I Gots Socks

Has it ever happened to you that your fallback project, intended for times when you couldn't concentrate enough to work on your important project, became the only thing you felt like doing?  So, while I have numerous works-in-progress and deadlines to meet, I have new socks.

The pattern is really simple, as befits a fallback project: Socks on a Plane by Laura Linneman, available on Ravelry.  Except, I substituted the Fish Lips Kiss Heel, also available on Ravelry, because that's the heel I always do.  The yarn is Patons Kroy Socks, color Sunburst Stripes.  I have no idea if that is still available.  

When I started, I didn't realize how loooong those color repeats would be.  The second skein didn't start in the same place as the first one, but I think I did a good job finding a place to begin the second sock so they more or less match.

They actually fit and look good, so I am happy.  But now I have to go back to all those things I was supposed to be doing, sigh.

State Fair Ribbons

I love going to the NC State Fair.   I saw some clogging, listened to some bluegrass, ate some weird fair food, and got my yearly block of Cheerwine flavored fudge.  

I visited with Anitra at her tatting booth inside the Village of Yesteryear, had nice chats with a weaver and a potter, and saw many beautiful crafts.

The Exhibition Building houses the ribbon competition entries.  We do not have very many tatting categories, but quilting and embroidery are especially plentiful and exquisite.

I won 2 ribbons!  I got the blue ribbon for framed/mounted tatting with this square pinwheel Dora Young pattern.  I won second place in a catch-all "other non-threaded needlework" category with a set of bookmarks, all my own patterns, mostly from Playing with Picots.  Those were my only 2 entries, so I was very pleased they both placed.  Also, I was happy to see friend's names on ribbon winners in some other categories.

Each year as I walk through the fair, I think of all the things I can make and all the categories I can enter the next year.  Will I actually make all those things in time?

 

Palmetto Projects

In an all-time record, I finished my Palmetto Tat-Days projects the evening I arrived home.  And then it is taking weeks and weeks for me to show them to you.

Up top are 2 classes with Karey Solomon.  The 3-D strawberry has an emery filling to help keep needles clean and untarnished, like the strawberry attachment on old-time tomato-shaped pincushions. Remember those? You could make one with regular stuffing if you don't have emery type materials on hand. The ice drop spider was a lot of fun, and the floating spiral chains were a useful technique to learn.  The legs are sticking out every which-way, and I could probably wet them and tame them into position, but that would be, you know, efficient.

Sharren Morgan's ornament class had a choice of 2 snowflakes and a wreath, which I made in unwreathlike colors, but will look good on my miniature white and gold Christmas tree.  I look forward to making the other ornaments in the class handout.  The wire tatting class with Kelli Slack was also fun, and something different.  The class assignment was just to get comfortable working with the wire and make rings and joins. I have more wire to play with later.

You will note that I have only 4 projects here.  I was teaching the other 3 class periods.  I have printed many of the other class lessons to make later.

You can go to the Palmetto website and see all the class projects and purchase all the class handouts as a digital download.  I recommend it.

 

It's Heeeere!

The new book is finally ready!  I hope you will enjoy it.  Click on "Books for Sale" near the top of the page for ordering information.

 

Knitting Dishcloths - Me Too

I've noticed friends posting their knit dishcloths online.  I've been doing that too!  They are perfect for when you want a very simple project while watching TV and it's so hot and humid it's hard to tat.  Two skeins of cotton yarn that I bought from Karey yielded 5 dishcloths.  They were finished too soon.  What can I make now?

Oh, were you expecting news about the new book?  I'll have some for sale at the Palmetto Tat Days conference this weekend and then start selling to the general public on Sunday or Monday.  
 

More Wild Women

I was honored and delighted when they selected my Wild Haired Women for this year's Palmetto TatDay's logo.  I'll be teaching a selection of them in my class there.  My upcoming book with have more hairstyles and a second body to choose from.  I think they are a lot of fun.  Instead of blocking them, I like to leave them just as they come off the shuttle, each with her own personality, like she is skipping or dancing.

 

Inspiration for the Oz Tatting

Someone said my Dorothy was pudgy 😢

(It's OK, just joking with the crying face.)

Since I'm working from the book illustrations, I don't think I'm too far off. Getting that ruffle all the way across the yoke of her dress without a cut and tie was a challenge, but I managed.  I'll stand by my Dorothy.

 

More Sneak Peaks

 

Here are a few more motifs that will appear in my upcoming book. Maybe to be ready in August. Watch this space!

New Book Coming!

I've been lazy with designing for a few years, but it's time to buckle up and get a new book done.  Look for it coming out sometime this summer (I hope).  

Whimsical Tatting will include assorted light hearted motifs.  These characters, inspired by the W. W. Denslow illustrations from the public domain original version of L. Frank Baum's Wonderful Wizard of Oz from 1900 will be included.

There will also be a puppy, a kitty, a space alien, some little dragons and a few more odds and ends.

Palmetto TatDays: Register Now

 

It's time to stop neglecting my poor old blog.  

The Palmetto TatDays are coming up soon, being held August 17 - 20, in beautiful Lake Junaluska, NC.  This is always one of the high points of my year, as I enjoy spending time with friends and the classes so much.  Don't forget the vending room and the auction.  This conference is especially convenient, as the rooms, the classes, and the meals are all in the same building.  (But if you would like to camp or stay somewhere else, that's possible too.)  I'll be teaching a few classes, myself.

Registration is open now, and closes Saturday, July 8 at 8 pm EDT. 

For more information, see the Palmetto Website: https://www.palmettotatters.org/

Watch this space for information on my upcoming new book!