Bonnie's baskets

Bonnie was another friend who we visited when we were in South Carolina.  

Bonnie is an amazing craftswoman who sadly got sidelined away from tatting a few years ago.  I'm hoping she'll come back as her work is impeccable.  

Her main addiction nowadays is basket making.  Her house is FILLED with baskets of all shapes and sizes.  Again each one is perfect.  

She kindly gave me the corn stalk you can see below and the lovely little basket below.  THANK YOU, Bonnie.  

Please thank Jo for finding batteries for Hilarious if you read this!!  We have such fun at your house.

So many presents.

Here are three shuttles that I was given while I was at Palmetto Tat Days.  Aren't they gorgeous?

I have quite a collection now even though I've never deliberately bought many shuttles over the years. 

My first really antique one was given to me when I was fifteen - after I'd been tatting for a couple of years.  The lady who gave it to me was Mrs Wildig and she lived in a thatched cottage in Shottery.  It's a treasure.  Back in 1956 when I started tatting I could pop into local shops and buy new Milwards or Aero's anytime I liked and the thread was very cheap too.  A 'pocket money' hobby for me!!

Three other gifts.

During my trip I stayed for about a week in Lexington, SC.  One day a few of us got together at one friend’s house and had great fun. 

Last time I was with my ‘gang’ we talked about Bonnie’s baskets (more to come on those another day) and Karen’s beadwork.  

Karen showed us some of her designs and I must admit they were amazing.  She kindly gave me these earrings and the bracelet.  I’ve worn them almost 100% of the time since I’ve been back.  They are entirely made of the tiniest beads.  

Karen sells through retail outlets and also through her Facebook page which is here.  The name of the site is 707 Third Avenue.  She also has a fabulous range of modern items too.  THANK you, Karen.  

Just to prove

That I really did go to Palmetto Tat Days I'm going to show you some pictures.  One of all the mountains and one that I really love which shows our one and only Georgia Seitz.  So good to see her and all my other friends - plus, hopefully, new friends too.  

What did I think?

A quick summary of Palmetto Tat Days 2024.

I hadn't been to a Tat Days since 2019 so things were a bit different.  The new venue was stunning although I was so busy I didn't see a lot of it!!!  The actual place itself seemed ginormous and it was a bit confusing finding the way around for a day or so.  I really wished I'd packed my internal sat nav but it had fallen out with BC3 the week before and refused to come with me!!

Food was good with a choice of what to eat.  The rooms were fine and certainly big enough for three or even four.

The company was excellent and the vending room seemed adequate too.  Initially I was disappointed that there was to be no banquet but with the lack of that there was more time for socialising and generally I felt it was more relaxed.  

Sadly one of the top organisers was taken sick so Theresa was running round like a headless chicken.  Thanks to her the weekend ran so smoothly.  

Would I go again?  YES.  Will I go again?  Sadly I won't.  The reason for this is my age.  I'll be 81 shortly and I found this year I had so many personal worries that nearly stopped me going that I can't afford to make the commitment.  It takes me probably six months in design work and then the cost of flights plus insurance is now phenomenal.  

I was also worrying about friends I was staying with and whether their health would be OK for them to host me.  As it was it worked out perfectly but I daren't risk another trip.  Also my BC3 or body could be 'out of action' too!!!

Many, many thanks to those who put me up and hosted me so very well throughout the years Sandra, Gloria, and Joanie. To those who shared the fun of Hilarious - Karen, Bonnie and Jo (thanks for the batteries!).  To dear Marie (who we met and had lunch with (she taught me the lazy way to do a split chain) and many others.  Jerry for the games of corn hole which he generously 'allowed' me to win many times.  All the friends who I met at the 'parties on the porch' at Gloria's.  Corky - thanks for the introduction to steel cut oats.  I've been addicted for years now.  I'm sure I've missed many names but my BC3 has had jet lag since it got back.  THANK YOU ALL.

Finally thank you to the Palmetto Tatters who first contacted me over twenty years ago and invited me to teach at the second Tat Days.  I've made so many wonderful friends through that one time invitation.  

A last comment - you know it's time to go home when the loo roll runs out in your guest bathroom.  Joanie I LOVE YOU and yes I did know where the replacement was kept!!!!