Tatting in Piecework, Sept./Oct. issue

My issue of Piecework magazine just arrived via post and I ran to the laptop to share my glee over the theme and the tatting.

This issue is dedicated to needlework in literature and I couldn't be happier. I am so glad I didn't miss this issue!

You all need to know that I don't get any compensation from Interweave Press. I just really like their mags.

As I turned the pages, however, I began to get worried that this issue might not include any tatting.

Outside of a random mention of the word "tat" (which was actually referencing knotting) in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, I do not know of any fiction books containing tatting references. Do you?

I shouldn't have been worried. You'll be happy to know that on page 44 there is a large cover photo of various lace handkerchiefs, the top two of which sport dainty tatted edgings. Hurray!

The Ladies of Missalonghi

According to the lovely article, Australian novelist Colleen McCullough (who wrote The Thorn Birds among others) includes tatting in her novel The Ladies of Missalonghi. My library loan has already been processed online. A copy awaits pick-up tomorrow. ツ

It gets better! The follow-up article is titled, "A Tray Cloth to Hemstitch" by Mary Polityka Bush. It shows Ms. Bush's' tray cloth edged with vintage tatted lace and includes a sidebar on how to miter a corner. The photo even includes a fine bone china teacup filled with a tempting brew.

This Tuesday (August 24) my tatting and tea will be in homage to the ladies of Missalonghi and those superb editorial souls at Piecework magazine for creating this marvelous issue. There will be tea and butterfly cakes. And I invite you all to join in the fun.

Just a day or two later I board a plane to Toccoa, GA to attend Tat Days. Hope to see you there!

P.S. Last fall I wrote an article for my lace guild's newsletter (Winter 2009 issue) on the origins of tatting. If you happen to click over to read it, please sign the guest book!

Oh, and how could I forget to mention the ad from LACIS? (See? My thoughts are scattered all higgilty-piggilty today.) They have brought back the plastic Boye shuttles in an impressive range of colors. These affordable shuttles ($3 each) hold more thread than the plastic Clovers, so I will be giving them a test run. Will you?

Holy Schemoley! Shuttle Search Solved

Sorry to all who came looking for a Tatting Tea Tuesday post last week. I had a doctor's appointment so I published the Zoo Flakes post instead.

Later that day I checked other TTT posts and saw that the sweltering heat in the US kept more than a few tatters indoors with their laces.

Wanda's post reminded me that I have this delicious Vanilla Rooibos tea just begging to be brewed. So today I am enjoying some iced Vanilla Rooibos and having a Tatting Tea Tuesday do-over.

But before I start tatting, I want to share some news.

♥ for Postie

Last Monday Postie brought a package from Lace Lovin' Librarian Diane.

Ciarrán got so excited he tore open the package and crawled out with the contents.

Holy Schemoley! She sent me one of her Diana Andra shuttles as a gift! See it here with my favorite rosewood shuttle? I have been on the look-out for the artisan of this model of shuttles for a number of years.

Here's the backstory: two weeks ago during one of my blog-crawls, I discovered this photo of Diane's. Eureka! Could it be?!?

LLL Diane shared where she bought hers and suggested I contact the artisan via Turn of the Century.

Unfortunately, Diana Andra had to stop making shuttles due to carpal tunnel syndrome. I shared this information with LLL Diane and she sent me one of her shuttles.

I am thrilled beyond description to be the recipient of such generosity and kindness. Thank you, Diane. I will treasure this shuttle forever!

Stop by again tomorrow for the tatting I meant to show you today. I've got to go try out the gorgeous new Diana Andra shuttle!

NEXT: Queen of Hearts Three Ways

Third Place Showing

~ Tea Time Tatting ~
My County Fair Entry

It's not easy posting my fair results -- a hope-dashing third place showing.

The photo has the misfortune of being taken through two panes of glass.

(Instead of being displayed with the other entries, mine was moved to a ground-level shelf in a cabinet 50-feet away. To give the organizers the benefit of the doubt, it could have been moved to safeguard the fragile-looking china.)

In spite of the unfortunate placement, I agree with the judge's ruling. Take a look at the first and second place ribbon-winners.

Sw4nkyL4c3r's Rose Baby
Bonnet with matching Booties 

Second Place Beaded Purse 
My entry looked a bit small and plain by comparison. And let's face facts, it could have been disqualified. So I should be relieved to receive a ribbon at all. Right?

Pardon the whining but I'm still disappointed to have come in third. There were only three entries.

I know it's unbecoming to wallow. Much better to be grateful for the wealth of experience and new-found community that I have gained.

(My twin told me that. Thanks, sis!)

I AM thrilled and delighted to call Sw4nkyL4c3r a friend. And I hope to meet the second-place ribbon-winner too.

Meeting my goal of entering tatting into the county fair competition and demonstrating at the fair are both big accomplishments. Plus, my entry "grew" the category. The judging was fair, even generous (considering the "one entry per category" rule). And there is always next year.

More on ceramic painting

For anyone who still may be scratching his or her head about the "ceramic painting" comments from my last post, here are two photos from that category of the competition.

The teacup did an admirable job of trying to qualify as ceramic painting, didn't it? Can't really blame the volunteers who jumped to that conclusion.

Ah well, live and learn.