Bookmarks, Old and New

I opened a book the other day, one that had been sitting on a shelf for ages. Inside was found a bookmark I had made quite some time ago. I don’t know how long it has been since I tatted this, but it was time enough that the rings are facing up and the chains are facing down. I have been tatting with all elements facing up for years, so this bookmark must be 20 years old.

Old bookmark found in a book

I was reading the book to my grandchildren when we discovered the bookmark. One of the children mentioned they would like a bookmark like this. That’s all it took to twist my arm enough for me to decide to tat them one.

Blue bookmark with ribbon

I happened to have a blue thread with me, which is a favored color, though I didn’t have any ribbon. A trip to Joann’s made short work of that problem. It wasn’t much later that this bookmark was done. I realize it isn’t exactly like the old one, but close enough.

I couldn’t make one child something without making something for the other. As time was running short I made the second one a bit different from the first because it took less time to tat.

Pink bookmark

This one went much faster. The thread is also size 10 instead of size 20, which helped make it as long as the other with less work.

Both bookmarks were received with enthusiasm. Which makes grandma happy 🙂

Three bookmarks, one old, two new

I find it interesting to see how much my tatting has changed over the years, not only in techniques but the thread used. The old bookmark was made with DMC pearl cotton, a very soft thread, which was what I could find if I wanted any variety of color at the time. The new bookmarks are made in Lizbeth thread from Handy Hands, which is not nearly as soft. How many colors does HH have now? Lots!

I have two other grandchildren that haven’t yet received bookmarks. Hmm, what colors, what patterns?

“Change can be frightening, and the temptation is often to resist it. But change almost always provides opportunities – to learn new things, to rethink tired processes, and to improve the way we work.” Klause Schwab
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Not part of the plan

There I was, trying out another idea of where I wanted to go with this doily when I noticed something didn’t look quite right.  It wasn’t laying flat like it should have. What was going on?

Something’s wrong

Then I saw it! I’d skipped a chain and joined in the wrong spot!

Mistake found!

Ahhhh! Look how far I had gone before I noticed!

Bummer!

Now the question “what comes next?” is “to cut it off” or “un-tat it”? Either way, it put a damper on my enthusiasm.

After debating about it for a while (several days, in fact) I decided to undo it to keep from having more ends to hide. Great idea, but I have broken the thread several times now, so I’ll still have ends to hide.  Bummer!

Other than this, I haven’t done much tatting lately; instead, I’ve been potting flowers. I’ve done more this year that I ever have, but I have more spaces to put them since we’ve done work on the house.  I got a bit adventurous about it, too.

Tower of Flowers

I have had this rod for almost 10 years and never tried to use it. The rod is formed with legs at the bottom to fit inside the large pot at the bottom, then goes straight up to hold the other pots. I put a couple of bricks and a large rock in the big pot to weigh it down. I couldn’t find quite the right size pots for the rest, but this time I wasn’t going to let that keep me from using it!  Some of the pots are a little light on flowers, but that is easily remedied. I even painted the pots!

Nice thought, huh? It lasted about a week.

Tower of Flowers fell down

Then a cold front came through with a bit of wind. The tower was suddenly much shorter, looking more like a sad motel that has seen better days rather than a lofty, new tower. The top four pots broke. 🙁   I was able to rescue the flowers and re-pot them. They are currently perking up in their new home, a single story group home instead of high-rise apartments.

As the temperatures outside soar, I will probably be doing more tatting and less working with flowers outside. I can enjoy the view of flowers while I enjoy relaxing and tatting, maybe inside in the airconditioning, maybe outside if there is shade and a breeze.

“You have to take risks. We will only understand the miracle of life fully when we allow the unexpected to happen. ” Paulo Coelho
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What's Next?

I have to admit, I haven’t picked up a shuttle to tat for over a week. I’ve moved a few shuttles and projects around but to move them not do anything else. I’ve been working on yard projects instead.

One of the projects that I moved around – several times – is this doily.

What should I do next?

I started this in Lizbeth #620 Azalea Medium size 20 with something completely different in mind. It wasn’t even supposed to be a doily! The counts have changed mid-round in several places causing one side to be not quite curved the same as the rest.  This is obviously going to be for me (even if no-one else can see the changes/mistakes). I like what I have so far but, as is it this far, I want to do more.  Not sure what that is going to be yet.

What’s next doily and teacup plant

While at the local grocery store just before Mother’s Day I found this potted plant in a tea-cup which drew my eye immediately. I like the design and the plants.

Maybe this doily will sit under it when I’m done.  Whenever I figure out what it will take to finish it.

“Your mind will answer most questions if you learn to relax and wait for the answer.”      William S. Burroughs              brainyquote.com

The Busy Month of May

May is jam-packed with events and special days, with several birthdays, graduations, and programs, as well as Mother’s Day.  Just signing cards takes a lengthy amount of time. Especially when I have to add tatting to each and every one 🙂

One of the graduates mentioned the Easter Cross I made would look good as a bookmark. Who am I to argue?

Easter Cross made as a bookmark

I have noticed that purple is a favorite color, so I made one in Lizbeth #641, Lilac Dark, in size 20. Other than a bit of trouble closing the large Self-Closing Mock Ring at the bottom it came out well. The recipient loved it!

Graduates card and Easter Cross as a bookmark

I’m very proud of my daughter for graduating college!

We have also attended a play, a concert, a soccer game, and a birthday lunch in the last twelve days. Considering both my husband and I work full time with a lot of overtime, we have been kept exceedingly busy. And May is not over yet!

I still have a couple of graduation gifts to finish. Both graduates live some distance away so cards will have to be mailed. Isn’t it great that tatting can fit so nicely inside cards?

“too busy” is a myth. People make time for things that are really important to them.” Mandy Hale   The Awesome Quotes

Tatting when you don't know what to make

What to tat, what to tat?

Yes, I have a list of things I’ve thought about tatting, several things I’ve contemplated making. This week none of them sounded appealing to start, though I wanted to tat. But tat what and in what color? Maybe something simple that is easy to carry around. Edgings can be simple, which sounded like a nice project. But to put on what?

I have a couple of these little yogurt glass jars. A friend of mine introduced me to the yogurt that comes in these, and like her feel that they could/should be used in some way. I guess now would be a good time to do something with one.

Tatted edging around yogurt jar

I have quite a bit of thread but usually end up using the same colors over and over instead of looking through my stash for anything else. This blue that I used, Lizbeth #652 Royal Blue, is no different – it was handy.

With this simple pattern, I only needed to do two things: decide how long the chains should be and how many repeats to go around the jar.

I happily tatted about half of the edging while at home with my feet up, enjoying listening to music. The next day I took it with me to tat while waiting for the oil to be changed in my car. I was pretty sure I’d finish it while there but I needed to make sure it was the right length.

So I took the jar with me. Yes, I have that kind of purse, one with plenty of room to carry this jar.

Yogurt jars with and without tatting

See how pretty the jar is with tatting? Okay, tatting makes almost everything pretty. But it changes the plain container into a lovely candy dish.

I have several more of these jars. Maybe I should make a set. I suppose they would make nice gifts, too. Especially with some lovely colored chocolate covered candies inside, right?

“I think people always want candy, whether you’re a kid or an adult.”
Dylan Lauren
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Disclaimer: The jars are from Yoplait French Style Yogurt “oui”. I have not received any type of compensation for mentioning it.