A short while back, my sister attempted to convince my nine-year old nephew that I am, in fact, adopted. This is not true, but sometimes we like to mess with the minds of our children. As proof of her argument, she pointed out a few glaring differences between my three sibling and myself. I am fair haired where the other three are dark (when the boys had hair). I am altitudinally-challenged (spellcheck hates that word) and they are tall. The fact that my name starts with a C while my siblings all start with J is most telling.
It is at this point that my nephew recalled an incident that forced him to move beyond the question of adoption and decide that I am, in fact, a space alien. I realize this must come as a shock to some of you who know me, but he's pretty certain.
Back in the day, when a kid had chicken pox, the siblings were all snuggled in together in order to pass it on. The idea was that by having the contagion spread controlled, a family could get it all over at once instead of having to piecemeal their way through the wave of infection as it traveled around school. I realize this sounds horrible, but it worked for us. Well, sort of.
You see, when the pox first came to our house, the four of us were already inseparable. I do not recall how old I was, but I was young, probably under the age of six. Anyway, we snuggled in and got through it all. So, imagine my surprise when I came down with the chicken pox right before my thirteenth birthday! I was dumbfounded! I had already had it and everyone knows that you only get it once.
That's when my parents confessed that I had not contracted chicken pox with the other three. When the other three had it as children, I did not, despite being put to sleep four in a bed with them. Somehow I had been spared. However, for convenience and to avoid my isolation, they claim to have marked my skin with pen and kept me home for treatment along with the rest.
We don't know how I contracted chicken pox for what I contend was the second time, but there it is.
This little pair of incidents was the damning evidence of my space alien nature as far as my nephew was concerned.
What does this little narrative have to do with anything? Well...
I was, of course, unaware of the line of inquiry until long after the fact. My sister was out on a boat with my two brothers and the kids when she decided to share her findings. During a quiet moment, my nephew laid out the arguments for the adoption/space alien scenario. After all was said and done, they had a good laugh and decided to drive on. As they sped across the water, my sister heard my youngest brother mutter, into the wind, and to no one at all, "Plus, she tats."
If you need me, I'll be winding shuttles by Alpha Centauri.
Friday, July 19, 2013
Monday, July 15, 2013
A day late and a picot short...
I was just about to start the clover rings for the center of the cross when I realized...I'm a picot short!! The horror!
I thought about trying to join all four center rings to the first picot, but it's not big enough. Ah well...Looks like I'll cut and run on this one and start anew. Not that I mind, mind you, I was just enjoying this one so much.
On another note, I just realized I have lost the ring I made for my friend in Indianapolis. That makes me sad. Not so much the loss of the work but that it was for someone I care about. She deserves better from me and she will get it. On this next ring, I'll use the magic thread trick to eliminate loose ends, get it really right and put it in the mail quickly.
I still have to send off the heart I made for my cousin. It's the delay in sending that causes the loss. Mustn't let things sit around.
In the meantime, I find that I am more interested in tatting-related things than pretty much anything else. If I'm not careful, I can spend far too much time on the computer reading blogs and pages on Facebook. My insomnia episodes are made more pleasant with EBay searches for shuttles and books and thread. I would tat on those nights but for the clicking. I find it restful, others not so much.
I thought about trying to join all four center rings to the first picot, but it's not big enough. Ah well...Looks like I'll cut and run on this one and start anew. Not that I mind, mind you, I was just enjoying this one so much.
On another note, I just realized I have lost the ring I made for my friend in Indianapolis. That makes me sad. Not so much the loss of the work but that it was for someone I care about. She deserves better from me and she will get it. On this next ring, I'll use the magic thread trick to eliminate loose ends, get it really right and put it in the mail quickly.
I still have to send off the heart I made for my cousin. It's the delay in sending that causes the loss. Mustn't let things sit around.
In the meantime, I find that I am more interested in tatting-related things than pretty much anything else. If I'm not careful, I can spend far too much time on the computer reading blogs and pages on Facebook. My insomnia episodes are made more pleasant with EBay searches for shuttles and books and thread. I would tat on those nights but for the clicking. I find it restful, others not so much.
Monday, July 8, 2013
Fancy Princess Hair
My daughter was invited to a dress-up party for her little friend's birthday. The invitation referenced pretty little girls in dresses and pearls. So, what's a mother to do? In addition to her costume pearl necklace, I grabbed a bit of tatting and went to town. A ponytail reversed was wrapped with an earlier piece (the "bracelet" that became a "crown"), add some pearl drop bridesmaid earrings, and that little flower pin from the art fair to cover up the earring backs. And, voila! She had her little pretty princess hair!
I love tatting, but I believe beautifully made things must also be useful. This little bit of fancy made me very happy.
I love tatting, but I believe beautifully made things must also be useful. This little bit of fancy made me very happy.
Waiting on a Contractor...
I love my sister. I truly adore her. She is a wonderful human being. And I am usually a rather patient person. That said, I do not adore two and a half hours of waiting for the cable guy to show up at her house while she works. I am not enamored of him going to the wrong address and accusing me of not answering the door. The ensuing four hours of installation were no picnic either. Did I mention that my six year old was with me? Yeah, it was a treat.
How did I keep from blowing my top? I tatted. I tatted like a fiend. When I wasn't blocking doors open or introducing myself to the new neighbor or challenging my daughter to a mini pinball championship or trying to tune out the incessant huffing and puffing and sighing every time the guy had to get down on the floor or up from the floor, I was tatting. Run-on sentence there, accurately conveys the vibe of the day. At the end of the six hours, I had managed to get something accomplished.
I tatted the first half of Marilee Rockley's Ripple Necklace (in the correct gauge this time).
I used the rest of the shuttle thread to make a little butterfly and flower.
What am I going to do with it? Who knows! The little hair pin I had for the art fair has become one with the sunhat I bought for my daughter.
I continued to work on my Edging.
That was Tuesday.
That evening, I drove out to see my parents and stayed the holiday with them. We had a wonderful time visiting and playing with cousins. In my downtime, I tatted the other half of the necklace. I just need my sister and her jewelry-crafting skills to finish it for me. I was so excited about it that I showed it to mom (the intended recipient). She loves it so far and agrees that I should just go ahead and make another one for her twin. It is done in size 10 Black and Mexicana.
I even had a chance to start the cross for pastor! It is in size 10 Victory Red.
Now back home again. I do not know when I'll have unrestricted tatting time again, but I look forward to it!
How did I keep from blowing my top? I tatted. I tatted like a fiend. When I wasn't blocking doors open or introducing myself to the new neighbor or challenging my daughter to a mini pinball championship or trying to tune out the incessant huffing and puffing and sighing every time the guy had to get down on the floor or up from the floor, I was tatting. Run-on sentence there, accurately conveys the vibe of the day. At the end of the six hours, I had managed to get something accomplished.
I tatted the first half of Marilee Rockley's Ripple Necklace (in the correct gauge this time).
I used the rest of the shuttle thread to make a little butterfly and flower.
What am I going to do with it? Who knows! The little hair pin I had for the art fair has become one with the sunhat I bought for my daughter.
I continued to work on my Edging.
That was Tuesday.
That evening, I drove out to see my parents and stayed the holiday with them. We had a wonderful time visiting and playing with cousins. In my downtime, I tatted the other half of the necklace. I just need my sister and her jewelry-crafting skills to finish it for me. I was so excited about it that I showed it to mom (the intended recipient). She loves it so far and agrees that I should just go ahead and make another one for her twin. It is done in size 10 Black and Mexicana.
I even had a chance to start the cross for pastor! It is in size 10 Victory Red.
Now back home again. I do not know when I'll have unrestricted tatting time again, but I look forward to it!
Thursday, June 27, 2013
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...
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...
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
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!
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!
Monday, June 17, 2013
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.
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.
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