Connie and Liyarra - Thank You!

Yes, it is due to inspiration I received from Liyarra over at Intatters and here on her blog, that I was able to challenge this pattern, luckily not running out of thread - it was close!

Slowly, I am using up stash thread very successfully, but this self-imposed task sure makes me tat fast!

Pattern by Lis Christiansen,
from the Danish Tatting Association Magazine,
“Orkis Bladet.” 

It is almost 6 inches across.
Thread: #50 Olympus. 

There was more blue in the air than in the motif, as I had to un-tat a gazillion times.

This is my kind of directional nightmare tat. In abundance was pondering and gnashing of .... well you’ve heard it all before!

 (I consulted the Tatting Dictionary by Judith Connors  trying to  figure out  downward facing picots needed for this pattern. I forget I have this book and it is a very good reference.)

In the end, I became familiar with the pattern - about three repeats from the end. ; ))  

Thanks Liayarra; it was fun and I am proud of this one. I might tat it again (though not tomorrow) in one colour,  one that is more pleasing to me. These colours, which I purchased not long ago, shout too much for my recent preferences that seem to be evolving  and changing as time goes by.

Taking frustration breaks I tatted yet 

another Susanne Schwenke pattern:

That makes three:

More Mail

A while ago I as moaning and groaning about the fact that  I could not find anything but dollar store hankies to put borders on and I got an email from Connie who said she was going to send me some. Apparently, she had come across “the motherlode of hankies!” WhooHoo!

Here are the lovelies in all their colourful variety:

Just look at this heraldic gem:

Fun, eh!

Mr. G was not overlooked, which is a good thing, as he

 was literally licking his lips as he scrutinized the contents

of the package.  (check out the tongue action!)

Connie included those terrific tea towels because the

cat reminded her of Gian. How very sweet is that?

Last but not least, look at the card that was enclosed. It is a gorgeous tatting photograph, on matte ivory paper card.  I just love it. I am going to put it in a little frame and hang it - something I do not do lightly in my spartan abode.

Thank you Connie, for all this. 
I am, without a doubt, one lucky tatter.