Embroidery

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.