Of Life Changes..

Sorry to all -- I know it's been close to two months since I last posted, and this will be a picture-free post.

I have taken some time off of crafting nearly everything since I last posted. I've started several half-attempts at a project, but have only really managed to complete two projects (and one I'm going to have to revisit when I have some more yarn to finish). No, with the Christmas season in full swing (and so soon after the Back to School rush!!), I've found myself so tired that I can't do much more than rest and sleep when I'm at home.

I had thought that just after my birthday at the end of September that I could get back into the swing of things. Then October happened. So many things have happened that I don't really know where to begin.

First off, I got my first antique spinning wheel. I'll post pictures at some point -- haven't had the energy to take it outside for some beauty shots (my lighting everywhere in the house is terrible except at about 1pm, which happens to fall when I'm either at work or at lunch with Nan and Pa). This will have to be done later, since hours have been doubled, so hopefully on my next day off I can have a picture day?

I've found myself really looking at trying to start a farm, so the early part of October was spent looking at possible garden layouts and supplies that I may need. It also opened my eyes to freezer meals and budgets and all that comes along with it. I haven't really had any money to purchase supplies, so I've been trying to make do with what I have and use all the thread/yarn that I've stocked up on for the past two years. Organizing my craft room took a lot out of me, but now the closet in here is (nearly) done!

Second, M's and my 5th year passed on the 25th. That's when everything went so wrong. I had to open that morning and we were planning on making dinner at home. Not too long into my shift, I got The Call.

M's dad had been diagnosed with small cell lung cancer earlier this year. He had been responding to all his treatments and had finished his first round of experimental chemo. Near the end of it, it was kicking his butt though and he wasn't really looking forward to the second round.

That morning, on the 25th, M called me at work. His dad had passed earlier that morning, and we needed to get down there.

That entire weekend was spent playing everything by ear, arrangements, and getting the house ready for the family that drove in from Mass. Let me tell y'all, the hardest thing I've had to do in the last few years was to drive home after the service knowing it'd be a while before I could make it down again.

I've spent the last month in a daze, torn between staying up here and being down there for their family. It's really only just hit me what has happened, as this is the first time I've tried to type it all out and really let myself think about things. I'm finally getting into a rhythm where I can partially function on a.. and I don't really know what to call it.. I'm no longer on auto pilot? Does that make sense?

Sorry to ramble so much in this post. I really.. I don't know.

I have hopes that sometime next week that I'll have something to show, even if it's my half-hearted attempts at some tatting and knit projects.. But we'll have to wait and see, right?

Please, I know that I've made this request before. Keep M's mom and family in your prayers. This has been a hard two years for all of them, and we're praying for a better year.

And, since I'm late with it, Happy Halloween, Happy Thanksgiving, and happy crafting.

Some Tatting and a Question..

So I found some of my all-time favorite beads that I stole from an old pair of earrings and my silver Lizbeth thread, and this is the result:

The pattern is the "Quadrille" from Yarnplayer's store as well as her new book. They have findings on them now, and I have worn them since this picture was taken. I have found that my tatting looses its shape during the day, and will have to starch these before I wear them again..

I also finished the small motif from last post, but haven't gotten it blocked and photographed. ^^ I'm falling a bit behind!

I'm also working on a hanky at the moment, and this one will have six different rounds. This is what I've already got:

My question is, for the corner on the first round, the pattern (at least in my book) says this:

"Repeat rs and chs until corner is reached, when there is but one r, and the chs next to it join by 1st p."

The copy that's on Georgia's website (located here, and called "The Priscilla Tatting Book #2", page 9), says this:

"Repeat rs and chs until corner is reached, when there is but one (3 r joined together)."

Can anyone help me figure this one out? This is the picture of the pattern (and sorry it's so dark -- I couldn't get a decent photo and this was the clearest I got):

To me, it looks like the corner should have two rings instead of just one, but the picture is really hard to see. Anyone ever completed this pattern? I know it's a "traditional" one (and one that I've already done but with different stitch counts), and it's written in long hand, which has always confused me..

Happy Tatting, all!

I think I'm back..

Possibly? Maybe?

Ever had one of those days where you didn't feel the need to do anything? Has it ever stretched into a month (or two) of nothing?

That's how the last few months have been. It's mostly been just focused on going to work and coming home to do a whole lot of nothing. I haven't had the energy to do much else -- it doesn't help that all my hours were turned around and I was working more than I was used to.

Then, about a week ago, I spied my lonely spinning wheel with a bobbin barely started with some fiber that I had dyed around Easter. So I started spinning. And spinning, and spinning.. I don't have pictures of a finished project as yet, mainly because I have two almost-full bobbins of singles ready to ply! Hope to have those both finished by next week sometime, and have lots of pictures to show then.

I have been doing a little tatting, in fact I'm in the process of working on a smallish motif right now:

It's from the book "Tatting Patterns" by Julia E. Sanders. I bought it back when my laptop charger died, as well as Yarnplayer's new book. What I didn't know was that the book is a re-print of one that is on project Gutenberg (whoops!). Sorry for the scan -- I'm not at home at the moment so I don't have my camera. Hope to have this finished by tonight! ^^

I think that's about all that I have been doing crafting-wise. Hope to get back into blogging soon!

Happy tatting! ^^

One Step at a Time..

Sorry all -- this will be a no-picture post. I had plans to post what I did while at Bonnaroo, but that will have to wait until I have a little bit more free time.

First of all, I am still crafting. In small doses here and there, and when I go on break at work. I've been working on a tatted snowflake for the past week and a half, but haven't gotten more than halfway done with it.

Also have had some major upsets in life. No deaths, although yesterday we nearly lost Willow because of an accident.She's going to be alright, though, but it's going to take a while I think before she's fully back.

Fleas and have been really bad this year.. Worse than last year (and that was pretty bad as well). We gave her some flea drops on Saturday, and by early Sunday morning she was completely catatonic and limp. When we first noticed it, I immediately gave her a bath and later on we took her to the vet.

After all was said and done, we found out that she had licked where the drops were and had an overdose of a certain kind of poison. Luckily her case is really mild, but it could have been much worse.

She's able to walk now, which is a thousand times better than what she was yesterday. Her personality is also coming back, and tonight I got her to eat quite a bit more than I was expecting. I'm trying not to push her and force her, but we're getting there.

Hopefully soon I'll have something to share. 'Till then, I won't be posting much.

Happy crafting, all!

Too many choices!!

So, I'm getting close to going on vacation, and I've found myself trying to decide what to take.

Clothes wise it's a no-brainer, since it's going to be camping and a lot of walking with lots and lots of sunshine and dust. Craft wise, it's not so easy..

I want to take something small as we will have quite a bit of free time during the morning and a bit at night. I don't know what to take though! Do I take a book and try to read it? Do I take some tatting supplies and run the risk of ruining the thread and lace because of sweating and the dust? Or do I take something else? Knitting is out -- I haven't spun the yarn I want to use just yet.. As is crochet 'cause all of my hooks are packed away and hidden where I can't find them. Quilling? Possibly. Hmm..

It's been years since I've last been camping, and I can't decide. What would you take?

Fabric!

.. and a question..

I recently went on a fabric buying spree, wanting to try my hand at sewing some garments. I know I went through this phase last year but never used the fabric that I purchased, but this time I have (nearly) everything ready to go!

First up, I bought this fabric yesterday, and have decided that both fabrics work really well together and thus bought a zipper to go with it:

 My question is, if I were to add a little bit of tatting on it somewhere (either on the band under my bust or on the straps), what color should I use? And should I use size 10 thread or 20? I'm planning on using the same pattern that I found nearly a year ago and blogged about here.. Not sure what edging to use just yet tho!

Also got some fabric to make some pj pants:

Although I don't know so much about the bottom one. I'm starting to think it'd make a good sun dress as well.. or maybe a skirt with a nice yellow top? Hmm..

And then, I found this fabric in the bargain bin:

And have decided to find some coordinating fabrics to create a plethora of these:

My project list seems to be growing instead of shrinking, but I think that I have a firm grasp of what I want to accomplish. Here's to successful projects! lol

Happy Annual Egg Toss, everyone!

And by egg toss, I do mean egg toss:

I have several things to show today, and most of them are in progress shots, mainly because I can't wait to share any more, so this post may get a little long. Sorry for that!

First off, a big, BIG thank-you to both Lace-Loving Librarian and Crazy Mom. While I'm not quite back to "normal" I am getting there, and both of your comments made me smile. Thank-you, ladies!

This past week has been filled with many things, so I'm going to try to take them one at a time. First off is attempt 1:

I couldn't really get a good picture of this, as I took it while I was at work. Anyone see why it's attempt 1? Well, silly me forgot a picot and 5 stitches on the first chain outside the knot, and by the time I found it I had already gotten three and a half arms done. See the beads, though? They are Delcias! Which reminds me..

Late last month, I had taken some time out while visiting M to run a few errends. There's a bead shop not far from his house, and look what I found:

All in all it wasn't too bad. Spent $20 on two tubes of beads and the Bead and Button magazine that has Yarn Player's tutorial in it! I went there looking for it, as I haven't been able to find it at all anywhere else (though to be truthful, I didn't go to B&N.. I woulnd't have been able to buy the magizine for buying books! lol). Right inside the door was the magizine rack and there it was! I squealed, which amused the shop keeper.

Just before I left his house, I found out that I had gotten the promotion that I had been trying for since my birthday last year. As I was coming home, the lighting was beautiful outside and I snapped these pictures:

 Inspiration! ;)

The first one was taken right outside my house, and the second was at the end of the road looking towards the south. While I was on the side of the road, I had a gentleman slow down to make sure everything was alright.

I have another tatting project that I'm working on, but I'll have to share later as I didn't take any pictures of it earlier.

Happy Easter, all!

Life..

I have tried starting this blog for several days, but haven't really been able to find the words that I wanted to say. Forgive me if this is a bit rambly -- there's been so much change in my life the past week that even my head is spinning.

First off, I have several projects in the planning stages, but the most important one is this one:

Celtic Cross

I've tatted this one a few times, but this time it's for a card to send to family. I had a family member pass away from CF, and it's one of the main reasons I'm off-kilter at the moment..

I also have a few hankies that I need to tat, and I think I'm going to go with the same edging that I used last year, but with different colors and beads. I found on the Tat Calendar where someone has created a corner for the edging, so we shall see how it goes.

All hankies are for co-workers who are getting married and/or getting ready to have a baby. If I had time, I'd knit up some washcloths, but I doubt I'd have the time.

Sorry for a non-picture post.. I'm really tired and really don't have anything to show for my absence. Hopefully I'll be able to share some tatting next time. 'Till then!

What have I been up to?

Hi all! Unfortunately this will be another craft-free post as I've got a lot of things going on at the moment that has taken over all my thoughts and time. All projects that I have been working on (three total) have been put to the side.

Spring Summer is in the air, and we are busy trying to get the gardens prepped and ready for this year. I'm in charge of the herbs this year, and am planting them up at my house like I have the past two years, but am having to tear down my old beds and start some new. Grass is the enemy!!

 Hate to say it, but this was my two beds from last year and the year before. Spent over an hour trying to get it leveled out and the grass cut, and this is what I ended up with..

Doesn't look like much, but it's almost there! I just need to finish leveling it off and set up the beds and I'll be ready to plant!

Which is a good thing because herbs I thought I had lost last year are coming back..

And there was a thunderstorm to the south east of us the other night, and I managed to capture this:

Happy Tatting, all! ^^

Decisions and Weather

After my last post, I decided to give the Pinwheel doily another go, but with some different colors and with the outer row complete as well. I'm going to dye the threads (which I nearly have ready) so they match or compliment the colors that my living room is going to be painted in. I've already got the feature wall painted though! (Go me! ^^)

These past few weeks have been a roller coaster where the weather is concerned.. leading me to buy various plants that I needed to get in the ground. I'm proud to say that I have, and love this little blueberry that I hope one day will give me lots of fruit!

And by little I mean tiny..

And I also got more raspberries in the ground as well..

But didn't realize just how crooked my lines were until I viewed the picture on my laptop. lol I can't make straight lines to save my life! You can't really see where they are in the picture.. My phone can't capture all the details like I want.

Also planted two more blueberry bushes with the ones I planted last year. This brings my total blueberry bush count to six, with five raspberry vines. I love berries! lol

Nothing else left to really say. I've wanted to do some crafting, but haven't really had the time other than to garden. Oh! Other than these!

I love living on a farm! XD

Also.. Anyone going to Bonnaroo? If so, e-mail me!

Need advice..

Remember this doily?

Well, Nancy Tracy has added another row to the doily, and I can't decide if I want to add it or not. Any thoughts?

Here's the link to the finished pattern. I really like how lacy it is, but I also like how open it looks right now..

Just a quick "Hello"

Been kind of scatter-brained since my last post, and while I do have some tatting to share, I'm holding off 'till it's been blocked and finished. Erm.. Somewhat finished, that is. Working on another (larger) doily, and am still working on the medallions that need to go around it.

Wanted to share what I have been doing, though. lol

 

See, I've been spring cleaning and I've ran across an enormous amount of white thread. What to do, what to do?

Also, my mom found some hankies at our local Dollar General that are 100% cotton for a rather decent price..

So of course I went out and bought a bunch to play with. There's both straight and scalloped edged hankies, and both have roses on them. Hmm.. I think I'll go get some more! lol

Which reminds me.. What color hanky do you prefer to tat around?

Neopolitan Finished!

Although it lost some most of its shape during transit and needs to be blocked again....

Neopolitan Woes

Hi all! Happy New Year! Hope everyone is having a wonderful post-Christmas time! ^^

I've been suffering from some computer woes lately, and in fact had to wipe my drive and re-instal my OS, but now my laptop is back up and running for a new year. Looks like spring cleaning came early for me lol.

I've been working on a new tatting project, one that I didn't put too much thought into the colors until after the second round. I've misplaced the nearly finished piece (all that was left was to hide two ends and block! ;-;), but I do have an in-progress shot to show:

Sorry for the exceptionally blurry picture.. It seems as if my phone's camera lens needs to be cleaned! I was working on this at work, so you can't really see all the colors right..

All done in size 20 Lizbeth thread, Dusty  Rose Lt, Ecru, and a light brown that I've misplaced the color name.. Pattern by Nancy Tracy from Be-Stitched.com. Pattern here.

She's posted this in parts over a few months, and I'm debating whether to keep to these colors or use darker threads the further out I get. Hmm.. Thoughts anyone?