Tollway Tatters

We had a lovely day yesterday!

Sue was working on her gorgeous rainbow doily.

Carrie worked on adorable hair pins.

Denise was focused on Turtle Ice Drops from Wally Sosa's new book, Itty Bitty Zoo.

Carolyn has been wanting to join us for a while, and was finally able to make the trip yesterday. She brought lots of goodies to share and show.

 
Carolyn and her husband made her shuttle winders. She said she always uses them. I have a shuttle winder from England, but I haven't used it in years.

These are pieces Carolyn has made for crowns. She tats over a fine wire along with the core thread so that they don't fall over.

When I first met Carolyn years ago, she told me about her wire tatting. I don't know if you can tell from the picture, but it is beautiful!

She's also an Ice Drop Addict and brought along some of her beautiful pieces.

I worked on my Renulek Wiosna 2018, but didn't think to take any pictures.

Carrie had to leave early for a wedding. She was brave and asked a young man to take a group photo for us.

All in all, it was a lovely time. I was tired when I got home, so read in stead of tatting or blogging.

Today I focused on finishing up the last of Mom's spool pin doilies. I hope to get them in the mail tomorrow.

I finished reading The Forgotten Seamstress by Liz Trenow. I guess the ending correctly, but I didn't mind because the author unfolded the secret beautifully.

I'm on to my next book, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. I had watched the movie last week when Mom recommended it to me. The book is written as a series of letters between the characters in the book, which makes it very easy to read bits and pieces as time allows.

I managed a little sewing today, but I can't show pictures. I want the recipient to be surprised!

Reading time

I admit it. I've been caught up in reading The Forgotten Seamstress. Usually I don't care for stories that jump back and forth between time periods, but this one has really caught my interest.

Walking on my porch was interesting today. Some of the chickens spent a good deal of chicken in the front yard. They are fun to watch!

This is Henry, our rooster. He's quite a handsome guy, and he really enjoys strutting around the yard and keeping the hens in line.

It took me two days to complete the next set of spool pin doilies for Mom. I do like the blue and white!

I made a little bit of progress on my hanky edging. I didn't get very far because... I kept reading my book! I think I'll do a little more reading before heading off to bed!

Starting the day off right

I really am enjoying crocheting these little spool pin doilies for Mom! I make one while drinking my morning coffee, and then I pick up my crochet hook throughout the day and do a little bit here and a little bit there. I actually completed one of these yesterday, and I was close to finishing another. The second one didn't get finished last night, because my wrist just wouldn't cooperate. I can't sit and crochet for long periods of time as I used to. It's a good thing I have varied interests!

Daughter Carol was at the Cubs game today, so I sat and watched it on t.v. I didn't spot her this time. However, I did manage to finish the first edge of my hanky!

Our mail lady was much later than usual today. As it turns out, her truck broke down while she was on deliveries, and she had to be rescued. I'm glad she was able to finish her deliveries today, because my newest shuttle from Rita Richmond of Shuttle by Design was in the mail! Isn't it a beauty?

When the Cubs game was over, I sat down to read for a little bit. I'm only two chapters in, but the book seems like it's going to be a good one!

While looking for something else, I found my pin backs. I sewed them on to my dark green lucky pennies, but the lighter green will have to wait. I can't find the thread!

Not much to show... again!

Today was jam packed with fun! Becky and Kami came over for a sewing lesson this morning. The girls are making kimonos for themselves. They didn't finish, but they did get quite a bit done! It was the last lesson before school starts next week. From now on, lessons will be after school. Where has the summer gone?

I went to daughter Carol's house for lunch, and then we did a little shopping. We found a shoe sale, and we each bought two pairs. I felt like I was being quite extravagant, but I haven't bought a new pair of shoes in over two years. Mine were looking a bit shabby! We also found a clothing sale, and Carol was able to find a few things to freshen up her back-to-school wardrobe.

I did start a hanky edging in Marilee Rockley's "Beach Cafe," a very cheerful color! The pattern is from page 42 of The Craft of Tatting by Bessie M. Attenborough. I know size 20 thread isn't ideal for hanky edgings, but it was what I was in the mood to work with. So there!

I was checking Facebook this morning and I saw a post from Madhur Dadlani from a few years ago showing how she uses up bits of thread on her shuttles. I decided to give it a try. It looks pretty good so far, but I'm not sure how long I'll stick with it.

Not much progress was made with spool pin doilies today. I'll try to finish the second one before I head off to bed tonight.

When I saw that Rita Richmond of Shuttle by Design was selling Madeira thread, I ordered some right away! It's much finer than the Liz Metallic. So far, so good!

Chicken fun

I was sitting in my chair enjoying the afternoon yesterday, when Dave called to me. I looked out the window, and there he was with a chicken on his back!

I quickly ran outside to take a closer look.

Meet Henrietta. She loves Dave! She follows him around the yard, hoping he will feed her mealworms. Do you see the chickens at the end of the porch? Dave was at the bottom of the steps, watching the chickens (they are NOT allowed on the porch) when Henrietta flew on to his shoulder. She stayed on his back until I shooed her away. Sometimes I wonder if Henrietta is really a silly goose! ;-)

How was I enjoying the afternoon? Why I was crocheting spool pin doilies for Mom!

I worked on more today. I now have 35 finished... only 15 to go!

No, I haven't given up on tatting. I just want to make sure I finish the spool pin doilies and get them off to Mom. I have a bad habit of setting things aside and forgetting them!

This afternoon I wound these adorable wooden spools with hand-dyed thread from Marilee Rockley (Beach Cafe and Garden Afternoon). I love using my little swift for holding the skeins of thread as I wind them. I found the spools on Etsy, and I think they're great!

Rock of Ages

This weekend was the alumni and directors' showcase to benefit the school drama club. Every two or three years, students who have graduated are invited to participate in a summer performance raise money for something specific. The group has been able to raise money for new lighting and mics. This year, their goal is to replace the stage curtains.

My role in all of this is to provide whatever support Madame Director needs. My duties this year were pretty simple: help with Carol's costume, provide dinner for Carol the two nights of the performance, and sell raffle tickets. I had the easy part!

Rock of Ages is a musical I had never heard of, so I was completely surprised by the performance. The cast was fantastic! I understand they cleaned up the language quite a bit... it was performed in a school.

Minor rant here... why do entertainers feel the need to litter movies, plays, music, and books with foul language and graphic scenes? I must lead a very sheltered life, because the people I know do not speak or act the way I see characters portrayed. A good story is a good story. Why muck it up? Rant over.

Because unexpected things happen on performance weekends, I try to keep crafting simple and at a minimum. I don't want to be frustrated my interruptions!

I chose to work on the spool pin doilies for Mom. They're quick and easy, and I don't have to worry about losing my place in the pattern!

I think these are going to be some fun table decorations!

Oh, and I finished my doily! Presenting "Masquerade" from Tatting with Visual Patterns by Mary Konior, tatted in size 20 Lizbeth thread pack, Sweet Tarts. It didn't turn out the way I had envisioned it, but I like it!

A different look

I tried Shelley Perreault's Peacock Coins pattern with fewer beads. I still used a penny, the same thread, and the same beads, just fewer of them. While this is pretty, it just doesn't have the dazzle dazzle of the other one. I'll bet you can guess which one I prefer!

Five more spool pin doilies are ready for Mom's Christmas table decorations!

Believe it or not, I only have two squares to go on my Masquerade doily! If I had completed one yesterday and one today, I'd only have one to go. Oh, well! It's not like I'm in a race!

Peppers!

Dave brought in the first of our peppers this morning. I set aside three for daughter Carol, cut up two for our dinner tonight, and prepared the rest for freezing. Yum!

I was very happy to complete a Masquerade motif with no mistakes. I think this is going to be perfect!

Five more spool pin doilies are ready for Mom's table decorations!

As for dinner... it was delicious! We had fried peppers and onions, and a salad of cucumbers, tomatoes, broccoli, and cabbage... all from our garden. No, we didn't eat it all. It was way too much food. We both finished our peppers and onions. Dave ate about half of his salad, and I didn't touch mine. The good news is, I have lunch ready for tomorrow!

Helping Mom

Mom is working on table decorations for the dining room for her retirement village. Yes, she's working ahead and making Christmas trees. She came up with the idea of using spool pin doilies as tree skirts. Isn't that a great idea?

Mom is weaving the squares and putting the decorations together, and I'm helping her out by crocheting the spool pin doilies for her. I finished the first five today... only 45 to go!

I must not be concentrating while tatting. I had to tat the lavender motif two times. Luckily, I have enough thread!

I started putting together the things I want to take with me to the Twin Cities Tatters retreat next week. I have so many works in progress, it's difficult to choose. Right now I'm organizing the projects I have and then I'll be able to decide which ones to take with me.

My day wouldn't be complete without an Ice Drop! I had just enough thread left on the shuttle from yesterday's Ice Drop. I thought you might like to see the back of the shuttle decorated by Sarah. I love it!

Disconnected

I've pretty much been out of the loop for the past couple of days. I've been too busy for almost anything!

Thursday was a sub day in second grade. Those kids are so much fun!

Thursday night the Soup Club got together to celebrate our friend Peggy's birthday.

We must all be getting old... we all went home around 8 o'clock. We all seem to fizzle out early these days.

Friday I subbed at the high school, and then after school Bella and I went shopping. We went to JoAnn Fabrics and Hobby Lobby. Yes, we bought lots of goodies! Bella got a spool knitting kit, and I think I have her hooked! Yes, the pun was intended. :-)

I found Christmas Red thread at Hobby Lobby, so I bought a ball rather than look for the one I know I have stashed away somewhere in the house. This one is for the teacher I subbed for on Friday. I'm not sure I'll have a tree full of Ice Drops to show at the end of May. So far, I've given away every one I've tatted!

I'm trying to use things up, and I was nearly at the end of my ball of crochet cotton. It looked like I had enough for two or three spool pin doilies.

I think they look so cute!

Imagine my surprise when I was able to crochet seven spool pin doilies out of the remaining thread!