Get Thee Gone, Pernicious Bug

Silly Hat Central has fallen prey to a pernicious bug. The good news is that it is not necrotizing filitis, the thread-eating bacteria.

This viral scourge has spawned three sets of double ear infections, an abominable amount of mucus/phlem and now, two cases of pink eye. Oh the humanity!

Needless to say, Silly Hat Central is under quarantine while we fight the good fight.

I leave you with a much happier tatting day, December 29, 2009, when Sw4nkyL4c3r and I met for tea and tatting. Enjoy!

Set the WABAC Machine

Can anyone suggest a good chick flick? I am not limited to preschooler viewing options, as Big Daddy is home with pink eye too and the DVD player is at the ready.

FREE Teapot Ornament Patternand sharing in Coffee/Tea Rivalry

Didn't want you to miss out on this free pattern offered by Living Crafts magazine -- a teapot!



Image Source: Living Crafts Magazine
Teapot Ornament Pattern

More free patterns are available to download in the Craft Room.

UPDATE: A longtime and dear friend, MageSteve, posted this holiday haiku today on Facebook that I thought fit perfectly with this lovely teapot ornament:

a shining teapot
beside cookies and crumpets
coffee, who needs it
- MageSteve

An ongoing rivalry with another Facebook friend (who I will affectionately call JavaJoe) is perfectly served with this haiku. JavaJoe posts weekly with a coffee-inspired quote. I counter with a tea-inspired quote. Just love it when a pal sides with me on tea!

And just so you can share in the friendly rivalry (it's not eavesdropping if I show you, after all)  here is JavaJoe's response to the holiday haiku:

Coffee comes in five descending stages: Coffee, Java, Jamoke, Joe, and Carbon Remover. ~Robert A. Heinlein, 'Glory Road'

And I countered with this:

If man has no tea in him, he is incapable of understanding truth and beauty. ~Japanese Proverb

Isn't this fun?

Winner Take All

It is time!

After an anguish-laced week of choosing among the 12 entries, one box finally peeked out shyly from the crowd and quietly said, "I'm the one."

The winner of 25 free balls of Lizbeth thread is:

*drumroll*

Sharon 

Sharon, please contact me privately with your address so I may forward it along to Handy Hands.

And thanks to ALL of the entrants! This contest was such a treat, even though the choosing was brutal. All of the entries were tops!

Contest is Officially Closed

The Chocolate Box Decorating Contest is officially closed. Let the judging begin!

A small flurry of entries arrived on the last day (not surprising since entries for these sorts of contests do take time to conceptualize) so let me go through the list again for everyone's convenience.

Batatter kicked things off with this impressive entry: chocolate box

Tattrldy jumped in with both feet and completed this adorable chocolate box: TTT with Chocolates

Not to be outdone, Karrianne submitted this winsome, fabric and tatting entry: Mini-chocolate box

Yavamoni submitted this fresh-as-spring entry via Intatters: decorated box 

Val turned in this superb satchel: Chocolates

Fate is a Good Provider

There is a saying in French, "le hasard fait bien les choses," which can be translated as "fate is a good provider." Lady Fate tipped her hat to Sharon. Just look at her entry: It must have been fate.

Sadly, Georgia was not able to submit an entry using an empty plastic celery bag. No worries, the idea alone gave us all a good chuckle! However, a silly celery hat may still be in the works. (By me, not Georgia.)

HUGE, groveling apologies to RainbowRose, who I left off the list earlier today. You don't want to miss her life-saving Tatter's First Aid Kit!

I offer up this slogan for Rainbow Rose's kit: "Supplies that Save Lives" and jokingly suggest adding a No Celery component (button, sticker, lanyard?) to the contents.

Icelas made her own box because she ran out of Whitman's chocolate boxes. New Bon Bon Box
(Now don't you wish you could be adopted?) ツ

Tattips' entry is truly a labor of love. Feminine, romantic and lacy: A Valentine chocolate box

Tatterjil sent in this entry, inspired by her childhood pet: Hedgehog Chocolates

Victats supplied a super-secret Sapphire storyline to accompany her entry: chocolate mmmmmm...

Last but not least, is Trayna who is having trouble getting her photo out of her camera (or scanner, can't remember which or maybe both).

So Trayna has been granted an extension and I will post her photo as soon as I can. (If it fails to arrive before December 6th I will have to disqualify her entry.)

UPDATE: [12/02/10] Here is Trayna's entry: Christmas comes but once a year...

Have I missed anyone?

If you have turned in an entry and don't see it listed here, please contact me immediately.

A winner will be announced on December 7th.

Thank you to all entrants!

Your boxes are all such brilliantly inspired creations. Browsing through the list never fails to give me goose-bumps. Well done, everyone!

Chocolate Box Contest Update

Just a reminder that the deadline for my decorated chocolate box contest is November 30, 2010. A winner will be announced on December 7th.

Here are the entries so far!

Batatter kicked things off with this impressive entry: chocolate box

Tattrldy jumped in with both feet and completed this adorable chocolate box: TTT with Chocolates

Not to be outdone, Karrianne submitted this winsome, fabric and tatting entry: Mini-chocolate box

Yavamoni submitted this fresh-as-spring entry via Intatters: decorated box

IMPORTANT NOTE: A window opens on Val's blog asking for you to enter a password. This is a phishing scam! Click on the "X" button to close the window. DO NOT TYPE IN A PASSWORD UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.

Val turned in this superb satchel: Chocolates

Fate is a Good Provider

There is a saying in French, "le hasard fait bien les choses," which can be translated as "fate is a good provider." Lady Fate tipped her hat to Sharon. Just look at her entry: It must have been fate.

O, Woe is She!
Georgia asked if she could submit her entry using an empty plastic celery bag, since her doctor has banned chocolate from her diet. Georgia, of course you can! (Fingers still crossed for this entertaining entry.)

In fact, I have half a mind to tat celery in protest of Georgia's plight. Or make a silly celery hat. Does anyone out there know of a block tatted celery bunch?  Martha?

This Just In!
Icelas made her own box because she ran out of Whitman's chocolate boxes.  New Bon Bon Box
(Now don't you wish you could be adopted?) ツ

Tattips' entry is truly a labor of love. Feminine, romantic and lacy: A Valentine chocolate box

Back to the Contest
Wow, y'all are really making this a tough choice. The boxes are all so brilliantly done.

(Honestly, if I were entering I would be more than a bit intimidated.) Did I say that out loud?  ツ

It is not too late to get your entry in!

Remember, 25 free balls of thread are waiting for 1 lucky winner!

But you've got to be in to win.

Good luck!

Motif #17 - "Angels in the Snow"

"Angels in the Snow" © 2010 Tatting Fool
Snowflake HDT in size 20 by Yarnplayer

Motif #17 - "Angels in the Snow" Flake

Time to show off my pretty snowflake tatted in size 20 Snowflake HDT by Yarnplayer.

It measures 9 cm. (3 3/8 inches) in diameter and took somewhere in the ballpark of 14 yards to tat.

Tatting Fool (also known as Miranda) offers this dilly of a design as a PDF download for $3 US to help raise money for the Brain Injury Association of New Mexico.

Tatting Tea Tuesday

With the the US Thanksgiving holiday just two days away, I should talk about turkey, the Macy's parade and football. But here I sit, sipping Santa Spice tea, nibbling Pepperidge Farm "Milano Slices" and listening to holiday music CDs while I wind shuttles.

"Angels in the Snow" © 2010 Tatting Fool
(same snowflake on a black background)
I am trying to stay motivated to tat snowflakes.

What I want to be doing is crafty tatting to decorate satin balls for my holiday tree.

Other tatters have a flurry of snowflakes to tuck into seasonal greeting cards. So far I have completed one. (Hey, I'm not knockin' it. One is better than zero.)

My next flake will be another "Angels in the Snow," but this time adding a few beads. Shocking for me, I know!

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

Sewmuch ♥ from Postie

Thursday you were all tortured treated to another knot-tea song lyric. But you haven't seen the tatting press and matching bag that Sewmuchfun4 sent me.

It is gloriously, fabulously and oh-so perfectly purple!

Needless to say, I love, love, LOVE it!

Thank you so, so much for this lovely handmade gift. I will treasure it always and use it often.

What? Leps, you say?

Why yes, indeed, Silly Hat Central is pleased to have two wee guests visiting. Of course, when I pulled out the camera they "lept" right in for some face time.

Here you see Fergal showing Ciarrán his skateboard (before he had even tucked away his travel case) and Miss Scarlett giving him a letter from home.

Greetings were warm and welcoming, and I am so pleased that Ciarrán did not forget his manners. It does not appear that rivalry over Blathnaid will be an issue. Here he is welcoming Fergal with a handshake.

Fergal and Ciarrán

Miss Scarlet and Ciarrán
Perhaps having a lovely brunette around has distracted the lad from his unrequited courtship?

Of course, Miss Scarlet has been the modicum of propriety and grace. And it is such a delight to have a proper lady in the house.

Ciarrán is totally stoked to host Fergal and Miss Scarlet and has been begging Fergal for board time. He loves showing off for them, but has taken a tumble (slam) or two as he learns to ollie and kickturn.

Ciarrán insists on Fergal and Miss Scarlet staying through the (US) Thanksgiving holidays. So we'll find out if Fergal and Miss Scarlet like roast turkey with all the trimmings.

More Knot-Tea Fun!

Sewmuchfun4 paid me the nicest compliment the other day. She likes my fractured song lyrics.

She has also mentioned how much she likes the purple partridge ornaments I made last year. So it only seems fair to offer up a new fractured song lyric based upon a Partridge Family song.

(The cartoon birds even look a wee bit like shuttles. Boye should create an ad using this image.)

C'mon, Get Happy!
Dedicated to All Tatters Everywhere
(but especially Sewmuchfun4)
Lyrics Adapted from:
The Partridge Family, "Come On Get Happy"

Hello world, here's a song that we're singin'
Come on, get Tatting!
A whole lot of lacin' is what we'll be bringin'
We'll get you Tatting!

We had a dream we'd be tatting together
We share our love of lace and then we keep movin' on
Somethin' always happens whenever we're together
We get a happy feelin' when we're tattin' along

Tattin' along, there's a song that we're singin'
Come on, get tatting!
A whole lot of lacin' is what we'll be bringin'
We'll get you Tatting!
We'll get you Tatting!
We'll get you Tatting!



NEXT: Sewmuch ♥ from Postie!

More Sneak Peeks!

Feast your eyes on the new Lizbeth colors coming in December.

Celtic Dream Weaver posted these a few days ago. She says they won't be available until after Christmas. So consider this a sneak peek for early 2011.

679 - Lime Green

155 - Ocean Sunset

This colorway has Lizbeth colors 623 Raspberry Pink Light, 644 Boysenberry Dark, 643 Grape Medium, 696 Autumn Orange Medium, 664 Ocean Teal Medium and 665 Ocean Teal Dark.

Just Say Ah...
Ocean Sunset transports me to the deck of an ocean liner at sunset. Join me  in a moment of cruise dreaming. (Virtual cocktail in hand, of course.)

As the last golden rays dip below the horizon, they take on a tinge of orange, melding into a perfect Caribbean twilight.  (Sip.)

Now where is that deck chair?


The next colorway came into being because a customer (not me) suggested it...

156 - Juicy Watermelon

Juicy Watermelon is made up of the following colors: Melon Light, Geranium Light, Geranium Dark, 628 Salmon Medium and 679 Lime Green

Nothing says summer like a refreshing slice of juicy watermelon. Add a few tiny black beads for seeds!

150 - Rootbeer Float

Rootbeer Float has 692 Mocha Brown Dark, 691 Mocha Brown Medium, Brown Medium-to-Brown Light and Beige Brown Light.

How Now Brown Cow?

This colorway is the thread equivalent of another quintessential summer treat. Bring on the Vanilla ice cream! Could someone please pass a bendy straw?


These next two solids really do remind me of crystal clear Caribbean waters...(because, let's face it, wouldn't we all rather be on a cruise? One that hasn't lost power because of an engine room fire, I mean.)

664 - Ocean Teal Med

665 - Ocean Teal Dk

672 - Burgundy

Can't take my eyes off this Burgundy. I see it blending well with vineyard or medieval tapestry-inspired tones. But I know you clever lacers will surprise me with your own ideas!

673 - Terra Cotta

Ah...earthy. Yet vibrant. This Terra Cotta is a great new shade. It will go so well with the wide range of yellows, oranges, browns and greens in the Lizbeth line. Used conservatively, it would also pair well with purple (and vice verse).

And last but not least, the colorway that I suggested:

149 - Peacock Blues

Electric Blue Dk, Electric Blue Med, 658 Ocean Turquoise Light and Deep Royal Blue. For those times when you just want to strut your stuff!

Sneak Peek Time!

Earlier this year I suggested a color to Barbara Foster, owner of Handy Hands.com. She liked it so much that she had it made into a new Lizbeth colorway!

Introducing...

Peacock Blues

Lizbeth 149 - Peacock Blues
This new colorway is made up of Electric Blue dark, Electric Blue Med, Lizbeth 658 (Ocean Turquoise Lt) and Deep Royal Blue.

It is brighter than Lizbeth 141 Turquoise Twist. I imagine it may pair well with #143 Royal Wave and maybe even #122 Caribbean or #125 Seascape. Fun times ahead!

I can't wait to tat one of Anne Bruvold's Minor Norwegian Dragons when the thread shipment arrives in December.

Ooh, and what a handsome Seahorse Dragon this will make...

(Anne Bruvold created the Seahorse Dragon based on Debbie Arnold's Seahorse. Both are lovely patterns.)

And that's just the beginning. There's more!
On Tuesday I will share another sneak peek...

Motif #16 - Magic Moment Snowflake

Jon Yusoff's Magic Moment Snowflake
Heather the Tarnished Tatter asked me this past week what tatting was I working on? So let me show you my completed Magic Moment snowflake.

This snowflake will be #16 in my 25 Motif Challenge. It is tatted with size 40 Lizbeth #154 Wildflower Garden and used roughly 14 yards.

I just love how the natural floral colors play out and can't wait to pair it with matching or coordinating solids.

This colorway really does remind me of a wildflower garden. The only things missing are wee fairies flitting among the colorful petals.

Magic Moment Snowflake
wrapped around a satin egg.
Hee, hee, doesn't this look like a baby eggplant?
Here is a cute knit baby eggplant too.

Can't wait to get my hands on some of this Wildflower Garden in size 20 when it arrives in late December. It will be great for Easter projects.

Contest Reminder: Box of Chocolates

Image Source: Lost at E Minor - La Molina Chocolates
Just a reminder that there is still time to enter my crafty tatting contest. Deadline is November 30, 2010 with a winner to be announced on December 7th.

The first entry is in: Carol

Remember, 25 free balls of thread are waiting for 1 lucky winner!

But you've got to be in to win.

Good luck!

Image Source: Casa de DogPoop's Flikr PhotoStream (permission pending)

---

Tatted Chocolate Box Contest

 To compete, you will need 1 empty chocolate box.

How you choose to empty it is entirely up to you. ツ

Or, if you're feeling super crafty, make your own box. Here is a link to a commercial site showing several different styles for inspiration. It can be big or small, any shape, whatever suits your fancy.

Please note, however, that hand-made boxes will not get preferential treatment over up-cycled chocolate boxes.

Tasteful entries that make me laugh will get preferential treatment. Please no nudity, zombie apocalypse or chocolate Jesus art.

(Alright, for all you Gleeks, the most tastefully decorated "grilled cheese-us" that includes 50% tatting will get an honorable mention. Apologies to tatters who have never seen the TV show GLEE.)

The RULES

1. Decorate your chocolate box with tatting. You may also use decorative trims, ribbons, papers, fabrics, flowers, beads, beer labels, etc. But 50% of the decoration must be tatting.

Any theme. (honey, holidays, Elvis, spa day, knots, pets, wine, Jane Austin, shoes, chain mail, passion for tatting...) Let your imagination run wild.

2. Photograph your tatted chocolate box and leave a clickable link to the image, along with your name (screen name) and contact information in the comments of THIS POST. Comments left on other posts will not be considered.

3. Entries that do not include name and contact information will be disqualified.

4. International entries accepted!

5. Deadline to submit your entry is November 30, 2010. Winner to be announced December 7, 2010.

A Honey of a Prize!

Here's what you could win: 25 free balls of Lizbeth thread, in the colors and sizes of your choice.

Yes, I will ship internationally! (CONFIRMED: Barbara Foster at Handy Hands will ship direct to you at my expense.)

Anna Meloni's Tatted Crystal Drops

Saw this on Facebook and didn't want anyone to miss it.

This Italian artist has included tatting (small ornaments at the bottom of the image) as well as macrame in her Crystal Drop creations. Bellissima!

Here is a link to the Facebook image:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/photo.php?fbid=111704958846441&set=a.101575693192701.3824.100000208111892

If you are a Facebook user, I encourage you to click on the link and share your comments.

A Big Thank YOU!

Thank you ALL for your outpouring of warm, supportive wishes this past week. Every single one is appreciated so much more than words can express.

First repeat of Jon Yusof's
Magic Moment Snowflake © 2009

Tatting Tea Tuesday

Since today is Tatting Tea Tuesday, and since my order of size 40 Lizbeth #154 Wildflower Garden arrived yesterday, I poured my sadness into testing out this vintage-inspired colorway.

Tatting is great therapy! But you already knew that. I needed a bit of reminding. Jon Yusof's Magic Moment Snowflake pattern makes for very soul-satisfying tat therapy.

Sorry to have scanned it with the wrong side showing. My next scan will be right-side up.

Can you believe this is the first time I have tatted this pattern? But I knew this snowflake was worth the wait.

Ruth Scharf leaves in a snowflake?

First Try at a Snowflake Design
Some design inspiration flowed from my fingers this past week. While I was perusing one of Ruth Scharf's leaf books I noticed that all of her patterns used those gorgeous leaves inside the motifs. Never around the edge.

Naturally I had to find out if there was a good reason for this or if Mrs. Scharf merely preferred her leaves as a more central element in her designs.

This first try is far from perfect. In fact it has a long way to go. But I like how the leaves look around the edge.

A cluster of Scharf leaves in the center would add drama. See? Mrs. Scarf had the right idea all along!

I was also thinking that something like this might look good on a satin ornament (either a ball or an egg) and I think I will play around with this idea also.

Valiere Square Success

Last but not least is my Valiere Square do-over. I did not abandon the first one, but I had just enough thread left on the shuttles so I said, "Why not?"

Since ice cream cones aren't as popular when the mercury drops below sunbathing range, I am looking for something else to do with this. (Other than a bookmark.) Has anyone ever tried a Valiere Square Snowflake? Hmmm...

Sad News - Miscarriage

I found out this morning that Little Roo did not survive past week 8. So of course I have the heavy-hearted duty of spreading the word to friends and family.

I rolled the dice when I chose to announce I was pregnant before week 12, and I lost. But I know that these things happen for a reason. If it is meant for us to have another baby then we will.

Hugs to you all and thank you for your understanding during this sad time.

Little Roo (#2) on the Way!

I was testing a new widget to add to the blog in a few weeks, but more than one eagle-eyed tatter spotted it (for the few seconds it was live). So yes, indeed, I am pregnant with my second child. Squeeeeee!

I am so incredibly excited over this news! Having to sit on my hands so I didn't blurt it out was so hard to do! That is why my blog has been a bit quiet these past few weeks. Looking back, remember my posts about feeling all scatter-brained and my tatting not working out right?

Heh, heh, it turns out those were early signs. I was aware as early as three weeks after conception, but wrote off the "pregnesia" even as I described it to friends as "a lot like pregnancy brain, but not."

So far I have been lucky and have not had any morning sickness, but last time around I did feel nauseous for a short period at the end of trimester one. So the jury is still out on whether or not I will feel ill later on.

Since it is still too early to tell if we're having a boy or a girl, we've decided to use Lil Roo as an in vitro name.

Lil Roo's due date is estimated to be on or around June 2nd.

Cross your fingers and say your prayers that everything progresses well until we're "out of the woods" (week 12)

Big Daddy is rooting for a girl this time. I am happy either way, so long as the baby is healthy. And of course The Sprout is quite pleased at the idea of being a Big Brother.

On Chocolate, Movies & a Contest!

One of my favorite chocolate quotes is:

"I could give up
chocolate but
I'm not a quitter."

Chocolate & Zucchini

I feel the same about Chocolate & Zucchini. (C&Z)

Though the blog was only created in 2003, I have been a fan of C&Z for what seems like more than 10 years.

C&Z author Clotilde posts a weekly column called Edible Idioms. This clever column speaks to my love of idiomatic expressions.

Today Clotilde posted an Edible Idiom that was new to me: faire son miel de quelque chose. It means to profit from a situation.

In honor of today's edible idiom, let's "make our honey" with a crafty tatting contest!

Image: Simon Howden / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Tatted Chocolate Box Contest

To compete, you will need 1 empty chocolate box.

How you choose to empty it is entirely up to you. ツ

Or, if you're feeling super crafty, make your own box. Here is a link to a commercial site showing several different styles for inspiration. It can be big or small, any shape, whatever suits your fancy.

Please note, however, that hand-made boxes will not get preferential treatment over up-cycled chocolate boxes.

Tasteful entries that make me laugh will get preferential treatment. Please no nudity, zombie apocalypse or chocolate Jesus art.

(Alright, for all you Gleeks, the most tastefully decorated "grilled cheese-us" that includes 50% tatting will get an honorable mention. Apologies to tatters who have never seen the TV show GLEE.)

The RULES

1. Decorate your chocolate box with tatting. You may also use decorative trims, ribbons, papers, fabrics, flowers, beads, beer labels, etc. But 50% of the decoration must be tatting.

Any theme. (honey, holidays, Elvis, spa day, knots, pets, wine, Jane Austin, shoes, chain mail, passion for tatting...) Let your imagination run wild.

2. Photograph your tatted chocolate box and leave a clickable link to the image, along with your name (screen name) and contact information in the comments of THIS POST. Comments left on other posts will not be considered.

3.  Entries that do not include name and contact information will be disqualified. 

4.  International entries accepted!

5. Deadline to submit your entry is November 30, 2010. Winner to be announced December 7, 2010.


A Honey of a Prize!
Here's what you could win: 25 free balls of Lizbeth thread, in the colors and sizes of your choice.

Yes, I will ship internationally! (Or, if Barbara Foster at Handy Hands agrees, Handy Hands will ship direct to you at my expense. I am still waiting for a return call from Barbara on this point.)

Finally, Chocolate Fantasies
At the risk of veering off into an unrecoverable tangent, let me just add that Clotilde's blog posts (remember Chocolate & Zucchini?) frequently speak straight to my love of food and romance. Take, for example, this post about Quail and Rose Petal Sauce from the movie "Like Water for Chocolate" (1992)

"Like Water for Chocolate" is a perennial favorite at Silly Hat Central. But then, foodie movies have always held a special place in this chic's flick-friendly heart. Consider this foodie flick top 10. I have seen them all (more than once) with the exception of "I Am Love."


So go pop in your favorite foodie movie (or make a date to do so) and think about how you will decorate a box of chocolates.  Remember, 25 free balls of thread are waiting for 1 lucky winner.

Brain Boost?

Found this today via @AlyssaMilano's Twitter feed:

How to Rebuild Your Attention Span

Maybe there is hope for my brain? (Heh, heh, at least until I acquire my own version of Brain Cell #3.)

The enviable CrazyMom visited Toccoa, GA, this past weekend to share some tatter-bonding time with KarrieAnn, Sharren and her friend Catherine. Read all about it: Fun with the girls

My friend Leslie told me about a lady she has been chatting with in her daughter's youth conference group who learned to tat from a group of British ladies several years ago. This woman wants to get back into tatting and Leslie graciously offered to introduce her to me. Cross your fingers that I will meet and re-introduce tatting to this new friend in the next few months.

Well, I don't have much time to blog these days, but I wanted to check in with you all and let you know that I am still reading as many of your blogs as I can and commenting as often as possible.

Missing you all!

A Ruse by Any Other Name . . .

Let's start with a Sprout story.

The Sprout has an "eenie meenie mynie mo" boy in his class who is having trouble learning to share. After every class I hear how this boy pushes, grabs or hits Sprout.

This morning Sprout said he couldn't go to school because he had a fever. 'Hmmm, he really doesn't want to confront that EMMM boy,' I thought.

As it turns out, he was using the EMMM boy as a means to an end. He wanted to go visit the doctor's office because the doctor has a shark car toy [Fisher-Price Car-nivore Shark] that Sprout would trade anything for. He wants this shark car toy and is willing to ruse to get it. That's smart and devious.

Tomorrow I go to the doctor's office, where Sprout will play with said coveted car-nivore and pitch a screaming fit when I won't let him take it home.

Guild News and Tatting Tea Tuesday

This past Saturday two new lacers came to the monthly guild meeting. Both were shuttle tatters. Our little guild has grown to almost 10 members in the past two years. When I joined there were 6 (counting me). Great news!

So today I raise my teacup and offer a toast to lace guilds everywhere who are welcoming new members. It is a wonderful sign of renewed interest in tatting, as well as all other lace forms.

Today's tea is a mixed concoction of decaf pomegranate green and apple cider. Super tasty!

In between sips, I stare longingly at the pumpkin teapot pattern from Martha Ess.

But I can't start on a teapot until the mixed media project is finished. MUST finish before starting anything else. Here is a snapshot of my progress.

Tunisian Crochet and Broomstick Tatted Lace
(prototypes for a mixed media bookmark)
The white sample on the left is tatted in size 20 Flora #201. The color sample on the right is tatted in size 40 Lizbeth: Navy #654, Ecru #603 and Marble #121.

I chose this color combination purposefully. Some variegated threads work with certain patterns and not so much with others. Many tatters think this variegated thread is ugly and unusable. I find it to be masculine and strong like its namesake.

I love how this thread resembles veined marble on the ball. The veining effect is present in the lace, but perhaps the strong stripes are too bold or clash with the variegated thread?

Looking past the color questions, I love how the bit of hen-and-chicks finishes the ends. Does the edging complement the broomstick tatted lace? Is the Tunisian Crochet a pleasing counterpoint? I think it breaks up the motion of the lacework, giving the eye a resting place much like negative space.

The trick, as you can see from my samples, is to crochet the fabric evenly. I use a bullion crochet hook to crochet this one-inch panel.

It is also important to note that both of the samples in the photo are incomplete. Another section of Tunisian Crochet with a hen-and-chicks edging needs to be added to the opposite side of the broomstick tatted lace to complete the work.

Ah! I could go on and on and on with this analysis and get nowhere. You see why I have been consumed these past few weeks.

Where do YOU think this experimental project should go? In the trash bin? Back to the drawing board? To the finish line? I invite you to weigh in and share your thoughts.

Tatting Tea Tuesday: Feelish Sheepish

There was much gnashing of teeth this past week as I vainly tatted, picked out, re-tatted, picked out again, re-tatted again...(repeat this cycle several more times) the Valiere Square.

What started as a simple tat to celebrate summer has turned into a real groaner for the old grey spaghetti.

Forgive me, for I have been stupid
Maybe my brain went on vacation. (Can the mind play tricks in absentia?)

Why wasn't it working?

Valiere Square, round 2

Is Stupidity Contageous?
Round two of the Valiere Square consists of simple five-picot chains that connect around round one. There was even a handy note about joining two picots together in one join. Easy peasy.

But when I tatted it, the motif cupped around my index finger like a perfect little thimble.

(See my error yet? Oh, what a staggering blend of hubris and idiocy. Not reading the directions carefully leads to this kind of carelessness every time.)

Second try (8 picots = 18 stitches) was much better, but it still curved in on itself a bit.

Third try (10 picots = 22 stitches) lies perfectly flat. Sweet success! Right?

Nope. See anything different about my motif, compared to the pattern image?  Let me show you the two images together:

Valiere Square with inset image

See it now? D'oh!

Can you believe for a WEEK I have been fussing over this pattern, never realizing that I only joined to HALF the connection points? The answer was right there, in the photo, in the stitch counts (i.e. the math), right there all the time.

Boy, do I feel sheepish!

Anyone know of a brain restorative tea that I can drink between now and next Tuesday?

Autumn in the Air

Champagne grapes, crisp apples and pumpkins on the vine. Morning fog too. These things make my fingers itch for knitting wool. And baking pies and pumpkin chocolate chip cookies. And scrapbooking.

Autumn must be in the air.

Another summer is drawing to a close and I haven't made the Valiere Square ice cream cone. AUGH! (Charlie Brown's anguished cry after Lucy pulls away the football.)

Though the morning air felt a bit nippy, the afternoon was sunny and warm. I am taking it as a SIGN to start the Valiere Square ice cream cone.

This is how far along I got during The Sprout's play date at a local playground.

The pink thread is Flora 20 color #207 raspberry rose.

My focus was to tat entirely by feel - not scrutinize the stitches - and keep my eyes on The Sprout while he raced around the playground. It was hard to resist scrutinizing, but I managed to not look until I needed to make a picot (gauge-free).

Round one looks uneven but with practice it will improve. This time last year I physically couldn't make stitches without looking at them. I feel satisfied with this improvement, even with the gapsosis in the sample.

The tea kettle has come out of summer storage and has been working overtime since Sunday brewing Theraflu concoctions for Hubby with a Headcold.

Hubby is better today and the kettle can again return to its first duty - tea. My tea infusion for today is a delicious Vanilla Nut Cream Decaf.  It's not Lord Nelson, but it is tasty.

Tatting Tea Tuesday
A hearty, warm welcome to all "communi-tea" newcomers! If you have read about tatters who drink coffee, diet coke or beer with their Tuesday Tatting (I still chuckle over Tatting Beer Tuesdays. What next?) and are slightly confused...

Here are the rules:

• Set aside some time to tat.
• Put the kettle on for tea. (or your beverage of choice)
• Share your progress on your blog or your favorite tatting group list, with "Tatting Tea Tuesday" in the headline or email subject line.

(Adding the communi-tea part is optional, I just like the pun.)

And don't forget to leave me a comment with a link to your post or message so I can come see.

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

Tat Days, part 2

Yesterday I spent my blog writing time working on a newsletter article for my lace guild on the topic of Tat Days. The rest of the evening was gobbled up preparing The Sprout's preschool gear, nursing hubby's headcold and making home-made chicken soup.

So (if you don't mind?) I would like to beg off my usual Tatting Tea Tuesday routine to share the Tat Day article with you.

Tomorrow expect a post reviewing the Tatting Tea Tuesday "rules" for newcomers. 

Without further adieu...

Classes, contest and camaraderie at Tat Days

Classes, contests and camaraderie punctuated the 8th annual Palmetto Tat Days, held on August 27-28, 2010, in Toccoa, Georgia. IsDihara attended with her family and reports back with highlights of the two-day event.

There is much to be excited about if you are a tatter, like me, attending her first Tat Days conference. Hosted by the Palmetto Tatters Guild, this annual event welcomed 75 tatters and their guests, spouses and friends from around the world. 

What a marvelous, tat-in adventure it was! My first impressions were of warm welcomes, adding faces and names to dozens of online friends, incredible classes, shopping and more.

Eight teachers and assistants shared techniques, tips and patterns in more than 30 classes, plus early bird and night owl tatting sessions. Outside of class, games like Tatting Jeopardy, Tat Off! (a speed tatting contest) and a door prize game kept everyone in stitches. 

If you came to tat, you had plenty of opportunity to do it nonstop. But learning and levity were also on tap as tatters reunited with long-distance friends or put faces to names for the first time. The atmosphere was very much like a family get-together.

I marveled at seeing more than one or two tatters in the same room, interacting and learning together. I was amazed at the silent auction items, the Mary Konior display and the display of tatted works people brought just to show and tell. Each year one show-and-tell project is awarded a People’s Choice prize and another prize is awarded for Best of Show.

In addition to the display items, the tatting people wore on their bodies and the laces flying off their shuttles and needles were gorgeous. Tatted hats, vests, lanyards and jewelry were but a smattering of the lace modeled around the site.

The crazy quilt drawing and live auction was a huge success. It raised a record-breaking $3,200 for the Tat Days Scholarship fund! The quilts were incredible: one king-size, one baby, two lap-size and another special Elvis-themed lap quilt.

The vending room was filled with threads, tools, trinkets and books galore! It was a veritable lace-making Shangri-la. It didn’t take long for me to exhaust my pocket money, but the opportunity to browse, touch, compare and pet the threads was priceless.

On January 16, 2010, a famous tatter passed away. Mary Konior is world-renowned for her tatting books and her lacework. It is quite safe to say that if you find a circle of tatters working patterns, you will usually find one of Mary’s books. 

Sue Hanson flew over from the UK to share a display of Mary’s tatted lace for the last time. The executors of Mrs. Konior’s estate had petitioned the display to be returned so it could be sold at auction. It was bittersweet to see her lace legacy for the first time and know that it was for the last time.

In summary, everyone I met at Tat Days was more wonderful than I could ever have imagined. It was an incredible experience from start to finish and I heartily encourage anyone to attend next year.

Tatting Tea Tuesday - Tidbits

Today is The Sprout's first day of preschool! We got him up, washed, dressed, fed and out the door without too much of a struggle. His first day is only an hour and a half. Nothing to get too worked up over, though Big Daddy was certain I would cry.

Okay, okay. I started to tear up at the last moment. But only because the teacher's assistant came over and said, "You can leave now if you're ready. No reason to cry."

Of course, then Big Daddy said, "Oh no! You said cry." And sure enough, tears started to well up.

That's sabotage, right?

Tatting Tea Tuesday

Tatting Tea Tuesday is dedicated to tidbits. Small snippets of information that will sort of catch me up enough to focus on one or two more Tat Days posts.

Mojito Mint tea and Pepperidge Farm "Chesapeake" dark chocolate pecan cookies accompany today's post. My shuttles are loaded to continue work on the "summer fun" bookmark that I posted about on June 15. Will I complete it before the first snow falls? 

My homage to the "Ladies of Missalonghi" from August 24 isn't far enough along to photograph either. But the butterfly cakes were delicious. 

Fifteen seconds of fame?

Have you seen the Sept./Oct. 2010 issue of Piecework magazine? It was the topic of my August 20 post.

An article on page 46, entitled "A Tray Cloth to Hemstitch" includes a lovely vintage tatted edging. But there is no mention of how to tat the lace should someone wish to recreate the tray cloth.

A side bar on how to miter a corner as well as a how-to diagram for antique hemstitching are included. For the tatting all it says is: "Handsew the lace around the edge of the tray cloth. Steam-press."

So I emailed the editors to share a source for the vintage tatted edging.

The pattern may also appear in other sources, but the one I had on my reference shelf was from a reprint of Butterick's Tatting and Netting, 1896 (New York).

Wouldn't you know? I got a nice note back asking for permission to print my email in a future issue of the magazine's "By Post" column. How cool is that?

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

Motif #15 - Broomstick Tatted Bookmark

Broomstick Tatted Bookmark
© 2010 Martha Ess

Time to show off my second completed project from Palmetto Tat Days 2010!

Isn't this bookmark just so for finishing up your late summer beach reading?

It is tatted in Lizbeth 20 #125 Seascape and measures 5 inches (12.7 cm) long by 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide. It will count as motif #15 for my 25 motif challenge.

This bookmark would look terrific in bold, peacock colors, transitional or monochromatic colors, rich gem tones or even soft pastels.

Two solid colors would also give it striking dramatic appeal. Bling is an option for folks who know how to add beads into the center of rings.

The good patterns are always this way, aren't they? Versatile. Timeless.

Martha, thank you for sharing this great lace bookmark!

Swept Off My Feet
Sometimes all it takes is a passing glance. Sometimes more. Serendipity lent a hand in my latest infatuation — broomstick lace.

In August I signed up to take Martha Ess' bookmark class at Palmetto Tat Days. Mid-month, broomstick lace crochet was demonstrated at the county fair. By September 1^st I was swept up in broomstick lace love.

First six rows of Broomstick (Jiffy) Lace Scarf

Segue: Two Types of Tatters

Learning new techniques is a big part of my motivation behind and passion for tatting. Those of you who are production tatters may not understand this. You thrive on finishing projects.

A production tatter doesn't have UFOs. They must finish one project before starting another.

Technique tatters thrive on learning new techniques and have been known to switch gears mid-stream or set aside a project to start another one.

When my first attempt at the broomstick tatted bookmark went awry (image below), I switched to broomstick crochet.

The broomstick crochet kept me focused on the technique while I muddled through options of weaving in the extra-long picots on the Bali sample. I was playing around with weaving the picots of ring one and ring two through each other and then applying the swirl join at the top (ring 2 picots would travel over to become ring 1 swirl join and vice verse...) when fate stepped in.

First Serendipity, Then Fate 
One day The Sprout decided to "make laces" with mommy's shuttle and a snap was heard that struck fear into my lace-lovin' heart. He had been swinging the lace over his head like a flail and the cord snapped, sending the shuttle and lace flying across the room.

The lesson learned (aside from the deep well of patience that kept the boy alive) is that three-cord threads aren't as strong as six-cords threads.

Yes! I actually tested that theory and allowed The Sprout to repeat his flail test. Twice. The six-cord thread held through both flail trials. And The Sprout had a great time helping mommy. The finished bookmark was the six-cord flail test cotton!

Now you know that six-cord threads are Destruct-O Boy approved for all your tatting needs. ツ

Motif #14 - Mary Fitch's Poplar Leaf

Mary Fitch's Poplar Leaf
Karey Solomon © 2010

Sharing my first Tat Days finished piece -- the Poplar Leaf from Karey Solomon's Early Bird class on Saturday, August 28, 2010.

Now, I did not attend the early bird class since I was staying off-site (17 miles away). But the nice Tat Days staffers graciously gave me a copy of the pattern.

This leaf is more along the lines of what I imagine is a manageable pattern for Tat Days. And isn't it just a darling little leaf?

Motif #14

This counts as motif #14 for my 25 motif challenge. It is tatted in Lizbeth 40 #138 Leafy Greens and measures a petite 1 by 1 1/4 inches (2.5 cm by 3.2 cm).

The pattern is Karey Solomon's re-envisioning/adaptation of a 1916 pattern by Mary Fitch. This leaf is in her "Tree of Life" book.

Karey says tatting this leaf is a great way to use up partial thread on your shuttle. It is a single shuttle pattern and only takes about 3 yards of thread.

Karey, you've done it again. Thank you for enchanting us with this petite leaf and offering up a mini-tat to use up left-over threads.

Tatting Tea Tuesday — Never Enough Thyme

Whew! Freshly returned from Tat Days, I am itchin' to show you all the new things I learned. Sadly, I spent more time chattin' than tattin' and don't have a whole lot to show.

My mission today is to share a "secret" that I have been keeping. *drum.roll*

Thyme Leaf

My first design! It is a thyme leaf, but really you could use it for roses or any other leafy purpose. It looks wonderful tatted in Lizbeth #138 Leafy Greens (above). It also looks great tatted in solid colors.

It can be tatted with or without split rings, in one or two rounds and with or without beads.

For those who prefer not to tat split rings, tat the two inside clover elements separately, joining the second to the first according to the diagram. Then tat the second row separately. (Three sets of ends to hide.) 

If hiding all those ends makes you feel a little faint, it can also be tatted all in one pass.

Why the secrecy? Tat Days attendees were given this pattern as a freebie in their welcome packets. It was imperative that they all get one, you see...

"The game is afoot."

A tatting game was unleashed upon Tat Days, called Tathogen. It spreads like a virus because it is a virus game. This wicked little microbe eats your precious thread, unless you tat a cure.

The first morning of Tat Days I was overjoyed to find that a few early birds had already tatted their cure and were wearing thyme leaves on their ID badges. As I mingled, I handed out little cards that read "You've just caught necrotizing filitis. Please report to the quarantine area for treatment."

Oh boy! It didn't take long before folks were refusing those cards! They would say, "Oh, I don't want that!"

Nobody wanted to put their thread at risk. (Hee, hee.)

At the end of the conference, one tatter told me that she didn't like my games. They were too risky!

I'm guessing she enjoyed the element of danger. I appreciated her good-natured humor. It is more fun when folks play along!

Careful, it's catching
The pattern may have been a bit ambitious to complete during the hectic two-day schedule. But that's okay. Now you can tat yourself a cure to protect your thread!

Because you never know when the next Tathogen outbreak may strike.  ツ

Photos from Tat Days, part 1

Waving Hi from Tat Days! What a marvelous, tat-in adventure it has been so far. Warm, southern-style welcomes, adding faces and names to dozens of online friends, incredible classes, shopping and more.

Photos are added. It is good to be home (*hugs.home.network*)

Georgia posing with Ciarrán.

Perhaps the most surprising thing was that I didn't fall down in a dead feint at meeting Georgia Seitz. In fact, when I introduced myself she gave me the biggest hug. Thank you, Georgia, for being even more wonderful in person than you are online.

If you click on the image to enlarge it and zoom in on Georgia's ID badge, you will see her thyme leaf warding off insidious microbes. It is not the clearest photo. The leaf is tatted in Lizbeth 40 #136 Autumn Spice and I thought it looked so pretty!

She got that leaf as a gift from me, since she was so busy during the conference. Couldn't leave Georgia's threads unprotected, no!

Tatters chatting in the lobby.

By my estimation, 75 lacers attended Tat Days.

Everyone I met is more wonderful than I could have ever imagined. Truly. Everyone.

First impressions

Southern hospitality rocks! What a luxury to find real feather pillows and a down comforter on the bed. The waitress at our first restaurant, a place called Ribeyes, went out of her way to suggest local attractions for The Sprout and never once let on that we talked funny.

The steaks and burgers were so tasty at Ribeyes that we ate there twice. It was always hoppin'-busy and the clientele raved to us about how much they loved the food.

The second night the same waitress greeted us warmly and said, "You came back!" Then she asked The Sprout if he saw the Zedonk at the zoo. As busy as that woman was both times, I was surprised she remembered us at all. That's hospitality, eh?

But back to Tat Days! So many tatters' faces that were familiar to me from photos are now personalized with conversations, shared classes and meals, games, activities and chats.

Martha Ess shows Krystledawne's mom Karieann (left) and me (right) how to tat her broomstick tatted bookmark.

Karrieann turned out to be sitting right next to me in my first Friday class. Crazy Mom was a few seats away. Pre-class conviviality turned many unfamiliar faces into new tatting friends.

CrazyMom, how did I manage to spend so much time with you and NOT get a photo of you?!? 
(Methinks you are crazy like a fox.)  I'm so envious that you took Nina's bead class! So many great classes and not enough hours in two days to take them all.

Photo kindly shared by HJ Hess (center)
John (left), me (center front) and Karriean (right)

Krystledawne, more proof that I met your marvelous mom!

Squeeee! Martha Ess taught my first class -- a broomstick tatted bookmark. This was the class I was most eager to take and it turned out to be the biggest challenge. *mumbles* (...still haven't completed it...) But I will!  It is such a brilliant pattern! FAB! Cross your fingers that I finish it tonight.

Crafty Tatting 2 class with Georgia Seitz and Bernie Cosell (another VA tatter) was so much fun! We learned how to make pop-up inserts on which to affix tatted motifs and these 3D paper holiday trees we then could decorate with tatting. Crafty goodness!

Bernie taught me Maltese Rings. It was so easy once I got over my mental block. Thanks, Bernie! Now I can tackle those teapots in Martha's "T is for Tatting" book that I have been longing to tat.

Wally posing with Ciarrán after class.

I took two classes on Saturday with Wally Sosa and oh my! Both Wally and her techniques are delightful. I danced out of her classroom on twinkle toes thinking of ways to add Schwarino Flying Rings and Rolled Picots to my projects.

It is so difficult not to break into peels of gleeful squeals over every tiny detail. I am trying to maintain a modicum of composure, but you all must realize that I was such a wide-eyed, first-timer!

I marveled at seeing more than one or two tatters in the same room, interacting and learning together. I was amazed at the silent auction items, the Mary Konior display (more on that later) and the display of tatted works people brought just to show and tell.

I was humbled by the gorgeous tatting people wore on their bodies and the laces flying off their shuttles.

Meeting Riet Surtel-Smeulders was such a treat! Riet was so sweet to share bars of Belgian chocolate with The Sprout (I got one too). YUM!

But the most humbling thing was how many people approached me and said how they knew me. Hegla, bless her heart, even described me as FAMOUS (What?) and like family.  But every sentiment and gesture touched my heart deeply.

'Cause you all don't realize how special it was for me to meet and spend time with all of YOU! The pleasure was entirely mine. I can't wait until I get to see you all again to make more Tat Days magic.

So -- anon, when I can share photos and tales of a leprechaun reunion, high jinks, a lep of unusual size (that Ciarrán quippingly called Gigantor) and the lovely Miss Scarlet!