Book sale

I'm on a one woman rescue mission!!  I rescue tatting books from the charity shops in town. Well, only the one charity shop ever seems to have them!!

These three were picked up for £2.50 each and I'm happy to part with them for that price - plus postage.  If you want one, two or even all three of them then please email me on itatlots @ gmail.com.  First come, first served although I'd rather send them all to one person if possible.  I'll take them to the Post Office and find out a price once a buyer is found and then they'll soon be on the way once they've been paid for!!!    If nobody wants them then I'll reach to a larger audience either through Etsy or Ebay.  The only markings in all three is a price. 

The condition of the three is excellent - in fact they've hardly been used. Unlike my originals which I bought as they were published - they're very dog eared!!!

Another present

This is a lovely, lovely bag (zipped) that Ruth made for me. I LOVE pink!! Can you see that it's got my name on it? That bag stays permanently with me now and is really useful for when I forget my name - which I do regularly.  Actually it's just right for putting in my bag to take to Crafternoon.  See - it's already got a job.  Well, I'll be honest I'd already put it into good use when I was packing to come home.  

There were 'things inside' too but I've not got a picture of them as they've all been put away tidily - silly me. One of the items was a little arch file book with blank pages (and a packet of refill too) - that's in my handbag too.

Changing the subject!

I've got lots of 'goodies' to show you from my trip and presents too.

First of all an apron.  Ginny gave me this - don't you LOVE the flying pigs?!?!? She also gave me extra fabric that she had left over too.

Now I don't cook!!! Nick told me twenty plus years ago when I moved in with him that 'women can't cook'!!!  Right, I'd been doing it for years and years but it was a chore and as he loved cooking I 'allowed' him to take over the kitchen!!!! So, what has this got to do with an apron?  Bet you thought I'd not wear it cause I don't cook!!

Well, you're very, very wrong.  I wear it all the time in the house.  Why?  Well it's the most USEFUL item I have ever found for carrying 'stuff' around.  I'm always putting things down (shuttles, thread, iPad, phone, apples, etc, etc) and losing them in the house.  NO MORE.  I put them in the pockets of the apron so they NEVER GET LOST. 

Personally I think this is one of the most useful tatting items I've ever owned and I'll be making another from the remaining fabric for when this one has to go in the wash.  Thank you, Ginny.  I've suggested that she may make more so it's up to all of us to 'nag' her after Christmas to make aprons for tatting.

Another new place to stay

After my lovely stay with Terry and Jim we took Judith to meet her niece and then it was time to plonk myself on Ruth.  Poor woman.

Well again new adventures and trips to a fantastic quilt store right 'out in the sticks' and an antique fair where I picked up three shuttles (I'll post about them another day).

Ruth also very kindly took me to Niagara Falls. I really can't explain how incredible that was. Obviously we've all heard about them and seen them on television but actually being there and experiencing them was beyond belief. I think I can truly say I was gobsmacked and rather like a kid in a sweet shop. 

So below are just a few of my pictures and links to videos.  Oh, the first one is me 'earning my keep' and mowing Ruth's lawn!!!!  I swear that it was all uphill even when it looked downhill!!!!

First we visited Niagara on the Lake but I didn't take any pictures!!  What an idiot.  I think I was too overwhelmed by the prettiness of the town.  

Then onto the Whirlpool rapids.  Quite frightening to see even from above.  This is the cable car which goes over the rapids - here's a link to the 'about it' page.

Next we went to Niagara Falls itself. We took a tour of the tunnels behind the Falls which is where you get the real feel of the power of the water. Here are a few pictures and links to videos.

This is a video taking you from the Horseshoe Falls round to the Rainbow Bridge.

Now from behind the Falls and you can see the Maid of the Mist as it turns in front of the cascade.

One of the boats taking people almost up to the cascade.  Those must be some powerful engines!

A view of the Rainbow Bridge with - yes, a rainbow!!

Finally - just to prove I was really there - me.   Yes, it was a windy day!!!!

After the tatting days

First of all - my Etsy shop is back up and running with new stock and old too!!!  Here's the link.

Well after the tatting days at the Fringe Terry drove Linda down to Niagara with Judith and I as passengers.  Then Judith Connors and myself had two (or was it three?) days  staying with her. 

It was a real rest after the weekend and much appreciated - thank you, Terry and Jim. Terry has the most amazing collection of teas I've ever seen. One I totally fell for - I'm a classified teaaholic!

Jim's garden was amazing. I've not seen tomatoes that size before!!

Spending time with a famous tatter like Judith was a REAL treat. She kept us both amused with her stories and adventures. Where does she get the energy?

Fringe tatting weekend

Well that was a BLAST. It was strange meeting people I'd known about from the UK in a 'foreign country' although that's happened to me before. Two ladies I'd not met before - great meeting you, Linda and Heather. 

The venue was great - a Best Western Hotel. I LOVE those places as they have a DIY waffle maker which is a 'toy' I love to play with!!!  Breakfast was fun!

I took a Judith Connors class first of all and then I was teaching the rest of the time. LOVE Judith's sense of humour - more about her later.

I did worry a bit when Karey Solomon accused me of being 'evil' while she was in my class but she was laughing at the time! Karey - I'll take that as a compliment!!!  I told myself before leaving England that I wasn't going to buy anymore threads but I couldn't pass Karey's stall without getting more!!  I think SHE'S the evil one - putting temptation in my way!!!

Also at the event were three Danish ladies - one of whom was Lene Bjorn who I was so pleased to meet. Between you and me - she was showing us the patterns she's working on for a new book. That's going to be a 'must buy' I can tell you.

Georgia conducted an auction and in the few seconds before it started I agreed to be sold!!!  Well, me and the picture of the geese that I took to Canada even though the darn things are still residing in town!!!  I can't remember what they 'got' for me but I know I met a delightful lady who bought me for an hour.  Spent the time teaching her how to do the SCMR.  

I didn't get many pictures during the event as I was supposed to be teaching!!!   If anybody's thinking of going to the Fringe Element Tat Days next year then stop thinking and DO IT. Here's their web site so you can keep a look out.

The geese I took back to Canada!

A view of the room before things started - look at the raffle prizes and more to come the next day too!

 Making waffles!