Tatted Quilt Squares Published by Handy Hands available now!

This is the cover of Handy Hands version of my Tatting Old Fashioned Mini Quilts Pattern. Granted you don't get the extra directions I had in the original and Barb had me redo the charts by rows since she feels it's easier for needle tatters to follow them that way but the thin book is gorgeous. The glossy pages and large full color charts make it easy to start wherever you want. Below is the back of the book.

One suggestion is to add a border around the 4patch piece. It looks unfinished now that I see it printed. When I made the original I used just black and white threads; sewed it to the checked fabric; then to yellow, black and white bee print fabric: and finally to white felt to make a small trading card. Being sewn to fabric I didn't think it needed a border. Here's a photo so you can see what I did.

Here's a photo of the original pattern in case you never saw it. I have to admit the new samples made with Lizbeth thread are much more eyecatching. The new Lizbeth version of Trip Around the World is soooo much better. With this photo you can get ideas of what to do with the finished pieces. Small pieces were made into jewelry and a tag. The teal spinning spools is glued to a card blank while the single square in square is glued to a paper bag.

Look for the Fall and Winter tatting Patterns at my etsy store and at patternmart. Due to a severe shoulder injury I haven't finished the spring pattern. I only had 1 pattern to finish. The directions were done except for that pattern but now I'n in too much pain to tat for very long. Hopefully my doctor will have me back to tatting soon.

Preview of Spring Tatting Pattern

Thought I'd give you a peek at one of the 5 patterns that will be in my next tatting mini quilts pattern. This one is for spring! I have the directions for 3 of the 5 done but I'm still finishing pattern #5. I did have 5 done but changed my mind about one pattern. I think those who have been buying my patterns will really like this one.

Also news about the original tatting mini quilts pattern. Handy Hands has finally published it! It should be ready for sale at the end of the month.

Tatting Book is being printed... finally!

These are some small origami bags I made last month. I took them to Tapas in Sewickley, PA to sell. I did have a few at etsy but they sold quickly.

I'm not listing much at the moment online to sell. I can't find the time and energy to make much since my husband was diagosed with cancer. Since he's home all the time I'm doing things with him instead of "creating" things to sell. When I do get time to myself I either tat, read, or I'm here on the computer.

Barb at Handy Hands is finishing up the editing on my tatting book so it will be printed soon. It will be different from the original tatting pattern as it will not have the pages on adding the finished items to things. It will also be written more for needle tatters than shuttle tatters. Shuttle tatters will still be able to follow the directions but they may find they want to chart the design differently to avoid cutting the thread so much. Needle tatters have an easier time of hiding thread ends that shuttle users. Here's what the cover should look like unless we make some more changes.

Just wanted to let you know what's been going on...

Just wanted to post a bit about what's been going on. I've been going with my husband when he gets his chemo treatments. It takes 3 - 4 hours so I tat, embroider, or read while waiting. I dug out a crazy quilt piece I started ages ago and have been working on it. I'll take pics when it's finished.

The pic below is of a starlit shuttle I decopaged with a matching mini tote. It sold a few days ago but I wanted to show some pics of what I've been doing when I find the time and energy.

I also put some other shuttles and gauges up at my etsy store. Right now I'm doing 6 more shuttles, some with matching bags, and I'm sewing some vender aprons. My brain isn't working for designing much new so I'm not sure when I'll get another doll pattern designed. The next tatting pattern in the season series is still on hold. It's hard to find time to write the directions. With Jack home I don't get much time to myself. It would be easier if the desktop were in my sewing room.

Will try to find more time for blogging when I list new things at etsy.