Hats

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

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Checking In

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!

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!

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

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!

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

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!"