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!

Been There, Done Tat ~ Part 2

Friday and Saturday were fun-filled days! I taught two basic Ice Drop classes on Friday, and three Tat Days Ice Drop classes on Saturday. Yes, I will provide pictures and the pattern for the Tat Days Ice Drop soon. I have to find where I filed them on my computer!

Since I had an open time slot on Friday, I chose to take a basket weaving class with Jennifer Titus. She is an excellent teacher, but I had a difficult time counting over 2 under 1. I had to rip out what I had done four times. By the time class was over, I only had half the basket finished. Jennifer was kind enough to finish it for me. I have a new appreciation for basket makers, and I will gladly pay their prices when I see a basket I like!

Friday night we went to Hoosier Park for their prime rib buffet. I'd never been to a race track before. It was interesting, but not something I'm likely to do again unless Lisa plans dinner there again next year. The food was fabulous!

Thursday afternoon I had the thrill of meeting the very talented Carolyn Craig! I knew I loved her oval brooches, but once I saw them in person, I knew I just had to make some.

Carolyn was kind enough to pass out these little angel kits. Now I just have to decide what materials to use! Thank you, Carolyn!

Lisa had told me ahead of time that she was going to have some adorable wearable needle minders in the shop. I couldn't resist!

I also knew that Lisa was going to have some tatting themed sterling silver jewelry. I really love this necklace!

I also met Sarah Wood from Texas on Thursday. I had seen some of her decorated shuttles at Palmetto Tat Days last year, and I was happy to see that Lisa had a good stock to choose from.

I was really excited when I saw Sarah tatting with the same shuttle! I guess I have good taste! ;-)

Shawna Wachs, another teacher and my personal chauffeur for the weekend, had these adorable tiles with the stand. It looks great on my window sill!

I also purchased one of Shawna's decals for my favorite water cup!

The most exciting moment of the weekend was when I met Carollyn Brown! I have followed Carollyn's blog for a long time, and when I saw that she was going to have her shuttles available, I knew I was going to be shopping with her! I met Carollyn and her husband Richard on Friday, and I bought one of their adorable bunny shuttles right away. Don't tell anyone, but Richard chose his favorite bunny just for me! :-)

The two fish shuttles and basket were part of the silent auction, and I won! Can you tell that I'm excited about that?

I'm slowly getting back into my routine. Remember the bags I cut out a while back? I sewed another one today. I think I'm going to sell at our town's Oktoberfest in September, so I really need to get cracking on these bags.

I tatted another Masquerade motif from Mary Konior's Tatting with Visual Patterns. I have an idea for a doily using the Lizbeth Sweet Tarts pack. Luckily, if it doesn't suit me, I know one of my granddaughters will want it!

Today's Ice Drop is in Lizbeth #623, Raspberry Pink Lt.

Yes, I ordered a second Tatting Shuttle Addicts commemorative shuttle. I guess I'm hopeless!

Rainy Sunday

We had showers on and off all day today. The kids didn't seem to mind. They played with their toys and watched Moana, their current favorite movie.

I'm in the mood to sew, so while Joanne and the kids napped, I prepared fabric for some lined drawstring bags.

I also started a new Granny Square afghan. This one is in Lion Brand Mandala, Serpent.

I'm going to have to do some serious tatting if I'm going to tat 30 Ice Drops in June. I only have four done, and it's already the 10th!

Liz Metallic Sea Foam

Liz Metallic Sea Foam is a beautiful soft green!

I think it makes a fabulous Ice Drop. I took the opportunity to give my new Bumblebee shuttle a workout. My Bumblebee performed well! ;-)

Today was a busy sewing day. I finished a dust cover with pocket for granddaughter Ella. The matching bag holds the foot pedal. It took me three tries to get a dust cover that I liked. I hope Ella likes it too!

Liz Metallic Steel Blue

I think I've changed my mind about my favorite color of Liz Metallic.

I love the way Steel Blue looks tatted up! Can I have two favorite colors? Sure I can!

I also have many favorite tatting shuttles, including this wonderful little shuttle from Grizzly Mountain Arts. I know I've said it before, but I really do think that flat shuttles are the way to go with metallic threads.

I mind another lined drawstring bag today. This is my third bag in this size. I'm sure I could have figured out how to make bags in a variety of sizes, but I chose to purchase the pattern from Jeni Baker instead. Her pattern includes the directions for 8 sizes of bags, and it's only $9. Yes, I could have chosen to make just the one size, but I like to support designers so that they will keep on designing. I think I may have to visit Jeni's blog more often!

Liz Metallic Gem Stone

Believe it or not, this is the ninth Liz Metallic thread I've tried!

There are so many colors in this pretty thread. I could have chosen gold, pink, purple, blue, green. Any of them would have looked good, but as you can see, I chose red! I used another of my flat shuttles from Grizzly Mountain Arts. I really do think flat shuttles are my best option when working with metallic threads.

I managed to sew another lined drawstring bag before heading in to school this morning. One of the teachers felt ill after arriving at school, and luckily I was available to help out.

Both bags that I've made are already spoken for. Luckily, I have lots of material for making more of them!

Liz Metallic Frappe

Are you tired of seeing my tests of the new Liz Metallic threads? I'm not! 😁

As with the other metallic threads I've tested, this one does not show up nearly as nicely on the computer monitor as it does in person. The glass gem is a perfect accent to the thread. I think a flat shuttle works best for me when working with metallic threads. It's easy to wind and unwind the thread, and I don't have to worry about rubbing the threads between the tips of a post shuttle. I do like the bobbin shuttles for metallics, but I find that I can tat more evenly with the flat shuttle. This shuttle is from Grizzly Mountain Arts.

I'm making good progress on Renulek's Wiosna 2018, but I'm falling behind all because I snipped off round 8. I'll catch up!

I dusted off my sewing machine and made this lined drawstring bag today. I love this pattern by Jeni Baker! Using four fat quarters, I was able to cut out the pieces for two bags. I finished this one and started another. I would have finished them both, but my sewing machine was acting up so I took it in for servicing. Luckily, I have another sewing machine!
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