Surprise

We came home Saturday only to find a delivery notice from the post office.  A package had come; however, since I was not home to sign for it, they could not deliver.  Soooooo, Tuesday morning first thing I went to the post office to pick up the package. 

My tatting friend from Spain, Aurora, had sent me a surprise package.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.  The thread is shiny and smooth.  The beads will go nicely with the thread.  I have plans for the motif.  I will obtain a nice bead for the center and then make/add a couple of tatted leaves.  A pin back will be added to make a nice brooch.   Will post when complete.

Finished Spring Napkin

It took a while but Renulek's 2014 Spring Napkin is finished.  It measures about 22 inches in size 20.  Needs a really good pressing.  Also, need to work on consistency with my chains.  Look forward to next years.  Got to finish other projects before taking on another large one like this.

Turtle Beads

Stopped at a thrift store during our outing today and look what I found.  Turtle beads.  For $0.25, I could not pass them by.  Now, to find a project for them!

Playing with Dyes & Misc

Now that the weather is nicer, I have started playing with hand painted thread again.  I have the directions for solid colors pretty well down.  However, I still have problems with the variegated (hand painted) threads wanting to bleed color out when rinsing.  I have come up with a couple of ideas that I will be trying over the next few weeks.  I would love to start selling some of the thread but want to make sure I can produce the variegated colors consistently and the vibrance I want before that time. 

If anyone has any ideas, I am open and willing to try anything.  Just email or make a comment to me.  Will be playing tomorrow with one of the ideas.

The variegated is one based on a certain monster out there.  The red-violet was the color that bleed the most.  It is okay but not initially want I was going for.  The two greens are a mix of the blue and yellow-green.  The darker one stayed in the dye longer.  The red-violet and yellow-green singles are great.  The last was the yellow-green with a little red-violet sprinkled on and worked in for the color.

I am on my last round of the 2014 Spring Napkin by Renulek.  Excited to get this finished.  Will post when complete.

There is another tat-along just started today by Donald Oliver on the Tatting Facebook page.  It is a chess set.  The board is the first item started.  I need to finish my napkin, pick my threads and get started on this project.

Oh, there was a church garage sale last week that we were a participant.  My husband tatted 100+ angels and is trying to sell them with all proceeds going to the Children's Hospitals our son and granddaughter had heart surgery at.  One lady stopped by and as we chatted, I showed her my napkin and peacock I am working on.  She has a friend that loves peacock and wanted to know if I would be interested in making one for her.  I was flattered and intrigued.  Need to figure a price and get back with her.  She is in no hurry.  Actually better start tatting faster.  Projects are added to bucket list faster than I can get them done!