Too late

I've found that I prefer blogging at night. That way I can keep a record of what I've accomplished in a day. That didn't happen last night, because I finished my last tatted piece too late. I just didn't have any energy left for blogging!

I started my day with another Workbasket cross in size 40 Lizbeth #117 Country Side. I left the picots off on this one, and I really like the sleek look. I laid the cross on a large white envelope, because I knew it would disappear on my Kindle cover. I like using my Kindle as a backdrop because of the texture, but I've realized that it seems to suck the life out of some colors.

With that in mind, I re-photographed yesterday's Curds & Whey bookmark. Now you can see more of the true beauty of this color combination from Tatskool!

I spent some time de-cluttering upstairs in the morning. Then, I loaded up the back of the car with items I no longer could use, and Mom and I headed to Goodwill. We visited daughter Carol for lunch and then headed back home. I was thrilled to see that Victoria Ong's new needle lace book had arrived in the mail!

This is Victoria's third book on needle lace, and I am thrilled to have it! It is very detailed and beautifully done. I've had the pleasure of taking a class with Victoria, and she has attended Tollway Tatters. She is a very patient teacher, and I am happy that she took the time to write three wonderful books on needle lace!

It took me until late afternoon to finish the Workbasket cross. I'm still adjusting to tatting with size 40 thread. I love working with it, but I haven't developed a feel for working with it, so it takes me quite a bit longer than when I use size 20. After dinner, I decided to tat another donut necklace. The donut is 5/8" donut and it works well with the size 40 thread.

My friend Sue has been using these 3/4" plastic rings in her sun catchers. They also work well with the size 40 thread. 

So, why did I switch from hand-dyed threads to Lizbeth? When I'm experimenting, I prefer to use the Lizbeth. It's less expensive. Once I know my ideas will work, I feel better switching to the hand-dyed threads. Truth be told, I have way more thread than I will ever be able to use (both Lizbeth and hand-dyed). Still, I hate to be wasteful!

Feelin' the heat

It's been hot and humid here the past few days. It's been a lot worse, but I'm a wimp when it comes to the heat. I know I'd never make it in the deep south!

Today I worked on Tamie Alliss's Beaded Bloom in size 20, with beads this time! It's okay, but with this pattern I think I really prefer the size 10 thread. I asked Tamie for some guidance, and she said she uses an 11 mm bead with size 20 thread. This is a 20 mm bead, so maybe that's why I'm not happy with the result.

There's one less ring on the beaded version. I really like this pattern, so I know I'll do more experimenting.

Raspberry Pink Lt was the perfect cool color to use on a hot day!

I added another Masquerade motif to my doily. By tatting one motif a day, this doily will be complete in a few weeks.

It's hard to believe that my needle lace class with Victoria Ong was a week ago. This is the best flower center I've made so far, and I could actually see where my needle needs to go for the next round!

My leaves are getting better. I just need to practice!

Been There, Done Tat ~ Part 3

Although it was not technically part of Tat Days, Lisa did offer two needle lace classes with Victoria Ong on Sunday. I've been wanting to learn needle lace for a long time, and Denise was interested also, so we signed up. Victoria's new book is available exclusively at Tatting Corner.

It took me quite a while to get the feel for making the knots, but I was happy with my progress, and now I feel confident with practicing on my own.

Dave came in with broccoli before leaving for work this morning, so my first task of the day was to prepare nine quarts of broccoli for the freezer. It looks like time for peppers next!

I've added a third Masquerade motif to my doily. I don't think this is going to turn out as I originally thought, but that's okay. Today's motif is in Lizbeth #680, Spring Green.

Of course I had to tat a matching Ice Drop!

I finished another bag today... three down, thirteen to go!

I finished the day by tatting Beaded Bloom by Tamie Alliss. My last join looks a little funky, and my chains don't snug up, but I get the idea now, and I have plenty of beads that I can practice with!