Gong Xi Fa Ca!

Happy New Year

To All Who Are Celebrating 

The Year Of The Snake!

Image credit: Fanghong via Wikimedia Commons.

I have my own particular reasons for celebrating! 

The second to last row of the HN is a lot easier and is going much faster. 

Whew!

It is large...

Perhaps you noticed something else in these photos...

When I moved, did I buy anything for me or did I purchase a very expensive, very high cat stand for Mr G.? I think I might have posted a pic of that indulgence for my Gian.

Well, this afternoon I made an impulsive purchase, on top of the other two that arrived on Friday:

I am a sucker for LaCossette shuttles. I have shamelessly added these two and one additional (ordered this afternoon) to my collection. : ) Diane made me. : O

Lastly, T.I.A.S. Day 10 is complete~

This is so cute!

Am I Boring You?

Are you sick of seeing all the updates with their incrimental progress?

 Should I wait for the final photo?

Here is Honey Napkin, almost finished on the 3rd last row. 

My new place has a splendid view of a marvellous hidden little Toronto secret: St. Michael’s Cemetery, which is the city's oldest surviving Roman Catholic cemetery. It opened in 1855.

It covers 10-acres, is invisible from the road and located in the middle of the block of a prominent Toronto street (Yonge) surrounded by homes and stores.

The only way in is through a small alleyway between two stores and the gates are usually locked. I have walked by this place every day for many years.

Now I know it is not old compared to those near Jane and Sally, but this is as old as it gets here in the New World, so I’ll take what I can get! I love it; so imagine my delight when I look out my windows!

Many would not like a view of a cemetery, but I am not one of them as I love the old places and have always enjoyed strolling through them, wherever I find myself in the world; I find these bits of green serene, peaceful and good for my soul.

The northern exposure is redeemed for the moment...

Totally Tatting

Jon’s Johar in Yarnplayer’s(?) HDT #20

Yes, I am back to it! Went for a jog, (at my old place - could not stand figuring out a new route just yet!) came home, bought some eggs from the convenience store on the ground floor ( !), made an omelette and finished up Jon’s Johar.

Maybe it’s an easier pattern than some of her older ones or  - hopefully - my techniques have improved, for I found this easier to work out in spite of the directional changes. Thanks Jon for a very pretty pattern and an enjoyable tat - especially during all the moving drama!

My new apartment is still tiny by most standards but to me it is palatial, as it is 50 square feet larger than the other one and has elevators that actually work! And the laundry room? (Michelle take note) It is HEAVEN! So, I am pleased except for one detail and I knew it would be a downer...I face north and not east and the quality of light is not to my liking. I love an eastern exposure.

The management here has assured me that I can move within the building if it is too much to bear as soon as another unit appears, so I am mollified for now. : )

Honey Napkin sits in front of me... 

I suppose I should fill up the shuttles...

AGAIN.

An Astonishing Surprise

On moving day, and on the way out the door - at literally the very last moment - the superintendent of the building came over handed me a very heavy little box and said, “This came for you.” I do not know when he received it, and he is so unpredictable that it is impossible to know when it actually arrived.

Needless to say, I put it aside till hours after the move - and I do mean hours! Every box was unpacked; it was time to rest.

I had gotten into bed, exhausted at about 12:30 and could not get to sleep, as I was so wired, so I turned the light on and my eyes fell on the package. I thought it was  the perfect time to open it  then and there on the floor in the midst of the unpacking panorama.

Well! I was stunned. It was like reaching into a Mary Poppins bag; things kept appearing from the depths of endless goodies.  Jane E.  would say  I was “gobsmacked.”

What I have done to deserve this box, complete  with plastic balls and lizard for Gian and tatting goodies for me: beads, two amazing vintage hankies, matching thread for the blue hanky, doodads of all shapes and sizes, sweets, tins, plastic containers, beads and more bugle beads and beads and BEADS and more beads, is beyond me!

Also included is one round wooden thingy called a TUIT ( I looked it up: it is an “I’ll get around to it” badge) Something new indeed!

Also, there were two delightful cards - one for me and one for Gian, all this from a far-away Tat-Land friend who desires anonymity. Thank you, dear friend. This surprise could not have arrived at a more opportune time. 

The other thing that has saved - or rather somewhat preserved -  my sanity - thank you Jane E.  -  is the 2013 T.I.U.T.  All things go better with a  good old tatting mystery...

Day Nine

Jon’s beautiful free Johar design has also come into play over the weekend. Lovely motif.  I am using thread sent to me from Snowy and it is lovely. I believe it is one of Yarnplayer’s HDTs???

Monsieur G. desires another word or two... 

He has been most vocal!