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.

ITD - nuntium duocentesimum quinquagesimum

In honor of International Tatting Day, Twin Cities Tatters got together for a bonus meeting- yay!  We had brand new tatters and others who are "more experienced" and someone who knits and weaves the most beautiful things.  And thanks to Marlene, we even had chocolate!

Cindy put together this picture for us so if you see it on her blog, know that I'm the copycat!

We had a lot of fun, somehow those two hours go by so quickly.  It's such a treat to get together with others who love the same thing.
Here's another pin I've made.  Somehow I'm not sure of it-why?  I don't know.  Something just isn't quite there for me.

This one was actually the first one.  

I don't know, should I keep going with them? Do you have suggestions for improvements?

My elder daughter has sold her first piece on Etsy!  She is over the moon.  I won't mention any names for fear of invasion of privacy but you wouldn't be surprised by this generous tatter's heart.  Anyway, each night she reports to me the number of views so if you have nothing else to do, would you go click on her shop? (This is a gorgeous piece that has non-functioning scissors in it.) Thank you!

Étoile du Nord - nuntium duocentesimum quadrigesimum tertium

Recently (well, not so recently) I test-tatted the Étoile du Nord pattern for Joëlle.  As usual, it's a wonderful pattern.  This one has an unusual method for adding in the beads down the "arms" of the star which I really like.  When finished, both daughters claimed it instantly so I had to make a second. (poor me!)

My execution was better on the second one but it has disappeared into my daughter's bedroom and could need an archeologist to find it again.  I foresee this as a big seller next year.  Interestingly, Étoile du Nord is the motto of Minnesota- completely unrelated though.

Remember if you think you might be able to join us in July, fill out this form to let us know your preferences.  Canadians are welcome.  So are Europeans and Brits!  And Aussies!  :)  This could be the start of something beautiful.

Round 6 - nuntium duocentesimum duodevicesimum

Interesting, I forgot to post about Round 5.  I have an excuse. We picked up our daughter from college last weekend and it was a bit busy around here.  I was able to tat the round during the drive-(hubby drove, thank goodness.)
And I've been able to finish round 6, thanks to a gathering of TwinCities Tatters yesterday.

It lays flat but I'm not sure it's quite right as some of the rings seem slanted.    I tried whipstitching in ends and succeeded in breaking a knot.  I think I might glue it but there will be no other repair.  It's a doily, not something that will have great strains on it.
College daughter and I went to an event called "Craftstravaganza" which was conveniently located near our home and free.  It was fun and interesting although I can't imagine why I would want a lovely, framed, crossstitch of the "f" word.  I get the humor, I do, really.  But I wouldn't want it in the house or on the piano.
But we did find the cutest little pouches with fun fabrics so older daughter bought me an early Mother's day present.

My usual pouch had really seen better days and I am able to get everything in this one, it's lined with a thicker fabric so the crochet hook shouldn't poke through.  I don't know why the fox in a sailor hat appealed to me but it's just cute.

At Twin Cities Tatters yesterday we were talking a bit about organizing a tatting day or overnight.  Nothing quite as organized as some of the other events but just a chance to hang out and tat, maybe at a b and b or resort (if cheap!) with a room with comfy furniture where we can just tat and share if we want.  It would be great to find out if others would come even from further afield and what would draw you here?  When is the best time of year?

Love to hear your thoughts!

Le Flocon Frivole- nuntium duocentesimum tertium

So it snowed this morning- really.  I don't know why that should be a surprise.  It is March after all.  It used to be our snowiest month.  It's all melted now but after the gorgeous few days we had last weekend, it was a bit hard to bear.  (Not really a crushing problem though.)

I continue to make snowflakes and even though I've had this pattern for SIX years, (do you believe that, Joëlle?) I think I only made one or two.  I have NO idea why.  It's gorgeous and tats up very nicely.

I (re)present Le Flocon Frivole.

My daughter took this photo, she's so much more creative than I.

Twin Cities Tatters got together this morning.  It's so, so nice to have other tatters, to share. to think to look at patterns, to puzzle together.  I just love it.  Plus, I learn about new things too.  Such a wonderful thing, thanks Cindy and Katie- what fun today!

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?