Flag Day 2025

 Happy Flag Day!

This is the only flag I've put out today so far. There is a storm moving in and I would have to bring it in anyway. If it clears up later I will fly our big flag on my porch.

"Flag Day is a holiday celebrated on June 14 in the United States. It commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States on June 14, 1777 by resolution of the Second Continental Congress." Wikipedia

More Waves

 I wore my blue Wave earrings Sunday morning. They look great!

I am very happy how well they go with my blouse. They are a wonderful accent. 

I made another pair of Wave earrings by CM-Handmade, this time in Lizbeth #671, Christmas red, size 20. I used blue beads and a pearl large bead, so they give a patriotic feel. I had a few issues making these. The thread kept twisting so bad that the large rings were hard to close. I finally figured out what I could do to minimize that, but it was still a pain. The large picot with the pearl is way too large, but I made the second earring the same as the first so they look the pair. I'll probably make another pair and be a bit more careful out that. I don't tat with beads often, which leads me to a this kind of problem.

Muskaan made a suggestion for making the earrings more patriotic, but I haven't tried it yet. It will not be quite as straightforward to make them as the original pattern. I will have to plan well before I start. It's not just the color changes, but the bead placement as well. It does sound intriguing. 

I plan on wearing this pair for Flag Day, which is coming up on June 14. If I don't get lazy, I might even make a pair for each of my daughters. Time will tell.

I have a few more things in line to tat this summer. What do you have planned?

"Women should never go without earrings. Passing on them is an opportunity missed."

Jennifer Lopez

Wave Earrings Done!

 The Wave earrings are done! I look forward to wearing them.

You might remember that I ran out of thread on the second earring. I had debated about starting over or adding thread to finish. I decided that I would add thread and finish what I started, that way I only had to load the remaining beads, instead of all 24. 

I chose Lizbeth thread size 20, color 657, Ocean Turquoise Dark, which matches a color in one of my blouses. This time I thought ahead and chose a color that made sense with my wardrobe. Usually, I just choose a color I like on the ball, not necessarily what works with my clothes. I need to remember this! LOL!

I've been looking at this, a one shuttle pattern, and trying to decide how I could make these patriotic, as Flag Day and Independence Day are coming up soon. The earring thread in white with a large red or blue bead, then the opposite for the little beads. This combination will most likely work with any shirt I wear. Matching blues and reds can be tricky, but if it's just the beads it shouldn't be that much of a problem. 

I've been tatting crosses lately, my Medallion Cross Bookmark, from 2016. I'll share them soon, once I sew in all the ends. Check back later.

"A fun pair of earrings is basically the finishing touch to any outfit; a nice watch is both practical and decorative, while the perfect unique bag is not only eye-catching but also timeless - it can be passed on to future generations." Liu Wen

CWT Project Almost Done

 Before going to Camp Wanna Tat we had homework to do. It was winding shuttles with enough thread to do the different projects. I did that. I didn't plan on making mistakes where I would cut off the thread and start over. Cue the surprise when I didn't have enough thread on my shuttle for the second earring.

This is the "Wave" earring pattern, by CM-Handmade, taught by Theresa Orren. I have admired this pattern for a long time, but I didn't realize this is what we would make when I wound my shuttle with the beads. The directions given told me what pattern it would be, but I didn't realize it was this pattern. I'm glad I had a few miscellaneous beads with me, as the "large" bead I had strung was not very large. It would have been nice to have a little bit bigger bead, but it still looks better than the one I originally strung. I finished the first earring at camp.

But that isn't what caused my biggest issue.

I am an experienced tatter, having learned more than 40 years ago, and tatted a lot since then. This does not mean that I don't make mistakes. Which I did on the first two rings of the first earring. Twice. Bad enough, I had to cut off and start again. Twice. Third time's the charm, I guess. But it did reduce the amount of thread left on my shuttle. Which I forgot when I started the second earring at home.

I'm now debating with myself about starting the earring again, or adding thread on this one. This is a single shuttle pattern with beads on the thread between rings. Do I want to fuss with this? Or just start it over?

Decisions, decisions.

I look forward to wearing these earrings and making a few more in different colors. I'll use different beads next time and make sure I have enough thread for each earring, too.

"Mistakes are the portals of discovery." James Joyce 

 

Memorial Day morning 2025

 We haven't made it out to the cemeteries yet this Memorial weekend due to rain. We are planning to go later today. I haven't done any patriotic tatting this year yet, either, so I leave you with Bonnie for now. She's honoring those who gave all for our country so that we may live safe and comfortable lives.

“All gave some; some gave all. Remember them this Memorial Day.” — Unknown

A Little Ripple Bag

 One of the projects from this April's Camp Wanna Tat was Irene's Ripple Mignonette Bag, taught by Sharon Jolley. I accomplished much on this at camp, and more on the way home. I put the finishing touches on it after we got home, as well as threading the drawstring. This is not the first mignonette bag I've made, but this has adds and subtractions to give it a chevron pattern.

This bag was fun to make once I found the repeating pattern of rings to bring out 

the chevron look. I brought three colors of thread to try on this, starting with the 

dusky rose. I am glad I put it on the Moonlit shuttle with the hook. It eliminated 

the need of a crochet hook while doing the bottom of the bag. This shuttle also carries more thread than the smaller Clover shuttle I used on the other colors. I used size 10 thread so I could see what I was doing. And made the bag bigger. 

I think the bag turned out so cute! Thank you, Sharon, for teaching such an fun project!

One of the other projects is "Wave" earrings, by CM-Handmade. I finished one in class, but have not done the second one. I've had a lot of other things to work on since we returned from our vacation. It shouldn't take long, if I ever start it!

I'm hoping this post works here on blogspot. I was convinced to change hosts several years ago, but it was never a good fit. Wordpress costs way too much for someone not making money on their blog. I guess I'll find out!

"Change the changeable, accept the unchangeable, and remove yourself from the unacceptable."

                                                              Denis Waitley

Happy Mother's Day!

I hope that you are all enjoying the day. Here in Kansas, it is an absolutely wonderful day! The temperature is a bit warm at 86º F, but the breeze is light and mild, the sun is shining, and the birds are singing!

Afternoon tatting

I have been sitting outside, enjoying the day, and tatting. It is way too nice to be inside!

A couple of days ago, while looking through a drawer of miscellaneous bits and pieces of tatting, I came across my “Milan” cross. I had thread on a couple of shuttles, so what else should I do but do it again? As I have never completed writing out and diagramming the pattern, and because it’s a different day, I did it differently than I had originally. I like it better, but now I have to adjust the pattern. It’s a nice day outside to figure it out.

Have you taken your tatting outside with you lately?

“The day the Lord created hope was probably the same day he created Spring.” Bernard Williams

Camp Wanna Tat April 2025

Camp Wanna Tat April 2025

I have heard of Camp Wanna Tat for years, but due to working full time, I never had the opportunity to even think about going. It is currently held at Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp close to Kalispell, Montana, which is a long way north for me. This year I got to go!

My wonderful husband thought a trip to Montana would be fun. I asked my sister, Elaine, if she would like to go, and she said yes. So we packed the car and took off for a two-week vacation that included Camp Wanna Tat.

We had a marvelous time at Camp! The facility was wonderful, and the company was amazing. It had an easy-going atmosphere where learning and sharing tatting was entertaining and educational.

The dining hall at FLBC

The views from the camp are spectacular!

View of the lake

We had the camp almost all to ourselves for a while. The other camp visitors for the first couple of days were pretty quiet and kept to themselves.

Quiet neighbors

All of the attendees of CWT had the same class at the same time, all in one room. There were four classes, one each morning and one each afternoon. I loved them! The second class was Mad Zar Jwl’s Mini Pine Cone, taught by Deb Johnson, with permission of the author. It is challenging, but fun.

Mini Pine Cone by Mad Zar Jwl

I actually finished my pine cone during the class. On the way back to my cabin I picked up a real pine cone of similar size to compare.

Mini Pine Cone with a real cone

Mini Pine Cone with a Clover shuttle

This is the only project I finished while in class. I’m looking forward to finishing the other three.

We had a fantastic vacation. I’m sure I’ll share a few pictures later on.

I’m in the process of making a few changes to the blog. When I started the Word Press blog I was working, and didn’t have a problem paying for it. Now that I’m retired, I don’t have that disposable income, and the blog does not bring in any money. I have to do something different. Time will tell what that may be. I’ll keep you posted.

“You know more of a road by having traveled it than by all the conjectures and descriptions in the world.” William Hazlitt

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Posted on May 5, 2025 Author wandasknottythoughts@gmail.com Categories tatting class, travel TagsCamp Wanna Tat, pine cone, travel