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!

A Weapon of Tat Destruction

So, what is that? Read on, dear friends!!

The picture today is of Kelly who has been the butt of my teasing for many years - poor lass.  Although she does take revenge on me from time to time!!!! 

I tease Kelly unmercifully and she takes it all in good part and was even kind enough to put up with me staying with her for a few days at her home in Canada - a BRAVE woman. The weapon (IMHO) is a needle. Yes, Kelly is a needle tatter but I have strong hopes of her recovering in due course and becoming a shuttle tatter.   Actually, dare I admit it, she's a darn good needle tatter and her work is drop dead gorgeous.   Good luck with the show you're working towards, Kelly.  Here's the link for those living in or near Toronto so you can go and visit her and even buy some of her work.

Part of the reason for traveling over to Canada was to teach Kelly to tat in the original and traditional way - with a shuttle and NOT a weapon of tat destruction. 

So, with some extra strong rope and a determination to succeed I tied her firmly to a chair and forced (took all my strength) a shuttle into her hands. I did drug her too (can you see the cup of tea?) and I asked Hannah (the beagle in charge) to hypnotise her which also helped. 

Actually Kelly will make a super shuttle tatter and has lovely hands which she will be able to show off when holding a shuttle.

Onwards and upwards and downwards!

First today - a few acres of solar panels.  Amazing.

Next to Peterborough to visit the worlds highest Lift Lock.  Here's a link for those who are interested.  

The guide - he has 8 kids and he's still breathing!!!!

The fountain in the middle of the lake which we crossed before entering the  Trent-Severn canal.

Opening the sluices on the first lock.  It's a regular lock - very deep, though.  Here's a video link to see this 'live'.

Onwards and past the swing bridge.

Approaching the Lift Lock.  Link to the video is here.

Going up video. 

View from the top.  We were level with the road before the lift.  After we'd reached the top we went further along the canal.  Here's us approaching the 'end of the world' or, rather, the lift lock going back.  Another video here.

More mice

Fortunately not in our house - Tilly the cat doesn't 'do' mice anymore thankfully although I'd really welcome this little tribe.

These guys are from Jane who I had the very great pleasure to meet up with in Canada. What a great time I had with her and the other ladies.  More about that tomorrow.

I'm only showing you one of the pictures so that you're tempted to go here to see the rest!!! I'm also not going to tell you what she said either!!! Am I a tease? YES!!!  You will have to scroll down to see these guys but I promise you it's well worth it.

Can you see the eyes on these little guys? They're different and when I was telling Ruth how much I liked that sort of eye somehow Jane found out and gave me some. Can't wait to make eyes with those beads. 

First few days

Some photos from the first few days with Kelly. The 'hostess with the mostest' and the cutest Beagle ever to live - Hannah.

Next a visit to a candle store - Kokimo Candles. The name is made up from the zip code - clever.  The lady is the candle maker and she allowed me to take her picture and showed me how and where she makes the candles.

Down by the lake and the dreaded geese!!!

Paddling in the lake!!  The water was pretty warm that day.

Kelly's bead store - of course I was tempted and succumbed to the temptation too.  An old git has to have beads!!

Pumpkins outside the Burnham Family Farm Market.  The guys were baking scones, bread etc.  

Trouble's back!!!

Having spent the last two weeks annoying the Canadians I'm now back (although hungover with jet lag) in town and able to annoy YOU!!!!

Over the next few days I'll be giving you a glimpse at my wonderful adventure.

First of all the flights over were fine although this poor old soul had to get her skates on in Frankfurt to get her connection. Bit worrying when you find the first board on entering a terminal posting that your plane is now loading when you've no idea where you are!!! I managed to do a fairly fast walk only to be held up by security!!! The people queuing to go through the process kindly let myself and another young lass jump the queue to get through and complete another long walk to the plane!!

On arrival in Toronto it was a bit disconcerting to be told by passengers around me that 'there's no such place in Canada called Baltimore' (that's where Kelly lives)!!!! Didn't phase the OG, though as when I got off the plane Kelly and Ruth were going to meet me. How would I know them? Well, I'd seen photos of Kelly but had no idea about Ruth. I needn't have worried, though as this is what greeted me!!!! I knew that the next two weeks were going to be fun, fun, fun!!! BC3 (along with his probable owner) had landed!!!!!

Playing with a motif!!

Afraid this is going to be a boring post. Well, most of mine are probably pretty boring but tat's life, eh?

This is a celtic motif that I've had floating around in cyberspace for ages and ages. 

A bit of history here. I first saw what I know as Celtic Tatting in Rosemarie Peel's books. She (as far as I know) invented true celtic tatting. 

By that I mean - making two elements, interweaving them and then 'anchoring' those two elements with a third round. She is a quiet and lovely genius. Sadly Tat Land has lost her to bobbin lace at the moment but hopefully she'll return.

A little bit of this

A little bit of this and a little bit of that!!!! Top and first round is the first link and the second link takes you to the outer (or should it be inner?) round.

These are actually pretty sparkly and I can think of lots of adaptations that can be made.

Well, tat's all for today!!!

Seahorses rule, OK?

Back to the dreaded seahorse again!!!! 

I not only like making these but they're also very nice little presents to give. Each Christmas friends of mine (those I have known mainly since childhood) get a letter and a dangle. These make lovely little gifts - that's if I've got any left when I get back home from Canada, of course!!!  If not it'll be a good excuse to make more and I've a HUGE stock of the bracelets so that's not a worry!!!

Yet once more!

This time I've worked the Starry Button Bracelet with beige and gold beads. Well, mainly!!! It's another present so again I'm nervous that the recipient may not like it. 

Another poor picture again but if only the darn sun would shine life would be better. Just grey days with plenty of rain!!  That's been summer in England this year and it's lovely to be in Canada and away from the gloom.

Rachel turns to beads

Another of my loves is this motif by Rosemarie Peel. This one is, as you know, called Rachel and it's in Tatting Basic Patterns.

Rosemarie designed this some years ago and I simply love it. This version is worked in a size 40 thread (white, varied and plain pink). 

I got slightly carried away this time and simply HAD to add beads. I'm going to make another as this one is so pretty. Next time I'll make it in a size 20, I think!!!

Last seahorse

Another seahorse!!

Just so simple to make and so effective as a sun catcher. This is actually much sparklier than the picture looks.  Again somebody may get this next weekend at the Fringe Element tat days!  Who knows!  I don't!

Starry bracelet grey gold

This isn't a good picture - sorry. I took this before I left for my trip and in a bit of a hurry. This is for a gift and I hope the person who gets it likes it. 

It's one of the starry button bracelets which I simply and unashamedly love making. There - I've confessed to my addiction. Yet another addiction!!!/  It's a good job my addictions aren't into drugs or alcohol or I'd be a very dead person by now!!!!

Another sort of smiley!!!

This is the last 'live' post before I fly tomorrow.  I've scheduled others to 'happen' while I'm away as I've a backlog of posts.  I'll not be putting links on Facebook though as I'll be too darn busy having fun, fun, fun.

Today I have a smiley that Sarah sent me after reading my other post t'other day. This is what she said.

"Hi Jane, The smiley face you shared on your blog today is cute but I thought you might like to see the one I have been tatting for several years which you designed ... it is the center of the sun in your sun and moon and stars pattern 2004. I always like to have a few of these on hand to stick on note cards or pass to someone who might need a smile. Thank you for all the smiles you pass out.

Sarah"

I 'met' Sarah through the TIAS.

The bee is one of Martha Ess's patterns.  So cute, Martha.

New earrings

It's ages since I made a new pair of earrings so I decided that my trip needed a new pair!!! I wanted something 'ethereal' (that's a posh name for me, eh?) so decided to use this pattern and play with beads. 

I should've known better than to try and take photos of these earwigs but I did my best! They are very ethereal and VERY glittery too.