Seeing Size 70 . . .

. . . is a real feat for me. I haven't tatted with such small thread before, but I really wanted to use this beautiful turquoise thread on this hanky because it matches so well.  I was thinking I really wanted to find a pretty edging that wasn't just a simple ring and chain.  Then I re-thought about that, and after considering my lack of experience with such small thread, I decided to go with a fairly simple edging from one of my favorite books - Mary Konior's Tatting with Visual Patterns.  This is the Clover edging on page 36. 

Size 70 thread is so dainty looking when tatted - but I don't know how I would ever pick out a mistake.  I can barely see the stitches, but I think I can tell that the more I tat with this size, the more comfortable it will be.  And it's even MORE portable than usual.

This edging is going to take me awhile . . .

Another year . . .

OLDER.  Yep.  But when I consider the alternative, I'm happy to add a digit to my life! 

In our office, we have a traveling birthday frog that sings an annoying rendition of Happy Birthday.  Everyone pretends to hate the frog, but really he's a fun office tradition.  (Fun when it's someone else's birthday.)  Here is  how I expressed my "love" for this guy today:

OK, so there's my sick sense of humor again :)

I spent part of my day working our fair booth today.  Every year I enjoy seeing the kids' faces intrigued by the clown making balloon animals, the teens wandering by thinking they are so cool, and the 4-H kids wandering the fairgrounds until it's their turn to show their animals.  So much involvement on so many levels.

For some reason, today I was getting a kick out of the various footwear.  I didn't get pictures of all of them - because it was weird to be taking pictures of people's feet and shoes - but I got a few.  I wish I would've gotten some pictures of the chubby little kids feet in sandals - they are the cutest!  It's fun to notice the trends though, and this year it seems to be cowboy boots with shorts.  Great on some people, not something I could pull off!

And, I saw my tatting entries and received a blue ribbon on each of my 4 entries.  I love the ribbons, but once again, there wasn't much competition.  Only one other tatted item!  My goal is to keep entering, year after year, and hope it sparks some interest!

Now I can get back to tatting.   Wonder what I should start next?

A Win BEFORE the Fair :)

While I was finishing this edging:

and preparing  my fair entries:

The mail was delivered.  And my PRIZE arrived:

I WON LadyShuttlemaker's Bookmark Hook Pen :)  I've been wanting one of these as my hook is forever rolling off my lap and either in between the cushions or onto the floor.  And Hubby regularly says, "Drop your hook again?" as I stand up balancing shuttle, thread, tatting and pattern in two hands looking around like an idiot.  Woo Hoo!  Thank you Sherry for helping me look somewhat more refined while I tat.

And of course, I NEEDED some of her beautiful thread.  You know, as long as she was mailing something to me anyway.   I decided on Helms Deep (blues!) in size 20, and Kopper Patina in size 50.  I am looking forward to planning out what to make, but I will probably hoard these while I make the perfect choice :)

No tatting today, though!  I'm off to get my fair entries submitted, and then I will be enjoying this beautiful day celebrating Hubby's birthday.  Family fun and steaks on the grill on a very perfect July day in Minnesota :)



Frog Break

I realized last night that I need to get my county fair entries ready to submit this weekend.  Yikes!  So I'm scurrying to get just a few tatted items finished and ready to go.  Nothing too fancy, but I'd really like to keep entering what tatting I can, since it has historically been so scarce at the fair. 

I had to take a little break tonite and get outside though - we have had record-breaking heat and humidity this week, and today was back to a normal summer temperature of about 85 F.  Finally, a beautiful summer day - and weeding was calling me once again.  (Stupid weeds love that humidity!)

We have these teeny-tiny little frogs outside.  They are everywhere!  Barely as big as my pinky nail, a couple of them made it all the way up onto my living room window - about 20 feet in the air.  Peeping frogs! 

They are cute, but they sure made me jump when they jumped from flower to flower as I was weeding.  (Cute as they are, I don't want them to TOUCH me.  Ick!)  I had to get the camera last night though - I just had to get some pictures of them in the lilies.  Arent' they cute?

Back to thinking about fair entries rather than frogs :)

Stay cool!

~Cindy



Zinfandel Obedience

Finally!  Once I got one wing tamed, the other one fell right into place!  A little obedience training goes a long way :)
Introducing my first dragon, Zinfandel.:

He is the 22nd motif of my 2nd 25-Motif Challenge, in size 20 Lizbeth Vineyard Harvest. (Or she?  No, must be a he with all the obedience training he needed.)  In any case, I missed Wine Wednesday, so "Thankfully Thursday" rolled in :)

It seems as though once I accomplish a pattern, it all becomes so clear.  All I need to do is pay very close attention to the pattern, and do exactly as it says.  (Duh.)  Somehow I always end up trying to turn, reverse work, switch shuttles, etc. when I don't really have to. (Who is it that needs the obedience training?)

Finishing this dragon feels like an accomplishment - and gives me more confidence to keep trying new patterns.  But the perfectionist in me wants to make another dragon so I can do it right the first time!