Advent of Christmas

 Christmas will be here in less than a week! Can you believe it? 

I have done almost nothing to decorate for Christmas this year. A few miscellaneous ornaments here and there, my table runner, a center piece, that's it. I keep thinking I'll get more out, but it hasn't happened yet. 

I attended an Advent program in late November hosted by the LWML, the ladies group of our church. We decorated the tables with Nativity scenes. It's amazing the variety of these scenes, from simple to elaborate. 

This one is from the 1960's

Larger, with added fairy lights

All white

Small and elegant

Mine

Each of the members were asked to bring a little something for refreshments. I brought white candy-coated graham crackers.

These came out pretty cute.

The LWML also had their Christmas party a few weeks later. There was singing, refreshments, and a gift exchange of inexpensive tree ornaments. I found a cute, wooden ornament that I added a bit of tatting to.

Gift exchange ornament

I think this came out beautifully! The recipient was quite pleased, which pleased me.

I've tried several different ideas for my Christmas ornament this year. Most are good ideas; they just haven't worked up well. I finally decided on one, which is on the humorous side. Not elegant, not lovely, but kind of cute. My husband is greatly amused by it. Not sure how many I'll get done, but it will be what it is. Which reminds me, I need to get back to it. I'll share next time. 

"The ornament of a house is the friends who frequent it." – Ralph Waldo Emerson.

'Tis the Season

It was snowing little bitty flakes, the ground mostly bare, with snow showing on sidewalks and few other places when I started this post. It was cold and the wind blowing a bit, so I stayed inside to have coffee and tat.

Coffee and tatting

The tatting should be of Christmas things, don't you think? If you haven't already decorated for Christmas, you should start it now. Or at least decorate for Advent if you'd rather. I haven't even started! I've thought about it, but that's as far as I've gotten. I finally decided on a Christmas ornament for this year, but the going is not as smooth as I had hoped it would be. I keep finding problems with it. I made an edging for a Christmas runner as an alternative to working on the ornament.

Edging for a Red Truck runner

I found this runner a few years ago at a Dollar Tree in the more expensive aisle, for five dollars. I've been decorating with red trucks for a couple of years and thought this would be a fun addition to my house. I finally got it out this year. The middle of the edging is my Karmyn Edging then adjusted to be my vision of an edging for this runner. I see I didn't get the ends to lay flat, but I'll fix that. I had wanted the edging to be white-ish (to match the runner) or red, but the only color in size 3 from Lizbeth that I had was 703 River Blue Med.  The runner is made of tapestry material, and I didn't want to take up too much time on it as it's for me. My time should be spent on tatting the Christmas ornaments I plan to give this year, right?  Tatting this did get me more into the Christmas tatting spirit.

There was some non-Christmas tatting done. We had another funeral at our church, so I needed another cross. I made another modified Medallion Cross bookmark.

Modified Medallion Cross Bookmark

It has been so busy lately, and most likely to continue that way, that I have not written out the pattern yet. I don't think it will take long, I just need the time. Or to be more organized.

Are you tatting something special for the Christmas season?

"Yesterday's the past, tomorrow's the future, but today is a gift. That's why it's called the present."

Bil Keane

Happy Thanksgiving

                       Happy Thanksgiving!

Autumn Tatting

 I've not gotten a lot of tatting done recently, but designing the maple leaf kind of makes up for it, I think.

I did a bit more designing recently, but it was sort of by accident. Another family in our church lost a loved one but I didn't have any crosses on hand to give them. The Medallion Cross bookmark drew my interest for this, but I thought I'd do something just a bit different on the arms. I just glanced at the pattern and took off. A bit more of the cross was changed than I planned, but it looks good. 

These have slightly different stitch counts. I like the one on the right, which is the second one I made. The rings of the arms are slightly larger than the ones on the left.

 

The pattern for the original Medallion Cross Bookmark is on My Patterns page. The modified version hasn't been completed yet. I'm not sure if I'll retain the name but make it v2 or change it. We'll see.

On a good note, I think I've figured out what I'm making for my Christmas ornament this year! I have to finalize the stitch counts, but I'm pleased with it. My husband thinks it's cute. 

Wishing you all here in the states a very happy Thanksgiving!

  

Tennessee Maple Leaf

 In October my husband and I took a trip to the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee. This is the time of year you hear about how beautiful the fall foliage is. There were trees in full fall colors, there were trees that were still green, and there were trees that were bare. It was beautiful, not as much color as we were expecting, but we weren't disappointed. 

We didn't see as much wildlife as we thought, but we did see some. Like several black bears. This one was on the side of the road as we drove into Gatlinburg. He didn't pay any attention to the traffic.

Everywhere there were signs to not feed the bears, not leave food in your car, and lock your car doors, as bears have figured out how to open car doors. These signs are in town and in the National park. We took them seriously.

I took my tatting with me (of course!) and I actually did a little bit. I was inspired to make a maple leaf in fall colors with Lizbeth 136 Autumn Spice. This is a lovely, variegated thread, just right for making fall leaves. I brought along size 10 to make it easy to see and work with in dim lighting that you may have in hotel rooms, and while we traveled.

Tennessee Maple Leaf 1.0

There are beautiful patterns on the Internet of maple leaves, but I didn't look them up. (There are a lot of tattoos that come up when searching for them!) This is what I came up with while on our trip.

I had made the mistake of leaving home without a hat of any sort, but the weather was cool and windy in some places. Instead of buying a souvenir hat I bought a plain, black one at Walmart. I didn't get the leaf finished in time while we were there, but I added the leaf to it on the way home.

Yes, I made another, different, leaf, made while thinking of how to make the maple leaf. They look pretty good on the hat.

I have written out the pattern, but while verifying the pattern, I decided to change it up a bit. Not much, just a little, this one made in size 20 as I was home. Same Autumn Spice, just smaller thread.

Tennessee Maple Leaf 2.0

The modification gives it a bit more height and makes the stitch counts more consistent. I also made a change in the way the stem is made. I think I'll put both ways on the pattern. Depending on how the rest of the day goes, and if my computer will cooperate, I'm hoping to have it finished by the end of today.

Here at home, we've been enjoying beautiful warm days that don't feel like fall at all. There have been a few cool days, but they don't last long. There were just enough cold nights that the leaves turned color, then fell. Most leaves left on the trees won't be there much longer. The weather man says that it will get much cooler next week, but it's November, we should expect that. 

 

I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving, but it seems to be coming very fast. Then it will be Advent and Christmas. And I still haven't decided what my Christmas ornament will be this year! I really need to get on it!

Update: I've added Tennessee Maple Leaf pattern to My Patterns page. November 15, 2025

"Anyone who thinks fallen leaves are dead has never watched them dancing on a windy day." –Shira Tamir

Button and Pumpkin

 A few weeks ago, I posted several buttons I had tatted around. I shared one on Facebook, which prompted several people to ask if there was a pattern. Now there is!

I've called this one Button Molly.

I've listed this on the My Patterns page as Button Molly so it would be with other patterns that use buttons.

If you've visited My Patterns page lately, you might have noticed I'm starting to put thumbnail pictures beside the pattern name. It's slow going, but I'm hoping this helps when looking at the patterns. 

My sister is a member of an American Legion Auxiliary that does bingo every few months. The entry fee is usually something like items for the local food bank. Anyone playing brings a white elephant or inexpensive, wrapped item for prizes. For the most recent bingo night I decided to make something I had seen on Pinterest several places, including a site called 'Devine by Designs'. I had what it took to make it, and it looked easy enough, and it was.

Didn't this glass pumpkin come out great? I had picked up the glass from the second hand store a while back. The leaves and twine I picked up from Hobby Lobby when they were half price. The light string I had from a year or two ago. I heard several comments from people once it was opened about how cute it was. I have another glass like this and I'm thinking about making one for me.

The bingo night theme was Halloween, and there were some amazing costumes! Mine was sort of sad because I didn't spend much time and no money on it. I dressed up as a lint catcher. This picture makes me look somewhat demented. I guess that's okay for Halloween.

It is already November, and I haven't yet decided what I'm making for my yearly Christmas ornament for family. I need to get on it!

Do you have your tatting done for Christmas yet?

"Halloween is not only about putting on a costume, but it's about finding the imagination and costume within ourselves." 

                                                                 Elvis Duran

Kamryn Edging

A little more than two years ago Dana Morse contacted me. She was looking for the 'perfect' edging and found my 'Kamryn' edging and thought it might be the one. She asked if I would share the pattern. I hadn't written it out yet, but she inspired me to do so. After a bit of work, I finished writing out Kamryn.

Kamryn Edging from 2023

I had originally made Kamryn in December 2015 for a runner I was making for a craft show. This shows you how slow I can be writing out patterns!

Kamryn Edging from 2015

About a week ago Dana emailed me again to show me her finished edging. She had made it as mental therapy during the hours she waited while her mom had chemotherapy last year. It kept both of them talking and thinking about their quilting retreat dream house. It came out beautifully!

It looks amazing on this quilted window treatment! 

Dana changed the pattern up a bit so it worked better for her. Looks good to me!

The Lizbeth size 20 Honey Drizzle that she made it in look amazing with the quilt. Love it!

This is hung in their quilting retreat dream house, which has been open since February. The Quilted Bee Retreat House is in Hammond, Louisiana. If you would like to know more about it check out their Facebook page, where Dana gives a virtual walk-through of the house. It looks very inviting, and I'm not even a quilter!

For those who would like to try Kamryn, I've added it to the My Patterns page.

I'm still having trouble with the vector program I use for writing out patterns, but I have been getting a little bit done, a little bit at a time. I'll take what I can get.

"Don't let the fear of the time it will take to accomplish something stand in the way of your doing it. The time will pass anyway; we might just as well put that passing time to the best possible use."

 Earl Nightingale

Gifts and Things

 Recently, I participated in a secret "get mugged" exchange with the ladies from the devotions group I'm in. Each of us filled out a short questionnaire about likes and allergies and such, then drew names. The gift was built around a mug, tumbler, or cup, and then a few miscellaneous things, nothing very expensive. Until the time of the exchange, the recipient did not know who the gift would be from. 

I drew a lady whose favorite color was green but did not specify a specific shade. Along with a few other items, such as large dark chocolate candy bar, I made a cross bookmark in two shades of green from my pattern, Split Ring Cross to include in the gift. 

We had just finished a book on Philippians, so I included this cute notebook, as well as a pretty cup, the chocolate, and a few miscellaneous items.

The day of the exchange I put everything in a gift bag and away I went. Without the bookmark or the notebook. I had to give them to her later. This was a week later after church service when everyone was busy going home. She didn't have time to look at it, I'm hoping she likes it.

I've been doing a lot of running around lately, with some time to tat but not anything that takes concentration. I've started taking a few buttons with me to tat around as I go places. They are easy, don't take up much space, can be done in any color, and can be used later.

I've been trying to decide what I'm doing for Christmas ornaments this year but haven't come up with an answer yet. My sister is already working on hers, and they look great! I think my problem is I always try and come up with a new pattern of some sort. This takes a bit longer than using something that is already out there. I guess it's only October. I still have time, right?

The Lacemakers Guild of Oklahoma had a Lace Embrace event October 4. As it is only a few hours away I had hoped to go this year. Their theme was "Teatime with Lace and Pearls." My sister and I even had our hats picked out - what's a tea party with pearls but no hats? But it was not to be. Family things came up for both of us, making it impossible for us to go. It sounded like so much fun! I love the theme! I'll be looking for it next year. If you'd like to see what they did at the event, check out their Facebook page.

We have had a lot of moisture this year, and milder temperatures than the last several years. We've had so much rain that my plants - and the weeds - have bloomed more and longer than I've ever seen them! I had seven or eight Hen and Chicks plants bloom, and one is still blooming!

Up until a few years ago I didn't even know they bloomed! I guess I'm doing something right.

Can you believe that October is half over? The year has flown by. I haven't done any fall tatting at all yet. I may or may not get any done, I should be working on Christmas stuff. Let's see what I end up doing.

"Your attitude is like a box of crayons that color your world. Constantly color your picture gray, and your picture will always be bleak. Try adding some bright colors to the picture by including humor, and your picture begins to lighten up."  Allen Klein

Another Use for Tatting

 I don't know about you, but I've been asked (usually by those who don't craft) what do you do with tatting? You know, the little things like doodads, ice drops, the little bits and pieces that use new - to - you techniques but look cute, that type of thing. Kind of like the sea turtle I designed for the Tatting Corner cruise a couple of years ago. It's cute and fun to make but doesn't exactly shout what it might be used for.  There are some people that think everything must have a purpose - besides being fun to make. My husband came up with something for it.

When my husband retired a couple of years ago, he joined the local senior pool (billiards) league where they play 8-ball. The only ball you have to call the pocket on is the 8 ball. Up until this year you had to not only call the pocket but mark it with something. My husband has been using one of my sea turtles as his pocket marker. Even though you only have to call the pocket now, making sure your opponent knows where you plan to put it - most still use something to mark it as well. So, he still carries it in his pocket and uses it to mark where he plans to put the 8 ball. 

For the last year and a half, I've been taking score for the local club. I have listened to my husband tell other players about his turtle and that I made it. It's fun to listen to. 

This summer I decided to join the league as a player. I've been practicing since June and have participated in the first two tournaments this fall. The first tournament I used a quarter to mark my pocket - the couple of times I needed to. Last week during the second tournament I hadn't yet remembered to take anything to mark pockets, but I had a thought. I had my tatting bag in my purse (of course!) and decided to use a shuttle.

It worked great! I actually had to use it several times, too! I also demonstrated how it is used when I was asked about what it was. 

I've been giving some thought to making something specific to use as a marker for myself, but I haven't figured out just what I want. Until then, I'll keep using a shuttle. I'm hoping I have to use it a lot more!

What unusual things have you used tatting for?

"Miniature golf, like billiards, is a game of angles. And, like billiards, most of the fun is in pretending you know what the hell you're doing. The worse you do, the more you have to laugh."

                                                                                                              Victor LaValle

Back from Vacation

 We made it back from a wonderful vacation at Pagosa Springs, Colorado. We explored the area a bit, saw the town of Pagosa Springs, and just kicked back and relaxed.  We stayed at Club Wyndom Pagosa while we were there, in a house right on the water. 

This is the view from the back yard of the house we stayed in. I took a picture of the sunset every day I was there, it was just so beautiful. It was pretty nice during the day as well.

This was the view one morning. We saw balloons almost every day, many of them doing a splash and dash on the lake. Most days were clear and calm, with this being the only morning that was cloudy.

This was also common view from our balcony.

The San Juan River runs through Pagosa Springs, with some of the hot springs flowing right into it. Some of these hot springs can be accessed free when walking along the river. This is the river about 7:30 AM as we drove through town, the steam natural hot water where it runs into the river.

There are a lot of spas in Pagosa Springs where you have to pay to enjoy the hot springs, with a large variety of accommodations - and prices. We went to Overlook Mineral Springs Spa, which is in a building built in 1908. By not being on the water's edge, they were more affordable than some. They have tubs on the roof, where you can soak, enjoy the sun, and overlook the San Juan River. We had a lovely time, though I had to buy a sun hat. The one I brought was left at the house...

The tatting I took with me turned out to be just too complicated to work on while on vacation. I was too distracted by talk and scenery to get anything done. Even making this much could get me in trouble by forgetting the stitch count or where I should join. 

I also goofed when I packed. I knew I would run out of thread, so I brought the ball so I could add more. Or so I thought.

Not quite. I couldn't even use it to make a two-tone piece. Ugh! That is the main reason I switched to purple thread and made earrings! 

Since we've been home, I've had a molar tooth extracted and the funeral of a close relative. Not a good week to get much done. I'm finally feeling well enough to concentrate on tatting, so I think I'll be doing more soon. I have a list.

I love travel, I love coming home, and I love the memories and pictures I acquire on the way. 

How about you? Do you like to travel?

"Travel becomes a strategy for accumulating photographs." Susan Sontag

On Vacation

 We are currently on vacation with friends in Pagosa Springs, Colorado. I have brought tatting with me - of course! - but I haven't had much time to tat. There have been too many other things to see and do. I did finally make a pair of earrings. 

The first earring started out as something else but I wasn't able to pay enough attention to what I was doing to continue. I decided I could get a set of earrings done by stopping where I was.

I thought they came out pretty good, even though there are a couple of spots I'm not happy with. But on a galloping horse a mile away you can't see them. 😄

When we aren't out and about seeing the area or watching the deer outside where we are staying, we play a lot of cards. We've been vacationing with these friends almost every year for over 10 years.  At the end of one vacation we're already wondering where we'll go the next. It's wonderful to have such good friends!

While here, we visited Chimney Rock and Great Sand Dunes. At Chimney Rock we made it all the way up to the Great House. I'm so glad we brought our walking sticks! At the Sand Dunes we made it up the first dune, quite a walk in that much sand. We've definitely got a lot of exercise in the week!

We have several more days to enjoy the area and time with our friends. What are we going to do next?

"In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures. For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed." Khalil Gibran https://www.brainyquote.com/authors/khalil-gibran-quotes

Kansas State Fair 2025

 My husband and I went to the Kansas State Fair in Hutchinson on Sunday afternoon. It was a beautiful day with fantastic weather, just right for walking around the fair. I did not enter anything this year, too many things going on. But I did check out the Domestic Arts building to see what was there. It was almost shocking - there were only three entries of tatting. In the past there have been more. One entry was a pair of needle tatted baby booties that were wonderful! The booties took a top ribbon. There was a frame of several tatted sunflowers that was nicely done. The third item was an interesting doily. 

I almost missed these items because of where they were hung - very high. I did see a little more tatting on a beautiful crazy quilt.

I thought I got a good enough picture of the ribbon that I would find out who made it, but it came out fuzzy. 

This quilt has tatting on two blocks.

See the start at the top left? I noticed that first.

Then I saw this motif. It was nice to find them on the quilt. I thought there was another piece of tatting on another block, but it was machined lace.

I was very happy we went on Sunday. Monday it rained all day, sometimes heavy. The local news on TV showed glimpses of what it looked like at the fair, and it did not look fun. There was so much rain that the grassy parking lots became so muddy they are unusable until maybe Wednesday evening, if it doesn't rain again. 

We had something over two inches of rain at our house. Our yard became a swamp!

Places a couple of counties north of us had upward of nine inches in just the one day. I am so happy we aren't up there! We did see a partial rainbow as it began to clear before the sun went down.

Today was warm and sunny, a nice change from yesterday. The water around our place is mostly run off - as long as you don't walk out to the low spots. 

Fair season means sunflowers can be found everywhere. They are great to lift your spirits when it is rainy or sunny.

These are wild sunflowers, found in the ditch down the road from us.  There are a lot of wild sunflowers found anywhere that isn't kept mowed. There are also fields of larger ones, grown for the seeds. We drove by several fields of the large sunflowers, and by the Kansas Sunflower Maze, where they are grown for people to walk through and enjoy. Whether wild or purposely planted, seeing them always lifts my spirits. 

The chance to enter the fair is a year off. Maybe I'll plan better and get something made to enter next year. What a way to lift your spirits!

“Step into the joyous chaos of the state fair and let your spirit soar.” – Unknown