*Attention crafters everywhere*
When you are working a pattern – especially a new and somewhat complicated one – make sure you read the directions and UNDERSTAND them BEFORE you start your project. It will save you a lot of time, frustration, and whatever materials you are working with.
I got my permit today!! I know, I’m lame. I’m a college-aged kid, I should have my license already, right? Yeah, about that… well I have my permit now. And it felt good driving again today!
The mask I’m working on begins with a medallion and has 2 other partial medallions, so that’s what I’ve been working on today. It’s my first time tatting with beads. I had a bit of retro-tatting to do and I cut several pieces off, but at the end of the day everything is working out 🙂 Oh, and by the way, tatting with a very fibrous thread is much different than tatting with a smooth thread. It’s much harder. But it is ending up softer than my usual tatting.
I’ve been trying to upload those pictures, but my internet is pretty slow. Let’s hope for better luck tomorrow.
Well, I meant to have pictures to show you today. I was quiet over the weekend, but that’s because I was busy. I told you the other day that the mas was going to be my next project, but that didn’t exactly turn out to be true. Sorry. I did 2 things between when I told you that and now: the first caters to my current fad, Doctor Who. I found a pattern on intatters.com for a TARDIS. I mean, what Whovian could resist a tatted TARDIS?? So I made that up, using a few techniques that were new to me. It was a learning and growing experience. And now I can fly away in a TARDIS of my own 😀
My second project was making a bag. I’ve excursioned into the world of sewing before, but this time I was all on my own and without a pattern. I found some really awesome-looking tatting bags at ds9designs.com and I really wanted some. But I tend to be of the mindset of “Why buy it when you can make it?” Usually it doesn’t work out too well for me, but this time it did. I am so pleased. I used some scrap fabric from a dress my mom and I made several years ago (kudos to me!!). I love the fabric so much! The outside is a variegated green satin – it’s a small piece so the colour doesn’t change too much, and the inside is made from a variegated creme-to-gold satin. I made the lining from the creme section and pockets from the gold.
So now I’ve got a bag and a TARDIS and I’m not afraid to use them! I’ll post pictures when photobucket decides to cooperate.
Milk. Leche. Milch. Lait. Latte.
Drink it plain or add a little of your favourite creamer for some extra sweetness.
CHEESE! Mozzarella, Cheddar, Provolone, curds, cottage, melted, grated, diced, cubed.
Yogurt. Frozen or not. preferably without chunks of anything in it – including fruit.
ICE CREAM!!! Vanilla, Chocolate, Rocky Road, Peanut Butter, Mint-Chocolate-Chip.
Sour Cream. No cooking or Mexican food experience is complete without it.
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My voice teacher wants me to go off milk. I don’t know if I can survive it…My mom got me Almond milk for my cereal, and I must admit, it tastes better than I thought it would…but it just cannot compare with the beauty of milk. I broke down the other day and had sour cream on my taco. I drank a big glass of whole milk with creamer, and then I had a warm brownie with ice cream. Yum.
I finished the big piece of one of my projects probably a week ago now, but Photobucket was being a bear, so I couldn’t show you pictures. It seems that it only likes me enough to let me upload 1 or 2 pictures at a time before it goes hater again. But, hey, I’ll take what I can get.
I got this pattern from a book my Nana gave me. I saw the picture in the book and thought it might look nice to make it and then put it on the back of a sweater – which I would also be making myself. I worked the pattern, all except for the edging and then realized it wasn’t big enough for a sweater. But, thankfully, the pattern is in a rectangle-ish shape, so doubling it was no problem. The flowers go on the sides at the top, connected by the edging, and then I’ve made one more flower to go on the bottom between the points of the two triangles. Hopefully it will turn out. If not…my mom always gives hints that if I make anything that I don’t want she’d enjoy it…
So remember my friend that I taught to tat the other day? Well her birthday is coming up. It’s her sweet 16 and her sister is throwing a masquerade-themed party for her. I thought, what better to give her than a tatted mask! I found one on Etsy by Totusmel (look her up – she’s fabulous!!), and I actually was able to find the pattern for it on Instructibles. So guess what my newest project is. Heehee!! I’m using black alpaca/silk yarn and I might try to use some lovely beads. First time with beads. Ooh! And I learned a new tatting technique the other day, too. I’m just full of surprises!
Ok, if you haven’t noticed, in recent weeks I’ve become fairly obsessed with tatting. I’m not really sure why…. I enjoy it very much, though, and the more I tat, the more I want to. But I suppose that’s how it is with any hobby.
Anyway, on Saturday I had the distinct pleasure and privilege to have the opportunity to teach a friend to tat. She and I grew up in the same church and have always been friends, but it wasn’t until a few years ago that we really clicked. Anyway, during VBS a week or 2 ago I took my tatting with me. I figured there are several times during the evening when the kids are occupied, but I am not. Why not use that time? My friend saw me tatting and decided that she wanted to learn. Since she home schools via online classes she has a lot of time when her brain is engaged but her hands have nothing to do. She’s a kinesthetic learner. So tatting during lesson time is perfect for her. So I showed her the basic stitch and explained rings and chains to her and let her go at it. After some initial mistakes (that we all make) she got going pretty strong, so I lent her one of my shuttles so she can work on it in her free time. She’s leaving for a short jaunt to a neighboring state at the end of this week, so now she can use her 16 hours on the road profitably. I feel accomplished.
All right. I’ve updated my novel on here, adding over 3,000 words previously only found in my Word document. So please go read it and tell me what you think! I’d love to hear your opinions. Tell me what is good, but more importantly, tell me what I can make better!! The story is evolving as it goes, so I hope everything makes sense…
And, by the way, if you have expertise in any of the areas I’ve touched on in my novel, I’d love to hear from you! I am very much a novice. And history was never my favourite subject in school.
Well I’ve been meaning to post. You see, I finished the big pieces of a pattern I’ve been working on for a while and then decided to modify. I was so excited that I took pictures! But photobucket is being a bear and not letting me upload much of anything at the moment, so pictures aren’t really available for now. I’ll show you when I can…
The state inspectors are at my work this week. Thankfully, I’ve not had much interaction with them. I’m praying they leave today or tomorrow morning before I work.
Well I missed posting yesterday, but I’ll make up for that with lots of fun stuff today!!
I think I mentioned my church having VBS this week, but I didn’t tell you about some of the fun stuff we did. On Tuesday night during craft time I had much fun making a bug mask/headband/hat. I wore it to work the next morning (I work at a nursing home, and the residents loved it!!). It was so funny to see different peoples’ reactions! Some people ignored it all together (as per polite behaviour), some people giggled right out loud (these were my favourite), and one lady came right out and asked me what I had on my head! It was a fun morning. 
I’ve told you about my Doctor Who fetish. One of the older Doctors wears a piece of celery like a corsage. A while back I decided to be like the Doctor and wear one myself. My mom laughed at me, but it was fun. Well the other night she was eating celery again and dared me to wear a piece to VBS. I, of course, accepted the challenge.
And now the big news: (drumroll, please)
I finished my tatting pattern!! The one that I’ve been rambling on and on about for the past few days. I’m so excited!! It’s finished! I used a lovely variegated yarn that just looks stunning in this pattern (from Mary Konior’s book Tatting with Visual Patterns). I have no idea what I’m going to do with it, though… I guess just enjoy its loveliness 🙂
 
Oh ya, and one more thing: while looking for yarn for our next projects, my mom and I found a British shop (I know, so exciting!!). Mom bought me British tea. I had some tonight – yummy!!
Dramatic Lyric 