Fox marks the Spot

 That title is not original. More than one person made that pun. I think it fits!

Thank you Jane Eborall for such a fun way to start a New Year!! I always enjoy your Tat It And See!!!

Here’s my finished critter looking forward to marking a place in a book. Right now I’m reading my current magazine issues. Maybe a fox would like to look at new organs installed in places around the world? We shall see……

Class Material

what to learn next???

I am a life-long learner. I count learning as a hobby. I’m addicted to finding out new information. Yes, that means there’s always a pile of stuff to read, “small” projects to do, and entries on the calendar for talks, conversations, documentaries. Some people’s lives are never boring due to drama. My life is never boring due to curiosity. And yes, I do know curiosity can kill a cat. The older I get, the more things available on the internet, the less energetic I feel, the safer my days are. Honest!

I’ve been pulling together my Class Material for the Lace Museum series. Teaching is a sure-fire way for me to learn. I learned a great deal tatting the sample. I learned which point of the pattern my mind consistently wanders. Valuable information. I plan to pass that on during the weekend classes. Join us!

To register, visit the workshop page and scroll down about half way: tatting workshop

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!

Well, I still don’t have the distraction under control. But, I’ve made headway!

The loom is almost rethreaded for my next learning experience. That process has taught me how to rethread. Thank goodness the warp is fairly short. I chose to widen the stripes which meant going back to the point where the warp comes off the warping board. Let’s just say I’ve untangled a lot. Including my brain!

The boxes are reduced by half in the study. I still can’t walk up and sit down at the sewing machine. That’s my goal for Thanksgiving. I’ve used that project to dip my toe into Project Management vocabulary. I’m hoping that exercise will help me communicate the creative process of practicing at the organ and designing with thread and shuttle.

Almost all of my tatting has been gifts. Some of the recipients follow this blog, so no pictures until unwrapping happens. Sorry. But, I will leave you with a quote from a novel I’m reading. The character I’m quoting is Vicar for the village church. The community has come together for their first ever quilting bee. “Quilts, like friendships, bring warmth and comfort to our lives. May the Lord guide your needles and the stitches you sew be as strong as the bonds of neighborly affection that unite our village. Amen.”

My previous house saw lots of creative activity, but seldom a gathering of creative friends. I host weekly tatting study group sessions, musicians have come by to rehearse, and neighbors have enjoyed the decorations I’ve created. This house has allowed me to feel much more united with my friends and family. May you find a way to connect through creativity over the next few weeks!

I learned so much!!!!

Not all of it Weaving with Neutrals; much of it about how to communicate. Yes, there were the awkward conversations that go along with such lessons. So, when I didn’t have my foot in my mouth, I tried to explore. Asilomar is wonderful! Our room was windows on 3 sides with a fireplace on the remaining wall. We needed a good fire as the wind off the bay was chilly! Despite all the glass, I really didn’t feel like I was in a fishbowl. I guess because those most frequently passing by were the deer.

I took a break yesterday and did some pleasure reading: Aunt Dimity: Detective by Nancy Atherton. Good short read. Quote of the day: “I returned home with so many knots in my stomach that I felt as if I’d gulped a mugful of macramé.” My stomach is fine, thank you. I’ll be catching up tatting the rest of the week, so my knots won’t be so filling. I doubt I will have extra knots.

Enough silliness!

As soon as I get my samples photographed, I’ll share here. Oh, and this sold

variation on Ice Drop by Diane Cademartori

in the auction. It didn’t raise as much money as I was hoping, but the comments by established, successful professional fiber artists were very appreciative and encouraging. I’m glad I put in all the effort. I have several ideas in the sketch book now! Thank you all!!!

Maisie Dobbs and a housekeeper who tats

I’ve just finished a rereading of Elegy for Eddie byJacqueline Winspear. This is the latest Maisie Dobbs novel she has written. I enjoy the period mysteries. This particular one is going to be a favorite of mine. That’s because the housekeeper, Mrs. Bromleigh, explains that she keeps busy caring for the house and tatting. I grinned and giggled when I read that. And some think tatting is a lost art! Harrumph!!

Written Friday, posted Saturday

After I figured out what I'd done wrong yesterday, I have this to add today:

It’s Friday already. Sigh. I had one of those afternoons yesterday when I finished a task and had some time before starting dinner. What to tackle next? Since I no longer have wee ones demanding my attention every waking moment, it’s a bit harder to say what’s most important. The ole checklist (food, clothing, shelter) for survival doesn’t take long to work through. Then what????

I know, I know….if I really were buying into my resolve to get these tatting patterns out of my brain, into thread, and published I wouldn’t have to ask what next.

So what did I end up picking up? The Kathleen Norris Book (Cloister Walk). And what did I read? “The Benedictines … insist that there is time in each day for prayer, for work, for study, and for play.” Sigh. Perhaps it is time to walk on the beach and let the ocean center me.

musings on Norris book

Have you ever wondered why you keep something around? For “someday”??? For “giving out on loan”??? For “remembering the person who gave it to you”???

Well, I have kept a book my mother sent me eons ago. I don’t even remember when. I can guess as she wrote in the cover that she was reading it, so that means before the Alzheimers got serious. The title is “The CloisterWalk” by Kathleen Norris. It’s slow going for me. I don’t have as much time for reading now as I used to. I find myself rereading sections as I can’t remember what the take away was. Occasionally I find myself giggling. As when I read, “You never really finish anything in life,” she says, “and while that’s humbling and frustrating, it’s all right.” (pg. xiii) This is not a quote of her words, but a quote she used; a friend educated by the Benedictines talking about her sanity with regards to time.

Maybe that’s why I have so many unfinished projects??? No? Well, it was a thought…….

I’m sure I’ll find other things to share here about the book. It’s available in both my local libraries. I’m sure it’s available for purchase too. I just never seem to spend money on books when there’s so much thread to buy!

Tomorrow Jane will release the next section of the TIAS 2013. I don’t have a good guess as to what we’re tatting. Stay tuned though…..

arrrgh

You know how experienced tatters tell you to count the stitches as you go and then recount them before you close the ring? Well, I didn’t recount accurately.

Square bookmark inspired by a Bible Cross Pattern by Monica Hahn

The excuses: I was tired and I haven’t written out the pattern so that I can keep my place with a post-it AND I was watching a good show on TV. It was Great Expectations. You know, the Dicken’s novel they made a crackin’ good movie out of? Yeah, that one. I know, I know, the book is better. But the movie is a good introduction to the story line. And the sets…..well…… Catch it when you can and do read the book.

to read.....

The weeding is done for a week or so. Whew!

I haven’t much to show for tatting. I’ve been distracted by a good book:

The Mapping of Love and Death by Jacqueline Winspear

It’s the latest in her Maisie Dobbs series. Her detective is an engaging character. If you like mysteries, English period dramas, and strong female characters, I recommend it. I’ve another 100 pages to go. So, you may not see much for tatting. Unless I decide to pick up an easy bookmark to work on and I can prop the book open.