nuntium centesimum duodevicesimum (118th post) Easter basket

Happy Easter!  Below is a little basket I made for my daughter.  My intention was to make two but time does escape.  I am especially delighted with it as I used multiple split chains and by the end, I think I've got the technique.  By the top of the basket, the split chains are nearly indistinguishable from the regular but I have to work very hard to get the tension right.  So far, I have not stiffened it- sadly I've lost my very expensive container of Fa-Brick - but it's pretty sturdy.  I bought something called Stiffen-Quik by Aleene's but I don't want to change the color so I'm nervous to use it.  The pattern is an old one from Tatsy that I bought maybe 20 years ago that includes three baskets.  The others won't need as many split chains so I'm hesitating!

motif #4 size 20 Lizbeth, Scottish Thistle

motif #5, size 20 Lizbeth white

And this little fellow I made a few weeks ago, I think I saw the pattern on Ambitatterous but that could be a big lie.  If you know the author, please let me know and I will give credit.  (I must get better about this.)

Latin for today:  autoraeda iterum fracta est = The car is broken again.

nuntium centesimum decimum septimum (117th post) Black Magic

I've been enchanted by Mary Konior's Black Magic for a while now.  For some reason, I kept put off trying it but a couple weeks ago (pre-hand brace), I gave it a try.  I found it infuriating!  I missed the same ring over and over, distattifying possibly as much as actual tatting.

Lizbeth size 20, med leaf green and autumn spice  motif #3

 But after making one, I had to make more!  This time with my beloved Oliver Twists.

Oliver Twists, reddish orange one

 And more!

Oliver Twists, purple pinkish one.

 Then I took off the brace to work on our mobile computer cart at school last Friday.  I was in a hurry and took a step backward.  I guess I'll be wearing the brace a little longer.


Latin for today:  non tam callida sum = I'm not too smart.

nuntium decimum sextum (116th post) Twin Cities Tatters

Blow me down!  Cindy and I planned to meet on Saturday for our (usually) monthly Twin Cities Tatters get-together.  I often bring my girls since they learned to tat and occasionally Carla is able to join us.  We get inquiry emails from time to time but it never seems to work.
So, we were just stunned to have 7 tatters on Saturday!!

Marlene, older daughter, Kerry, Carla, Cindy, me and younger daughter

Our plan was to practice split chains but we had so much fun getting to know each other that we didn't get there at all!  We even got the young lady at Caribou to take a group picture.
Because so many of us are from the east side of the metro area, we're going to meet at a different Caribou next time, so if you're planning to join us on April 6th, send me a message or email to TwinCitiesTatters so I can tell you where.
I saw the most adorable shamrock on Julie's blog here so I thought I'd try it, gimpy hand and all.  Some variegated threads are too long for such a pattern.

nice pattern, dumb thread,  motif #2

  Jess! how about a messy-jess!y in soft greens?  Please?