On a roll!!

Yes, already further progress with the Dora Young pattern (page 22) so I'm just showing you quickly how far I've got.

I get to this point in a project when I don't honestly want it to end.  Problem is - I worry about how much thread I've got and how long it will last!!!  

You'd think that by now I'd be able to judge this but I still worry.  Well, worry isn't strictly true - I sort of keep thinking about it but just continue.  

An exchange

This year I decided (after some subtle 'suggestions') from Ruth to join in with the Fringe Exchange. 

The theme was 'bling' so (of course) I hit the beads big time!!!

Now the trouble with joining an exchange is (for me) not feeling I've done enough or given enough so I pulled all the stops out. 

I must admit (don't tell anybody, please) I did make some of my favourite patterns which were the bracelet, the earrings to match and this pendant too.  I also had a lovely matching (sort of) tatting bag left so that simply 'had' to go in just because it matched!!! Couldn't resist a fridge magnet of our local celebrity either!!! A few beads and buttons happened to come into my view too. I know the recipient was happy and that made me happy too.

Guess what?  I've signed up for the next exchange too.  I'm waiting to see who I have to send to before I decide what to do for him/her.

A larger poodle!!!

Do you remember the 'poodle doodle' that I did for Lina? Well we decided that she needed a larger poodle to either add as a motif to a garment or to make into a pendant. 

This took some doing as you can see from the second picture!!!! In fact there were a few other 'bits' that got binned before they got to the scanner!!!

The pattern is now available here in the animals section on the pattern site.

Another motif

Well I've added another motif to the Dora Young pattern so am committed now to carrying on. 

Why am I committed? Well I really now want to see how all the twirls end up!!!! 

This book (as I mentioned yesterday) is available from Tatting and Design here in the UK. When I think how desperate I was to get a copy just two years ago it's lovely to have it 'at hand' now. Dora really was a 'mover and shaker' in her day and even if the book MAY seem expensive there's a LOT in it to keep a tatter happy. 

The pictures aren't 'that' inspiring in the book (well the original book was published a long time ago) but if you search my blog posts from around this time last year you can see how most of them work up in 'modern' colours. 

Also there are some help notes too which are on a 'page' at the top of this blog. I'm here too if anybody needs extra help.

A day out

Now I'm not an intrepid traveller although I don't find hopping on planes a huge problem but I DO get very nervous about going places in the car (and bus and train). So, when I was told about the Gloucester tatting day I decided that I'd go. This is the third time but each time I get very nervous about driving there. I don't mind if I'm on my own but the whole thing is a 'big deal' for me. BUT I'm learning to trust satnav now and I'm getting better at it.

So an hour and a quarter after setting out I arrived at the venue. It's always a very relaxed day with a vendor with lots of goodies. I sat opposite Margaret who entertained us with stories of her doing a zip wire trip for her 80th birthday. 

To my delight Rosemarie Peel was there too.  I hadn't seen her for many many years so we had a lot to catch up on!!! With her permission I've added a photo of her below. We spoke about my addiction to her pattern (Rachel) which I've made so many times and she said she'd got a few copies left of the book so if you want more information please do email me and I'll pass you on to her. Rachel is on the third picture down (the cover of the book is the second picture or this link).  Oh there are lots of other designs in there that are great too - it's just that I love Rachel best.

Talking to Barbara who was the vendor (Tatting and Design) she said she'd got stocks of the Dora Young book (All New Knotless Tatting) available but it isn't on her web site which she's still getting sorted out. I was tempted (and gave in) to buy a ball of the Liz metallic and another cotton one which is the Lizbeth Maple Butter and this was after me telling BC3 FIRMLY that we didn't need anymore threads!!!

There was also another lovely lass there called Michelle who wanted to learn to shuttle tat. She quickly got the hang of it after having struggled with needle tatting and finding it wasn't what she wanted to do as her gran had done shuttle tatting and needle didn't give her the results she wanted.  I'm just hoping she carries on with it and that I'll see her again in September at the next meeting.  I enjoyed her company too.

Freely available all day was tea, coffee and CAKE!!!!  

A big, huge, humungous thank you must go to Linda Williams who organised the whole day.  Not many people get me 'out and about' in my car but Linda does and I hope to be there in September too.  So, all you folk who live in or near Gloucester here in the UK, please think about joining us in September.