Listing on Ebay

Well today I'm listing a surplus book on ebay.

Why am I telling you?  It's because it's a tatting book.  It's a rare ish one of Elgiva Nicholls.

I have my own copy which I bought off Elgiva in 1976 when I was lucky enough to meet her at the Lambeth Town and Country Fair in London.  She was showing work from this book too.

My copy (which she signed for me) cost me a whole round pound which was quite a lot of money for me in those days as my kids were young and we were not well off.

The book I'm selling is another one that I bought quite recently.  Goodness knows why I bought it - I got carried away at an auction.  Typical me!!!

The book itself is in an excellent condition although the cover has come off - the  front and back are still attached to each other!!!

If it sells then all monies will go towards more thread and beads!!!!!  Well, what else would I do with it?????  Buy food???  No, thread and beads are more important!!!!!

    

Old earrings!

Now way back in 2006 I was preparing to teach at the Palmetto tatting days held in 2007.  Yes it really does take me ages to get things done - partly because I tend to veer off and do other things along the way!!!

Well that was the year of the Flower Garden theme.  It was when I did the wheelbarrow, watering can and the red eyed tree frog.  Anyway at one point I made a pair of earrings and gave the pattern to go on their CD.  This is the picture of a pair I made a few days ago using that pattern.

It really is a simple one.  Rings only and not even a chain in sight!!!!  I'd forgotten all about it until I saw Joanie wearing a pair she'd made while I was staying with her, so I decided to 're-visit' the pattern again and put it here on my web page. 

Anybody who's awake will notice that this is on the new site but all links go back to the original - except for the images.

A blue ribbon

Well I got a blue ribbon - by proxy!!!!!!!!

Not really but I am sort of slightly involved!!  I got a message from Pam Esbjerg who, by the way, was my teacher's assistant at tat days.  She entered the Lacewing Shuttlebug she'd made in the State Fair.  Here's what she said-

"Good News – I am so excited.  Your bug from Tat Days that I tatted won a blue ribbon in the SC State Fair – am sending a picture, although he looks much better after Bonnie blocked him and fixed his antennae – I left them long and she put a knot in the end and made them shorter.  When I get him back, I will send you a better picture.  I love the design – Thanks so much!!!"

 

Pam also won a blue for a necklace she designed and made. Here it is.  Boy is this a stunning design.

Advertising on my blog

One thing I think I'm allowed to do is advertise on my blog.  Not that I want to or feel the need do it much!!!  I only support things I believe in and this is one of those things.  This is my own Jane Eborall advert so 'sit tight' and enjoy the ride!!!

As we all know - needle tatting is SUPPOSED to be easier to learn than the traditional shuttle.  This was probably true in the 'dark ages' but not now.  I'll explain the thoughts of brain cell # 3.

Do you remember the 'dark ages'?  Those were the days when all us OG's like me sat in our homes and shuttle tatted (because the needle hadn't been invented) on our own and in total isolation?  My own 'dark ages' started in 1956.  Just had a had a thought.  We weren't OG's in those days - just training to be.  Sorry, I digress as usual!!!

We were able to buy the odd and rare magazine with patterns in but not a lot else.  No coloured threads, no contact with others (well, I did have my gran but she was a learner too) and never a bead entered the equation.

Then along came the Ring of Tatters (here in the UK) and twice a year a Newsletter popped through the door - with patterns and gossip.  This was started some years ago now - nearly 30, I think.

Then roughly fifteen to seventeen years ago the light was switched on!!!  Finally the internet arrived.  Now ANYBODY can easily learn to shuttle tat.  It's not rocket science but it IS easier when you can actually SEE it being done slowly and carefully.  So the Ring of Tatters took the opportunity recently to make their own DVD which anybody with a computer (and I know that you, dear reader, has one or you wouldn't be reading this ramble!) can now learn to SHUTTLE tat the traditional way.

There, that wasn't such a bad advert, was it?  Least there was no irritating music!!!!  


I also have a link on my home page to this page too.  You won't escape!!!!

I've spent my birthday money!

Now what did I spend my birthday money on?  Oooooh, well, there's a story.

Anybody who knows me will realise that I'm not very good at spending money.  I'll only buy something 'when I need it'.  I see things and think - oooooh, I'd like that.  Then brain cell # 3 clicks in and says - "but do you NEED it"?  99 times out of 100 the answer is "not really" and I don't buy it - oh, unless it's threads, beads or something tatting related, of course and then I might!!!

So, when I tried to upload a pattern (still not quite ready for you guys!!!) onto my web site a few days ago and it wouldn't 'go' I realised that the time had come to 'bite the bullet' and buy myself some more web space!!!!  That's what I spent my birthday money on.

I've had the tattysaurus up on a free web place since his 'birth' but he's always had those infuriating banners above his noble head.  So I 'bought into' freeservers.com.  Instead of getting the tattysaurus when you put in this url you now get my front index page.  The links will take you back to the original site but it may mean that more people get to see the patterns - if they want to!!!

Oh, Georgia, don't panic.  I'll not be changing anything on the original site - promise!!!!  I've now uploaded all my site onto the freeservers server - just in case!!!

From a fairy to a snowman in one easy step!!!

On Saturday I had the following email from Geraldine:-

"What wonderful animals the palmetto tatters come up with. Glad you enjoyed yourself and told us all about it.

This little chap I came up with by using your 3D flower fairy pattern. It was for Charnwood tatters open day back in September.

A hanging Christmas tree decoration was the competition. Yes I WON with him. Hope you like him."

 

Now this is what I think should be happening in tat land.   Geraldine took my pattern (courtesy of brain cell # 3 - may he live forever) and used parts of that pattern to come up with something really novel.  What is so pleasing is that not only did she acknowledge her source but she also shared it with all of us.  

 

I don't think I ought to say this but I think he's going to melt soon!!!!