Tatting for State Fair

I tatted a meandering edge to finish this doily. It needs a good blocking, but I'll get around to that when I get around to it.
This pregnancy has slowed me WAAAAAYYYY down but I am sure that is probably something I needed in my life anyway.
So the good news is that I did NOT end up in the hospital again this week. Halllleighluuujah!
I go in for weekly evaluations, ultra sounds, measurements, etc, with my fetal medicine team...and yes they are a wonder team. I really do feel like I am in good hands.
Since my cervix is doing such a good job of not getting shorter they upgraded me from bed rest to "light activity". It is just a trial for this week to see what happens, but I am hoping this means a positive upward trend.
I don't even know what "light activity" means. To me it means I can bust a move back to the studio....but very "lightly" of course.
I was also able to do a little laundry, dishes, and even prepare dinner for DH. I almost feel like a normal human again.
My belly is getting huge. It really does literally look like I am sporting a basket ball in there. Soooo funny!
I'll see if I can get some belly pics posted soon.

So I found out that the theme for our State Fair is "A Barnyard Ball". That means I get the chance to bust out Tatted Animals, Tatting Farm Animals, maybe some items from New Critters On the Block, Animal Bookmarks, A Tatted Zoo, and most likely a pattern or two from our beloved Jane Eborall.
Is this exciting or what?!?!? I have so many ideas!

Structured Radomness

O.k. so this isn't the most original doily design, but this one does demonstrate what I call "structured randomness" in it's design. I've been playing around with this concept for awhile. And while I am not a "doily person", the doily lends itself perfectly to this idea. Coming from a traditional art background I am very drawn to free flow creation. Tatting is not exactly a free flow art form and doilies in particular are very structured and geometrical.
So I've been trying to combine both free flow and structure together to ultimately create an harmonious result. I don't know if I have achieved that goal in this piece but it is an idea that I am interested in at the moment and will work on until I am satisfied.
I realize that we all have different aesthetics, and many of us like the predictable repeated geometric qualities of traditional tatting design. Then there are those of us who like to step out of our comfort zone and get a little wild and crazy with the unexpected. Personally I like both the traditional and the unexpected aspects of design, so voila, by working on combining both we shall see where this journey ultimately ends.
Please feel free to weigh in with your thoughts and preferences.


MORE UPDATES
It looks like my HDT "SUMMER POND" made it into a treasury by the same name.

It also looks like I missed a big milestone for this blog. I finally reached 100,000 unique visitors. I always like to celebrate these things but unique life circumstances have taken precedence and I guess I'll have to wait for the next 500,000 visitors milestone to celebrate.

Picadilly:
Things are holding steady. My cervix is no better or worse than the week before. ..and hopefully that will remain true after my doc visit today. I am still on bed rest.
This baby is proving to be a real survivor! I think she is stronger than I am.
The constant migraines are keeping me away from the computer so I do what I can in the short moments that I can actually look at the computer monitor.
I go in for my weekly ultra sound today. I am hoping upon hope that I don't get admitted to the hospital again. That has been the pattern: Regular check-up turns into hospital admission.
The good news is that I am 6 and 1/2 months pregnant today and I have gained a total of 5 pounds so far. Whoo hoo! I have been eating hamburgers, pizza, brownies, cookies and ice-cream....all things that are normally NOT a part of my diet but I am desperately trying to put on some pounds....so the sacrifices I must make...LOL!

That's it for now. Every day is precarious. As I have stated before, I do WHAT I can, WHEN I can.

Gifts from afar and a new HDT

Somehow during all the uproar Trayna managed to track me down and send me a package containing these lovely lovely butterflies, (I especially like the one with the clunies)....and this post card of King's college ...AND some silk!
Trayna is in Scotland and she probably doesn't know this but I have been to Scotland and it is my very favorite place I have yet visited. Thank you for cheering my day with this wonderful surprise!



This is "DAISY DAZE"

I don't know why I have never done this colorway before, it seems so obvious. I have done "Lazy Daisy" but that was completely different with grays and blues.

Anyhow, still waiting for my DH to get back from Korea. He is officially one month past his commitment...DARN IT! I just don't know why it seems EVERYTHING has to be so difficult for us. Does anyone else feel this way?
I want him home before that crazy Kim Jong-il decides to blow up the peninsula. Oh how I wish someone would take care of that kook, because I worry about my tatting girls too!

.....well that was kind of random.

I have listed new batches of "HELMS DEEP" and "TULIPS" in the Etsy Shop.

Ahem....When is it going to be Spring Ya'll???

The sun is so glorious today. It feels like Spring is just around the corner. And after such an awesome snow-filled winter I think I am ready for the next season. All the threads I have been dyeing lately are so "Springy".
In the past I have painted a series that I call "Lazy Dasies", so that inspired me to create "Lazy Daisy" hand dyed tatting thread.



Also, I have finished blocking the "Fuchsia" doily. I had so many cool ideas while tatting this that I am still re-working th pattern...hopefully the third time will be the charm.