Motif 3 - Oh là là, Napoléon

Napoleon © 2011 Orsi

"A picture is worth a thousand words" is sometimes attributed to Napoleon Bonaparte. The Emperor didn't say it first, but the adage applies so well to this wispy bit of elegance.

Motif 3 - Napoleon
What started out as "just emptying shuttles" ended in this keeper of a motif designed by Orsi. Tatted in Lizbeth 40 #638 Christmas Green, the photos say it all.

For some reason the thread looks almost black in the top-down image - even without a flash. Nevertheless it shows the graceful shape punctuated with Josephine rings. So very pretty! Can't wait to see several of these joined together, can you?

Tatting Tea Tuesday
Today's tea is an infusion of minty sweetness that hits the spot during periods of laryngitis. It is Numi Moroccan Mint tea. Hot. (Brew. Steep. Sip. Repeat.) Nibbling on Chocolate Chip Pecan Sandies adds to the bliss when my hands aren't busy with shuttles.

This week I also tatted a Prima butterfly from LadyShuttleMaker's book The Exquisite Collection of Tatted Butterflies. (Click on the link to see one. It is in the top right corner of the multi-butterfly photo on LadyShuttleMaker's Etsy page.)

The butterfly was a special request for my neighbor's 6-year-old daughter. I surprised myself by tatting it in only a few hours!

Can you believe, in my excitement I forgot to take a photo of the butterfly? It is the first time anyone has asked me to tat something for them (other than The Sprout) and I was able to start it and complete it in one sitting. High five!

Motif 24 - Nelson Edging

Tying up a few loose ends before jumping into new tatting projects: can you believe I forgot to count Nelson Edging in my 25 motif challenge?

I posted about finishing the socks on April 26, but didn't count the edging toward my 25 Motif Challenge.

March 23 - A Time for Tatting

March 1 - Edging Toward Spring

You can see that this project took nearly two months for me to complete. This is a result of "catch as catch can" tatting and is in no way a reflection on Orsi's edging.
Nelson was a joy to tat!

Tatting with small children requires a bit of flexibility. You make the best of whatever tatting time is available. It comes in small snatches, like while you are waiting for the dryer buzzer to go off or for a pot of water to boil. Or after the kidlet(s) are tucked into their beds. Is this why so many tatters of yore kept a shuttle in their apron pocket?

A Brain Cloud?
Lapses of attention are becoming increasingly problematic. Even a bit alarming. (I forgot to buckle The Sprout into the car seat again today. And this time he reminded me while we were on a highway!) I walk around my house in circles because I put something down and can't find it. I search for words and can't remember if I leave things on. Am I losing my mind?

Luckily I found this article online that helped assuage my fears: Pay attention to your fuzzy thinking. Time for some pampering and extra sleep. YAY!

Tatting Tea Tuesday - Macarons

To celebrate Macaroon Day (March 20, 2011) I drove 15 miles to a Swiss Bakery and picked up these little gems. They were sold in sets of 3 or a larger package of 6. I saw no reason to limit my taste test. All in the name of blog research, of course.

Their size may surprise you. At roughly 1 inch (2.54 cm) in diameter, they are tiny bites of pure pleasure.

Carol Gillott, author of Paris Breakfasts blog, advises, "Macarons are supposed to be petit - un péché mignon (a little sin)."

Macarons also come in two larger sizes but not many people buy them. Parisians prefer the smaller, guilty pleasures. Who am I to argue?

Light, crunchy meringue exteriors give way to soft, gently flavored interiors (lemon, lime and  strawberry are pictured) with a buttercream or ganache filling.

I am so wild about these almond-and-air confections that I bought this from Amazon.com:

The book should arrive later this week. Once it does, it will be time to get baking! Cross your fingers that I will be able to make macarons to feed my foodie appetite.

A Time for Tatting

As for lace, I have finished the first of two 12 1/3-inch (32 cm) edgings and am working on the second.

Nelson Edging © 2011
Design by Orsi (part of her Napoleon series)

These edgings will adorn a pair of Easter socks.

Adult size Easter socks for my niece Jalice. Silly hats and crazy socks are popular pieces in the fashion repertory of my family.

I still haven't begun the meandering vine edging that Lace-lovin' Librarian Diane has been testing for her sister. And there are still Easter egg laces to try. So much to do and so little time!

Wishing you all blissful me time to create something beautiful. See you next Tuesday for more communi-tea!