Tisket a tasket and Charlie

...........a little woven basket

I worked with The Witch yesterday. My unexpected day off gave me more time to work on her. I did the basket the way the pattern designed, but did not want to have every other stitch an x, so I wove the thread through the open line of X's then that did not seem enough so I then long stitched down and voila! I have a woven look to the basket. More to my liking now. The fact that the WDW Mocha thread now looks more like what I was hoping for. All in all I m pleased. I also tatted a butterfly but it seems to have flown off somewhere... must find it .... it is small so it could be almost anywhere. Sometimes things get lost and I have not left my seat! only to show up later.
The mail brought a package on Thursday

Mr H and I love the old movies.... I was happy to add this to our collection. There are 4 movies with interesting tidbits about the character and restoration of these 1934/1935 movies. Egypt, London, Paris and Shanghai are the settings for these.
Our resident lizard is ever present in the back yard.....I did some reading. This appears to be a female because it lacks the bight color on belly and throat. They bite! when captured so you know I will not threaten it. They feed on insects; spiders and ants and beetles and hibernate during the colder months. She is welcome to stay around. I shall be more careful about leaving the lanai slider open when I go out  from now on. Not really wanting it to hibernate in the house. I hope you enjoyed this tidbit of info on the lizard... yet to be named. There is a male that comes around that I call Godzilla... I have a picture of him outside my bedroom window on the wall. I shall find it and then you can see him in his colors. Must remember to let Mr H know that this one is female. If they mate.... there would be a clutch of 2-12 eggs that hatch and appear between May and July...thank goodness that has passed! Now, see what you learned today?! Glad you had some time to visit.... hope you are. Have a wonderful day.

A schnozzola and something dainty

Well, just got the day off.... hmmmm, what shall I do? Maybe Mr H and I will go to a museum.  But first...I have been stitching

just look at that schnozzola! You do know about schnozzolas don't you...it is a large  and often misshapen nose. She may not be pretty, but she has my attention...The Witch now has a face and a blouse... well, almost a blouse. See the little button I added to hold the shawl closed? I added dark blue beads for her eyes. Just making my changes....
and tatting

Just finished this delicate motif. This is why I learned to do split rings.... it is so pretty.... I have to make another one or two... maybe someone would like one for their Christmas tree?  and as I was still practicing my split rings, these flew in.... more dragonflies... soon I will need to find homes for them! I think some butterflies are on the schedule soon.  I have needle tatted them, but now it is time to shuttle them.
This morning Madame Muriel is on her way back home to Washington DC. She should arrive by Saturday and she is bringing a little southwest to Cheryl. Taht about does the news from here. So happy you found some time to share with me. Thank you for the kind words and emails.... have a wonderful day.

Busy tatting

No real post today...busy tatting! I am so excited that I learned to do the split ring.... that was the body for the dragonfly... now there are a few sitting around.... did them for practice. I am making a beautiful motif for the tree using split rings. Had to take the Desert Car to the dealer this morning. We are still having trouble with the driver side door handle. Hopefully it will not be there all day.... although I did take it in at 8 am.... just that I really needed to get a few errands done today. Yesterday was a good day at work. I met some nice people and had my annual review. This Saturday will be 6 years that I am at Jo Ann's..... hard to believe. It is always nice to have a good and positive review from the manager. Has anyone heard about the foot soak that uses Listerine and white vinegar? I think I may try it. Good for dry skin and callouses.... this Arizona heat dries the feet and any other skin area! As I spend most of my time in sandals or bare-feet, I do need some help! Well, that is it, must get back to my stitch chair. Oh, I am looking for tatted button patterns if anyone knows of any..... not creative enough to do my own pattern---- yet. Hope you day is wonderful. Glad you stopped in to visit. Tomorrow I should have some pictures .... The Witch is calling for some attention!

A dragonfly that will not fly away

Well, I was very happy to finally have Sunday appear. Friday and Saturday were 2 busy days at work. I think I finally have caught  up on my rest.... just in time too. Yesterday The Debra and I spent a couple of hours tatting and chatting. Good time and I learned to do the  split ring. Just in time too so that I could make the first of many to come

I did make a few changes to the original pattern....I attached the eye beads differently so they sat encased in the thread loop and instead of 2 beads on the wings, I did 3. I liked they way they looked better. The body of the dragonfly is the split ring part. As you can see, he is only 2 inches long. I am still learning how to join the last ring to the final picot...but this was not too bad. Practice makes perfect. I can see this added to a card or on a headband or barrette. Right now I just want to make them for the practice.
I managed to get more stitching on The Witch...her shall is complete....have to take an update picture.  Mr H discovered that The Lizard is living in our backyard. We think over by the pond.  Makes sense there because of the  rocks surrounding the little pond. I am hoping that he does not decide to live in our lanai...definitely do not want to find him there when I go to relax. Second laundry on, first in the dryer and next one ready to go. It is a cloudy day, but still quite warm. I seem to want need to do some craft closet cleaning. But, do I want to do it  today? Still have to go to the Post Office, CVS and the bank....but I think I will sit with a cup of tea and stitch The Witch. Poor Chiara, she stopped by to visit the other day and ended up spending money! She loved the Witch and decided to order not only the Witch Trio, but the Alphabet Dolls..... I am happy that you decided to visit today. I love you kind words and emails.... your encouragement is wonderful. Have a great day.