Easy weekend

I've been taking it easy this weekend. I spent most of my time yesterday on the computer. I read blogs, watched videos, and let myself be led from one thing to another. This morning I decided that I couldn't waste another day. So, I started with finishing up another bottle cap ornament.

Next, I decided to start another set of Dorset button ornaments with my new box of perle cotton. It's easier to keep going when working with a simple pattern, and with all the subbing I've been doing, easy is good!

 

Bottle caps and buttons

 

Yesterday was a slow tatting day, but I did manage to complete one bottle cap ice drop!

Today was another busy sub day, but I was able to tat quite a bit since I was with high school students who were busy writing essays that were due by the end of the school day. Good planning by the teacher!

After school, I worked on another bottle cap ice drop. I wonder what I'll be inspired to work on next?

Variety

 

I decided I needed a little variety, so I tatted up a bottle cap Ice Drop with Liz Metallic #324. I didn't look at any of the patterns I've written up. Instead, I tatted front and back rings of 6-6-6 and tatted chains of 12... very simple!

This is one of the simplest Dorset patterns I've tried, Small Pinwheel from Dorset Ring Buttons by Gina Barrett.

The companion pattern is Pinwheel - traditional. 

Variety is the spice of life!

Slightly different

I'm trying to keep the bottle cap Ice Drops simples so that I can complete more of them, but they still take quite a bit of time. Christmas in the Village is just a few weeks away, and my Ice Drop supply is kind of low. I think it's time to revert to basic Ice Drops so that I have a good supply on hand!

Keeping it simple

I haven't had much time to work on crafting for the past few days, so I decided to keep this bottle cap Ice Drop simple. I felt the need to complete something! I don't know if you can see the peacock design in the cabochon, but it's really very pretty!

Friday was Grandparents' Day at school, and I was subbing for the music teacher. I managed to crochet a little bit on my Waffle Stitch Blanket, but no significant progress was made.

Yesterday was the dodgeball tournament fundraiser, organized by daughter Carol and one of the fourth grade teachers. In June, approximate 40 people (students, parents, and teachers) are taking a ten day trip to Europe! That's a pretty good sized group for our little town. To help the kids with the cost of the trip, some fundraisers have been planned. I was happy to help with this one. I didn't get to watch any of the dodgeball tournament, but I had great fun working in the concession stand. Any student going on the trip who chose to work at this fundraiser gets to share the proceeds. The kids were able to raise $1,600! I'm not sure how many of the kids were working, but I'm sure they appreciate the support received from the community!

Play week

It's play week, and that means lots of hustle and bustle around here. This week I've been repairing rental costumes, helping put together props and costumes made by those supporting the drama club, fetching meals for Madame Director, running off programs... anything and everything that is asked of me. My responsibilities have expanded with retirement!

We had a glorious sunrise this morning. I wish my phone camera could catch the true beauty. Maybe it can, and I just don't know enough about photography!

With the hope of achieving my goal of an afghan for each grandchild for Christmas, I started the Virus Blanket for Lily. I really like Fiber Spider's video tutorials. They're so clear and easy to follow. I now have this pattern down pat, so I'm carrying it with me and crocheting whenever I get the chance. This pattern works up much more quickly than the one I just finished for Ella. The yarn is Lion Brand Mandala that I found on clearance at Walmart last year. I love clearance sales!

Yes, my tatting still travels with me. This is destined to be a snowflake, but I need to take out the last ring I tatted. It wasn't time for a ring! I have an idea of what I want the next round to look like so that this looks like a snowflake. We'll see if I'm able to tat what I envision!

All ready!

I took my Ice Drop tree to Flowers and Stones today, and Karen (the owner) made my tree extra pretty and ready for the raffle on Friday! I'm so pleased with the way this turned out.

As predicted, I had time to tat today. This may be my favorite bottle cap Ice Drop so far!