A Little Progress Is Better Than None

It's been some time since I've posted, but things get busy once the child is out of school. Between trying to keep her entertained and control the house, I haven't had much time for tatting. As I look back at my previous post, I can say with confidence that I was able to accomplish some of my goals.

I managed to re-cover two pillows for my daughter's bed (the old fabric played tricks with her tired little eyes). They are now a plush cream micro-suede kind of thing that couldn't hurt a flea. I double-cased her sleeping pillow with a pillowcase that had an edging crocheted by my great-grandmother. She is sleeping much better now. 

Whenever I point out that something in her room belonged to an ancestor, she perceives it as a tiny guardian angel. The sounds of the small wind-up wall clock that belonged to my grandfather help her at night ("It makes me feel brave when I hear it, mama."). The hanging lamp is my mother watching over her (mom is alive and well and living in Indiana). The pillowcase is my great-grandmother gently cradling her head. The giraffe mosaic is her Aunt Betsy watching over her from Minnesota.  On the occasions when she says she's lonely at night, I ask, "How can you be with some many people there with you?" She giggles and drifts off with a smile. Such beguiling innocence. It's fascinating and touching that she can verbalize the things that she does. She's a normal kid and at the same time - astounding to me.

Back to accountability.

Because my child is a bean pole determined to overtop me by age 9, I have decided to make pajama pants that will fit those skinny little hips while still reaching to her ankles. First pair of pajama pants completed last week should withstand the next two major growth spurts and any increase around the waist (they currently rest precariously on the aforementioned skinny little hips). I've slightly modified the pattern for a better fit at waist, but will keep them basically unchanged for the next couple rounds of wide legged pjs. I feel like I've accomplished something.

I have managed to get some organization to the shelving unit I received. My supplies are not in there yet, but will be soon. The bin of cross-stitch kits calls to me, but I want to focus on tatting for right now.

Speaking of tatting, the reason I started this whole blog anyway, I did not get to the anklet (yet). I have decided to cut and run on the necklace because I am working it in the wrong gauge and it's making me nuts. The design is wonderful but I can't get it to work right now. I have made headway on the Josephine edging and, as I have seen others do, have taken on a side project.  Today I sat down and tatted Janette Baker's Heart from Learn to Tat. It is done in size 10 white for chains and pink for rings.

My cousin, Jil, had admired the heart I posted and, when I offered to make one for her, graciously accepted.  I assumed she was just being kind and humoring her little cousin. She is an artist, a sculptor/carver, has been for quite some time, and I really enjoy her work. It is edgy and strange and beautiful, like her. She said that she has long been fascinated by the fiber arts and would be honored to have some of my work. Wheeeee! I am pressing it between some really heavy books right now and hope to have it in the mail to her next week.

I have decided not to put an accountability list up this time. I think as long as I work off of the last one, I'll do fine.

Although I do have some ideas: which will be revealed at a later date if I can pull them off! Haha! Suspense!

Thank you again for coming to read my little rants and lend support as I make my way down this path.

Hansel and Gretel left a trail of breadcrumbs. If you fear me lost and wish to find me, just follow the string...

Fiber Central!

Over the weekend, I was given a rolling shelving unit with bins by a neighbor who is the widower of a seamstress. Many of her supplies are still there and want organization (not my forte), but I feel that if I can manage it, I will have a permanent home for my tatting (and sewing...and crochet...and knitting...) There were also quite a few unfinished (and un-begun) cross-stitch kits there as well. I feel that I will have to work my way through those in her memory. If that sounded like drudgery, it's not, I just have to find time to do it all (without neglecting my housewifery).

If all goes well, I will have at least one sewing project completed by the end of the week. I have a few lined up; knocking out one a week would be grand. I'm not certain my husband will allow more fabric or fiber in the house until I get my current stash (what he knows about, anyway) whittled down.

Now for accountability, one sewing project, progress on Josephine Edge (which seems to be going much more slowly than my past projects), and begin the anklet all by the end of the week.

Future work: other sewing projects I have been putting off (clothes for my ever-stretching daughter), necklace for my mother, aforementioned bonnet, heart and cross for various friends and family, and a Remembrance Ring for myself. Eek, I had better stop before I scare myself.

And as for that necklace, I must mention that my mother has an identical twin; anything I make for mom must be made in duplicate for the sister. Perhaps I can complete them in time for their birthday in August. Fingers crossed!

Rethinking...

Started Janette Baker's Star of David runner from Learn To Tat in the wrong size thread. I was hoping to make it as a house-warming gift. I have come to realize the importance of using the correct gauge. I could make this in size 10 but would be refilling shuttles left and right. So, I've decided to use the correct gauge which means running out for more thread. This is as far as I was able to go.

I have switched gears to something I can accomplish with the thread I have on hand, Janette Baker's Josephine Ring Edge. I'm sure I'll find some use for it.

Remembrance Ring

Finally finished Marilee Rockley's Remembrance ring. This one will go to a friend in Indianapolis. Next an anklet and then a ring for myself. This makes #7 in the motif challenge (I'm counting the 32 butterflies as one motif). At this point I have three requests and a bunch of stuff I just want to make. I am getting better with using bobbin shuttles (thank you, Sue Anna) so between those and my blinged clovers from Diane (thank you) I am able to have more than one thing going at a time.

On bobbin shuttles, I was given an aerlit and a pop-a-bobbin. I find they are easier to use with size 20 or smaller. I had to adjust my grip on the pop because the center post dropped out occasionally. Complete user error. I liked the feel of them once I adjusted to them. I used them to tat the Remembrance rings.

That's all I have for now, it seems I am all choppy sentences tonight. Hopefully something new and interesting next post.

Swarm of butterflies!!!!

My eyes have gone blurry from tying tiny knots, but my portion of the project is complete! 31 butterflies in size 20 Lizbeth Jellybean have gone to the next stage.

Not perfect but tthey will serve the purpose.  I mentioned previously that my daughter's class had raised and released butterflies. On their last day of school, they will receive a memento of the occasion.

A little one inch button pin to take home. The symbolism pertaining to their own transformation will likely be lost on them, but no matter. They'll think it's cute. 

And with that I return to tatting Marilee Rockley's Remembrance ring.

Checking in...

While I have been silent this past week, it does not mean I have been idle. I am tatting furiously to finish a project and should have something to show for it in the next few days! It's more an issue of multiples at this point; many small things to tat on a deadline. EEEK! What was I thinking?

I haven't heard of any issues with the rings I made so that's good news. Once I get this project completed, I can get back to the last ring and anklet. I should probably make a ring for myself since I was in attendance, but that can wait.

And with that, I'm off to tat a bit more before I rest.

Have a lovely rest of your weekend!