Hearts for The Ashes

I love watching Test Cricket, especially "The Ashes" Series between Australia and England. It is not a fast game, so I decided to empty some shuttles that have bits of thread on them, in an attempt to stay awake longer. I produced some hearts, but my body calls it quits each evening, so I just manage to see the session before
lunch.

The first Test ended in a disappointing (for Australia) draw, and we haven't made
a very good start in the second Test. I have a number of shuttles with white on them, so it may be snowflakes next!

The hearts will go to my friend Sadie, who besides being a tatter, is also an artist and a calligrapher, and makes beautiful greeting cards.

Motif Mat Complete

I have enjoyed working this piece, and am happy with the result.
I am now trying to decide on my next challenge.

Back on track

It has been a while since I caught up with my blog. So much has been happening in the family, including a wedding and my husband's retirement, and the days just fly by.

I also paused to crochet a granny aquare cape. My friend makes capes to give to the District Nurses to distribute to elderly patients who need a little extra warmth
around the shoulders and back, now that our cooler weather is here.

Although I like to crochet, especially for a cause, my fingers itched for my shuttles, and I have begun a table mat, using Jon Yusoff's square motif. I have done "four along" and now I am on the "three across". Thanks to Jon for sharing this pretty motif. The thread is Altin Basak 50, Shade 316

Petunia Doyley

All of my tatting during December/January was given away, and it was only afterwards that I remembered that I hadn't photographed it. This is my first completed project for 2009. I fell in love with old-fashioned tatting in white and ecru, and although I admire all the lovely things
that are being produced these days, I look at this doiley and think it would have been better in white. Perhaps it is because I haven't the talent for choosing colours. I think it is more that I am a control freak and dislike the fact that where the colour change occurs is out of my control.

Highly Commended

My first Christmas Ball for 2008

Here is my first Christmas Ball for 2008 (the dark blue one) together
with a few from Christmases past.

Ta-da! - Finished!

My large centrepiece is finished at last! I haven't yet done anything about the colour difference in the balls of thread used, but I will get around to it.

It took a long time and gazillions of pins to block it out, and it still isn't 100% right. However in the interest of retaining my equilibrium and poise, and also
the need to get started on my Christmas tatting, I eventually invoked the "man on a galloping horse" rule. I am not sure of the exact wording of that rule, but its
meaning is not to fuss over a detail that will not be apparent to others.

The finished piece is 51cm or 20 inches at the widest point. It was tatted in
60 Coats light ecru cotton from a picture on the net.