There is tatting in this post...I promise!

Happy New Year tatland!
Let us hope that 2011 brings joy, health and prosperity to us all.
As I look back over the past three years I have to admit that they have been pretty tough in many ways. But in spite of all the trials and tribulations I always had my wonderful tatting friends who have encouraged me so much along the way. In fact if it weren't for all the wonderful comments, emails and care packages, I think I would have given up on this blog and everything else long ago.
I've said it a dozen times but it is worth saying again...tatters are the best people on earth!
I have a few more challenges to face in the coming months. Hubby will be leaving for military duty again, making me a single mom to a newborn for a few months. Also we have another major move on the horizon; one that I am not looking forward to...in fact "dreading" is the appropriate word here.
In spite of all this I have to believe that 2011 will be a wonderful year.

Now at the risk of boring you to tears with more Piccadilly pictures, I just have to share these.

You might recognize these gifts from an earlier post. The hat and adorable tatted slippers are from VicTats. The wonderful thing about them is that they fit Piccadilly perfectly right now so I don't have to wait for her to grow into them.

I find that I have been using this blanket by Marty quite a bit. It is so soft and cheery!

Just had to share this picture. It looks like she takes after her mum. Yes, I admit it, I was a thumb sucker too! Plus the blanky in the background is from someone special.

As Piccadilly grows I will share the other wearable gifts Miss P has received.

..and finally...just had to share this. I made these matching hats so that when we are out in public there is no mistaking who belongs to who.

I am really still very far behind the curve with lack of sleep but everyone keeps telling me that it will get better. Once I have some more energy I hope to get back to keeping up this blog regularly with lots of tatting.

I just want take my head off.....and Happy New Year!

I saw an ad on MSN about a lady who has a headache and she says, "My migraines are so excruciating, I just want to take my head off." WoW, that is exactly the way I feel today, I woke up with the most awful headache and no matter what I do, it won't go away.

I really want to get this post in before we step into 2009....

Heather of Tarnished Tatter and I decided to trade each other for our books and she so generously sent me oh so much more! (I think I got the better end of the trade).



Heather has been prolific in designing patterns and making books. I am now the proud owner of four of them. They will be an excellent edition to my collection. What is really great about Heather's patterns are that you can tat them up quickly. I can foresee them being great for gifts.

She also sent me some of her Hand Dyed thread. I am excited to try her size 50 and and size 30 since I have never tatted in those sizes before.

And looky, she sent me a couple of those cool paper weights. I'm stoked.


And look at this adorable polar bear bag. ...and that's not all, she sent calendars, thread, lotion, and another cute bag I am going to use for my "tatting on the go".

Thank you so much Heather...you are a sweet generous soul.

Happiest of New Years to you all my dear friends.

May 2009 bring blessings, prosperity and lots of tatting!

Terminology, gifts, and links

There is going to be a slight name change to the former "Split Encapsulation" technique.
I consulted with Georgia Seitz and our well famous Jane Eborall and in the end decided that "Branching Encapsulation" will be the terminology. It is descriptive but not as scary sounding.



I think some of Tatting Chic's good luck may have rubbed off on me. I won SummerSadie's blog giveaway...and I will tell you...I don't think anyone can love this more than I do! Thank you Joanna for being so generous and a big thank you to your DH for drawing my name.

I love this pillow SO much! It will have a place of honor in my home for all the years to come! THANK YOU!

She also sent some beautiful fabric which I am positive I will find a good use for.
....AND she sent the perfect sized little ornaments to decorate my mini tree. Now I have a ton of Christmas cheer around this place!

Finally, Karen was kind enough to share the link where she found those cool glass lockets:

HHH Enterprises http://www.hhhenterprises.com/

How quickly my posts are piling up.....

Firstly, Thank you to TattingChic for awarding me with the Marie Antoinette award. I am not sure what the award means, but it sure is pretty. I'm supposed to list 7 unknown things about myself. I have done this kind of thing so many times now that I am hard pressed to come up with things I haven't already shared. But here is my best shot;

1.) I love the smell of coffee and popcorn, but I don't drink coffee nor do I eat popcorn.

2.) I don't care for carbonated beverages.

3.) I swallowed a live goldfish when I was a kid.

4.) I have had many near death experiences and my life really did "flash" before my eyes.

5.) In college I was a bit of a prankster; one of my pranks landed me on the national news and the story is still a legend to this day. No I will not expound on this story...if you want to hear it you have to meet me in person.

6.) My back has been broken not once but twice.

7.) I not only believe in miracles but I have experienced them first hand. I don't care what anyone says....I firmly believe in God!

Secondly, I have to apologize for yesterdays blog.....I didn't realize it is so depressing. I think I was feeling sorry for myself because hubby and I will be alone for Christmas and he is actually working on Christmas day so I will be alone. There will be no presents under the tree this year and blah blah blah......I really need to break the habit of self-pity...it is not becoming.

There are so many things to be thankful for and I am sure we will come up with a way to make this a special Christmas.

I started by buying this $15 tree. I love it! I didn't get to decorate for any of the holidays this year since 95% of our belongings are in storage but I needed a little Christmas cheer around this place...so I got this little 18" tree and some scented candles. It makes me smile every time I look at it! I ordered Teeny Tiny snowflakes by Samantha Melnychuk so that I can start tatting some ornaments to go on the tree.

Thirdly, I received a completely timely and uplifting care package surprise in the mail yesterday from Karen of "Karen's Halo" HDT. She reminded me that I am appreciated and that I need to keep on "keeping on". I really need this reminder! Thank you Karen!

I don't know how she knew, but I have been admiring those little locket charms since I've seen some of you blogging about them and now I have some of my very own. I am beyond STOKED! She sent lots of candy too which hubby and I have already eaten.
Anyway, her package just reiterated how blessed I am to know each and every one of you. Every comment you leave, every encouraging email you write gives me strength to go another day. Even if I don't respond to every comment, I treasure them all in my heart.
I am in a unique situation and I guess tatting is my whole life right now...It's where I have chosen to pour all my creative energy...it is what gets me out of bed every day!

I want to be an encouragement to you and "you" know who you are! You have all become my friends and some of you are more like family....You know, the kind of family you always wanted....not the kind that you are "stuck" with!

Happy Halloween!

I like Halloween but we are not celebrating this year. I like to see all the kids in their costumes and I love pumpkins.
I couldn't find any pumpkins this year so I had to improvise.
We have a persimmon tree in our yard here in Korea so I drew a face on one of them. Whaddya think?

Can you see the gorgeous spinning wheel he is sitting on???? That is a birthday present from Lace-Lovin'Librarian. Diane, I am just overwhelmed by your generosity.
Look what else she sent:

This is the most amazing treasure box ever! I so LOVE it...that words cannot really express. Just see how awesome it is! Boy do I feel spoiled!
And that is not all....look what is inside:Some Lizbeth thread in one of my favorite colors, beads, thread winder and a totally awesome handwoven bookmark!
THANK YOU DIANE!!!!!!

Also I wanted to share some flowers that hubby bought me....he doesn't buy flowers very often but when he does...he goes all out! I love them!

I wish everyday was my birthday! LOL

Counting my Blessings

No more fits of tears, my tatting friends have succeeded in cheering my spirits. Thank you all. You are truly caring and special people. I am very thankful for the tatting community. I will try to focus on my blessings rather than all that other lame stuff.

THE Teri "Tatbit" Dusenbury sent me a package that couldn't help but lift my spirits and which arrived at the most appropriate time. I am now part of the bear clan and should not get eaten this winter whilst snowboarding and wearing my wonderful knitted disquise:

She also gave me some neat thread I can't wait to try, some bolo findings so that I can make a bolo tie for my grandad, and the most amazing bracelet ever!


The backside is just a pretty as the front. I will treasure it always!

Georgia Seitz has sent out a "Card Shower" request for Mary Konior. I asked her permission to repost her email and she granted it:

I can just picture Mary getting barraged with wonderful cards (with tatting on them of course) from tatters all over the world.

Hello Tatters!
We are having a card shower for Mary Konior who has recently entered a nursing home. Mary is an internationally known tatter and has published several books:"Tatting in Lace"
"Pattern Book in Tatting"
"Tatting with Visual Patterns"
"A Pattern Book of Tatting"

Mary has been a wonderful tatter, teacher and supporter of tatting for decades.
If you want to send her a card please contact Georgia Seitz: AKTATTER@aol.com

Many thanks,Best wishes, Georgia Seitz

I am going to send Mary a card with this leaf on it; a pattern I created for this wonderful season we are having.

This was tatted with that ever colorful "Rubi 5" size 20 thread.
I decided to share it with you wonderful people.
I wrote it up in a bit of a hurry so please let me know if you have any trouble deciphering it.

"Autumn Leaf" by Sherry Pence Copyright 2007
Key:
S =Start
r =ring
ch =chain
+ =join
-,p =picot
RW =Reverse Work
LJ =Lock Join
* =repeat
JsCh =Josephine chain (second half of double stitch)

 1 shuttle, 3 ball threads, 4 colors
 Ball thread #1, *ch3-(*15X)3RW tie ends to shape ring.
 Add ball thread #2, *ch3-3RW, r3+(next p)3clRW(*3X)
 *ch4-4RW, r3+(next p)3clRW(*2X)
 *ch2-2RW, r3+(next p)3clRW(*2X)
 ch5-5RW, r6+(next p)6clRW
 ch5-5RW, r3+(next p)3clRW
 *ch2-2RW, r3+(next p)3clRW(*2X)
 *ch4-4RW, r3+(next p)3clRW(*2X)
 *ch3-3RW, r3+(next p)3clRW(*3X)+(start)
 Add ball thread #3, ch4+(LJ next p)5+(LJ next p)
 ch6+(LJ next p) *5-5+(LJ next p)(*2X)6-6+(LJ next p)
 ch5+(LJ next p)7+(LJ next p)7RW, r5+(ptA)5clRW
 ch7+(LJ next p)7+(LJ next p)5+(LJ next p), ch6-6+(LJ next p)
 *ch5-5+(LJ next p)(*2X)6+(LJ next p)5+(LJ next p)4+(LJ next p)+(Start)
 Encapsulate tails in a Josephine chain approx. 1"
 Finish Ends


Cheers,
Sherry