Cupid's In Town

 The Cat alerted me to a disturbing event this morning. 

Disturbing only to The Cat, that is. Maebh had been up very early and had been bored, so she turned on the computer to check out some sites on the diseases of bats - her current interest being chiropterology.

 For some reason she had opened my blog by mistake, and that is when The Cat saw that she was fixated on a photo of ...  who's that, but Feargal, Miss Scarlet and Danny!

The cat tried to get her attention as she was rivelted in front of the screen for a LONG time. She paid him no heed.  He just shook his head and came to get me.

I could not grab her attention either, and I noticed 

she had an odd, dreamy look on her face.

The cat gave up and went back to sleep and missed Maebh's happy mood when she finally relinquished the computer.  I had to check the weather I informed her so she handed over the controls. Finally.

She was in such a good mood, she even checked my cluny tatting and told me I was doing "brilliantly!"  Nice words from Maebh.

Anon,

Crazy Mom Lives Up To Her Moniker

Look at the loot! Add to that the fact that she is a BEAD ENABLER!  Just look at what I got in the mail today... and I thought we were just exchanging threads!  Thank you,  C.M.,  for such a lovely surprise.

The beads are gorgeous shades, one of metallic green and one of cranberry. The Floss Threaders will sure be a great help with them as they are tiny. I am munching one of those sugarless candies as I type and I do like  the reusable tin of mints and that fabbo extra metallic thread.  This was most generous and I feel very lucky!

(Those tiny perfect beads ...mmm.....    Suneeti's coloured metallics and these gold and silver ones......I really have no excuse not to tat Anne's Dragon ...)

Gina has a great post about the twisted join... I had to actually tthe circle inside rings and outside rings to get it straight in my mind and I see what a terrific explanation she has written.  Go see for yourself.  Thanks, Gina!

 Anyone tried this pattern from Iris's book?  I cannot figure it out at all -  in the fourth round, where you double back. I went crazy with it till one in the morning last night, and then gave up in total despair!

 

Small motifs to finish up the  Omega thread from T.T.E.  Ran out in the last one.  I rather like the feel of this thread though I know a lot of you do not. 

One last thing to tell you about... admit....   Oh, heck, confess:  I can't stop!

#25 Motif Challenge

This is some gorgeous HDT ( watermelon) that Krystle sent to me ( for the good Doctor) a while back. Isn't it perfect? I love  it!

Anon,

Ode To My Shuttle

Thought I'd share with you what I wrote a few days ago to a friend with whom I was discussing the various aspects of tatting: the pros and cons of tatting as an art-form.

I have to say, I do derive a lot of pleasure during the process, the
struggle and indeed in the handling and admiring of the final piece.

I am such a visual person; for years my hobby/obsession of choice was my photography.  Now, I derive that same fulfillment through tatting.

The satisfaction, I think, begins with the sense of wonder I get when I
realize I have used colour, shape, texture and form to create something
pleasing and pretty, where there was just a few strands of thread before. I
am still astounded at how that works!

Unlike William Morris, I do not demand that the finished work  have a
practical application.  It just pleases me in the moment - and often
thereafter -  not a work of art to anyone else, but wondrous to my eye.

And I love the process of creating it.  I love the way my fingers dance and
my eyes focus on  the tiniest detail.  I love the sparkle and the glitter of
the tiny multi-coloured glass beads.  I love the feel of the shuttle in my
hand, the way it fits there snugly, as an extension of my fingers.

Even the multitude of mistakes are appreciated, there to remind me that
there is nothing perfect except in nature. We humans are limited to flawed
replicas, in whatever arena we attempt to duplicate the natural world.

There was more but I think that about sums it up.

 It is fitting, I think in this very serious and rather studious post to sum up with the next cross by Mary Konior.  

 #21Motif Challenge

 I forgot to add that I took these two Konior patterns  with me to The Big Apple in December, last year, thinking I would at least get one of them tatted.  I could not figure out either pattern; it was a disastrous visit as far as tatting was concerned. I now shake my head when I realize how little trouble these two pleasurable patterns gave me this go around.  Progress to be sure.

Rockingham and Wrought Iron Crosses 

by Mary Konior

Thanks Jeff, the vintage thread is very pretty, though more like a #60 than a #20! ( We exchanged thread through T.T.E..)

With thanks to S.M, for the inspiration!

Anon,

Crossing, Not Burning Bridges

#19  Motif Challenge

Yes, this is me, stepping away from the tallies - at least, tearing myself reluctantly away.  So obsessive.  I just want to try it "one more time"! However, I did randomly pick a book and flipped to the first pattern I was drawn to and this is what happened.  You can always count on Konior I say. Mary Konior's patterns make tatters look good!

Finished up the dangle - for her bureau; or wall or window - for The Boss, whose bedroom is all pink and yellow.  I will present her with this surprise later today.  She is still at an age where all presents get a gleeful, "Ohhhh," and that is great by me!

#20 Motif Challenge

This is very exciting.  I saw somewhere that someone had a book of her blog, printed by Blog2Print  that gives you a bunch of options on how to preserve your blog, as a record.

I was so intrigued and had to do it and I am delighted with the  result, so I am passing on the link. No, I was not paid to say this!  This is not inexpensive, but it is a great way to have hard copy of your work.  I can flip through and find something much faster than I can by surfing around my blog online.

Random Pages

Now: Roll Tatting,  This is as far as I have come. 

There are YARDS of ruined thread to attest to it!

News on the mail-front:   Thread from Singapore and from Russia!  Thank you UMI & TSURU and Lenhen! Lovelies to add to my growing stash from T.T.E.. Plus, BONUS! My Mr Dreamy Gran gets more interesting stamps.  Look at that Russian one - he will be most intrigued!

I have collected these for him and will send them off in the mail soon.

Anon,