An unexpected finish

Well, I wasnt "planning" on making earrings as my final motif for the challenge; but after a suprise visit I was requested to make a pair so here it is! My FINAL motif!!! WOO HOOOOOO!

These were also done in Lizbeth size 20 Springtime.

Motif #25 for the 25 Motif Challenge=COMPLETED!!!!!

Snow for the season

Here is a little snowflake I tatted. It is out of Vida Sundermans snowflake book although I only tatted the first 2 rounds. I thought it looked more delicate like this. Tatted with Lizbeth size 20 in White.

Motif #24 for 25 Motif Challenge

Earrings gone crazy!

More earrings??? These were a gift to Jasmine in her favorite color: Lizbeth's size 20 Springtime.

Motif #23 for 25 Motif Challenge

More bits & bobs

Here is a tatted bookmark from Tatting Miscellany by Lindsay Rogers. Tatted in Lizbeth size 20 Purple Splendor. Just a little trinket I hope the recipient will enjoy!

Motif #22 for 25 Motif Challenge

Some more tatting

Here is the Small Cross from Mary Konior's Tatting With Visual Patterns tatted with Olympus size 40 in M10 color with Lizbeth size 40 in Gold for edging. Hope the recipient of this little card enjoys it!

Motif #21 for 25 Motif Challenge

These things just multiply like rabbits dont they?

Here is yet another pair I did. These are done in Lizbeth size 20 Autumn Spice

Motif #20 for 25 Motif Challenge

5 more to go....WOO HOO!

Another pair of earrings

Here is another pair of earrings from Celtic Tatting Knots & Patterns.

Tatted with Lizbeth size 20 Purple Splendor

Motif #19 for 25 Motif Challenge

Motif #18

Here is a pair of earrings I tatted during my youngest daughter's testing for IEP services.

Pattern from Celtic Tatting Knots & Patterns. Tatted with Krystledawns Mad Science Blue & Green. Motif #18 for 25 Motif Challenge

Long time no see!

Ok I am feeling much better now and things have finally slowed down enough for me to tat a bit! This is the pattern Baby's Lucky Penny done with Lizbeth size 20 in Grape Pizazz. I decided to just tat the pattern as a motif with a few seed beads. Motif #17 for 25 Motif Challenge

Back in Black!

Well, I am still alive and kicking (well so to speak)....
My stomach is all better now, my electrolytes and blood levels are all normal again and there is over 35lbs less of me after just a few weeks (whos complaining???).
I am back home and living a life of luxury again and just taking it easy and gaining my strength back. I am still on soft foods but not complaining too loudly. I am back tatting again although I am tiring easily because of some complications arising from my illness but a 2 hour afternoon nap takes care of most of that.
Things are finally coming around our way again. John is plugging away with his braille lessons as I am also taking intro to braille through the family support education program and am doing well with my lessons. A few letters are a bit confusing but I will get it eventually.
During our move, my good camera was accidentally packed so I've no pictures to share just yet; but in the next few days I plan on going out to storage to search for some much needed items including my camera! I will be up and posting pictures soon! Thank you to all who have sent us well wishes, your comments and emails were very inspiring and comforting. You are truly cherished friends.

Feeling better......

Last week was about the worst week ever! First after a stupid attempt to stop a man from breaking into vehicles in a parking garage and almost getting attacked; I got food poisoning from undercooked meat at a restaurant and have been horribly ill. Worse yet our cell phone company double billed us and I cant take care of business until I am better. Its really frustrating because I am always the one to take care of all the business in the house and with John being visually impaired, he doesnt have the confidence to take care of things on his own. He does wonderful when I am around but when I am not, everything goes to hell in a handbasket.
On the lighter side, John has been accepted to Hadley School for the Blind and is taking Braille by correspondence courses.
I have been doing very little tatting as I am tired most of the time, but I borrowed this laptop so that I could log on and at least let everyone know I am on the mend. I should be up and rolling again once my electrolytes are back to normal and my system is running normally again.

Alive and well!!!

Hello all! Well these old bones are still kickin here, although its been a while!
We are finally all moved out of our old place and have taken a new turn in our life journey.
We finally were all packed and moved out on the 31st after much stress and worry but decided to stay at an extended stay upscale hotel for a bit until we made a decision about where we were going to go next. After mulling over our finances and enjoying the wonderful amenities here at the hotel.....we decided to stay HERE! Yes we now are living in a hotel! It actually is quite posh and luxurious! We only pay $1500 per month here for a 1 bedroom suite complete with cable tv, internet and phone. We also have weekly maid service, fresh towels/linens daily, 24 hr access to an indoor pool/whirlpool/fitness room, free breakfast (waffles, cereal, oatmeal, danish, toast, bagels, muffins, yogurt, fresh fruit, eggs, milk, juice etc....), 24 hr free coffee, 24 hr access to convenience shop and a FULL kitchen in our room complete with stovetop and dishwasher!
Not a bad lot for the homeless eh?
We decided that it was more cost efficient to stay here than pay out $1700 mortgage, $250+ electric(not including heat), $150+ cable/tv/phone and all the rest. Everyone is very nice here and its very quiet since they cater more to business professionals than anyone else. Sure its a bit more noisy on the weekends but it dont bother us. We are totally happy here!
I spend alot of time at the pool and sitting down in the community lounge chatting with all the friendly staff. I havent got much tatting in lately, but will be digging it out soon!

I cant believe I did it!

I have wanted to do this pattern for so very long but never knew how to do split chains, split rings and floating rings and thought they would just be too hard to try.
The other day, I decided to sit down and try to learn these techniques. In ONE day, I learned (with much thanks to Linda Davies' YouTube videos) all 3!!!
With much anticipation and excitement I was off to a great start and with a little frustration, alot of patience and support from my friends and family I DID IT!!!
I learned the techniques on Sunday, and started the bookmark on Monday morning and finished it today. This is done in Lizbeth size 20 in color 654. This is the Tardis Bookmark by Anne B.

I am giving this bookmark to my daughter Diamond as she is a big Dr. Who fan and she was just recently diagnosed with Glaucoma and already has a reduced field of vision. We are incorporating Braille (which hubby is already learning due to his severity of visual impairment from Glaucoma) into her homeschooling studies and are trying to keep things on a positive swing as best as we can.

Motif #16 for 25 Motif Challenge

Another Bookmark

Here is another bookmark. This is done with size 10 thread. I dont remember what the brand name is or even where I got it from; its just in my general stash of size 10 threads I have tucked away that I dont use very much anymore.

Motif #15 for 25 Motif Challenge

T.U.I.-Tatting Under the Influence....Tatting and Medication Do NOT mix!

Here is Ric Rac Bookmark from Tatting Miscellany. It is done in Lizbeth Berry Burst in size 20.

I attempted to tat this while on heavy pain medication from oral surgery I had earlier this week and suffering from a dry socket and an abcess. Proof that tatting and medication do NOT mix!

Right now I look like I am smuggling a cantaloupe in my right cheek, but hopefully it will heal soon.

I hope my next one looks a bit better (as well as my face)

Motif #14 for 25 Motif Challenge

If at first you dont succeed......

I finally decided a couple weeks ago to attempt at trying the Mary Konior "Spinning Wheel Glass Mat" pattern. After having to start over 5 times I was ready to give up!

I then made one final attempt and this is the result.

This is done in Lizbeth's newest color "Autum Spice" in size 20.

Motif #13 for 25 Motif Challenge

Needle Tatted Cross

Just wanted to see if my needle tatting skills were still there after finding out how much I love shuttle tatting.

This is done in what I call my "ugly" or "practice" thread. I dont know the exact color, I just call it Seafoam. It is size 10 that was purchased at "Wally World" (I think).

Motif #12 for 25 Motif Challenge

Mad Science HDT Gone Wild!

Here is a little motif that some day may be added to, to make a nice doily, or just left as is as a nice motif or coaster. This is done in size 10 and the color is "Mad Science Blue and Green" HDT by KrystleDawne. I love how wild looking the mottled effect really shows up! I couldnt decide whether it looks nicer against the black or the white background!

Motif #11 for 25 Motif Challenge

Couple of Bookmarks

Here are a couple of cute bookmarks I made. The first one is a butterfly bookmark (sorry, I dont know who the creator is, just a pattern that was written out for me). The second is the Beginners Choice Bookmark from Barbara Foster's Tatted Bookmarks Needle and Shuttle. I needletatted them both. The Butterfly is done in Lizbeth size 20 in Carribean and the Beginners Choice is done in Lizbeth size 20 in Razzle Dazzle.
Motifs 9 and 10 for 25 Motif Challenge

Small Cross....Finis

Well I completed Mary Konior's pattern for the Small Cross on Monday and I am feeling a bit better after a very stressful day yesterday. I am so grateful to the patient loving support of those closest to me not only for the support I have received, but for also teaching me how to tat with a shuttle. I truly love tatting and it is so healing and relaxing when the whole world has gone to hell in a handbasket.

Another WIP

Here is something I tatted today while trying to keep my calm with my 13 year old home for the weekend. It hasnt been the most quiet weekend and it has been quite stressful. Tatting really helps my stress levels as well as the comfort, support and advice of those closest to me. I hope to finish this one by tomorrow. I think I will keep it to remind me that even during my darkest hours I can get through anything with patience, love and support.

This is the Small Cross from Mary Konior's Tatting with Visual Patterns in Lizbeth size 20 Countryside.

Motif #8 for 25 Motif Challenge

Spring Motif

This little ornament was needle tatted with Lizbeths size 20 in Springtime I think. I have so many colors I cant keep track of them. Cure for that? Get more thread!

Motif #7 for 25 Motif Challenge

Snowflake Happy!

Here is a little motif I tatted in size 8 pearl cotton in baby blue.

It is the first round of Snowflake #9 in Barb Foster's Tatted Snowflakes book.

I absolutely LOVE this book and cant wait to tat all the rest of them!

I know what my Christmas Tree will be decorated with this year!..........

Motif #6 for 25 Motif Challenge

Tatted Cup

Here is a needle tatted cup I made in size 10 white with blue trim.

Motif #5 for 25 Motif Challenge

Here is a bookmark I made for my daughter Diamond.

It is the Flower Bookmark from Tatted Crosses and Bookmarks done in Lizbeth size 20.

Motif #4 for 25 Motif Challenge

With deepest thanks....

Much thanks to LaCossette and to LadyShuttleMaker for the beautiful shuttle and HDT silk thread on Etsy! They came so very quickly to eager hands and have been used to make this little motif which is going on my tatting box.

Motif #3 for 25 Motif Challenge

Been Tatting up a storm!

Havent been on the computer lately (more time for tatting), plus we are going through a rough spot in our lives right now. But to keep my sanity I have been tatting a few bits n bobs.

This little motif is the Square Tatted Doily #2 from free tatting patterns and is done in Lizbeth size 20 Confetti.

It reminds me of a stained glass window kind of...

Motif #2 for 25 Motif Challenge

Tatting from the heart

A dear friend told me one day when I couldnt think of anything to tat to just tat from the heart and see what happens. I am about to finish the second row and already I have ideas for the third. I dont know how big or small it will be. I am using Lizbeth size 2o in Butterfly Breeze.

Amusement Doily in Vineyard Harvest-The Vacation

Well one more row to go but I am tiring of this color right now. With the broken thumb it now takes 3 times longer to tat than if it were not.

I havent blocked it yet so it is a bit bendy.

I havent decided what I will begin next, I was considering a handkercheif but not 100% decisive yet.

My thumb aches here and there, and I have been taking my splint off from time to time, but I always manage bumping it and then wishing I had left the blasted thing on.

Amusement Doily in Vineyard Harvest-The Beginning

Here is the beginning row of Amusement Doily in Lizbeth's size 20 "Vineyard Harvest".
I so now enjoy tatting with a shuttle rather than with a needle. I think the stitches are much tighter and neater looking.

Almost finished!

One last row to go!

Tatting with a broken thumb

This is me trying to tat with a broken thumb after a "Tambourine Accident". I am tatting my "Bloom's" Doily in Lizbeth's size 20 "Purple Splendor".

Happy Birthday and Welcome Baby Ozzy

This is a picture of our new baby Cockatiel Ozzy. He is according to the experts about a week old. Smokey Joe is his Dad and is being very protective of him!

I finally did it!

Wow, I cant believe its finally complete! I burned the midnight oil last night finishing it and then hubby finally found my iron (it was where I said it was the whole time.......) and I blocked it and now it rests proudly on my table along side my recliner.

I feel so very accomplished being that this is my first large project!

I wonder what I will do next?

My first blog!

Well I never thought I would start a blog but here it is! I will be blogging mostly about my tatting projects, but also about what is going on in our lives. Please feel free to comment (respectful comments only thank you!) and contact me with any questions!