Still alive and having adventures!

I did not drop off the face of earth just have been busy. After getting back from Alaska the rest of summer has been hot, hot and more hot. Without a/c it was very hot. I tatted a little and signed up for Tat Days.
Oh Tat Days was great!

from my roomie Karey Solomon

Karey Solomon was my roommate add she is amazing. That is one of the fantastic things about Tat Days you meet alot of people that you have books from and are just beautiful people. Did you know Karey plays in a band? I didn't know until last wekend. She is an amazingly tatlented lady.

This some of Gina Brummet's tatting. Her daughter Laurie and sister where there and set up a display of some Gina's work. She was a very talented and sweet lady and will be missed.

This is a little flower made by Marie Smith that she gave us personally at Tat Days. I sat next to Georgia Seitz in my class from Nina . Georgia was very gracious and helped me understand Nina's pattern. I learned Nina's way to do Beanille lace and beaded pearl tatting.
Did I finish any of my class projects no-did I learn a lot YES!

Riet and Jane.

Yes we had time to sit and pick the minds of the great ones! Riet taught us a great song in Dutch as part of the night owl class. We made owls for the State fair and got a little owl from Riet.

They feed us well. The center has a chef to prepare the meals. This is a picture of some the happy tatters at breakfast.

This one of the Shuttle Brothers shuttles that Chris and Randy Houtz make.This one is mine. Had Randy in one of the classes I took from Jane. He taught me how to use his shuttles. A funny little thing he told me I looked like and remindered him  of his sister, but that she was taller. Actually most of the people there where taller than me. :)
I will have to carry on later so till then Ta Ta.

Time to get busy!

So I have been busy since last post. Did a vacation to Alaska with my husband, signed up for Marilee's shuttle tatting class on craftsy.com  and see blogger has changed.
I guess that is life. I have had awhile to mourn the passing  Gina. I know the tatting world will never be the same, but life goes on and new people come into our lives to make us appreciate how important each of us is.
The tatting class by Marilee is great! I am only on lesson 8 (and haven't made our projects yet but will). Having been a self taught tatter in the age of Dinosaurs I learn many things wrong. That is why it is so great to have a course like Marilee's, and the Internet. When I started mastering the ball and shuttle was as far as I went. There was no split rings or split chains. I didn't know how to work with two shuttles and no one did  SCMR. I only knew 2 other people my age (early 20's) that tatted. And we didn't get together and work on it. So those who are learning today have the wisdom and knowledge of the greats at their finger tips( actually their keyboard ). Makes me happy to be able to access all this knowledge.
And when I can figure out how to get icon to copy on my computer to Marilee's class I will post it!

Our 5 star accommodations!

 

 

We had the "pleasure " to camp out in my daughter's back yard. The temps where in the 40's at night which made for nice sleeping weather. Now if the sun had gone down it would have been nice.  But since it was so cool there it was hard to come back to 90+ in Illinois!

Near Spencer.

This was taken from the train on the way to Grandview. We are about 1000 ft up and there was still snow(  we went the second week of June this year).  The scenery is breath taking.

Historic Landmark Tesseral Bridge on Shipwreck River.

This is taken outside of down town Anchorage at Shipwreck River one of several Salmon fishing spots, but because of rain they were not biting(or jumping).

Will Rodgers and a famous bush pilot that died in plane crash in Alaska.

We went to the air museum . Boy am I glad modern planes have more to them!

My boys sent to me from Jane Eborall.

And because of your patience a picture of the tatted budgies I got from dear Jane from across the pond. The green one is Harry ( very much alive ) and my dearly departed Ozzy (the blue one). I cried when I got these. Thank you so much Jane! ( of course it was awhile ago they 'flew' across the pond).
Well time to get something else done like my challege piece for my guild or maybe my tatting homework from Marilee! Ta ta for now. :)

I love to laugh!

We had been asked to post today something about Gina and share pictures of her or something you made from one of her patterns. I had already posted earlier something with a  picture which  reminded me Gina had an infectious smile that was warm and sincere. I know she laughed and I know she was kind. So my tribute to her is the words of a song that the Mormon Tabernacle Choir always uses to close out their broadcast.

 God Be With You Till We Meet Again
"God be with you till we meet again, by His counsels guide uphold you;
With his sheep securely fold you, God be with till we meet again.

Till we meet, till we meet, till we meet at Jesus' feet,
Till we meet, till we meet, God be with you till we meet again."

These are a pair of earrings using Marilee Rockley 's pattern 'Vision' found in her book "Boutique Tatting" made with hdt "Roses" size 20 also Marilee's. I think they remind me that Gina always looked at the positive side even when it was hard to do.  She loved life and loved to learn and shared her knowledge with anyone who asked.  So with that I say lets be happy and smile for all the good Gina did here on earth and that our lives are better for having known her! I look forward to one day renewing our friendship on the other side .

A Tatting Angel

Gina and Marilee.

It is with a sad heart that I say the Heavens have another angel tatting and watching over us. I received an email from Jane Eborall on the untimely death of Gina Brummett aka Tatting Goddess.
I only met her once last June at Lace Days in Downers Grove. She was gracious, encouraging, and a great lady. I enjoyed our email chats and all her comments on my blog. My prayers are with her family at this time. Gina, I will miss you and your beautiful smile.

My New Years With Jane Eborall's TIAS.

For several January's Jane Eborall has run a fun tatting game called "Tat It And See" TIAS. Blog here . And many, many people from all over the globe play. I have played for three years and was completely stumped by this years. It wasn't until day 8 that I knew.  As we don't know what it will be some color choices are very interesting, mine included.

The process is always the same, bug Jane when are you going to start, choose thread and beads(this process can take a week for me I change my mind several time) choose which shuttles to use (wood color and type that is) and wait for directions on how many shuttles, how many beads, if any, and when first day comes! Below are my pictures as it came to life!

In the beginning it looks like it could be anything.

Then we know it is square, but what is it??!!

The plot thickens.

At this point I know.I call him Billy Goat Gruff.

And here is my Mark the Billy Goat Gruff!
Jane thank you so much for the game. It was great to read others guesses and see their work.
Next time I have to tell you the update on the tale of the shuttles! *Sigh* You might loose faith in the postal system somewhat, though. Until next time( and not so long).

Passing of a friend

sideways Oz

I uncovered my birds Monday morning and found Ozzy had passed during the night. His buddy Harry misses him and so do I. He was only 4 1/2 years old and the only clue anything was wrong is he didn't eat and was very quiet. So not like him. I believe there is a place in Heaven for pets that the angels watch them and play with them. Bye Ozzy you where loved and will be greatly missed.

October birthday Celeberties!

The fall is a beautiful time of the year in Northern Illinois. Before the grey snow, ice and bare trees the Midwest dazzles us with the beautiful colors of the fall leaves. There are cooler temps and fewer misquotes so you can go for a walk and actually enjoy it! It is also the time of the year for the birthdays of two super stars in my book, Jane Eborall and my daughter-Becki! Surprisingly they are a day apart! (OK there are a few years difference in their ages too- lol)
Happy birthday to all the super stars born in October!
Then there is my tatting round robin. I finished my round, blocked it and have it ready for the next person.

Round 4 on the 4th doily I have done!

 I seem to have a theme with rings and chains. lol. But I think it works and it sets a good foundation for the last two rounds. I think  I see doilies more traditional so this has been good for me. I need to learn to think outside the box!
Now I know Yarnplayer has mentioned her new book available from Annie's Attic, well they have it on the web site as coming soon !  I am excited and it does look like a great book to add to my tatting collection,the web site ishere. Check it out! Anyone who has met Marilee or done any of her patterns knows her jewelry is unique and beautiful! Her patterns can be a challenge sometimes, but the result is worth it!
Well happy birthday Jane and happy birthday tomorrow Becki! :)