Easter Egg Pendant

A few days ago I completed this lovely Easter egg and have just now gotten around to posting it. It is from Tatted Easter Eggs by Forlaget Akacia. Egg #24.

Flying Minor Norwegian Dragon!!

Yesterday I was feeling a bit adventurous and decided to try SSSRs for the first time. For some reason I have always been hesitant to try this technique. After a few trials and nearly giving up altogether I finally figured out what I was doing wrong and SUCESS!

Once I had those down I had to give Anne Bruvold's Fying Minor Norwegian Dragon pattern a go. This was a pattern I had always meant to try but never got around to (due in large part to those darn SSSRs). I am thoroughly pleased!!

Size 20 Lizbeth #122

Scallop Shell Heart #2

I retatted Martha Ess' pattern for a second time. I modified the bottom chains from 10 ds to 6 ds each. I think it came out quite nice. It was laying completely flat until the last two rows of chains. I think they may need a slight adjustment in stitch count, but after adjusting the stitches a bit it layed flat, so all in all I think this was a success:-) It is done in Lizbeth size 20 #130. I love the colors! I must admit I am curious about a solid color or color combo on this one. Hmmmm....

Well perhaps later...from Hearts to Easter Eggs I go;-)

Happy Valentine's Day tatting friends!!

Experiments with Thread and a Lovely Pendant

I ordered the new Handy Hands Catalogue and was sent two samples of thread to try, Fruit Fizz size 20 which I just bought:-( and size 3 Ocean Sunset:-) While flipping through the catalogue I found quite a few lovely patterns, one of which caught my eye. "Sand Dollar Coaster" by Sandy. I decided to give the size 3 a shot using this pattern. After the first three large rings were tatted I realized the last ring wouldn't fit well and finished at 4. It measures about 3". I was also able to tat "Simple Flower Heart" by Martha Ess from her book Tat's Amore'. I really like how this came out. It was a very simple design, but because the thread was so thick it produced a nice sized heart:-)

After I finished using the size 3 I decided to give the sand dollar coaster pattern another shot using a thinner thread. I used size 20 vinyard harvest. This time I completed all 5 ring repeats and added decorative graduated picots. I finished it off with a dragonfly charm. I absolutely love how it turned out:-)

Scallop Shell Heart

Here is what I have been working on. It's called Scallop Shell Heart. It is from Martha Ess' book Tat's Amore. I love the colors, and for the most part I love the heart, but there is something just not quite right about the bottom. :-( Perhaps my tension was off, perhaps the thread size effected it (pattern calls for size 30, I used size 20). Either way, I will be giving this one another try.

Hot off the Shuttles!

Used my brand new toys today for the first time. I love the beautiful colors of tge Lizbeth "Fruit Fizz". I am also really loving my new shuttles! The GR8 shuttles definitly deserve their name, and it feels nice to make beautiful lace with beautiful tools:-) Now what could I be making. For now I will leave that a mystery...

My New Toys!!

Look what just arrived! I love my new toys!!! A big thank you to my super sweet hubby:-) Now I just have to figure out what to make first....

Antique Rose Heart Complete!

Here is the finished heart. I think it is quite lovely:-) Only one set of ends to hide! Thank you Jane for the inspiration.

Antique Rose Heart

I have been inspired by Jane's TIAS 2013 to practice my split chains. I found this lovely heart in Martha Ess' book Tat's Amore'. It is nearly complete and so far no ends to hide! I love how it looks so far. I hope to finish today and post a pic of the finished product.

Jane's TIAS 2013 progress

I originally started this year's TIAS in shaded purples size 40, but I decided to try this in beautiful shaded turquoise size 20. I far prefer the look of this ond I think. I will try to go back and finish both, but here is the progress I have on this one from days 1, 2, and 3.

Day 2 TIAS

I decided to redo day one in Lizbeth size 20 #142. I have added day two. The beautiful variegated turquiose look like ocean waves to me. I am still not sure what it might be. Maybe water at the bottom of a boat? Or perhaps we will turn it on its side or on its head. Who knows? Such fun:-) I decided to use a dplit chain to bridge row two and avoid pesky ends. I think it came out quite well. What do you think?

Starting 2013 off right:-)

It has been far too long since I have had anything to post. Tatting has taken a back seat to rasing four boys (two teens, one preteen and a toddler) as well as more health issues than I care to discuss. When I have had down time, crocheting baby blankets, afghans, hats, scarves, and ornaments (per the request of family members) have occupied it. Perhaps I should have been posting those pics as well. Finally, after far too long I have been bitten by the tatting bug once again:-) I will be posting pics of the project I am working on as well as Jane's TIAS 2013 (day one shown above). When I don't have tatting to share I will post pics of my shuttles, favorite books, and if anyone would like to see it, of my crochet. I hope 2013 is an epic year for tatting. I'm off to a good start anyway. I am not sure how many of you still remember me, but if anyone still does I hope you enjoy:-)

This is the progress on my "Corona" doily. It is from Judith Connors book "Contemporary Tatting

FINALLY...something to post!!! YAY:-)

Hello again to all my wonderful tatting friend! I have missed you all...have you missed me? LOL

I haven't posted in ages, I know, and I am sure you are all wondering by now if I have simply dropped off the face of the planet. I have not!! And, I have finally picked up my dusty old shuttles and put them to use. It has been far too long, and creating a bit of lace has done my soul a world of good:-)

2010 was quite a year for me and my family, (I will spare you the details, as it would take far too long, and probably sound like whining anyway), but I am praying for, and looking forward to, a happier, healthier 2011.

So, would you all like to see what I have been up to this week?



TaDa!!!

It is a pattern I found in one of my favorite books, "Tatting With Friends", by Georgia Seitz. The pattern is called "Danish Heart", and is by Karen Bovard. I did it in Lizbeth size 20 colors 623 Lt Raspberry, and 644 Boysenberry.


I think it looks Gorgeous!!! I hope you all agree:-)

I plan to have it framed and matted as a Valentine's gift for hubby...Shhhhh...don't tell him:-) Well, hopefully my next post won't be too far off in the future. Happy tatting all:-)

Look what my WONDERFUL hubby gave to me!!

Look what my sweet hubby gave to me!! Our 15th anniversary was March 29th, and he had this specially made for me. A shuttle from The Shuttle Shop, with an ivory rose on the front, and our initials on the back!! I feel so blessed to have such a thoughtful hubby!!

Silver Earrings by Alan Kolodny!

YAY! Look at the GORGEOUS set of earrings that was waiting for me in the mail:-)

These earrings were tatted by Alan Kolodny, and, as he explained in his letter, they were the first he tatted in wire. They are very delicate earrings in a very fine gauge (silver over copper wire), with swarovski crystal teardrops. His newer earrings are done in a heavier gauge and are pure silver!! They are simply stunning, and can be purchased at his Etsy shop The Joyful Tatter.

I was the lucky winner of Alan's first giveaway, and I am so excited to have won:-) He is a very interesting character (Preacher, Professional Clown, Wire Tatter). If you haven't checked out Alan's blog before, I recommend you check out Another Joyful Creation. I cannot wait to wear my new earrings:-)

My Pendant for Julia!!

YAY! My InTatters Pendant Exchange partner IcePrincess (Julia) received her pendant yesterday:-) She seems very pleased with what I sent her, which pleases me to no end!!! But what makes it even better is now I can share it with all of you as well!!

The pendant was inspired by Ruth Scharf's leaves and flowers. It was tatted in Flora size 50 and Venus size 40 thread.

Flora- 5083 for petals

Flora- 5085 for leaves

Venus-525 flower center

The necklace is two thin leather cords in two shades of brown. I was so pleased with the finished pendant!! I may have to make myself one as well:-)

I also included in her package some shell accents for jewelry making, a set of clover shuttles (which she had never tried before), a small tin of Altoid mints (not shown), and two balls of vintage thread- DMC Cordonnet size 50 (color number unknown), and DMC Cordonnet size 150.

I had SO MUCH FUN with this exchange!!! I recommend if you have never done an exchange before you give it a try:-)

Three Giveaways to Announce!!

Three wonderful Giveaways to announce! First Shantock Bears is having her first Giveaway for the cute little ornament to the left! Just drop by her blog to enter. All she asks is that you offer her ideas for a name for this little cutie, and spread the word about the giveaway. And do hurry, because the drawing is next weekend!! Good luck everyone:-)

And while you're in the "NAME THAT___" kind of mood. Jump on over to Tatting Fool's Blog and enter her Name That Snowflake contest! Just enter your name suggestion, and if yours is chosen you will receive a copy of Catherine Austin's book "A New Twist on Tatting," and the snowflake pattern!!

And finally, this sweet little teddy bear needs to find a home! If you would like to offer Ruth a home, just drop by Desert Mountain Bear and enter to win. Such a sweet little lady needs a good home, so all teddy bear lovers rush over to enter! Good Luck All!!

My First Hanky Edging

This is my latest project! It will be a handkerchief edging for a bridal hanky for my sister's wedding in May. The edging is done in size 20 Lizbeth thread in colors #688 Seagreen Dark and #692 Mocha Brown Dark. These are her wedding colors. The pattern can be found in Tatting Patterns by Lyn Morton. It is called "Pansy Edging". I have never done a handkerchief edging before, so this is a new adventure for me:-) I know it doesn't look much like Pansies, but I really like how it is turning out so far, and my sister absolutely loves the colors!

A Wonderful Suprise!

I received a wonderful suprise in the mail today. My pendant has arrived!! My partner for the InTatters pendant exchange was Julia Haug (IcePrincess). She did a lovely job on my pendant and I had to share a picture with my online friends.

I love the gorgeous green beads she used:-) It is a large sized pendant, somewhere in the neighborhood of 2 inches across, on a clear necklace, so it looks like it's floating on my neck. Such a nice affect I might have to try this idea out for my next pendant:-)

I do love it and I hope she loves the piece I tatted for her as well. Hopefully she recieves it soon so I can share a picture with you all. It is simply killing me not to show it off. Oh well, I guess this is a lesson in patience:-)

Lots to Share- New Tatting- Plus I won TWO Giveaways:-)

Hello again to my dear blogging buddies! I know it has been quite a while since my last post, but things here have been quite chaotic lately. I have managed to squeeze in a bit of tatting time here and there and have two wonderful giveaway wins to discuss:-)

First things first though. Shortly before Easter my DH was told he had a middle ear condition that would require surgery. We spent the next week and a half or so trying to get things in order for surgery. He had his surgery day before yesterday, and the Dr. seems pleased with the results, but it will be a while yet til we know if, and to what degree, his hearing was effected. He is back home now, and although in pain, he is recovering nicely.
Through the chaos of Easter holiday shopping, socializing, and of course preparing for DH's surgery I did manage to squeeze in a bit of tatting time. I managed to complete three tiny teddy bear collars for teddies I put in my youngest son's, and my two nieces' Easter baskets. I think they came out very well!

I also completed my pendant for the InTatters pendant exchange. I want so badly to show you how well it turned out, but I feel it wouldn't be fair til I know my partner has received it, so you can look forward to seeing it in the next week or so once it's made it's way to Germany! I do so hope she loves it as much as I love making it:-)

Now through the chaos of Easter/Surgery I do have two bits of EXCELLENT news to share!!! I feel like shouting "I won! I won!" But I will compose myself for a minute:-) I am very excited to announce I won not one, but two wonderful giveaways! First I will say this just doesn't happen to me everyday. I enter drawings and such but don't win, and so to win TWO was kind of mind blowing for me!! I am so excited- can't help it:-)

Ok, so here are my wonderful wins!

First, Ambitatterous had a lovely International Tatting Day giveaway, and I am so pleased to have won it. It was my very first giveaway winning and when it arrived she had thrown in a few extra goodies I hadn't expected! A skein of Vanilla Sky by Tatskool- what a lovely colorway! I cannot wait to try it out:-) And a Tatted Easter Egg, which I do so love:-) Isdihara does very beautiful work!!! I cannot wait to try the lotion and soaps, as they smell so nice. If you would be interested in purchasing some as well, you can visit the Etsy shop to buy some.

Then, day before yesterday I got a message from Alan Kolodny from Another Joyful Creation, that I was the winner of his FIRST Giveaway! A gorgeous pair of Tatted Earrings done in a silver wire with Swarovski crystals!!! How happy am I to have won these lovely earrings!!!! I love Alan's work, and have admired his pieces for quite some time. I have tried tatting with wire once, and it can be quite difficult, his is definitly a skill to be admired in my opinion! I will show a picture once they arrive.

Thanks to Isdihara and Alan, for having these generous giveaways (and of course to all other tatters and non-tatters who have them as well)! I cannot wait til I hit some sort of milestone so I can have my very own giveaway!! Hmmm...what should it be? 100 posts seems too far away, and so does 100 followers! Ah...perhaps Mother's Day!! We are all either mothers or have mothers right?! Could be the perfect excuse to have my FIRST GIVEAWAY!!! I guess you will just have to follow my blog to see what happens:-)