Punch nanny on the nose

That's a strange thing to tell a child to do - but it's worked!!!!  I told Abbi to do just that and it WORKED.

I've had two grandchildren staying with me for the past few days and Abbi (aged 9) asked if I'd teach her to tat. Every grandmother's dream, eh?  Something I'd secretly been hoping for for years -  BUT I have never ever asked anybody if they'd like to learn to tat.  I wait for them to ask me to show them how.  So, sixty years after I started this craft my granddaughter wanted to give it a go.

The first attempt Abbi found very frustrating.  I'd forgotten how hard it is to train fingers (and associated brain) to work together in a specific way.   After the first attempt on Monday ended 'not very well' I was very surprised when Abbi wanted another go on Tuesday.  I'm absolutely gobsmacked that a child so young got the hang of the 'dreaded flip' so quickly and realised as well that it had to flip to let the ring close!  To help her on her journey into Tat Land I found that the 'right tight, left loose' to get the flip to work was fine but when I said 'punch nanny on the nose' (with her right hand) it worked even better!!!

We started with a chain first just so she could 'see' that the core thread has to go through the stitches but then she wanted to make a ring for her finger so that's what I showed her next. 

Mission accomplished (below).  

I managed to take a video too and the link is here.

My diversion

This is what I got 'diverted' by!!! 

I signed up for the 'Love Crochet' site and every so often they send some links to free patterns. That's where I got this Amigurumi doll from!!! 

These guys just made me want to make them. I think they took about two hours each. 

When my kids were young my ex and I didn't buy them Easter eggs - they had books instead. They had chocolate from their grandparents and in those days I'd rather them have something that didn't rot their teeth!!! 

It's slightly different nowadays with grandkids! I usually get them a bit of 'tooth rot' and a book or treat but I couldn't resist making these guys for the two I see regularly!!!!

Round 5 finished

A lot of people suggested yellow but this isn't 'pure' yellow as I felt it needed 'tying in' to previous rows so used a plain and a variegated with some lilac. 

I really, really thought this was the end of my adventure with the doily as this row appeared to need more doubles in those chains. I kept checking I'd got the stitch count right as it was a quick row and I felt I might be missing something!!!  BUT my instincts were wrong yet again!!! I threatened it with the iron and it's now behaving very well!!!! 

Well, wouldn't you if you had an iron held over you by an OG in her pyjamas who really, really wanted to just get into bed?

Now, what next I ask myself. I don't think it'll be this doily for a day or two as another temptation has put itself in my way!!!

Round 4 of Renulek's doily

Thanks for all the suggestions on which colours next. 

This is what I decided on in the end!!! It maybe a mistake or it maybe the right thing to do but who knows?!?!?

Next round completed

Round 3 of Renulek's doily is now finished. 

Why is it even harder to decide what colours to use when you have so many? I would've thought it would be easier with a big choice but it isn't for me!!!! 

One thing I've also found I like about the HWT is the 'double thread' picots.  I thought they'd annoy me but I actually think they're rather splendid.  You'll have to click on the pictures to see them 'big time' but it's worth it.  I'm not a picot lover but am sticking to the pattern that is 'out there'.

Off to find the next colour - wonder what it will be?

Outwards and onwards!!

I really, really LOVE these HWT colours using the fine threads. 

Who's that shouting 'what does HWT stand for'? Well it's what the OG with BC3 call Hand Wound Threads. Two or more threads wound onto the shuttle (or used from two balls) at the same time.

This is round 2 of Renulek's 2017 doily. I MAY get to liking doilies one day!!!

Couldn't resist

Trying out the new threads!!! I've been tempted to start a doily although they're not 'my thing' but I do like the look of Renulek's 2017 one. 

It'll never get used but it'll be lovely to make and something to do in those 'odd moments'.

Now the threads that Jill kindly gave me are a mixture of 60, 70 and 80. I'm just going to grab two colours and just 'go' with them. I'm going to ignore the sizes as experience tells me that there's so little between them that things should work out just fine. If it doesn't then I'll eat my shuttle!!! I don't wear hats (as in 'eat my hat) unless it's darn cold!!!! My head is too small to wear hats and they just blow away!!  That's the truth, by the way.  I have a pin head!!

So, here's round 1 of the doily with two unknown threads wound CTM on both shuttles. Oh, I'm not a lover of onion rings so I avoided those!!!!

Stunned

When a tatting lass asks another tatting lass if she'd like some threads then what does said second lass say? Well if the 'second lass' is an OG with a BC3 and an addiction to tatting she says 'yes please'!!! 

Below is what arrived on Thursday. 

To say I was stunned when I saw the size of the box (I'd been told it was size 80 thread too) is an understatement. BUT when I opened it look what I found.

This was the top layer and I thought the 'only' layer!!

The thread was beautifully packed in tissue paper so I lifted the above out of the box and LOOK what I found.

A bit later on I was looking at the box and thinking that it looked a lot deeper and there was another lot of tissue which probably needed looking under. So I did and this is what I found next!!!

Thank YOU Jill. I'll certainly be putting this to good use although I think my little sister may have to help me too!!!  I have other friends here in the UK who may offer to help me out but I know that I can use a lot of this thread.

All bagged out!!!

I know there's no such thing as being 'all bagged out' but it sort of makes sense to me!!! I'm done with the bags!!! I counted 22 finished ones when I tidied up the conservatory/sewing room. 

All are fully lined and all have a 'stiffened/flat' bottom to encourage them to stand up when a few things are put in them. 

To recap. The reason for making all these bags was because a friend gave me the fabric and it was just too pretty to put away in the cupboard. I also LOVED them too!! The reason for the bags being the sizes they are (around the size of a regular tote bag)? Well, that's cause it made the best use of the pieces. Another reason was to have some to take to the Fringe in September. 

BUT I can let you know that seven are already reserved so I still have to work out prices and the cost of postage too.

The last 3 were finished today (1 chicken and 2 'others') and they're promised to my daughter and granddaughter. They live in the country and keep chickens!!!

I'm still here

Contrary to rumours I'm pleased to say I've not fallen off my perch!!!! 

It's been a busy (but lovely) few days. Sally came up from 'down south' to spend the weekend Chez Eborall and on Saturday we went to the Gloucester Tatting Day which is run by Linda Williams. A very pleasant day with lots of lovely tatters, tea/coffee and CAKE!!! 

Sunday my daughter and granddaughter visited and then Monday I was busy. BUT I did have time to make the last three of the bags from the Japanese printed fabric yesterday. There are three more still to make from other fabric which I hope to finish today. Once they're done I'll tidy up the conservatory (where I sew) and then return to tatting (I think) although I do want to finish another crochet project which is under way. 

Here are the last two Japanese bags although I've got to check back to see if there are any I haven't shown!!!!

Onwards and onwards!

When WILL I learn to act my age? Seriously - I worked most of my life (had time off when the kids were little as there was no way I could work with young kids in those days) but even now in my dotage I'm still pushing myself to 'do' stuff!!!! Perhaps I should invest in another BC? Perhaps BC4? A fourth BC MAY keep me grounded and NOT setting myself constant targets. Any thoughts?

If I did I maybe able to stop this incessant 'need' to have an aim in life. I can't 'just' make one thing - I HAVE to make lots!!!!

I've still got this obsession with the bags made out of the Japanese prints. The first one (below) is a medium sized bag and it's gorgeous. The other pictures show a dark blue bag. Actually not 'bag' but bags!!! There is one large blue and a baby one too. I've fallen in love with 'baby' bags.  See those dragons?  Beware of dragons!!!!

Oh, Ann, there are still more to come!!!

Another sewing 'stint'

This time I've made these two. There is still a bit more fabric left with a LOT of one type which I'll show you another day. I maybe able to make three with that design.

More bags

Yes, I'm happily stuck in 'bag making mode' at the moment. 

These are lovely to make mainly because of the truly delightful Japanese style fabrics. They're stunning. They're also inspiring me to sew, sew, sew.

The sizes are variable according to the fabric I've got which makes it even more interesting. I have a 'cutting out' session, then a 'sewing session' and try to complete bag before starting on the next temptation. Here are two I made over the weekend.

Crinoline Lady

On Sunday I spent ages trying to get poor old BC3 to sort out the TIAS on the server and tidy stuff up on this blog too. You will see that I've removed the TIAS from the side of this blog and added just a simple link to the TIAS blog where all the recent games are now to be found. I've moved all the TIAS links to another part of the server to make it easier for next year's game - well, for me, anyway!!!

I've also finally got the Crinoline Lady sorted and on the site too. Here's the link

You will see that I've added Barbara and Andrea's additions to the lady - with their permission, obviously.  Here is the pictorial umbrella from Barbara too (below).

Feeling good

At the tender age of 103 I'm feeling good. 

NO, I'm teasing. Actually I'm talking about the 103rd TIAS lady who arrived from Bed in The Netherlands on Saturday. Here's the link along with a subtle hint to send in any that haven't been sent in yet!!!! 

Well, not so much a hint as a 'nag'!!!!

You may have noticed a slight change to the front of my blog - more tomorrow on that!!!

A Herd of Seahorses

Now this is a collection of seahorses - I didn't make them, though. They were made by Liz for a project over the other side of Australia from where she lives!!! Aren't they gorgeous? 

Liz sent them to me some time ago but I keep forgetting to put them on my blog. Here's what she says.

"Here is what I will be sending for the Reef project in Exmouth, West. Aust.

I have not straightened up the small ones – Christie says she thinks she might have to stiffen them – so she can do that!!

I learned a lot- I had not done any beading before, and especially stringing the fin beads in the little ones – Grr!!

I omitted the beads within the seahorses – where one row of rings joins the next row. I just did plain, simple joins, but did the beads around the edge. They were fun to do, - and should look Ok in the Reef the Community is making.

Thank you for the patterns. You write them out so they are easy to follow. You can see how my tension differs, by the way some curl up more than others!! -- Well, - shows they are hand made!!!!!!!

Hugs, Liz.

There's always something SO warming when you see your patterns made by others. Sort of makes the hours of 'blood, sweat and tears' (well, not quite!) all seem worthwhile when you've long forgotten about old patterns.

Another change of scenery!

Yesterday I decided to tackle another task which I've been wanting to 'play' with for a while. It was this or another 'session' digging dandelions out of the garden!!!!

I have a good friend who sews so very, very beautifully. She's had a bad time lately with life in an utter upheaval and while I was visiting her she suddenly asked if I wanted any fabric. Well, you know me and my love of bags - craft bags in particular. I obviously said 'yes please' so she gave me an assortment of Japanese themed fabric. 

They are absolutely GORGEOUS but no use for the small craft bags as the prints are too large. So, decisions, decisions. I decided the best use would be for shopping/tote bags. Simple ones with a largish gusset in the bottom and not too long straps. The sort you can put things in at the supermarket and then lift EASILY out of the trolley into the car or just use around the home to 'put things in'!!!!

Here are the first two.

Another WIP finished!

Well here it is in all it's finished glory. I really like this rather simple little mat and will definitely be making more sometime in the future. 

I really am not doing much tatting lately so there maybe 'dark' days on here while I get to grips with the garden and do other things. I'll also be sewing too and have a large crochet project 'on the go' as well. 

Don't panic - I am tatting but not designing much at the moment. I've fallen out with designing since I got into troublesome waters last year. I 'need' to get back in the mood sometime but not yet. I'm enjoying doing 'other stuff' at the moment.

Leftovers

I can't bear to waste anything and so when I'd got some yarn leftover from the Mochila bag I had to find something to use it up.

I found this pattern online and it just had to be the 'one'. What I liked about this pattern was the clear pdf file plus the videos that went along with it too. 

I had to buy some flesh coloured yarn but that was all.  I must say I do love doing Amigurumi crochet.  Very satisfying.

I'm on a roll!

Rather like Diane and her ice drops I think I'm on a roll with these. I don't know how long it'll last although I do have 25 of the rings all told. Now, one went on the bracelet and four (so far) on these dangles. Wonder how many more I'll make before I 'need' to do something else?

Another 'go'.

First of all - please take a quick look at the TIAS blog.  I've added number 102 from Ann-Sofie to it.

Well this one may look the same as Monday's but I assure you it isn't!!! I've amended the stitch count and now this little motif in the centre sits snugly where it should. I've also eliminated the beads which sat right next to the ring and that's helped enormously too. 

Now to raid my stash of threads and play with colours. No idea why I'm making these but maybe (if I can still find them!) they'll be my next Christmas giveaways. 

My next 'task' is to also devise a pattern without the ring which 'should' be relatively simple but I you know that saying - 'the best laid plans of mice and men'!!!!  We'll see!!!

Dora strikes again

Now this is the start of a sweet little motif on page 25 of the Dora Young book. I really like the pure simplicity of this one.

I'm very, very tempted to return and make another of these although I've already done two!!!! Just love the challenge now that I've got my own notes on 'how to'!!! I think Heidi maybe using some of the notes in the re-print which will (hopefully) save many from suffering the 'brain ache' that I did when trying to work it out!!! Mind, BC3 can be VERY useful sometimes. Well, when he's not sulking!!!

Anybody want this?

There's a dear little town near us (well, about 8 miles away) called Alcester. I went to my secondary school there - the grammar school, not that I was really grammar school material. I was definitely NOT clever. Anyway, I survived and so, incidentally, did the school!!!  I think I spent more time sitting outside the headmaster's office than I did in classes sometimes!!!

On a Friday afternoon a neighbour and I go to Alcester library for Crafternoon. There are around 6 to 9 of us who meet, chat, laugh and do different crafts. The session starts at 1.30 but Louise and I go a lot earlier so we can browse the lovely shops (mainly small and privately owned) and have lunch. 

Our main 'shops of interest' are the charity shops and we sometimes find the odd bargain which simply HAS to be bought!!! Last Friday I found this book in an excellent condition in one of the charity shops. Believe it or not - I bought this with my pocket money when I was in my early teens so I have a copy. I 'had' to buy this one as I'm always frightened that a shop may throw it in the rubbish. So, what I really want to know is - does anybody want to give it a good home? I'll charge what I paid for it - £2.00 plus postage which I'd have to work out according to where the person lives.

Of course, if you happen to live in Canada I could always take it with me to the Fringe Element tat days and give it to you there.  

Another idea for the rings

Now I know you'll remember this necklace that I got from a charity shop and the bracelet that I made with just one of the 25 rings which is here well I got fed up with the bracelet idea so I decided to try another one.

This is really a trial of the idea below. I'm not happy with the stitch count on the central motif so it will have to be done again. Also I didn't like the tiny beads added to that motif when the outer part was joined to it and the ring. So, some minor adjustments will keep me busy next time I tackle it!!!

Finally and finally!!!

I've finished my Mochila bag. 

About halfway through I was already planning another one. Now I've finished this one I'm not sure. It's been one HECK of a learning curve and I'm not really happy with the finished item. I'm going to take a 'rain check' on whether I do another or not. 

Meanwhile the crochet 'bug' is still with me but I really need another idea or inspiration. All suggestions are welcome!!