Blogging

It's overwhelming sometimes, all this technology - but I LOVE it!  Blogging, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, iPads, iPods, iTunes.  I do love it, but I'm at a point where I need to condense my various web-based interests :)

So, how do you do it?  Do you use Google Reader to keep up with your favorite blogs?  Do you blog for YOU or for a following?  Do you try to keep up with it all?  Do you download things or keep them on Pinterest boards?  I download, since many things disappear from Pinterest once they become popular.  [Which makes me wonder why they posted their post in the first place - didn't they want everyone to "want" what they published?]  And then there are forums.  InTatters, Ravelry - both wonderful, but more commenting and interaction that is very time-consuming.

I like to blog, but I have no reason really, other than sharing my interests with others.  I don't blog for comments, but of course they are wonderful to receive.  But then, I don't comment on everything I enjoy reading either - I don't always have the time to go through the filtering process to leave a short note on every post.  I do, however, enjoy the connections I've made through blogging!  I have nothing to sell online (though I've thought about it . . . ) so I'm questioning how I want to blog.

What brings you to my blog? Or any blog really.  Is it camaraderie in crafting?  Photos?  Patterns?  Ideas?  Honestly, I look for "free" patterns, but also new ideas and new resources for patterns and supplies for tatting, sewing and other crafts that interest me.  And wow - they are bountiful in blogs!   I find other cultures, food, and other crafty things interesting, but I notice so many blogs are directed at just one audience. I'm all over the place!  I feel guilty if I don't comment sometimes, but ?  Just contemplating my purpose here :)  Maybe there is no "purpose" other than connecting with others somehow.

The variety section of the local paper provided some fun for today as I'm hunkered down during a winter storm.  Some cropping and collage -making gave me this chuckle:

Ha!  I believe I had waaaaaay too much time on my hands today :)

TIAS 2013 Ta Da!

A baby buggy indeed!  Here are my final days 10 and 11 of the 2013 TIAS:

Day 10

Day 11 - DONE!

The TIAS 2013 has been a fun project!  Many thanks to Jane all the way over the big pond for putting this together and keeping us all updated. See the TIAS 2013 blog to see everyone's progress and the various colors chosen for this mysterious project :)

A Butterfly Heart

Last year I used up leftover thread by tatting some hearts.  That worked well to empty some shuttles, so I thought I'd do it again - however - I've only gotten one heart done so far:

Irene Woo's Butterfly Heart

This is Irene Woo's Butterfly Heart as found on the Wayback Machine.  I have yet to block it properly to make it stay where I want it :/  There are so many great tatted heart patterns out there to try, but I'm just not going to get to them this year.  Where did January go, anyway?  

Itchy, Itchy, Itchy!

This crazy burlap is indeed itchy!  The burlap coffee bags are fun to create with, but I am SO covered with the tiny fibers after working with it, that I have to strip in the laundry room and put clean clothes on when I'm done.  The result is worth the effort though - at least I think so.   This bag is for Daughter #2 - finished over the weekend:

Some of the new, bold fabric prints combine well with the old burlap - I love this fabric.  The next burlap bag project will be for ME, and will have a zipper closure.  Maybe a flap?  I'm not sure - I must ponder on that a bit more :)  

TIAS Days 7, 8 & 9

Finally getting around to posting my TIAS progress.  Day 7 brought me to this:

Day 7

And Days 8 and 9 combined bring me here:

Day 9

It has to be a baby buggy, don't you think?  It's all I can see at this point!  Take a look at the TIAS Blog to see more colorful renditions and great guesses :)