I'm Back

I had promised myself that I would get back to blogging once I got my life back under control. Things were looking good earlier in the year, but then they fell apart again when autistic DS3's group home closed down with only a few days notice.  That seemed like a disaster at first, but was a blessing in disguise.  Late last month he moved to a home for autistic adults that is better in every way than where he was before.  It's not local, but I can get there with Amtrak.  Last weekend, the whole family got together to give him a day out. We went hiking at Eno River Park  and out to lunch. Then to make it something for everyone, we went to a gaming store for the guys, and to Scrap Exchange for the girls. That's sort of a huge secondhand store geared toward crafting.  I bought stuff. Beware the giant bin of buttons :)

For a long time, I didn't do any tatting. Though tatting is an excellent stress reliever for most, above a certain level I just can't do it. Eventually I was ready to begin again, and I wanted something very old fashioned and traditional.  I saw this image on Pinterest and thought it was something vintage, but I tracked it down to "Practical Tatting" by Phyllis Sparks from the early 1990's.

A quick trip to Bookfinders.com and I was in business.  The yoke is made up of bunches of traditional style motifs.  I was making good progress and then got sidetracked to another old fashioned project. More about that next time,  maybe.

Meanwhile, it's time to be thinking about TatDays in Toccoa.  Registration will be opening around June 11.  I haven't chosen all my classes yet. Decisions are hard. The logo above is by Anitra, one of those magazine covers she is so good at designing.

Still Here

I'm still here, gradually getting my life back together.


The free patterns are temporarily (I hope) unavailable. Usually I periodically get a notice from Keep-and-Share to log in to keep my account active. I must have missed the notice this time, I assume. I have sent them a message asking to reopen the account, per their instructions on the error page. Bother.


I've been thinking a lot about getting active on the blog again and showing what I'm working on, but snowed under right now.

Later -- Free patterns are back! Thank you Keep and Share for prompt help.

Toys for Tatting - New Book Available Now

I am happy to announce that my latest book, "Toys for Tatting" is finally ready for sale.  You can read all the details on my "Books for Sale" page HERE.  

Here is a quick list of the patterns:  pony/unicorn/Pegasus (with and without beads), small rubber duckie, large rubber duckie, troll doll, rag doll, teddy bear, rocket ship, dump truck, block tatted train.  (Note: the large and small rubber duckies also work well together as mother and baby ducks.  Thanks for the idea, Erin!)

If you would like your book autographed or personalized, please let me know when you order.  You can use the "note to seller" on the Paypal order, or send me an email.

Thanks for your continued support for my tatting patterns.

A special thank you for my test tatters, Jane Eborall, Erin Holloway Moseley, Karen Beary Parent, Phyllis Schmidt, Sherry Townsend, and Stephanie Wilson.

***Later: the Paypal buttons were not working at first. I think I have them fixed now.***

Life happens

When I wrote my previous blog post, I was so happy.  My husband was going to be discharged from the hospital later that day.  We had a diagnosis to explain why he had been feeling bad lately, and a treatment plan.  He was going to get better and I was going to get to go to Palmetto.

Well, after that, he was quickly back in the hospital, and he got better again, and then he rapidly got much worse.  He passed away on September 5.  There were some very bad days, but the last ones were peaceful with no more suffering.

There has been such an outpouring of sympathy and love from those who knew.  That has helped me keep going in these difficult days.  I am reading my emails, but forgive me if I don't get to replying to them all.  Bless you all.

It's Not Rocket Science

"Tatting is out of this World" is this year's Palmetto TatDays theme, and rocket ships have been popping up all over.  Follow the link HERE and you will see Erin's clever rocket on a shuttle. Follow a link on that page to class projects, and you will see Richard's delightful little rocket complete with green alien.  Then go over to Victat's blog for the most adorable little rocket yet.

Up above is my own rocket, larger than the others, I think.  It didn't win the contest for Palmetto logo (rightfully so after I saw Erin's), but it found a place in my up-coming pattern book, Toys for Tatting.  Coming soon, watch this space!

Lock Stitch Chain Fandango

If you've been following Jane's blog, you know she has been making lots of variations on her Fandango pattern.  Most recent was a little heart, excellent for a quick tat or emptying shuttles. The pattern is HERE.  Since Jane so often uses lock stitch chains to such good effect, I thought this little pattern was calling out for some, and I gave it a try.  They could use a little blocking to help with the symmetry, but over all, I am pleased.  I used 10 lock stitches for the chains at the bottom and omitted the joins to the bottom ring. Also, I began with SR2, since I don't like trying to work in ends in a lock stitch chain.  I think Jane is working up her own version of this idea, so keep an eye on her blog for further developments.

Another Sneak Peak

Here's another of the toys in my upcoming book.  I remember playing with these, do you?