Jumping on the Bandwagon!

I decided to jump in on Renulek’s Spring Doily while it was still early, so I got the first 2 center rounds done this morning.  I’m ready to work on a larger piece once again, and her doilies are always so beautiful.

It’s definitely going to be another beauty!  It’s so easy at the beginning, and it’s a long wait until the next Thursday’s instructions - but I know all too well as the rounds get larger, it will be hard to keep up.  (I will most definitely not be timing myself on each round again - ha!)

I’ve decided to use some size 30 thread I have in my stash, along with some of Yarnplayer’s “Parchment” thread I purchased quite awhile ago.  It always takes me awhile to decide what to use my HDT on  :)  It’s always so enjoyable to watch tatters from all around the world working on the same piece in all of their various color choices.

I’ve also made a few squares for the Tat a Brussels Monument project.  I plan to mail 10 pink squares, and look forward to seeing this project come full circle during the World Lace Congress this summer in Belgium.  I can’t imagine stitching together 10,000 squares, but it will be quite a sight.  Many others are sending 50-100 squares - but I’ll be satisfied with completing and sending 10.

Of course, here in Minnesota, there are Superbowl crowds downtown in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul.  I”m not a big football fan, but I love the creative events and displays to show off our state.  So many wonderful things going on, but I will watch from home (afar!) I would love to go downtown, but the crowds and parking are better left for the football fans, and those who can tolerate the huge crowds.  AND . . .  it’s snowing like crazy here with temperatures dropping for tomorrow’s big game - good thing the stadium is indoors!

Sewing Complete and Hoarding Thread!

Hooray for Friday!  And it’s a long weekend for me - with the Martin Luther King holiday on Monday.  An extra day to work on hobbies.  Or plan the next project.  Or finish a project in progress. Who knows?  We’ll see.  All I know is I got the supplies!

Yarnplayer’s “Solar Flare” and “Grayscale”

I have been thinking about Marilee’s Grayscale hand-dyed thread, but when I saw the Solar Flare, I decided it was time to revel in some new thread.  So, now that I have it, I need to find the “perfect” thing to use it on.  I can’t decide if I should make earrings, or if I should make a pretty doily with one of these as an accent to white.  Such decisions!  I will hoard it until I decide, ha ha!

I also finished the duffel bag for hubby.  I told him he should be aware of how spoiled he is!

Turned out pretty darned good, I think.  I’m kind of anxious to make another one - for ME.  Not that I need another bag, but because I have just the PERFECT fabric for it . . .

We shall see.  So many projects to consider, and so little time!

AND, we are also beginning the planning for our next Twin Cities Tatters Retreat!  It’s fun to get it started - our retreat center from last year leaves us definitely ready to go again.  Summer sure seems a loonngg way off.

It is -5 F in Minnesota tonite.  I’ll be inside this weekend, doing something!

I’m In Sewing Mode Again

Yep - back to sewing for a bit.  I’ve been working on a bag this week - no surprise, I know!  This is a more complicated bag than I’ve made before, so it’s also keeping me in “learning” mode.  I am making a duffel bag for my hubby for those weekend trips hunting or fishing, and he knows it’s all practice and won’t be perfect.  Fortunately, I had some non-floral fabric, ha ha!

I’ve been looking at Craftsy classes, and have purchased a few now - I am a very visual learner, so even though I might have a pattern, it helps to SEE how it goes.  This particular class is for making 2 sizes of the “Weekend Duffel”.  The content is well worth the cost.

As in everything, the prep and clean up seems to take the longest.  (Makes me practice patience!) I’m not crazy about cutting everything out all at once, but it’s a necessary evil to keep all the pieces straight.  Definitely helpful to be able to grab pieces that are ready for construction, too.  I use a drying rack to store the pieces until I need them.

I’ve always been intimidated by the internal zipper pockets, so this was a great way to learn how to do it.  And realize it’s really quite simple!  Too bad my stitching was all crooked.  Oops.  It’s on the inside anyway.

I have also learned how easy it really is to add hardware like twist and magnetic closures, as well as metal rings to attach straps to.  I guess I didn’t think it could be that difficult, I had just never attempted to do it for fear of ruining a project.  Never thought about the difference between a “pleated” pocket and a “bellows” pocket either - both are easy to construct, and as I like lots of pockets, this will be helpful for future bags.

It’s coming together nicely - I should be able to finish this weekend.  It’s beginning to look like a duffel bag!

Organizing and Staying Warm!

I hope everyone is having wonderful holidays - and we still have the New Year to look forward to!  I LOVE New Year’s - even though we don’t really do anything.  I just love new calendars, new journals, organizing my “stuff” and putting away the past year.  It always feels like I have a chance to do better . . . at something?!  Yep - I’m an organizing Geek.

I have some time off from work, so I’m planning new sewing and tatting projects.  I should probably clean the house, but THAT won’t go anywhere.  I’m also trying to cram in getting a book read - all the hobbies that working prevents me from doing as much as I want to.  The job pays for the stash though, so it’s a necessary evil!  

It has been cold this week - below zero (-18F) and now hovering around 0 F for the next few days.  Once it’s this cold, it doesn’t really matter what the actual temperature number says.  It’s just COLD. 

Stay warm wherever you are - and enjoy these last few days of 2017!

On With DECEMBER!

Today we had our Twin Cities Tatters December gathering.  Historically we have avoided December gatherings because there’s just so much going on, but with our 2017 growth, we scheduled a gathering.  We had about 8 tatters join us today, so WOW - we HAVE grown!

We had a snowflake exchange for anyone that wanted to participate, and shook doubles with dice to select from the participants.  It was so fun to see all the different snowflakes -  I wish I’d gotten pictures of all of the snowflakes.  Maybe Michelle did?

In any case, I received this lovely pair of snowflakes when I FINALLY got doubles!

Aren’t they pretty?  It’s always so much fun to see what others come up with.  

We discussed how to stiffen tatting.  Some use Aleene’s Stiffener - there are a few kinds though, so be careful!  One is thicker and seems to be more for fabric, while another is thinner and perfect for tatting.  Some use equal parts Elmers Glue and water.  In the past, I have used liquid starch and water, and have found this easy to wash out and re-do if necessary.  

Another thing that came up today is protecting our crochet hook tips.  Use an earring stopper on those tiny hooks!  You know, those little rubber ends you put on your earrings to prevent them from slipping right out of your ear.  Perfect for those size 12 - 14 crochet hooks.  This is why we love to gather - so many great ideas for not just the tatting technicques, but the usage and storage of our supplies as well!  The ideas flow, and tatters are so wonderful to share.

After our tatting group, I made it to a local craft show.  Ruby ended up with some festive attire . . .

 I’m not sure she cares, but isn’t she fashionable?

One of my grand dogs will be sporting this very soon:

I’m not a huge sports fan, but one daughter and her husband are very big Minnesota Viking football fans.  Their little dog endures many game days, ha ha!  I will be sewing a few of these bandanas too - they just fit right over the collar.  Easy Peasy!

Here we go! Enjoy the Christmas Holiday season :)