Square Coaster finished

I finished Robin Perfetti's Square Coaster today, with a couple of hiccups. I was watching the Chicago Cubs baseball game and messed up a corner. I decided to retro-tat rather than snip. Looking back, I wish I had snipped! It took me over two hours to get back to my mistake and fix it. I really think I could have re-tatted in less time. Then when I was pressing it, I noticed that one of the chains is missing a picot and three double stitches. I haven't decided yet, but I may snip the second round and tat it over again.

I do love this pattern, and I was very happy that Lizbeth #709 River Blue Dk is such a good match for the hand-dyed Pond from Yarnplayer.

So what do you think? Should I fix round two or leave well enough alone?

Pond Spinning Wheel

I was so happy to finish my Spinning Wheel glass mat today. With all the activity last week, I didn't think I'd ever finish it! The pattern is from Tatting with Visual Patterns by Mary Konior. The thread is size 20 Pond hand-dyed thread from Yarnplayer. Have I mentioned how much I love hand-dyed thread?

Besides finishing this beautiful Spinning Wheel, my day was filled with mundane tasks. I loved it! Who would think that there could be so much pleasure gained from washing dishes, doing laundry, and sweeping the porch? I approached everything I did at a leisurely pace. I think I'm going to enjoy retirement!

Outstanding!

Dave and I attended The Little Mermaid with granddaughter Sophia last night. Sophia dressed up as Aunt Carol. It seems that Aunt Carol had on a Little Mermaid or Ursula t-shirt every time we've seen her in the past few weeks. Therefore, Sophia is pretending to be Aunt Carol!

The play was fabulous, and I do feel that Carol's performance as Ursula stole the show! No bias, of course. ;-)

Sophia did very well, although she was up hours past her bedtime. This was her first play. She knew the appropriate times to applaud, and she seemed to understand proper etiquette. She did very well for a three-year-old, far better than some of the older kids!

With any luck, I'll be able to finish my Pond Spinning Wheel today. I have not lost my love for this pattern. One might think that I'd tire of the pattern after making so many, but it's just not true. I find it very comforting to have a go-to pattern that doesn't require much thinking!

Today is the last day with Joanne and the babies. I will miss Sophia changing her clothes seven or eight times a day, singing songs, and chattering endlessly. I will miss Jan crawling over to me, climbing up my leg, and waiting for me to pick him up. Once he's on my lap, he blows raspberries, giving me extra showers that I really don't need! I will mis Karolina snuggling up to me, smiling sweetly, and making sweet baby noises. I will miss the conversation with Joanne, breakfast omelettes, and marathon crocheting. It's been a wonderful visit, but I'm sure Joanne and family will be happy to return home where they can re-establish their daily routines. Besides, it won't be for long... we'll be traveling to Minnesota soon for the twins' baptism. I'm glad I never thought retirement would mean rest!

Switching times

For quite a while, I've been blogging at night when Dave was doing his paperwork and watching his favorite political shows. However, I've found that with the summer heat I just get sleepy if I'm looking at a computer screen. So, I'm trying shifting to the morning hours.

Spinning Wheel glass mat from Tatting with Visual Patterns by Mary Konior
size 20 Pond HDT from Yarnplayer on Etsy
shuttles from TattingLaceJewellery on Etsy

There was little time for tatting yesterday, but I did manage to get a little done. I'm always happy with any progress.

Joanne and I had fun shopping at Hobby Lobby yesterday, and for once, I didn't go crazy! I only purchased two packages of tapestry needles. For some reason, they disappear at an alarming rate, and I never seem to find those needles in my haystack. ;-)

Joanne doesn't have a Hobby Lobby near her, so she stocked up on quilt fabric and clearance yarn. She also found some fabric to make a couple of dresses for Sophia, which we started yesterday afternoon.

Carol spent the afternoon setting up the raffle and auction tables for the play this weekend. When I took some supplies in to her, I noticed the display of mermaid tail afghans. I didn't like the way two of the tails looked, so I took them home and adjusted the way they were attached. They look much better now!

The excitement for the play is really building. My job for the weekend is to supervise the activities on the floor, making sure there are volunteers working at the concession stand, raffle tables, auction tables, and souvenir tables. It will be hot and humid, so I will be sure to take my water bottle with me!

Last week

This is the last week for Joanne and the kids to be visiting. We're trying not to think of how little time we have left. Instead, we're focusing on all the fun we've had!

We have watched The Little Mermaid many times over the past two weeks. I'm even starting to learn the words to the songs! Sophia was very excited to get a Little Mermaid nightgown today. She's not sure about Aunt Carol being Ursula, but she is very eager to go to her first play!

The twins were very active today, and we had so much fun playing with them, that I didn't spend much time tatting. Still, a little progress is better than no progress. I do like these shuttles. I found them on TattingLaceJewellery on Etsy. Yes, I have to keep a crochet hook by my side, but I don't mind. The shuttles are smooth, light weight, and easily hold enough thread to tat a Spinning Wheel!

Happy Father's Day!

I hope you and your family had a wonderful Father's Day. I know we did. There wasn't really a plan to do anything here, but by late morning it was obvious we were going to have a house full of company. I think I prefer unplanned parties. We had a great time!

Before breakfast, before we knew anyone was coming over, I started another Spinning Wheel glass mat (Tatting with Visual Patterns by Mary Konior). This time I'm using size 20 Pond, hand-dyed thread from Yarnplayer. I don't see any size 20 in Marilee's shop right now, but it is available in 30, 40, 50, and 80.

We have a little man-made pond in our front yard, one of Dave's pet projects, and I was inspired to use this thread because he is in the middle of laying down a new tarp and refilling the pond. It needs to be cleaned out every year, which involves pumping out all of the old water and cleaning out all the debris. Every few years he lays down a new tarp, and this is the year for replacement. Honestly, I'm not real fond of the pond. I'd be much happier if he'd fill it in so that I could have a beautiful green lawn out front. Maybe I'll convince him to think my way once he gets tired of all the upkeep... that's what I've been telling myself for the past 20 years! ;-)