Bookmarks and candy canes

 

HORAY, HORAY. I'm back. After almost a year of not tatting, knitting or crocheting, I'm back at last. A week ago my hubby and I went to a Pioneer days weekend at Irricana, Alberta, Canada. 

I spent the days sitting next to the very talented Bernice B of Knot Vortex. We taught a few folks how to tat. Bernice has a very apt ability of simplifying  the instructions for tatting. I always learn something new and we have great days passing the time away. 

These are my first tattings in a long long time. I did do Jane's new years TIAS. But I confess my fingers were not happy. I finally got an appointment with a plastic surgeon. He injected steroids into the base of my two offending fingers. Now, that's painful. It took a week, but the sore fingers finally settled down. 

I started by knitting several pairs of mittens. Then as the time approached for the Irricana Pioneer days, I dug out my tatting supplies. 

This Pioneer weekend is about tractors, tractor pulls and such. Some horses. A craft section for ladies to see what lovely things people have made and are selling. A quilters cabin that includes hand made quilts, wool spinning, sewing and of course our little tatting table. Bernice fills the table with many of her tatting pieces along with her vest with lots of pretty tattings adorning it. 

We get into conversations with people interested in our craft and some even enjoy seeing a demonstration. 

It helps me pass the weekend, as I am not very interested in old cars or tractors. My husband, however is a retired Ag mechanic and he can spend a whole day in the hot sun enjoying seeing loads of old machinery and watching tractor pulls. 

I do take a brake to see the parade of heavy horses, pulling various wagons. That's the extent of my interest.  

Anyway, again, it's sooo good to be back. I'm hoping to make lots of Christmas ornaments for our Christmas farmers market this November. 

Flin Flon, Manitoba and an Olds sunrise

 I'm still painting a bit, as my fingers are still sore. The doctor says one finger has trigger finger and the other has arthritis. Next week, I'm booked to have a plastic surgeon give me some shots of cortisone. I sold the sunrise picture and just finished the water color on top. 

Steer skull

I painted this back in 2017. I recently gave it to a friend in a seniors manor. I'm happy someone likes it.
 

Winter scene

 

I still can't tat. 😞 So, I'm passing some time painting. This was from an art class I took. Very fun to do.

Branching Out

 

Because I've been struggling with a few sore fingers, I haven't been able to tat or knit or crochet. A major problem for me...I've picked up the brushes. I do belong to an art club, but haven't done a whole lot. But a photographer friend took this pic a bit ago and gave me permission to paint it. I like old rough fence posts. And also owls. So I have been playing with this for a few days. I've named it Sun Bathing. 

Painting Rocks

 I've been painting a few rocks. They are fun.

Painted chickens

 Spent the afternoon painting a couple rocks. A gift for a good friend. 

Christmas tatting

 

I've been having lots of fun tatting these.  The snowflakes are from the book "Four Dozen Tatted Snowflakes by Robin Perfetti.

The top is from "Frivolite Con Sabor" They can be found on Etsy. 

I wish I could tat more. But now I'm having trouble with some of my fingers, as they get stiff and sore when I bend them. I might have to behave myself for a while. :(

Crosses

 Been wrestling with Jan Stawasz's cross. Took me four tries. The left one is wrong. I learned there is such a thing as a counter clockwise ring. Unless somebody knows something I don't. At which case I'd love some advise. 

Jane's water cans

 

I just finished a couple of Jane's pretty water cans. 

Jennifer Williams basket of flowers

 

This basket pattern is a freebee from Jennifer Williams. I did put my own twist on it. I can't seem to master the pearl tatted basket handle. But I did finally get a good demo for the twisted chain. I do like it now that I understand how it's done. 

Spring flowers

 Time for some spring flowers.

Tatted Flower Basket 2022

 

Here's my latest efforts. I've made the basket out of the back of a tissue paper box. I hope it looks ok. 

 A hoard of Ann Onnymouses. Onnymeesses. Onnymice? These are Jane Eborall's adorable mice. 

Onion Ring Magic Square

 

I just finished Robin Perfetti's Onion Ring Magic Squares in a doily. It's one foot by one foot. If I made it again I would eliminate one ring from the corner flowers that are along the straight edge. On the corners they work good. But got too ruffley along the straight edges. Her blog is Tattingbythebay.

 I finally got my rear in gear and made some more of Jane's cute little fox bookmarks. I learned to put larger beads on them and that gave them more character. 

 

Got these finished up today. My husband asked what kind of flowers they are. 😒

Tea pot, heart and flowers

 I didn't think to scan these until after I'd put them in bags. I bought one of those Food Saver gizmos that seals the plastic. So now I can have whatever size bag I need to put my cards in. Handy.

Tea for tatting

 

These are from Marth Ess' book Tea for Tatting. I've never had to put tattings in the inside after I've made the outside. That was awkward. 

Hearts Desire

 

One thing about being isolated is you get lots done on hobbies. These are 3 Hearts Desire.