Look at this!!!!

It's always very reassuring to find out that people actually make up some of the patterns that are on my pattern page - or elsewhere!!!!  

Elizabeth sent me this last week along with this comment:-

"Here is my first leaf.  I will tat some more to put on a shirt.  I ordered the Palmetto CD just to get your leaf and bird.  It is a very good CD.  Lots of nice patterns."  

Well I left the last sentence off cause it made me blush!!!!

A start on the Victorian purse

Now you saw my post (or maybe not!) last week (or it could've been the week before!!) over the purse in the Mrs Beeton's Book of Needlework so, after that I'd said all that I, thought 'why not'.  Why not what?  Why not another try!!!!!

Back when I did the black and white version we didn't have computers or such like so everything had to be 'jotted down' on paper.  This made sorting out this pattern back 'then' almost impossible as it's not easy to understand in the first place!!!!  Also I was about thirty years younger, with young kids, teaching full-time and all the complications that brings to one's craft life.

This time round I realised straight away that the centre of the black and white one is wrong but I sort of remember thinking that it wouldn't work so did it 'my way'.  Well it doesn't 'really' work but I used the instructions this time round and followed them to the letter (no, sorry, number)!!!!  Of course the fact that it doesn't 'sit' right could be down to the thickness of the thread or the size of the beads - not sure.

Then onto round 1.  Softly softly catchee monkey!!!  I did this exactly according to the written word too. 

Looking closely at the picture in the book it does look as if it's OK but I'm not happy with the way some of the beads have turned towards the inside of the rings.  Still 'upwards and onwards' and all that guff!!!!!!

More eye candy

Gosh, here I am 'Americanised' again!!!!  I'd never heard of the expression 'eye candy' before the www came along!!!  

Just LOOK at the colours in the flowery bookmark.  This is another offering from Jane who says:-

"Hi Jane, I've just made your flowery scmr bookmark. I thought the 'tail' would work to attach to the heart. I thought you might like to see. I used three dimple rings instead of the flower at the end. The colours of the flowery bookmark are really brighter than show on the computer. Part of my latest dyeing efforts. I'm pleased with the results. Happy tats, Jane"

Well I had to use pink for her message, didn't I?!?!?!?!?

Another Winsome brooch!

Here's another one - didn't take as long to do as the first!!!!  A shorter evening!!!

This one is going to be worn on my brown heavy duty winter coat.  When I find it!!!  The coat, I mean.  By the time I've found that I'll probably have lost the brooch!!!!

Don't you just LOVE that big bead on the middle section at the bottom?  I wish I could remember where it came from but it's been 'flaunting' itself under my nose now for years.  I've finally managed to find a way to showcase it.

Back to the floating chain.

It's such fun to play with new ideas.  This is based on the floating chain idea which Terry brought to my attention.  There's been an ongoing discussion between Terry, Suzanne and I about improvements in working this technique but unfortunately I've not been able to give it my full attention.  I've had a touch of 'something or other' and haven't been too sparky for a few days.

Here's what happens when you've finally got a bit of time, though!!!  I can't think of another way you could get this effect but I'm sure somebody will think of an alternative!!!

Now to make something pretty out of this!!!!  You can't call the spider pretty, can you?

Last week

Last week I had the following message from Elfriede in Germany:-

"Thanks for the description of the Snowflake Flurry.

Attached please find a picture of my Snowflake Flurry.One more question:I do voluntary work in the Deutscher Occhi-Ring and would like to publish my Snowflake Flurry with the instructions translated into German in our brochure "Shuttle Information" in the fall of 2011. I will use your name as a designer. I hope that you allow me this. Many thanks.

Kind regards 

Deutscher Occhi-Ring"

Now this is what I call long term planning.  So next autumn the Flurry Snowflake will appear in German.  I hope to start a section on my website for my own patterns in different languages.  I have a few already translated but haven't quite got round to sorting them out.  It's really flattering and rewarding to think that people are prepared to spend time doing this for others who can't understand English.  Thank you Elfriede - and even more important asking and letting me know.  Below is her Flurry Snowflake.

Winsome brooch finished.

Here's the brooch finished!!  I've now sprayed it with fabric protector as it will be worn on a thick winter fleece.

I'm not very good at hanging clothes up - well, that's not strictly true.  I DO hang them up but usually on the floor!!!!  Also as this is going to be worn on a fleece - if that 'pills' then it might start to discolour the threads.

Well, Jane, does that really matter?  The whole thing can be 're-cycled' in an evening.  Hmmmm, a long evening!!!

I actually do re-cycle my beads if they're big ones like this.  Let me see.  The beads on this brooch all came from America!!!  I think some came from Sue Anna, some from Crazy Mom and there maybe one type there from Ridgewoman!!!  I love these beads - they really, really sparkle.  They should cheer up a dreary winter's day when I'm bumbling round the town.  Now, how about earrings to match?

Another 'take' on the Winsome!!!

Before I start today - I must draw your attention to two links resulting from Saturday's post.  These are both from people who are more knowledgeable than me about beads!!!  The first is from Gina's blog where she gives a lot of very practical info on what beads to use and where.  I'm also putting this link to a post by Bree's Way.  I've also put a link (top left) on my page so you'll be able to find it easily in future.

There's something about some patterns that keep calling me back!!!!

I bought these safety pin things a few months ago with a brooch in mind.  I wanted something that would be bulky but 'light' in looks to wear on my winter jacket.  Anyway, this is the start of the 'effort'.  It really, really does sparkle!!!   I hope to finish it tomorrow so keep watching!!!!

Bead talk!

An interesting question popped into my inbox a few days ago.  It was from Sandy who is a relatively new tatter. She asked me this:-

Hi Jane, long time no e-mail, I have been reading patterns and have noticed that with patterns that have beads  no one says what size of bead  or type to use of course the thread has to be considered but a little help with the beads would be nice. I can tell a seed bead I think but after that I am lost. Being new at tatting really new all the information would be nice.  I don't even know what the beads are or size to buy. Please help I am sure others have the same question but might feel it is to stupid to ask. Not me, if you could put it in your blog that would be great. I am only able to order from catalog's and I can tell you there are thousands of beads in all sizes. Please Help

Beads are something that I've always 'taken for granted'.  I started using them in tatting about thirty years ago.  Believe it or not I was making earrings back then with beads!!!!  Only a few and mainly for eyes but they were 'there'.  Since then I've learnt a lot about them!!!  

Seed beads are my main core purchases.  Size 11.  This is one of many links which help to explain a lot better than me about sizing them.  Also another here.

Perhaps this chart will help too.  Actually if you read the note under the seed bead chart you'll see why this becomes a difficult question to answer!!!

When it comes to 'other beads' of varying sizes I tend to buy and then later decide what to use them for.  One of my main sources is Ebay where anything and everything can be found.  This is another source for many very pretty beads!!!!  The shop that the Hospice runs at the local tip!!!  Sally and I always pay a visit there when she's in town!!!!

So, to sum up, Sandy, I think if you buy size 11 seed beads they will become your 'core' bead.  They sit nicely on most threads.

A century apart (or more!)

A couple of days ago I saw this on a blog and it reminded me of the neck purse I'd made over thirty years ago!!!  They are so different yet both have have the same purpose in life, although I guess the value of the coins they are meant to hold has changed beyond measure too!!!    

Goodness knows where mine is now but it's lurking somewhere in this house!!!!  

I'd seen the pattern in the Mrs Beeton's Book of Needlework (I finally inherited an original gold edged pages copy from my gran which was published in 1869 or thereabouts) and wanted so desperately to make it.  From her 'odds and bobs' around the house I was given the clasp.  I wonder if she ever had it in mind to make it?

You can now find this pattern here - number 42.   I had to jiggle it a bit to make it fit the clasp and I also added beads a little differently from what I can remember!!!  As you do!!!

I lined the whole thing with a tiny piece of black silk fabric.  I intend one day to re-visit this clasp again (when I find it!!!) and replace the tatting.  Meantime I have a yen to make neck purses again and will (hopefully!!!) be re-visiting this pattern shortly to see if I can improve on it!!!!

After considerable thought and still being intrigued with this pattern I have now decided to try it again!!!!  I'm going to 'translate' the pattern into 'Jane' and will share it if it ever gets done!!!!

A visit to the hospital

A few days ago I  offered to take a friend to the hospital for an outpatients operation.

The silly moo worried and worried that I'd be bored as it was going to be for several hours!!!  Silly girl.  During my wait I did a great deal of this edging.  It looks a bit odd at either end but I promise you those are true, square corners that will sit beautifully when they're pressed.

I found it here and did take a few 'liberties' with it and also added the corners. I do like something simple like this to do when I've got to wait around.  It drew a lot of attention so through that a few friends were made!!!!  Well, passing friends.

Starting again!

Top news for those in the UK.  You might have missed the comment on my Ez Bob ramble about a supplier in the UK so I'm adding it here.   OK now back to today's post!!!!

Do you remember this pattern?  Here's the link. 

Well I daredn't think how many of these small diddly things I've made over the years since I first put the pattern on my site.  Whenever THAT was!!

So a few weeks ago I was desperately wanting to make this into an earring.  First of all let me say I don't like butterflies which are dangling from a feeler picot from an ear finding.  To me it looks as if they've been put there as an 'afterthought'!!!

That's just me, though so please don't get offended by that remark.

So, knowing that this was a cracking little pattern I set off trying to get the 'look' I wanted.  Here's what I came up with and here they are in my Etsy shop.

Naughty, naughty Jane!

True, totally true.  I've been naughty again.  I got carried away with sparkles!!!

Now these aren't 'real' Swarovski crystals but I defy anybody to know that.  They were on sale just next to the 'real deal' but I couldn't tell the difference.

Wwwwweeelllll, that's not strictly true - the difference was in the price.  These were half the price for the same sparkle!!!  Now you know why I class myself as really megga naughty!!!!!

This is where it happened!!!

 

Ez bob sizes

A week or two ago Sandy in the USA asked me a very valid question about sizes of Ez Bobs for putting HDT on!!  Actually this is what she said:-

"I've searched for hours to locate the EZ Bobs that so many speak of.  They are nonexistent in my area but I can find them on the internet.  I'm wanting to organize my HDT and have no idea what the bobbins are like.  Can you advise me on the proper size to purchase to accommodate Yarn players, Krystle Dawn's, etc. HDT threads?"

So I thought I'd show you how I've organised my HDT.  They are on two sizes of Ez Bobs.  Both those shown below have one full skein of number 20 thread on (order the larger sizes if you want to put two skeins on one 'bob').  The top one measures 1 3/4" in diameter and the bottom one is 2 1/2".  You will see that I've written a brief description telling me the size and the name of the thread.  I figured I could 'trace' the dyer from the thread's name!!!  I've written those with a Sharpie.  

This reminds me - I first met a Sharpie when I was given one by the Palmetto Tatters.  I guarded that wee treasure with my life - Nick had to apply in triplicate three days in advance if he wanted to use it!!!  Why?  Because at that time we didn't have them in the UK.  Now we do!!!!!

Ez bobs or Ez-bobs can be ordered from here in the UK.  

I ♥ ♥s

I love it when people send me pictures of something they've made from my pattern pages.  VEry reassuring that I can be 'understood'!!!  

Always a risk when writing down patterns.  

So when I got this from Jane I was a very happy bunny!!!

So the Flurry Heartache is launched - well I consider it a success now that I know one other person in Tat Land (apart from me!!) can make it!!!!

Playing with the floating chain

I know that Terry's playing with the floating chain too and we've discussed the  problem of 'how to' write it down.

We came up with this pattern which is just really experimental - well the way I've written it is!!  Any comments or suggestions are welcome as usual!!

Just in time for Halloween if anybody is tempted to explore this technique.  I think it's fun, fun, fun.

Following on from yesterday!

So, now you've recovered from the Terry way of doing the split chain - here's a development from that which is a floating chain.

Again this has evolved from yesterday's single shuttle split chain and I think (personally) that this has a LOT of potential for designers.  In fact you'll have to wait til tomorrow to see a 'fast and easy' pattern using this method.

Dear old brain cell 3 also has several other ideas up his sleeve.  Oh, just realised - brains don't have sleeves, do they?

Another 'taster' for you!!!

NEW - Single Shuttle Split CHAIN

A few weeks ago I had an email from Georgia who forwarded a message from Terry Nimmer.

Terry had been struggling with the usual ways of making the split chain and had come up with a really, really clever way of getting round his problem.   So, between the three of us (sorry, that should be four as brain cell 3 HAD to get in on the act!) we've come up with this page!!!

Now we have three ways of doing the split chain - the original way, Marie Smith's 'Fast and Easy' way and (ta de dah, roll of drums and trumpeteers trumpeting) we now have Terry Nimmer's way.   

Thanks, Terry for letting me get involved in this - I've really enjoyed the experience.  Here is one of the diagrams to 'get you interested'!!!!

Oh, don't miss tomorrow's blog post - something else that's new about to hit Tat Land!!!!

Changed the blog!!!

I know I drive you mad but I've been playing with my blog and have now lost all the posts I'd set up for this week!!!  I've no idea what I was going to put on here today so you'll have to wait for brain cell 3 to wake up!!!!!

I'm still 'messing' with the blog so please don't get upset!!!!

 

Introducing the pattern for the Flurry Heartache

I've finally got it done.  Here's the direct link for the Flurry Heartache.  

On Saturday, despite it being classified as a 'silly' day, (things went slightly haywire for a few hours) I did manage to list some new stuff in my Etsy shop.  No bags but a few new tatted things.  Then I fought the pattern once more and made two more pairs of the dragonfly earrings again in the evening.  They're now in the shop too!!!

I've got two new ideas here (butterfly and dragonfly) but the little dragonfly earring you can see below is my real favourite.  To make this is a major fiddle!!!!  I'm not sure it would be very easy to write/draw how I did it but I will try!!!  I just ADORE this little critter and he looks even better now I'm using delica beads.  

I got nearly a third of the way through on one of the red ones and pulled the wrong thread.  Guess what?  A number 80 thread doesn't like a lot of tugging!!!  Result - I had to start again!!!!

Karey's HDT

As a MOG (miserable old git) who wouldn't give house room to HDT threads for ages I must admit I'm totally and utterly reformed and addicted - as you have probably gathered over the past year or so!!!!

When Sandra sent me her wonderful surprise t'other week there were three skeins of HDT in it.  Of course these HAD to be 'tried out'!!!  So (me being me) this selection of HDT also had to have a new pattern too. - thus the Flurry Heartache (see below).  These threads are from the dyer Karey Solomon.  Now, this lady is an expert at this craft - well both crafts tatting and dying (not to mention many, many others too).  I once dropped in at a lesson she was teaching about dying down at Palmetto Tat Days a few years ago - fascinating presentation and SO interesting.  I've asked her about her tatting threads and this is what she said.

"I’ve got any and every range possible.  I generally dye threads in dyelots of about 10 skeins each.  Unlike many dyers who dip-dye threads, which means regular, sometimes long repeats of very few colors with little to no blending, I hand-paint “prints” on the thread, so they’re more calico and more colors because they are intended to blend.  I’ve got a huge investment in dyes, for both wool and cotton – because they’re different dyes and very different dye processes! - more dyes for cotton, as it happens.  So I can produce quite a range.  You could, for example, request particular colors if you like, I’m always open to suggestions. I’m experimenting with limiting the blending by thickening some of the colors before applying them.

People can always email me for information, and I can send a current photo of what’s available.  Each dyelot is different.  And I’ll send them anywhere, the shipping cost is only the actual cost of mailing.  Please ask more questions!"

So, there you are.  What is Karey's email address, I hear you ask!  Here it is.

The final results!!

Finally I got it sorted!! I think I've given this design a very apt name - the Flurry Heartache.  That's because it gave me a LOT of heartache and was based on the Flurry Snowflake!!!  Ooooh, I can be SO clever sometimes!!!

Tomorrow I'll tell you all about the HDT thread that I used and show you one of these in the brass heart shape. 

I shouldn't tease!!

OK, here's what I'm aiming for.  Remember these?

Well I decided it was about time to do something about them!!!  Here are the first experiments.  I thought it was going to be easy!!!  Cough, cough, splutter, splutter.  

I thought I could just use the Flurry Snowflake, a few 'alterations' and 'Bob's your uncle'!!!  Silly, silly, silly Jane!!!  Life ain't that easy when it comes to designing!!!  Well not using my 'hit and miss' method!!!!!  Perhaps I should just settle down and 'plan things'.  Like ornery people do!!!

Nah, that would be boring in my book!!!!

 

What's THIS?

Now, go on.  Guess what this is going to be?  OK the thread is old thread and I always use two colours on two shuttles when starting something new.

More will be revealed as time goes by!!!!!

Definitely last of the season!!!

As I said yesterday I think these (and I promise they are here this time) will be the last of the season.

I sew in the conservatory where we get light.  The problem with living in an old terraced house is that there is little light anywhere within the house itself.  The conservatory gets toooooo cold in the winter and would cost a fortune to heat!!!  That's what makes my sewing 'seasonal'!!!!

So, here are the promised last three sets.  One set, like the cats, will shortly be on it's way to Crazymom as a thank you for the fabric and this set (below) is NOT hers!!!

Last of the season!

I only sew in the summer or warmer 'parts' of the year so roly poly bags only get made then!!!

Autumn is now here so I'm slowly finishing off odds and ends of sewing - BUT I couldn't resist trying out some of the fabric that Sandra sent.  Here are three bag sets made out of her fabric and which will get listed in Etsy over the next few days.

Having said that this is the end of the season's sewing I have one more project on the table at the moment but you're going to HAVE to wait for that for a few more warmer days.   Here are the three finished bag sets. 

Oh, hang on - I haven't taken the photos yet!!!!  I'll do that later.  Sorrrreeeeeyyyyy.

I do have one or two more exciting projects to show you over the next few days so don't go too far away, please!!!!

I thought I'd do an experiment!!!

With all these absolutely fantastic HDT's (which, by the way, can't be put away as I keep 'needing' them) I simply HAD to experiment.

 

I decided that I'd do the Flurry in all sizes starting with 20, then 30, followed by 40, 50 and 60.  Not a problem and a fantastic relaxing way to spend several evenings.

You'll see by the scans that I used a contrasting thread as usual.  The reason that each snowflake had to have a different contrast was because I've only ever found 20, 40 and 60/80 easily available over the years.  There's always been a bit of 30 and 50 around but not always very much choice until recently.  Well, not for me down my 'neck of the woods'!!!!

So I present - a mass of Flurry Snowflakes!!!  I still need to make more as they're my Christmas giveaways but am slowly learning that if I start too soon then I give so many away before Christmas that I need more and more and more!!!!  Keeps me quiet, though. 

Oh, more surprises on Monday - I hope!!!

Mumbling on about Etsy!!!

I was thinking t'other day - I do that sometimes on my own and without the help of brain cell 3 or the benefit of a safety net either!!!

My question to myself was 'why do I sell on Etsy'!!!!  I really didn't have to think too hard about the answer, though.

I started the shop when I had a 'good idea' and thought I'd make a fortune selling online.  DUH!!!!  Now a few years later I can tell you that I'm not rich out of the proceeds of selling but it does help feed my addiction to thread, beads, buttons, zips, etc.  Notice, I say 'help'.  I am a lot richer for the friends I've made through doing it which is WAY more important.

I do know why I do it, though.  Do you want to know why?  Well it's cause I enjoy making things.  That makes for a lot of 'artifacts' around the house so I have to keep selling or giving it away to keep some spaces for us to move about in.  Do you remember Mr Trebus?  Well our house could well become like that if I didn't fight my own gremlins and keep trying to 'move things to other locations'.

I often wonder about my pricing.  I see a lot of tatting being sold and some of the prices asked are out of this solar system!!!!  WAAAAYYYY too much for very simple and only slightly beaded jewellery.  I cringe and hide my head in shame.  I mean, how long does it take to make a pair of earwigs without anything added?

Then there are the sellers who see what somebody else is doing and copy them.  Thankfully I don't need to do that (thank you brain cell 3) and nobody's done it to me - as far as I know!!!  Mind, my style would be hard to imitate - mainly cause I don't have one!!!!

I have a policy statement on my pattern page which says to ask me if anybody wants to sell anything made out of my patterns.  That's simply because I like to use my own designs to sell online myself but I don't mind who makes what to sell 'offline'.  As if I would ever find out anyway!!!!  Can you imagine me lurking around all the small shows, fairs and craft shows round the world looking to see who's using my patterns?  Wouldn't that be funny?  Also I wonder who would want to make them anyway as there are so many tatting patterns now available online.

Well, that's enough from me today.  Yesterday I cleaned all the windows and got the geraniums in ready for winter.  Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr, Grrrrrrrrrrrr, etc, etc.

Fringe Element shuttle

You know you've 'arrived' when something like this happens to one of your designs.  Can you see the heart on the picture?  That's MINE!!!!

I made this pattern for the Fringe Element Tatters when they first set themselves up and am delighted that they asked to use a copy of it on their shuttles which they had at last weekend's Tat Days.  What an honour.

I must go and re-visit this pattern again as I'm currently working on a heart for a reason which will be revealed - eventually!!!!

Done it!!!

One thing I HATE doing is not finishing things off as soon as they're done!!

When I finish each part of my tatting I sew in ends.  When I've finished anything I try to tidy up - well, except tat corner!!!

SO when I've finished a snowflake or an earring if they need findings or need to be put in a ring then they HAVE to be dealt with straight away (or the next morning).  If they don't get finished I get angry with myself!!

Here are two that hung around for days waiting for the 'finishing off'!!!

Jane's new necklace

Here's another version of Jane's necklace which she's now turned into another necklace!!!  Here's what she said:-

"Hi Jane, I like the necklace version of your friendship bookmark.  Yesterday I finished this necklace, which is also a 'variation on a theme' necklace. I have added another row to the one whose pattern you're hosting.  It's for me! I have made a dress that has a very wide, deep neckline, and wanted to fill in the space a bit. So that's why I wanted it a bit wider.
Unfortunately I don't have a pretty niece to model it!! Anyway, I thought you might like to see."

Thanks, Jane.  Always good to hear from you and see what you're up to!!!!

Still flurrying around and other things!!!

Well I've been and gone and done it!!!  What, you might (or might not!) ask.  I've tidied up tat corner and tat cupboard - AGAIN.  I spend my life trying to keep tidy and losing the battle big time.

I am working on new stuff and you might see some new things in my shop within the next few days but the patterns will not be available for a while.  The reason?  

I'm not being mean or a miserable old git - I'm 'saving up'!!!!  Yup, it's possible to 'save up' patterns but it's hard, very, very hard.  This is part of the reason I could never ever 'do' a book!!!

The new things will include very beaded earrings and bookmarks.  Oooooh, it hurts not to show but you can jolly well wait for a few days!!!!  I had to - while I was making the patterns!!!!

Here's another Flurry - must say I do like this one.  Oh, I say that each time I've finished one!!!

Spoilt YET AGAIN!!

Do you know I just be the luckiest old git in the UK.

Below are two photos of the packet that came from Sandra (Crazy Mom Tats).  I think the postman has turned a shade of green with the two packets arriving one after each other!!!

Now, inside this packet are lots of gorgeous fabrics including some cat ones  (for cat lovers) and a hilarious cow piece!!!  Balloons and butterflies are also there!!  Can't wait to see these made into bags.  If there's anything there that 'takes your fancy' do ask.

Must tell you what I'm hoping to make soon.  A 'posh tote'!!  Well, one or maybe two!!  I'm 'parsimonious' by nature and hate waste so all the offcuts of the bags I've made get popped into a carrier bag for 'je ne sais quoi'.   That's French for 'what the heck am I going to do with these'!!!!!  Not that there are many 'leftovers' considering how many bags I've made!!!  So, last Saturday when I was walking back up through the town after my daily walk I decided I'd get some iron on vilene stuff.  You know - the stuff you put fabric on and then iron the fabric and it sticks to it.  Well walking is my thinking time but I'd not got any money with me so the idea didn't 'happen'.  I've not 'got round to getting it' since.  So imagine my delight when inside this packet was a HUGE quantitiy of this Pellon 'stuff' which is JUST what I need.

Amongst the other things in the packet were zips - 'adjustable' ones, beads, buttons and threads.  Now I've not seen Karey's threads before - they're HDT.  Dying (pun intended!) to try these and guess what?  They came with ezybobs too - YIPPPEEEE.

Thank you SO much Sandra.  I think I'm going to have to invest in another tatting cupboard although I'm doing my very, very best to pare things down my fingers won't work fast enough!!!!

Spoilt again

Now this REALLY must stop.  I've been spoiled again by Sue Anna.

No, I don't mean it - honestly.  I LOVE being spoiled and very, very much appreciate it too.

Look at what she sent me yesterday.  Beads - beautiful, bright and sparkly beads.  Thread - Yarnplayer's wonderful thread in four thicknesses and to go with it Ezybobs to store it on.  I love those things.  Ooooh, and chocolate which I hid from Nick as he's not allowed choccies anymore!!!!  The beads are all sizes and there are some lovely red hearts which are crying out to be turned into Winsome drop earwigs.

Thank you SO much, Sue Anna. 

A new pattern?

Well, not new exactly but a 'variation on a theme'!!!

This is what Nettie sent me to show what she'd done with the friendship bookmark.  She said this:-

"I thought you would like to see what I did with your patern.  I did two thirds of the battern and put it on a wire choker.  this was done with size 10 thread and 4mm pearls."


The model and recipient of the choker is her very pretty niece.  Perhaps shell want to learn to tat now?

Back to being in a flurry!!!!

Not a hurry but another flurry!!  Before I start my daily 'talk to myself' post I must apologise for being a tad late yesterday!!!  I'm afraid I left brain cell 3 in bed having a lie in!!!

I can't resist this pattern at the moment - I do apologise.  I am slowly working on other things but they're TOP  SECRET at the moment!!!!

I'm very 'possessive' of some things when I'm working on them and yet I do want to share - go figure!!!!  

The last few months have been a bit busy and emotional but things are now slowly, but slowly getting resolved.  I can't wait to settle down into winter.  Hang on - I don't LIKE winter for many reasons but it's nice to give oneself the chance to get into tat corner a couple of hours earlier each day than I can in the lighter months!!!

So, brickies have gone, scaffolding down and soon the geraniums will have to be 'brought in' for the winter.  Flu jabs booked and central heating tested.  Roll on longer tat hours and the change back to GMT as opposed to BST!!!!  In other words - the clocks will change soon!!!!

After a few weeks and well before Christmas I know I'll be saying 'roll on summer'!!!  There's no pleasing some people!!!!!!  Does this make me a contestant for the title of 'really miserable old git'?!?!?!?

Yesterday I did this!!!!

I listed three more bag sets in Etsy!!!! see below.

Well, that's not all I did but if I mention shed clearing (2nd shed)and the most humungously HUGE spiders you've EVER seen then you'd probably not want to know about that!!!  I think they were the dreaded 'Jane eating' species.  You are lucky to have me here today!!!  Two trips to the tip and the spiders were (hopefully) re-homing themselves.

Now these bag sets.  The first one is a paisley print.  There is a sort of gold 'thread' running through the pattern and outlining parts of it.

The second  set has a star motif on a beige background.  I was tempted to keep this set for myself.  It sort of reminds me of the American flag.

The third set has been offered before and I've sold several sets like this.  I think there's enough fabric to make another set too.  I love butterflies.