Time to End the Blog 6/9/20

I guess now is as good a time as any to end the blogging. My posts are few and far between, and I’m just going to enjoy without documenting 😊 After all, I’ve been blogging for about 11 years!  I’ve met the nicest people all over the world, got our local Twin Cities Tatters group started with Telamagistrae, and had fun with exchanges and so much great sharing of advice and techniques.  Maybe someday there will be an inkling to return, but for now it's time to move on.

I'll still be sewing and tatting though! And trying to put a few things in my Etsy shop here and there. 

I'll end with a few of my latest project fun:

• Some fun with flattened bottle caps (from Ice Drop Addicts Lace Lovin' Librarian)

• Beanie Baby Loveys for some babies I know

• And Quarantine purchases from Etsy - are these little thread bowls cute or what?

Pottery bowl from Whistle Stop Wool

3D printed bowl from Arial's Creations

Be happy and stay healthy and safe!

Best Wishes,

Cindy

Tatting Challenge Progress

I’m continuing work on Tat-a-Renda's 14-day Tatting Challenge. Slow, but sure and relaxed, which is the intent!  Currently on Round 7, and she has posted up through Round 12.  A little each evening for me is just what I need, as the software battles and frustration during the work day leave my brain (and my eyes!) a little too tired for much handwork.  But it’s coming along nicely.  I think I’ll ruin the overall pattern that this doily is shaping if I change back to the variegated for a round or two, so I’ll stick with white for now.  Maybe the final edge will allow for some color again?  We shall see!

At some point we'll be able to look back on this time and remember how it changed the world.  I wonder what new ideas and norms may come from this?  Will we appreciate more and want for less? Will our environment benefit greatly?  What will the changes be for businesses like manufacturing, software, internet, restaurants?  Without focus on the gloom and doom of the situation, we can concentrate on the opportunities for bettering the world. Stay strong, friends.

Minnesota SHUTDOWN

Well, here we are.  Governor Walz of Minnesota issued a 'Stay at Home' order effective Friday 3/27/20 at 11:59 pm until April 10th.  This is undeniably an historic time for the world.

I am fortunate to be able to work at home within the Transportation/Road Construction field. It’s a bit odd to wish for road construction here in Minnesota, but it will keep myself and my coworkers employed for now.

Working from home is going well - I hope this will transition many more people into the electronic world so we can quit printing so much stuff and using all that paper!  I’ve been leaning more and more this way over the past few years, mostly because of work with auditors and documenting absolutely everything I do.  Fortunately, it’s helping me now.

So, how do you store your patterns for tatting or sewing?  I use Google docs, and most often have my phone in my lap with my pattern available as I tat.  I use my iPad for sewing patterns most of the time.  There are times I still like my hard copy pattern out, but I’m getting used to viewing them all electronically.

Currently, I’ve been working on Tat-a-Renda's 14-Day Challenge in the evenings.  I’m a little behind, but that’s OK!  It’s a nice, easy, stress-free pattern to work on when time permits. I’ve chosen a springy colorway, so hope abounds! Phone in lap as we watch TV is the method I’m using for this.

I'm currently adding a couple of rounds in white, so I’ll just keep it at that for the time being. I’m due for a non-stressful, enjoyable tat. I'm hoping to keep my mind on task so I have something to show for surviving this global pandemic someday.  

Stay healthy and safe!  

What A Month This Week Has Been! 😉

This blogging thing is so getting away from me!  We are so used to instant information via social media, that I forget to take any time to blog (because yes, it does take some time) and also read blogs that interest me.

Now that we are experiencing the critical shut downs and stay-at-home days, I’m home with a case of a cold and bronchitis.  Normally, this wouldn’t require staying home more than a day or so, but to be safe and not spread the tiniest cold germs, I’m home.  Fortunately, I can accomplish some work at home, and have the process started to be able to work remotely more often.

I’m finding a little time to get some sewing and tatting done, but I’m not starting any large projects for now.  I’ll save those for the possibility of being home for an extended period of time.

Over the weekend I was making burp cloths.  Yep.  From cloth diapers.  Mom has made many for her great grandies, and my daughters love them.  So now, I’m making some for gifts and a couple more to have on hand myself.

They are so easy, and if they are useful, I’m all for it!

I think I’ll start working on some bags for the Etsy shop now.  I will be digging in supplies today to see what I can find.  That should take the better part of my day, LOL.

Hard to believe we were off in a mini-vacation just 2 weeks ago before this Coronavirus pandemic began. 😳   

Good thing we love our Minnesota backyard, because it sounds like we won’t be going anywhere else for awhile. Stay safe and healthy, wherever you are.

2019 Was a Good Year

I’m sending 2019 off with a grateful, joyous heart.  What a year it’s been! 

We’ve been so busy all year, (as in past years) but this year was different.  The “busy” was all for milestone celebrations. And two new babies to top the year off - becoming grandparents twice within less than 4 weeks is quite astounding on top of all that waiting!

And here we are, wonderful celebrations, two healthy babies, Christmas is over, and we’re ready to ring in a New Year once again.  I’m ready!

Can you imagine all the “firsts” that will occur in 2020?  We are so very lucky to be close to our daughters' homes, and able to see and help out with our grandbabies. I see why we have children when we’re young - it’s exhausting!  But, oh, so wonderful that they are not far away.

In non-baby news, I have a beautiful new Janome Memory Craft 6600P sewing machine and table.  My mom had this for awhile, but she prefers her Bernina machine. I love my older Janome, which I will keep handy as this new machine is specifically for quilting and doesn’t have an open arm for all of those bags I like to make. I have only practiced some new stitches and played with the settings so far, but I’m anxious to get on with some new sewing projects. Of which I have many, as always!  Can one buy time somewhere? My sewing/craft room is full of inspiration.

My cave never, ever looks this clean and neat!
This is just after moving my new table and machine in, and rearranging the mess.
It didn’t stay like this for long, LOL!

I also opened an Etsy shop after much thought about it. (ahappybluebirdsnest) It won’t be huge, but I will add things here and there. I only have my tatted pennies there so far, but I will be adding some bags and other things as I get back into my habit of mass production. (Does anyone else do that? I find a great pattern and I just can’t help it!) I’m not sure how to run an Etsy shop, but I’ll wing it until I figure it out. I do know I need to research copyrights prior to placing anything for sale, otherwise I just need to get busy. 

I did find time to squeeze some tatting in. I’m loving the onion ring patterns by Robin Perfetti at Tatting by the Bay. I’m still hoping to work on more of those patterns, too. (Now that I have that Catherine Wheel join mastered! Well, mostly mastered.)

Another new thing I did was join a local book club this past fall - it helps me to choose books outside of my usual preferences. And it’s super nice, because the group is large enough to choose 2 books each month - so I have 2 to ponder!  I’m still enjoying audiobooks, so I can sew or tat (or even do dishes or laundry, God forbid) or listen while driving. I’m also planning to put up a Little Free Library this year since we live near a park and walking path.  Do you have one in your neighborhood? Hubby has agreed to build it for me. 

I’m looking forward to another joyful year.  Without as much craziness, perhaps, but full of life nonetheless.  With sewing, reading, tatting, babies and family gatherings, it should be another year of things to be grateful for.

On with 2020!  

Peace and Joy to All