More Tatting

I've been tatting alot lately. Mostly self-taught by following Barbara Foster's book. It's been fun and I've learned alot, but I'm sure there is much more that I don't know. For now, I'm happy tatting simple bookmarks and motifs. Here is a picture of what I've done so far.


I'm also excited about a new shop that's opened up in our shopping mall. It's called Folkheart. We don't have anything like it near us and I'm thrilled that it's opened up. I have to go in there at least once a week, if not more. I even had a thought that I might be able to pick up some extra hours by working a few hours on the weekend. I know I would enjoy it very much. I'm just not sure that I want to give up any days on the weekend right now, even though we could certainly use the extra money. I'll have to think about it. Of course, this is assuming that they need extra help, which more than likely they probably don't. But, if I have to work someplace this would be the type of place I would enjoy.

Here are just a few pictures of the inside of the store.

Tatting

I've been wanting to learn tatting for awhile now, but was afraid because it looked really complicated. I bought a couple of inexpensive shuttles and some thread and tried, but failed because I just couldn't get the hang of using a shuttle. Then I discovered needle tatting. I had heard that needle tatting was easier to learn and do than shuttle tatting.

There is a new store that opened up in the mall that has lots of handmade stuff and classes to learn how to do some of it. I found out that there is a needle tatting class. I talked to the teacher and told her I would think about it. I was still afraid to try it, even with a needle. The shop had a needle size 5-0 and some size 10 thread. I looked some stuff up on the Internet and found this really helpful site with clear instructions and diagrams. I worked up my nerve and went to the shop and bought the needle and some thread. I printed off the instructions and went home and tried it. I had a few setbacks at first, but I was determined to learn how to tat or know the reason why I couldn't. I discovered that there is also a book that is very helpful in learning tatting with some pictures and instructions. In fact, the same lady who has this web site is the same one who wrote the book. The book is titled Learn Needle Tatting Step-By-Step by Barbara Foster. It's on her web site. I paid $13.00 for my copy at the shop. Anyway, once I got the hang of the double stitch, which is the only stitch you have to learn in tatting, I decided to try the bookmark that is in the book and this is what I produced.


I went on to make a second bookmark using a peach colored variegated thread (DMC Pearl Cotton no. 5) and a medallion in white using DMC no. 5. I tried to take pictures of both projects so I could post them here, but my rechargeable batteries in my digital camera died. I put some regular batteries in and they lasted maybe a day and I didn't even take that many pictures. My camera must really pull on the battery power. I just hope it's the batteries and not my camera.

Anyway, I was really happy with what I made. It's not perfect, but I'm actually amazed that I was able to make it considering how insecure I felt before I started. Now I want to make some bookmarks for gifts and also some round wreath or medallions to put on some Christmas cards to send this year. There are examples of those in the book too.

When I get my camera battery issue straightened out I will post pictures of the other bookmark and wreath that I made.

Goodies

I always love finding treasures. I was in Hobby Lobby this week and they were having a sale on all of their yard art and things like that. I was browsing down the aisles and I found this cute box that I just love.


I bought it with the intention of putting my embroidery thread in it so that it would all be in one place. When I got home I realized that I have all of my embroidery thread and other embroidery items in a hatbox that I had bought awhile back. Now, I don't know what in the world to put in this pretty little blue box, but I couldn't pass it up, so I'm sure I'll think of something creative.

I also got in the mood to make a small music box with a hand crank. I found a cute little box for $1 at A.C. Moore and I found the music box mechanism at a local museum. It's called a Hurdy Gurdy music box. The picture of the music box from the outside came out well, but or some reason, the inside photo I took came out a little blurry, but you get the idea. I stained it with some Minwax and I think it came out fairly well. I still want to put a shiny finish on it.