SOMETHING NEW!!

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

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!

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

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!

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...

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