Ending the year on a positive note!

I finished tatting Doodad Snowflake #1 in Snow White last night...

placed it on the tree this morning...

and then started a Triangular Doodad Snow Crystal!

I do like this color, Lizbeth Snow White #601.

I'm thinking of keeping this little tree up for the month of January so that I can fill it with beautiful snowflakes!

We did get a dusting of snow today, but not enough to make me think it's winter in the midwest!

I had to go to the post office to pick up the mail that collected while we were away, and I was thrilled to see what arrived in my absence!

The shuttle on the left is one that I purchased from eBay. The back says Christmas 2012. Can you guess who made the bobbin shuttle? If you guessed La Cossette, you're correct! She also sent me the beautiful blue snowflake... lucky me!

I re-subscribed to Ring of Tatters, something I had neglected to do for a couple of years. I decided to treat myself to three new books.

What's really great is that the patterns in each book are different!

Now that I'm all set with patterns and shuttles, I guess I'm ready for the new year to begin!

Tollway Tatters 2013

Yup! You read it correctly! The Tollway Tatters are starting 2013 off the right way... with a tatting get-together! We'll be meeting on Wednesday, January 2. If you'd like to join us and need details, just drop me an email and I'll give you the specifics.

If you've been reading my blog for a while, you know that five years ago I slipped on a 2" patch of ice and broke my left wrist in 11 places. Knitting and tatting played a big part in my recovery. I am so glad that I've regained most of the mobility in my wrist. My only problem is that when the weather gets really cold, I cannot keep my left hand warm

Denise to the rescue! As part of my Christmas present, Denise knit me a pair of tatting gloves... fingerless mitts that will keep my wrist warm and allow me to tat. This is easily the best Christmas present ever!

Denise wanted to make sure I exercised my wrist regularly, so she also gave me a beautiful Bocote shuttle from The Shuttle Brothers! I do love wood shuttles, and this one is a beauty! Yes, there was thread, and coffee, and wine. I can tat day and night with the appropriate beverage! ;-)

Thank you, Denise!

I finished tatting Doodad Snowflake #2 in Snow White on Christmas morning. However, with all the excitement of having grandchildren here and preparing for our trip to Minnesota, I did not finish it and hang it on the tree until this morning.

Yes, I'm still in snowflake mode, and I think I may be throughout the month of January!

Our trip to Minnesota was wonderful! We had a surprise baby shower for daughter Joanne, who is expecting a girl at the end of March. Daughter Alison and family joined in the fun via Skype. Isn't technology wonderful?

Son-in-law Jake was on a hunting trip for two days after Christmas, so we didn't open presents until Friday. It was so much fun extending the holiday through the end of the week! No pictures though... I forgot to take my camera along, and I never thought of using my phone. The phone may be smart, but apparently I'm not! ;-)

On Thursday, daughters Andrea and Carol drove me to meet Michelle and her daughter for lunch... quite a treat for me since neither Andrea nor Carol tats!

Michelle and Theresa had put together a wonderful Christmas package for me!

Do you think this is a hint that I should start tatting snowmen? ;-)

Look at all the goodies! Two hankies from Aunt Rose's collection, beautiful blue thread and beads, doodads, and a ring and bobby pins to decorate. Do you see the key on the left? That's a beautiful brooch made by Theresa!

Michelle also brought along a book for me to read, review, and pass on. So far, I'm really enjoying it. I read 68 pages on the way home, which is saying a lot... I don't do well with reading in the car! More about the book when I finish reading it!

After lunch, Michelle and Theresa whisked me away to...

a bead shop! You'd never have known it was a bead shop from the storefront or the name, but inside we found treasures galore! I could have purchased so much more, but I remembered the stash at home and exhibited extreme self-control. I asked the clerk about silver-lined beads and tarnish, and she told me they can tarnish over time, but she didn't think it was something to worry about. She showed me some silver lined bugle beads that were very old, and they just looked more mellow, so I bought some seed beads that were calling my name.

I think I have some more doodad tatting in my future! Thank you Michelle and Theresa for a wonderful tatting get-together! I hope that next time I'm up we can arrange a time when Cindy can join us!

Christmas Eve Snowflake

Family has started to arrive, so this will probably be my last post for the week. I've really enjoyed this snowflake challenge put forth by Allison. Thank you, Allison!

This is my Doodad Snowflake #3 in size 20 Lizbeth, Snow White.

Merry Christmas, dear tatting friends!

Doodad Snowflake #4 ~ Snow White

The house is clean (except for my sewing room), most of the laundry is done, the tree is decorated, and Denise and I got together this afternoon to exchange Christmas presents. Whew!

To top it all off...

I managed to tat my snowflake for the day! This is my Doodad Snowflake #4 in size 20 Lizbeth, Snow White.

My little tabletop tree is looking might pretty!

Saturday Snowflake

Somehow, Saturday got away from me! I managed to get some of the laundry done, all of the Christmas presents wrapped, and a little house cleaning in the morning. We had company for lunch... had to make sure Dave's homemade ravioli was acceptable for Christmas Eve! ;-)

In the afternoon, Carol and I went to do some last minute Christmas shopping. Dave made fatties for dinner (ravioli dough fried in olive oil... probably not very healthy, but it is a family tradition), and then I sat down to tat!

This is my Doodad Snowflake #5 in size 20 Lizbeth, Snow White.

I think it looks perfect on my little tree!

Doodad Snowflake #6 ~ Snow White

I think I may have to do an entire series of white snowflakes, especially after seeing the picture of Marie's tree!

It really does show up nicely against the green tree and colorful lights!

Are you ready for this one?

Believe it or not...

I tatted a snowflake in white! Snow White, to be exact. This is size 20 Lizbeth #601. The pattern is my Doodad Snowflake #7.

It's already hanging on my little tabletop tree, and I love the way the white stands out against the green background! Who knew white could be so pretty? ;-)

Tatting Marie knows...

She sent me a photo of her fabulous Christmas tree filled with tatted snowflakes and ornaments, accented by a gorgeous tree skirt embellished with tatted angels. Unbelievably beautiful!

You'll never guess what came with this beautiful photo card. Come on... try! I'm not going to tell you. No, I'm not. You're going to have to see it to believe it...

Am I the luckiest girl in the world, or what? I am so thrilled to have this beautiful blue Christmas tree!

It looks wonderful with my Christmas tree display on top of our entertainment center. Thank you, Marie! I am over-the-moon with happiness!