Bye-bye Palmetto

I did it, I went to Tat Days in beautiful Toccoa, Georgia.  I had a marvelous time. Slept little, ate too much and tatted and talked and laughed and shared tatted tails.  

I took classes from Jane (bookmark), Martha (snowflake), Sharren (purse), Paige (pendant/earrings) and Anita (cat).  You will be seeing the results over the next few weeks as I finish the projects.

Here is what I also learned at Tat Days:

They drink sweet tea; because of the AC I learned to sleep with earplugs; No one is invisible during a White Elephant gift exchange; Never be late for a meal; Mosquitos bite; Atlanta Airport is the busiest in the US; You can hear cicadas; I saw my first dehumidifier. 

I plan to finish all my class projects, here is the first one the Demure Latch Lariat designed and taught by Paige Deputy.                            

Wonderfil Specialty Threads

I do like to tat with fine threads and this is a lovely 12 wt Egyptian cotton I found at Katja's Quilt Shoppe in Kamloops, British Columbia.  If you are ever passing through Kamloops, this shop is just off the highway and if you are lucky you will get to meet Katja herself.  I didn't on my visit to the store but enjoyed the selection of fabrics and knowledgeable staff.  I am still new at sewing and they directed me to a bargain bundle of fabrics, just what I was looking for.

Of course I also asked them about threads to tat with and they introduced me to Wonderfil.  I chose a turquoise Spagetti.  It is double gassed to remove lint and the result is a smooth thread suitable for tatting.  Very similar to a 12 wt pearl cotton.  To my surprise Wonderfil has their head office in my city, Calgary.

I used the Monica Hahn pattern of Wheel of Nine Rings although I only did seven arms as I plan to add a center bead and create this as a flower.  You can find this pattern in her book Christmas Angels and Other Tatting Patterns.

Tollway Tatters Flower

I was fortunate to be added to the Tollway Tatters facebook group although I will probably never meet a member but have always been virtual friends.  

This pattern was posted on facebook by Thea one of the members.  I loved it so much I asked to be a member of the group.

This flower is worked up in a vintage size 30 thread.  I received it in a ball so I have no label but it feels like a coats thread.  To wear, I put a shank button into the center and a bobbie pin through the button hole.  It could easily be attached to a hair clip.

I needed earrings to match the flower.



These two projects were finished at Pioneer Acres this weekend.  Thanks to all the organizers and I hope to see you again next year.

Pioneer Acres

This weekend the Wild Rose Lacemakers will be doing bobbin lace and tatting demos at Pioneer Acres.  We will be located in the Museum so drop in and say hello.  We will have a pillow for you to try bobbin lace and I will have shuttles for you to try your hand at shuttle tatting. 

You can see in the picture some of my  assortment of shuttles and  3D tatting in little clear cups for display.  

Inside the purple roll  are various doilies and bits of tatting.  I cover the tatting with a clear tablecloth then roll it around a pool noodle for travel.  

I believe I saw the pool noodle technique which another tatter had used to transport her Monster Doily, was it you Ginny? 

So if you are anywhere near Irricana Alberta this weekend we'd love to see you.

Copy Tat

I am posting today to encourage you to read a blog by a tatter who shares the same opinion as I do on "Copy Tat".  Please take the time to visit Jane Eborall's blog.  

I don't COPY TAT.