THE MUSICAL TATTER

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Craft Show Tomorrow!



Tomorrow is our craft show and I only have a few more hours to get ready for it.  I love craft shows--as long as they are inside!  I have had my share of outside craft show disasters.  Just last month, we had a show outside and it was in the 90's!  Give me air conditioning and a constant air flow, and I'm happy.  


We are donating a portion of our sales tomorrow to the Alzheimer's Association.  I am looking forward to a good show.  Several of our residents are very talented and have made items to put in the craft show.  One of our residents makes wonderful dolls from head to toe.  And even the faces and hair are hand-stitched.  I will let you know how things go after it is over.  Here is an example of some of our items we will have in the show.  











Saturday, July 23, 2011

My Alzheimer's Memory Bracelet


The "Memory Walk for Alzheimer's" is coming up in September and I have made a bracelet commemorating this very important event. My my own mom passed away three years ago from this dreaded disease. I also work at an assisted living home with memory care residents. Every day, I see this disease and the effect it has on people from the ages of 50 to 95.  It is so sad to see a dear resident in distress over thoughts that aren't even reality.  


Just last week, I was helping a resident who had been a very successful ad executive in New York City for many years.  She wanted to know how to turn on her computer because she wanted to write down some of her thoughts.  I turned her computer on and a page came up with a page full of typed letters that did not spell any words.  And she didn't even know that these weren't words.  She thought she was typing her thoughts.  I wanted to cry for her.


Whatever sales I receive from this bracelet, I will donate a portion of the sales to the Alzheimer's Organization. I am raising money at this time. If you would like to order a bracelet, you can go to my Etsy located at the top left column of my blog.


We need to find a cure for Alzheimer's. 

The bracelet is made of silver metal beads and glass crystals with the Alzheimer's light purple ribbon charm attached. The stretch cord bracelet is 6-1/2".

Monday, July 18, 2011

What I've Been Up To Lately

Lately, I have been spending my spare time making "holiday" items.  I'm making my tatted Christmas trees and Christmas wreaths.  I have also finished a "free" website and maybe more people can find me here on this vast web.  
























    My new website address is:


 I am thinking of getting my own domain name to make it easier to find. 


 I have also started selling on a new website called "Three Sisters Marketplace".  They have been so nice and I have already sold two items on there. 


Three Sisters Marketplace website is:   


  They aren't as huge as Etsy and only sell handmade items (not vintage and used items like Etsy does). 


This all takes many hours of work--hours I should be using to "make" my products.  


I would love it if you would visit me and leave me a message in my Guestbook.  Hope to see you soon!  Thanks!

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

My Music - "Temporary Home"



Well, since my blog is about a musical tatter, I thought I'd put a video on with one of my favorite "newer" songs - "Temporary Home" by Carrie Underwood.  I hope you enjoy it!

Sunday, July 10, 2011

My New Ring Collection




I have always loved jewelry and started making it a few years ago.  I have made earrings, necklaces and bracelets, but never rings.  A few months ago, I saw a ring that I liked and searched for many, many hours to find the pieces to make these rings.  Along with my tatting, I started designing these rings, because it seemed they fit right into my tatting and lacy look.  Of course, I have to add my tatting somehow, so I made a medallion that can be slipped over the ring.  It is stiff, so it stays without sliding around.  I call it my Tatted Ring Jacket.  If someone likes the "big" ring look, it sure adds to the size.  The medallion can also be added to other rings to change the look.


 So, now I am selling my rings locally and on my Etsy.  They are doing very well--they are not too big so they get in the way of working with your hands, and not so small that they are not noticed.  I like the look--sort of contemporary but still old-world looking.  So, I'm having fun with this new line of rings.

Friday, July 8, 2011

MY STAR FISH STORY - AND I'M STICKING TO IT!

It's Friday and another week has flown by.  This summer is passing quickly and school starts in about another month!  My grandson is going into the first grade and is so excited about starting school.  I wonder how long that will last?  It's fun to see him so excited, though.  


We went on a quick trip to Florida a couple of weeks ago and my grandson and I spent most of the time collecting shells.  We also went to a couple of shell stores where I found some of my favorite star fish and bought about $6.00 of them.  I couldn't wait to get back home to use them in my creations.  Well, my daughter left them outside the night we returned home because they didn't smell too good--I guess they were "fresh."  The next morning, my star fish were eaten up!  I guess someone was hungry and the star fish tasted good.  I was so disappointed that I lost my star fish, but was also happy that someone had the opportunity to feast  on a very expensive meal--you might say it was gourmet food for them.  Those star fish must have tasted really good!


So, now I'm looking for more star fish . . . . . . 

Friday, July 1, 2011

Highlights of My Week So Far



Well, I have had a very full week.  In addition to teaching all my students and working at Elmcroft, I added a few more activities to my busy schedule.   On Wednesday, I sang at a local assisted living home that I sing at every month.  I sang about 16 songs for about an hour and loved doing it.  Then, yesterday, my boss (who plays the drums), a chef from our kitchen (who plays the sax) and I (who plays the keyboards) did a concert at our local Senior Center for over 100 people.  We play jazz mostly, but have a couple of very upbeat songs headed by our sax player.  He is just a young guy and is so good at improv.  I wish you could hear him.


Last week, I made a quick trip to Navarre, Florida and hung out there with my daughter and sweet grandson.  We mostly collected shells the whole time we were there.  I came home and created a little journal with some of the shells that I collected and posted it on Etsy.  So fun!!  


Well, I am really tired out now and hope for a nice weekend.  On Sunday, our Praise Team is singing a Patriotic Package.  Can't wait!

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