Calixa - - nuntium trecesimum vicesimum quintum

Thank you all for your kind encouragement!  I have been tatting.  Less than usual but I still am.  By the end of the day with all the typing I do, I can't quite tat for as long as I would like.

But I have managed to make 2 3/4  Calixa snowflakes which are Frivole's 2019 snowflake. 

One!

 3/4 or 5/6 I suppose.  So close but a total screw up in round one.  Grr.

Number #2

I'm wondering about blogging anymore.  Do people read blogs?  I do -but I wonder.  I have started instagram (for tatting and rarely a few other things).  If you'd like to follow me, here's my thing @mamagistra  It's a private account but if you're a tatter, I'll "approve" you.  

another bookmark - 6-point Twinkle, twinkle nuntium trecesimum tredecimum

This one was for our TCT exchange.  I like how it turned out!  Frivole's Twinkle, Twinkle- her modification to a snowflake.

It's much prettier in person!

a different bookmark -nuntium trecesimum decimum

Here's another bookmark but a different pattern by another brilliant designer, Frivole.  It's called Flowering Quatrain.

motif from fabric - nuntium ducentesimum nonagesimum sextum

Frivole recently figured out a pattern for a design which was on some fabric.  I have the same fabric (bags from Happy Bluebird) so I had to try it too.

A very pleasing tat- I don't usually care for single-shuttle pieces but I liked this one.  The true bonus was the video that Frivole made.  Not only does she show how to tat this medallion, she also shows several techniques which she uses.  I couldn't get the magic loop to work like she does (maybe tat too tightly?) but the folded-join!  I have puzzled about the folded join for, well, forever!  Written directions just escaped me every time.  Now that I've seen it, they make complete sense.  I've made at least three different things and used it successfully each time!

Diane to the rescue aka Metallic snowflake #3 - nuntium ducentesimum nonagesimum secundum

Thank goodness for Diane, the Lace Lovin' Librarian!  I greedily tried to make a second flake from the Lizbeth Metallic Rose which she kindly shared with me and ran out!  So in a complete fit "need to complete it", I requested two more arm-lengths so I could complete Frivole's Le Flocon Frivole.  And Diane being the kind person she is, got it instantly in the post.

I trimmed that offending bit of thread after the photo!

Whew, I don't know how long I could have lived with that incomplete flake.

Thanks, Diane.  I'll sleep easier now.

Argh - nuntium ducentesimum duodenonagesimum

At our TCT retreat, Diana shared a lot of her thread with us.   I've been using the Lizbeth metallic to see if I want to order some for the "season".  I've been making things but unwilling to photograph them until they are blocked (ironed).  I thought I had enough for a second flake from the lovely Rose color but I guess not.

As metallic threads go, this is very nice.  It still kinks a bit and I have to be careful to tat a tiny bit more loosely or the rings don't close but all in all. It's pretty good.

That is my completely unsolicited opinion.... : )

Roses - - nuntium ducentesimum octogesimum tertium

I've been back at my rose bookmarks again (for the craft fair).  These are a combination of Jeanne Lugert's rose, a modified version of Frivole's leaf (modified because I goofed not because it wasn't wonderful) and my own variant for the the little leaf by the rose.  One of them even has some of Ninetta's treble tatting for the sepals which was fun to try. Here's her handy youtube video to help if you haven't tried it yet.

'

I cleaned the house all day today so tonight and tomorrow will be all "panic tatting".  ; )

That's not tatting - nuntium duocentesimum septuagesimum sextum

 What could they possibly be?  Unfortunately they take away from tatting time.  But done now.  Here's a hint.

Here are a few "Twinkle, Twinkle"s that I made on our TCT retreat.  This is one of Frivole's lovely (and free) patterns.

In case you're interested:  It's been a week since the explosion now.  I can't help but admire our president (of the school) who was in the blast and yet continues to lead us with grace, poise and determination.  High school will open right after Labor Day.  We don't know where yet but they are committed to having all the activities that we always do.  We at the other campus will start in less than two weeks and try to have school as normal.  This will be an interesting year.

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?

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.

This one! - nuntium duocentesimum duodequinquagesimum

I should have just gone straight to Joëlle.  This one's available through her Etsy shop, La Cossette.

This is vintage size "tatting thread" which is 70 or maybe 80.  It's a dear little thing.  I had two but on the second one I miscounted the beads.  No problem, I thought, I'll just crush the extra one with my pliers and close the ring.  Can you imagine that crushing the bead was sharp enough that it CUT the core thread.  Into the bin with that one.

Saturday I have 108 very enthusiastic Latin students coming to my school for a day-long Latin event.  That's been keeping me busy.  More on Sunday- I hope.

Saturdays - nuntium duocentesimum quadrigesimum

I have been tatting- really.  And I've been reading blogs too.  But mostly I've been doing school.  This year I have a completely new textbook for French and a new edition for my 7th and 8th grade Latin books.  That means that just about every spare moment is devoted to prep work.

Here is how I face hours of preparation work.

Assam tea

Here is the tatting I've been sneaking in too.

That's Robin Perfetti's Noelle in the front, a few from an old book of snowflakes (it's upstairs) maybe the one with 24 flakes?, a few of Frivole's Le Flocon Frivole, a couple of Betsy Evan's snowflake, a Frivole Bentley, a Jane Eborall Teeny Tiny, a small pile of Elizabeth Zipay's Elizabeth's Snowflake, a pile of Decoromana's  small snowflake(I can't find her Etsy shop anymore) and a pile of one I saw on pinterest with no attribution (and no pattern).

Final product nuntium duocentesimum duodecimum

I've made these before but they are good retirement/change of life gifts  The ideas behind it are not my own. The flower is Jeanne Lugert's 3d rose, the bottom leaf is modified from Frivole, the leaf under the rose is even more modified from that and the card is an idea I saw on Singtatter's (?) blog.
Just my take on it all.

Hopefully there won't be too many more but I have two back-ups.  : )

More generosity- nuntium duocentesimum secundum

Even more things have rolled in for the new tatters and let me tell you, they were speechless!  Their grins were completely contagious and we all sat around admiring the goodies and marveling about these most generous encouragers.

Gorgeous ice cream from Eliz 

Fabulous Oren Bayan threads, angels and butterflies from Margaret

And just in case you think I've been slacking, here are last week's snowflakes!

Four of Frivole's Bentley

Hopefully that's the only kind of snow we'll see on the patio for the next several months!

Generosity- nuntium duocentesimum primum

Not too long ago, I asked other tatters if they would like to send encouragement to my new tatters in the form of motifs and WOW!  I shouldn't be surprised, really I shouldn't have been but this is amazing.

Tomorrow in Tatting Club, these girls will get motifs from Lace-Lovin' Diane, Frivole, Karen from Oregon, Heidi from down the street (that was a fun surprise too!) and Fox.  There are even more on the way but those are the ones I have in my bag for them.

Oooooh, this is going to be SO fun!  Thank you all!!!

"The dog ate it"- nuntium undeduocesimum

Seriously.   This dog doesn't eat, gnaw, chew, scratch or anything except once in a very blue moon, she gets a hold of something metal (!)- a nail one time even.  So we don't worry.  Never a slipper or a rug or anything else.

Except last night.  We were watching a movie (Dominick and Eugene) and generally having a good time.

"Look at our silly dog."

"What's she doing?"

"Just rolling around on her back."

"Oh."

Minutes later...

"She sure is weird."

"Yep, quiet please, we're watching."

"Is she eating something?"

"No, shhhh."

"I'm sure she's eating something.  What's that on the floor?  A string?"

"It's nothing."

"I'm sure I can see something.  Stop the movie, I want to look."

I'd say it survived pretty well.  Frivole's Flowering Quatrain done in teeny tiny "Oliver Twists"-#49 Burgundy.  : )

a secret! nuntium duodeduocesimum septimum

Well, I'm completely staggered by the generosity of tatters all over the world!  These girls don't know what they're in for at all!  They will be getting tatting from Indiana, Toronto, Oregon, two different places in England, Arkansas and Singapore!  You guys are amazing!!!

Ahem.

There has been some tatting around here, not much with grades due this week but some including Muskaan's spiral snowflake.  I like it and the movement within the design.

And Diane, I think you'll like this.  My daughter saw my Spinning Wheel and decided to make one of her own!

Now, onto something else.  I've got a itch to make Frivole's  Flowering Quatrain or if I can get Carolyn to take a picture of this one, (behind the lovely beaded birdie), I'd give that a go.

And thank you again, although knowing this tatting is coming and not telling the girls today was so HARD!  : )

COLOR! nuntium duodeduocesimum quartum

I've been making lots of snowflakes- white, white, white. Last week I decided to take all the Lizbeth thread out of those nasty, crinkly bags and put them in softer ziploc bags, plus they open more easily. I was delighted by my variegated threads and decided to make heart bookmarks with each one. I did most of them in about 4 days- crazy but my girl is playing basketball so that gives me some time.

This is my little go-to pattern from Vicki Clarke called Simple Heart.  Wish I'd thought to watch this video from Frivole again before doing them though.  Blipless join!!

But Diane's got me thinking about trying the Spinning Wheel glass mat. I don't think I'd do one a week but maybe one by Friday.  Anyone want to join me?  Diane says about 15 yards per shuttle will do it.