Free style and 3D tatting

Yup... that's what I'm calling it. No one needs to know...

that I forgot to switch shuttles...

twice!

or that I made my center ring and picots too small.

Yup... free style and 3D tatting... that's what I'm calling it.

Mom and me

While Mom and Joanne were here, Joanne pulled out all the old photos she could find.

I think these two pictures, Mom (born January 19, 1932),

and me (born June 16, 1952),

show that we are definitely two peas in a pod! Lucky me!

Still catching up!

I must spend far more time on the Internet each day than I ever realized! I think I've read all the posts made in my absence, but I didn't take the time to comment on them all. I am amazed at the number of talented people I have met through blogging!

Just before my Internet went out, I received one of Michelle's adorable little shuttles. I LOVE flat shuttles! I know that they're not everyone's first choice, but I think they're great! I can wind an incredible amount of thread on them, and I can't stab myself! Thank you, Michelle!

After attending two lace events this year, my enthusiasm for bobbin lace has returned. I really, really wanted Christine Springett's Lace for Children of All Ages, just so that I could have her famous snake pattern! As I was searching, I found her book Snakes Galore, which has 10 variations of the pattern. The book is paperback, $10.95, 20 pages. I am in snake heaven, and I am scared to death of snakes! I found these two at Fine Threads. You'd better hurry if you're interested. I was told they had four copies of Lace for Children of All Ages ($24.95, 72 pages, soft cover) when I called, and I know at least one has sold to a friend of mine since I ordered. I've been told that Christine Springett might still have a few copies, but then you'd have to wait for it to ship all the way from England! ; )

When I contacted Lacy Susan for a copy of Springett's book, I learned that Susan had sold her last copy the week before. However, she did recommend another book that some of her students really like... Torchon Lacemaking by Jan Tregidgo. It's a bit pricey, $39.95, but it is hardcover, 238 pages, loaded with pictures, and from what I've read, it has fabulous instructions! I am very pleased with my purchase!

I finished sewing the strips for my quilt last night. Today's task is to press them. It's supposed to be hot and humid today, so I think I'll work on that little task this morning!

From a talented young lady...

Yes, dear friends, I am one of the lucky recipients of a hand-crafted shuttle and a skein of hand-dyed thread from Anika at Tatting it Up! I haven't had much time for tatting in the last couple of weeks, but I did find time to wind this beautiful thread and fill the shuttle. Now I need to choose the perfect pattern. Thank you, Anika!

On the home front...

my youngest daughter, Joanne, is learning how to use her new sewing machine. First, she made this little sample quilt to see how everything goes together... not bad for a first try!

On Monday, we turned the dining room into sewing central so that Joanne could cut fabric for a quilt top. We settled on the disappearing 9 patch pattern, because it seems very simple. We were going to use my new AccuQuilt Go!, but we decided it would be faster to just use the rotary cutter and ruler. I wanted to make sure Joanne really understood how to use the rotary cutter, so I "let" her cut out a quilt top for me, too!

Tuesday was spent at my sister's house, so we didn't get anything done, but yesterday...

we rearranged the living room furniture and set up another sewing station! We each sewed strips together for our quilt tops. Joanne accomplished more than I did. She'd ask a question that got me curious, and I'd go searching for answers on the Internet. Luckily, I live here and can sew whenever I get the urge! ; )

Before we cleaned up for the day, Joanne pressed her strips and made some preliminary choices for arranging the strips into blocks.

If she remains this organized throughout the project, she will never have the craft disarray problem that I have!

I hope she sends me pictures when her quilt top is complete!

Cottage Border... completed!

Here it is! I think it turned out great! The hanky was a gift from Anika at Tatting it Up.

The thread is Fincrochet No. 30, Tint.1110. I do like the thread, however it was full of little slubs. I was easily able to close rings, but the little slubs make some of the knots look a little bigger. I'm sure the blind man on the galloping horse will never notice!

The pattern is "Cottage Border" from A Pattern Book of Tatting by Mary Konior.

I really wanted to try Frivole's idea of attaching the edging to a crocheted edge, but I couldn't figure out how to put it all together. I think my brain just wasn't in gear this past week. What I really need is a tutorial with pictures, Frivole! (hint, hint, wink!) I'm sure that just a few hints would reset my brain so that I could figure it all out!

I replaced my dingy yellow ironing board cover last week. I think the blue and white is much better for photography purposes, even if the ironing board cover pattern does show through the hanky! ; )

Turtle shuttle winners...

Congratulations to...

#21 - JennyPennyPoppy

#16 - Mary

#4 - Michelle

Michelle, I have your address. JennyPennyPoppy and Mary, if you would send your mailing information to me at DianeCademartori at gmail dot com, I should be able to get these little cuties off by the end of the week.

I've skimmed, not read, all 167 blog entries on my Google Reader that were posted in my absence. My goodness! I hope I never lose my Internet connection for a whole week ever again! I would have liked to spend more time reading, but I do have a few other irons in the fire!

This is the last week of my mom's visit. I can't believe it's almost time for her to fly home! We've had so much fun... special lunches, playing Words with Friends, shopping, knitting, etc. Mom is at my sister Janet's house now, and I spent today with daughter Joanne. Mom bought Joanne her first sewing machine last week, and I bought her some fabulous fabric. We spent today preparing the fabric for sewing a disappearing 9 patch quilt top. Tomorrow we're going to spend the day with Mom and Janet, and then on Wednesday, Joanne and I are attending Open Sewing Day at our local quilt shop (40 minutes away is about as local as I can get!). Our plan is to sew together the squares for the quilt top, and Joanne will have the bonus of getting an all-day sewing lesson!

Needless to say, I haven't accomplished much on the tatting front. I did finish my hanky edging, and I have about half of it sewn on. Hopefully, I'll have pics to share very soon!

I'm so glad to be connected again. I've missed you all!

Reconnected!

The tech guy just left, and I'm back in business!

I have lots of blog reading to do, emails to read, and I have to draw winners for Denise's birthday shuttles.

I'll be back later today! It feels so good to have Internet access again!