The river runs

The atmospheric river is running again. That’s overall a good thing. We need the rain. Less wind would be nice, but the plants are looking much healthier. Of course, we Mother Nature so active in the yard, I’ve had less time for inside pursuits. 

The chores are piling up. No choice but to set aside work for a day on the tatting and music, and get things done!

If the weather holds!

Oh, and the Pattern page will be back up next week. I didn't realize it was down until today. Apologies to those looking for the patterns.

A walk by the Bay

Yesterday was another one of those days where I got distracted. A storm rolled in. We had a bit of damage to an area on the roof. I think it was mostly because it hadn’t rained in so long. While driving back from a meeting, I drove through a squall. Of course there was a gorgeous double rainbow! There were lots of people pulling into parking areas to snap pictures. I gave thanks they pulled over and didn’t try to snap it while driving. I’m sure they ended up posted. Along with the story of breaching whales capsizing aboat and damaging another. Life by the Bay…….

I spent most of my work time organizing, filing, filling shuttles, pulling out Advent and Christmas music, and watching the computer get used to another monster update. Thank goodness the harpsichord is close to the computer.  Today I look forward to completing those tasks on the computer. Really, I do. Just hope I can keep the back happy!

I’ve set up Round 10 of Wiosna 2017. And the shuttles are loaded for Candle Cuff #5. And my practice list is chosen. Time to get busy…..after a walk!

Jelly and Spring

It’s raining today. I’m not complaining!! We need the rain. We’ve only measured half the “normal” rainfall for the season so far. We don’t get snow here in Monterey, so we depend on rain to replenish the ground water supply and fill the reservoirs. I doubt 6 inches will fall in the next 2 days, but it would be nice to get a couple inches.

Last weekend, I walked down to the bay to watch these: 

This one broke the surface of the water as though it needed to breathe!

Such a graceful swimmer

My phone doesn’t do justice to the spectacle. These Jelly fishs were just spectacular. So easy to watch, and an otter swam right in between them and the dock! I wasn't fast enough to catch a picture of that, but this picture shows a bit the size difference between an otter and a  boat. I would like to find time this weekend to tour the new displays at the Aquarium. Perhaps I’ll find answers to questions from last weekend’s walk.

Boaters on their way to breakfast passing an otter groaming after eating.

In the meantime, I’ve loaded beads for a trial through of Dazzling Debut by Marilee Rockley. It’s in Tatting with Beads Jewelry. I’ve wanted to try curled rings forever. Since I had most of the tatting projects well in hand, I dove right in.

One of those projects is the next round of Renulek’s Wiosna 2017 doily. I know, I know. It took me long enough to make a decision! I think I’ll like it. With all the other demands on my time, It’ll take me a month or so to make enough headway to show a picture.

One of those demands is on the organ bench. I’ll be playing at St. Paul’s Friday at Noon for those local to me. Bach, Franck, Walther and Saint-Saens. Not in that order. Or maybe. Come and find out!

Just before the otter swam through

Just after as the otter dissappeared under the dock

Crosby weather continues

Life has settled into a routine lately: A day or so of storm, a day or so of cleanup, a day or so of Spring Cleaning (yard and house). What I need right now is a day or so of tatting to finish off these designs! Soon….I hope.

Jane's TIAS 2017 Day 10

I have been tatting 

Oh, almost forgot to explain the title of this post! For many years, Bing Crosby hosted a golf event he called a Clambake. It still brings wonderful fun to our area. The best in Pro golfers come and play spectacular courses. Part of the event is a Pro-Am tournament that raises money for charities. Lately, Bill Murray has been entertaining all while making his way around the holes. Various sports celebrities also join in. The weather usually throws a bit in for the fun. The long-time residents call it Crosby weather. They will say with a wry grin that if it is going to rain and storm in February, it’ll be Clambake time.

This year is no exception. Rain, wind, and general chilliness are forecast. As I write this, the wind is howling, the rain is coming in sheets, and it’s just dank and cold. A good day to rest, tat, and sop up the water seeping into the basement.

post storm....

Jane's TIAS 2017 Day 5

While there’s a break in the storms, I’ll through up a couple of progress pics:

We are feeling a bit waterlogged. Trees are coming down because the ground is so wet that the wind just blows them over. The roots can’t hold on in water. So far, our neighborhood is OK. I think that’s because of the underground stream we have on the hill; the one that’s seeping into basements. It always amazes me how water can break up cement and concrete.

I hope to finish a few more projects and designs in the next week. So, while the sun is shining, I’ll walk a bit and then pick up those shuttles!

Needing a bit more work. Adding pearls and sewing in the beads.

Ice drop in black

This idea has intrigued me for years. Use tatting to work with a stone, gem, shell, anything really. Well, maybe not food. Or rain.

Ice drop (black size 30 with frosted white)

It’s been raining so much here. I don’t mind as much as some people. I grew up in the Pacific Northwest. Rain is normal there. When the sun is shining, you hurry up and take care of things outside that can only be done when it’s not raining. Those activities are top priority until it starts raining again. When we lived in the desert, I found myself getting stressed out. I was trying to pack as much as I could into my days. Because….the sun was out and it wasn’t raining. Silly me!

Anyway, it’s been raining a lot here. I spent several hours over the weekend taking care of storm damage between showers. Yesterday was no exception. Fortunately, the clean-up was pretty minimal. I was able to finish off this beauty.

I had a bit of black left over on a shuttle, so I started with that. Then I decided to continue with black as I liked the contrast; something for all those people who swoon over things black. ;) It’s also in size 30. Diane, Muskaan, and several others have published pictures of drops in size 20. I wanted to experiment with smaller thread and smaller objects. Why? Well, here’s a hint. The next one is in pastels (my favorite). But, it isn’t finished yet.

And tomorrow, TIAS coming. Don’t know when I’ll get back to it. A break in the rain. Time to clean up the front walk. And then……

Rain!

We have had rain. Not a huge amount by some standards, but welcome. The plants look much healthier now. Of course, the oxalis is taking off big time. I know I should be attacking it while the ground is moist, but there is so much else to do!

Like tat and play new organs!

First, the newest square study, then on Thursday, the newest organ.

Workbasket pattern in pastel and white

I wanted to play with variegated thread in hopes that it would make the solid thread areas pop. I don’t think it worked for this pattern. I do like how the faux center turned out where the corners meet. I would like to stick with variegated as there are so many music compositions that use theme and variation structure. If I can learn what works best for tatting design structure to vary a basic motif, perhaps that will be a good method to represent music compositions that take a simple melody and expand it with variations. Just a thought.

it's RAINING!!

Well, it’s finally raining! I know, I know, it’s not enough to relieve the drought. But, it’s wonderful just the same. It means I won’t be sitting on the bench outside to tat this afternoon. I think I’ll go by the Lace Museum instead. I need to renew my membership. And, they have an open time to bring in your lace project and visit while you work.

I always feel a bit sheepish. I only tat. I’m just not drawn to bobbin lace. Don’t know why. Anyway, the museum always needs volunteers knowledgeable about lace and I know so little. And truth be told, I’d rather learn more music and tatting techniques than lace identification. Sigh. So, I feel sheepish. The lacers are always so friendly though. Aren’t we a great group of people in our little lacy corner of the world?

Anyway, back to the weather. It’ll be sunny tomorrow. And dry. But, the rain is nice today. I’ll be vigilant on the roads. They’ll be slick with this little bit of water lifting the oil up off the pavement. I’ve got a lot of lace to tat, after all.

TIAS day 10 & rainbow at sunrise

My day started out with a rare gift.

We are normally awake before sunrise. I try to open a curtain or two so that I can see the sky lighten. It was cloudy this morning. (Yes, we got badly needed rain!) So, I knew the sky would be colorful….or at least I was hoping. Well, it was. I glanced out a west-facing window to see how light the sky was getting. I did a double take!

A RAINBOW WAS FORMING!

Really!

After checking out an east-facing window, I reveled in the rainbow growing stronger as the sun hit the clouds. I couldn’t dig out the camera fast enough. I don’t think I’ll forget how that looked for a long, long time. Absolutely gorgeous!

So, I was a bit later getting to the computer. I have completed day 10 of the TIAS. Do look at what Jane is posting of other people’s pictures and rhymes. It’s great fun.

TIAS 2014 Day 10
 

 

TIAS Day 4

Well, as you may know if you’ve been reading here, I’m playing in Jane’s TIAS. It’s great fun to see what whimsy she cooks up for us during the dreary days of winter. She may feel she gets the most fun. She’s probably correct! It’s fun for me to have a window on the tatting lives of so many people around the world. I feel like I have a silly grin on my face frequently (Good thing my teen is not around when I’m reading the posts!) somewhat like my Great Aunt when she used the telephone.

Our weather this morning is rather dreary. Much like England I suspect. We’ve been hoping for a bit of rain, though. That will mean snow for the mountains and skiers and a lower water bill for us. And that means more money to put towards concerts and thread!

Without further ado, here’s a scan of my Day 4 TIAS. I started out using this pink thread to gain more experience with Cebelia. I think I still prefer Lizbeth, but am getting my sea legs with this softer thread.