2010 is almost over

Can you believe the year is almost over? It's been such a busy year it hardly seems possible.

I look back over the year and think of all places I went, the new things I've tried,
and the people I've met - I must say it was a year well spent. We went on several great trips, both with family and by ourselves, and made wonderful memories. I learned
several new tatting techniques that will open up all kinds of possibilities for
projects this next year. I met some great people in the travels I made this year as well as
locally and on-line, people I hope to keep in touch with in the years to come.

The last week I did some tatting, some right up to Christmas Eve, but then the projects were done or they weren't and it was time to enjoy family and friends. We had
great get-togethers with both sides of our families (the in-laws and the out-laws, LOL!) and
still have one to go. It has been a wonderful holiday season.

I did want to share one more gift I received from my Advent swap partner. She really
spoiled me this year.

Check it out - she sent me Yarnplayer's Layered Ring Christmas Tree pattern! I was thinking about getting this but hadn't yet taken the time to order. She also sent me a tension-adjusting
tatting shuttle! (I haven't tried it yet, but I will soon!) It came in a cute little tin. There was
also a beautiful beaded tree ornament that she made - very nice, very sparkly! Her
son had her include someSpongeBob Squarepants candy books for my grandsons and their families and one for us, too. And a large ball of size 30 white thread. She was very
generous!

I hope all of you have had a wonderful Christmas this year. And may your New Year be filled with wonder and joy!

Getting ready for Christmas

... and I'm still very busy. I have quite a few things yet to tat before the big day arrives. I did take a little time out from all that to make this bookmark for The Tatting Forums' bookmark-a-month challenge, just for fun: ) It's made in Lizbeth color 625 size 20.

I was thinking how busy I've kept myself the last several weeks, and though it's been fun it's also getting to be a bit stressful as the day gets closer and I don't have everything done. So I took a little time out for a different kind of fun. With a nod to Isdihara of Ambitatterous, famous for her twisted lyrics, and an apology to Clement Clarke Moore, sit back and enjoy a cup of tea this Tatting Tea Tuesday while I leave you with a poem that I - hmm, adapted - from Mr. Moore.

'Twas the week before Christmas, when all through the house

I was still stirring, and I think so was a mouse.

The stockings weren't hung, the mantle was bare,

I sure wasn't ready for Christmas to be here!

Patterns of lace were strewn all over the bed,

While visions of things undone danced in my head.

With thread on the table and a cat on my lap

I couldn't settle my brain on one thing to tat.

When out in the hall there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from my chair to see what was the matter.

Hanging down from the table a part of my stash

Caught me off guard, I went down with a crash!

The glitter that fell from the table like snow

Gave quite a shine to my head down below.

When, what to my watering eyes should appear,

But a miniature person in fancy foot gear.

She was dressed all in lace, from her head to her toes,

And her clothes were all covered with lots of picots.

An array of bright thread she had clutched in her hand,

And she looked very lovely, in fact very grand.

Her eyes - how they twinkled! Her tresses, how lovely!

Her cheeks were like roses, her stance very queenly!

Her red little mouth was drawn up like a bow,

The dress she was wearing was as white as the snow.

She spoke not a word, but went straight to her task,

What she was doing I had no thought to ask.

And plying the thread, not seeming to bustle,

She made gorgeous lace with a bright silver shuttle!

Her hands flew through the thread, this lovely small elf,

And I laughed as I watched her, in spite of myself!

Each piece as she finished she laid on the table,

Fine tatting she made, her face very tranquil.

When her tatting was done, when finally she finished,

Then as quick as she'd come she suddenly vanished.

But I heard her exclaim, 'ere she faded from sight,

"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good knot!"

Based on "Twas the Night Before Christmas" by Clement Clarke Moore

PS Real quick - did you see the lunar eclipse last night? Pretty cool, wasn't it?

It's white all over

Snowman and snowflakes, all in white, at least inside my house. (No snow on the ground here, and I can live with that.) Working all in white is what I've been doing all week. The cute snowman is something I saw on line and decided I just had to try. It's made from an old, inside-out sock (it was washed!). I gifted it to one of my grandsons yesterday. Well, actually, I gave it to his mother to put out on a shelf for decoration because my grandson really liked it when he saw me working on it the other day. I had to do a few things a little different than the directions called for, but I think it turned out well.

The snowflakes are ones I've come up with this last week trying to decide what I wanted for my 2010 Christmas card snowflake. After making all of these I've decided the one I will consider this year's snowflake is the one at the top right.

Speaking of snowflakes, did you see what Kathy did with one? She hung it from the inside a clear plastic ball ornament. It looks great! I've got to try this. I know I had some clear glass ornaments somewhere but I can't find them. If I don't find them I'm going to go get some! I just love this look. Great idea, Kathy!

Today for Tatting Tea Tuesday I'm enjoying a cup of Raspberry Royale tea, a gift from my Advent swap partner on Ravelry. I wasn't sure I'd like it because I'm not that fond of the taste of raspberry, but I was pleasantly surprised. It's pretty good: ) In the spirit of TTT I'm trying a new technique (to me) I saw online yesterday. Who knows, if I really like this, and I can do it, my snowflake for the year may change.

For my Advent gift today my partner sent me a cute little crocheted stocking for the tree and a ball of hand-dyed thread from Crochet 4 U 2 Dye 4 in "Mistletoe", size 20. I'm looking forward to using it. Isn't she the sweetest swap partner ever?

I hope you are taking the time to enjoy the season, without getting too stressed. Take a few minutes for yourself, have a cup of tea and tat a few minutes this week - a gift to yourself.

A busy busy elf

That's how I've been lately, very busy! I've been working a lot on Christmas things, both for swap partners and for family. But I can share a few of the things I've been working on now as some were for an advent swap and have been opened.

Something to brighten the evenings

This is a candle jar that I decoupaged with red tissue paper then added small tatted snowflakes. There was also a candle tucked inside. I had never done decoupage before I started adding a little bling to my shuttles and now I can think of so many things I could do with it. In fact, I have all kinds of things in mind for Christmas gifts now that include a little decoupage. Now if I only have the time!

A little sparkle for my partner to hang on the tree.

Napkin rings to add a little Christmas cheer to the her table.

A stocking for the mantle with a little chocolate inside!

I had such fun thinking up all kinds of things to send. It couldn't just be snowflakes, I needed a variety! I'm hoping she's having as much fun opening them as I had putting them together.

I have also received some wonderful gifts in return. These are just a few of the great gifts I've opened so far.

Kooly the Koala

This is a Kritter Craft Case from Clover. Isn't it cute?! It's a semi-hard case that will be just perfect for a tatting project.

A little something to dress up my dish soap!

A dishcloth, a notepad and a size 12 crochet hook

And today the cutest hot pads!

This advent swap has been so fun! There is talk of doing this again next year and I am seriously thinking about it already! I will certainly start making things much earlier, though: )

In the midst of all this crafting I've also been trying to find time to put up my Christmas decorations. The tree is up but not decorated (it's one that already has lights so it doesn't look too bare) and that's about it so far. Maybe this weekend...

Speaking of decorating, did you hear? Sharon has won Isdihara's decorated chocolate box contest? If you haven't seen Sharon's box you definitely should check it out. Check out all the others, too, the links are on Ambitatterous, Isidhara's blog. There are some very cute decorated chocolate boxes! This was a fun competition. Congratulations, Sharon! You had an awesome entry.

I'm enjoying English Teatime tea this morning that was in the box of gifts from my swap partner. I'm fortifying myself for another busy day of playing elf. I have a long list of things that I would like to get done before Christmas though I keep telling myself if I don't get them done it won't be the end of the world - no sense in stressing over doing things that should be fun!

Wishing all of you a blessed Christmas season. Take a little time for tea and tatting, and maybe a little time to reflect on the reason for the season.