Christmas in July!!

One of the tatting groups (HBT) decided to do a Christmas in July exchange. I finally got to open the package from my partner Shawna on Thursday! WOW! Take a look -

Shawna is one talented lady - she made the coolest tatting bag. Out of a potholder!! She embellished it with her own heart design (very pretty). She also sent an ornament covered in purple tatting, seed beads, punchneedle thread & lots of chocolate. The tatting bag was also filled with tons of goodies: vintage thread, more beads, coilless safety pins, easy thread needles, folding scissors, baby hair clips, a hanky and a Susan Bates shuttle! Hope I didn't forget anything!

Thank you so much Shawna! You put so much thought into this. And thank you Sue for organizing such a fun exchange!

My fancy shuttle winder!

There was a discussion on the tatting lists about shuttle winders. So for those who are interested, here is my fancy, high tech shuttle winder . . . .

It's cheap, it works and I always have plenty of coffee can lids around.

Thanks Mom!

Mom surprised me with two bobbin lace books that she picked up at a library sale for .50! I got Pamela Nottingham's Bobbin Lace Making and Bobbin Lace: Form by the Twisting of Cords by Kaethe Kliot! Both are excellent!

I also spent some time learning how to make a lucet braid today. Very fun and easy! It could get very addicting. I think I may pick up another lucet though. The one I bought is great and serves its purpose, but is a little bulky. I think I would like something a little slimmer.

I signed up for the summer tatting exchange and now I have to figure out what to send. So many patterns to choose from and so little time! I received some beautiful hand dyed thread from Yarnplayer (Marilee) that I'd like to use. Just need to find a pattern worthy of it!

That was my fun for today :) - back to work tomorrow. :(

I heart Etsy!

The etsy shop is finally starting to take off! Yay! I've been contacted by a few people asking for custom orders - just small motifs, but it's a start. I've also decided to break down and order a huge amount of Turkish thread to sell and also have available to use for the custom orders. There are so many colors to choose from!

I'll have solids, variegates and two different types of metallics in addition to the Valdani hand dyed threads I already carry.

Plus, I've been able to finally get some more tatting done. I'm hoping to get that listed this week as well.

It's so hard to get anything done right now. My almost 4 yr. old DS has been demanding almost constant attention (unless he is sitting in front of the tv!). And the weather has finally become springlike so both kids want to be outside. It's so difficult to juggle everything that I would like to do in a day - I need more hours! How do working mothers do it?

I've also realized there is no way I'll fit into my summer clothes, so I have to find some time to get back on my Isagenix program and start working out. My goal is to drop ten pounds this month.

Wow, this turned into a rant . . .

I WILL tat today!!

So much for being able to keep up with a blog! I haven't had any time for tatting lately. So today I plan to sit down and work on an edging I've been asked to make for a crazy quilt. It's a perfect day for it - cold, snowy and my husband is home to take care of the kids!

I've been getting a little more interest in my Etsy shop. So time to get some more tatting done and listed and order some more thread! I'm hoping to find a web designer this week and get started on a banner and possibly a website to sell tatting supplies on. I'm so excited and can't wait to get started!

Heart of the butterfly

I've been tearing the house apart looking for the book that this tatted heart pattern is in.







I know exactly which book - but it is hiding from me!! I just hope that I didn't leave it somewhere. I even have multiple working copies & can't find those either! I may have to email aktatter to see if she still has copies for sale.

Tha new Handy Hands catalog came the other day. I've been drooling over each page trying to decide how to spend money that I probably shouldn't! The new Nordic Needle catalog should be coming soon also. :)

I made a recipe in the crockpot last week that doesn't sound great, but was actually pretty good.

6 chicken breasts
2 pkgs. Stove Top stuffing, prepared
2 cans cream of mushroom soup

Place the chicken in the crockpot, put prepared stuffing on top & then the soup over all. I cooked it on low for 5-6 hours. The original recipe said to cook on high, but the stuffing would have burnt. My husband and kids have requested that we have this again! (WOW!)
Thanks to Crystal for posting the recipe on her blog. http://www.mrssuziehomemaker.blogspot.com/

My first venture into the world of Blogging!

I'm starting this to join in on the fun that all the other tatters are having with blogging. I may even join the 25 motif challenge! Maybe having to fill this space will get me tatting more.

I'll post other things too. About the kids, recipes & etc.