There is Tat and then there is Tat

Tat...it can be a tattoo... but in this case it is a Tatted motif. I am not finding many needle tatting projects, so I decided to try... operative word here...try to convert a shuttle pattern to needle.

The very center worked, and then the next row also..... I will admit to a few issues with the 3rd and 4th row. I need to work on the tension more and then it will not twist ... that is my theory and I am sticking to it. All in all, it does not look too bad. My plan is to attach it to a ring as a sun catcher. My next motif will be with beads. I am determined to learn to follow the patterns. I picked up a package of 2 shuttles, but so far I am all thumbs....

Speaking of thumbs.... my thumb is starting to feel better. All I can say is thank goodness for spell check as I type.... cause my thumb is not exactly co-operating the space bar with this post.  It finally seems to have stopped bleeding and is less sore. Amazing how many things you need your thumb for!
I have been busy since getting up at 2:30..... I pinned my patchwork for the bag I am making. Re-cut a few squares with a new piece of fabric. I was not happy with one of the fat quarters in the bundle that I bought. This new fabric will also be the lining. I have the oven on self clean.... hate that cleaning smell... but it beats doing it by hand. I will begin the 3rd  side of the Hardanger roses... My sewing  will wait till the weekend.... Sunday/Monday for me.... and I will be doing some finish work for Dear Ziz... hopefully over the weekend.  A big welcome to a few new followers and thank you to all of you who leave kind words and e-mails.... whatever you do today, enjoy!
 

It was a good day considering......until....

Yesterday began with dark grey skies that gave us rain. The temps had also dropped and it looked like it would rain all day. But not so. It stopped just short of 11 am. Dear Ziz was expected at my door at 11:15. She was treating me to lunch. We had a wonderful casual lunch and chatted as we always do about everything. We are sisters from a different family. When I was safely back at my home, I decided to upload a book from the library on my e-Reader. Why is it the library continually changes their format? Finally got that taken care of so I settled into a comfy chair in the living room where Mr H and watched some TV while I finished my rose. So considering the day started bleak, it was a very nice day after all. The aroma coming from the kitchen was delicious... Mr H was making his wonderful beef stew. It is a recipe we have had for at least 20 years.  Finally it was ready. This is where the Until comes in. I decided that a nice salad would be a nice accompaniment with the garlic bread and stew. Then the awful happened.....and it was because of this....

I know... what does a mandolin have to do with this. Well, I will tell you. Do you have one? Do you have any idea how sharp these things are? Do you know you should always use the guard that comes with it? Do you know where this is going? Let me tell you. I tore the romaine into pieces, lined up my cucumber, celery and radish and took this monster out of the drawer. I thought well, now how about slicing the celery first....... now Mr H was watching and thinking.... but said nothing. He always says something but of course not then. Did I tell you you should always use the guard? Need I say more?  So okay, I did not use the guard and before I knew it, my thumb was where the celery stalk was. That's right I lost a chunk of my thumb...well, okay, only a little chunk but it is a big little chunk of flesh.  Lucky for me, none of the blood went into the bowl.... but several band-aids later and Mr H was wrapping it up like I lost the whole thumb! Let me tell you, I do not like loosing my blood and this is still bleeding...okay, just a bit. Needless to say, it is my right thumb on my stitching hand...hard to stitch with a sore thumb! But I will try today.... now don't you feel bad for me? Mr H said he doesn't because I should have used the guard!
Tea time and then a try at stitching. I tried to do laundry...done, I baked a cake.... just out of the oven....not all my skills are lost! Have a good safe day and follow instructions....

Spring trimming

Mr H could not resist the beautiful weather yesterday...

So out came the ladder and the pruning shears.... and notice where I am. That's right, stitching. Well to be honest, I did stop long enough to snap these pictures. The Mallow is in bloom--- again. It seems this plant is always with flower lately.  The frost did not touch it as was the case with so many of the other plants. While he had the shears in hand, he also cut back the Honeysuckle which has a lot of damage. It is now a wait and see which bounce back.
We did enjoy sitting outside. Eventually Mr H was content to sit  and even snap the picture of me stitching. I almost finished side 2 of the roses...

I managed to give it a quick press. I still am not too pleased with the satin stitches... but they will do. My leaves are a little off here and there but overall, it does not show. I have just the center bottom rose to stitch but really needed a break.
I was online earlier looking at tutorials for needle tatting. I will be practicing more of that this week. I am going to try to convert shuttle to needle for a couple of patterns that I found. I do not mind the videos, but I like to have the printed work in front of me.
I started a sewing project. A patchwork type bag---- just need to move along with it. Sometimes I wonder why I am doing what I do! How I think I will have enough time to do all that I plan.  Then I tell myself, go with the flow. So right now, that flow is telling me that I need breakfast and coffee. Whatever your day holds for you, I hope it is pleasant. Thank you for chatting with me....thank you for the kind words.... thank you for being you!

What a face...

Yesterday Mr H and I went to the Arabian Horse Show....

I fell in love with this beauty....and all of the others too. Their eyes are soulful. The riders are so in control, well, at least they look it.  Watching them strut around the ring both indoors and outside is watching precision team work. I am amazed  the judges could pick winners. The weather was just right. and the crowd manageable.  The entries came from all over the states and the world. There were over 2000 horses! the riders, groomers and owners.... lots of people for each horse.  It was amazing to see the youngsters all dressed and mounted with their beautiful horses.  A very pleasant afternoon.
Of course I did not get much stitching accomplished. I am working on the second side of the Hardanger piece.  I did go to the library to pick up the books on Tatting. They all have advanced work and use the shuttle method. Not much use for me. I will try to follow a pattern or two using the needle method. I will just have keep looking for needle tatting patterns or try again to use the shuttle. If anyone has any ideas.... I am ready to listen and learn.  The weather is looking mighty nice again for today. I hope to get outside to sit and stitch for a time.  I do hope your day is relaxed. Thank you for the kind words and emails....your friendship is treasured....