TCT retreat - nuntium duocentesimum septuagesimum primum

Our retreat for Twin Cities Tatters was SO fun.  There were 8 of us and we spent most of 3 days tatting, laughing and tatting some more.  The retreat center was fantastic although the temptation is ot say that it wasn't (less competition for the place!)  We were at the Timberhaze Retreat Center in Center City, MN.  Cindy of Happy Bluebird fame and I organized it  (she did the lion's share of it including the shopping) and it went very smoothly.

Cindy made us these lovely bags and then we all decorated them.  Our motif of the year was Twinkle, Twinkle by Frivole.  

 Frivole most kindly gave us a shuttle for our retreat when I met her in England.  Tempting to just add to my collection...  Here's Heidi the happy, happy recipient.

 The craft room was beautiful and amazingly well-appointed.  Actually the whole place was so well done, down to the finest details.  Everything we might have wanted was there and available.

 And Diane brought a HUGE supply of things to share with us all.  So generous!

We did take a brief break to go to the Dancing Dragonfly winery.  So fun!

Maybe next year?

English Tatting - nuntium duocentesimum septuagesimum

Here are some of things I was able to tat while in England.  It's a version of a lovely little Mary Konior pattern.  Now I just need to write it down so I remember what I've done.

If they look familiar, you're right.  I made these a few years ago.  Last time though I sewed in the beads afterward (yuck!) but this time I used SCMR.  I think they look equally good but so much easier!

hanky and more - nuntium duocentesimum undeseptuagesimum

So many things to write about- maybe I have to parcel them out because so often I feel I have nothing to say.  : )
Our Twin Cities Tatters' Retreat was amazing but more about that later.

Here is the hanky I finished (just barely) before the wedding.  I was so, so delighted to see the bride with it at the wedding and after.

Here is a silhouette picture I made for a wedding present.  Years ago, a friend of my parents made one for me and I have loved it.  Too bad the "coral" marker that I used for the flowers isn't actually coral....

My daughter has finished round 8 of Renulek's Daisy.   Now it's my turn.  Yippee!

Travel tatting and a meeting- nuntium duocentesimum duodeseptuagesimum

I'm home from England/Italy now and it was a marvelous trip!  I had so, so much fun.  I tatted a lot, relaxed a lot, saw some amazing things, ate well and enjoyed visiting my friend.

And then, oh my, and then.  Joëlle contacted me to see if we could meet.  We had tried a few years ago when I was visiting the same friend but it didn't work.  This time because of our jaunt to Italy, we didn't have a lot of options that we could meet but Joëlle wrangled her entire family and made it work.  We were to meet the morning after we came back from Italy, imagine my chagrin when my flight was cancelled out of Naples!  Amazingly we were able to find another time, so I bravely took the train to meet her about halfway between.  You will think it's funny- I've traveled a LOT and take trains in Italy and France with no hesitation.  However in a country where the language is almost my own, I'm a wimp!  I made it to the right city and back though.

It was so exciting to see Joëlle's work in person- gorgeous, gorgeous stitches, gorgeous colors and gorgeous variety of pieces!  We had such fun and the hours were gone before I knew it.  We tatted, talked techniques, tatted more, talked about her amazing videos and other common interests.  I showed her a tatting issue I was unhappy with and she gave an instant and brilliant solution.  I wish we could convince her to join Twin Cities Tatters but I suppose that's too long a commute.

Speaking of Twin Cities Tatters, tomorrow is our RETREAT!  So exciting (the spoiling continues), Monday - Wednesday- just tatting, tatting, tatting.  I wonder if our hands will hurt?

I was surprised how many people commented that they don't tat when they travel, particularly in airplanes.  To me, airplanes are a necessary evil.  I don't enjoy them but they get me where I want to be so I make the best.  To me, that involves tatting.  Tatting doesn't have to be stowed during take off and landing, it doesn't make noise, one can do it in the interminable lines and what else to do when forced to sit/stand for hours during all the waiting?
I do have a special "airplane travel pouch".  As you can see, it has only useful things but if I had to surrender them, I could.  Boring shuttles but I can pop out the bobbins and keep my work.  Strong booklight (which- if I have remembered to put in new batteries- makes it easier to see), a dental floss "card" which has a cutter, a Sherry Pence 4-hook crochet pen (I would never through this away but would pretend it was simply a pen and slip into my purse), a hair clip for thread on ball, a few TCT cards in case anyone is interested and some of mine too.

The needle minder is from Happy Bluebird.  My usual one has tatting to decorate it but since this is the travel one, no.  So, all things I could give up if necessary but work well.  I do cut my ends and weave in but the final snipping has to wait until home.

Not as enthusiastic crocheting... - nuntium duocentesimum sexagesimum septimum

I can crochet. Really, I can.  Though I don't like it much and with size 80, I'm a disaster.  Fortunately the recipient isn't a crocheter (I hope).

Another side and some to go... ugh.

Then I can tat again!  And I saw a video from Tatman about how to do Maltese rings which I have never understood but now am dying to do.  Patterns anyone?

The lion continues his adventures...
We went to the Barber Institute for the induction of the loan of Monet's Water Lily Pond from the Chicago's Art Institute (Saw it there too.)  We went to the Barber last year too and I fell in love with it.

We made a beautiful headboard for our third friend who arrived today:

The lion was no help.

This was my first job with upholstery and we had to figure out the new sewing machine which wasn't complicated but the manual truly is.  Youtube to the rescue!

We had champagne on the terrace:

Oh my!

And this little treasure for dinner:

New to me- wow!

I am so completely spoiled!!!

Overenthusiastic tatting - nuntium duocentesimum sexagesimum sextum

I tatted on the airplane.  Tricky though as there's no real place to lay things out.  And certainly no iron.

Too much by one.  I shall have to cut and splice.  sigh.  And now the crocheting on.  Double sigh.

England is lovely and cool, back home they are roasting, poor things.  In sympathy, the Italians have arranged really hot weather for our visit next week.  : )

Here's a funny picture I sent my daughters today:

What's this all about, you ask?  I don't know how it started but this silly little plastic lion has been handed off between us for about a year.  He's been in the bathroom cupboard, slipped under doors, hidden in my tatting bag, tucked in among croissants and then the recipient must "pass him along".  Since my daughter tucked him in purse as I was leaving, I can't give him back so I've been tormenting them with pictures.

Edging - - nuntium duocentesimum sexagesimum quintum

Here's the edging so far:

I don't think the blue is quite that vibrant but maybe.  I don't know if I'll finish before Wednesday.

My daughter and I are making a Steampunk outfit for her to wear when she goes to art/craft fairs for her lovely steampunk wearable art.  She has a show on July 15 (I usually join her and my sister but I'll be in Italy there- poor me) which means we have to finish before Wednesday too.  We started Saturday, finally got everything cut out yesterday, there are over 25 pieces plus some are repeated for interfacing and lining.  Today we start sewing.  We're planning to stay at it until dark- the fabric is a deep brown and unfortunately at night, there just isn't enough light for me to do it.  Hopefully tomorrow we will have the outfit to show off.