Improving

I started my day with another Dorset Crosswheel. I feel like I get a little better with each one I make!

I felt it needed a little embellishment, so I added a round of tatting.

I wasn't content until I had turned it into a December 8 button ornament. I love the way it looks!

After several false starts, I finally have a Lychett Basket button that I like. It's not perfect yet, but it is greatly improved!

It seemed appropriate that I end the day with a donut ornament. 

Tomorrow is our Tollway Tatters Zoom meeting. I won't be able to attend for the full time since it's the last day of Joanne's visit. I am looking forward to meeting up with tatting friends, even if it is for just a little while!

Last of the Red Burst

 

I finished my last button ornament in Red Burst this morning.

I had just enough thread left to make a 1/2" Dorset Button.

So, what was I able to tat with one ball of size 40 Lizbeth? There are two cross bookmarks.

There are 55 button ornaments and one Dorset button. I am very happy with how much I was able to tat with one ball of thread!

Now that I've finished with the ball of Red Burst, I've moved on to size 40 Lizbeth #669 Poppy Red. 

I've signed up for a spot at Christmas in the Village. I sure hope these little ornaments sell!

On the weaving front, I passed on one of my looms to my friend Irene's ten-year-old granddaughter. She sews, knits, and crochets. Weaving seemed like a natural hobby. As you can see, she has really taken to it!

My sister came to visit with her grandchildren today. That means that Great-grandma Green was able to spend time with all of her great grandchildren this summer!

Starting the day off right

Starting the day with tatting always seems to set things right! This ball of size 40 Lizbeth #147 Red Burst seems to go on forever! I may not achieve my goal of finishing up the ball this weekend.

We all headed over to daughter Carol's house for a delicious lunch of macaroni and cheese, hot dogs, and salad. Joanne and the kids spent the afternoon with Carol, and Mom and I headed home after lunch.

While Mom was napping, I made another Dorset button. This time I used size 10 Lizbeth and it went much faster. I think the stitches look more even, but I need to work on keeping my center in the center!

After dinner, I decided to try 12 wt Sulky Blendables with a smaller 1/2" ring. I love the sheen of the Sulky thread, and I think I did a much better job with the center this time.

Special buttons call for special storage, and I just happened to have this cute little button tin on hand!

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!
 

Playing with donuts and flowers

 

Tatting with donuts is so much fun! It's a little easier to make rings fit on donuts than on buttons. Plus, I really like the look!

I decided to play with the flower pattern again, this time leaving off the picots.

I had just a little bit of thread left on the shuttle, so I played with a couple of rings. I really am enjoying playing around!

Keepin' busy

Last night I was motivated to work on Renulek's Spring 2021 doily. This round is super simple, but it is also very time consuming!

Early this morning I chose to work on my latest Granny Rectangle. I really like the mix of blue and grey!

I promised Jon (daughter Carol's significant other) a loaf of homemade bread. This one is onion and parmesan. It smells so wonderful!

My tatting at school today was another bookmark and a donut ornament. Little projects give me such a feeling of accomplishment!

It's still plenty cold here, but the sun has been melting the snow on the roof leaving some pretty impressive icicles!

Something new

 

I'm not with button ornaments or ice drops, but I am starting something new. Have you started? Do you know what it is? This is round 1 of Renulek's 2021 Spring Doily, available on her blog and in her Etsy shop. I chose to purchase the pattern so that I can work on it at my own speed. I get a bit anxious when I can't keep up the pace of following the tat-along. Purchasing the pattern makes me feel much more relaxed!

My Granny Rectangle afghan is growing! I can't believe how quickly it's working up.

I was sorting through my tatting bag and found that I had a donut that I hadn't blocked and posted. I think this is the last of this pink thread. I lost the tag, but I think it's Lizbeth Pink Parade. I guess it's time to choose another color!