Finding the little good things.

Sometimes something good will come out of the silliest things. I hurt my knee at work yesterday and was sitting here at home  whining about it. Something along the line of  how typical that this looks like being the first good weekend in quite a while and Ive turned into a one legged pirate. Anyway I suddenly thought what am I whining about I am AT HOME and I can sit on the computer AND ice my knee at the same time. Yay! And then one link followed to another and I found some really inspirational blogs and tutorials . Double Yay!

DONT LET THE DOG KISS YOU

It is like this. I've had these on going headaches and haven't paid enough attention to anyone let alone the animals so now they are being frisky and and a bit naughty. The cat keeps catching mice and bringing them in for the dogs to hunt and Daisy is very good at it. Luckily they don't get dismembered just licked and sucked on a lot. Thus the mouse breathe!

Tatting wise I have used Totus Mels scarf pattern as a basis for a scarf in thick crochet cotton, that way I don't have to actually think or focus on the pattern.  I have lots of ideas but want to wait until my brain is actually working. Second thought that may be forever so instead make that soon as the  headaches vamoose. Hope fully very soon.

Ahem ! Ahem! Look at me I actually sold something!

Yesterday I took my first BIG step into the world of commerce. I put up a stall at a local handcraft market at Pyree and put all my tatting on sale for the first time ever. It was scary as anything because I didn't know if people would actually like my work. With my mood ranging from super hopeful to 'OMG what am I doing I won't sell a thing' I set up my stall. Panic!. But then the people arrived. First the other stall owners cruised over for a look to see what this needle tatting was and then all the shoppers. It was the perfect day the weather held and there was lots of people. I sold my first 3 pieces in the first half hour and I could have gone home then an there I was so happy at having an actual sale. All in all the day was a huge success and I sold LOTS!!!!!!!! Funnily things that I thought would sell didn't and things like the bracelet made from one of my not so nice hand dyed thread experiments did sell. I couldn't believe that.

In reality profit margin wise I probably made about $5 all up but as we tat for the love of it not the money that's okay. And anything that means I can go out and buy more thread and beads is good.

People were so interested in what needle tatting was  and you would have thought that Georgia at the Online tatting class had me on on commission I wrote down her details so often. Also Crochet Australia, Handy Hands, Lizbeth Thread and Barbara Foster should all expect a surge in sales.  I have offered to meet a couple of ladies to show them 'how' over coffee and you never know they might actually ring.

Today I have to try and sort out the post apocalypse disaster that is my beads and fittings and threads

Ps Pictures would have good but we were so busy we forgot.

Tatting Shuttle

Now I know another reason why I love Needle tatting soooo much. I have just spent forever winding thread onto a shuttle for my first official attempt at shuttle tatting and it's taking forever.If I ever manage to finsih winding I am going to learn the correct way this time. No 60 year old booklet with totally ambiguous directions. Instead I will be using all the links on Georgia's page and all the videos on u tube and hopefully it will sink in and maybe I can "get" the dreaded flip. So back to the winding.

Finally finished

Finally finished this jewellery set from Lyn Mortons Tatting Jewellery book. I had to change the 2nd row on the necklace because the actual pattern didnt sit right for me. However I think that it matches nicely

How slow am I

I have been meaning to get on and post but Glory of Rome has overtaken my life. Bad bad little me. So while I am getting some tatting done at night in front of the Tv its definitely not as much as I want. And as for taking time to take photos of what Ive tatted well pfffft, so not happening. Well I had better run my troops are calling.

Real life interferes

Well I have been busy doing "stuff" and not having much to show for it. However I did finish my gold bracelet and I am really happy with it. I used  a pattern from Lyn Morton's book 'Tatting Jewellery'. I do love this book it has so many pretty glossy pictures. I also used the gold metallic thread from her website and I love the crispness of the thread. And for once the picture almost as good as real life.

 Apart from that I have been using some old (vintage plus) jet beads that have come unstranded and have been playing with patterns to incorporate them. The jet gives a wonderful heavyness to the piece and some subtle shine also. I am almost tempted to do another row or two before I add the fittings. Maybe, we will see.