Tatting May 31, 2009

Several years ago I had asked an older family member of a family friend to teach me how to tat.  Apparently tatting with a shuttle is quite difficult and few people can do it any more much less teach it.  Today I had the opportunity to learn how to needle tat with the Crazy Quilting maven Ms. Connie Ostness.  I found it relatively easy because it is quite similar to a knitting cast on stitch I just learned from the great grandmother of one of my elementary students.  I am really thrilled that I am learning how to do this.  Now if only I had the time to enjoy all of the wonderful things I now know how to do.  Including spinning some of the fabulous Finn Sheep yarn I bought from Elizabeth at StillMeadow Farms, a gorgeous rose and a lovely “blue jeans” indigo color. 

Finn Sheep Rovings

I want to mention this excellent book by Barbara Foster called Learn Needle Tatting Step by Step.  It is a great book with excellent photo directions.  It is very clear and easy to use.  I think I prefered to have a human teacher to show me the first steps but I know that if you are trying to learn needle tatting on your own, this book is the one to go to.   You can see my first loop, loop chain and flower with loops and chains.  I think I did really well.

First Attempts at Needle Tatting

The Truth Is May 17, 2009

The last month or so I have been diligently working to complete several projects and the truth is I have had to because I had nearly every set of needles on yarn.  When I wanted to start new projects I couldn’t find the needles.  I have sock yarn ready to go too but I cannot find my sock book, the one that is perfect, has a basic sock direction (because I always forget the turn heel part and the kitchener stitch at the toe), it also has some of the most beautiful patterns in it for color knitting, simple ones with the right number of spaces so you never get bunching or pulling in the yarn.

Uruaguay Chunky

 Some of my finishing projects are hopefully to enhance the teaching aspect of my life… a hat made of this soft fabulous cashmere and silk Uruguay Chunky yarn from Queensland Collection.  It is a gorgeous blue/indigo.  I made it too long expressly to go over a pony tail in the hair.  The pattern is my own.  Also, a purse made of Cascade Yarn,  Mission Rose carries a wide variety of colors, whenever I worked on this purse in public invariable someone would make a comment about a Madame DeFarge from A Tale of Two Cities knitting the registry at the guillotine. 

So Much Yarn

 I have been so busy with the committee I work on at work, chiropractic appointments, the curriculum writing group I work with, yoga, the Zen center, and just general yardwork and household tasks that I have had little time to actually sit down and work on my stuff.  Today I woke up at 6:45 and literally leapt out of bed.  I spent a solid hour spinning.  It was wonderful.  Now it is still before nine and I am catching up on my blogging and have a sewing project (SHH! a secret gift for someone I love).  I still need to mow the lawn, go to the grocery store, hang my second load of laundry on the clothesline and go to yoga.  I love having a day off!

Obsession May 7, 2009

“There is a very fine line between ‘hobby’ and ‘mental illness’ and sometimes I wonder if some of my hobbies fall under the later category. I guess it’s just in the eye of the beholder.”  - Judy Tompkins

Ain’t that the truth!

Spring Art Show May 6, 2009

I just had to post these photos of the artwork my students have been working on this spring. 

Spring 2009 Art Show

 

LIFESKILLS posters

A fellow spinner at the craftshow May 3, 2009

Elizabeth from Still Meadow

I didn’t sell very much at the craftshow today but I did meet this marvelous spinner named Elizabeth. She breeds Finn sheep, and sells fiber from her animals (and lamb meat).  Her farm is called Stillmeadow Finnsheep.  I picked her brain and I guess her fingers on how to spin and different wheels and fibers.  She also knows the woman from whom I purchased my spinning wheel.  I told her at the end of the day that although the craft show wasn’t worth it from a financial standpoint, meeting her made the day worthwhile.