Icelas Fish Bowl of Tatting

2011-12-31T10:24:00.003-05:00

I treated myself to Marilee Rockley's Up and Tat 'Em book for my birthday. What a great surprise to find one of her hand dyed yarns included with the book called snow flake in size 20. Looks like I will be enjoying my birthday Monday evening by tatting my night away.

I now own all of Marilee Rockly's tatting books, all I need to do is find time to tat.

2011-12-27T21:05:00.001-05:00

Well it seems like it was only yesterday when I started tatting Scotty's doily, but its finally finished. I used Lizbeth threads in size 40

I managed to tat up a few angels and cross but forgot to take pictures of all of them. I only got pictures of two. The rest I gave out as Christmas presents.

Nativitey Sets From Around the World and Country

2011-12-11T12:27:00.002-05:00

Last week I took a trip to Mepkin Abbey in Monks Corner, South Carolina with members of St Joseph's Church to view the 93 Nativity Sets from around the World and Country.

Here is just a few of the 94 that are on display at the Abbey. Every year there are different creches. It was well worth the trip and a must see for everyone.

St. Martins, Iladro porcelain, 2008 bob and Mary Kopchains Collection.

Lisbon, ceramic, 2001 bob and Mary Kopchains Collection.

New Mexico, wood by Sabinita Ortiz (noted Santos carver from Sante Fe NM) 1999 Frances Anderson Collection.

Peru, clay, 1996 Frances Anderson Collection

Spain, Iladro porcelain, 2004 John and Norma Palms Collection.

Mayan (Guatemala) woven fabric, 1995 Frances Anderson Collection

Bolivia, plaster, 2004 Frances Anderson Collection

Mexico, carved wood, 2011 gift to the Mepkin Collection by Nicki Barnes.

Guatemala, knit and woven textiles, 2009 Frances anderson Collection.

Bellagio, Italy, sculptured glass, 2000, Mary Ellen Way collection.

Nigeria, Africa, wood, 2910 gift to the Mepkin collection by Sr. Colleen Watermon.

Thanksgiving week in Gatlinburg

2011-12-07T18:46:00.001-05:00

Well this is the 1st time I had the opportunity to sit at my computer for any length of time. Monday and Tuesday I was at the church wrapping Christmas presents for the needy children in the community. Every 1st Wednesday I volunteer for the Clean of Hearts which is a catholic charities ministry that runs a laundry and shower service for the homeless. It was very rewarding helping the homeless out by washing and folding their laundry for them while they take a shower.

I had a great time Thanksgiving week spending time with my son John's family in Gatlinburg. Here are some pictures of our trip, I would of taken more but I forgot to bring the charger for my camera. We went to the Ripley's believe it or not aquarium which was awesome. I never went on my own excursions because I was afraid to drive up and down the mountain, so I just hung out with the family. I was so glad to get off the mountain and get back on I 40.

Jelly fish at the aquarium

Pool time in the afternoon

A day of Shopping in Gatlinburg

Walking underneath the fish tanks.

deadly neon frog. It actually glows in the water

my favorite the sea horse

These are called dragon fish

More dragon fish in the background

What a Trip

2011-11-01T21:18:00.000-04:00

I am back from my religious retreat. It was awesome and rejuvenated my soul and my body. I feel like a new woman. I tatted the whole trip. I made tatted butterflies and flowers for everyone on the ride to Alabama. It was so refreshing to sit there and just tat for 6 hours without interruption.....Yeah right!...LOL There were several people that want to learn to tat.

A lot has been happening since I got home from my trip. My computer crashed and my printer finally died and went some where. So I now have a whole bunch of gigs and a laser printer that I have been longing for. I should be good now for another 15 years I hope, it beat buying a new computer, plus I had staples tune up my PC, it was only running at 88% and now its running at 100%. They found a bunch of registry errors. I thought I got rid of them, but I guess not....LOL Then I started having a hidden compile error in word and excel, so they worked their magic on that too. It was worth the $30. So now back to tatting.

I received Marilee's new book today from Annie's Attic called Tatted Jewelry. Marilee you did an awesome job with the layout and pictures. Now I just have to find time to tat something. I have another busy day tomorrow and Mass tomorrow night for the all Souls Day and a reception afterwards. I doubt I will see home before 10:00 p.m. I am looking forward to rest and relaxation on Thursday and Friday.

Well thats' all I have to say for now, I think I will finish the cross I was tatting from Martha Ess' new book, "Playing With Picots"

Tatting Projects completed on Sunday

2011-10-24T13:26:00.000-04:00

I went to tat some of the projects in Martha Ess' new book "Playing with Picots" and I realized I did not have one empty shuttle, so I decided to use what was on my shuttles to tat up some of Martha's designs.

The first was Little Sister Angel tatted in size 40 Lizbeth thread. It measures 1 5/8" long x
1 1/8" wide.

Then I figured a good pattern to empty my shuttle of Falling Leaves and yellow Lizbeth thread was Sunrise, Sunset Bookmark I only had enough thread on the shuttle to make the bookmark 3"s long instead of 5 1/2"s long, this did not include the tassel. this length worked out quite well for a prayer book size.

Well I have to go pack my bags, I am off to Birmingham, AL for 3 days with my church group 1st thing tomorrow morning. I am looking forward to getting away for 3 days and making new friends on the trip. There will be 25 of us going. I will be taking my tatting, knitting and crocheting along since it is a 6 hr. ride each way. I know I will get a lot done if I don't fall asleep on the way....LOL

Tatting Tatting Tatting

2011-10-22T20:26:00.000-04:00

I have a lot to catch up on, after 8 mos. of not tatting. Its been a struggle, but I made it through. I received Martha Ess' book for Meagan yesterday. Its' one of Meagan's Christmas presents, but by the looks of it it may be late getting to her since I now have to tat everything in the book....LOL I see Marilee's book is out and I ordered that too through Annie's Attic and not only that I decided to finish my tatters across times phase I. Looks like no house work will be getting done this week.

SC State Fair Awards Posted

2011-10-10T16:27:00.002-04:00

My Tatted necklace got 2nd place.

I am happy to announce that my Paper Flower Wreath received 1st place.

My Crocheted Hat got 1st place.

My Entries to the SC State Fair

2011-10-08T14:15:00.001-04:00

I did not get all my entries done this year for the state fair because of other commitments. But next year, I will have 12 entries to the State fair, I have one almost done now for next year.

This is my wreath made of paper flowers from various paper punches. Each petal on the flowers were individually molded into shape and joined together to form the flower. Some were just punched out and layered on top of each other.

This is my tatted necklace designed by me 2 years ago. I just now got to writing the pattern out though I tatted it up originally in a variegated size 20 thread. This necklace was tatted in a size 40 Lizbeth thread in the color burgundy, size 11 delica beads were used. There was a motif imbedded in an antique pattern that looked like a heart. I took that portion and created the rest of the heart to complete it into a necklace.

This is a flapper style crocheted cloche.

Shuttle from Diane Arrived

2011-10-06T20:54:00.000-04:00

I was totally delighted today to receive my shuttle from Diane along with two DMC size 80 thread to match the colors in my shuttle. The thread was a welcome surprise.

Thank you Diane for a lovely gift.

Test Tatters

2011-10-05T11:37:00.000-04:00

I have 3 test tatters for my necklace which is awesome.

I will need your email address Sunela.

I will be ready for test tatting in a few weeks, I have a couple of bugs to work out 1st.

Two Test Tatters needed.

2011-10-03T14:16:00.002-04:00

I am working on a necklace design and in the next few weeks would like to have two test tatters to test out my pattern.

If you are interested, please let me know.

Eight Days Left

2011-09-27T09:16:00.000-04:00

I'm still here frantically working on my entries to the SC state fair. I only have 2 entries done, I have spent 2 sleepless nights working on one of them. I only had to do that one over three times. Every year I say, self we need to start on our state fair projects in January. With good intentions, I land up starting off that way and figure 1 full week per project in some instances, but as you know that never works out. Right now I am working on on my oval entry, I am not going to say what it is just yet, it measures 10 x 11 is the suspense killing you? Its killing me because I want to get it finished....LOL Oh! just in-case you are wondering, it is NOT a picture frame...LOL Well back to work, with good music and a pot of coffee I should be done by tomorrow on this one. And just maybe I will be able to get entry 4 completed.

I can hardly wait to see what my granddaughter Meggie made for her entries, I am sure they will be awesome as usual because she is so awesome. What a legacy I have given her in tatting.

A New Hat in Town

2011-08-21T08:57:00.000-04:00

Meagan was delighted with her birthday present of a new hat I made for her in her favorite color black.
The pattern is by Mary Jane Hall called Peek-a-Boo Flower Hat I used size J hook and crocheted 10 rows for Meagan and 11 rows for an adult.

My Prayer Garden

2011-08-15T21:40:00.002-04:00

I tried to take some good pictures of my garden. I tried getting the whole garden in the picture but it is just too big to get in one shot and see all the elements. It measures 24 ft.x 42 ft. Well I am done with everything except buying my rocking chairs for the porch. I will do that next month. I need to get my benches for the garden but they will have to wait until I plant the last 4 plants. I am waiting for them to arrive. I need to rest now. So its a shower and relaxation until tomorrow.

Five More Beauties

2011-08-15T17:48:00.000-04:00

What a day, my new custom shades for the living room arrived today and I had to wash the windows in and out before they arrived plus do laundry. In between all this and cleaning the floors I created 5 new designs on my shuttles. I keep finding more shuttles so I guess I will never stop creating...LOL I must say I tried 2 techniques when applying the design to the shuttle. I find the paper and fabric adhere immediately to an unpainted shuttle vs one that the top has been painted. I always put a layer of mod podge 1st and you have to act quickly before it dries, here's where you need to plan your design out 1st. I used up all my ideas for now so enjoy.

Without The Paint

2011-08-13T12:04:00.001-04:00

I decided to try something new. Instead of painting the base of the shuttle, I decided to just apply my flowers to the original background.

What do you all think about that?

Bowl of Cherries and Flower shuttles

2011-08-13T11:04:00.000-04:00

I would say life is just a bowl of cherries today...LOL I have some others up my sleeve that I need to get working on. Then I think I will have covered all my basis, maybe...LOL
Some definitely do look like fish. Well off to creating something new. I only have no more than thirty more shuttles to decorate. I might as well because its like a sauna outside, looks like more rain is heading our way today. Until next time have a nice day and happy tatting.

Horses and strawberries

2011-08-12T10:06:00.002-04:00

Using my tiny paper punch horse and strawberry punches I created these beauties and added my own art work with polka dots and glam.

The paper shuttles

2011-08-11T14:07:00.000-04:00

Here are the long awaited shuttles using paper to create my design. Not what any of you suspected....LOL Of course, I included the tools I used to make these gems.

Stay tuned for tomorrows batch with different designs.

The Help Movie

2011-08-10T21:21:00.000-04:00

Well I went to the movies this afternoon by myself to see The Help (I am getting use to the alone thing) my boys keep pushing me to meet someone(that will never happen) or get some girl friends, I get sick to my stomach being away from home too long. I like being by myself right now. I suggest you all see it. It was an extraordinary movie. It takes place in the deep south during segregation. A lot of it was hilarious and other parts were sad so I never got to decorate my shuttles with paper. Tomorrow is another day.

Three More

2011-08-09T15:54:00.003-04:00

It looks like everyone of my shuttles are going to get decorated. I just scratched the surface....LOL I must say the middle one is my most favorite shuttle of all. I sure like working with material designs on the shuttle.

My next batch of shuttles will be from paper, but not with paper napkins, paper towels or stickers. Can you guess what type of paper design will be next?

Progress on Scotty's Doily

2011-08-07T16:22:00.000-04:00

I am now working round 5. If you plan on making this doily be careful on round 5 and make sure you refer to the picture and not the clover directions for joining. Once you get round 5 down its easy sailing finishing the round.

Four More Old New Shuttles

2011-08-07T10:35:00.000-04:00

Well there is nothing like getting carried away with decorating shuttles. Looks like I will have to go to Michael's and JoAnn's this week to see what else I can muster up for changing up my shuttles.

New Old Shuttles

2011-08-06T11:59:00.000-04:00

Well I tried my hand at decorating shuttles today using material instead of paper. The paw print shuttle I used crackle paint, and the yellow one I used polyurethane. I have Mod Podge too but wanted to try polyurethane instead.

A Very Special Gift From Scotty

2011-08-05T19:54:00.000-04:00

Finally I can see again, it has been a long week waiting for my eye sight to come back. I spent many days sleeping and listening to good music. Monday the stitches come out, thank God, I am so ready for this to happen.

When I got up this morning to full eye sight, I decided it was a great day for tatting. So I embarked on tatting up Scotties Doily from Mary Maynard's book Tatting a 4 Square Ring. I am using Lizbeth Thread size 40 Ecru and Victorian red. Monday my other thread will arrive from Handy Hands and two tatting books I ordered with blurry vision. I hope I made good choices...LOL

That's all for now until the next round.

Carolina Sunsets

2011-07-30T21:04:00.000-04:00

One of the most amazing things living in the south is the spectacular sunsets. Soon I will not see them like this after they finish building the two story houses across the street. They are row houses one on top of the other. Thank God for my acre.

Well no tatting for me right now so I will just have to show you pictures. I had eye surgery on Thursday and have stitches all around my eyes. everything is blurry and swollen. Looks like I may not get my entries into the fair if my vision does not clear up and my eyes stop burning. I did get my porch rails installed and my St. Francis garden is just about finished. I have the weeds to remove from the paths and install the paths. If my eyes can take the heat I will up load some pictures. Well back to the dark room to rest and enjoy the rest of the evening listening to some great music.

Life Goes On and So Don't My Projects

2011-07-08T17:31:00.002-04:00

I am still here, I have not fallen off the face of the earth. I have been recovering from my husbands death and I am learning to move on without him. Its 5 mos. since I lost the best friend I ever had, but I am learning to live without him. I am begining to get back to myself especially my tatting.

So far, I have replaced the rest of the windows in my house, and after 15 years I finally picked a color for my living room called oak barrel. It is the color my husband wanted me to paint the living room, only every brown I brought home from Lowe's he did not like. Then I went to Sherwin Williams and when I walked in and saw the color, I knew it was the one for my living room.

The spare bedroom was a dark blue so I painted it a light blue. I hung white and blue curtains, I will have to add a picture.

Now that my whole house is painted on the inside, I am working on the outside. Today I painted the porch grey from the red. It goes well with my new white front door and secure storm door. Next Wednesday my porch and stair rails will be installed. I will then be finished with my house projects and off I go to buy a rocker for the front porch so I can enjoy the rest of my life while tatting. I also had new french doors installed in my craft room. I got the ones with the blinds which I absolutely love.

I am still working on my St. Francis Garden, I will have to take some pictures of it. I let the weeds take over in some places and I am doing my best now to get rid of them. My pineapple lilies are in bloom and are so awesome looking.

Well I will go for now, I am working on my projects to enter in the state fair. I promised myself I will take a week to complete each project for the State Fair. So I will have plenty of time to get them all done.

Cross Bookmark 2

2011-04-28T15:01:00.002-04:00

I tatted another Monica bookmark by Lene Bjorn this morning waiting for the storm to clear up so I could go to church. Well as luck would have it, it never cleared up. This time I braided the end, I did add the center as pictured in the book. I did tat the end like the book, but was just unhappy with it being in one picot. I did not like how it twisted and flopped back and forth all the time, so the braid one out this time.

Tatted Cross Bookmark

2011-04-12T09:50:00.000-04:00

I have not been tatting much since John died, but managed to tat up this cross for someone really special. This is Monica from Lene Bjorn's book called Tatted Bookmarks cross shaped. I changed the center and added beads in the shape of a cross. I used size 40 Lizbeth thread and changed to a tassel instead of the tatted spiral end.

My OWOH Winnings Arrived

2011-03-02T19:34:00.000-05:00

Look and see what I won from Jody from Tumbleweed Trails I just love everything I won, especially the felted bird. I put him in my dining room window to watch over my birds feeding. He was done in all my favorite colors. I also received a beautiful bookmark, magnet and stickers and not to forget the morning glory seeds. The artwork is just beautiful. Thank you Jody for an awesome gift.

OWOH 2011 Winners

2011-02-17T07:56:00.000-05:00

True Random Number Generator Min: Max: Result: 134 Powered by RANDOM.OR

The winner of the bracelet is # 134 -- Shar from MA.

True Random Number Generator Min: Max: Result: 115 Powered by RANDOM.ORG

The winner of my greeting cards is # 115 -- Danielle from KS

Congratulations ladies, I hope you both enjoy your prizes.

I am sorry I could not participate more in the last OWOH, but I have been grieving the loss of my husband and just was not up to getting in the groove.

Again congratulations Shar and Danielle

I Finished Abigail

2011-02-10T11:05:00.000-05:00

Last night I finished Fox's Abigail in size 80 DMC thread, color # 109 multi-pastel. It is the 1st time I tatted since my husband passed away suddenly last Monday morning at 10:11 a.m.

I was having a great week and a half until this morning and I had to force myself to get out of bed and get on with my life. I guess I will have my tatting and other crafts to console me. I had a lot of legal things to take care of and get with my attorney to file my husbands will in probate. Well life goes on and so must I, like it or not. So, today is the 1st day of the rest of my life.

One World One Heart

2011-01-31T03:02:00.000-05:00

Hi, I am Icela and welcome to my world of tatting and greeting card making. I hale from the great state of Rhode Island and went southern 31 years ago to Columbia, SC where the living is easy. I am fortunate to have a husband the makes all my dreams come true from traveling to giving up racing so I could realize my dream of racing cars in the local arena. I love to make my own clothes and do anything crafty. These days I spend my days gardening and taking care of the wildlife in my yard. My yard is a registered wild life habitat. Besides all of these things my favorite pastimes these days are tatting and making greeting cards.

For drawing #1, I am giving away a tatted bracelet made with gold lined beads and glass pearls. It measures 8 inches long from tip to tip including the clasp.

For drawing #2, I am giving away a set of 4 of my handmade greeting cards and envelopes.

The OWOH giveaway is open to all worldwide bloggers, so leave a comment so I can visit your blog and have a way to contact you if you win one of my prizes.

I will announce the winners on 2/17/11 before 7:00 p.m. and I will post the winners on my blog.

Swirling Snowflake

2011-01-30T14:03:00.000-05:00

I used my gamecock picot to create this swirling snowflake, it measures 7/8 of an inch, tatted in DMC size 80 thread.

Ruffled Heart #2

2011-01-30T13:43:00.002-05:00

Another one of Vicki Clarke's Ruffled Heart tatted in J&P Coats, size 70 thread using color # 173. I liked the way this thread tatted up.

Ruffled Heart

2011-01-28T01:37:00.003-05:00

Tweaking my skills using size 60, 70 and 80 threads has become an obsession with me. It looks like its going to be one of my Challenges for 2011. So I decided to tat Vicki Clarke's Ruffled Heart to get more comfortable with smaller threads. It is the up coming lesson for the On Line Tatting Class with Georgia Seitz.
I used Star 6 cord tatting thread in shade 168. I don't see a size on the thread. Its either a 60 or 70 size thread. I guess in those days if it stated tatting on the label it was understood to be a size 60 or 70. Maybe someone in blog land knows for sure.

I did get all my threads organized this week by brand, that was a three day task. I wonder how long that is going to last. I did a major clean up in my craft room and threw out over 100 crochet and quilting magazines. I kept only the vintage ones. One thing I did find is a spool of Royal Society tatting thread in size 70 in tact, I forgot I had that little guy. I have 2 Lily's the rest of my small thread are either Star, coats & Clark's or J&P coats.
Enough of my ramblings, its off to bed I go, I had enough fun for one day.

Venus Thread Review vs DMC, Lizbeth & Coats and Clark

2011-01-26T14:57:00.002-05:00

MY OPINION

After comparing the threads in the picture above, I found the DMC thread to be the most superior when closing rings and making JK, Lizbeth rated 2nd, Coats and Clark 3rd and Venus 4th. Though the Venus thread is great looking and has the brightest white and the silkest look, I found it the worst for closing rings. The thread split the easiest and impossible to reopen a ring. Lizbeth thread was good reopening rings but had a slight drag when closing a ring.

You can see by the JK that the Venus made the worst JK.

For being a size 70 thread it tatted up smaller than the DMC size 80 thread. Matter of fact, it seems like the DMC thread tatted up the same size as a 60 thread. overall, in my opinion I would choose the DMC 80 and Lizbeth 80 size thread over the Venus size thread any day.

I am not a proficient tatter with size 60, 70 or 80 size threads, but I do know what worked well and felt great when forming rings.

Venus Cotton Threads

2011-01-24T11:39:00.000-05:00

Whoo Hoo my package from the UK arrived with the lushish size 70 Venus threads I ordered. I am impressed. I can't wait to try them. We shall see which brand I like the most.

The Gamecock Picot Rose Variations

2011-01-24T00:38:00.001-05:00

Here are two more versions of the my rose using the gamecock picot. I added the gold beads before adding to the gamecock picot. I added the white beads to the other flower while I was tatting by using an .05 crochet hook.

I strung the beads on the crochet hook and slid them on the the picot and joined the picot to the small ring.

I must say when looking at all there side by side, I like the effect of the picot without the beads. It gives the flower a lacy look to me. What do you all think

The Lochness Monster Flower 2

2011-01-21T13:06:00.002-05:00

This is the real thing using the wide picot method of the Tatmiester in the chain method.

My Gamecock Rose

2011-01-19T23:20:00.002-05:00

While trying to figure out the Lochness Monster flower I tried something different with the long picot, while making the ring I joined the picot to the ring and got this effect, interesting I thought.

Lochness Monster Flower

2011-01-19T16:22:00.000-05:00

This cute little flower is from the online tatting class The online tatting class
first lesson was Claudia Meza's Lochness Monster Flower. I think this flower will look cute on one of my greeting cards.

Tatting with size 100 thread

2011-01-17T22:56:00.000-05:00

Here are the pictures of my tatting bag entered in the SC state fair and the PTG competition, my entry in both won a 1st place and scored 100 points in the SC PTG competition.

History of the Clover Red and Blue shuttles

2011-01-14T19:49:00.000-05:00

Here is the history of the clover red and blue tatting shuttles. Thanks for sending the email for me Georgia Seitz.

Thank you for your response. We contacted headquarters and was told the tatting shuttles were introduced in 1964 and then discontinued in 1990. In 1990, a new tatting shuttle was introduced in a tortoise color to give it a higher quality look and to make it more aesthetically pleasing. The gold labels were replaced because it could be easily removed and now we have the Clover name engraved so that it cannot be duplicated.

We hope this answers your questions and we thank you for your interest in our products.

Please visit our website at www.clover-usa.com to view our latest products.

Sincerely,

Customer Service

Adele

2011-01-09T01:45:00.000-05:00

I am truly on a roll with this small thread. I have been tatting all day today since it was freezing cold and windy today. The only time I ventured out was to give my wild birds fresh water. It was rough trying to fill up the bird baths when the wind was blowing the freezing water on me. I just hope the little creatures appreciate it.

After all that, I started working on Iris Niebach's Adele from her book Fantasia 3. I have all of Iris' books except her jewelry book. The thread I used in Adele is J & P Coats color # 170. They just don't make colors like they use to. I don't dare go tat with a size 20 thread right now, I am afraid I won't be able to tat with the size 80 thread...LOL I think I will go tat something a lot easier for the rest of the night. Now I can tat edgings on the 100 vintage hankies with all my vintage size 60, 70, and 80 thread.

Petra 3

2011-01-07T22:49:00.000-05:00

Well I think Petra is coming along really well in J & Coats red, white & Blue. I guess I conquered working with size 80 thread. There is no stopping me now is there?...LOL

Well back to tatting the night away.

Clara & Petra

2011-01-07T17:42:00.000-05:00

You know the old saying if at first if you don't succeed try, try again, well that has been my motto all my life and it always pays off. Its the reason why I accomplished tatting with size 80 and 70 thread. So Iris' Petra and Clara are coming along just fine. I am using my coats & Clark vintage thread to accomplish this. I also found my stash of unusual colors in my vintage thread all are in sizes 60 to 80 J&P coats and star thread. Look at this lush red, white and blue thread. You can't find any of this in any size. Oh! so sad isn't it. Once this spool is gone then I will have no more. Too bad so sad isn't it...LOL

Peter Rabbit

2011-01-06T12:31:00.000-05:00

I just had to show you Peter Rabbit. Isn't he cute?

Petra

2011-01-06T12:28:00.000-05:00

I have been working on Petra from my new book I received for my birthday. I keep making mistakes so I have to keep starting over again. How soon we forget how Iris creates her patterns, nothing in rounds but sections, quite difficult if you ask me. I have nothing better to do in this lousy weather....LOL

Special Olympics Scarf Project 2011

2011-01-04T13:26:00.001-05:00

I just finished my crocheted scarf for the 2011 Special Olympics Scarf project by Red Heart yarn. I made my scarf for the Rhode Island Special Olympics. You can read all about it here. Special Olympics

Birthday Present

2011-01-04T13:09:00.000-05:00

For my birthday, my husband bought me Iris Niebach's book Fantasia 3. The edgings are really pretty. I tried tatting with size 80 thread, but I cannot see it too well, looks like the smallest thread my eyes can handle is size 30. I think today I will try using the size 80 thread in my craft room where the natural light is awe inspiring. I do know the lighting in the living room at night is not set up for size 80 thread...LOL

OWOH 2011

2010-12-30T13:00:00.000-05:00

Coming January 30, 2011 is the last OWOH being hosted by the Whimsical Bohemian so keep an eye on the prizes I will be listing along with all the other wonderful blogs. There are a few simple rules to follow to be sure to check them out befoyou want to participate in meeting you.

Well its time for me to get my prizes together. You will just have to check back on the January 30th to see what they are. I promise you there will be something there for everyone. See you all then

Looking Ahead

2010-12-30T12:38:00.000-05:00

Now that the New Year is almost upon us, I wonder what I will be doing for 2011. I decided not to make too many promises to myself or anyone else. I think I will just play the year by ear and not take on too many commitments since I need to plan on finishing my sitting garden, after that anything goes.

I can't believe 2010 is almost over, where has the year gone, it seems like only yesterday that 2010 was just beginning. I guess its true what they say that the older you get the faster the time goes by.

January is a busy month for my husband and I, we both celebrate our birthdays and Anniversary in January. Our 43rd wedding Anniversary is coming up, its hard to believe, it seems like only yesterday that we were raising our family and starting a new era of our lives together in SC with our boys. Where has the time gone? I am glad I live in the south and not in New England. I don't think I could handle all that snow. I am sure my husband would have built a snow plow on his truck to plow our 300 foot driveway.

Well I guess I better finish up my knitted scarf for the Rhode Island Special Olympics. I want to mail it next week. I only have 3 more sections to finish then I can wash and block it.

Well its lunch time and I am hungry, so I will close and see you all in the new year. Be well and happy Tatting.

Merry Christmas to All

2010-12-23T18:33:00.002-05:00

I would like to wish everyone a

Merry Christmas

& a

Happy New Year

Christmas Gift

2010-12-21T20:42:00.002-05:00

I finished my last hat for Christmas. There is going to be one happy little girl on Christmas morning. The hat is from Yarncat I made Claire. I found this hat on http://www.allcrafts.net/crochet/crochethats.htm

The 1st sock is done

2010-12-13T13:27:00.001-05:00

Well that was not bad. I finished my 1st sock finally. It took long enough, that's because I was working on making my Christmas cards in between. Now that they are done I can move on to decide what I giving everyone for Christmas. I only have one present purchased and it is coming from Canada. I can't say what it is because it will spoil the surprise for the recipient. I can't believe the year is coming to an end. I have accomplished a lot this year and taught myself how to knit socks.

I did ask FOX for some assistance when it came to the instep and the way the pattern was worded. Thank you FOX for being their when I needed you.

Since it is freezing outside and the wind is blowing like crazy, I think I will knit for the rest of the day, since I got all my housework done early this morning.

New Bon Bon Box

2010-11-27T17:02:00.004-05:00

Every year I give out my homemade Bon Bons to family members. I usually decorate Whitman sampler boxes, but I have run out of them and now have to make handmade boxes. I usually decorate my boxes with a paper Christmas poinsettia. But this year I decided to enter Isdihara's challenge, so here is what I came up with for my design to the top of my box. I used my baby orchid design and my Butterfly heart design. I found the box creation at

Scor-pal I used the large cup cake box and ad lib the center sections.
My box is a 4 1/8 inch square and 1.5 inches high

Knitting socks

2010-11-18T23:39:00.000-05:00

I have been wanting to learn how to knit some socks, so I taught myself to do just that, so far it has been easy, but I know I am coming to the hard part in 4 more inches when I have to start the heel, that should be a lot of fun.

Meagan's 2010 SC State Fair Entry

2010-10-26T13:54:00.001-04:00

This is Meagan's entry to the SC State Fair, what an awesome job this child of 11 years old did on her own, without any help from me. I did not see it until the fair.

Congratulations Meagan for a job well done!

2010 SC State Fair Entries

2010-10-25T22:19:00.005-04:00

Here is what you have all been waiting to see, my Ribbons I won in the 2010 SC State Fair. So without further ado I present to you the 5 Blue Ribbons I won.

Edging Category
design is from Fantasia by Iris Niebach

Jewelry category in Tatting I used size 10 Lizbeth thread and 6 mm oval pearls and 4mm round pearls. The necklace is from the book Tatting theory and patterns by Jan Stawasz.

Small Doily category in Tatting
The doily is from Tatting Visual Patterns by Mary Konior

Paper Punch Category
The roses were made using individual small pear punch from the Book The Paper Garden Summer Blooms by Susan Tierney Cockburn. I used the same punch for the rose buds. The butterfly is from my
Cricut cartridge Bloom, the leaves and small white flowers are punches from Punch Bunch.

Knitted Scarf pattern is from The Needler. The scarf has over 2500 black 6/0 beads. I used a 100% cotton sport weight yarn. There is no right or wrong side to the scarf, because there are beads on both sides.

Reflecting

2010-09-19T11:01:00.000-04:00

It has been awhile since I have posted, that is because I am working diligently on something that I am not ready to share. I will though in due time.

It has been a very hot dry and busy summer, I am looking forward to a cool and relaxing fall.

Talk to you soon

2010-07-14T01:24:00.001-04:00

Today was tatting Tea Tuesday, all I could do was take out my tatting cloth and stare at it since I am trying to complete the 5 projects I started before next Friday.

The edges say the following: I wish I could sit and talk with you the way we used to do! So, pour yourself a cup of tea, and when you sip it think of me and I will think of you.

The Winners Are

2010-06-30T12:05:00.005-04:00

Congratulations to the following winners of my drawing:
The Random # generator was used.

Isdihara--- hankie with matching thread

Sharon D---the white hankie and thread with embroidery

Beelizbeth----the DMC tatting book

Ladies please send me your email address and mailing address to mdonohue1@sc.rr.com

The Drawing is in 6 days

2010-06-24T22:43:00.000-04:00

Time is running out, the drawing is in 6 days, so if you have not joined the giveaway hurry up before time runs out.

The Giveaway

2010-06-15T01:33:00.001-04:00

The drawing will be held on June 30th. You have until midnight on June 29th to sign up for the giveaway. I am offering 3 giveaways to 3 lucky people. I have been collecting vintage hankies since 1999, so I will share two of them with two lucky winners. I have matched them all with one spool of vintage thread which I also collect.

My third giveaway will be DMC's vintage book tatting since I have two of these books, I only need one.

A Redo

2010-06-02T20:45:00.001-04:00

I changed the ribbon on Meagan's necklace for a string of beads. This is one of my favorite chains to make for a necklace. It suits a pendant really well instead of the ribbon. The Ribbon made it look to cheap.

Surprise for Meagan

2010-05-31T00:13:00.001-04:00

I tatted up this cute motif from Ruth Scharfs doily 7 in her book Occhi. I added some beads to make it into a a cute pendant necklace for Meagan. Its amazing how a few beads can change your tatting into a rather elegant piece of work.

Up coming Giveaway

2010-05-27T21:46:00.000-04:00

I am planning on a giveaway in the up coming weeks, so be on the look out for it. It will be tatting stuff.

Garden Progress

2010-05-26T01:40:00.001-04:00

It seems like it has been forever since I last posted. I have been busy working in both gardens. Here are the results of my progress from last year. I only have the inner beds and pathways to finish.

Where has the time gone

2010-05-05T00:59:00.001-04:00

Where has the time gone, I have been so busy its unreal. I have been working on my sitting garden. I planted the last of the perimeter plants last week and put up my decorative fencing in front with the address #. I am designing several new patterns. I keep thinking I should write a book, but the truth be known, I wrote books and contracts for groups over 5,000 lives for 7.5 years at Blue Cross & Blue Shield of my 25 years there. Now that I am retired I do not want to commit myself to any projects that take more time than I want to give in MY retirement. So, when the patterns are done I will just post them for everyone to enjoy.

Next week, I will start planting my annuals and perinnials in the inner beds. This was such a huge project to take on by myself. I should be done by the end of this year, then I can enjoy tatting in my garden.

My veggie garden is coming along, we have tomatoes, corn, eggplant, cantalopes, yellow and green squash, spinach, peppers, and green beans, I need to plant my fennel and celery yet.

Check out my bluebirds. They are waiting for their meal worms.

My new project

2010-03-19T23:40:00.000-04:00

For the past week now, I have been knitting this sweater. I should have it done in 6 weeks or more...LOL I am doing the shorter version of the sweater instead of the long version since I am short. The model is 5' 11" and is wearing the longer version. I am using Pima cotten

At the same time, I am also designing a large butterfly in tatting. It is going to be nothing like you seen before if it comes out right. I notice working on another project at the same time as designing in tatting helps me figure out how to create it in tatting.

Tatted Heart Design By Betsy Evans

2010-03-07T00:02:00.002-05:00

I was going through my collections tonight and came across a heart I tatted between 2000 and 2005. Does anyone know who the designer is? I have seen this same design on Etsy for sale but there was no credit made to the designer. I thought this same heart was in a bookmark of different colors.

I want to thank Gina B, Aileen, Edna and Maureen L for their emails letting me know this is a Betsy Evans design from her Rainbow Heart Bookmark, you can find her pattern here.
http://www.frontiernet.net/~TammyRodgers/rainbow_heart_bookmark.html

Now what irks me is I have seen this design on sale on Etsy and Betsy was not even credited for the design, Why do people do that, I will never understand? Do they really think the rest of us do not know it is not their design.

T.A.T.

2010-03-04T18:51:00.001-05:00

Now that I am all caught up in life and doing what I do best, which is nothing some days. I decided to finally pick up my Tatters Across Time book and work on Phase I. I have been working on this since 2000, I believe.

If I ever get it done, it will be a miracle, so here goes the beginning is to sit here and stare at the nice cover, the clock is ticking....LOL

Quilt Block

2010-03-04T15:59:00.005-05:00

I finally finished my quilt block for the P.T.G. scholarship fund raffle for Tat Days and put it in the mail to Georgia Seitz from the online tatting class. Now I can get back to my regular tatting and crocheting.

I added my name by sewing it in on my sewing machine. That way everyone knows who made this block.

The tatting elements on the quilt block are from various sources. Mary Konior's flowerpiece, and bud fragments, the flowers surrounding my name are taken from Meagan's Ring of Posey's coaster design, the pink and white edging I think was designed by Lori Dunlap from PTG, the red hearts edging is a design by Barbara Hevener from PTG, the dragon fly is a design by Jon Yusoff

My Faerie Pouch from OWOH

2010-02-22T16:19:00.004-05:00

I was so thrilled when I went to the mail box today and saw that my faerie pouch from Leone at
Secret Garden Crazy Quilts
arrived
The pouch is absolutely divine. It measures 5 " wide x 7" long not counting the fringe. It is in shades of pink and brown. It is large enough to carry one tatting project at a time in it. All my shuttles are jumping up and down wanting to be the ones in my faerie pouch.

Leone's work is just beautiful. My pouch contained a Canadian penny and one of Leone's handmade cards. I only won one item from the OWOH giveaway, but it has to be the greatest of all the giveaways in my opinion.

Thank you Leone for a wonderful well crafted gift.

FLAPPER STYLE HAT

2010-02-22T14:00:00.002-05:00

I made this flapper style hat for my granddaughter Meagan. I did not use the yarn called for but used a Lang Yarn Mille Colori and Merino 5 yarn. I have one more hat to make for me and I think that will be the end of my crocheting for this week. I think I will pull out my knitting needles and see what I come up with there.

You can find the hat pattern Mirja Cloche

My Embellished Hat

2010-02-18T22:02:00.001-05:00

I spent the afternoon crocheting flowers for my hat and scarf I crocheted. I was going to tat the flowers, but thought the tatting too delicate for an everyday work in the yard hat and scarf. I modified the hat again and now it is just the way I want it.

I used size 10 Aunt Lydia Thread in white. I found it at Hobby Lobby. It is better than the other size 10 thread I have used. I need to get some size 10 Lizbeth thread. I bet that is going to be awesome to crochet with.

Well I'm going back to watching the Olympics. Go USA

Crocheted Hat and Scarf

2010-02-16T17:36:00.000-05:00

Well I have been freezing here and did not own an everyday scarf and hat. All I have is my church attire, so last night while watching the Olympics I crocheted up this gem. I found Lion Brand Hometown USA, super bulky Yarn at Walmart.. I found the pattern on their website. Matter of fact, Lion brand has hundreds of free patterns on their website, you can also buy direct from them.Lion Brand Yarn

Look under crocheted hat patterns. I have not crocheted in 30 years. I still need to embellish my scarf so stay tune for that saga.

I Won in the OWOH Giveaway

2010-02-16T10:02:00.005-05:00

I won the beautiful fairy pouch from Natures Brush Strokes
Designed by Leone. The Faerie Pouch is so beautiful, it is made with all the colors I love and even has silk flower embroidery on it. Its coming from Canada so it has a long journey ahead, until then I can admire it everyday. All my shuttles are fighting over who is going to reside in the Faerie Pouch.

I couldn't wait until I received my Faerie Pouch before I bragged about it, I am so excited I won it for several reasons.

1. It is coming from Canada where the Olympics is being held.

2. My niece's boyfriend comes from Canada and they own a Doggie Day Care there.

3. My husband's maternal grandparents are French Canadian and came from the Quebec area..

4. My husbands grandfather's mother was a Canadian Indian from the Quebec area.We do not know which tribe she came from, since all the elders in his family died when he was a child and no one kept any records.

5. They were all lacemakers in their family too. My mother-in-law did tatting and my husband's grandmother did tatting and crochet.

The OWOH winners

2010-02-15T07:44:00.003-05:00

I am happy to announce the winners of my OWOH giveaway.

Katie S ---won my tatted snowflake she is Ragamuffin Gal

Jenna Louise is QuiltCrazyGal ----won my tatted heart

Linda L is from Studio L3 --- won my heart stamp

Congratulations ladies, I hope you enjoy your winnings.

The Snow has ended

2010-02-13T13:12:00.001-05:00

We finally got 8 inches of snow. My secret garden was buried this morning and my birds were frantic. I had to go clean the snow off their feeders so they could eat.

Norman Jane Eborall's 2010 TIA

2010-02-12T20:11:00.002-05:00

Here is my TIA Rooster from Jane Eborall's 2010 TIA Norman. I have not worked on Norman's family yet because I was too busy tatting other things. Its back to tatting for me for the rest of the night. More than likely, I am going to be sick from going out in the snow to taking pictures.

Its Snowing

2010-02-12T18:01:00.005-05:00

Well the snow has finally arrived, and it is still snowing heavy, we already got 2.5 inches of snow and it does not look like it is stopping anytime soon.

Secret Garden Progress

2010-02-08T22:18:00.002-05:00

Oh yes! I can't forget the gnomes my son Thomas bought me for Christmas. I know they are anxious to go in the garden.

On January 24th I finished planting 6 azalea bushes, 7 holly bushes and 3 camellia bushes. I am almost done with the perimeter of my garden. Where you see the white chair and table there will be a long bench for me to sit and enjoy my tatting. Our home is off in the background. Our property ends at our wooden fence. We have a litte over an acre of land. So this is winter here in South Carolina in the Midlands.

The end to an otherwise perfect day

2010-02-07T00:26:00.000-05:00

It has been cold and misty all day today. I am ready for winter to be gone and spring to arrive. It has been a lazy day for me, so I decided to visit the blogs in the magic carpet ride. I have met some wonderful people around the world and in awe of their creative designs. Some I will never be able to do for lack of ability, that I know for sure. Well I need to get back to my tatting, right now I am in the process of creating a new tatting design, so far my first draft has worked out exactly like my drawing, that is a good sign. Some days the energy flows just right and other days not so well.

I also have to make some greeting cards to send out to my friends soon. My husband is calling me that my late night cup of tea is ready, later everyone.

One World One Heart 2010

2010-01-28T20:04:00.008-05:00

This is my 1st year participating in Lisa, the Whimsical Bohemian. I found her giveaway through my friend Gina Brummet.

I look forward to the give away and hope I will make new friends and learning new crafts.

I go by the name icela, that is a long story, the short version is in 1994 I started eating ice by the glass full, hence I got my name. I was 1st known as icelady and shorten it to icela. My real name is Mary Joseph Moretti Donohue. The Joseph is my middle name. I was named after my god father.

My main hobby is tatting which I learned in 1999 after 2 tatting lessons. I have also designed many tatting patterns and won numerous awards for my innovative designs. I also cross stitch, and started sewing when I was 12 years old.

If you want to participate, click on the image below:

For my 1st giveaway, I will be giving away my tatted day 3 snowflake, a design by Lene Bjorn from her book 24 Snowflakes in Tatting.

What better way than to celebrate February than add a 2nd giveaway My Diamond Rio tatted Heart Design.

I will end with a 3rd giveaway of a heart stamp, what better way is there than to create a lovely greeting card using this stamp.

February 15th is the drawing date, so don't be late getting your entry in by leaving a comment by midnight on February 14th. I will be using the randon number generator.

Day 3 snowflake

2010-01-07T00:29:00.008-05:00

I am still on the snowflake kick, here is another variation from Lene Bjorn's book 24 snowflakes. It was another one of those cold sunny windy days where it was better to stay in and watch the birds from my french doors and tat to my hearts content.

Tomorrow they are predicting snow, something SC rarely sees. John calls this my slush snowflake.

Well back to figuring out which doily I want to tat for my niece and her mate

TIAS 2010

2010-01-06T21:06:00.003-05:00

I thought I would try my 1st Jane Eborall's TIAS since it is freezing cold outside and I cannot work in my sitting garden.

I am using Lizbeth thread spring garden #124 and Col # 683

Snowflakes abound

2009-12-19T00:56:00.005-05:00

I finally got two snowflakes completed, with all the holiday festivities going on in our home. Christmas is such a grand time of the year. The kids are getting excited and on vacation until the 5th of January.

It is tradition in our family to give a special ornament for the tree every year. This year my gift to my children is the Third day of December snowflake from Lene Bjorn's book 24 Snowflakes in Tatting. Tatted in Lizbeth size 20 thread in white and color # 102.

Tatting meets paper at Christmas Time

2009-12-07T18:26:00.007-05:00

I was making my Christmas cards and thought that Ellen Lai's snowflake paper clip, from the on line tatting class would make a great small Poinsettia to embellish my cards.

Instead of picots, beads were added along with a center bead.

The card is an easel card (a stand up Christmas calendar).

Gypsy

2009-11-21T12:11:00.002-05:00

I just finished my new necklace design called Gypsy. It was tatted in size 20 Lizbeth thread color # 119.

New heart design

2009-11-10T11:56:00.002-05:00

Last Friday night I designed another heart by being inspired by a vintage yoke edging. I can't decide the perfect necklace for it. should it be rings and chains, a combination of rings and set stitches of course all with beads. I thought the rings and chains were too heavy for such a delicate piece. I keep wasting thread trying to make up my mind. I am leaning more toward split rings and beads at the moment.

I used Lizbeth thread size 20 color # 119

My prize arrived today from Marilee

2009-11-09T22:12:00.002-05:00

My threads from Marilee arrived today. What brilliant colors. I used Pizzazz before on some of my hearts. The color a leaf falls is really lovely too.

I never heard of Belle Armoire book before it is interesting and an inspiring magazine.

SCMR Butterfly

2009-11-02T02:06:00.002-05:00

I was fiddling with SCMR's tonight and came up with this SCMR butterfly

daisy picot flowers and butterflies

2009-11-01T21:49:00.002-05:00

Since today was a miserable day out, I worked on the daisy picot technique from Riet's book. I ran out of thread on my shuttles so this is what I ended up with.

The daisy picot

2009-10-29T13:44:00.003-04:00

I made some daisy picots this morning trying out my new book called Daisy picot patterns by Riet Surtel-Smeulders. I think Meagan will like these designs too.

Well back to tatting. I was going to go out and work in my garden with St. Francis but I think I will chill for awhile and take a nap since I got up at 7:30 a.m. this morning since I did not go to bed until 4:00 a.m. zzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Clarification on web links

2009-10-28T23:37:00.002-04:00

I do not put web links on my blog for two simple reasons.

1. I don't want to monitor the links to make sure they are still active
2. Since this is my blog, I feel like I should be able to present my blog how I want it presented and not how other people want me to present it.

If I use your pattern I do give your name, a web search with your name will find all your links. To me that is sufficient and the most current way.

I hope I have not offended anyone, if I have I am sorry, but this is my Fish Bowl of Tatting.

The Ribbons are Home

2009-10-26T11:10:00.018-04:00

Our Ribbons are home and in their rightful place for everyone to enjoy. A close up of my granddaughter Meagan's
winnings.

I was delighted to receive not only ribbons and money but 2 signed tatting books, one by Riet and one by Nina.

Tatted Necklace

2009-10-23T12:08:00.008-04:00

I just finished tatting up another of Jan Stawasz's designs from his book Tatting.

All my tatting is done in front side/back side tatting.
Instead of tatting it in size 10 thread I used Manuela size 20 thread in green. You do have to compensate by making more rings in the design. I made 21 rings before working on the 7 front designs. I could eliminate 3 rings on either side and still have a comfortable lenght. 3 rings w/beads = 1 inch or 15mm.

The 1st ring and last ring I did a SCMR so I could throw off a small ring for the clasp. I could eliminate SCMR and use a chain and ring instead. The necklace measures 19.25 inches or 49cm.