Don't forget!!

Don't forget that this evening (that's MY this evening) I will be releasing the new batch of shuttles - see this link.

I've also managed to finish, photograph, pack and list all the bags - that kept me quiet for ages!!!  

I'm in the doldrums at the moment over tatting.  Not sure why either.  I've got lots of stuff to upload but don't seem to have the time to do that (thanks to bags and shuttles!!).  New ideas seem to be either lacking or 'not working properly'.

Maybe a long, wet Bank Holiday this weekend will give me time to get the odds and ends done.  Perhaps a pattern fest next week, eh?

New book

Yesterday I spent hours sorting through my tatting books.

When I first had a computer I set up a spreadsheet to record all my books.  On and off over the years I've updated this - always trying to remember to do it when I received a new book.  That just didn't work!!!!  So thanks to Sherry I decided to spend time getting it sorted after a few years of neglect.  I must apologise to Sherry Pence for taking so long to say thank you to her publicly and to show you her book.  She's selling it on her Etsy shop here.

I was honoured to be asked to test tat for this book but my heart dropped when I saw it was going to be all about encapsulation!!  Not my favourite topic.  But I got 'stuck in' and found I really enjoyed it.  It's a really cool book and I know I'm going to return to it time and time again.

Sherry sent me a copy to say thank you but I was a bit disappointed as she hadn't signed it.  There's nothing like having a 'signed by the author' copy of a book.  Anyway, you can see I got round my 'problem' and I've stuck her little note inside the front cover.  There, you see - job done.

It's only in later years that I've come to value signed books as when I met Elgiva Nichols back in 1976 and bought her book off her she insisted she signed it.  I didn't give it much thought back then but now I really value that signature and the book too.

More shuttles and bags

I'm fed up with blogger - for the past nearly two weeks my posts haven't gone out when I've scheduled them and so the one about 'making bags' didn't go out for several days because I just didn't notice!!!  That also says a lot about brain cell 3 not behaving either.  

Well I'm pleased to tell you that all bags are now made and ready to go 'live' along with more shuttles.  My poor old rear end has been stuck to the chair in front of the sewing machine for days on end!!!

Each is a full set (roly poly, poke proof and bobbin holder) although I am selling them separately.  Well, I still need to pack them and list them in drafts.

YES, I did also say more shuttles!!!

They'll all go 'live' on Saturday at 20.00 BST (British Summer Time).  I'm doing it to help out if people want several things.  Postage has gone up in the U.K. again, I'm afraid.  If I have overcharged on the postage (although I have checked at the Post Office) I'll refund through Paypal as usual - some of you know I do that anyway if I find too much has been paid.

Here is a list of shuttles available this next time.  They all have hooks except the post shuttle which has butterflies on each side.  Must nudge 'im in the garage into making some more 'hooks with hats on' too.

Oregon Myrtle 3

Black Walnut 3

Cherry 3

Apple 3

Pear 3

Yew 3

Oak 2

Maple 3

Holly 1

Teak Post Shuttle 1

Reversible motif

Now this is something that I like a lot.  It's a pattern I did years ago (just checked - 2002) and I often wonder how I did it!!!  Here's the link.  

I was thinking the other day and realised that it might make a good pendant so that's what I did!!!!

Oh, part of the 'excuse' I used for making a pendant is due to a casual remark by Sharren on one of her blog posts - I NAME AND SHAME Sharren!!!!

I can't find the particular sentence but it made me stop and think about how to add a finding inside a ring.  Now I'm sure that Jon or somebody else has done a tutorial on it but me, being me and sorta a bit thick at times I didn't really 'see' it.  Then Sharren got me thinking again so I needed an excuse to play with the idea.

Oh, SO simple edging again

Two days ago I had a lovely message from Marjolein Mieras in The Netherlands. She said:-

"I want to thank you so much for the pattern of the “Oh SO simple edging”.

I am a beginning needle tatter, but the pattern was very clear.

Here is a picture of my edging - I used it on a crazy quilt block".

Here is a link to Marjolein's blog where she explains why she has put the three arrows there.

Thank you, Marjolein for sending me these wonderful pictures - I love your colours.

More bags!!!

Well it's rained and rained and rained lately which we badly needed.  Time to cut out more bags!!!

This will be the last lot EVER.  Well, that's how I feel at the moment!!!  I'm easily bored with things!!

In the top pile you can just see a very pretty black background with read cherries on.  Also there's a lovely beigey coloured print with old fashioned air balloons.

On the top of the bottom pile is a navy piece with gold cherubs and stars on.  That's the 20 'sets' all piled up and waiting for me to make a start!!!

Every 'set' consists of the roly poly bag, a poke proof pouch AND a six 'shot' bobbin holder.  This is going to keep me busy for a week or two, I think!!!