I'm still busy working on my last Christmas afghan, but I've also been carrying tatting with me and working on it when I can. The blue Ice Drop is a Swarovski rivoli and 12 wt Sulky cotton #712-1293. I love the shade of blue! The red Ice Drop is a compass charm and DMC size 80. The thread covers up the compass points, but highlights the compass lines. I think it looks pretty cool!

Several of us retired teachers got together at our friend Peggy's this afternoon. We all taught together for many years. I'm not sure of the retirement order, but I think Judy (3rd grade) was first, followed by Peggy (5th grade),  Marilynn (2nd grade), Pam (4th grade), Robyn (1st grade), me (elementary library and computer), and then Edna (kindergarten). Gosh! That covers all the grades! There were others we taught with who were unable to attend. We would have loved to have them with us; still, we had a great time together!

Alexa

My goal has been met! I just finished Alexa's necklace, and I will be able to give them to the girls tomorrow.

Now, it's back to the afghan!

Karina

Karina's necklace is finished! This one is in 12 wt Sulky Blendables and a 12 mm Swarovski rivoli. I really am enjoying tatting these beautiful necklaces!

Kylie

Kylie's necklace was a bit of an adventure. Kylie asked for no extra beads, which meant this would be one of the simples necklaces for the girls. Ha!

I was almost finished with it, when I made a mistake on a ring. Although I was trying to be very careful, I shredded the thread and had to cut it off and start over.

Yesterday morning I was on the phone with Mom and daughter Joanne, one right after the other. I hadn't wound enough thread on the shuttle, so I needed to add some more. Not a problem, right? I added the thread to the shuttle, and then got up to get a cup of coffee. After a few sips, I realized the pendant was missing. I searched on and off all morning long. I never did find the piece I was working on, so in the afternoon I started a third time.

Luckily, the last try went smoothly! I wonder if I'll ever find that original piece?

Slacker?

I know I've been a slacker when it comes to blogging, but it's simply because I've been too busy!

I reached my goal of finishing Eva's afghan by Thanksgiving! I finished it up Wednesday night... one more afghan to go!

There was no school on Wednesday, so I had plenty of time to go grocery shopping and finish getting the house ready for family. Daughter Andrea and family arrived late Wednesday night. Carol and Jon were here late Thursday morning. Alison and family came early afternoon, and Karen and Larry arrived soon after.

Of course, we had way too much food! Granddaughter Ella took before and after pictures of the feast, but I forgot to have her share them with me before the family headed home. After cleaning up, we pulled out our favorite family game, Mexican Train. Grandson Aidan took over for me, so that I could go to bed at 9. Yes, I was the party pooper... I have a really difficult time staying up past 9! The kids stayed up until 11 to finish the game, and I learned in the morning that Aidan and I had won!

The feasting continued on Friday. Everyone who could (Aidan is allergic to eggs), enjoyed scrambled eggs, fried potatoes, bacon, and fruit salad. For lunch... leftovers!

Andrea and family left for their next destination in the early afternoon. Alison and family were able to stay until early evening.

Dave and I had some more leftovers for dinner, and then we started decorating for Christmas. The holiday season has officially begun!

Sydne

I finished Sydne's necklace this morning! I tried to use my necklace from Mandy Kerwell-Bez as a pattern, but mine turned out a bit different. I guess that's a good thing, right?

Today was a wonderful mail day! These two beauties are from Grizzly Mountain Arts.

Rita Richmond of Shuttle by Design created beautiful shuttles to commemorate two years of the Ice Drop Addicts page on Facebook. These two are Rita's style of shuttles.

I chose to have the back decorated with my name and the date.

Rita also offered decorated Moonlit and SewMate shuttles.

Of course, I had to have one of each. I love that Rita incorporated the Ice Drop idea into the design!

Ashley

I finally finished the first of the necklaces promised to some of my high school girls. This one is for Ashley. I chose to work on hers first, because I knew the black would be the most difficult thread to see. It doesn't show up well in the picture, but the blue rivoli and seed beads that Ashley chose show up beautifully against the black.

The center is a 12 mm Swarovski rivoli. The seed beads are from my stash. The thread is 12 wt Sulky, which is wonderful for tatting. I found a deal on silver snake chains a while back. I wish I could remember where, because these are perfect for the girls' necklaces!