Inexpensive shuttle storage

While cleaning my sewing room today, I found this gourd tatting shuttle that I thought I had lost. It was safely tucked away in a box of thread.

I love the artwork, something I have no talent for!

I also found my Zoom Loom! The Zoom Loom makes 4" squares, and it has a couple of features that I really like. First the wide plastic base makes it easy to hold. Second, there is a slit in the plastic to hold the yarn when beginning the warping process. I like having the slit, because I don't have to take out a slip knot when I finish weaving. It makes it much easier to hide the ends.

Last year I purchased this box on Amazon. It's meant to hold art chalk. I removed the dividers and the  spongy liner, and then I lined the drawers with blue felt.

The drawers are very shallow, so the shuttles tend to catch a little if I don't pull the drawers out slowly, keeping them level.

I could store many more shuttles in these drawers if I removed the shuttles from the packaging.

However, I wanted to keep them in the packages in case the shuttles become collectible! ;-)

In case you didn't count the Emsy Jane shuttles, there were 21. Yes, there are more shuttles to come!

Happy International Tatting Day!

Yes, I did get some tatting done today, quite a bit in fact. I only have ten pattern repeats left on the hanky edging... great progress for me!

My new Zoom Loom arrived today, and I really like it. Do you see the little notch at the bottom left? This may be the best part of the loom... no need for a starting knot! I misunderstood the description of the loom, and I thought there would be a slope on the outside. Not so! The slope is on the inside of the frame, and it does make it easier to manipulate the needle.

I'm using I Love This Cotton. If I stay inspired, there may be a baby throw made out of these little squares. Time will tell!

Sophia Jana

Our newest granddaughter was born last night at 7:58. Sophia Jana is 7 lb. 3 oz, and 20", with a full head of hair! We're so excited to have another baby in the family!

I'm making slow progress on the hanky edging. I think I could have finished at least two sides yesterday, but I let myself be distracted with baby updates, shopping for ribbon, lunch with daughter Carol, and a nagging headache.

I do love this edging! It's "Cottage Border" from  A Pattern Book of Tatting by Mary Konior. I'm using size 30 Anchor Mercer thread that I found on clearance from an Etsy shop. I do love this thread! It has a nice crisp feel, and it tats up beautifully!

Have you seen Schacht's new Zoom Loom? It's an updated version of the Weavette pin loom, made out of plastic, with sloping sizes. I do love my Weavette looms, but they are very hard to find. There are several sites offering these little cuties, but the shipping is $9.95... outrageous! I did find them with $3.95 shipping here. All of the web sites have indicated that they will be available for shipment in April. Some say late April, early May. Anyway, I "pre-ordered" mine, and I have already received a shipping confirmation order. I am very excited! I'll be sure to keep you posted with my thoughts about this new loom!