Allison's Tatting Blog

The package has been delievered!

2012-01-23T17:08:00.000-06:00

THE PACKAGE HAS BEEN DELIVERED!!

I gave the hankie to my customer Renee today! She LOVED her hankie and was so pleased. I also included a small amount of the same colored thread so that the bride's new initials could be embroidered on by her grandmother. Renee was so touched. I decided that I wanted to wrap the hankie and put it in a box, but the only one I could find was a small cake box. So I'll have to work on that because I think it's a special touch like that that people will remember.
It's been a busy day; blustery, cold weather, horse chores on the farm, school, and it's only Monday!!
Anywhoooo, I hope you are all having a marvelous start to your week. Since I finished the hankie I've been working on some simple patterns of snowflakes and small doilies so I'll keep you updated on those as they get a little bigger. I also decided to use some size 10 thread, to take a break from the smaller stuff. Pictures to come!
Allison

Week-endings.....

2012-01-17T14:16:00.000-06:00

This is my last weekend before my school semester starts up. It's my last college semester and I'm super excited to graduate in May!! I've already begun to get my resume together as the job search will begin in February. We got a lovely blanket of snow this past week and we are sure enjoying it. Our first snow of the year! My sister and I are having a blast romping in the snow with our horses.

On a tatting note: I FINISHED THE HANKIE!!! It's all done and looks great. Now I am blocking the edging by getting it slightly wet and pinning it down so it will lay nice and flat, and not all bunched up.

I've started on some fun snowflakes for my tatting catalog from a book called Easy Tatting by Rozella F. Linden. It's a great way to use up from extra, left-over threads from projects as well as working on my thread and pattern catalogs on Facebook. Busy, Busy, Busy!!
Have a lovely week everyone! Pictures of the Hankie to come!
Allison

Bling Shuttles

2012-01-11T08:33:00.000-06:00

Ok, I HAVE to ask...How and where did you ladies get your clover shuttles all glittery and cute!!?!?!?!? I would so love to learn to make them or purchase them if anyone is selling. Tattabugg's Lace posted the cutest shuttle picture on her blog and I've also seen them on Lace-lovein' Librarian. Place a comment if you know! This is a tatting 'Shout Out!"

Have a wonderful Wednesday everyone! I'm about two or three hours away from finishing the 'Something Blue Hankie!' I'll keep you posted!
Allison

P.S. The thread catalog is coming along nicely! We are expected to get 3-5" of snow so I'm hoping to spend a little more time on it while the weather turns snowy!

Hankie Update

2012-01-07T10:38:00.000-06:00

Here she is! After the holidays I am now embarking on the last side! This pattern has been fun, but quite a challenge, too.

The outside is worked first, so then you add the inside round as well as attach to the linen. The hankie that I'm using is Irish linen from hhtatting.com that you can view HERE. The holes are pre-made so there was a lot of math that went into figuring out how many little 'fans' go for so many holes and then I had to add in the corners too. Ugh!

So I figured the best way to do this is to work one side of the outside round first, end with a ring so that I can easy pick it up again with a Lark's Head Knot (hmm, maybe I'll have to do a post one that little trick!) Anyway, once one outer-round is done, I work the inside and attach to the linen at the same time. That way if there is any miscalculation, I can go back on just that side and not have to take out the WHOLE outside round.

So three down, one to go! It looks really nice and I am pleasently surprised that the color came out so pretty. The lady that is purchasing this hankie wanted to go for an antique-looking blue, and I do believe that Lizbeth's Wedgewood Light (#655) delievered perfectly!!!

I've decided to call this the 'Something Blue...' Hankie, in honor of the bride that will be receiving the hankie in the fall for her wedding! Ciao for now!
Allison

THANK YOU!

2012-01-07T09:51:00.000-06:00

I have to just take a moment to say a hearty 'Thank You' to all of those who have joined my Facebook page! It's only the first week and I've already had comments and postings! I'm so tickled. Thank you all very much! Have a blessed Saturday! I'll be posting a hankie update later today - I've got 3/4 of the sides all done!
Toodles!

FACEBOOK PAGE!!

2012-01-04T08:28:00.000-06:00

IT'S HERE! I've created a facebook page for my Tatted Lace business!! I've very excited to be able to put all of my creations on here. I'm in the process of collecting pictures for a thread and doily catalogue that clients will be able to see. I get asked to create something special every so often and my goal is to create a special page where clients can look in one place at all that designs and colors that I have to offer! Oh, it's gonna be fun! Here is the link for you to check out: Allison's Tatted Lace Facebook Page!!
HAVE A WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY EVERYONE!!

Merry Christmas!!!!!!!

2011-12-25T07:24:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!

Beautiful Birds

2011-12-21T07:43:00.000-06:00

We have always enjoyed feeding and watching our native birds around our bird feeders so I thought I'd share some with you. Be sure to look at the last one! He's a real treasure!

Chick-a-Dee My personal favorite!

Winter goldfinches

Summer Goldfinches

Junco

Winter blue jay

common barn sparrow

Typical Canadian geese

Sandhill cranes

more Sandhill cranes

Cooper's Hawk

Grosbeak

Junco

White Crowned Sparrow

Male Cardinal. We have a pair that stays near us year-round.

female cardinal

Our Lovely chickens!!! These gals count too!

HUMMINGBIRD!


Northern Flicker

Snowy Owl

Here is the grand finale!!! My mom was driving home from WalMart and spotted this guy in the grass next to the road. He flew off (as you can see in the next picture) so he wasn't hurt, just hunting. She came back and got us and my sister got some great pictures. This is a Snowy Owl and just looking at him is quite magnificent!!! God's design is so beautiful!

He was pretty big too! With a wingspan of 4-5 feet!

Just a little something for your day! I'll be posting about the hankie soon! It's going splendid!

Allison

Luke 1:30-33
"Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”

A Hankie for a friend....

2011-12-12T15:11:00.000-06:00

The Hankie, the color, and the pattern! So excited!!

"Something old, something new, Something borrowed,

Something BLUE."

Yes, that is the theme for this hankie. I am so honored and excited to be tatting a blue hankie edging for a lovely gal at school whose daughter is getting married!!! She's picked out the pattern (which just happens to be called 'Bride's Maids!!!) by Mary Konior and I suggested the Lizbeth 'Wedgewood Lt.' for a color. What do ya think? Has anyone worked with that specific color? I'm super excited about it and will get the final OK from her on Wednesday and then I'll be working on it during my month-long winter break. That's another reason to celebrate, but I'll hold off on a post for that one! A whole month off of school deserves a post all it's own! Toodles for now!
Allison

Updated...

2011-12-09T09:03:00.001-06:00

I've almost finished the hexagon doily that I started over Thanksgiving break. I used a 20 Flora thread in a variegated white and light green so it wasn't all one color. I really love this color! My mom and sister where in Florida this week for my sister's farrier class so it was just dad and I on the farm. Be sure to check out our farm blog, where my mom posted all about their trip! Here's the LINK for you! We had a great time (and all the animals stayed healthy) with lots of movies and good food. I had time to work on it, especially during the intense parts of the movies I was tatting at light-speed!! Hope you are all having a lovely end of the week!
Allison

Thankful...

2011-12-01T18:49:00.001-06:00

Here are some of our Thanksgiving Day moments I thought I'd share with you all : )

Lea and Diesel take a walk! Scout the wonder-pony!

Our Eddie-boy was feelin' spunky!!

Decorations by Lea

A Tatted ornament

Looking into our lovely kitchen!

The Table Setting

My Mom and Sister are going on a trip to Florida so we put up the Christmas decorations a week early this year : )

We always use my Great Aunt's silver for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners

This is the penny that is kept in the silver box. My great Aunt bought the silver at Marshall Fields in 1944. She was notorious for putting little trinkets away that meant something special. What a cool thought!

Thanksgiving Blessings to you all! December is right around the corner!

Allison

Thanksgiving Break Tattings....

2011-11-27T12:42:00.001-06:00

With four days of no school and the most lovely time at home, I've had plenty of time for tatting. Our Thanksgiving Day was wonderful; it was just the four of us this year and we enjoyed being home together. Here is what I've been working on....

This is going to be a hexagon mat. I'm half done with the center, then I'll put a simple edging around it, just like the picture from the book. I'm leaning toward the style of the one on the left. Just for fun, my mom was curious about how many stitches are in this doily so far, so we added them up. There are 20 stitches per petal, and six petals per flower, so there are 120 stitches per flower. The doily has a total of 22 flowers at the moment so there are 2,640 whole stitches or 5280 half stitches. : ) Kind of a fun way to look at things

Little flower motif. I bought the Lizbeth PINK PARADE, number 145,and love how it looks. I think I might have to make a whole doily in it.

A new TV series that my family has been enjoying is called Lark Rise to Candleford. We have rented all the seasons from the library for our Thanksgiving holiday weekend. It's a cute, British mini-series that has some of our favorite BBC actors and actresses in it. If you like Cranford, you will for sure like this series!

Have a lovely Sunday!
Allison

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL!

2011-11-24T10:38:00.000-06:00

I hope that you are blessed on this day of thanks!

Psalm 100:4 - "Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name."

"Lord, help to make thanksgiving a lifestyle..and not a only a holiday. Amen."

Blessings!

Allison

Presentation!

2011-11-21T21:16:00.000-06:00

Thank you ladies for all the lovely comments about my color presentation! It went very well! My teacher loved it and so did my class! They were very interested and had a bunch of questions. Tatting is so fun to share! Here are some pictures of my poster board! Have a Marvelous Monday!

My completed poster board :)

A fun part of my presentation was that the two doilies at the bottom of this picture are the same patter! I've just moved the colors around and look what a different effect is has on the eyes! Where do you look first when you look at the pink one? How about the red one? See how important color is to tatting! ; )

My color wheel

Tatting pieces - butterflies, motifs and clunies

I passed the shuttle around so everyone could see it. This is the largest doily I've done and will continue to work on. I only started it about 2 years ago. I pick it up and put it down a lot!

Ornaments and a hankie edging...

Love from the Midwest!
Allison

Color Presentation!!!

2011-11-15T13:04:00.000-06:00

My poster board. I've changed a few things, but this is close

My color project for school is due this Thursday so I'll be doing a 5-10 minute presentation on the colors in tatting.

I. AM. SOOO. EXCITED!!

This is one of those presentations that has come together so well and gosh, it's my favorite hobby so I could talk about it all day! I seriously just gave my mom a 2 minute run-down of what I'm going to say and I got all energized and now Thursday can't come soon enough! To add to the evidence of my delight, I just wrote a 700 word essay in about an hour and a half. Can you sense the thrill in these exclamation points!!!!!!!!!
Have a terrific Tuesday!
Allison

Looking for an edging for a bookmark???

2011-10-27T15:40:00.000-05:00

Hello Friends! My semester projects are drawing near, but thankfully one of them is about tatting so I have a good reason to spend some time with my shuttles. I'm trying to find a small edging pattern to make into bookmarks for a handout when I do my presentation. Any thoughts? any favorites? be sure to comment and I'll see what you all have in mind : ) The combines are out in full force here in northern Illinois as well as the beautiful fall tree colors. My sister just took this photo today

Fall color in the woods behind the corn field East of us

Believe it or not we are actually forecasted for light flurries tomorrow! I think it's a little early for snow, even for me. I hope it at least waits until Thanksgiving!
Cheerio!
Allison

The color wheel...in thread

2011-10-08T18:48:00.003-05:00

Hello everyone! Hope you are all having a splendid weekend! The weather here is back to being sunny and warm, but the trees are still turning and boy it's just gorgeous outside! I have to tell you though, it's been really fun to have a school assignments that involves tatting! My floral design project has to be about color so 'TA-DA!" What do you think???

TATTED COLOR WHEEL!

This will be part of my display! I'm also working on doilies and motifs that follow color certain color schemes we are studying. This has been such a fun project! I just finished a landscape design for another class and am really proud of it...I'll get my grade on Monday so I'm keeping my fingers crossed : )

Other then school projects and Plant Identification competitions life is as normal around here. God is good, isn't He? Oh how He loves us and Blesses us! Be sure to stop by my mom's blog to see what our family is up too! (www.spendthethymefarm.blogspot.com)
Have a safe weekend everyone and I'll be in touch : )
~Allison

Bookshelf is up and running!

2011-09-05T09:24:00.000-05:00

Just wanted to let everyone know that I've added some of my favorite tatting books to the 'My Bookshelf' page at the top of my blog. These are just a few of my favorites off the top of my head; I will be adding more later! Be sure to check back in soon! : ) Have a splendid weekend!

Tatting goes to College!

2011-09-03T10:41:00.000-05:00

Flora Lab creation with Roses

I'm taking a Beginning Floral Arrangements class this semester and boy am I LOVING it! I really, really, think I could get into florist work, so much so that I'm considering getting a second Associates Degree : ) We will see, God is good.
For this class I have to do a color project and I'm so excited...I'm going to do it on tatting! Like the variations between a solid color doily and the same one with two different colors and the affects colors have on emotions and stuff. I've already got possible PowerPoint slides scrolling through my brain! It's gonna be so fun!
Have a fantastic weekend everyone!
Allison

Gotta Love 'Lizbeth!

2011-08-29T19:31:00.000-05:00

Well...it's not quite tatting, but it IS Lizbeth thread! Last week I 'googled' (yes, that is a verb in our house) how to make friendship bracelets. I got something like 20+ pages of tutorials, patterns, books and the like. I ended up on YouTube watching a great 'how-to' video for the easy pattern pictured on the right. It is really fun! I've done macrame in the past, and the knots are actually the same, just in various orders to create different patterns. I made my first one in orange, pink and brown in honor of a Bible Study I just finished. A little daily reminder to hold onto my values and beliefs as I tread the waters of a secular college and such. So the picture is my second one! I scanned this picture as well, so the knotted part is only about an inch long. It's fun to sometimes take a little break from tatting and experiment with a new craft!
Hope you are having a marvelous Monday! Toodles from Illinois,
Allison

Dreaming Big...

2011-07-26T08:20:00.000-05:00

As a family, we eat dinner together almost every night. One of our favorite topics is dreaming up what we would do if we had a million dollars. Our family doesn't play the lottery, but we like to dream about what it would be like to have 'unlimited financial resources,' that's what my mom says. It's pretty fun! Be sure to check out my mom's blog, Spend the Thyme Farm and my sister's blog about her horsemanship, barefoot trimming and horse nutrition!

So Here is what I would do with the million:

I'd love to live in a quaint little cottage on a farm

Of course I'd go all out on the gardens. Some formal, some cottage style. *Sigh* One can never have too many gardens or flowers :)

I LOVE Norwegian Fjord Horses! I'd love to have one


Chickens are a must - they are so much fun and there is nothing like farm-fresh eggs!

For my sister: a beauuutiful horse barn, complete with indoor arena, and the whole nine yards!

Sister's horse farm

For Mom: A scrapbooking/crafting studio where she can have space to create! Plus a beautiful little garden Shed to spend time with the flowers and relax!

Mom's studio

Mom's garden shed

For Dad: The tractor of his dreams!! Completely rigged with every imaginable implement! and maybe his own private lake (the boat's included, of course) where he could fish to his heart's content!

Dad's tractor!

Dad's lake!

It's fun to dream, isn't it?? This has been a super fun blog post! Check in on my mom and sister's blogs! In fact...if you do a post like this, be sure to tag my blog in it! How fun would it be to start a thread going!!

So what would you do with a million dollars?
DREAM ON!
Allison

Picture #1!

2011-07-18T19:55:00.000-05:00

So here is the first picture of my new doily! As said in my previous post, I'm going to make a fun video out of it and see what happens!

Here is round one!

I'm on round 3 out of about 10 now so it's progressing nicely! It's been so hot outside lately! We are averaging in the high nineties for the past two days; which makes working in a greenhouse a little challenging! ; ) Hope you all are enjoying your AC and swimming pools! Be blessed and wear your sunscreen!!
Allison

Summer...

2011-07-13T19:48:00.000-05:00

Ah, summer. Swimming pools, blooming flowers, and bright tatting colors!! I'm working on a fun colored, oblong doily and had an idea. My sister is really good at using Windows MovieMaker, so I thought 'Why not do a time lapse video of this doily?' So for each round I'm going to take a picture, she'll work her movie magic and it should look really cool! My musing idea for the day....Hope you are all are well and my all your tatting journeies be swell! ; )
Allison

The Classic White Doily...

2011-06-20T20:45:00.001-05:00

It doesn't get any more classic then a white doily : ) and this project is only half done! It's going to be a HUGE center piece for our dining room table. The flowers are from our gardens around the farm. Daisies and a yellow Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria for all my Horticulture savvy buddies).

Work has sure kept me busy! not to mention I'm taking a 30-day 'Media Reduction Challenge' with the girls from my Bible Study. We're being challenged to spend less time on the Internet and watching TV and movies and spending more time in the Word and with family. I've also been outside gardening and thought I'd share some pics with you all.

The farm table: complete with all my planters

Dad's Hosta corner

Front of our house with Stella de Oro Lilies

Pump house garden - Hostas and more Loosestrife

The shed garden

I got my dad a Mock Orange Viburnum for Fathers day, next to the 'Man Cave'

My mom and I share a rock garden, we each have one side :)

May all your tatting journeys be splendid!
Allison

P.S. THANK YOU all sooo much for the awesome comments on my last post! I just had to share that tip with you all and I'm glad that you found it useful! Too fun!

A tatting hint!

2011-06-14T16:54:00.000-05:00

Ever made a ring only to realize that there is a mistake in it? too many stitches? forgot a picot? I found a hint/tip that will make undoing a completed ring that doesn't cause the last stitch to flip, no matter how tight the ring is pulled. I learned this hint from Mary Konior's book and have used it so much in the last few days that I'd love to share it with you all. It's best if I show you by pictures and explain below each one then try to tell you step by step...ah, the complications of a visual learner :)

Insert the hook into the backside of the last picot you formed. if you pull it apart a little, you can see the inner thread. Pull that inner thread up and towards you.

Keep pulling....

keep pulling until it's long enough to work with

Now, at the bottom of the ring, pull the thread from the left down and towards you

"this is where you pull from"

TA-DA! your ring is open!! Now you just gotta pull out however many stitches to get to the 'problem' area :)

Hope that helps you guys! I've used it numerous times!
Be Blessed this week! :)
P.S. these pics are also a sneak-peak of my next 'stained glass' project ;)

Gone so long!

2011-05-17T12:44:00.001-05:00

My Goodness it's been a while! I'm sorry I haven't been on here more but our current version of Mozilla FireFox is having issues with Blogger : / Grr!

As for that special project here it is! It's the Black magic bookmark from Mary Konior. I used two shuttles; one with the black and the other had the color on it. For as pretty as it is, it was a LOT of work! I had to empty my color shuttle each time to switch colors! But I think the effect in the end is pretty cool. I just love the black with bright colors! Time for another doily maybe......

But I liked the pattern so much I made another one :) This one is in the Lizbeth 40 'Boysenberry.'

Other then these projects, I've been pretty busy with work and being outside gardening. I'm planning on finishing a HUGE white doily this summer. My goal is to be done with it before school starts up again at the end of August...can I 'git 'r' gone?' I hope so ;)
Blessings to ya'll!
Allison

Just a little musing...

2011-04-27T20:02:00.000-05:00

I had to empty my shuttles for a fun up-coming project (that I'm keeping a secret until I'm finished) so I looked through all my books and found some fun patterns that only require one shuttle. I made three little medallions with variegated threads that where all rings and Josephine rings. They're cute and will make fun little snowflakes or flowers. My wonderful job and gardening outside at home has been keeping me super busy. A good kind of busy, but I do miss tatting. So last night my family and I watched a movie and I got to sit and work on my project :) Pure Bliss! Oh and I brought my tatting to work the other day and got to tat during my lunch break! A fellow co-worker and I got to talking about tatting and crochet. It never ceases to amaze me how tatting is such a conversation starter!
Have a great evening everyone!
Allison

Etsy

2011-04-27T19:53:00.001-05:00

I ordered a custom pair of earrings from KrystleDawne Fine Lace Jewelry and oh my goodness are they STUNNING! She also has a BLOG. Be sure to check out this incredibly talented tatting artist! I've bought a pattern of hers on Etsy as well. Highly recommend her! Krystle has some stunning pieces!! Thanks for the earrings Krystle!!

These earrings also match a favorite dress of mine that I hopefully get to wear to a friends wedding this summer...a perfect match! Can't wait!
Be Blessed!
Allison

The joys of gardening...

2011-04-07T21:22:00.002-05:00

So I started a new job at a local garden center/florist and I am soo loving it. The people are just great; I love working with every one of them, which is a huge blessing in the workplace. God is good. There are different tasks to go everyday, from planting containers and mixed baskets, watering plants, moving Shrubs and trees, shaping, pinching, removing early flowers, the list goes forever on. Oh, it's so fun. The only downside to this amazing job is that I come home every day with very dirty hands and that doesn't mix too well with pretty white thread. Needless to say, I haven't been tatting a whole lot. But I'm thinking about what patterns and colors I'll be using this spring. Hope the weather is fine and dandy where this quick blog post finds you.
Be Blessed!
Allison

P.S. I have a new gardening blog that documents all of the crazy experiments at home and what I've learned from school! Check it out at The Garden's Path Blog.

Pearls...

2011-03-25T15:30:00.003-05:00

Here's what I've created from the pearl beads I found the other day!

This will be a white dangle earring. The thread is a size 40 :)

I'm actually pretty excited about these earrings! I know that they are not tatted but I have a pair that looks just like them that I bought. I liked them so much I thought I'd try my had a recreating them... WITH PEARLS!


Another view

With all of these patterns and ideas running through my mind I'm thinking about opening my Etsy shop...we'll see. That might be a good thing to do over the summer. Right now, I gotta get ready for finals....
Bye Ya'll!
Allison

Trash Vs. Treasure?

2011-03-23T15:56:00.000-05:00

You know that saying, "One's man trash is another man's treasure?" Well that is totally what happened to me today! I was sitting in the computer lab working on semester projects at school and there was a young gal sitting next to me. She got up to get something out of the printer at the end of the long table of PCs and a ton of faux-pearl beads feel out of her pocket! She said to the guy next to her, 'Yeah, my necklace broke and I shoved the beads in my pocket." Se then presumed to sweep up the pearl beads and halfheartedly brushed them under her desk. She obviously didn't want them anymore because she just left them there when she was done using the computer. Immediately my mind was like 'I bet I could tat something with those....' So I picked up about 40 of them and took them home with me. There are even three different sizes, large, medium and small ones. I was so tickled! FREE BEADS!! It just struck me funny how artsy-craftsy people can view things so differently then others. For me, it's really about seeing a material in it's raw element and wondering 'how can I make something out of that?" It's put a smile on my face all day and I can't wait to create something with them!
Cheers!
Allison

Something new!!!!!!!!!

2011-03-19T08:02:00.000-05:00

I was experimenting the other day with a long piece of tatted edging and had an idea inspired by God's Kid on her Post. I had a skinny, tan headband that I never really liked so why not cover it up with tatting! Thanks for the idea Sue!

New Pattern!

2011-03-19T07:50:00.001-05:00

I recently made a purchase on Esty from Krystledawne Fine Lace Jewelry. The pattern is her Spanish Dancer earrings and I've already finished one and am playing around with a second one. I've always loved all the different colors that she makes these earrings in and have a few pairs planned out with matching beads. You know how you have that one shirt that makes you feel so confident because you love it? I'm going to make a pair of pale pink earrings to match! So thanks to Krystle and her efforts on Etsy! Keep it up! I love your creations! Be sure to check out her Blog as well :)

But for now here are some of the colors I've been playing around with. I love the rusted gold vintage look with sage greens, browns, golds, and the like, so perhaps I'll even have to make a trip to Hobby Lobby for some new beads!

Have a great weekend! TAT ON!

Blessed...

2011-03-12T17:12:00.001-06:00

I was recently blessed in an unexpected way that has put a smile on my face for three days now! I received an email from a homeschooling mom that used to be involved in the same home-school co-op as us, called Hallstrom Home School Workshops. This is the co-op that I graduated High School from and during the time I was there, I sold some of my tatted ornaments, bookmarks, and various other bits and pieces at the science fair. This lovely lady remembered that I tatted and blessed me by giving her grandmother's threads and shuttles. There was even a Workbasket Pattern Book in the bag too! I've started on the project on the cover of the book and am using one of the larger, size 10, white threads. It was just sweetest thing and I am always amazed at how God blesses us in the most unexpected ways. Blessings to you Mrs. Fine! Thank you so very much for the threads! and I'll keep you all updated on what I use some of the new threads for! I especially can't wait to use the soft pink in the center of the picture! Have a great weekend!
Allison

Spring Break

2011-03-09T11:43:00.007-06:00

IT'S SPRING BREAK!!! No school for a week = time on the farm with my amazing family, tatting, tea, a good book (A Reason For God by Timothy Keller, a new favorite author of mine).

I can't believe that it's Wednesday already and my break is coming to a close. I am proud to say that during my break I was busy doing...nothing. It was so nice to relax and go about my day with the rhythm and pace of the farm and not have to worry about school. The past two weeks before break where nothing short of crazy, and I have a new job so this week has been such a blessing. I've spent time with the family, been busy outside with the horses and enjoying being home. Home is such a good place to be and I have to thank my parents dearly, for making our home a place that me and my sister want to be all the time. Sure I got out with some friends and went to my Bible study, but there is nothing like just coming home.

I've been tatting a lot and to the left is a doily that is all finished. I actually made another one, in the same pattern, but a different color. It was a quick and easy one so that's why, I thought, 'Hey, why not make another one!?'

My mom, sister, and I recently discovered PBS' 'Texas Ranch House' and 'Colonial House' series. The show takes 3 families and places them in a home of that time period (1867 for the ranch house) and they have to live and survive like the settlers for 2-4 months! It's a really entertaining show so I've gotten to tat while we watch that.

Well, with it being a gorgeous day outside I think I'll sign off here and meet up with you later!
Cheers!
Allison

Finished!

2011-02-20T15:45:00.003-06:00

Sunday Still....The antique doily is done and I absolutely love it! Can't wait to make another one! I'm headed off to Indianapolis with my school for a three day field trip. Only in college we call them 'Field Studies.' :) I'll have lots of pics to share and talk to ya'll later!

Antique patterns, you either love them or hate 'em

2011-02-12T18:54:00.003-06:00

Here is the 'pretty in purple' doily that my last post was about. I LOVE the final rounds. This antique pattern is true to type though. The instructions are not very clear, but the look of the doily is an interesting and different spin on tatting. For me it's a bittersweet thing because the antique patterns themselves are always so cool and when I tat them it's neat to think about how this doily style has been around for 20, 30, or 40 years. But on the flip-side, the instructions reflect that era so they are usually not very clear. In the book this pattern is from, there is no mention of 'reverse work' and the rings aren't labeled so it can get confusing. So needless to say, there are a LOT of notes in my book. It kind of makes it my own in a way because my writing will be passed on with the antiques.

Here she is on my cardboard box being blocked. I always get my pieces wet with cold water, pat them in a towel, then pin it down. This makes the doily or bookmark or whatever I'm working on, flat and tight. I'm adding the final round now and think this is a new favorite.

One more side of that hankie to go and, I admit with guilt, I'm playing around with another antique pattern. Yup, I'm a glutton for punishment!
Have a blessed weekend everyone! : )
Allison

Pretty in...Purple

2011-01-21T10:03:00.001-06:00

Wow, I feel as if I've been going non-stop for about two weeks now. School has started up and I'm LOVING my classes. Plant Propagation is probably my favorite so far. We're growing Hostas from tissue culture; basically you cut off a piece of leaf, place it in a 'jello-like' medium in a glass test tube and in a month or two a hosta will grow from that little piece! God's creation just gets more and more incredible as I study Horticulture. All that being said, I've still been able to get quite a few little projects going. I'm nearing the last side of my hankie edging. I'm working one a bookmark with two shuttles that is one of my favorite patterns in my favorite color.

But the project that has been the most fun is a purple doily I'm now finishing. It's from Tatting: Patterns and Designs by Blomqvist and Persson. It's been a patience tester! The reason I started it was because I liked the last two rows a lot; the pattern was really cool looking and I'm partial to rounds worked in reverse rings. So I finish the third row and thought for sure that I had messed up. You know how a doily will start to 'cup' when last round you made is tighter then the beginning ones? That happened to this one. I was thinking I'd have to cut it off and start all over, but, to my surprise, it blocked up just fine and I'm going to finished the last row today. It's been nice to still be able to tat during all the hurried and frenzied time of school. Our family will watch movies after dinner or TV (ever seen Wipeout on ABC? absolutely hilarious! Check out the WEBSITE) and that is my 'no homework zone!'

Have a great weekend! It's been below zero all morning so we are snug inside reading, doing homework, and me...tatting :) Life is good on the farm in Illinois!

Blessings!

Allison

THERE'S A CELLO IN THE HOUSE!!!!!!!!!!!

2011-01-17T15:51:00.000-06:00

THERE'S A CELLO IN THE HOUSE!!!!!!!!!!!
My mom, sister, and I are all pitching in and renting a cello for a couple months. We wanted to try it out before we bought one that we've been looking at for a while. Turns out we'll be buying one for sure! So, if I may digress from tatting updates and share a new-found joy with you all.... :)

Here my sister and I are playing around with a cello/piano duet by Jon Schmidt called 'Love story Meets Viva la Vida. Check out the YouTube video HERE!! We've also been practicing two other duets - I'll post videos soon!

Our family has a love of music. My parents both play musical instruments and have passed on that gift to us. I've been playing the piano for 10 years. I had 5 years of lessons with our pastor's wife and after I stopped taking lessons, I just kept on playing. My sister Lea has been playing the piano for around a year and now we are both playing the cello! Lots of exercises and scales, which have turned from squeaks to solid, reverberating (I think that is the best word that describes a cello) beautiful notes. Lea and I love to listen to soundtracks. That's why my iPod is so full! It's all soundtracks! Classical peices are our preferred choice around here so naturally there have been a lot of Pirates of the Caribbean, Lord of the Rings, and Master and Commander songs on the cello. So needless to say, there is sheet music everywhere. At least the kitties don't mind :)

Happy Tatting everyone! Have a blessed week!

Allison

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2011-01-02T11:05:00.000-06:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE! I hope you all had a safe and happy Holiday season. Our family went to see Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader for New Years in 3D which was amazing! My sister and I love C.S. Lewis' and his Chronicles series are as wonderful as they are amazing.
It's been so nice to be on break! I've started reading J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit because they are going to be making that movie soon. I'm enjoying that and have come to find that Tolkien and Lewis have very similar writing styles!
Mostly I've been tatting up tid-bits to empty my shuttles; a general New Year's clean up, sort-to-speak. Still going on the hankie edging, too (I'm half-way done with the second round!) My Grandma came out to spend a couple days with us and she was interesting in my tatting, so it was fun to talk about that with her. I came to find out that my Great-Aunt Ivy used to tat!!! How awesome it that! Grandma said that she has a hankie that my Aunt Ivy tatted in her ceder chest, so I hope to take a look at it next time we visit. That was one of the highlights of winter break: I HAVE A RELATIVE THAT USED TO TAT! Too cool.
As I write this Douglas is on the train headed here for a visit. I cannon wait! :) just being in the same timezone, let alone the same state, is such a treat.
So here is to a blessed New Year! Hurray for 2011!!
Blessings!
Allison

A tatted gift for Lea

2010-12-31T08:32:00.001-06:00

This is my sister, Lea. She has the most incredible gift of music. She's able to hear a melody, sit down at the piano, and come up with an arrangement or be able to play the whole melody in the correct key and everything. Her talent is amazing! She has such an ear for it! So, for Christmas I made her a framed tatting piece. From the Treble cleft pattern can be found HERE and is by Lady Shuttle Maker. The notes and bass cleft I came up with myself using two shuttles and adding Josephine knots on a chain.

There were many Psalms that describe music, but I thought this one was just right for Lea.

Merry Christmas to my sister and best friend! Love you Lea!

~Allison

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-27T11:55:00.001-06:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!! I hope that you all had a lovely holiday! The perfect snow fell all day here on our farm on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day was a beautiful day. I'd like to encourage all of you to read the article from the link I've attached HERE. It's from a favorite speaker of ours Andy Stanley, son of Dr. Charles Stanley. I love how this article puts into perspective what our Savior gave up when He humbled Himself to be born a man. A powerful read.
So Christmas Blessings to you all! Love from the Midwest,
Allison

...And she shall have tatting wherever she goes

2010-12-23T12:09:00.000-06:00

I did a little shopping the other day and 'lo and behold' I come up with a tatting project. I bought a new blouse at Maurices (my most favorite store!) that is a deep magenta/burgundy. So I'm driving home it popped into my mind that I HAVE TATTING THREAD IN THE SAME COLOR AS THAT SHIRT!!!!!! I could hardly wait to make something to go with the shirt! A necklace? A flower to put in my hair? I decieded to make earrings to match. I revamped a pattern for an edging and ta-da! I like 'em and can't wait until I can wear them.

Break has be positively lovely.The landscape has been covered in snow and the sun is out most of the time. This morning we had freezing fog. Everything was covered in a half an inch of light white frost :) Sooo pretty. My sister and I have also been enjoying the time outside with our herd of horses. But when we do come inside there are carols on the radio or my sister and I will play the piano. Maybe I'll have to post about that piano; just like everything in our house, it has a story. Life from my view is beautiful. Not to mention that Christmas is in two days and Douglas is coming for a visit!!

I also found a new bookmark pattern that I can't wait to try. It's from Be*Stiched.com and has flowers! Click HERE to view the pattern I'm planning on playing with color combos during the holidays. Plus, they make quick, last minute gifts!

Blessings to you all and enjoy this Wonderful Wednesday!

Allison

Hello!

2010-12-15T16:46:00.007-06:00

Hello Fellow tatters! Can you hear that?..............Listen carefully...........it's the content sigh of a college student released from the confines of semester projects and finals, liberated and free to enjoy her WINTER BREAK!!!! Hooray! :) Needless to say, I am ever so happy to be on break. Now I am free to tat, read, and play outside with my sister, ride horses, and just be a kid again! Well, as much of a 'kid' as a twenty-something can be.

I'm working on a bookmark for my dad at the moment that has a really sweet purpose. As I previously shared with ya'll, it was my parents 25th wedding anniversary this year and they will be going away on a weekend retreat. My mom found a website that listed all the old fashioned anniversary gifts that couples give every year. The biggest ones everybody knows are silver for 25 years and gold for 50 years. Well, for the first 15 the gifts range from wood, to clay, to linen, and lace. Can you guess which one I'm helping mom with? Yup, it's lace. She chose a bookmark pattern in 'man-ly' colors and I should have it done by tonight! Pictures to come!
What else is new??? I've started the second round on that 'never-to-be-finished' hankie edging. I am totally in love with it; it's worth all the time.
Other then that, life goes on here on our Illinois farm. We had a wicked winter storm last weekend and are excepted to get a more, umm friendly snow tonight. I can easily handle 3-5 inches, but sustained 35 MPH winds and below zero temps are very tiring.
So now that I am on break be sure to check in often because I'm going to be posting all the Christmas happenings!! Love from the Midwest!
Allison

Current Project

2010-11-07T18:03:00.009-06:00

A wonderful friend from school commissioned me to make this choker for her daughter for Christmas. I've only ever made one other custom choker and that was for our dear friend Crissie. They are soo fun! I started it early last week and am now more then half done. Just a simple line of split rings with beads for an elegant look. I'm starting to really enjoy making jewelry pieces. I've already got plans to make some more earrings - ah, all the thread and bead combinations are endless!!

This picture and post is also a seek peek as to what else I've been tatting lately. Let's just say, these next few pieces are music to my ears :) Have a blessed week everyone!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

2010-10-28T15:33:00.005-05:00

That's right, on October 19th my parents celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary. Quite an accomplishment. My parents are simply incredible. They have taught me and guided me through all my years and I am so grateful for them. So, Happy Anniversary MOM and DAD!!

Rememeber me?

2010-10-22T14:11:00.003-05:00

Oh dear goodness it's been a while...school has taken up all my time! :/ well that's the life of a college student for you. Here are some shots of what I've been up too! Enjoy and have a fantastic weekend!

I forget how long this handy edge has taken me but I am determined to complete it by Christmas. Just one more side and the first round is finished. The pattern is from Mary Konior's book called 'Eternity Rings.'

The start of a doily in a pretty light, sage green. Possibly my new favorite color. Pattern is from Handy Hands newsletter.

Picots, Picots, Picots...

2010-10-15T17:38:00.001-05:00

They say a picture is worth a thousand words....

...how about a thousand picots!!! No, I didn't count them all, but it sure felt like a lot when I finished this bookmark. This is another lovely pattern from Jon - click HERE to visit her page. I actually love this pattern so much I'm going to make a braclet out of it someday. or maybe even a watchband! or a HEADBAND!! Anyway, This little bookmark has been tatted in a size 40 and I love the delicate antique look.
Happy trails!
Allison

Weekend wonders...

2010-09-11T13:28:00.005-05:00

MORE BOOKMARKS!

It's the weekend! No homework, just bookmarks! School is in full swing, so I've only been able to tat in the evenings when my family and I are sitting and watching a movie or being outside around a bonfire. I'm working on two special bookmarks in the pattern shown above and a small, hot pink motif at the moment. Life is good and the weather is lovely outside! Time to garden! Have a blessed weekend!

Just in time for school...

2010-08-25T08:11:00.007-05:00

I finished this doily just before the 2010-2011 school year to began. It was a lot more work then it looks! Each quadrant is an individual motif and the pattern is worked with 2 shuttles. The pattern name is 'Ace of Hearts,' but I think it has more of a celtic look to it. ; ) Sorry for the short post, as my homework awaits! BUT! some good news is that I have an hour break at school and I get to tat!! and the weather here is starting to act more and more like fall! Cool, sunny and breezy! Just right. My kind of weather! Bye for now! Have a great weekend!

My First Order

2010-08-16T13:24:00.012-05:00

It's all finished! Here is my first order for a doily.

The colors were requested to be as such and because this one is tatted with two shuttles I was happy to oblige. I quite like the completed look of it; it's given me the idea to do more two-toned doilies versus all one solid color. Isn't if funny though, now that it's all finished and ready to go, I find how attached to it I am. Like there is a little piece of me going off with it. Mostly because I remember the activities going on around the house while I was making it. But the customer is a dear friend's Aunt and I'm more then happy to share my tatted lace with her. So Bon Voyage! Off she goes!

Handy Hands! Gotta Love 'Em!!

2010-08-14T11:55:00.000-05:00

Today I'd like to blog about my preferred source for all my tatting supplies - Handy Hands Tatting. They are an online store that has everything a tatter could need; whether it be books, shuttles, threads, or the 'essentials.' One thing that I appreciate are the book reviews. On their website there is an excellent description of each book, how many pages and patterns are included as well as a good. overall description ( for advanced vs. beginner). I've been ordering my thread and supplies from them ever since I started tatting and have been nothing less then pleased. Their customer service is wonderful. Once I had gotten a wrong color of thread and they were happy to fix the situation. I've even gotten a phone call from Barbra Foster herself! I love that they call when there is a problem, versus an email like some suppliers. So between the great prices, excellent customer service, or the vast array of choices for sale, Handy Hands is my first recommendation to tatters. Please take some time to peruse their online store; you can visit them here at http://hhtatting.com/.

I've gone Bookmark CrAzY!!!!

2010-08-12T11:14:00.004-05:00

Bookmarks, Bookmarks, BOOKMARKS!

A lovely new friend of mine requested the turquoise and black bookmark pictured above and now she's got me on a roll! I got the idea to put variegated threads on the inner rings and a solid color for the chains woven on the inside and outer chains.

Here are some of my current little guys I'm have completed, am working on, or will be starting. It's so fun! The pattern is from Jon's Pattern page and I love the detail in the center where the chains are woven over each other. You guys know that I love celtic knots, so maybe that's why I think this on is so groovy!

Anyway, I'm also finishing a custom doily that I'll get to share with you all soon! Have a great Friday! It's almost the weekend!
Toodles!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!

2010-08-07T07:32:00.008-05:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOTHER-DEAR!

Today is my Mom's birthday and it's on days like today that I reflect on how much she means to me. I am thankful for her everyday, but today is just special. She is simply incredible. My mom homeschooled my sister and I through Middle school and High School. Our family moved out to our farm six years ago (it's been THAT long already?!?!?). So, between the two of those things and the bajillion other things she has done for us, I am forever grateful for her. My mother's support has been sure and steadfast in a world where my values and ideas are constantly challenged. She is my shoulder to lean on, cry on, laugh with...I know for certain I couldn't live without her and that I never could have gotten to where I am today without her. So here's to you mom. You are simply the best and I love you so very much.

Recently Going-On...

2010-07-30T16:06:00.006-05:00

A recent project. I love old bottles and glassware and these two little pieces are from Doug for my birthday. AAAWWW! Isn't he sweet! :) It was his original idea to display my tatting with them, so here she be!

I'm also working on two orders for friends. One is a snazzy bookmark with a really cool color combo and the other is a doily for a table center-piece. Both are in the same color too! I'll keep ya'll posted on those projects. I'm afraid I will be busy! I've got one week left on my Internship and 3 weeks until school starts up again!! Oh my! Have a great weekend all!

Projects...

2010-07-23T10:04:00.011-05:00

I had been working on these two for about the past month and now that the gifts have been given I can share them with you!

My dear Douglas and his mother, Amy, drove out to see us last Sunday and stayed until Tuesday morning. Doug's birthday was in June so I tatted him a sort-of-celtic looking cross. He wears a kilt, so I made the colors in a Blackwatch Plaid. I was playing around withe the colors and actually made the tassel first. It looked so cool! Then I had to decide where to put the three colors in the pattern. That part was harder then it looks! Come to think of it I don't think I've ever tatted with three colors. In the end, it turned out awesome and he liked it very much.

Now this gift was a spur-of-the-moment idea. I had gotten an antique tatting book from the library some months ago and came across a picture of tatted thistles! Doug and his family have named their 76 acres in Upstate New York 'Thistledown Farm' and being the creative person I am...well, the picture at left happened.... This gift was for Mrs. Amy Schirmer. She is the most incredible woman that I've met outside of my family and I wanted to give her something special to take back to New York with her. We both cried when I gave it to her. I love her so very much. She's just like my mom! :)

Well that's all for now. The weather here is very hot and humid so I'm gonna go and work on my current project! I'll be sharing that with you all soon! Have a blessed weekend everyone!
Allison

A Package from across the world...

2010-07-10T15:40:00.007-05:00

I received Jon's package from her drawing that I won off of InTatters tatting forum. She sent me a tatted snowflake book that I can't wait to try! I'm thinking of covering some ornaments with them. I was so surprised to be picked!

Her work is lovely! Click HERE to take a look at her blog! This lovely lady lives in Malaysia and it's so fun to know people from around the world. To think that Tatting can do that is awesome! So a huge thanks to Jon! Her package and card that she included put a smile on my face for the whole week! Blessing on your weekend everyone!
Love from Illinois,
Allison

The littlest square...

2010-07-05T08:43:00.006-05:00

Here she be! I must be on a square thing lately, but these guys are so fun! This square is in a 'Sea foam green' color in size 40. Tiny threads are an adventure! I didn't break it at all on this one, knock on wood!

The four middle medallions are edged by a simple ring and chain pattern. One of those quick weekend projects. So Happy Fourth of July! Have a fantastic day!

Latest Project!

2010-06-30T08:04:00.004-05:00

A picture today, a post tomorrow!

What to do with scraps???

2010-06-27T10:20:00.005-05:00

You know how you'll get all those unwanted leftover threads once you're done with a project? There is still thread wound on your shuttle and well, NOW WHAT? I used a square doily out of my newest book and decided to put those pesky threads to use. The picture is the result so far. Kinda a cute little thing, eh? Once I'm all done I'll block it and use it as a coaster. This has been good practice in joining to make sure the rings and chains all go where they should!
Ta-ta for now!
Allison

Tatting Buddies...

2010-06-11T21:43:00.009-05:00

So I feel that I have to share this little adventure with you all. We have 8 cats. Most live outside, except for one house cat, Mocha, who is my special kitty. She doesn't like anyone else in the family, just me; even my sister who picked her out at PetsMart. Anyway, some of the outside kitties come in during the day and when they do they enjoy running around the house and snuggling with us. They are all named and have the most amusing and wonderful personalities...and then there is Sammy. Except we spell it Sami and pronounce it "Zzzami." She is the epitome of a preppy little house cat. She's just this gorgeous silver tabby that constantly has her tail up so high it tends to quiver! So what does this have to do with tatting?? Guess...

Yes. That is a new ball of thread and then Hurricane Sami hit!!! It was perfectly wound up; I had only used it for a few little tid-bits. I came home from work to find this in my tatting bad. My Mother got it away from her before it got TOO bad. Sooooo I believe I'll be starting a doily to try to salvage what I can from this little mess. I laughed, smiled and shrugged it off; It was to typical to something she would do and made me smile. I'm not about to get mad at my newest tatting fan. She's a doll! A hoot! a Joy! Besides, where would we be without the laughter in life?

Have a fantastic week all!
Toodles for now!
Allison

New Goodies!

2010-06-09T11:23:00.010-05:00

I got a new book! I had made a few copies from this book about a year ago and really like how old the patterns look. There are almost 100 patterns in this book and I got it for $10!! What a deal! As it turns out, the pattern for the doily that I'll be showing in the Fair is from this book. When I had just started to tat, one of my earliest attempts using two shuttles was a sunflower doily from this books as well. I did a lot of SLT's to get the colors where I wanted so I had to use A LOT of starch for it to lay flat. What fun memories! All from buying a new book!

I also purchased some new white and soft, mint green size 40 threads. That will be fun to play around with (especially with new patterns from my book!) I have my eye on a couple motif/snowflakes that I'll start this week.

I also finished the doily for the baby shower - pics coming soon!
It's finally a warm, sunny day here in Illinois, so I'm headed out to the garden!
Love from the Midwest,
Allison

Thinkin' about the Fair...

2010-06-02T16:16:00.009-05:00

Oh dear! It's been a while since I've dropped ya'll a note, but to be truthful, I haven't been able to tat too much. Lately I'm thinking about two projects: my hankie edging for the Boone Co. Fair and a doily for a baby shower that's coming up. A gal I go to school with is expecting a little one soon so she'll get a nice surprise on her shower from me! She has always admired tatting, so I thought I would bless her with a doily that could go in the baby's room. As for the hankie edging, I've picked out a light green, size 30 to decorate a hankie that Sarah gave me. The edges already have holes in them! I won't have to sew it on; I'll be able to attach it as I go! AAhhh, the little luxuries in life.

It was my Birthday yesterday and I was blessed beyond belief this past Memorial Day weekend as well. I am now being courted by the best man I've known. We've been long distance friends for around 10 years and now we're taking the next steps in our relationship. He lives all the way in upstate New York, so we'll have phone dates and continue to write letters. Both our families are sooo very happy for us, especially the mothers, and I don't think I've stopped smiling...oh and my Birthday was wonderful as well! I got two new Iris plants for my garden, a beauutiful apron from my Mom, a fantastic pocket-knife from my Dad, and a handmade notebook from my sister. I love how the gifts in our family are so meaningful and truly reflect how well we know one another.

The weather has been bouncing back and forth from hot and sunny to stormy and chilly. The other day we got 1.25" of rain in an hour! The pumpkins were planted last week for our farm stand in the fall and my family's plant sales are picking up! Us Henze's are starting to turn this farm into a working, hobby farm and it's such a fun journey. Check out our blog here to see what we've been up to!
Well, time flies when you're having fun! I'll catch you all later!
Allison

SOMETHING NEW!!

2010-05-21T16:04:00.013-05:00

I learned something new! I learned something new! I learned something new! I learned something new! I learned something new!

BLOCK TATTING!

I was itching to learn a new tatting technique and just wanting to improve me skills a bit. So I whipped out my 'Oh My Stars' book and this little motif stood out. I had tried block tatting a while back and couldn't quite get the hang of it; I don't know why, it's fairly simple. I like the over-all effect (a kind of layered look).

Now that I've got the hang of it, I think this weekend I'll search out some patterns that include this nifty little technique...maybe even learn something else! How about split chains? or SCMR Self-Closing Mock Ring)?? I may even have time to do both! AAhhh, I do love the weekend; no work, a deep breath to prepare for the week ahead, and just enough time to tat and relax.
Have a great weekend everyone!
aL : )

April Showers, Bring May Flowers

2010-05-13T06:55:00.015-05:00

April Showers, Bring May Flowers..........That's what they say anyway. The weather here has reverted back to October! It was freezing, well just in the 40s and 50s, and bucket-loads of rain. We woke up to four inches in the rain gauge and probably another two on the way. By now you all know that rain = TATTING! I'm currently working on some variegated bookmarks in the Lizbeth cotton-candy colors, plus a new blue cross from the Konior book. My Internship job got canceled today because of the rain so I'm going to curl up with a fabulous cup of Twinings tea and a new doily pattern.

Have I told you all about my Internship? I think I've mentioned it here and there so allow me to explain formally. For my Associates Degree I must complete a 300 hour Internship working where Horticulture skills are performed and for me, I'm working at PrairieView Golf Club in Byron. PrairieView is a public golf course and part of the Byron Forrest Preserve. I am not a golfer, but this course is beautiful. I am very privileged to work there. My good friend Shannon from school did her Internship there last year and they hired her again for this season, giving her her own Intern! They finally have the money this year to redo all the Tee beds; needless to say we've been very busy mulching, weeding, and planting. The course is really taking shape now that we've been working for almost 6 weeks. It's awesome to be outside working and putting my knowledge into practice. The atmosphere is great and the people that we work with are very nice. I am truly blessed.

So I sign off content to sip tea and tat inside on a very rainy Thursday,
All the best to you and yours!
Allison

Post #100!

2010-04-19T20:41:00.010-05:00

Oh my! Can you believe it??? This is my 100th post on this wonderful little blog! Quite an anniversary! And to make things even more amazing...I have close to 40 followers!! That, to me, is awesome! Thanks for checking into my blog everyone. It's been super fun to share my tatting journey with you. I thought it would be cool to take a look at the progress that I've been able to make, thanks to the encouragement from my family and wonderful friends.

Here is a picture of one of my first doilies. I enjoy reverse rings, so this one integrated them quite simply. This doily has been re-homed to upstate New York with our dear friends, the Schirmers as a birthday present. I remember buying the huge roll of size 10, white thread to start out on! I made two large doilies out of that thread and many little pieces. So fun to reminisce.

CELTIC KNOTS!!! Possibly one of my favorites to make. These are tatted up in a size three so there's some bulk to them. All of these little guys are just long, long chains woven into fun shapes and tied.Okay, This is probably the hardest doily I have made so far. It also took me a REALLY long time to finish, but getting all the chains to lie straight was a challenge and a half! The colors turned out really nice though!
So perhaps I can say that I've been there and back again; flipping between needles and shuttles in thick and thin threads of all colors. All I can say at the end of the day is that tatting is such a joy. I love the soothing rhythm after a day of school or work. It can be said that it is somewhat of a lost art, and it's true. Knitting and crocheting look to be common, where finer types of lace, like tatting, bobbin lace, etc. are rare in of themselves. I am blessed to be one of the few to uphold a lovely tradition such as this. So a huge round of applause and standing ovation to all of you, the reader who are sharing with me this little journey. Here's to many more to come!
All my love,
Allison

Tid-Bits and Finishing up

2010-04-17T11:42:00.010-05:00

My mom, sister and I went to the Midwest Horse Fair yesterday and had a great time. So what happens when a tatter is in the car for 3 hours??? Tid-Bits, I call 'em! The little flowers to the right are super for car ride projects. The pink flower is going to be the center to another doily/motif (I don't really know what it is yet). The motif to the Left is a new favorite! I'll be doing a bunch of these in the days to come! Well, the weather is too nice to allow me for a longer post! Have a blessed weekend everyone!

P.S. I finally finished the pink doily! See how the rounds create a sort of spinning motion? Cool stuff.

Just Plain Pretty!

2010-04-14T07:39:00.008-05:00

I started a pretty doily out of Mary Konior's book and I LOVE it!!! I think I'll be doing quite a few of these. My first attempt, was...well, messy. I'm sure you know how that goes; first tries at a new pattern don't look like tatting at all. Anyway, I chose my new spring orange/yellow/pink variegated and I like the way it's tatting up. I've been busy with my Internship for school so I'm working on smaller projects. ere is another little motif from Konior's Book:
Just a quick note! Time to head off to Computer Class!
Allison

Spring...

2010-04-10T20:46:00.016-05:00

Ever seen those spinning wheels in the front yards as your driving by a townhouse? Maybe it's around the Fourth of July or Easter and those little guys are whirling in the wind. To me, that is one of the for sure signs of warm, sunny days. Rightly so, this doily pattern is called 'Pinwheel' by Mary Konior. The photo is a little dark because the thread is a very light yellow. Just in time for the daffodil blooms!

Today was a beautiful day outside; breezy, lots of sun and gardening! But something that is just 'peeping' around the corner! CHICKS! We got 5 more Barred Rocks and 1 Araucana to add to our happy little coop. We have 3 Barred Rocks at the moment and we just love em! These little gals are about a week old and have the cutest 'peep peep peeps.'

Time to hit the hay! I'm soo tired from gardening/ being outside all day.
Have a great weekend everyone!
Allison

Spring Goodies!

2010-04-02T19:29:00.017-05:00

As I write this I am awaiting our first thunderstorm of the season. That can only mean one thing: IT'S SPRING IN ILLINOIS! Speaking of Spring, that is the theme of my new thread colors! The Pink/Orange/Yellow color one the far left is gorgeous! I did another 'window' and love how soft the colors are. A pretty, light yellow and a cerulean/aqua blue are solids and the last one reminds me of cotton candy! All from Handy Hands; my favorite tatting supplier!

One other little gadget that I invested in is a short crochet hook with a ring. I'm always loosing my standard crochet hook, so now I've attached a colorful medallion with a tassel that I got from a dear friend in New York. Barbara and I were tatting exchange partners and still keep in touch. We have homeschooling and our faith for common grounds and both enjoy tatting demonstrations. I've never met her, but maybe someday...
It's nice to know that I have tatting buddies all over the country, and the entire globe for that matter!
The brown snowflake is one of those pieces that one can pop out in no time at all. I've already started on another small motif with the 'cotton candy' variegated thread.

By the way, I'm still working on that pink doily. I seriously have a very short attention span when it comes to tatting up new patterns. I love to change patterns and bounce back and forth between colors and sizes. Ah, well, I'm not a lost cause yet! The pink one a nice, simple pattern to work on during a movie.
So, I sign off happy, content, and listening to the rain against the windows. But I have not forgotten what today is and what it stands for. That my Savior and Redeemer was crucified for my sins. A verse that gives me goose-bumps and makes me choke up all at the same time is Luke 22:41 & 42:
"And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.”
May I never take this day for granted. My Easter blessings to you all!
Allison

Sunday Stills

2010-03-28T13:43:00.007-05:00

I have to say that these little motifs came out lookin' pretty cool. I LOVE how bold the variegated thread looks with the black!! I have an order into HandyHands for some new Lizbeth Spring colors (light yellow, light blue and 2 variegateds)
Studying for Finals and working around the farm sure takes up time! That's why I love to pick a small pattern out of that Snowflake book and complete a project in one sitting. I'm on the last round of the soft pink doily and hope to finish that up this week. I do get to work on my tatted piece when we watch movies, though. Last night was Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the RIng; we didn't get through the whole thing, but I got to sit, relax and tat. Oh-so-nice! Actually, Wal*Mart had a huge bin of $5 movies last week and us gals brought home five movies to add to our ever-expanding collection! We don't have a dish for our TV, so we watch movies and have a few local channels instead. My family and I are quite proud of that. :) Sure we still watch American Idol and our newest favorite cable TV show 'Undercover Boss.' That one's on tonight! Can't wait to tat and take a deep breath before finals on Tuesday and Wednesday! AAAHHH! Once those are done I will have completed a whole year of college! WOW!
Have a great Sunday everyone!
Allison

Snowing...

2010-03-20T11:01:00.005-05:00

Yes, the title is correct - it's snowing... *sigh* We have had the most fantastic weather the past few weeks were the robins are back, tulips are popping their heads up, and sunny, warm spring days in hoodies (no coats!) and then we get 2" of snow! Well, I suppose that's just Illinois weather for ya! Meanwhile, I've been pretty busy gathering all my final projects together that are due next week.
But every night after supper we all settle in and I've been tatting, needle tatting, and learning how to crochet. I picked up a Filet Crochet Lace book from the library that interested me, so I've been messing around with that. I can now do a single, double, and triple crochet and am starting to play with making a design. Something new to try and it's been fun! I can knit, but crochet has always been hard because I never knew where to pick up the stitches from. But this little book has really helped. Plus there is also a lady in my lace guild that makes crochet lace. (she's the one responsible for getting me into this! ;)
On the tatting front I'm finishing up the pink doily from the Handy Hands newsletter and thinking about putting in an order for some of their new 'Lizbeth threads! Have you seen 'em lately?? They are so pretty and in a bunch of different sizes. I've also started one of the snowflakes from the Snowflake book in a size 30 that I might embellish a bag with. I like incorporating tatting into everyday things...Have you ever done so yourself? Tell us! comment on this post and let's see what ya'll have been doing with your tatting pieces!
Bye for now!
Allison

Spring has Sprung!!

2010-03-11T19:16:00.007-06:00

The days are getting longer and I don't mind a bit. (sounds like it should be a song title, eh?) The weather in Illinois has been a mix of sun, highs in the 50's, all with a dash of clouds and rain, but none-the-less BEAUTIFUL! My sister and I have ridden our horses every day for the past three days! I love spring. It's it amazing how the seasons are all paced out? I mean, we are in winter/frost/cold/snow mode for just enough time to get sick of it, crave warmer weather then BOOM! A day in the 40's with only warmer days ahead. Then, it's hot long enough to feel good and before we know it, it's time for pumpkin pie and apple cider. Maybe it's just me, but I'm glad we have just enough of each season here in Illinois.
I'm working on a pink doily from the latest Handy Hands newsletter. It's one of the smaller Dresser Set pieces. I've been struggling with one of the rounds all because I didn't read the directions right the second, third, or FOURTH time! I made a nice little pile of threads on the end table next to me that one of our kitties decided to play with. That was cute and amusing! No worries though, I finally studied the typed directions and the picture and came out all right. What's really neat about this one is that instead of joining rings to chains, there are two rounds that join chains to chains, then rings to rings to make a 3-D effect. It looks like one of those optical illusions.
So, with that I'll bid thee farewell 'till next time with pictures of a pretty pink doily!
Sweet dreams!
Allison

SPRING BREAK!

2010-03-04T11:23:00.011-06:00

Hurray for spring break! I'm actually doing a lot of tatting related things! I started my 11 days off by tatting in the Adirondack chairs with my mom and sister. The sky could not be any more blue and we were so warm sitting on the South side of the house...ah, wonderful. I'm finishing my red antique pattern for the fair. It's worked with two shuttles and I ran out on shuttle #2, so I came in to load it up and though 'Whoa, I need to update my blog!!!'

The other tatting business that will occur over my Break is on March 7th our guild is demonstrating all different kinds of lace for Woman's History month. We'll be in Genoa -where Pioneer days was- in the afternoon demonstrating tatting, bobbin-lace, Hardanger (sp?), and I think one other kind, but I can't remember. What's real exciting is that I'm going to demo both shuttle and needle tatting! I got Barbra Foster's How-To book from Basketcases and learned rings and chains in about 3 days. I'm going to make it a goal to get through the 'Oh my Stars' tatting book in one year with my needles - learning split rings and chains, block tatting, etc. OOOooo, Something new to accomplish!!! :)

Well, that's about it from ever-sunny Illinois. While sitting outside this morning we heard all kinds of little birds around the feeders...SPRING IS ALMOST HERE!!!
Ta-Ta for now!
Allison
P.S. I finished my light green, size 30 doily remake! Here's the pictures!

St. Louis and Back....

2010-02-21T06:28:00.018-06:00

Hello dear friends! My oh My have I been Busy, with a capital 'B'!!! On February 16th-18th my fellow Horticulture Students and I went to St. Louis for our spring Field Study. We had a wonderful time and I even got to tat on the bus! I'm working on an antique pattern in Lizbeth red that I think will be a contestant for the Boone County Fair this year. In St. Louis we went to the Botanical Gardens and saw their Orchid Show and got behind-the-scenes tour of their production Greenhouses.
We made 7 stops and each one corresponded with one of the degree majors that Kishwaukee College offers. Our first stop was at Stark Brothers Nursery where we got to see them grafting tree stock for the upcoming season. Fruit and ornamental trees are their specialty. Next was that St. Louis Children's Hospital where we toured their roof-top garden that offered a glorious view of Forest Park in downtown St. Louis. The Botanical gardens were incredible and our tour guide was such a hoot! He's an older guy who has been there for 20-some years and loves tropicals. It was great to get to chat with him and learn more about tropicals and his job. On the 17th we saw Dierbergs floral headquarters and the cooler that they keep their flowers in is half the square footage as our house! It smelled amazing in there! Bellerive Country Club was the stop for the Golf Course/Turf majors. We had an great opportunity to see all the inner-workings of a VERY expensive golf course. I was afraid to touch anything! They have millions invested in equipment and their mowers are HUGE! The last day we were in Missouri, we visited the Nestle/Purina grounds in downtown St. Louis. They have extensive gardens, and trees, paths, and ponds at their headquarters. You can even bring your dog to work and bring Fido outside on your lunch break for a romp in the dog park.
The very last stop of the trip was to Buckley Growers. They have almost 4 acres of greenhouses were the concrete floors are heated and the roof gables will open up on an automated system to cool the houses! It was my favorite because, naturally being a Greenhouse Major, I'd love to work in that kind of environment.
It was amazing!

So even though this post doesn't have a whole lot to do with tatting I thought I would share with ya'll what I've been up too. I'll have pictures of the red antique doily up soon. OH! and I've finished the remake in the soft lime green, size 30 thread! Pictures are on their way! Be on the lookout!
Have a Blessed Sunday everyone!
Allison

Post #90!

2010-02-03T17:23:00.009-06:00

WOW! We are ten away from 100 posts everyone!!! How exciting! I've been at this little online journal for over a year now, so one hundred posts a year is not bad at all!

My latest project is just as thrilling! The large, white doily pictured is one of my very first tatted creations in a size 10. Well, a Spring 'Re-Mix' is what I'm going to call this project. I found some lovely light green thread that I think will look nice all tatted up in the same pattern. I've been meaning to start a large doily for a while now and I like the simplicity of this pattern from Be*Stitched.com. So here we are! I'm branching out of 'Lizbeth and trying out some OMEGA size 30. I've finished the first round while watching American Idol with the family and eatin' ice cream. After a big test at school, nothin' could be better!
Catch 'ya later!
Allison

Workin', Workin', Workin'.....

2010-01-28T21:01:00.014-06:00

Let's see, it's been a week since my last update and so far I've made 4 variegated bookmarks. They've even got little tassels! 'Too Cute!' my mom says. Two in purple, one in falls colors and one in the 'Caribbean' blues and purples. Currently, I'm working with the spring colors of my last doily. It's looking good so far. But frustrating because I wound my shuttles to full so they don't click. So whenever I let a shuttle hang loose, it unwinds two feet of thread! Yes, my friends I'm OBSESSED with the continuous tread method - I hate hiding ends. : ) But hey, what'cha gonna do?

Also started an antique, red doily. Golly those guys are fun....the instructions are so vague you have to rewrite the entire pattern! Mental tatting exercises. The first part is really cool. The outer part of the circles are tatted later and connected with chains. It's kinda hard to explain so be on the lookout for an update.
See ya!
Al

P.S. I was touring Jane Eborall's pages and have you seen her newest...news I guess you'd call it. For 11 days, one at a time, step by step, she's take you on a wild journey to create a little something special. Here's the link for the Introduction and all I have to say is that I can't wait to give it a try! http://www.janeeborall.freeservers.com/TIASintro.pdf

New Projects

2010-01-21T09:32:00.010-06:00

Last night I finished and starched my Easter Doily. I was admiring the colors and thought to myself, if I had to name this one, I would call it 'Ring around the Rosie.' This large doily reminds me of a beautiful, warm and clear spring day....ah, yet with ice EVERYWHERE this morning, I hope that spring isn't be to far off. I just can't wait to get outside and garden. SPRING COME QUICK!!!

This is also a project I finished a week ago. And yes, I admit defeat. I don't have the human strength to block and starch this one. The 'network' (as the book calls it) is all chains and I kinda like the wave effect it has. Maybe I'm just lazy. Who knows?

Tomorrow holds promise for some excitement - all my Horticulture buddies and I are heading out to Chicago for the Mid-American Horticultural Trade show at McCormik Place! We are taking a Coach bus and are pulling out of campus at 8 'o clock sharp. Bon Voyage!!
Allison

Happy Birthday!

2010-01-09T21:07:00.016-06:00

For me and my tatting adventures, today is a special day....The one year anniversary of this blog! I was looking back through my old patterns of where I started out and it brought back lovely memories. I took my first tatting class in the last months of 2008 and started this blog the following January. I've come pretty far, if I do say so myself. I've mastered split rings, clunies, and have started messing around with earrings and necklaces. I've also made some wonderful friends and joined a lace guild. I heard a quote some time ago that said 'You never know where you are, until you know where you've been' which rings pretty true to me. I sometimes wonder if I make any progress, whether in school, my tatting or my Faith. Then all I have to do is look where I was a year ago today, two years, even five years back. When I do look back, all I can see is God's sovereign blessings. How He cares for us and I am blessed to be able to find joy in the little things.

So, a hearty thank you to everyone who has taken time to tour my journey here on my blog. We're like family in a way! Speaking of family, a thanks is in order for them as well. Just think, they've endured a year, and then some, of shuttle clicking!! It's sweet in a way because my sister and mom both say that they don't mind it anymore. I sure am grateful for that. So, one year down, how many more will follow? Only the Good Lord knows, but I pray it'll continue for years to come. Blessings on you and yours!

Much love from Illinois,

Allison

The Lines are OPEN!!

2010-01-08T10:03:00.006-06:00

I want to try something fun on here...Would all of you wonderful visitors, for one day, comment on this post where you are viewing my blog from? I have a little gadget on my blog that keeps track of where people are viewing my posts from and would love to hear from you.

So what do you say? Can we do it? Just leave a little note where you are from and perhaps a suggestion or two for my tatting blog in 2010!! Thanks for being a part of this little online journey of my for over a year now!
Allison

Happy New Year!

2010-01-06T07:25:00.006-06:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! Hope everyone had a great end to the Holiday season with the bringing in of a New Year! I only hope that 2010 is as blessed as 2009...

Once more it's snowin' on the old frontier. The horses are all cozy in the barn, stayin' dry and munchin' hay. With that said, I've been keeping my shuttles very busy. That purple variegated thread that I was having such problems with had finally been conquered! I think I've actually found a use for it....BOOKMARKS! There is a lovely split ring pattern that I'm going to make with the five variegated threads that I have. Recently I gave one to a friend that was tatted up in the 'Jelly Bean' and it dawned on me: why not use that variegated purple thread! At the moment I've got two clover shuttles weaving along with the 'Falling Leaves' thread and can't wait to try 'em all. I've found that bookmarks are an easy, tatted piece to keep around for those quick give-a-ways. Especially when they are completed with a little tassel! ;)
Well, gotta fly!
Happy New Year!!
Allison

Eclipse

2009-12-26T21:24:00.015-06:00

I would like to give a hearty thanks to Yarnplayer, Gina and Jane Eborall for their wonderful advice on my earlier post about tatting frustrations. One other reason that I couldn't tat for beans that night is because I was coming down with the flu and I think it all started in my brain! Anyway.....Their advice was to use a solid colored thread along with the variegated and the two medallions pictured are the result. I used the variegated as chains on the one to show the colors, but must say that I like the one on the far left the best. The dark purple gives almost an outlined effect. They are the centers of Yarnplayers 'Arches' and they remind me of Eclipses; one a lunar eclipse and the other a solar eclipse. Have you seen either? I watched a lunar eclipse with my dad about 10 years ago in our old house. We lived in a wooded subdivision so we had to walk to the end of our lane where there was an open field. I remember it was snowy and quite, no wind, and it was a lovely time with my dad. I always ask him a ton of questions on those kinds of outings and I'm so glad that he was the patience to answer them. I've seen a lunar eclipse since then and am always amazed at how the colors change from a red to a maroon as the planets arrange themselves. I have yet to see a solar eclipse, but I can't wait until I do!

So thanks again to the lovely ladies that I've mentioned at the top. Be sure to check out their websites and blogs for more adventure.

Until we meet again!

Allison

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-26T08:45:00.015-06:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS!! I hope everyone had a blessed holiday ~ ours was one to remember for sure. We had quite a large winter storm with ice, snow, sleet, we had it all! To boot we lost power for quite a bit, but mustered up the woods stove and got through the night. It's like opening a present, in a different way, when you wake up and look outside after and ice storm. What amuses me the most is when you look at a tree and can clearly tell which way the wind was out of. Our northern row of White Pines had needles that were iced over horizontally!

As you can see from the picture our Corkscrew Willow took a beating and thank goodness I took an Tree/Arboriculture class this past semester, so now I know how to repair them!

One thing that made this Christmas memorable is that this year the four of us all got each other movies! We all wrote down out top three and from there we decided who would give whom which movie.....ok, don't know if you follow, but in any case we have many new movies to enjoy. I tell you, since it's snowed or rained every day since Christmas, we have gotten to watch quite a few. There is quite an array of genres to be seen ~ from action to Jane Austen, yes our family is AWESOME!!

Thread Frustrations!

2009-12-23T13:29:00.011-06:00

Have you ever bought a ball of thread that looked amazing and beautiful on the ball, then started working it in a pattern and begin to dislike it more and more? That's what's going on today. I bought a variegated purple Lizbeth and can't seem to be able to do anything with it. I tried the Spinning Wheel and the 'Black magic' bookmark out of the Visual Patterns book and can't seem to have my work come out just right. So, is it the pattern, the thread, or me? O_o I don't know....Weather here is ICEY! We're shut in and reading, watching movies, and I'm trying to tat! Grrr! I've never had this happen before! Needless to say that there are tatting 'remnats' that I've cut off scattered all around my desk and chair. The colors are pretty, but I just can't seem to do anything with it! I HAVE been wanted to re-do a doily that I made when I first started out in my tatting adventures, so it looks as if I'm headed back to the basics. Maybe that will clear my sanity!
Stay warm!
Allison

Countdown to Christmas

2009-12-19T11:12:00.021-06:00

Ahh, the 2009 Christmas countdown begins! The Henze house looks specatular this year and as Christmas Day draws near the baking has begun! We had some great friends over for cookies and cards on Saturday and so far my mom, sister, and I have made four different kinds of cookies. Needless to say that the house smells incredible! We've also had snow flurries on and off so we've been juggling bringing the horses in and then turning them out again. In spite of all that, I have had quite a bit of time to devote to my lace. My necklace got picked up today and she LOVED it! There is something exciting in the feeling of knowing that your work means something to someone enough for them to purchase some of my lace.

Today is Monday and once again I've got a million different projects going. How about a photo tour? here we go!

Size 40 cross that keeps breaking! I've repaired it, tried to hide ends and now it's personal! LOL, just kidding, but I think I'll put that project aside and try the pattern in a bigger thread and maybe come back to 40. The picture doesn't give the color justice. It's a much darker color - actually it's the 'Lizbeth 40 'Boysenberry'. I'm wild about the color which brings me to our next photo:

This is a pattern out of the 'Visual Patterns' book by Mary Konior called Netting. How unique is that! This will be a fun adventure. I've never seen anything like it, so I'll be sure to keep you updated!

Next on the photo tour is a golden square doily for my Grandmother for Christmas. Each corner is a separate doily to create a kind of patchwork. I hope she likes it!

Another doily in the works. This is the one that I work on while we're watching a movie or something because the outermost ring is easy. Four rosettes down, about eight to go! This is the Easter doily that I mentioned earlier.

And just for grins, my Amaryllis is about to bloom! We started these bulbs in my Greenhouse I class and once it's done blooming I'm going to continue to force it in the fridge and have it bloom again in the summer. It will be a deep Christmas red, perfect for adding color to our living room as we celebrate our Savior's birth!

Hope you enjoyed the show! Tune in next week....ah, never mind!

Blessing from chilly Illinois!

Allison

Tatting, Tatting, tatting....

2009-12-04T19:19:00.015-06:00

Wow! I have three projects going at the moment - mainly because it's been pretty cold and snowy here lately. I know, it's what?, December 4th and we have snow??? Ok, perhaps it's just a dusting but snow, none-the-less. My new Lizbeth threads and shuttles have sure been hard at work! Here's a run down on my latest projects still in the works and then one's that I've finished - hot off my smokin' shuttles!

I LOVE size Lizbeth 40! I'm playing around with a semi-celtic cross, but I can't wait to try a bigger doily with it! I bought a deep maroon that is lovely. Quite possibly my favorite thread that I own.
From my new 'Visual Patterns' book, I'm working on a doily that has a connected, repeating motif in the center, then something crazy...10 rounds of chains, upon chains, upon chains! Variegated thread's being used so I think that will turn out nice. It goes from a soft green into a light, then deep pink. Perfect for Easter! I'll shoot for that deadline; gotta get-er-done by Easter.
I think I'm most excited about some of the ornaments that I've started! Over the years I've bought glass balls on sale at Hobby Lobby or at garage sales. Now I've finally started doing something with them. The tops are a simple ring and chain circle and I plan to attach Christmas motifs in the middle. I'm totally making it up as I go so they'll all be one of a kind.

We bought a newer camera about a month ago that ummmm....got eaten by my sister's horse. He chewed the lens off! So there won't be any pictures for a while, which I was pretty bummed about because I love posting pictures. Ah, well, I'll just have to describe my tattings to you!

One piece that I've finished is a custom necklace for a friend. It's two lines of black, 20 thread split chains with purple iridescent beads. And it is very pretty, if I do say so myself.

So, I just watched the nightly News with my mom and the weather team is calling for over a foot of snow accumulation starting on Sunday! WHOOHOO! Our family just purchased a new, heavy-duty snow blower and my dad is very happy about the chance to use it soon! That's fine by me because we didn't have one at all last year and that was harsh. My pony blew an abscess in his foot so we had to dig out the driveway constantly for the vet to be able to get in and out. Snow storms around here are welcomed, whatever the circumstance. We all put in a movie with our wood stove cookin' away or we'll read -or tat- all day long. I just love it. We decorated the inside of the house today and I have to say that our house always looks it's best with all the holiday decor up. We are definitely in the Christmas spirit this year!

Blessings to all!

New threads and a doily to share...

2009-11-25T16:52:00.023-06:00

FINISHED! I can see the headlines now 'Local girl shot down mysterious variegated UFO last week.' Ok, it's not a real UFO - that's tatting code for UnFinished Object. But I finally finished my round robin doily! I have to admit that this was one of the hardest doilies to finish. I started it way back in August or so and never had the drive to get it done. All those chains really made it hard to press out and to complete in general. The last round though has got to be one of my favorites - weird huh? I love and hate this doily all at the same time!

Something else exciting....I got a knock on the door and a package on the front step on Wednesday! I was a happy girl! With no school until Monday, I've already started on a doily from my new book.
I also splurged (no idea how to spell that) and thought I'd try my hand at 'Lizbeth size 40. Boysenberry is the color. Snowflakes are the plan. It's cold and rainy here, so I know that I'll be working on them and will keep ya posted!

So I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!! We spent today chillin' on the farm, taking care of horses, baking and cooking, and had a super yummy dinner. My dad had our wood stove going all day and it kept the house toasty - we even had the furnace turned off. Needless to say that my room upstairs is a little chilly, but what are electric blankets for???
May you all have a blessed weekend! Much love from the Midwest,
Allison

Order Up!

2009-11-14T12:42:00.011-06:00

About two weekends ago we ran into an old friend at a concert in Dekalb. My mom and I used to do Girl Scouts with her and her daughter ages ago! Now both of us are in college! What a blast from the past! She had seen my cross bookmarks and said that she would like three of them for a mission-sponsored family in KY for Christmas and two for her own daughters as well.

So here they are! A real order for a long time friend. I'm very pleased with them and am working on the final cross; that will be a purple and white varigated mix.

I've also seen that Handy Hands has the 'Lizbeth thread has new colors in both size 20 and 40! I hope to try my hand at size 40 sometime soon. Fall semester is wrapping up and my winter break is for a whole month! There will be a lot of tatting! yay!

Bye for now,

Allison

Currently tatting...

2009-11-06T19:42:00.007-06:00

Once again I was taken captive by an antique pattern found online. What I like most about it is that it's SQUARE! I've seen my fair share of rounds and ovals, but never squares. I am trying to think of a way to attach all of them and make a 'quilt' of sorts. We'll see. The pink and white was my first go round that I did in a size 10. I make myself laugh because I always try a new pattern in a large size and gradually get smaller. The other square is in a size 20 and that's the size that the rest of 'em will be in. I'm going to make all of the squares in white and all the 'Lizbeth colors that I have. I especially can't wait to see how some of the variegateds come out.

I just have to share that on Saturday our family is going to a Micheal W. Smith concert in Dekalb IL!!! My Dad's bank has a suite at the NIU Convocation Center and we got it for the night! This will be Micheal W. Smiths kick-off for his world tour and we are so blessed to be going. It's going to be a fantastic evening!

I have been tatting! I promise!

2009-10-25T17:13:00.012-05:00

OH MY! how I fell short of updating ya'll on here! So sorry! It's funny though, I was looking at my Blog Archive and it's sad how once school started, the number of posts have dwindled. However! I got to tat today!! I had started an antique, square pattern a while ago in a size 20 and never finished. Now, I pulled out some size 10 and went to town. It's in a pretty white and pink thread and I'll have pictures up soon. We got a new digital camera, so I'll have to see if I can do something pretty with it.

We were scheduled to have our monthly tatting get-together today but it was the first day in about a week or more that it wasn't raining! So I opted to stay home and help out the family divide a horse-paddock for our boys. The weather was absolutly beautiful! Here are some pictures for you:

Dad and I placing the T-Posts

Me and my beloved sister, Lea

Mommie and me

Harvest time!

2009-10-08T10:06:00.025-05:00

October - harvest time. Truly one of my favorite times of the year. It's crisp outside. The trees are starting to break out into colors of oranges and golds. And best of all...the farmers are starting to bring in the crops. Everywhere there is a distant hum of a combine and tractor working together to bring in the bounty.

Our pumpkin stand had it's grand opening last weekend (yes, it's been that long since I've posted any news, my apologies) and I am proud to say that we made a profit! Small, but a profit none-the-less. We are hoping that the weather warms up, and CLEARS up for this weekend, as we will be open as well.

So this is a tatting blog, right? and you are thinking "why does she keep putting pictures of pumpkins on her blog?!" Well, now I shall combine the two in a way that will make you smile:

TA~DA!!! I saw this pattern online and HAD to tat up a pumpkin! It adorns the empty space near our new 'puter, as we kindly call our new computer. It's so cute that I just might have to tat up a whole patch of 'em! :) My dad's birthday, is *ah-hem* 50th birthday, is coming up this weekend and we are gonna celebrate this weekend!

I have so many projects that I've started over this week that I've been off of school! So there are like 4 UFO's (Un-Finished Objects) floating around my desk. AAHH! I still have the weekend...I do have a pendent pattern in the works with a color combination that I'm not quite sure about, but we shall see. The pattern is Yarnplayer's Dream and I haven't done it in a while so doing it in the car was fun! LOL! I had a very special day with my Mom though! I just have to share! It was rainy, chilly and windy so my Mom and I headed to Countryside Gardens! We walked around the outside Quonsets and it was so fun to look at what systems they are using. I got to tell my mom a little bit about what we are doing in my Horticulture classes. A good friend gave me a gift card ages ago so I used it today - I bought 5 cactus/succulent plants and the soil to make my own desert! So even though it was miserable outside my mom and I sipped coffee and had an awesome afternoon together. Gosh I LOVE MY FAMILY! :D

Soon that note, my friends I bid thee well. Have a great weekend and I'll talk to you later!Much love from the Midwest tatter,

Allison

Hello October!

2009-10-01T12:03:00.037-05:00

Last weekend was Belvidere's Pioneer Festival and I had such a nice time. There were 4 of us there from my lace guild (myself, Marleen, Judy and Kathy) and did we have the perfect weather!! It was sunny and in the low 70s with a pretty good breeze. So much so, that every now and then someone's bobbin lace pillow would almost get blown away! This festival is about 3 or 4 times larger then Genoa's so we got to share our lace with a lot of people. Not to mention there was great food and awesome things to see.

The picture on the bottom is my version of the pic on the top. I am using a dark purple Lizbeth with the variegated 'Caribbean' from Sarah. I'll be finishing that doily up over the weekend, along with a couple of reports that I have to get done.

I love the expression on people's faces when they recognize what I am doing, and say with a sweet tone of remembrance "My mother (or my aunt, or my grandmother) used to do that for hours!" One lady thought it quite exciting that someone my age was taking up the craft to 'keep it alive.' I always really appreciate comments like that. It makes me feel like I am part of a bigger picture. I was writing a letter to a good friend in New York and we were talking how there is a 'turning of the tide' so to speak. I called it a quiet revolution. I don't know, I just feel like there is a void in the world and we are desperately longing to fill it with 'something.' Or maybe people are tired of the way they are living and want to get back to the old ways, how life was lived back then. Now, everyone thinks that the void should be filled by something different. Maybe it's material possessions for some or to others it could be having many friends and being super popular. There are even heavier things that could fill the void, but I am pretty sure that I know what this world needs. A song by the band Casting Crowns called 'What this world needs' sums it up pretty well:

What this world needs is not another one hit wonder with an axe to grind

Another two bit politician peddling lies

Another three ring circus society

What this world needs is not another sign waving super saint that's better than you

Another ear pleasing candy man afraid of the truth

Another prophet in an Armani suit

What this world needs is a Savior who will rescue

A Spirit who will lead

A Father who will love them in their time of need

A Savior who will rescue

A Spirit who will lead

A Father who will love

That's what this world needs

What this world needs is for us to care more about the inside than the outside

Have we become so blind that we can't see

God's gotta change her heart before He changes her shirt

What this world needs is for us to stop hiding behind our relevance

Blending in so well that people can't see the difference

And it's the difference that sets the world free

That void can only be filled by a certain Heavenly Someone that some people have chosen to completely shut out. How He desperately longs for those who reject Him and how gracious He is when we come back to Him! For me, it's a daily choosing between what the world has to offer, which are things that will pass away, or what Jesus offers, which is eternal. So for the month of October, when the trees display thier prettiest of colors, when Creation praises Creator, let's daily remember that we mean so much to our Lord. Let's live to the fullest everyday!

Blessing for the weekend!

Allison

Getting ready!

2009-09-26T11:15:00.005-05:00

Hello everyone! Our home computer finally bit the dust. We have been replacing hard drives left and right and on Friday morning it blew the motherboard; it wouldn't even turn on! So we are shopping for a new home PC and I am updating my blog and keeping up with email at our local library. So tomorrow is Belvidere's Pioneer Fest and I'll be there from 10-5 tatting with my lace guild. I am so excited! I'm going to be working on a doily that Sarah made a while back in a dark red. Mine will be in the Caribbean variegated and a dark purple. (The pattern is called 'Robins round robin or something...) I'll take plenty of pictures and let you know how it goes.

My mom and sister are at a Horse Fest up North today so it's just me and dad on the farm. We harvested a wheelbarrow full of mini-white pumpkins this morning as our farm stand is opening next weekend! Something else exciting!
Well, I have to run home to bring the horses in so I'll catch you all later!

My First Necklace!

2009-09-12T16:16:00.014-05:00

Here it is! I had an idea, conjured up a pattern, and *Ta-Da* my first piece of tatted jewelry. It's just a simple line of split rings with beads and a pretty charm. I'm going to wear it to school tomorrow so we'll see if it stands the test of the 'outside world!' It turned out to be just the right length too!

My weekend outside of my tatting adventures consisted of 50 quarts of home-made apple cider! We harvested 7 bushels from our two trees, chopped the apples, poured 'em all into the press and out it come! Well, lot's of test to study for this week so sorry that this is so short!
Talk to you all later,
Allison

The Little Things...

2009-09-07T13:01:00.026-05:00

Little things...small, seeming insignificant treasures of life that are often over looked. A sunset, an infant's smile, flowers opening in spring. This Labor Day weekend I really took in the little things of life and made sure I enjoyed them. Speaking of all things small, above are some earrings with some new colors that I was foolin' around with. The one on the top picture to the left is the Lizbeth Caribbean-something that Sarah gave me. She made the large doily for the fair and had a ball left over so she spoiled me and said I could have it. The colors are so pretty. I wanted to thank her by tatting up something special for her (especially since she loves clunies! lol!) and it turned out like this: Clunies in the Caribbean! This little snowflake turned out pretty good for not weaving clunies in a month or so. It's just a bit bigger then a half dollar! My family and I had pizza and a movie last night and we watched The Fugitive. I had started a cluny during the first part, during the train wreck scene, and ended up having to take it out because it was so suspenseful!! I couldn't weave a cluny without watching what was going to happen to Harrison Ford!

But on to other things...Here is the doily that I started at the Pioneer Day demo. This one is for my mom to take to work. Her department is getting all new desks, so she'll have something pretty to put on top of it.

This past weekend was also my last weekend at Farm and Fleet. Yeah, I gave my two weeks notice because I wasn't anticipating such a heavy work load from my studies. I'm taking 5 classes, 3 of which have labs, and I'd also need two separate weeks off for field studies and a work week on campus. Thursday is my last day, but I hope to be back for the Christmas Toyland and next summer for sure. We shall see.
Alright, well my sister wants the computer, so I'll catch up with all of you later. At least now that I'm not working I'll have more time for my beloved shuttles and irreplaceable family and farm!
Toodles for now!
Allison

My First Tatting Demo!

2009-08-30T19:27:00.013-05:00

I joined the Prairie Mill Lacemakers Guild and today was my first tatting demo! We were at Genoa's Pioneer Days demonstrating both bobbin lace and tatting. The weather was absolutely fantastic! I think the high today was only 70 degrees and not a cloud in a brilliant blue sky. There were four ladies there today making bobbin lace; Judy, Kate, Maryann, and Millie. I have quite a new respect for all bobbin lacers. It truly takes well rehearsed skills and patience to create the beautiful lace that I saw today. There were bookmarks and edgings that were beyond exquisite.

The picture above is from today of Marleen and I all dressed up in our Pioneer get-ups! We were the two tatters there today. Well actually Marleen started out with bobbin lace and then transitioned onto her shuttles! Marleen was working on an edging that will go around a cameo pin. I started a medium-sized doily that is tatted in a lavender and brown. *Pictures to come* :D

Back at school tomorrow. My poor sister has a pretty bad cold and my dad has allergies so we are laying pretty low tonight. Wishing you all blessing for the upcoming week!
Allison

School is IN!

2009-08-25T14:58:00.008-05:00

Well, I had my first day of college on Monday. I'm surprised at how well it went. I am taking 5 classes this semester; 2 are on the easy side and the other three are quite in depth. My mom insisted on taking 'First Day' pictures so the picture at left is me getting into my car about to head off to the wild-blue-yonder of COLLEGE! Anyway, since school is in I hardly have time to tat anymore, but I am working on a square, antique doily. I'm for sure going to Genoa's Pioneer Days to demo tatting with a lace-makers guild that I just joined. I was google-ing doilies so I could have something to work on and ran across this website: Antiquepatternlibrary.com

There are a TON of older tatting books/patterns. The pattern I used is titled he Priscilla Tatting Book, Selections of Useful Articles from The Modern Priscilla, with Beautiful Designs Never Before Published by Jessie M. DeWitt. It's pretty cool to look at all the old patterns. There were a lot of bonnets that look really cool.

Well, I don't have much to report other then school starting.

Needle Tatting

2009-08-17T18:13:00.004-05:00

More adventures in the realm of needle tatting!

I got the bug again to give needle tatting a try and it went surprisingly well. I followed instructions from MaryJane Butter's Stitching Room book. The instructions finally make sense!! This book is so cool. There are all kinds of farmgirl sewing and needle crafts projects in this book and I can't wait to make one of her aprons. This book is also special to me because this is where I first saw tatting and fell in love with it. As I looked through the book it was the tatting that really stuck out to me. I asked my mom about it and 'lo-and-behold' she had a gal at work that did tatting and was going to take a class. So that is how it all got started way back in November of 2008. I'm nearing my 1-year tatting anniversary!! How fun!

So as for the needle tatting excursion itself, I think I did pretty well. The reason that the first 3 rings are 'bumpy' is because the needle I was using was too big. So after I realized that I switched to a smaller one the rings and chains that followed looked much cleaner. I'll try some other patterns later.
Alrighty, off to start another day on the farm and I think I'll go and sit in our Adirondack chairs in the front lawn and enjoy the company of my beloved family.
Love,
Allison

THE RESULTS ARE IN!!

2009-08-13T19:14:00.010-05:00

The judges have collaborated and the ribbons awarded. *Drum roll please* Allison Henze places FOURTH in the Tatted Hankie Edging category! YAYAYAYAYAYAY!!

As you can tell, our family went to the fair last night. It was cool when the sun went down and boy did we have a nice time. First we went straight to the Exhibition hall where the tatted pieces were and to my surprise I placed! There were around 10 or so tatted entries total which is quite a step up from the TWO last year. They almost dropped the category, but all the gals from my tatting classes pulled together and contributed quite a bit.

My dear friend Sarah showed a lovely doily that placed fourth in the 'Any tatted piece' category. CONGRATULATIONS SARAH!! I just love the colors that she chose!

My black 'Arches' doily didn't place but looked real pretty in the display case.

I even ran into my tatting teacher there! Marleen was looking at our pieces too and was very proud of us. As a teacher she couldn't show any of her creations but she said that she was glad to see so many entries. I forgot to tell you all; at our last tatting class Marleen brought up the option to help demonstrate at a local event called 'Pioneer Days' in Genoa, IL (which is just southeast of here). I am quite excited because I may be demonstrating! I'm gonna get all the details so that is something new that I'll keep you all updated on!

After that my family headed over to the pony tent where my friend and co-worker Danielle is keeping her miniature horses for the week. The picture is of Dani and I with her mini Opie. I'll be headed out there tomorrow to hang out all day and watch the fireworks on Friday, spend the night, and watch her show on Saturday. Next we all walked around the livestock barns and ate ice cream. Our favorites this year were a bunch of Clydesdale's. There were 6 or so down a row of stalls. What gentle giants! There noses were so big and they were all so itchy! So all in all not a bad night. Blessings for the weekend everyone!

Lavender and Jelly Beans

2009-08-12T10:21:00.021-05:00

Weird title, huh? Well those are the names of the threads of my latest projects. I finished a medium doily called the "Daffodil Doily" from the Learn to Tat book. Mine is not quite like the picture. *sighs* Ahhh well, it's probably because I used a size 20 thread and the directions call for something a little bigger. I love reverse rings, so I was a little disappointed that mine doesn't look as nice as the picture in the book.

I got kind of creative with the second picture here. My family and I use Young Living's essential oils. We use them for medicinal purposes and other things like cleaners or just to smell nice. I just love 'em! There are oils for everything from indigestion to bug bites. And the best part is that they smell great and there are NO side effects! I have some small bottles that I carry with me always; Lavender for cuts and scrapes, Peppermint for an upset tummy, and a blend of oils called Joy for a perfume. Check out the Young Living website!

Now for the jelly beans! I'm thinking of making this little project into a one-of-a-kind watch band. You can find inexpensive watches at thrift stores, so I think I'll look around and see if I can find a style that would look nice with the pattern and colors. And if all else fails it will be a superb bookmark! The pattern uses split rings and I really like it.

So that's all. I haven't been tatting a whole lot lately but I have some ideas for my next piece...here is a sneak peak!

I went out to a local observatory with my dad last night and we had such a good time! We saw some binary stars, the Ring Nebula, a fuzzy Andromeda galaxy, and we even looked at the moon through their large telescope. Right now in the Midwest we are at the peak of the Perseid meteor shower. So something fun to do is to sit out late at night, when the breezes are cool and the moon hasn't come up yet, and look to the North and East and see if you can't spot a shooting star!
My family and I are off to the fair tonight so I'll let you know how my pieces did! Have a great week everyone!
Much Love,
Allison