Tatting Treasures: April 2015

He knows my name!

My life verse: "I will give you the treasures of darkness And hidden riches of secret places, That you may know that I, the Lord, Who call you by your name, Am the God of Israel." (Isaiah 45:3). For me, "the treasures of darkness" has been the medically-treated depression that I have suffered off and on with for years. More than anything else in my life, I think this has made me realize how much my Savior loves me and has deepened my relationship with God. The "hidden riches of secret places" are my wonderful family and this fabulous craft--tatting! I thank God for both!
I think it is awesome that God knows my name! Did you know that He knows yours?

Tuesday, April 7, 2015

"Mr. and Mrs. Turtle"

Two posts from me in less than two days--I know that is very unusual, but I just had to show these off!

Look what came in the mail today!! My wonderful husband custom ordered them for me from the Etsy shop "Banyek" as a "Just Because" present! (I've already got Mr. and Mrs. Turtle wound with thread for a class at the Finger Lakes Tatting Seminar this coming weekend!)

Monday, April 6, 2015

I "Wear My Heart on My Sleeve"

The origin of this phrase seems to be a quote from Shakespeare's character Iago in the play Othello (1604)

For when my outward action doth demonstrate
The native act and figure of my heart
In compliment extern, 'tis not long after
But I will wear my heart upon my sleeve
For daws to peck at: I am not what I am.

I love this quote by Margaret Thatcher:

To wear your heart on your sleeve isn't a very good plan;

you should wear it inside, where it functions best.

These hearts are on the upper arm of my shirts:

Cyleste's Heart found at http://web.archive.org/web/20031223175705/http:/www.tattings.com./hearts5/hearts5_12.shtml This was tatted in Lizbeth, size 20, color 129=Purple Splendor. This is a fun pattern that works up quickly.

This is supposed to be Mary Maynard's Valentine's Day Button and Beads Heart--however mine would not match a correctly tatted version at all! Mine is worked in Lizbeth, size 20, color 640=Antique Violet Medium. The pattern is at http://www.georgiaseitz.com/2006/maynardheart.html I was unaware how dependent I had become on tatting pattern diagrams until I was working on this diagram-less pattern! It didn't help that at the time I tatted this I was falling asleep several times an hour due to lack of sleep at night! Anyway...I got lost several times, and some of this heart (I'm sorry Mary Maynard) -- I just "winged it, and did my own thing!" -- it was easier than backtracking to where I went wrong! I was away from home, and had forgotten my pattern when it was time to finish up the very last round--so much of it is "this looks good to me, I'll try that!"

You may never know what I have "up my sleeve!"

How about two little mice! There is one trying to climb inside each cuff placket (I think that is the correct sewing term.) They are done in Lizbeth, size 20, colors 643=Grape Medium and 644=Boysenberry Dark. The pattern is Morgan Mouse by Wanda Salmans--I love her pattens! It is available at http://www.keepandshare.com/doc/6407345/mouse-pdf-1-3-meg?da=y