, no beads. I'm just not that brave yet! ;-)

Since Jane reminded me that many of her patterns have included doodads, I think I'll explore her patterns when I get home from school this afternoon. I have a feeling I may be conquering split rings and/or beads in the near future!

Diane's Doodad Double Dare update: 24 tatters have decided to join in the fun! I really underestimated the number of doodads I have, so please feel free to ask for a pair of doodads. I'll leave the offer open until this Saturday. Just email your snail mail info to me at Diane Cademartori at gmail dot com.