We had a new Michael's Crafts store open this past Friday. I was the 3rd customer in the door. I went early to see what they have. There were just 2 other people waiting and we chatted until they opened the doors. When I went in, they asked if I was looking for anything  in particular. Of course, I said tatting. They said "What's that." I am sorry, but I have to be an ambassador for tatting everywhere so I pulled out the phone and started showing them tatted items. They were amazed, but unfortunately, the only tatting related items they have is beads. I found a fe ..read more

     I may soon get over this earring kick I have been on. I had to find one that I don't care for eventually. The colors are for a friend of a friend. It's not the colors.     This is one from IL Mio Chiacchierino number 3. I have not made the other one yet. I really don't care for the construction or the look. Doing the cabone was simple enough, but I think it needs more stitches. The instruction asked for 7 stitches between the picots. I think 9 would be better.      The second round starts with the ring attached to the cabone, then g ..read more

      I cannot help it. I have to collect.This is a good part of my tatting book collection. I currently have over 300, which is not as big as some collections I am aware of, but it is mine. I recently had an opportunity to purchase more books from a private sale. I was shown photos of what was available and picked out the ones I wanted. The problem was, do I have this book or that book already on the shelf?     I have a great way to help with that. There is a piece of software available called Readerware. It is a database. You can get it for books, music, a ..read more

      OK. Now I remember. The scanner doesn't really show the shine on this thread. It is Lizbeth Gold Metallic. Since I have been making earrings lately I thought I would do a pattern from the IL Mio Chiaccheirino #2 magazine. I wanted something different so I decided to use gold metallic thread. Not too bad, I suppose, but I wish the "gold" showed up better in the photo. I didn't use beads because the thread glitters and I think beads would not be seen very well.     But now I remember. I remember why I rarely use metallic thread. Hard to handle, feels sti ..read more

        I have to admit, Corina Meyfeldt knows what people like. A neighbor down the street saw another set and wanted some for his wife. He had done me a favor so I did not mind doing one for him. This is turquoise Lizbeth with gold lined glass beads. I really like the color.     The guy I am making the doily for saw these and now I have to make a set for his fiancee. Those are a different blue and I used a different center bead. I may post those later. I am almost done with them already.      I like to make them, but I don't wear t ..read more

     I have the cure. Do any of you suffer from high blood pressure,like I do? Well, now I have found a new medical device that will help with that. Even if your medications are now working as planned, just like mine, this new device can help.      My blood pressure can go over 200/100 if I don't take my medications. With the medications, I can get it down to 155/85 and my doctor has doubled my dosage recently. This new device lowers it dramatically. I just finished using it and took my blood pressure. 122/66 and my heart rate has increased too. (It is ..read more

      I am still slowly working on the 2020 Spring Napkin by Renulek. This will be given to a friend for his mother. Round 14 is done. Only 4 more rounds to go. The next round is really difficult (sarcasm here). It is make a ring, make a chain, make a ring, make a chain, all around. Hopefully it won't take as long ..read more

       I needed a break from tatting so I decided to make these. I got a recipe from the Joy of Cooking cookbook, but I don't really care for it. The dough came out too dry and it did not make the stated quantity. It said 60, I got 38. I do not think I made them too big. About the same size as other recipes for 60. I really think this one should have said 40. They do taste good, though. Now go make some cookies ..read more

      Here is another pair of the Wave earrings, this time in brown and gold. My brother had shown the black ones to a friend who liked them. I don't know her, but he sent a photo of her to me. She has the prettiest brown hair. I immediately thought that this color combination would complement her hair. I sent this photo for his approval and his response was "She loves them". The earrings are already in the mail. (He lives about 400 miles away.)     I don't know why, but I like making these. I suppose it is instant gratification or something because it only ..read more

      It has been a while, but I have revisited Corina Meyfeldt's "Wave Earrings". When she first designed them and put them up for sale, I purchased the pattern. Now she gives it away, but it was well worth the few dollars she asked for it. I think I have made around 50 Pairs and given them away. I'm not going to wear them. I just like making them and the pattern is so easy.       I was showing my brother how I do them, making the rings, sewing in ends and then packaging them. He was surprised I put them in ziplock baggies, one on each side of a car ..read more