Keeping busy

 

With frigid temperatures, I knew I needed to keep myself busy today. I started by baking a loaf of bread, which I put together last night. I love the smell of freshly baked bread, and I knew it would be perfect with the butternut squash soup planned for dinner.

Next on my list was my ornament of the day. I'm pretty proud of myself for keeping pace with these ornaments.

I have five more Chapstick holders for my stash. I think I'll keep going with these until I run out of rings. That may take a while!

I spent a couple of hours working on my quilt project. I made quite a few mistakes, so I made good use of my new seam ripper, a Christmas present from daughter Alison. I like the size of the handle. It's nice to hold and has a good balance.

I watched a video from the Missouri Star Quilt Company on how to make easy pinwheel squares. The fabric I'm using was an impulse buy from Temu. It was very inexpensive, and it is not the best quality. Since this project is an experiment, I'm happy to be using fabric that I don't really care about. When I think I have the hang of it, I'll use some pretty fabric that I've been saving.

There was only one piece of mail today, and it was for me! I love these beautiful shuttles from Shuttle by Design. I'll be sure to use them in the coming days!

Tollway Tatters

 

We had a wonderful Tollway Tatters meeting yesterday, with tatters from Canada, New York, Virginia, California, Michigan, and Illinois. I am so grateful to my friend Sue who coordinates our monthly Zoom meetings. Without her, our group would have fizzled out with the pandemic. When Sue Anna and I started the group way back in 2011, neither one of us imagined that we would connect with tatters from so far away on a regular basis. While nothing compares to meeting in person, this is the next best thing!

While chatting, I managed to finish the first round of my Concentric Rectangles doily. During the meeting, we were talking about Rita Richmond's newest shuttles (Shuttle by Design). Our conversation reminded me that I hadn't checked the mail in a couple of days. So, after lunch I did a mail check and there were my beautiful new shuttles!

Middle school students will be performing Alice in Wonderland in two weeks, and there will be a raffle fundraiser. The raffles have been great fun, and they've raised much needed funds for the drama club. My bejeweled trees seem to be well received, so this one will be my contribution to the raffle.

Now I need to decide what to make for Mean Green Goes Pink night!

Well, I did it again!

I managed to not post for several days. This time I had an excuse... it was middle school play weekend!

Mom, my sister Janet, and I attended to Sunday matinee. Carol's assistant director took a picture of the four of us.

The kids did a fantastic job! It was easy to tell that the thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

Despite all the busyness, I did manage to tat some more button ornaments. I feel like I'm slowing down in making ornaments, but it can't be helped. My days have been so busy, and I don't have the energy to do much at night.

My shuttle collecting continues. These are my two newest from Rita Richmond of Shuttle by Design. I love them!

My first

This is my very first Dorset button! I've been wanting to make one for years, and I've had the supplies. I just didn't have the nerve to get started. Today was the day. I followed a tutorial from Gina-B Silkworks, and I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to make. 

I used a plastic ring from my stash and size 20 Lizbeth #115. I probably should have started with heavier thread as this button took me nearly three hours to make. It's not perfect, but I think it's pretty darned good for my first try!

My shuttle collection continues to grow. I got a little carried away ordering shuttles from Alexey Romanov. I don't feel a bit guilty. I love them all!

Today I received two beauties from Rita Richmond. Her artistry amazes me!

I only managed to tat one donut ornament today. I don't have too much left of size 40 Lizbeth #147 Red Burst. I'm hoping to finish this ball of thread this weekend. I wasn't too fond of this thread when I first saw it, but now I think it's wonderful!
 

Feeling better

I've been officially released from quarantine! I still have a bit of a cough, but that cough is consistent with my springtime allergies. 

This is Snowflake #2 from Four Dozen Tatted Snowflakes by Robin Perfetti. It really looks better in person than it does in the picture. My photography skills are very sketchy!

Snowflake #3 is in size 20 hand-dyed Sugar Maple from Yarnplayer. The shuttle is another beauty from Rita Richmond of Shuttle by Design.

Inspired by the beautiful color, I decided to tat a button ornament. I love the stability that comes with using a button, glass gem, or doo-dad in the center of small tatted motifs. Speaking of doo-dads... I wonder where I put my stash?

I missed a day!

I thought I blogged yesterday, so I was a bit surprised when I logged on tonight and saw that I didn't post anything yesterday. I guess I need to make up for lost time!

My friend Pamela Myers set a challenge for herself to match hand-dyed threads to donuts. I decided to join in the fun!

I think the thread colors show up better in my hand. I've lost the tag, so I don't know the name of this hand-dyed thread.

I'm pretty sure it's size 40 thread. The one on the right is definitely size 20.

Today I decided to work with size 20 Sugar Maple from Marilee Rockley aka Yarnplayer. I met Marilee online about 14 years ago when she first started blogging about hand-dyed threads. I even stalked her at a craft show in Wisconsin so that I could meet her!

Again, I think the colors show up better in my hand.

I didn't want to stop with a donut, so I also tatted a button ornament and a flower. If you haven't tatted with hand-dyed thread, I highly recommend it!

Shuttles, donuts, and a doily

 

My newest shuttles from Rita Richmond of Shuttle by Design arrived today. Aren't they lovely?

I finished a December 4 button ornament, and then I went back to the December 1 pattern and used donuts. I was inspired by my friend Pamela's latest creation. Pamela used an opaline donut and her Blue Moon hand-dyed thread. If you've never tried hand-dyed thread, I highly recommend indulging yourself. It's wonderful!

I've carefully restarted round 13 of Renulek's Spring 2021 doily. I did have a bit of a hiccup. Have you guessed? I joined in the wrong place again! Luckily, I noticed right away and only had to un-tat a small ring and 3 ds on a chain. I think I need to pay close attention from now on!

Tollway Tatters

It's hard to believe that this is the last Saturday in April. I wasn't even thinking about it until Sue posted a reminder!

I worked on Renulek's Spring 2021 doily. I tatted until my wrist got too tired, and then I quit for the day. I'd be close to finishing this round if I hadn't had to un-tat several mistakes!

We had a very nice virtual visit, and I think it's safe to say that we are looking forward to our next Zoom meeting!

My newest shuttles from Rita Richmond of Shuttle by Design arrived the other day. Aren't the colors wonderful?

I needed to work on something different after nearly three hours of tatting this morning, so this afternoon I picked up my knitting. Mom has started her second Orenburg warm shawl. I'm still working on the second of four borders from my first shawl. Still, I've been inspired by Mom, and I think it will do me good to switch between tatting and knitting so that I'm working different muscles.

My friend Ines recommended The Salt Path by Raynor Winn. I started reading after dinner. Now, will I spend the evening knitting or reading? I haven't decided yet!

Back to tatting

Today was just a half day of school for me, so I was able to get in some quality tatting time. I started with a bookmark in a new color, Lizbeth #712 Kelly Green Med.

After that, I went back to working on button ornaments in Lizbeth #109 Wild Flower. These are like candy. They work up quickly, and they're so cheerful!

Wild Flower

 

One of the colors in my International Tatting Day bag was Lizbeth #109, Wild Flower. I think it makes beautiful button ornaments! The pattern is my December 1 Button Ornament. The shuttle is by Rita Richmond of Shuttle by Design. My tatting bag was a gift from my friend Denise. Thank you again, Denise!

New shuttles

 

Opening the mail was fun today, because I received new shuttles from Rita Richmond of Shuttle by Design. They're so much prettier in person!

Today I decided to tat two bookmarks, one in size 10 and one in size 20. I personally prefer the one in size 20, but the size 10 bookmarks are much quicker to finish!

One little button

 

Today I took one little button and tatted a very pretty ornament! I don't have much Sea Island Breeze left, just what's wound on this shuttle.

So, what's next? I think I might focus on Renulek's Spring 2021 doily. I do love the pattern so far, and I like the feeling of accomplishment that comes with finishing a large project!

A new thread

 

I ordered a new thread, available at Handy Hands and Tatting Corner. Ljiljan thread was not one that was familiar to me. A tatting friend asked if I had tried it, so you know I had to search for it! It's a very nice thread, one I'd recommend.

It works up nicely as a button ornament, and I loved using my new shuttle from Rita Richmond of Shuttle by Design.

I liked it so much, I tatted a second one! I also managed to tat another Curds & Whey bookmark today. I love it when my tatting days go well!

My adventure in baking no knead bread continues. Today I made beer and cheddar bread for daughter Carol. It smells delicious!

Day off

 

I had the day off from school, so my sister Janet came to visit today. Mom had finished a quilt top for her, and we went to the quilt shop to choose a backing and to have it machine quilted. We stopped at daughter Carol's house for lunch, and then headed home for a leisurely afternoon. While we visited, I worked on my latest Granny Rectangle. I do love how quickly this pattern works up!

Before Janet arrived, I managed to tat one button ornament with one of my newest shuttles from Rita Richmond of Shuttle by Design. I also started Button Love Heart from Button Jar Tatting by Martha Ess. However, I messed it up, snipped it off, and resolved to try again tomorrow!

Doodle day

 

Well, I only managed to tat one today, but it is a beautiful Doodle Ice Drop. I think it goes well with one of my newest shuttles from Rita Richmond of Shuttle by Design. Isn't it a beauty?

I would have loved to have tatted more, but this afternoon I headed off to the dentist to get a broken tooth fixed. After that, I headed to the grocery store. We're expecting cold temperatures over the weekend, and I would rather have all my food in the house before the cold hits!

Elderberry Jam

Yesterday I tatted a Doodle Ice Drop and most of a cross in size 80. When I got home from school, I found a mistake, so I snipped off the thread and started over. A couple of hours later, I looked at the discarded piece and realized I hadn't made a mistake after all. Too late! Next time I think something needs to be snipped, I'm going to set it aside for a couple of hours just to be sure!

I really wasn't discouraged about working with the size 80 thread, so today I re-tatted Maria from Tatted Bookmarks ~ cross-shaped by Lene Bjorn. I'm so happy I did! I think it looks wonderful in Elderberry Jam, and it matches my personalized shuttle!

High hopes

I had high hopes of accomplishing a lot today. I didn't quite meet my goals, but I had fun!

While supervising the kids at school, I finished tatting another Coronavirus Button Cross by Laura Blanton. I had a little bit of thread left on my shuttle, so I decided to see how much I could tat of Mary Konior's Curds & Whey from Tatting with Visual Patterns. I thought I'd only get one pattern repeat, so I was pleased to get two. The shuttle is one of my favorites, a present from my cousin Trish. The shuttle was made and decorated by Rita Richmond of Shuttle by Design.

I now have eight pattern repeats finished on the first border of my Orenburg warm shawl.

Mom is zipping along with her second border. She's well into her eighth pattern repeat. I'm pretty sure she will finish her second border before I finish my first!

Where do I begin?

I really need to get back into blogging on a more regular basis. I simply can't remember what I've done! Luckily, I usually remember to take pictures.

There's been a lot of sewing going on. I like making tissue packet covers out of leftover material. I don't know of any craft shows coming up, but that's no reason to stop creating!

Daughter Joanne and family will be arriving at the end of the week. The kids like to help Joanne and Jan cook, so I decided to make some tea towel aprons for them. I love the tutorial from Missouri Star Quilt Company.

I'm making pretty good progress with my Granny Stripe afghan. It's nearly halfway done.

As Mom and I have been sorting and organizing, I'm realizing that I have a ridiculous number of tatting shuttles. That doesn't keep me from collecting new ones, though! These beauties are from Rita Richmond of Shuttle by Design.

My oldest granddaughter, Eva, starts college this fall. The school colors are navy blue and gold. She requested a new lanyard in the school colors, and Mom was eager to get back to band weaving!.

Janko, my youngest grandchild, loves dinosaurs. I found a free pattern online and made a set of them. The idea is that he will choose one and share the other two. We'll see if that happens!

I haven't accomplished much in the way of tatting lately, but I did manage to tat an Ice Drop over the weekend. This is a variation of my Doodle Ice Drop pattern.

Last week I spent one day in bed with a sinus headache. When I get a headache, I like to have a lavender pack to put on my head. It feels so good and eases the pain. I hadn't made any in quite a while, and Mom and I found the supplies for making them while sorting. I managed to make nine over the past week. These are 6" x 11" finished (I cut the fabric 7" x 12"), and they're filled with 4 cups of whole flax seed and 2 tablespoons of lavender. I store them in a ZipLock freezer bag in the freezer. They really are very soothing!