Sugar Maple Spinning Wheel

Yes folks, I am still tatting Spinning Wheel glass mats... I LOVE this pattern! I think it looks especially nice in Marilee's "Sugar Maple", size 40. This one's 4 1/2" in diameter, about an inch smaller than the ones tatted in size 20. I still have one more that I must tat for a Christmas present. I'll have to see if I want to keep tatting Spinning Wheels, or if I want to move on to a different project.

Tatting these little doilies gives me a feeling of accomplishment. I like tatting motifs, and I'm usually very pleased with the final product, but the glass mats seem a little more useful to me. Besides, I love doilies!

I may have to put tatting aside for a little while... I hope not! I have several knitting projects in the works, a couple of crochet projects, a birthday gift, tooth fairy pillows for grandchildren, and weaving bookmarks for the Santa's Secret Shop at school. My "to do" list just keeps growing!

Mom's been weaving!

This is a Thanksgiving table scarf that Mom just finished weaving for my sister Janet. Isn't it gorgeous? Mom found a mistake when she was finished... remember that blind man on the galloping horse, Mom! ...so she's planning on weaving another with no mistakes. I am so lucky to have such a talented Mom!

Autumn Inspiration

October 10 was our 28th anniversary, so Dave took me on a road trip to see the changing of the leaves.


The colors in the Door County peninsula (Wisconsin) were fabulous!


We visited the Cana Island Lighthouse in Bailey's Harbor...


...and climbed to the top... all 97 steps! Yes, I made it... by stopping on each of the landings and waiting for the burn in my calves to ease up!


The view from the top of the lighthouse was fantastic!


We stopped in Sister Bay for lunch, then continued around the peninsula to the Door Peninsula Winery. We took the tour, did a little wine tasting, and bought a little wine before leaving to head for the Nicolet National Forest. We didn't see much color there.


After a good night's sleep, we headed home via the Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive. The sun was so bright, that most of the pictures I took look washed out, but this tree sure was a beauty.


This is the Greenbush Kettle near the beginning of the Drive (north end). A kettle is "a deep ground depression formed when thick layers of glacier-deposited sediment settle over a melting ice block" (National Geographic Guide to Scenic Highways and Byways).

Needless to say, we had a wonderful, relaxing weekend. Can you guess what my next tatted piece will be? I'll give you a hint... think Marilee's "Sugar Maple" and Mary Konior's "Spinning Wheel".

Coral Reef Spinning Wheel

I can't help myself! I just keep on tatting these beautiful little glass mats... I can't wait to see how the pattern looks in different threads!

Coral Reef size 20 HDT by Pamela Myers is a fabulous thread to work with! If you haven't tried HDT yet, please check out the threads available from Pamela, Marilee, and Sherry... they're all wonderful! I can't say that I prefer one person's HDT over another. Each of these talented ladies has her own sense of which colors work well together, and I love every thread I've ordered from each of them!

I'd be content to tat if I had never been introduced to HDT, but since I have started using HDT, I find it tedious to tat with some of the "plain" threads. Closing rings is a smoother process. It's easier to take out my mistakes. The feel of the final piece is wonderful.To me, the difference between HDT and other threads is like the difference between butter and margarine. Margarine's o.k., but I could eat hot buttered toast with REAL butter until I made myself sick! I have a lot in common with Mercy Watson! ; )

Tan Spinning Wheel

This one seemed to take forever! I think a big part of that feeling comes from the fact that I love watching the color changes in HDT. Obviously, there's no color change here. This is Lizbeth size 20, color #693 from Handy Hands. I'm pleased with the final doily, but the next one will be in HDT! Which color? It'll be a surprise!

New book review

Did I need to buy another tatting book? No! Did I need another tatting video? No! Am I glad I purchased this one? Yes!

If you know anyone who is interested in learning to tat, I highly recommend this book/dvd combo. I just finished watching the entire dvd. It has about 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 hours of instruction (I took a few phone calls, so I'm not exactly sure how long it is). The video picture is clear and the instructions are easy to follow. Janette's voice is soothing, which is important to someone like me who can become easily frazzled! Janette refers to the kit. I did not purchase a kit, just the book with dvd. If you choose to purchase this book for a new tatter, be sure to include 2 Clover tatting shuttles, 2 colors of size 5 crochet cotton, and 2 colors of size 10 crochet cotton. These supplies will allow the new tatter to follow Janette's instructions exactly.

The book includes written instructions and photos from all 9 classes presented on the dvd, followed by 9 projects ranging from beginning to intermediate. At the back of the book, there's a stitch guide for easy reference. I was pleased to see clear instructions (both book and dvd) for split rings, split chains, and front side tatting, including an explanation of the reasons for using these techniques.

How did I find this gem? My friend Denise saw it in her Annie's Attic catalog, and called to let me know about it. I almost didn't order it, but I'm glad I did. I'm not sure where to purchase the kit. I did a quick Google search and saw that this book is available from Lacis. I'm sure there are many other vendors carrying the book/dvd and possibly the kit. I paid about $20 with shipping and handling... what a deal!

Are you ready to learn to tat, Jo?

Tatting for Halloween?

Maybe... I'm not much of a Halloween person... never have been, but when Sherry Pence blogged about HallowScream (size 20 HDT) and showed pictures, I knew I just had to have this thread! It's much prettier in person... the scan just doesn't do it justice. Now I have another Spinning Wheel glass mat to add to my collection! I guess I'd better start blocking my finished pieces...