Another batch!

Well here's what's been keeping me busy the last few days!!!  Although sales in the shops have been slow they certainly haven't been via my big mouth!!!!

I've had a return customer who ordered the panda - she missed the one I had in Etsy earlier this month so bought a seahorse instead.  That arrived safely in the USofA and she then decided on a panda next.  It's always good to have a returning customer on something like this as it's reassuring to know your daft ideas actually work!!  Anyway, I digress.  The new seahorses and snowflake were ordered by a neighbour - after a 'good gossip' earlier in the week.

The sewing part of these is done in the conservatory which we don't heat.  Can you imagine me sitting there in the cold (but not tooooo cold) room sewing?  I've got it down to a 'fine art' now.  I do all the preparation in the warm and then dash out to sew.  

The other day I was halfway through when a couple of guys came to collect the garden rubbish that they'd left after a day's 'landscaping'.  There I was with two double doors open while wheelbarrows passed by me.  Needless to say I scarpered and came back to it later after they'd gone!!!

Tatting in Chile

This is some work I've recently been shown by Irma in Chile.   She and her friends have found a supply of metal inserts rather like the ones I used here.

Here are the pictures she sent me.  At first I thought the purply one was mine!!

What a lot of lovely neat work.

Christmas card

A few weeks ago Karen of Crafty Ideas here in the UK (click on the link!) popped into my inbox.  She's learning to tat.  She has a wealth of craft experience behind her so it's no wonder that she's taken to the shuttle like the proverbial 'duck to water'.  Quack, quack, quack.  Sorry, couldn't resist a bit of stupidity!

Anyway over the past few weeks and despite being probably the busiest woman I've ever spoken to, she's managed to make her own cards WITH this snowman on!!!  She sent me one and it's perfect.  I've been meaning to make some myself but - well I keep getting distracted!!!

Must admit to those who don't know me too well, that I'd forgotten this chap!!  He's lurking here (no danger of him melting at the moment as it's SO cold).  So if you live anywhere near East Sussex it looks as if you could be in for a treat if you visit Karen's shop.  Wish I lived close by - it looks like a treasure trove.

The snowflake

It's done and dusted and floating in cyberspace in all it's 'glory'!!!!  Here's the link.

In the end I changed the orinal pattern slightly adding some very small picots to stabilise the points on the SCMR's.

Then I did two versions using two colours and a split chain and two SSSR's.  Sounds complicated but I'd rather it be seen as 'stimulating'!!!  Obviously you can avoid the  split chain and SSSR's if you really, really love cutting and hiding ends!!!  Is there anybody 'out there' who does?!??

Here's the final of the final of the very last one.  Least I think it will be but I keep wanting to make them so we'll see!!

I would love to contact Gina Shilitani but each time I reply to her email message it bounces.  Any help would be appreciated - I'd hate her to think I was ignoring her.

Finally my apologies to people to whom I haven't replied to messages on Facebook.  I heard the other day that some messages could be found in the 'other' box and darn me - so there were!!!  Some were SO old there were mushrooms growing on them!

Anastasija's edging

You are NOT going to believe this.  Just the most beautiful eye candy I've ever seen.

Anastasija sent me this picture a few days ago.  Isn't it amazing?

The final

First of all - does Gina S (@tampabay.rr.com) read this blog?  If so can you try emailing me on another address - every time I try to reply to your message it bounces on me!!!  I have the answers for you!!!

This is the last of these - I keep promising myself!!!

When I get a 'bee in my bonnet' I can't leave a design alone.  This one intrigued me as I wanted to use two colours in it but didn't want the 'fiddle' of cutting and tying.  So I decided to 'wing it' and this is what happened.

There's one split chain and two SSSR's with the second thread hidden in the first half.  Really, really not hard - I promise.  AND the best thing is - I've written the pattern down for myself!!  Do you think it's worth putting it on my web site?