Being Techie-Crafty

After going through one of my bookcases and getting rid of quite a few books that I will never read, I took a look at my craft books and decided to put them into a database that I can search. I've already moved my personal blog onto a thumb drive, and thought that another blog would be a good way to go.

Currently, I've only scanned in two of my three sets of quilling kits and a few tatting pages from 24 Snowflakes in Tatting, so I expect this to be a long-ish term project. Has anyone else done something similar? Even if it's just to scan in your books into a computer just to preserve them.. I mean, not long after Izzy came to live with my sister I got Easy Tatting by Ruth Perry, and this is what happened:

Teaches me to look away from the book while working on a project! >.<

I'll have a blue Christmas..

With a slice of lemon cake and baked apple pie. Yum!

My mom needed to make something for her co-workers for Christmas, and after quite a few debates decided to make Christmas bath salts. Abby measured, I mixed, and she filled, and this is how they turned out -- aren't they pretty?

The pink ornaments smell like apple pie, and the blue smells like lemon cake. I tried out the blue ones, and they worked great!

I haven't been doing that much crafting at all the past few months (hence the silence since Halloween), but I'm hoping that I can get something done. I have some plans that I want to finish, but until Christmas, I don't know how much time I'll have for crafting.

I'm still here, still alive, and I'm kinda lurking and reading everyone's blogs that they've posted. Will post when I have more to show -- perhaps the snowflakes from 24 Snowflakes in Tatting? Hmm..

Giveaway Winners!

So, I lasted the entire game without getting tagged. Wonder how that ended up happening? lol

The ones who got the closest to my not getting turned were Gemini and Bree. Please send me your information at katherinnemckay (at) gmail (dot) com, and I'll send out your prizes!

And, since my camera has gone awol, I can't upload the pictures I have taken to share. :/ I think I may have left it at work..

Thanks for playing the game with me! ^^

Happy Halloween, y'all! Here's a song that gets me in the mood for curling up with a bag of candy and read some Edgar Allen Poe.. Enjoy!

Humans vs. Zombies - Halloween Giveaway!

My school has decided to take part in Humans vs. Zombies, and I thought what better way to host a giveaway than with this theme?

H1Z1 has appeared on my campus, and I don't know how long I'll remain human.The aim of the giveaway is to guess/bet how long I'll last, keeping these things in mind:

1. The game lasts until Thursday, however I'll only be on campus for approximately 20 hours.
2. I'm not very athletic, preferring the lift over the stairs. -_- lol
3. My favorite places to study have been designated safe zones, though I have long walks to and from my car and to class.
4. As of right now (and I'll update this as needed), the total count of humans is 81 between the three campuses. I don't know how they break it down for each, but I'll keep everyone posted.
5. I'm terribly shy, and generally try not to touch other people.

This game is two-fold. I have two prizes lined up, both tatting-related though I don't have pictures to go with this post at the moment. Two balls of Lizbeth thread per winner, and to win, here's what you do:

1. Guess how long I'll last. You can guess just hours, but also minutes. Please, no seconds as I'm terrible at math..
2. If I turn into a zombie, guess how many people I turn - i.e. taking them by the arm and saying "I have risen from the dead, now you're dead."

The winner(s) will be announced on Halloween and have until that Thursday to send me their information.

Happy guessing! ^^

Christmas Angel

Thoughts?

I'd like to try and come up with tatted wings, as they'd be both prettier and easier to make. Hmm. Need to start designing!

I'm Still Alive

Promise!

(taken with my webcam. Can you say awkward?)

This semester, I have taken on a bit more than I should have, so I haven't had time to take pictures and post them. I have been tatting and knitting, though..

My fall break is coming up soon, so hopefully I'll have some time to take pictures then!

Happy crafting!

Pattern: Jon's Merriment Doily, in Lizbeth Victorian Red sz. 10(! more about this later lol)

Still At It!

Hello all! Just a really quick update to show that I am still here!

School has started, and right now I'm taking a quick break from my online class to do a row or two on mom's shawl. Looks like a blob, right?

I know it'll look better when it's blocked, but I just want it finished at this point! I'm only halfway through clue 4, and have had to add my third ball of yarn to it. Maybe I'll get it done sometime this year!

Hope everyone's having fun around Tat land. Hope I can come to visit again really soon! (Bookmarks, anyone? ;))

Gearing up for school!

I start back school next week. Since I will be there all day long (from 9:30 am 'till around 8:00 pm) I've started trying to get up some meal plans so I can pack my lunch and a snack. Today, I made some rice and made some rice balls, where each ball is 1/3 of a serving.

.. Except this one..

They're in the freezer right now (except for the large one, hehe!) so all I'll have to do is put them in my box and go.

Will have some other crafty goodness sometime soon. Been trying to get ready and it's taking all my time!

Clue 3 down!

It took me a few days to get to this point, but I believe it was totally worth it. I did not get it ready in time for Mom's birthday, but she says that it is fun just watching me work on it.

.. and work on it I did. I took it to work tonight and ended up making a mistake on the first row of clue 4. >.< I need to learn to keep count and not look around at all the boxes in the back!!

And yes, it's another phone pic, but I didn't take my camera to work today.. lol

Clue 2, complete!

And I've already started on clue 3..

Had to rip back and start the clue again, but it's working out better this time (perhaps because I'm using markers? hmm..)

Sorry for the phone pic -- out of batteries at the moment! lol

Knit like the wind!!

OK, so that's not really how it's going, however I find myself in the midst of a deadline and it's how I feel I should be knitting.

Mom's birthday is this Friday. FRIDAY!! I had let my time slip away, and as such have found myself woefully behind on what I need to be working on and what I actually work on. So, I found this pattern while on Ravelry and decided it would be a nice gift for Mom.

Vernal Equinox Shawl, by Lankakomero

Paton's Kroy Sockwight Yarn; Brown Rose Marl

As of right now, I'm on row 43/210; not too bad if I say so myself, though it is a half-circle and I have a LONG way to go..

I'm on clue #2 (it was a MKAL), so I think I've done pretty good for just two and a half hours work, right?

No new tatting to share right now, though I do have some new motifs that are ready to be blocked and photographed.

Happy Tatting, all! ^^

Quilling!!

Hello, all!

I bought some kits a while back (ssh.. Don't tell anyone -- I've held on to them since before I started tatting!) for quilling Christmas ornaments and snowflakes. I managed to finish one snowflake and get started on a second, but then set it aside and misplaced my tools. I finally caved and bought a new quilling needle, which wasn't so bad as the price had dropped since I last was looking. Boy was that a good idea!

After rekindling this craft at home, I decided that I would look for and purchase some new papers. There's not too much to choose from at the craft stores I go to, and what is there has shrunk since I first got into this. So, I found a new webstore, and tried them out: Quilling Super Store. Well, I went a bit crazy..

Look at all those pretty papers!! ^^

Now that I have them, I don't know what all patterns that I'm going to be using. I know a bunch of snowflakes and ornaments, but other than that?

.. Anyone use quilling for scrapbooking?

Also pulled out some embroidery floss and started a rune bookmark for a friend. Hope she likes the colors; she's very earthy and I didn't have any green!

I have some tatting bits that will be ready to be started sometime this week. I have quite a bit of time off from work, so I'm trying to get up some patterns for earrings and whatnot to sell as well. I've also got a theme for next month, providing I can get the projects anywhere close to done. (hint- look at the side bar! ^^) We shall see! lol

Happy crafting, all!

Erm.. Hi?

I can't tell y'all how many times I've started a blog, only to have to start over again. No, it's not Blogger related, it's been time..

I haven't been tatting much lately, mostly because I'm getting ready to go back to school for marketing and accounting. I've also been trying to do some repairs to my home, getting rid of a lot of things, and generally doing a through scrub down of this thing called life. I've also been blogging it, though on a personal and private blog, and it's helping me get to a better place.

No, I'm not depressed. .. exactly.. Though I've been feeling it coming on (I tend to get more depressed near the end of Summer and on through Christmas), so I'm doing what I can to be happy. So far, it's working! :)

No fears, though. I have some projects that are in the works, and some that are ready to be photographed but I've not taken the time to do so. I hope to have some more by the end of the weekend, but no promises yet.

Happy tatting, everyone!

For the Bride

I have had this finished for awhile now, but wanted to share the end result.

Way back in April, when I got my first antique thread, I had been working on a secret project that was really close to being finished. Anyway, I'll let the pictures speak for me, instead of a long-winded ramble ;(

And, because I liked the bag..

Happy tatting! ^^

Of best laid plans..

Tat tat tat...

Why hello, Izzy!

Tat tat KNOT!!

:(

Anyone else have this happen to them? I'm about halfway through the first round of the edging for my sundress, and lo and behold.. There be a knot that was tied in factory to splice the thread together.

I had loaded my shuttle so I wouldn't have any ends to hide, and even re-worked the pattern for it to be one shuttle with un-flipped stitches mock rings, and now this snag.

Oh, Lizbeth.. I love your colors, but I'm growing tired of these little grr moments..

Sun Dress

I have been looking for some sun-dresses ever since we started getting them in at work. Let me tell you, some of the dresses we get in are totally adorable (though I have no hope of ever fitting in them.. Up to a size 12 in girls? lol), and shopping around I can't find any that are flattering as well as cute.

Cue last night, on a random pattern finding spree. I googled searched "how to make a sun dress" and got a bajillion results, but through surfing (using about.com, I believe..) I found this tutorial:

Dragon Dress

It's called the dragon dress because of the fabric she used. Wish I could get some of that fabric, but it's either too expensive or not around here, so after a trip to the local department store (need I name it? >.<) I came home with these fabrics:

Two colors instead of the one print.. Mostly because I want a solid strap and some lining to the bust. I love this fabric! ^^

While these are drying, I'm going to try to tat up a quick edge to go along the waist band. No promises, though if it'll be finished in time.

I'll post pictures of the final product and any tatting I may have been able to finish for it. Wish me luck!

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 Look at Stitch Markers..

Had an idea about a week ago, and had to try these out before they took over my every waking moment.

I bought the book Knitted Lace of Estonia this past Christmas with a gift card from a friend, and have been wanting to play with the patterns in it. I've mostly been to scared to tackle this style of lace, but I decided in the past month or so to give it a shot.

For those who have this really awesome book, I'm knitting Lace Edge Pattern 3 on page 147.

Anywho, I wanted to start it off right, so I made these little stitch markers as a trial. I've never worked with them before, and so they're not finished the way I would like (please ignore the fraying knots! When I make a full set I'll hide the ends, I promise!^^)

I have learned with this project that when one is working with knit-stitch markers, when slipping the markers on the right-side row (as if that wasn't confusing enough), hold the decoration to the FRONT of the work. This will keep you from having to slip them through the bars at the back. Likewise for the BACK of the work, slip them on with the decoration to the FRONT of the work (facing away from you).

Any knitters out there who would like to share in this, or have any suggestions for a n00b like me with markers?

I have a few projects in mind for when I go to Massachusetts later this week for some of the thread that I won, and I'll share when I get the chance. But I wanted to share this picture with everyone of one of my sister's flower vines:

One day.. This flower will be MINE!!

New Threads

Hi all, I know it's been awhile, but you'll see why in my next post! Gotta finish up one component and block it all, then I can share! ^^

Recently I won my first Ebay auction on some treads. I couldn't resist -- all the colors were beautiful and were all threads that I haven't tatted with before!

All together, I got nearly 80 balls of size 70 thread, with a few size fives and threes mixed in. There were also some multiple balls of the same colors, so I'm offering them up on the thread exchange as soon as I can get them measured.

I couldn't resist sharing, as they're all so pretty!

Once I get them organized by color and the cards made, I'll repost with better pictures (I couldn't wait to share!)

Also included was two small crochet edging samples:

I really, really like these. Anyone know where I might can find the pattern? They're both the same.. All I know about these are that they were bought from an estate sale.

.. And to show that I have been tatting...

Sneak peak of what's to come! So many ends to hide...

Goodbye, Nana..

Nana passed earlier this week with her daughter by her side. I'm still not fully over the shock of it all, but I know she is in a better place.

This came completely out of left field. She was doing great after surgery.. What happened? Why did it have to happen?

Nana and I had plans to go pick blueberries, and I was going to take her to pick strawberries. She wanted to make some jams and jellies, as did I. They'll both be in season soon, so I'm already planning on going to get some to make.

Goodbye, Nana. Have fun on your next adventure! (sniff sniff)

Prayer Request

This past week has been a total roller coaster for everyone in M's household, and I'd like to request that anyone who does pray to pray for them.

Nana went in for a knee surgery this past Tuesday and made it through alright. She was up and taking her first tentative steps and was lucid.

Later in the evening on Wednesday, she suffered a heart attack and went without oxygen for eight minutes and lapsed into a coma.

As of right now, being 72 hours out of first slipping under, it's looking like she won't wake up.

Please keep M and his family in your prayers. I'm still hopeful she will pull through, but it's looking bleaker by the minute.

Thanks for reading, and I wish the brightest of blessings to all.

Taking a break..

Had to take a break from the doily. Apparently I can't keep my mind on one project at the time, as I now have a few new earrings to share. Pattern from free-tatting.com:

Yes, that is my white board. What's funny is I left these on the board because I had to rush to work, and found a little note telling me that my roommate liked the ones with the beads! I'm working on matching bracelets, without beads right now, and it's almost finished (sorry! No picture!)

I've found that I've gotten bored with most of the crafts I've been into. Does this happen to anyone? I'm still tatting and spinning, but my knitted lace as well as crochet has taken a back-burner. Right now, I'm trying to get organized. My current work area is all over the house and I can never find what I'm looking for!

Hmm.. If it's pretty tomorrow, I may pull out my dye and paint something.. Lots to think about..

I'll lave you now with this picture. The peach trees are blooming, and my roommate spotted this one in our back yard and I had to get some shots of it.

Happy tatting! ^^

edit: Sorry if there are more than one of these in your blogrolls.. I couldn't get the peach image to work correctly - ie. no link to fuller image. I still can't, so it'll have to stay this way, but if you want to view on Picasa, click here.

Silver Heart

I ordered some shuttles from Handy Hands a few weeks ago for an upcoming trial, and decided that I needed some gray thread. Our of all the threads, the only color I could find was silver Lizbeth, so I ordered some in size 20l.

Remember my post about Heart's Desire by Susan Fuller?

Finally got it right! ^^

Also this weekend I spent some time with M, and had a lot of free time..

I'm on the fourth row of eight (I think?), and this row is kicking my butt.. I've never been able to keep the spacing between even, and this isn't. Ans so long as I can ignore the tiny mistake.. I think I'll like this doily. It's from "A New Twist on Tatting," and is pattern #26 (I think...) and is in Lizbeth size 20 Caribbean.

Also, while we're waiting for th severe storms to appear..

Thought I'd share this night shot of my pansies. Will have to share a new pic later, since they've EXPLODED since this was taken!

Happy tatting! ^^

My Sepia-Tone Valentine

I have been tatting, but with the loss of my camera (the brownie got it, I just know it!!), I haven't been able to share. I've borrowed my sister's camera for now..

I had the shot all nice and pretty, and then the camera decided to say no..


So I brought them all inside and took another picture, this time on white cardstock.


Sorry it's so blown out; I couldn't control the flash like I usually do..

Patterns are from left to right:
Teri Tatbit, Sadie's Heart
Jon, Mother's Day Heart

As for the Celtic one.. That's one that I'm working on. When I get the pattern sorted, I'll share.

Also made another pair of earrings..

The beads are blue, though you can barely tell. Love this pattern!

All of these are in size 20 thread, Lizbeth colors Ecru, Mocha Light, and Mocha (I think?)

I have a few more pieces to show, but those will come later (wanted to get some more to add to them, as they're all a theme..)

Happy tatting, all! ^^

Some Tatting

After my last pair of earrings that I posted, I was contacted by a friend who wanted me to try these in some different colors. I still need to hide the last end, but this is where they are now:

Soon they will be flying off to live with her, but I had to share.

Have been having troubles with the internet lately, and hopefully they have been resolved. I have a whole host of things to do, so look out! lol

First of a few "announces"

I have been planning this for a while, but I wanted to share a little bit of what I've been up to while not crafting.

This will be a sorta series, going through the first or so, but I had to share!

More on this as I finish, but look for more later. Thoughts?

.. And on a completely random note, Izzy just decided to bring me a battery. Wonder if she knew that my camera has eaten another pair?

Another pair!

Had to try out another pair..

"Carnival" by Yarnplayer, in size 20 Lizbeth, and with size 10/0 seed beads and size 6 and 4 mm glass pearls.

Valentine Dream - Part Two

Finally finished. Sorta.

All that's left is to block the pendant and to attach to a jump ring/chain.

Happy tatting, all! ^^

Valentine Dream - Part One

Heading to bed in a few minutes, but I thought I'd share a small bit of tatting before I go.

First off - the bookmarks. These are blocked (I just need to clip off the ends from the Tardis):

Patterns are Flower Bookmark/Edging, but by Sabrina Carden-Madden, and Tardis Bookmark by Anne Bruvold (links in last post). I'm working on a second for my roommate, and possibly a third (and fourth) for my sister and a friend from school.

Also, I have only had enough time to complete one, but this is where the title for this morning's post comes from:

"Dream" by Yarnplayer. This is tatted in size 20 thread with both 11/0 and 8/0 (I think!) seed bead and glass teardrops. This isn't blocked (as you can see by the middle teardrop,) but I think it looks nice already!

The ear wires are a little on the tight side, but they're sterling. Made a special trip to Hobby Lobby for all but the thread, and I'm really pleased at how they are going to turn out!

I hope to have the second one finished before tonight (after work), and possibly a pendant to go with it. This is my "Valentine Dream" because I'm hoping that I'll be able to wear them when M and I (possibly) go out of town that week! (fingers crossed!!)

Oh, **nts: The top ring is R(8), not S/R (4-3/4-3). Just to remember! lol I mis-counted at the last minute!

Happy Tatting, everyone! ^^