Joy in Tatting

Snowflake

2012-01-21T17:43:00.007-05:00

6 inches of snow since yesterday put me in the snowflake mood this morning. This is from Festive Snowflakes and Ornaments edited by Barbara Foster. Size 20 Lizbeth thread.

Medallion

2012-01-09T15:38:00.003-05:00

This will be sent as a block for a healing blanket being made for an individual who is recovering from a stroke. The thread is Lizbeth size 40, color 159.

Hanky Finish

2011-12-30T15:25:00.002-05:00

This is the second one for an order of three hankies of the same pattern. The thread is size 40.

Last Tatted Holiday Gift Finished

2011-12-22T19:50:00.002-05:00

Size 40 Lizbeth thread. Color #122. This one was designed/requested by my niece.

Pattern for Holiday Card Ornament

2011-12-18T07:35:00.000-05:00

Center = 2-inch circle

Punch holes 1/8-inch apart

Size 20 thread

Rings: 4 ±(lp first time) 4 + to center 4 -- (lp) 4 cl rw

Chains: 6 ds

Add bead on lp before joins

Hanger: Load 24 beads onto ball thread. Shuttle join to top ring of ornament. Make chain (2 ds bead) repeat to end of beads. Tie & cut.

Holiday Card Ornament

2011-12-17T22:29:00.003-05:00

The picture's not very good on this one. The beads are clear, so the ornament sparkles more than it seems in a photo.

Hanky Finish

2011-12-16T19:42:00.002-05:00

Size 40 Lizbeth thread, white. Hen & chicks edging.

Quick Ornament

2011-12-10T18:13:00.002-05:00

A satin ornament from the thrift store, some size 10 thread, pattern from Tatted Snowflakes by Vida Sunderman, 6 pins, and two hours.

Help, please!

2011-11-25T17:52:00.003-05:00

Does anyone have a lavender hanky from Handy Hands that you would be willing to sell or swap? My niece requested one (straight edge, if possible, but I'd be glad to find a scalloped one at this point), and not only is my stash without one, but I haven't been able to find one online either. Please e-mail at hobbit68@aol.com. Thanks!

Hanky

2011-11-09T07:51:00.003-05:00

Here's my latest finish. My daughter took a liking to this one when it was about half-finished, so it is now hers. What else can a mom do?

I've always turned my rings and chains the other way (attaching the ring to the linen edge), so this one was new for me. Also, the thread is one of the newest Lizbeth colors.

Class and Hankies

2011-10-28T17:51:00.002-04:00

Last week I finished teaching a 3-session tatting class for beginners. All 10 students who began the class were still there at the end, and we had multiple successes ranging from flipped stitches to completed rings and chains to completed hen & chicks edging. It was a fun and rewarding experience.

I haven't posted new work here for a while. Most of my recent tatting has been class-related samples, and my daughter requested a new pair of knit slippers (priority, of course!), but I have managed to finish two hankies.

Another Ornament

2011-08-28T21:39:00.002-04:00

This one is called Kira's Star by Birgit Phelps. The web address that I have on my printout no longer works, so I don't know if the pattern is still available online or not. Anyway, I did it with Lizbeth, sie 40 thread. It worked up really quickly and I may do a couple more. We'll see.

Ornaments

2011-08-21T16:55:00.002-04:00

The farm show's over so it's time to start on the holiday ornaments. Here are the first three for this year. The tree and white snowflake are from http://www.be-stitched.com/ and the multi-colored one is from Christmas Ornament Collection by JoAnn Stearns.

Farm Show Results

2011-08-09T07:33:00.001-04:00

Doily and Pincusion - Blue (1st)
Knit scarf and Hanky - Red (2nd)
Ornament- White (3rd)
Knit purse - nothing
It's hard to compete against other types of needlework, but that's the only way I could show more than one thing because there's only one category for tatting.

Farm Show Entries

2011-07-31T10:57:00.002-04:00

Knit purse & scarf, tatted ornament, doily, hanky, and pincusion. I started a linen/tatted table runner as a last minute rush project; it's going to be beautiful but may not be finished. 7 more days!

p.s.

2011-07-27T17:58:00.000-04:00

11 Days to go until the Farm Show and all of the knitting/tatting is done. I just have the hand-sewing to do on the doily and the purse, which is not NEARLY enough work to have a really fun race to the end. So . . . I found a pattern for a table runner that should tat up reasonably quickly and am heading to JoAnn Fabrics to get thread after I drop my daughter off at musical practice in about an hour.

The clock's ticking louder!

2011-07-26T12:00:00.002-04:00

I have 12 days left until Farm Show entries are due. I should finish the tatting on the hanky today. I still have to tat around about 3/4 of the doily, but the pattern is moving well now that I've finally figured it out. Still lots of hand-sewing to do for the finishing. No pics until they're all done - that's my motivation! :)

Pincusion Tatting Done

2011-07-18T16:30:00.003-04:00

I am very tickled with this one. It's from the book called The Classic Collection/Tatting Patterns by the staff of Workbasket Magazine. 1990. The directions have several errors, so it was a challenge, but it turned out pretty cute. Now it's my seamstress' job (aka my daughter) to make a formed insert that we can fill with emery to turn it into a pincusion.

The clock is ticking . . .

2011-07-16T19:02:00.000-04:00

Farm Show entries are due 3 weeks from tomorrow. I have a scarf, purse, and ornament done. Hanky and tatted pincusion are about 2/3 finished. That leaves a doily to edge (not started yet) to finish out my list. There's still hope!

It must be summer, . . .

2011-07-02T12:02:00.002-04:00

. . . and my hand must be feeling better: I've been bitten by the Farm Show bug. The apples are looking good, so we might have a few to enter, and I've made my needlwork entry list. I have a felted purse that just needs to be lined, and I should have no problem making a tatted ornament. The other "let's see" projects are a doily and "a tatted item," maybe a hanky? Entries are due August 7. No problem :) Ready, set, go!

Hankies

2011-07-01T17:41:00.003-04:00

Not the best pic, but here are a couple more finishes. The blue one is a new pattern for me. It was a pleasure, and I'm sure I'll use it again.

Hanky Finished

2011-05-24T23:25:00.003-04:00

This is the hanky I started a couple months ago when I was just beginning to tat again after my (second) elbow surgery. It's nice to be back in familiar territory, and I closed the truck door using my right arm today without thinking, so the strength is coming back too :)

Daffodil Doily

2011-05-23T10:22:00.001-04:00

All done! Thanks for the tip, Diane.

Current Project

2011-05-16T14:46:00.002-04:00

This is Daffodil Doily from Janette Baker's Learn to Tat. I'm using Lizbeth thread, color #154. There's just one more round to go, and it will be about 6 inches across when finished.

Summer's Here!

2011-05-11T14:46:00.000-04:00

I turned my final grades in yesterday morning and had some errands to take care of, so today was a day for me! I finished up a knitting project and finally had a chance to try out my new shuttle that was a Christmas gift. Can you hear my sigh of contentment? :)

Tatted Hanky!

2011-03-27T17:11:00.003-04:00

Here it is, the first completed tatting since my surgery in December. I can't tell you how pleased it makes me! Thanks to everyone for your thoughts, prayers, support, and patience with my whining. The feeling and strength are not completely back to normal yet, but if I can tat, I'm happy.

Hi!

2011-03-05T10:34:00.004-05:00

I finally finished the scarf that wouldn't end! It was for my husband's birthday, and he likes scarves long so he can wrap them around his neck and face. Now I'm back to tatting a little bit. I'm making slow progress on a pink hanky with variegated edging and am considering teaching a class in the fall.

Surgery Update

2011-01-30T10:56:00.002-05:00

I have now progressed from the knitting looms to regular needles. Whoo hoo! Tatting is still a challenge, but I can manage small amounts. Who needs occupational therapy? :)

Another Finish

2011-01-08T21:58:00.003-05:00

I started a scarf but realized that I didn't have enough yarn, so I unraveled it and made a toddler's hat for the collection going to Arkansas Children's Hospital instead. Knitting looms are the best for compromised hands!

Scarf #2 and Surgery Update

2011-01-05T19:21:00.004-05:00

It's been a very good day. Doctor's appointment went better than I could have hoped - dressing, stitches, and sling completely removed, prescription for physical therapy, and a very good prognosis. The painful/sensitive area below my elbow where the nerve was trapped seems much, much better, and everyone seems to feel that my hand numbness will resolve itself. I have movement (weak and painful, but that's ok).

I finished scarf #2 and was able to TAT a 4-4-4-4 ring. Welcome back to my hand, shuttle! I've missed you!

Thanks to everyone for the support, thoughts, and prayers, and keep them coming.

Happy New Year!

2011-01-01T21:12:00.002-05:00

Happy New Year, my friends.

I'm looking forward to recovering from this surgery and getting back to tatting. I finally splurged and ordered a specialty shuttle as a treat for my husband and daughter to wrap for me for Christmas. Can't wait to try it out!

The other tatting plans for the year are more hankies, maybe a large piece like a doily or a set of fancy pillow cases, and perhaps teaching a class in the fall.

Let's have a great 2011!

Quesion/Answer

2010-12-30T12:17:00.002-05:00

Recently I was asked the following about my hankies: " I have a question for you about them and maybe even your bonnet....Do you tat the edging and sew it on or do you tat it to the edges as you go? Or, do you do it both ways and if so, which do you like best?"

My preference is to buy the hankies fron handy hands that have the holes around the edges and attach the lace as I tat. This also works for linens that I hemstitch by hand. I like the feeling of being finished when the tatting's done, and I can adjust the length or pattern if it's not fitting right.

I do sometimes complete lace and sew it on. This is usually when I have store-bought hankies, pillow cases, table tunners, hand towels, etc. In the case of the bonnet, I had tatted the lace for a store-bought hanky; then it didn't fit, so I hemmed a piece of linen to the right size, sewed on the lace, and made up the bonnet.

All roads lead to Rome!

One-handed Project

2010-12-28T19:38:00.002-05:00

Here's the scarf I just finished. I used the pocket knitter that I got for Christmas and then did a single-crochet edge to help it lie flat (turns out I can crochet left-handed: who knew?). It's made with lion brand chenille thick and quick yarn.

update

2010-12-26T12:47:00.002-05:00

Hi Everyone. I'm on the mend. The ulnar nerve was crushed in scar tissue, so it needed to be moved again, and the sugeon shaved down the bone a bit while he was there. I had a little trouble in the blood pressure/blood oxygen level areas, so they couldnt give me pain meds when I woke up. It was a rough evening. Now we seem to have the pain under control and are waiting for the swelling and numbness to settle down. I got a little pocket knitting board for Christmas that i can manage with one hand. It and the nintendo ds are keeping me occupied.

Racing the Clock

2010-12-20T13:05:00.002-05:00

I'm trying to get as much tatting (and decorating, and baking, and shopping) done as I can before my elbow surgery #2 on Thursday. I forgot to take pictures of the snowflakes and ornaments I made for cards before I sent them out, but I do have a picture of my latest hanky. This is for a coworker's daughter's wedding in the spring. I wanted to make sure it was done in plenty of time because I don't know how the elbow rehab will go.

Happy Anniversary!

2010-11-26T13:44:00.002-05:00

My husband and I celebrated our 20 year anniversary this week. Today he brought home some flowers - still sweet after all these years!

One More Hanky

2010-11-23T07:17:00.002-05:00

I did one more hanky for a coworker. This goes with the rose-colored one of the same pattern that I completed a while back. Now it's on to holiday projects.

Pictures

2010-11-15T07:20:00.004-05:00

I think we have the computer up and running for the moment, so it's a good time to get caught up on the pictures. Here we have a trio of hankies that I completed for a co-worker, another ornament, and the hats that I mentioned in a post a few days ago.

Welcome, Visitors

2010-11-10T10:59:00.003-05:00

For those of you who have not followed my blog from its beginnings, Welcome! Please navigate through the earliest posts (Feb. 2008) to learn about my tatting history and my first projects.

If you have comments, suggestions, or requests, please feel free to contact me at hobbit68@aol.com

Joy

Hats

2010-10-26T08:07:00.004-04:00

I am working on hats for the Knitting for Noggins project at Arkansas Children's Hospital. So far I have 6 finished. When I get a picture, I'll post it. In the meantime, here's a link to the site. I think it's a great project. http://www.archildrens.org/volunteer/Knitting_for_Noggins.asp

.

Checking In

2010-10-17T18:27:00.003-04:00

Has it really been 5 months since I posted? I guess it's true that time goes more quickly as we get older. I've been tatting a little bit, still doctoring with the elbow, teaching, fighting with glitchy computers, etc. Elizabeth's wall hanging is in the hands of the seamstress now to be assembled, so I may have pictures sometime. Meanwhile, here's a peek at my current work: still hankies and snowflakes ("Beaded Snowflake" from House of Birches' Christmas Tatting and "Snowflake 2" from Barbara Foster's Festive Snowflakes & Ornaments).

I'm Here!

2010-05-24T15:11:00.003-04:00

Hi Friends,

I'm back. It's been a long several months, but nothing monumental happened - just life. Recovery from my elbow surgery has been very slow, but ongoing. I've learned that nerves have a timetable of their own and do not take kindly to being rushed. Gradually, I have been able to tat more and more. As the very busy semester came to a close in the past couple weeks, I've started tatting again in earnest, finishing a couple hankies, tatting in public, giving away a couple small pieces, and planning a summer project (as usual, it's a secret because it's a gift for someone who may be reading this).

Happy Summer!

Tatting again!

2010-01-05T07:16:00.003-05:00

I'm shuttle tatting again. I've completed enough hen & chicks edging for a side and 1/2 of a handkerchief, and I am as proud of it as anything I've tatted in a long time. The elbow is coming along. Physical therapy starts today to try to improve the strength and mobility.

Looking back over the blog, I realize that I've forgotten to post an important episode in my tatting. A few weeks ago I wrote a little poem to go with handkerchief donations/gifts. I've had good response to the poem and am considering pursuing a copyright. I am glad to share it with anyone who would like to use it for personal gift giving. Please just include my name as the author.

When life gets harder
Than it should
And troubles far
Outweigh the good,

Know that others
Ache with you.
They’ve also shed
A tear or two.

In days gone by,
Women strong
Were faced with trials
And journeys long.

They dried their tears
With a hanky sweet,
Then raised their heads
The road to meet.

Strong and brave,
Like them you’ll be
And find in time
Serenity.

Joy Walsh

Update

2009-12-21T16:30:00.002-05:00

Hi Everyone,

My elbow surgery went well, and I am beginning to mend. I am sleeping a lot and feeling nauseous now and then. It's just part of the deal with strong pain meds. The only needlework I'm able to manage so far is some very slow knitting on my knit-aroud loom. I am having serious tatting withdrawal. I've only shuttle-tatted do far, but I have a set of needles and directions. Do you think it would be possible to maneuver the thread enough by holding one hand steady and working with the other? I am completely unable to use the shuttle for now :(

Here I Am!

2009-12-11T07:14:00.003-05:00

No, friends, I haven't disappeared. It's just been a crazy, busy time. As you can see below, I have been tatting. Here are my holiday card additions, all ready to be mailed. Today is the last day of finals, grades are due on Tuesday, and I'll be having surgery on my elbow next Thursday, so the craziness continues. I miss all of you!

Tatting at the Craft Show

2009-10-17T17:50:00.000-04:00

One of our local fire departments had a fall craft show today, and I reserved a table for my tatted items (handkerchiefs, bookmarks, ornaments, & doilies). I didn't sell much - 2 handkerchiefs and 2 ornaments all day - but I had lots of interesting conversations and definitely did my part to show that tatting is not extinct. There were many people who took my information or left theirs expressing interest in having a class at the library when it fits into my schedule. My favorite quote was this one: "I've been looking for an old lady to teach me, but you're not an old lady!"

Butterfly "Pattern"

2009-09-28T12:11:00.003-04:00

Thanks to everyone who has commented on my purple butterfly. Several of you have asked for the pattern. Here is what I used - it's a photocopy of my mom's pillowcase with some notes that I added as I worked it out. Also, I used Omega size 30 thread, color #850. It appears from my current Handy Hands catalog that this may not be available any more. I'll have to nurse the rest of my ball.

Butterfly

2009-09-27T09:50:00.003-04:00

I've finally finished the large butterfly for Elizabeth's quilt. This gives me 6 blocks, and I think I'm going to set them together with strips and make a wall hanging from them. Her birthday is this Friday, and I'm feeling a need to try to finish this project. This butterfly has been a journey for me. The sample was in my dad's things, a finished piece done by his mother. He tried to write out the pattern, but I couldn't follow it. My mother had tatted a couple of them and sewn them onto a pillowcase, so I used those to make a diagram from which I was able to work. Needless to say, I'm proud of this one. Elizabeth's quilt will have a family legacy of tatting in this block.

Card and Ornament

2009-09-19T13:26:00.003-04:00

Today I finished another variegated tree ornament like the one in the previous post and embellished this card with some thread my sister-in-law found for me at a sale.

This and That

2009-09-10T16:04:00.006-04:00

I'm still plugging away on little projects. Over the last couple days I've finished a hanky, a bookmark, and a little ornament. The hanky and bookmark are my own designs (just simple doodles), and the ornament is adapted from a gift tag pattern on freecrochet.com.

I'm Here!

2009-09-04T07:57:00.003-04:00

It's been a busy time with work/school back in session, the new puppy, and continued dr. appointments to try to resolve the issues with my elbow and hand. I did manage to tat this Rose Cross from Workbasket Magazine (March, 1989) over the last couple weeks. I've also reserved a table at a local craft show/sale in October, so I'd like to get some more bookmarks and ornaments ready for that.

Surprise!

2009-08-24T18:56:00.002-04:00

My uncle sent me this little gem in the mail the other day. I don't know where he got it, but I'm glad he thought of me. My daughter really likes the weight of it and the way it feels when she tats, so I think I may end up losing it to her.

Elizabeth Quilt Update

2009-08-13T11:52:00.002-04:00

Friends,

I just wanted to let everyone know that this project is still moving along; I know it's been a while since I mentioned it. I'm about a half-round from finishing the large purple tatted butterfly, and then will sew it onto a block. I've also been making lots of little butterflies with leftovers from wound shuttles and am thinking about sewing them onto a piece of printed fabric as another block.

Stay tuned!

The results are in!

2009-08-11T09:10:00.001-04:00

We didn't get soaked at the Farm Show, but we did stand inside the antiques building and then outside under the awning for over an hour waiting it out, then got sprinkled on here and there. I got 4 blue ribbons (first place) and one white (third place). They had an error in the judging in the doilies and changed my category number on the flower garden doily, so it ended up with no ribbon. I got a bunch of apologies, but I'm still not sure that I really buy their explanation. Something was fishy. So, here are the "official" results:

baby bonnet - blue ribbon
ornament - blue ribbon
vintage case - blue ribbon
purple oval doily - blue ribbon
eagle pillow - white ribbon
flower garden doily - nothing
hanky - nothing

If it's not raining this afternoon, I'll go back out and walk around some more. We didn't get to play our ring-toss game or eat everything we wanted (can we ever eat everything we want??).

Made it!

2009-08-08T21:17:00.003-04:00

Here are my entries, all done and ready to go to the Farm Show tomorrow afternoon. I've posted the info. about most of them earlier. The two new ones are the hanky with pink edging and heart pattern from the Handy Hands catalog and the ornament from Be-Stitched. It was actually way above my comfort level with that many beads on the shuttle, especially the last row, but I did it! BTW, I decided I liked it on the green ornament the best. I tried it on red and blue first.

Almost there!

2009-08-07T11:53:00.002-04:00

Can you feel the tension mounting? 2 days until the Farm Show entries are due. Here are my two last-minute projects. I have this evening and Sunday morning available to tat if the new puppy in our house cooperates (lots of treats, lots of treats).

While We're Waiting

2009-08-05T11:04:00.003-04:00

As we count down to the Farm Show, I had a quick tatting fix by getting out my little Christmas tree and started setting it up with a bunch of odds and ends from my tatting box. I took a couple snowflakes and pinned them to balls, what a great effect! And no sewing!

Farm Show Countdown!

2009-08-02T15:49:00.003-04:00

I had to create a little bit of a rush for myself; that's half the fun of the Farm Show every year. So, I started a different ornament and a hanky in the last couple days to see if I can get them done in time. I made a mistake in a previous post. Entries are due next Sunday, the 9th. If things stay quiet here at home, if my order from Handy Hands arrives soon, if my elbow and hand cooperate, and if I can stay focused on these two projects, I can get them done. :) I'll post a pic of all my entries before I head out to the show next Sunday. 7 days to go!

Tatting Spaces

2009-08-01T14:03:00.005-04:00

Krystledawne Tats issued a challenge last week to share pictures of our tatting space. I've had such a nice time visiting everyone else's spots that I thought I should show mine. The recliner is one my husband bought for me when our daughter was born 16 years ago. The coloring picture was done by our daughter a few years back also. The ott light is leftover from my cross-stitching days, and it serves me well. I use a knitting yarn/project holder on the floor to store a few projects, and the stand is a piece that my mother used to call a "dough boy." The top opens up to allow storage inside. Of course, my thread and books stash doesn't fit there; it is piled up elsewhere in the house.

Farm Show Entries Done

2009-07-27T19:28:00.002-04:00

Here's the baby bonnet finished. I used the last of my white Irish linen, hemstitched it to the right size for the previously finished lace, sewed it up, and added a little embellishment. There isn't really a category for this entry, so I think it will go under "Any other garment." We'll have to see what the comptetition looks like.

Mary Fitch Hankerchief Case

2009-07-20T15:45:00.002-04:00

Here is my version of what is pictured on page 12 of the 1915 book that I mentioned in the previous post. I'm not very good at "winging it" without a pattern, so I am quite pleased with myself on this one.

Hiya

2009-07-19T15:59:00.002-04:00

I know it's been a little while. Some of you know that I had a slight accident on July 4th.

It's been 2 weeks since my little tumble off the motorcycle, and I'm tatting again (barely). The pinky finger on my right hand and my right elbow are still painful, but they move. I have a deadline for a couple projects (local Farm Show entries are due Aug. 5), so I can't sit around waiting for too long. Fortunately, one project has a simple ring edging that I can manage right now, so I've been plugging along.

My aunt was in town for a visit at the beginning of the month and brought me a surprise box. There was some fabric that she would like me to use in Elizabeth's quilt, a Knots! newsletter that had printed a letter from my dad, and (the big find) a 1915 pattern book, Crocheted Yokes and Tatting by Mary Fitch. It's a bit tattered, but definitely usable. I'm working on the Handkerchief Case from page 12, or something similar to it, since there is no real pattern.

I also need to get the linen cut and hemstitched to make the baby bonnet with the red, white, and blue hen & chicks edging. That should finish up my planned entries for the Farm Show. I'll also be entering the rose center ornament, the flower garden doily/mat, and the variegated purple oval doily, all of which I have pictured somewhere in this blog over the last few months. Oh, and if I make it over to the Tea Shop that has my hankies on sale, I may pick up one of them to enter as well.

That's the latest!

More Quilt Blocks

2009-07-02T13:55:00.006-04:00

We're making progress. Here are two more finished blocks. The first is one that I cross-stitched. It will need a border of some kind to make it as large as the rest. The second is one graciously donated by an online friend. Thanks, Nancy! Finally, we have my progress on the large butterfly that I mentioned earlier.

This will get us to the halfway point, as I need 12 blocks. I think the second 6 will be more challenging, as I have to come up with ideas. Looking back over the finished ones, I have 6 techniques: crazy quilting, fabric paint, embroidery, applique, counted cross-stitch, and tatting. Maybe a second block using each of these techniques (different designs, though) is the way to go.

Update to the RWB Hen & Chicks

2009-06-29T23:41:00.004-04:00

In the previous post, I said that the hanky edging was almost done. Well, I finished it yesterday and began to sew it on today, only to find that I had accidentally made one too many repeats of the pattern on each side, so it is way too big. Change of plans! I have some nice soft Irish linen in my stash; I'm going to cut and hemstitch a square the right size, sew on the edging, and fold it into a bonnet (see my March 29 post for pictures of this technique). It's not what I had originally intended, but I think it will be cute.

Hanky Edging

2009-06-24T22:07:00.003-04:00

I've been working on this hen & chicks edging with Flora size 50 thread. It's actually almost finished with only 6 more repeats to go. Getting it sewed onto the hanky may take a while, though. Sometimes I get stuck there.

One more

2009-06-20T16:43:00.002-04:00

I just finished up the embroidery on this block.

Quilt Blocks

2009-06-19T19:43:00.004-04:00

Here are the first two blocks: I completed the Sunbonnet Sue square, and a friend from Here-Be-Tatters (thanks, Eileene!) completed the crazy quilt square.

We have a start!

Butterflies for Elizabeth

2009-06-14T11:06:00.004-04:00

I've been working on butterflies and some plans for them. I'm putting together a small sampler-style quilt and have two blocks planned so far: one with a painted Sunbonnet Sue design embellished with the first butterfly in the pictures below, and a second with a purple version of the third butterfly shown (the large one in shades of yellow and brown) centered on a white background.

I'm figuring out the pattern for that butterfly as I go along because the history is a little bit complicated. There is a partially completed one in my grandmother's notebook. My father tried to write out the pattern for it, but I really can't make much sense of it. The one you see below was tatted by my mother, and it is the easiest to follow.

The tiniest butterfly in the pictures is one I'm just calling "Leftovers Butterfly." I think I'll include them in cards to friends and family in the days/weeks ahead.

A last note, there are several friends who have offered to make a butterfly and/or a square for the quilt. Anyone who is interested is more than welcome to join me. The background fabrics will be white, and the butterflies should be primarily purple, if possible. Finished blocks should be about 9 inches square. Feel free to e-mail me hobbit68@aol.com with ideas.

Sad News

2009-06-11T08:34:00.001-04:00

It is with a very heavy heart that I share the news of my 19 year-old niece's passing. Elizabeth lost her battle with cancer last night. In her honor, I am going to be making purple butterflies. I'm not sure what I will do with them yet, but I'm thinking something like sewing them onto quilt squares or into the corners of handkerchiefs. Maybe I will put them in cards for family and friends.

I didn't get a chance to teach her to tat, but now her grandpa can do it in heaven.

Teaching Tatting

2009-06-11T08:28:00.003-04:00

Time to get caught up here - on Monday I taught my first tatting class. We met at a local tea shop that is selling my hankies on consignment. We had 5 students, and my 16 year-old daughter was my assistant.

I set up a kit with a hanky, a handy hands catalog, an instruction sheet, a shuttle, and a ball of thread. We spent about 45 minutes working on the flip, then added the double stitch and closing a ring. That was all the time we had, but I showed them picots and joins at the end.

One student left with closed rings, and another called me the next day to report her success. That means we have at least 2 new tatters in the world. I'd suspect that at least one of the other students will stick with it as well.

A great time was had by all!

Bookmark

2009-06-05T17:05:00.002-04:00

Another one-day project: today I tatted up this cross bookmark from the December 1977 issue of Workbasket to include in a letter to a friend. I used size 30 Omega thread.

Ornament

2009-06-02T19:59:00.003-04:00

Sometimes you need a one-day project. This was mine today. It's Medallion No. 30 from Tatting with Anne Orr. I used Lizbeth for the center and Hakelgarn 20 for the outside.

All Finished

2009-05-30T23:41:00.002-04:00

Well, I said I'd get bored. The nice thing about this pattern is that it finishes in lots of places. I decided 4 flowers was enough, so I put a final border of rings and chains around it and called it done.

The Garden is Growing!

2009-05-15T12:35:00.003-04:00

This will be the last picture from my scanner; as you can see, it barely fits. The next updated photo will have to come from the camera.

Flower Garden Progress

2009-05-09T12:27:00.002-04:00

I figured it out! Here is what I have so far - two flowers in the garden. I think there will be a total of 7, one in the middle and 6 around. I'm using size 30 thread.

Flower Garden

2009-05-02T10:45:00.002-04:00

I've been trying to figure out a way to reproduce the classic "Grandmother's Flower Garden" quilt pattern with tatting, and I think I've got it. This medallion pattern is from A Tatter's Workbook. If I use little white motifs as the path between different colored flowers made like this one, it should work. I don't know how big it will get; knowing myself, probably not very large (I tend to get distracted by other projects). The good thing is that I can stop in lots of places and have a doily/table mat of any size.

Embroidery

2009-04-26T08:31:00.003-04:00

This is my latest finish: a stamped cross-stitch embroidery block. It is 18 inches square, and I'm planning to make it into a pillow. I had planned to edge it with tatting, but I don't think it really needs it, so I will probably just go with a complimentary fabric for the pillow backing and call it done. It's for my husband.

Holiday Weekend Tatting

2009-04-13T15:49:00.002-04:00

This weekend I finally got around to making the Spinning Wheel Glass Mat from Mary Konior's boo, Tatting with Visual Patterns. I've had it on my to try list for months. I used Lizbeth thread, color #122 (Caribbean). My 15 year-old daughter liked it so much that she picked up a shuttle and worked on her tatting a little bit, adding picots and joins to her skill base. Now she's ready to try some hen & chicks edging, the obligatory first project in our family tradition.

Hanky Time

2009-04-07T18:30:00.003-04:00

Yep, it's another hanky. This one is about as classic as it gets: white on white. The thread is size 12 pearl cotton, color B5200 (snow white). I do have some exciting news about my hankies; there is a local tea shop that is going to try to sell them for me on consignment, and we're talking about having classes this summer in the meeting room. If it turns out to be a bust, I'll go back to my idea of donating the hankies to a residence for senior citizens around holiday time.

Hanky Bonnet

2009-03-29T20:14:00.002-04:00

I finally got around to trying out this technique - pretty cute! There are instructions on several websites. I got mine from bumblebeelinens.com.

Another Hanky

2009-03-26T22:18:00.003-04:00

I had a little trouble with this one. I couldn't find a thread in my stash that had the right amount of "shimmer" to go with the pre-done embroidery on the hanky. I finally ended up with size 12 pearl cotton, and I'm happy with the result. The picture doesn't really do it justice.

Bookmark

2009-03-26T07:29:00.004-04:00

Nordic Needle is having a design contest, and I was trying to use things in my stash that I know they sell. This is what I came up with. I call it "Learn to Tat Bookmark" because the center is just rings, and the outer round is just chains - very basic. I used Pearl Cotton #5 for the center and Caron Wildflowers thread for the outer round.

Ornament with Lizbeth Thread

2009-03-12T17:42:00.004-04:00

Today I played with some of my new thread and made "Rose Ornament" from Christmas Angels and Other Tatting Patterns by Monica Hahn. I like the pattern and the thread, so I might be making some more of these.

Income Tax Return

2009-03-07T11:49:00.003-05:00

Tax time stresses me out every year. I don't know why, but it does. So, to treat myself for making it through again, I placed a little order with Handy Hands. Of course, most of the return money is earmarked for those darn bills, but I thought a small splurge was warranted. I'm planning hanky edgings and holiday ornaments with this colorful thread.

Bookmark

2009-03-06T19:58:00.006-05:00

What to do with a sample of thread from a thread exchange? It was one shuttle full, just enough for this cute little bookmark made from the straight edge of the pattern for Hen & Chicks Cross found at http://www.fortunecity.com/victorian/vangogh/235/crosses/eliz2cross.html. The thread is Altin Basak, size 50. Actually this was another thread that I wanted to try as I had seen reference to it but never had my hands on any. Now I have!

Lizbeth Thread

2009-02-28T15:33:00.003-05:00

I've been wanting to try this new size 20 thread from Handy Hands, and I received some in a thread exchange (thanks, Karey!). I used the round robin for beginners pattern http://www.georgiaseitz.com/roundrobin/newbiesroundrobin.html and added a few beads on some of the joins to come up with this little decoration. The thread has a VERY nice hand and comes in lots of colors.

Something Different

2009-02-15T11:04:00.003-05:00

I'm not of the Catholic faith, but many members of my husband's family are. Also, Dad was fascinated with the idea of a tatted rosary. Yesterday I was looking for a one-day project and I found the pattern for "Jeanne's Rosary" in the book, Tatting Online, by Georgia Seitz. I made a beaded cross to replace the tatted one, and I've attached it with a jump ring in case the recipient wants to replace it with a personal one. The thread is Olympus size 40 (which tats up like a size 20).

Hanky Time

2009-02-05T17:15:00.003-05:00

Hi Everyone,

It's just me with another finished hanky. The lace on this one is made with size 30 white cebelia thread, and the pattern is just rings and chains with 4 ds between each picot/join. It doesn't get much simpler than that!

Another Handkerchief

2009-01-19T12:33:00.002-05:00

I finally finished my current hanky. Why is it that the last side always takes soooooo long? I told my daughter that I felt like a hamster in a wheel going and going and going, and going nowhere! Of course it is also great when the shuttle runs out of thread with 1.5 inches to go. Sigh. I'm sounding a little bit grumbly today - that probably has something to do with the fact that it's back to work full-swing tomorrow morning. :(

This is one of the hankies from Handy Hands, and the thread is Olympus size 40.

Update

2009-01-07T16:15:00.004-05:00

Hi Everyone,

I finally got around to sewing the lace onto a pillowcase that I've had finished for weeks. That's the worst part for me.

I've also finished two other projects in the last few days; unfortunately, I cannot post pictures of them for copyright reasons. The first is a pillowcase that I made for my daughter with an image traced and painted and then tatted edging added. I don't own the image, so I can't post a duplication of it here. The second is an ornament made with a photo of a friend's baby. After she receives it, I'll ask if she minds my posting it.

I'm also still working on hankies and pillowcases for some unknown purpose. That seems to be my "keep my hands busy" project lately. I'm really enjoying the discussions on the Workbasket group. It makes me feel like I'm not the only one stuck in a bygone era.

Tat's the latest from here!

Taking a Chance

2008-12-30T11:10:00.004-05:00

Well, I'm sending this off in the mail to my mother-in-law today, and I'm risking her seeing it here before it gets to her. I can't help myself, though -- just have to post it. This is the same pattern as the snowman ornament I did earlier except that I used size 30 thread instead of 20 and adjusted the stitch count to make the rings and chains big enough. FYI, these chains are 8 ds long and the rings are 5+5+5-5. The hanger is a chain made of 32 beads separated by 2 ds.

Quantiesque Snowflake

2008-12-25T20:31:00.002-05:00

This pattern was a very generous gift from Jon Yusoff to the tatting community, and it came in very handy at 4:30 this morning when I was awake long before everyone else in my household and needed something to occupy myself.

Hankies

2008-12-19T14:21:00.004-05:00

Continuing in my vintage mode (do I have any other?), I have gathered my latest musings into one worksheet for myself. I have worked out a couple thread sizes, patterns, and spacing on the hankies from Handy Hands (I'm sure you can buy them elsewhere; mine come from HH) that I enjoy in my "mindless" tatting time. I'm thinking that now I can mix and match colors of thread and hankies and possibly even troll around my local area for potential orders. Maybe this is obvious to some veteran tatters, but it is an accomplishment for me.

#50 Ornament (challenge finished!)

2008-12-16T15:14:00.003-05:00

I recently joined the Yahoo group for Workbasket Magazine, and there is a discussion about crocheting around holiday card cutouts. I decided to play with the idea with tatting, and here are the results.

#49 Holiday Snowflake

2008-12-13T12:29:00.003-05:00

I've made a handful of these little snowflakes to tuck into holiday cards. They tat up in a jiffy and are a nice little add-in. The pattern is "Ribbon-Floss Snowflake" from Vida Sunderman's Tatted Snowflakes. I used size 20 Hakelgarn again. That seems to be a good snowflake thread for me.

A Letter from 1947

2008-12-05T16:28:00.003-05:00

Today I thought I'd share another treasure from the boxes of things I got from my Dad. I wish there was an envelope accompanying this letter so I could be sure, but I'm assuming that this was addressed to his mother or perhaps his grandmother. I would also love to have the first part of the correspondence. We can only speculate about that. The letter is hand-written, of course, but I will try to reproduce it as closely as possible for you.

Conewango Valley, N.Y.
Oct. 9, 1947

Dear friend:

I received your card last week but have been having silo fillers and since them my little boy has been rather sick and required so much attention I couldn't possibly write a letter.

I'll tell you the articles I make and the prices I charge:

pillowcases 42" plain tatted edge $3.00
hens & chickens edge 3.50

doilies oblong $2.00
round $.50 $1.00

handkerchiefs cotton with tatted corner $.49
linen " " " $.69
linen with corner & plain edge $.89
linen with hens & chickens edge $1. 29

baby bonnets $3.00
baby dress - plain tatted trim $1.00
baby slip " " " $1.00

tatted corner for handkerchief $.25

I always have orders ahead. I'm swamped with orders now just before Christmas. Lately I've been getting colored linen handkerchiefs and put white corners and a white edge on for $.89.

I do have patterns for collars. Do you have any tatting books? I guess I have all the books they've sold for the past 14 years.

There are two collars in tatting book no. 159. There are four collars in tatting book no. 183. There are three in tatting book no. 141. These three books are by "The Spool Cotton Company" (O.N.T. & J. P. Coates). There is also one in book no. 111 by the same company. These books are $.10 each and I'm sure the address of this company is New York City.

There are three collars in The Star book no 30. The address of this company is "The American Thread Company. Design Studio, 260 West Broadway, New York, 13, N.Y.

I hope you'll gain some benefit from what I've told you.

Very sincerely,

(the letter is signed, but I don't want to publish names without permission, even though I don't know the person)

Thinking about it. . .

2008-11-29T09:59:00.003-05:00

Well, I seem to have exhausted my supply of tatting gift recipients, so I'm trying to come up with another focus. Two ideas seem to be surfacing:

1. donations of hankies and ornaments to a nursing home or assisted living facility where a vintage/nostalgic gift could bring some happiness

2. making a collection of ornaments, bonnets, tea towels, hankies, and pillow cases for next fall's local craft fair (I did sell a handful of tatted ornaments at a yard sale a couple months ago, so there may be a small market there.)

Thoughts? Ideas? Warnings?

#48 - Hanky

2008-11-27T21:18:00.002-05:00

I had this one done a couple weeks ago, but I had to wait until today to post it because it was a gift for my mother-in-law. I gave it to her today as a little thank-you for Thanksgiving dinner and for all of the kind things she does for us all year long. I used size 20 thread for a simple ring edging and emboidered the corner.

Another Little Ornament

2008-11-23T20:06:00.004-05:00

My daughter says I'm tatting too much, but she's 15 - what does she know?

#47 Still Snowing!

2008-11-22T09:16:00.003-05:00

It sure has become winter around here - the snowflakes keep falling from the sky and from my shuttle. This one is "Hearts in a Snowflake" by Jon Yusoff, and the pattern is on her website. I made a small error, so those of you who know the pattern will be able to see it. However, I'm not going to point it out. :) Like the other snowflakes, this one is made with size 20 Hakelgarn thread.