Handy Hands! Gotta Love 'Em!!

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!!!!

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!

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...

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...

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...

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