nuntium octavum (eighth post)

Tonight I'm on pins and needles.  Our school has a big fundraiser each year, it's an auction and I donated two things.  I'm sure you'll recognize Lyn Morton's bracelet and the earrings are from the book as well.  I even copied her "pose" for the bracelet because it was so lovely.  I'm dying to hear if/how much it brought in for the school.  A few years ago, I made a silly, little scarf in the school colors with some fun yarn and it sold for $300 because two of my students' parents got into a bidding war because it was made by me! 

This, though, I'm very pleased with.  I even think I did a good job hiding the ends and such, although I don't like the earrings, I would only wear them to match the bracelet.

Latin for today:  quanti constat? = How much does it cost?

nuntium septimum (seventh post)

My second tatting tea Tuesday with the blog!  I'm having my favorite, Moroccan mint.  In the winter, it's from a bag but in the summer, we can grow mint here so it's always "fresh".  Unbelievably it's supposed to snow again tonight.  (Snow has become a four-letter word around here.)

My dear giveaway winners, I corrected and did grades until late into the evening yesterday so no trip to the post office. So, the hankies are not yet on the way- but that gives me a chance to tinker with things.  nil desperandum - they're coming!

I tatted these two crosses for coworkers who have not been offered a contract again for next year- difficult for everyone but especially them.  Unfortunately I have a few more to do...

These are done with Lizbeth springtime, size 20 and I used this brilliant little video to do the tassel and the pattern for the bookmark is from Julie Patterson.

Latin for today:  thea mihi placet.  = I like tea.

nuntium sextum (sixth post)

Well, five comments and 4 hankies.  Just seems right to give everyone one.  Julie, Anika and Ladytats send me your address and 1st choice of design to magistravitt AT gmail DOT com or my other email if you have it.  One of you will get the fifth mystery hanky of the same vintage and style.

I've been making Julie Patterson's cross but am finishing up the chain/tassel before I'll show.  So instead here are 1,581 origami cranes that my students, a few others and some 3rd graders made in the past few weeks.  The clothing company OshKosh B'Gosh said they would donate one article of clothing per crane so the kids really went to town!  I'm so proud of them!

1,581 cranes

Latin for today:  otiosus/otiosa sum = I'm on vacation (otiosus for boys/men, otiosa for girls/women)

nuntium quintum (fifth post)

I met my goal- to finish the eggs before Easter!  My younger daughter made the basket at school (fantastic art teacher!) and put the ribbon and bunny in it for me.  She also graciously painted the eggs.

Here are the eggs individually (except the red which is here).

Which do you like the best?  I have mixed feelings myself.  I'd love to make this edging from Erin Holloway to put around the bottom of the basket but that might be for next year.

Don't forget to post a comment- the deadline is 6:00pm CDT on Easter Sunday for the hanky giveaway.

Today's Latin for you:  oblitus / oblita sum = I forgot.  (use oblitus if you're a man and oblita if you're a woman).

nuntium quartum (fourth post)

In honor of my great aunt- Rose-E, I've decided to try a giveaway on the one week anniversary of this blog.  I've noticed on several blogs including Fox's, Anika's and Frivole's that several people are working with handkerchief edging right now.  I can't attest to the age of these handkerchiefs except they are certainly more than 11 years old (when I inherited them).  They may well be 50 or 70 but I think quite a bit more than 11. 

These hankys have never been used.

The right hanky has a crocheted edge probably done by my great-grandmother.

 That's Rose as a little girl.  She didn't have her own dress and is wearing her big sister's (my grandmother).  She always chuckled at that picture and said it wasn't truly a drop-waist dress.

I'd like to give them to two different people, two hankys per. (Per is a Latin word, btw)  Would you like to give them a try?

To enter, leave me a comment with your name and a way to contact you  AND what is your favorite pattern or technique.  I will use a random number generator and choose on Sunday evening.

nuntium tertium (third post)

Well now, who knew blogging could be so much fun?  I love seeing where the people who are who view this blog!  Leave a comment and tell a little about who you are.  Are you a tatter?  What kind? How long have you been tatting? What's your favorite kind of thing to make?

Yesterday was a very exciting day because I got to teach someone very special, my younger daughter,  to tat.  She's working hard to get the flip and does pretty well.  Here are some of her very first stitches!

and even a video.

I'm a ridiculously proud mom and she's really pleased to do tat too.  Plus all those years ago, my great-aunt made me promise to pass it along to someone else- now I have-twice in my own family!  Also if you look carefully, you might recognize that beautifully blinged shuttle from Happy Bluebird.


I'm working on egg #5 and am hopeful but, truthfully, until it goes all the way around the egg, I never know.  Sometimes it works perfectly and others it's a complete "do-over". The picture will have to wait.

Here's a Latin phrase for you:  ubi est cafeum meum?  non possum iam putare.  = Where's my coffee?  I can't think yet.

nuntium secundum (second post)

Today was such fun!  Twin Cities Tatters met today.  We aren't a very large group but it's so exciting to meet with other tatters.  We showed each other what we've been doing and talked, laughed and drank coffee.  We even had someone stop by to ask what we were doing- we gave her a card and told her to join us next time and we'll teach her.
I've been working on eggs like you see from this beautiful blog:  http://renulek.blogspot.com/.  She most generously shares her patterns but since I don't know the size of her eggs, I start with hers and then have to modify somewhat.  I don't design at all so this is a slow process.  I have three and a half done and my goal is 5 by Friday!  I just finished number 4 tonight.  It's Lizbeth size 20.  (My daughter graciously painted the wooden eggs for me).

When I'm out and about, I like to have a little tatting project and now that the carnation is done, I've got an idea bubbling around for something new.  Here's a little piece of the idea.

Cindy (http://ahappybluebird.blogspot.com/) gave me some wonderful DMC perle cotton and since I wanted a very soft effect, I thought I'd give it a try.  The pattern is from Jeanne Lugert's rose earring pattern http://www.georgiaseitz.com/2002/jlrose/jlrose.html  but I only did the first 20 rings because 25 was just too bulky for my purposes.

Here's a Latin word for you today:  salve!  = Hello!

nuntium primum (first post)

My great-aunt taught me one humid, August afternoon in Wisconsin. I've always tatted but taken breaks over the years. Thanks to a wonderful online technology class, I found tatting on the internet and blogs, blogs, blogs- marvelous blogs that have inspired me to try new techniques, ideas and more!
Now I'm ready to share with others and maybe do for others what some generous tatters have done for me.

 

I'll start with what I just finished- a carnation hair barrette from The Tatter's Treasure Chest, tatted in Lizbeth tropical fruit punch, size 20.  It took me forever because I only worked on it when out and about, waiting in the doctor's office or in restaurants.  My daughter wore it in her hair to school Friday!

Then I made this little dragonfly for the other daughter who isn't as "bold".

That's it for my first post.  Did you like it?