I almost did it again!

I fired up my computer last night, read blogs, shut down, and then realized that I forgot to blog. So this morning I fired up my computer, read blogs, shut down, and again realized that I forgot to blog. This evening I fired up my computer, read blogs, and was getting ready to shut down, when I realized I still hadn't blogged. I'm happy to say that I caught myself just in time!

As you can see, I've finished Round 2 of Doily VI from Tatted Treasures by Jan Stawasz. I'm not sure if I'll get much done tonight. It's been a long week at school, and I'm feeling kind of lazy. So maybe I'll just put my feet up and doze in my chair for a change of pace! ;-)

Starting Round 2

Doily VI from Tatted Treasures by Jan Stawasz, size 20 Lizbeth #168 Latte Foam

Round 2 is easy-peasy! I just need a little more energy at the end of the day so that I can get more tatting done. ;-)

Before school, I worked a little bit on my newest Spinning Wheel in size 10 Teenybopper from Yarnplayer.

If only we had a snow day... I could get so much done!

Doily VI, Round 1

This is my newest project, Doily VI from Tatted Treasures by Jan Stawasz. I'm using size 20 Lizbeth #168, Latte Foam. Round 1 went smoothly until I reached the last ring. For some reason, I had trouble getting it to work, and the last inside ring looks a little squished. If anyone else has tatted this doily and has any tips, I'd love to hear them!

Prepping

I wanted to use two of my favorite shuttles for my next project, which meant I had to use up some thread left on shuttles! There was very little thread left on the one shuttle, so I just unwound it and put it in the circular file. However, the other shuttle had quite a bit of hand-dyed thread left on it, so...

I tatted some Leaf Braid (from Tatting with Visual Patterns by Mary Konior). I'm not sure of the color. I think it may be Summer Trail, but it's been too long since I used it, and I'm too lazy to look back and see what I made with it!

My next task was to wind my shuttles with size 20 Lizbeth #168, Latte Foam. The shuttles are from Grizzly Mountain Arts. The top shuttle is the GMA signature logo. The bottom shuttle is one that I commissioned Dave to make for me when my dad passed away. Dad was almost as big a fan of Dave's work as I am!

Never let it be said that I've forgotten my beloved Spinning Wheel! This one is in size 10 Teeny Bopper from Yarnplayer. The shuttles are ones that I blinged recently. They match origami pouches that I made for myself. I certainly am self-indulgent!

Caribbean Krzyz

Believe it or not, this is my fifth Krzyz! I do enjoy tatting this pattern from Tatted Treasures by Jan Stawasz. This time I used size 20 Lizbeth Caribbean #122.

I think it may be time to move on to another pattern. I made a major mistake on this one... I forgot the very first join, and I didn't notice it until I was almost finished with the cross! There was a time when I would have chucked the whole piece because of that missed join, but not this time. Instead, I did a little creative sewing. I figure if sewing picots together was good enough for tatters in the 1800s, it's good enough for me now!

Here are the five crosses together. I like each and every one of them! I think I should really get to work setting up a photography area... the Apple logo does detract from the beauty of the crosses!

Blue River Glades

This is one of my favorite Lizbeth threads. I love the combination of blues and greens, and the color is so serene!

For this Krzyz by Jan Stawasz (Tatted Treasures), I turned the doodad slightly. I can't say that I prefer it one way or the other. I do think that certain color doodads go well with certain threads, and I really like the silver tone with the Blue River Glades!

The shuttles are by Chris Hinton. The top one is from Christmas 2009, and the rose inlay shuttle is one of my favorites. It's so smooth, and it has my initials on the back. I really do treat myself well! ;-)

Spring Garden

Thank you to Alicja for pointing out that I had the wrong word for cross! I guess that's what I get for looking at my enlarged copy instead of the book. I'm so sorry for the mix-up!

I love this pattern! As you can see, today I tatted Krzyz by Jan Stawasz in size 20 Lizbeth #124, Spring Garden.

Today I used a flat doodad, which is very slightly larger than the domed one I used yesterday. A little bit of steam did the trick, and I'm happy with the flat doodad in the center. However, I don't think I like the multi-colored thread for this pattern. I think a more subtle blend of colors shows off the pattern better.

I feel very lucky to own these two shuttles from Chris Hinton. The Palmetto Tatters shuttle was a gift from my dear friend Sue Anna. If I understand correctly, these were the last shuttles Chris made before his laser machine stopped working.

The shuttle on the right is a sea horse. If I remember correctly, Chris based this design on Anne B's Seahorse Dragon but couldn't work the wings into the design. Anne B's Seahorse Dragon is Debbie Arnold's Seahorse with wings. So, in my mind, this shuttle is a representation of Debbie's pattern. No matter how you look at it, it's a beautiful shuttle!