Spring bling!

Are you ready for spring? I am! I have the worst cold I've had in years, and I can hardly wait for warm weather, sunshine, and green grass!

To celebrate the advent of spring (only three more weeks!), I've blinged three shuttles... one for me, one for Denise, and one for someone who leaves a comment on this post! I'm going to change it up a little this time. The winner may choose which shuttle he/she likes, and Denise and I will choose between the other two. The drawing will be this Saturday, March 5. Have I mentioned that my favorite number is 5?

Did you notice the thread coming off the green shuttle? That's a sign of laziness! I wanted to bling this shuttle, and it still had some thread from a previous project. I decided to bling it with the thread in place. The results weren't too bad, but I think I'll take the thread off next time!

In case you're wondering why Denise always gets a shuttle, it's because this monthly celebration was her idea! I make no promises about coming through with a shuttle every month, but so far I've been having tons of fun, and I haven't run out of shuttles... yet!

Test tat two

When I went looking for some HDT for my sister's tatted vine, I found this beautiful green, which I believe is size 40. I don't have a tag on it... again! I think this might be from KrystleDawne, as it was near some other threads that I know are hers. I like the shading of this thread, but I think the size 40 is too small for what my sister wants.

The green and white pattern repeat is just under 3 1/2" x 2". The variegated green is about 2 3/4" x 1 3/4". I'm going to keep on working both pieces. I really like the green and white for myself. Janet originally wanted solid green, but liked the idea of the variegated green, so I'm pretty sure she doesn't what white in it. Although the variegated seems too fine for Janet's purposes, I really like the way it's working up. I'll bet I can find a good use for it!

In the meantime, I've done some more stash searching. I think Yarnplayer's "Fern" is a little too bright, but her "Spring Grass" might be just what I'm looking for! I'm really enjoying test-tatting!

Test tat

It took me three tries, but I finally have one pattern repeat finished of the meandering vine pattern that my sister asked for! I have a difficult time following older patterns, and this one was no exception. However, after I took the time to write the pattern out line by line, I was able to follow it easily... with a Post-It note to guide me, of course! This is such a pretty pattern! It's #8861 from my old Coats book (1944?). Mom gave me the book when I was visiting a few years ago, and I'm very happy to be tatting something for Janet that connects the three of us!

Speaking of connections... after closing second through fourth rings in the four ring cluster, the pattern says to join the ring to the picot of the first ring in the cluster. I didn't do that. I just tatted each ring and closed the cluster by tatting the chain. Does anyone have experience with this? Should I be joining the base of each ring to that picot?

Next up... find the right thread! I love this color, but it has too much white. It may be time to explore my HDT stash again!

Geraldine

Geraldine, my emails to you keep bouncing back. Can you try emailing me at DianeCademartori at gmail dot com? Thanks!

Diane

Gimme dat bling!

Even though I wasn't feeling up to tatting this past weekend, I did manage to bling some shuttles!

These are all spoken for. However, if you see a shuttle that I have blinged, either here or in another post, I will be happy to make one for you if I have the materials. I love swapping for decorated shuttles, but since I'm running low on them, I'll even swap for undecorated shuttles. I don't sell my shuttles. I only swap. Make me an offer. I just may be able to get you the shuttle of your dreams! ; )

I'm back!

Well, I haven't really been gone. I just haven't had anything to blog about! ...until now. Isn't this a pretty little doily? It's pattern #31 from A New Twist on Tatting by Catherine Austin. There are some beautiful pieces in this book, but I find the patterns difficult to follow. I did fine with rounds 1 and 2 of this doily, but I could make no sense of round 3. Finally, I decided to just look at the picture and figure it out. It was really very simple, and I'm pleased with the result. It's 7" across in size 20 Lizbeth, color #651.

I've also been working on a TSTP (top secret tatting project). The two that I've tatted are beautiful, but I'm not free to show them to you yet. Stay tuned!

My hanky is taking forever, probably because I keep getting distracted by other projects! This weekend I spent more time blinging than tatting. I just wasn't up to using any brain power, and it takes far less brain power to decorate shuttles. Pictures later, after they finish drying.

Friday I came home from school and went to bed at 3:45. I got up at 6:20 Saturday morning, and I was back in bed within a half hour. I slept until 12:30! I just felt awful! Needless to say, I was no help with daughter Carol's move. I still have time to help, because we unearthed a lot more stuff that needs to be packed and shipped to her house! Sunday I woke up with a migraine... wiped out until mid-afternoon. Monday... another headache, but not nearly as intense as Sunday. Happy three-day weekend to me! It's not all bad, though. I'd rather feel lousy on a weekend than have to take time off from school.


I did have some fun yesterday. My sister Janet called and asked if I would tat a piece for her 18" long and less than 3" wide. I enjoyed searching for a pattern that would please her. She decided on edging #8861 from an old Coats book, #207. I found the pattern because of some wonderful discussion with some ladies at InTatters. Their suggestions gave me the kick-start I needed. Janet looked at all of the suggested patterns, probably 10 or 12, and chose this one. It's kind of cool, because the booklet is one my mom found and gave to me because of the beautiful tatting!

Another busy week...

Where does the time go? It seems that I've had very little time to do what I want to do, yet as a family we have accomplished a lot this week. I get to have a little time to myself this afternoon. Carol is working on sets for the high school play, and Dave is at her new house painting. The grocery shopping is done, and everything is put away. I do have two loads of laundry to finish up, but I can spend some me time while the machines are running.

Still, I have spent some time in tatting related activities...

First, despite my resolution to use what I have, I just had to purchase one of LadyShuttleMaker's beautiful new hand-painted ceramic shuttles. Isn't it gorgeous? It's my second favorite shuttle from Sherry. My most favorite is my Diane shuttle, which is in cobalt blue with tatting impressed into the ceramic.


I also took some time to finish blinging some more Clover shuttles. These are for Ann, a thank-you for my wonderful tatting press. I was hoping they would arrive by Valentine's Day, and they did. I hope you enjoy them, Ann!


Yes, I have been tatting, but I have nothing completed to show you. These are the pieces I'm working on. The blue is some Lizbeth that I picked up on clearance at Hobby Lobby. The pink/red is HDT from Krystledawne. The blue Aero shuttle is from LaCossette. The other shuttles are ones that I decorated.


I think these are all the shuttles I received this week... a win from eBay, my wonderful ceramic shuttle, and two more beauties from LaCossette.


I guess I've been a little self-indulgent. Oh, well... the bills are all paid, so I guess it's okay. : )