More shuttles?

Yes!

A little while back, Sally Kerson posted that she had a couple of shuttles available, made by 'im in the garage. I don't use them often, but I do like my Pop-A-Bobbin shuttles! This little beauty arrived today, and I will put it to good use!

There's a remodeling project going on at the high school/middle school library. My friend Kristine took over as librarian when I retired, and I offered to help with anything I could to make the project go more easily. A few weeks ago, I worked removing books from the computer system for Kris. It's a time consuming job, but one that I really don't mind doing. I'm familiar with the system, and I can zip through it pretty quickly.

Kris wanted to thank me for my help, so she ordered a shuttle from Rita Richmond of Shuttle by Design. Isn't it beautiful? Our school colors are green and gold, so green was the perfect background color for this wonderful shuttle.

Of course I had to give it a test drive as soon as I returned home from school today! Thank you, Kris!

Shades of blue

I do love all shades of blue! I know the beads and ribbon don't exactly match, but I do think they go well together.

With the completion of this Ice Drop, I have another treeful ready for Christmas in the Village! My grandson asked me how many I have. We didn't count, but I did show him the tins filled with Ice Drops all ready for the sale. Maybe we'll count them next week when he's visiting.

My newest shuttle arrived in the mail today! I do love the Pop-A-Bobbin shuttles, and this tulipwood is gorgeous! 

Square Coaster, round 1

Traveling took its toll on me. I was beat today! Not only did I sleep in, I took a nap as well. Somehow, I managed to tat round 1 of Robin Perfetti's Square Coaster from her newest pattern pack, Tatted Coasters. This is the last of my hand-dyed-thread Pond from Yarnplayer, so I will have to choose a coordinating color for the second round.

I was very excited to see my newest tatting shuttles arrive today!

I know I don't need any more shuttles, but when I see these gorgeous woods, I just can't resist!

I think the Bocote shuttle is my favorite. Which one do you like?

International mail day

After spending the morning at school yesterday, I was ready for some tatting time in the afternoon. My tatting time was interrupted because of some wonderful packages in the mail!

I've been eagerly awaiting this clear Clover tatting shuttle from Japan. They cost a bit more than the other Clover shuttles, but I don't mind. I really like this shuttle! I wonder if the clear plastic will ever become more readily available? I guess time will tell!

I find it very hard to resist when new Pop-A-Bobbin shuttles become available in Jane's shop across the pond in England! And yes, I can and do sew, but why should I? Jane makes such lovely bags, and I get to brag that I have something made by one of my tatting mentors!

Veronica's lovely shuttles came all the way from Russia! I just can't help myself... I love collecting and using shuttles!

Despite all the excitement of receiving goodies in the mail today, I did manage to finish another pattern repeat of rows 10 and 11 of my Jan Stawasz Masterpiece. I'm headed off to do some more work at school today, but I am hoping to stay on track and complete another repeat today!

On the road again...

Yesterday was road trip day, driving up to daughter Alison's house to pick up Alison and her two kids to come visit Grandma and Grandpa for five days of fun!

About a half hour after I left, daughter Joanne called to say she was locked out of the house. Little Sophia had escaped out the front door and Joanne quickly followed. Luckily, she was just finishing up a phone call and had a phone in her hand! Dave was able to come home and let her in, or she'd have been stuck on the front porch until Alison, the kids, and I returned around 4 p.m.

Sophia's adventures exhausted her! I think this is the first time she's passed out at my house. :-)

Daughter Joanne is doing her Vanna White impression, showing off the newly organized closet space. Which door would you choose? Door #1?

Door #2?

Door #3?

Door #4? Believe it or not, there are no tatting supplies here! You will find fabric, knitting, crocheting, weaving, and bobbin lace supplies. I think I'm set!

Did you notice that LadyShuttleMaker's Etsy shop has reopened? I love Sherry's ceramic shuttles, and I've been collecting them from the beginning. I think I was her second or third shuttle customer. Yes, you do have to be careful not to drop them. They are ceramic. I love the weight, and many of them are musical... there's a little musical ping as the thread passes through the tips. I've purchased at least one shuttle each year. I'll post a picture of my collection one of these days.

This is a slightly larger shuttle in my favorite color, blue! Thank you, Sherry! I love your little works of art!

Another package arrived in the mail yesterday. This was my latest purchase from Jane Eborall's Etsy shop. I love Jane's All Square Tat Bag! It's great for carrying projects in my purse. You do carry tatting projects in your purse, don't you?

I was really excited for the latest release of Pop-A-Bobbin shuttles created by "'im in the garage." This is probably the fourth time that I've been lucky enough to purchase the shuttles I wanted after seeing Sally's post about new shuttles. Who wouldn't want a shuttle made of Raspberry Jam? I think I might crave toast and jam while using this shuttle.

I also wanted the Laburnum shuttle. I guess it was my lucky day! Sally, please thank 'im in the garage for his fabulous shuttles, and Jane, thank you for listing them in your shop. You two ladies help feed my tatting supply addiction!

Shuttle love

It's no secret that I love my tatting shuttles!

My newest shuttle from Grizzly Mountain Arts arrived last week. I really like these Handi-Wind Shuttles. The screw-in handle makes it easier for me to hold the shuttle while I'm winding it. I also like that Dave puts a little ring on the end of the handle so that it can be worn on a ribbon around my neck. I always know where my handle is when it's time to reload my shuttle!

Today's post brought my newest Pop-A-Bobbin shuttles. I was really hoping that the Spalted Beech shuttle would be available when I visited Jane's shop. Luckily, I visited right after it was listed! The Elm shuttle was too pretty to pass up. I really like working with wood shuttles. The wood feels so warm as I'm tatting... perfect for tired fingers!

I managed two pattern repeats on my shawl today. I do enjoy knitting, but I find that it's getting harder to knit for long periods of time. I guess that it pays to have multiple interests!

I've passed the halfway point on this round of the Jan Stawasz Masterpiece. I guess if I didn't take time to blog I would be able to get a lot more done, but I do enjoy posting my progress. It's a great way to keep me motivated!

'tis the season to be jolly!

...and boy, do I feel jolly! Look what arrived in the mail yesterday...

two new Pop-A-Bobbin shuttles, and one of Jane's wonderful button brooches... in blue! I can hardly wait for school Monday, when I will wear my new brooch. Thank you, Jane!

I finished my snowflake for the day, Kira's Star by Birgit Phelps, beaded this time. I decided that I needed to use one of my Christmas Origami pouches with matching shuttles for this project. There's nothing like combining tatting and suitably decorated holiday tools!

Doesn't it look pretty on the tree? It won't be staying there long. This one is a gift. I may have to make another beaded one for me. Blue maybe?

Speaking of blue, Fox the Enabler forced me to go thread shopping today. She just had to post about a pretty new blue thread she found. I admit, I am drawn to shiny, glittery objects, especially blue ones. After seeing Fox's new thread, I just had to have some beautiful new playthings. I'm not sure how these threads will work, but I'm willing to give them a try. Wouldn't they make pretty snowflakes?

A snowflake a day for December?

It's a goal, and it's totally achievable if I keep my eye on the prize... a beautiful tree!  You'd think I'd be sick of tatting snowflakes by now, but I'm not. What inspired me? Allison posted her goal today, and I'm going to try and match her snowflake for snowflake!

So, sticking with blue, here's my first entry...

Again, I've chosen size 20 Lizbeth, Wedgewood DK #656. The shuttle on the right is a cherry wood Pop-A-Bobbin made by 'im in the garage, and they're sold in Jane's shop when they're available. Keep your eyes peeled... they go fast! The shuttle on the left is a Clover shuttle that I blinged. I do go on blinging binges... I just can't help myself!

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!