Hello, It's Me Again

This blog has been woefully neglected. Up until this weekend I had not picked up my tatting shuttles, or knitting needles in months. I am not a very accomplished knitter any way so no surprise there, however I was taking part in the 25 Motif Challenge and thoroughly enjoyed that. I need to recommit.  Although I have been doing some paper crafts I did not take many pictures or post any. Thanks to Lelia, who left a comment for me this weekend I got out my shuttle and made a small butterfly from 50 Butterflies Migrating, Palmetto Tatters Guild (PTG on FB). I want to make a few more and send them on to Houston for the Butterfly Project. I will post some pictures later when I get some more done.

In the meantime here is a crate of chocolate filled carrots that I made to share with my co-workers over the Easter weekend. The crate and carrots were from 2 kits from SVG Cuts.

A Crop of Apples

I have not gotten much tatting done lately. I did manage to finish some apples that were presented to some friends 2 weeks ago. Found the patten Back to School Apple on Marks blog. Thanks for sharing Mark.

Back to School Apple
Mark Myers
Altin Basak 357 sz 50 and Flora 230 sz 20







Now to get ready for Round Two of the 25 Motif Challenge,

Two Halves

I finally made it to round six. I am still working on the Clover Doily and finally I am half way around the sixth round and have half the number of rounds tatted. As mentioned before there are only 9 rounds on this doily.

DMC Cebelia sz 30 White

I have also finished motif #22 , a butterfly, but every time I can find the camera the butterfly has flown away. I will try to pin it down next time I find it so that I can post soon.

Thanks for stopping by,
Gwen

Test post

Another test from wireless set up.

S is for Stephanie and sample

 Lacy Susan was the vendor at the Atlanta IOLI Lace Day last month. Of course I couldn't miss an opportunity to purchase some stash. In addition to these books
I also picked up some threads and some shuttles. You know the saying 'you can never have too many shuttles'.









My first project from my new books was  this 'S' motif. (motif #20) The patterns is from Tatting A B C's &1 2 3's by Houstine Cooper and Handy Hands Inc. It was a birthday present for my friend Stephanie.

Now I am one to blog hop when I should be tatting, stitching, sleeping or perish the thought 'doing housework.' I saw that Jon and some friends were working on a doily and thought what's the harm, only 9 rows! This could be a quick project and good practice for using the spit chain 'she says, as she convinces herself to start something else'. Well I got the first three rows done only to realize that I was missing a picot on the chains of round 3. This quick start was now my sample (motif #21) and was turned into a small wreath (piece on left). With  my second start I made it to row four. Yeah! So far so good.















Gwen

Tech question

Hello all the tech savvy crafters,
Do you use an app to track your crating supplies? I am in search of an an app for the iPhone/iPad that can be used to keep track of threads, books, patterns etc. I have found several to-do list but not what I am looking for. If you have any suggestions please leave a comment, your input will be appreciated.

Workshop News

The Atlanta IOLI hosted their Lace Workshop at Simpsonwood Conference Center on April 8-10, 2011. The bobbin lacemakers concentrated on honing their skills in Milanese Lace with Louise Colgan or Honiton Lace with Sheila Wells.   .

bobbin lace projects in progress

 There weren't enough participants so the tatting class had to be canceled. I was disappointed, but my friend and fellow tatter DianaB got together anyway. We spent the weekend working on a set of patterns by Inke Kuiperij. This year we chose to work on her book Kerstgroep (The Nativity).












The book contains instructions for Mary, Joseph the Baby Jesus with cradle, 3 kings (each robe is different) a star and an angel.  The instructions are in Dutch but diagrams and short code tatting instructions are included.

  One robe and the start of a mantel.
One of the techniques that I worked on over the weekend was the split chain. Now the words 'split chain' no longer fill my heart with dread. It is a technique well worth learning, if you have not done so already.