My life continues

That’s a positive that I’m grateful for. I’ve had my scares. Some would say I’m on my 4^th of 9 lives. I’m OK. I can still play the organ a bit. I’ve found real joy in tatting. I have a wonderful life of a fabulous husband (I don’t tell him often enough!) and two children who are growing into wonderful adults. It’s good! My life continues.

I wish I could say the same for those pieces I’m tatting and practicing. I seem to be taking a step back for every step forward. At least I think it’s forward.

Ah well.

This morning I decided to join in on the TIAS game that Jane Eborall is hosting. Here’s my sample so far:

Jane's TIAS 2021 Day 1

What should I share today?

I often ask myself that question when I start putting together a blog post. I’m very aware that sharing is a two way activity. You do get a lot out of giving something to someone. You can receive a lot when someone shares with you. Sharing in a kind, thoughtful way is important. That’s my goal.

I like being around people. I don’t always feel like an extrovert. I’m very aware that the hours spent alone practicing did not develop my social skills as keenly as other teens were managing. But, I do like being around people.

As we navigate these strange times, I find that my time around people is more precious. Each interaction holds more weight, has more influence on me, and must sustain me for longer time periods. I am very fortunate to be living with a wonderful husband (thank you for 35 years…..I hope we have 35 more years) and close to a wonderful daughter (I’m proud of her making her own way in life) and a phone call away from a wonderful son (his expertise has been so valuable in all things on line).

Today, I will share a wish that each of us can gather around us people who keep our health improving, people we can support in their future, and people to inspire and help those around them. I know I receive with that sharing. I hope that sharing brings joy to your life.

Gifts

(full disclosure: long post without pictures ahead.....and a question at the end for you to comment on)

I’ve begun to start each day by writing down 3 things I’m grateful for. First on the list is Family and Friends. I try to pause and think about who I will be talking with that day. That usually helps me from chewing on shoe leather until after I’m tired. I wish my feet didn’t end up in my mouth so often. I really need them to stand and walk! Another entry is usually focused on a gift of mine I plan to use that day. Again, it’s a focus thing. I could do so much, I need to do so much, I’m asked to do so much, if I don’t focus I fail big time!

So, where does tatting fit in? Sometimes I make a decision then and there to wear something I’ve tatted. Sometimes I remember to get tatting to someone else. Sometimes I remember that I should send an email or make a phone call or wrap a gift. Sometimes I figure out when I’ll be able to sit down with my shuttles and do that tricky part of the pattern I’m working on. Sometimes It’s at that moment I remember I have accomplished learning to tat and enjoy it. ‘nuf said!

So, what are your grateful thoughts? Does tatting end up on your list?

Oh, and my friends I’ve made through this blog are included in my first item. Thank you for your friendship!

Another Candle Cuff finished

It’s very satisfying to finish a project. Especially when it will be enjoyed by Friend or Family. I’m still playing with the concept and coming up with more patterns. So far, nothing has percolated to the “to tat” list. I’ll admit, most of my design time is being taken by seeing what could be created to commemorate the anniversary of the composing of Stille Nacht. Again, nothing that seems promising enough to put into thread.

The Online class series is starting up! I have shuttles ready to enjoy new patterns! Each week, Georgia et al. present patterns that just beg to be tat. It’s so much fun to see what others are creating. Susan and her team will be discussing design concepts with tips and tricks galore. And I get a kick out of cheering on the Beginners that Cyn works with. It will be a challenge to keep shuttles at the ready for those design ideas.

Looking ahead for 6 weeks

Another quote from the novel I’ve finished:

“Friendships, like quilts, brought warmth and comfort to our lives. Our stitches might not be perfect, but they were as strong as the love that united us in the crazy quilt we called home.”

(Aunt Dimity and the Widow’s Curse by Nancy Atherton)

I hope the next few weeks hold the promise of fun, celebrations, and good times with those you love. I will be shifting into high gear now to clean up Thanksgiving, prepare for Christmas, and start another year! No more lazing with novels, dreaming up new projects, or letting my attention wander too far. It’ll be activity with a check box and lots of time with family and friends!

12th Day of Christmas

Today is the 12^th Day of Christmas. 

Really. 

Look at the calendar and count. 

I know, I know….that carol is annoying, but it’s fun too. And celebrating more than 1 day of this Holiday can help reduce stress. For anyone who has found themselves hurting someone’s feelings because they can’t accept an invitation to something Christmas, having 12 days to celebrate can spread Good Cheer. And Twelfth Night can be fun! I had hoped to throw a Twelfth Night party for friends and neighbors this year, but it will have to wait until next year. That will be easier as it will be on Friday in 2017.

One of the activities that filled my calendar this year was throwing a Cioppino party for extended family. Now that was a feast! Crab is plentiful this year. And buying local is so easy in Monterey. I didn’t end up with a good picture to share. That’s because the bowl slipped. If you were there, you remember. For the rest of you, think pasta bowl heaped with seafood in a tomato base soup spilling onto a linen tablecloth. Yeah. It was a mess! But, we recovered and enjoyed the food. And the tablecloth looks OK. Thanks for the tip Altar Guild.

I’m focusing on finishing the angel today. I found these in a local store. I’m hoping one of them is the right size for the head. I need to find beads to use for the body still. The weather is supposed to be better today for yard work, so that may take a fair amount of time today. I still have some sorting to do in the studio also. That may have to wait for a rainy day….like Saturday. I really need to get organized and back to designing. Especially before TIAS starts and class starts up. I think a brisk walk will get me going! I’ll be thinking of a phrase I’ve heard a bit lately, “Go on out and change the world!” Join me?

Christmas Break inspirations and projects

The crazy part of Christmas is over. Consumers are no longer jostling at the stores. The right gift is no longer occupying people’s thoughts. The feasts are all laid out and washed up. Now it’s the part of Christmas that allows me to feel connected with my heritage and people throughout the ages. Any parent can relate to the story of birth and the first few days of a child’s life. Any creative person can relate to how traditions came to be. I hope you have been able to pause and enjoy a brief break.

We have been taking advantage of the time off from work to do some badly needed painting and sorting of boxes. The studio looks more like a storage room in the dim reaches of a theater. There’s instruments, stacks of boxes and furniture, paint cans and oh yes, a loom or two. Not much practicing or tatting lately. I did find more inspiration on a walk: 

 One of my walking buddies has picked and cooked mushrooms for years. She no longer pickles them or fixes soups daily, but she will tell you which mushrooms she likes to use for these dishes. I’m not as creative in the kitchen, so it’s alright I’m learning the Russian names for all these.

It’s almost time to get back to creating with fiber. I think I’ll practice again today. With Epiphany around the corner, I’ve dusted off Wie Schon Leuchtet again. I need to finish the angel. Oh, and I’ve only got a few more squares to complete in my Weave-It study series. Several of these yarn creations remind me of quilt blocks. Mmmmmmm

Oh, and Jane’s TIAS is coming. Now, that’s a gift we all enjoy!
Merry Christmas!

I haven’t managed much tatting time lately. I’ve been enjoying the garden, walks in the hills, and time with friends and family. I’ve also been squeezing in time at the loom to keep up with the class. I have managed to try out ideas for the corners of the edging. 

edging from Tatted Artistry of Teiko Fujito

I gave up on the trial in the top left; too many split rings. The trial on the top right works, but I decided the triangular look wasn’t what the item needed. The trial on the bottom right works best in my mind; although the negative space could use another something to keep the corner of the fabric from poking through. I’d like to play with it a bit more I think. What do you think?

Happy Birthday Stephanie

It is with great pleasure that I wish my daughter, Stephanie, a Happy Birthday. 

I am proud of what she has accomplished in her life. She is growing into a wonderful adult. Happy Birthday!

We’re working on another room in the house now. This one is a room we use daily, so we’ve moved those activities into another room. I haven’t been using the room to do my tatting or music activities, so I really have no excuse for not being able to find things. It’s time to just do some cleaning up, organizing, and all that boring stuff.

While I’m doing that, I’ll be thinking about how rings and chains that arc can be put together for squares and triangles. 

And……

boxes

If you have ever helped someone downsize, you know what our house looks like right now. I think we’re down to 30 boxes……..And now it’s our turn to sort. (Which I am abysmal at!!!!!)

……volunteering

For the last 5 years, I have been reacquainting myself with all things tatting. And learning so much more! I love it!!! My newest adventure has been to take over the blog Anita started. She has provided a venue for folks to post pictures of the patterns discussed in the On Line Tatting classes. I now step up to the plate. I have a lot to learn. I know I will gain a huge amount of experience. I only hope I continue to support those learning to tat as much as Georgia, Cynthia, Anita, Sue, Gina, Mimi, Ann and all the rest have. Gulp!!

In the meantime I still plan to tat……in my copious spare time.

So......

….termite damage

Our house sits on top of an old fruit orchard. Ever see a subterranean termite? They get wings in the fall. Several decided to house-sit for us when we visited Alabama in August. Ever empty half of your house into the other half? Our living room looked like a New York Studio apartment. Now I know why people use those PODS things. We should be unpacked by…..June?

……holiday celebration

As a church musician, December is never dull. I love the music and the activities. I really do. I happily ignore all the rest of my life. As my children grow older, I embrace the different celebrations they come up with. We had so much fun!!!

Now on to the rest of my life. Like tatting!

A New Year

Wow! Where did 2013 go??

And 2014 will fly by just as fast, I’m sure!

So, what’s been significant in my life: Termite damage; Holiday celebration with an expanding family and many, many friends; Sorting through boxes and boxes and boxes; Taking on a new volunteer position; and being way too busy to waste time (especially on the web)

 
Stay tuned for details……..

October thoughts

As is my custom the first day of the month, I look over the last month and see what I accomplished. It’s my way of staying motivated. I try to stay focused on what I did right. I leave the examination of the mistakes for the second day of the month. I also set a timer to spend no more than 15 minutes each of those 2 days. Does that sound too structured? Well, I’ve found as a Mom who needs to have a personal life, I need that structured “me” time.

So, what did October 2013 have to reveal about me and how I spent my time and energy? Pleasant visits to family, an indulgence of attending an Organ Conference, see my canvas on a chair and in use, hosting a gathering in our back yard, and completing a large portion of a huge tatting project.

Not bad.

Now it’s on to more tatting and singing and attending organ recitals.

FAFSA time again

It’s the end of February. It’s FAFSA time again. Ugh!!!!

This should be our last year filing on behalf of our daughter. I think the thing I dislike the most is someone else I’ve never met telling me how I should spend my money!!!!

The good news is, she is close to finishing a great degree program and is already working in her career field. I feel so proud at moments I could burst. It makes it easier to add up the figures and answer the questions!

TIAS 2013 Day 10

I should know better than to try to be clever when I’m in a hurry in the evening. I normally get the portion of the pattern tatted the day Jane releases it. But, today was one of those days……

TIAS 2013 Day 10

 

So, here it is after

I picked out the next to last ring

I caught up on the chores leftover from yesterday

I had my cup of coffee…or 2 or 3 cups.

I can’t wait to see what we tat the last day. And is this a hint, Jane?? Will you and your family be making an announcement soon?? Or are you hinting to my children?? (If so, PLEASE let them finish college before pressuring them with such hints.) Seriously, I’m off to do today’s chores and get ready for tomorrow. It’s Open House for the teachers at Jo-Ann’s in the afternoon. That’s always fun. If you’re in the area, stop by the table and let me know.

Transitions, family, and my newest adventure.

I was watching a bit of a Nature show on TV the other day. Several ducklings, just 2 days old, were leaving the nest in a tree trunk to join their mother on a small lake. Great entertainment. And a bit close to real life right now.
My son has touched down for a few moments as he transitions to college life from military life. We are marveling at how capable he is in his independence. We’re trying not to meddle, just support with a question or two and lots of listening. I’ve even shared a few stories of my transition time from teen to adult life.
The roughest part of it for me has been keeping some semblance of calm for my two very neurotic cats. They are just not good hosts to my son’s cat. Fortunately, they are all used to being indoors and in small places. Mostly, the females just hiss and spit and swipe without contact. So, there has been no fur flying. Yet….. Could be interesting at Christmas…….

Is it November....already??????

November 3, 2012

Where did October go????

Well, my time in October ended up spent on helping. Not a bad activity. The opportunities were presented, after discussing them with those to whom I’m responsible, and a bit of prayer, I plunged in. I won’t bore you with the detail; lots of sorting, donating, and other tedious tasks. I will mention 2 activities I’ve been helping with:

Relocating my son. He’s leaving Active Duty and continuing with his college courses. I’d forgotten what 2000 lbs. of household goods looks like on a moving van. I‘m excited for him. He is an intelligent, talented young man who has a lot to give to the world. He has learned much, and will learn more.

Sacred Thread ministry at St. Andrew’s. There’s a set of special stained glass windows in the church. If you’re not close enough to drop by, you can get a feel for them in this photo: http://www.st-andrews-saratoga.org/about-us/take-a-look-around/ . The building isn’t that old, but the church is vibrant. It sounds holy. It looks holy. You can pray there in silence, in song, in color. A group of stitchers has created needlepoint kneelers that have been used for years. Recently, a more portable, flexible set was added to the collection. The process has spawned a growing ministry. To stitch our faith in yarn and canvas.

That’s a long explanation to my activities for this group. I mostly do clerical tasks. I’ve not stitched needlepoint in many, many years. I’m more comfortable with a shuttle to tat. But, when the interest to help grows from 5-6 stitchers to 50, help for the mundane tasks is needed…..desperately. It’s been exciting to see this group gets started with the canvases. They even convinced me to try one. With over 200 chairs to stitch and get mounted, many hands will be a help. I know it is another item for my calendar, but it is a worthy task.

I’m still bouncing around ideas for the People Look East design. I had fun coming up with a snowflake design. It doesn’t exactly work as it’s designed right now. When I get it tweaked, I’ll post it. Meanwhile, I’m working on a cute bee pattern. The designer is not keen on me posting a picture yet. I promise I’ll keep track of the file though!

after a long hiatus

Life has been lively lately. If I look at what I wrote down months ago for goals and see what I’ve accomplished, I get upset. If I look at what others around me have accomplished with my help, I smile. Guess what?? I’ve been smiling a lot lately. All that is hard to document in this blog. So, I say, life is good.

The sun is rising after I awake now, so I can see some spectacular sunrises.

The Fall term is starting for college kids I’m connected with. Their energy and liveliness is wonderful.

Our Sacred Threads ministry is up and knitting and stitching and bringing God’s peace to many.

The small number of tatting students I’ve been privileged to work with are sharing their talents with a whole lot of people.

Our Organists Guild chapter is embarking on reaching out to other musicians that love the organ.

So, to paraphrase Handel, and I again I say life is good!

for goodwill among nations and for the well being of all people, for justice and peace.

Ninety-ninth post

So, it’s fast approaching my 100^th post. I understand there’s a tradition to offer a give-away that people sign up for chances. Well, I tend to use everything I have or to repurpose what I own a lot. Perhaps it’s because my grandparents trained me up in the way they survived the Depression. Perhaps it’s because I’m a musician who came of age during the 70’s when things were tight around the house hold budget. Perhaps it’s because I’m married to a rather frugal man. Perhaps it’s because…..

I am who I am.

Bottom line is, there’s just not a whole lot to donate and not a who lot of money to buy “giveaways”. My footprint in the world is fairly light.

I thought about offering some tatting supplies, but I have nothing that hasn’t been used. I thought about offering a tatted piece, but everything that’s come off my shuttles is intended for someone or an event. I thought about offering some music, but I have no extra cd’s and don’t have files I’ve downloaded. I thought about offering a recording of me playing, but the sound quality was not good enough. So, I haven’t thought of anything to offer.

Well, I offer wishes for a safe 4^th of July celebration. I have no wish to repeat the vigil outside an emergency room because of someone handling fireworks that wasn’t trained. Please, leave the risk to someone else. Please.

I offer prayers of peace. I have people in my life who have chosen to serve in the military. All who serve deserve thanks. All deserve a chance to continue to create their own future. All deserve freedom. We all deserve peace. Let’s all work for it.

In the meantime, I’ll keep trying to figure out a 100^th post. Until then……

Happy Father's Day

I wish all Fathers in the World a Happy Father’s Day. Anyone can father children, but those that are a Dad to kids work hard to nurture their children. My husband is a Dad to his two children. I feel very honored when they call him “Dad” and give him a hug and kiss. I join them in saying Happy Father’s Day.