Second Christmas Wish List Exchange

I was lucky enough to get to enter the Christmas exchange twice. My second package came today! It was from Melissa Deputy. The first thing I saw when I opened the box was two purple Aerlit shuttles—my favorites!! Next I saw all different sorts of containers full of different sizes and colors of beautifulicious purple beads!!!! . There were two silver (sterling?) turtle beads --that are absolutely precious!! To top it all off, she sent a wonderfully made frogger! I can’t figure out, quite how it is made—I think somehow it is a four-thread braid, but I’m not sure—but it sure is unique!! Thank you SO MUCH Melissa, I love my Christmas Exchange Wish List Package!!

My first Christmas Wish List Exchange Package

I was so blessed today when my “anonymous” Secret Santa package came today!  It contained all my “wishes”  Two Aerlit shuttles, purple beads, dark chocolate, and two hand-made froggers -- PLUS it contained TURTLES (a pendant and a bead) —which I collect! 

THEN—“SECRET SANTA -- Sue Anna Scribner”, who just happened to also have been my very first ever, Christmas exchange partner back a few years ago…which is how I happened to figure out who my “SECRET SANTA” was this year …. Also included SO VERY GENEROUSLY AND BEYOND MY WILDEST DREAMS------ a---- POP-A-BOBBIN SHUTTLE------!!------WOW!!  THANK YOU SO MUCH!!

In this wonderful  package were also lovely tatting bag, purple buttons, bobbins for my aerlit shuttles as well as four special thread bobbins , and a needle book (decorated with tatting),  I got some more really neat beads and findings.   She included a lovely tatted snowflake in variegated purple thread, and I got a hank of Marilee Rocklee’s Hand-Dyed Thread in a luscious deep purple “flavor”.  THANK YOU SUE ANNA!!  I couldn’t have “Wished” for more!     My deep appreciation!!

Thank you again Patti for organizing this!

My first time to decorate shuttles!

I participated this year in Patti Poole's Christmas Wish List Exchange.  (Thank you Patti for organizing this!)  

This is the third time I have participated in an exchange.... I never feel like I give better than I get, and that I short the person that I give to.  SO, I made a decision after the last one that I wouldn't participate anymore.....       BUT--I gave in --and thought I would try again!  I hope this year that I did okay.... if not  I QUIT!!  Anyway, this year, one of my people wanted a decorated shuttle....buying one is a little beyond my comfort range--I don't shop the internet that much, and don't know who to buy from (I have some of Georgia Seitz' shuttles but other than that -- I'm not looking for ideas at this point--thank you.)

 So, I decided to make mine--also WAY beyond my comfort range--and a new skill!!  So I mod-podged, and sandpapered... and then mod-podged again....Over and over....  Finally spraying with the acrylic spray--did you know that you can't touch it for 24 hours--if you do it has softened ALL the layers of mod-podge, and you can TOTALLY ruin EVERYTHING you've done if you touch it?  AND you basically have to start OVER--fixing the gauges and scratches in the perfect shuttle that you HAD that isn't perfect anymore!! 


Two ladies -- who will remain nameless, unless they wish to announce themselves -- will receive these shuttles and their felt-lined, decorated tins--(they got other goodies too).

Earrings for a friend

     My husband had a conference in Oklahoma City last week.  He took me with him.  I was able to spend the day with my friend, Lurene.  We had a great day together!  She took me out to a wonderful breakfast!  Then we spent the day going in and out of the shops of one of the outlet malls.  We did stop at one point to rest our aching feet -- Lurene generously paid for me to get a manicure while she pampered herself in some other ways at a spa there in the mall.
I sent her these as a small "thank you".
     They are made off of Anne Brovold's, Ringtrim pattern--available here--  http://www.georgiaseitz.com/2009/annebringtrimmikrodrageeng.pdf  I used Lizbeth thread, size 20, color 138, Leafy Green.

 

Heart Bookmarks

The first project for my little bunny shuttles was to work up some heart bookmarks.  These heart bookmarks are an old "standby" pattern for me.  I stockpile them, made out of DMC size 5, color # 321.  That used to be relatively easy--however, our Hobby Lobby has quit carrying DMC size 5.  Now I get it from a little needlework shop in Arkansas.  This is via correspondence with my Aunt, who goes down and buys the floss, and then mails it to me in Oklahoma.  Why do I stockpile them?  Well, the bookmarks -- along with a copy of Quiet Times for Couples by H. Norman Wright is my husband I's traditional wedding gift.  This is the book that he (my husband is a pastor) recommends when he does pre-marriage and marriage counseling.  My husband and I actually use it ourselves in our quiet time every few years.    It is wonderful! *Not this year, this year we are using the One Year Christian History A Daily Glimpse Into God's Powerful Work by E. Michael and Sharon Rusten.  WOW!  History lessons galore!  What a look at the "foundations" of our faith--and how far we have slipped!  Gripping stories of early Christian martyrdom --  I recommend this book just for the information held within its pages--even if you forget the "devotional" part of the book! 

Oh this is a TATTING BLOG!!  I first discovered these bookmarks as part of the beginners online tatting class   http://www.georgiaseitz.com/newtat/index.htm          However, the bookmarks are available online here  http://www.ringoftatters.org.uk/seasonal/valentine/rpheart.html     I was able to finish three of the little bookmarks quickly--only two are in the picture.  Several years ago, God blessed me with a "scratch and dent" sale at Nordic Needle, and I got the one and only, Lacis Battery Powered 4-Ply Cord Maker and Fringe Twister for something like 40% off because the box was smashed!  Everytime I use it, I have to figure the thing out again...one of these times, I'm going to take pictures and make myself a tutorial--because it makes the prettiest little cord!  Anyway....   three hearts, three cords, now down to the tassels!  I make-- to "toot my own horn" great tassels!"

Now, I may or may not, make a great tutorial... but a little while back I put together a little PDF tutorial on "How to Make a Tassel"  a) the PDF copies are free   b) I want criticism--stuff I need to fix and how to fix it!  c) Please do not give them away or sell the tutorials.  To get a copy of the tutorial  CLICK HERE

Some Bunnies Blessed Me...

My health this last six-seven months has slid down hill.  This morning my doctor rather "unsoftly" gave me a few "kicks in the shins" with some things he said and left me feeling bruised and rather hopeless inside.  I came home to find a package that I had ordered waiting for me in the mailbox.  But now I have to back up....

I've only recently branched out into the world of handmade shuttles, starting with some GR-8's, then Monica Braxton shared with me her lovely shuttles, and a few days ago....I was browsing on Carollyn's tatting blog http://tennbrown.blogspot.com/ when I saw these cute little chocolate and vanilla handmade bunny shuttles... Oh I wanted a pair so bad!  I read where she had traded once for them.  I also saw where Carollyn had TATTED a pineapple that looked like a CROCHETED pineapple.  That was so cool!  Well, I contacted her and asked her for the pineapple pattern.  As a side note, I asked how it would be possible to get a pair of shuttles.  It turns out, the shuttles, are easier to get than the pattern.... (? :(  ?)  She told me the shuttles were $30 a piece.  Well, I replied to her that I hoped Santa would bring them to me and thanked her.  Then I sat at home the next few days resigned to the fact that I couldn't afford the shuttles, but kept going back to her site and staring at those cute little bunnies.

Guess what...I dug into my little savings account and ordered them.   And they came (Back to today!!!)  ....In  this box!  

Look at that calligraphy!  How beautiful!!   Wouldn't you like something like that to come to your house?

Carolynn must have studied marketing!  Inside was this cute little paper sack.  Filled with paper grass.  Hidden under the grass......

My new bunnies!  AREN'T THEY ADORABLE, I've read where someone else online has named their bunny shuttles, and I thought that might be cute.  So may I introduce...."Fluffy" and "Tattered"--I can't wait to get some thread on them and get them to "hoppin!"

.Thank you so much Carollyn for the extra love, trouble and care you put into packaging your little bunny shuttles.  It may not make you an extra nickle in this world, but it put a smile on my face today!  I thoroughly enjoyed unwrapping my little bunnies and welcoming them into my home.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart!  Your bunnies blessed me!

Would you like your own bunnies?  Contact Carollyn by email

tennbrown@gmail.com

A Local Supplier

        I've been blessed to shop at Hobby Lobby.  They carry a wonderful variety of craft supplies and have a friendly staff that is very helpful.  I will continue to purchase tatting supplies there--to support our tatting community.  They are customer oriented and provide a 40% off coupon that is good off of almost anything in the store almost year round.  They play comforting Christian music and are closed on holidays and Sundays--which I support--I hate making people work when I am at home worshiping or celebrating with my family (although I realize some people like the medical profession or emergency services must work these days.)  I am happy the court has allowed them the freedom to exercise their religious freedom.