Just a quick "Hello"

Been kind of scatter-brained since my last post, and while I do have some tatting to share, I'm holding off 'till it's been blocked and finished. Erm.. Somewhat finished, that is. Working on another (larger) doily, and am still working on the medallions that need to go around it.

Wanted to share what I have been doing, though. lol

 

See, I've been spring cleaning and I've ran across an enormous amount of white thread. What to do, what to do?

Also, my mom found some hankies at our local Dollar General that are 100% cotton for a rather decent price..

So of course I went out and bought a bunch to play with. There's both straight and scalloped edged hankies, and both have roses on them. Hmm.. I think I'll go get some more! lol

Which reminds me.. What color hanky do you prefer to tat around?

Passing 100..

And I had thought to combine several things in this one, but ended up not having quite enough to show.. -_-

I know it's been awhile since I've last posted, so I'm doing one big update. I've done quite a lot since I made the stitch markers, so here I go! ^^

Tatting

While I was in Mass with M and his family, I pulled out my white thread and got to work..

Several snowflakes were born! ^^

M's granny told me that one of her aunts tatted and she never got anything. These, as soon as they're dry are going in a box and being sent back to her as she was fascinated by them as I was tatting them!

Yes, I know they need to be cleaned and blocked.. I haven't found the time to do that yet, though I have a feeling I'll get it done later this week..

Spinning

I finally picked back up my drop spindles and finished this up from slimchicken:

I don't know the exact yardage, but this has been blocked and wound into a cake. I'm not sure what I'm going to make of this, as I didn't get the yardage that I wanted from it. It's a thick/thin, sport weight chain plied, and is 4oz of superwash. There was a bit of fiber that was a little tangled and wouldn't straighten out when I pre-drafted, but I thought it turned out lovely anyway!

I have so many things planned for the next few weeks that I don't know how I'm going to fit them all in! I should have some more crafty goodness soon, so check back!

A Cup of Tea

No words to say, really. I do have some tatting to add here, but I haven't gotten the pictures for them yet.

No, instead I had to try something tonight that has been in the back of my mind for a while. When I was first researching the dying process, I came across some tutorials on how to dye with tea. Seeing as I had a basket full of tea I have had for over two years, I finally caved.

They are drying right now, so I'll post pictures tomorrow. For now, enjoy the yumminess!

.. And while I'm thinking of it, who would like to tat with thread dyed in the natural way? This I'm not sharing - yet (these were made for a gift for my grandmother's birthday, which is really, really soon! >.<), and I didn't fix the cotton to keep the colors! :O

Also, the shawl is nearly complete. I should have it completed by tomorrow night at the latest, and then be ready to paint it in the next week or so. I need to get some more dye for it, as I don't think I have enough!

Happy tatting!

HDT - The Stash

First of all, let me say that those who I sent the threads out to have received their cards. Congrats to all! Sorry if my comments on the posts didn't go through -- we've been having problems with our internet for the past two weeks and I'm lucky to even get my e-mail to load! Hopefully the problem is fixed this time. Oh the joys of living in the middle of nowhere! ^^

Anyway, I thought I'd share some pictures of "Hearts Desire," as tatted by Beelizabeth:

Isn't it beautiful? This was tatted in Lizbeth that I had dyed and had a whoopsie moment. I think it turned out really well! Unfortunately, every time I have tried to do this pattern I always mess up on one of the first two chains. Either there aren't enough picots or too many! Thank-you, Beelizabeth, for letting me post this on my blog. Again, it is beautiful!

I've also managed to make a new card in the past few days:


This time I've used stickers that I caught on sell at Michaels. Aren't they lovely?

Also, Isdahara, I am planning on selling these. Not sure what the pricing is going to be just yet, or if they will be sold individually or in packs of 5. It's still in the works, and I'll keep everyone posted! ^^

I was trolling around Hobby Lobby yesterday, when I stumbled upon a happy find. I have been looking for a plastic container to put all my HDT in that had been wound onto floss holders. I finally found one that had many compartments. It also has enough room to house my floss winder!

As you can see, I've almost got it packed full. Not all of these are my own HDTs.. The bottom row of threads are all Lizbeth colors except for the two in the lower right. Those are from the thread exchange from this past Christmas! (I've still got two more to wind, and all will be well!) Also, the three above the exchange threads are what's left of the HDT I bought from LadyShuttleMaker. The colors there are Shades of Gray (20), Icicle (20), and Autumn Medley (80). I really need to get to using these soon!

A few months ago, I asked how everyone kept their beads. After weighing the choices and seeing the stora
These aren't all of my beads -- I have salvaged some from some cheap jewlery that I bought from a clearance store. After finding these, I found a better container, but that will be shared at a later time.

I have some tatting to share, but that will come tomorrow. I want them to finish blocking before I post! ^^

Tea Set and HDT

This is, by far, my favorite tea set. I bought it not long after I graduated from high school, and have had it packed away ever since. Not long after this picture was taken, I broke one of the handles off of a cup. Luckily, I can fix it with some super glue, but I'm still slightly upset about it.


As far as I can tell, it was made pre-WWII, but after WWI. I have found a few sites about this type of pottery as well as the company, but can't find the pattern.


It's beautiful, and this is the reason that I bought the set:


You may need to click on the picture to see all the detail, but it is a gorgeous silhouette of a geisha. You can see the petals in her hair as well as her graceful facial features. Also, you can't see this from the other side, only from looking above.

I've also been getting ready to dye some more thread. I'm thnking about hosting a give-away, mainly because I have so many that I have made and that I'm wanting to sell them. More details later as I decide what I'm going to do.

Until then, I'll leave you with these pictures. No tatting today (even though it is Tatting Tea Tuesday. Thinking about joining in on that as well!), but I have been working on some things since I've gotten closer to getting everything clean.

Dye Again!

I'll try to post pics when I get home, but I've finally took the time to dye more thread (and also some yarn!) the way I wanted. All that's left is to rinse everything (and in some cases, again!!) and let them dry. I've came up with some new color combinations, and did away with some of my others.

Now, I just need to build my skeining machine and I'll be off to the races! ^^

I am seriously thinking about sending some of these out to be test-tatted, since I won't have time to make something out of every color combination. Any takers?

.. Well, I guess that would have to wait until I get the pictures posted, yeah? lol

Finals, Yarn, Thread, and Dye

Finals are next week, and I only have to go for three days, and two aren't for tests! ^^

Anywho, I'm gearing up for another round of dying. I didn't get the chance a week ago to dye, mostly because it was Black Friday and I had to work the early shift (whew! so glad that is over!!) This time, I'm making a Christmas gift for a friend who crochets (making a skein of HDT.. erm.. hand-dyed yarn?) that is purple and black. She chose the colors! I'm also going to be dying some thread, so I've got to choose my colors soon!

I'm trying to get everything skeined, so keep a look out! I will also be adding some more tatting, as well as a full pattern to my Clover Square. I've only got to finish the final corner and type up the pattern and I will be done! ^^

Pics will be up (save those for the thread exchange.. I'll add those when my partners get their thread! lol) sometime later, after it's all said and done. Happy tatting everyone! ^^