Needle Tatting

For the last few weeks I've been learning needle tatting.  It's much easier than shuttle tatting.  I've ordered some thread and books from Handy Hands Tatting.  They have extremely fast service.  Now to decide on my next project.  It will probably be some kind of Christmas tree ornament.  I've seen some snowflakes and angels I like.

My First Attempts at Needle Tatting

My First Bookmark

Crafting Update

During these past few months, I've been busy with yard work, the church's Women's Guild activities and a new church crafting group. We're making items to sell during the church's Fall and Spring flea markets. All monies earned will go to the church's capital campaign to pay off the church renovations.

I'm currently making the 'Squeeze My Cheeks and I'll Give You a Kiss' frogs in plastic canvas. I'm also going to be making some ornaments in felt. I found a really cute pattern for Santa's red underwear on the internet. When I get a bunch of different ornaments made, I'll post a photo. I'm also in the middle of making a Sunbonnet Sue door stop. It's going to be so cute when it's done! It fits over a 2 liter soda bottle.

I'm also learning to needle tat. I've seen some really nice tatted ornaments that I think will sell, hence my having to learn needle tatting. Holding the needle doesn't seem to hurt my hand. It was a long, frustrating week while I tried to pick up this craft. I can finally say, I'm getting the hang of it. I've learned a very important lesson -- I've learned to make sure I not only read the instructions carefully but that I understand the instructions and to check my stitches before taking them off the needle even if I think I know what I'm doing.

There's a coral reef exhibit on the University of Florida campus (http://guides.uflib.ufl.edu/crochetreef). I'm trying to make a piece of coral to add to the exhibit. The exhibit will be here until October 2011. There are some people who meet at the library over lunch to crochet for the exhibit. I wish I could join them. Unfortunately by the time I walk across campus, I wouldn't be there for very long before I would have to leave to return to my office. So, I'm working on it at home along with everything else.

Sewing Accessories

I've spent last week and this week making travel sewing accessories.
First I made a mat to go under my sewing machine. The front pocket can hold scissors or a seam ripper, etc.

Then I made a pincushion/thread catcher. The neat thing about the pincushion is it uses door hinges as the weight to keep it from falling off the table. I put a piece of felt under the hinge so that there's a small cushion between it and the table top. The pattern called for clothesline around the top of the bag, supposedly to keep it open but I like the bag having a wide opening. Then there's no excuse for the thread not landing in the bag. Plus, it will be much easier to dump everything out this way.

Finishing Up Some UFOs

I spent January finishing off some quilt tops I hadn't finished - Churn Dash, Double Pinwheel, Dragonfly, and Santa's Ride. They still need to be quilted. I'm going to eventually have them machine quilted.

I can't get these photos where I want them, even when I change the code.