All Things "Love"

Soon, another Valentine's Day will be here and we think about "all things love." At our church, on Valentine's Day (which is Sunday), we are having a ceremony for married couples to renew their vows. Anyone married before 1985 has been invited to participate, and since my husband and I were married in 1968, we definitely qualify. I am curious to see just how many couples will be in the group--it will be a very special time. In keeping with Valentine's Day, here is a picture of the one and only lace heart I have made. I plan to make more since I have tons of lace and a sewing machine. That's all I need to make this heart.

Embellished With Tatting

Well, here is yet another item I found to add my tatting to - a pretty box! I love going out and looking for items like this--keeps my mind going with new ideas and possibilities. I tell you, I know that I'm ADD. Yesterday, I had the TV going on mute, watching a cooking show, sitting on my couch tatting with my earplugs in my ears, listening to my favorite music on www.pandora.com. How's that for multi-tasking?? Not just 2 things at once--3 things at once. Are any of you like this?? I'm working on trying 4 things at once, but haven't accomplished this yet. I'll let you know when I do!

Interesting Winter So Far

Well, a few weeks have come and gone. I posted this picture to take me back to warmer days. Hope you enjoy it. My daughter (who is a wonderful photographer) took the picture in a garden this past summer.

We had our cold snap, then a warm snap, and now we have snow! We got about 5 inches this past Friday and you would think it was 15 inches! Chattanooga was a disaster area with all the accidents and crazy drivers! There were 95 accidents within a 4 hour period and some of the accidents involved more than 20 cars! You can just imagine the good business that the body shops will be experiencing. They even said over the news that people should not even call the police unless someone is seriously hurt in an accident. Just go down to the police station on Monday and fill out the paperwork! Can you believe that? And there was not one sand truck in sight, of course.

My poor husband was stuck in all that mess. It took him over 2 hours to get home and he passed accident after accident along the way. I thank God that he was not involved in any of them. Then he got to our subdivision. We live on a hill and, of course, he could not drive up the hill. So, he parked at the bottom and had to walk more than 1/2 mile up a hill to get home. He works at a grocery store, so after a miserable day dealing with panicking customers, he had to deal with all this. But he is a strong person (since he has gotten well), so he made it.

I came home from work about 1 hour after it started snowing, so I had no problems, except with traffic. But, we are all safe and warm now and things will improve. Oh yes, half of our subdivision was out of power for the weekend, and fortunately, it wasn't our side of the street. So, that was our adventure for the week and I hope we don't have too many more of those kind. My husband and I are from the north so we should be used to this kind of weather, but when it is combined with no help from the city cleaning off the roads, I guess you could say, "everybody is just stuck."

It's a new year and we are in the middle of a cold snap. However, this week will warm up to the 50's! I can't wait! It has been 25 degrees or colder for many days now, and my heating bill is going higher and higher. I have been working on my afghan lately because I feel warmer when I crochet or knit. Don't you?? After I make my afghan, I'm going to add my tatting to it. There are not too many afghans around with tatting trim, right? Anyway, it will take me a little longer, but I am really enjoying the experience. I have been making little washcloths for awhile now and have actually used them for cleaning. They do a great job--especially on the bathroom sinks! My daughter uses them as washcloths for my grandson because they scrub really good. I gave them as gifts during the Holidays--that's what is fun about handmade items. They don't cost a lot to make and people know that you took the time to make them something instead of buying them something that they don't need.

I have included a picture of one of the cloths that I added my tatting to. I sewed all the tatting on so it is attached really well and will wash with no problem. I think they would look nice in someone's victorian bath.

I think I have a "floater" in my eye and it is bothering me at times. I hope it will go away soon--I have had it about a week. From what I hear, the older one gets, unfortunately the more eye problems one has. I hope and pray my eyes last out as long as I do. It's hard getting old, isn't it? But I have a lot to be thankful for each day and try to keep a positive attitude. Working at my assisted living home helps me tremendously with my attitude. So many of the residents have so many physical problems and they just keep going each day. I do the activities, so I help them keep moving and try to make things interesting. We are making our first quilt--I'll try to get some pictures and post them. It is a very simple quilt because many of the residents use to sew, but their eyesight and arthritis keeps them from being able to do anything complicated. I just want to get it done so they can see that they can still accomplish this. How fun!!

Christmas Spirit!

I'm getting into the Christmas Spirit like everyone else I know. This is the fun time--the time before all the stress of wrapping all the loose ends preparing for Christmas day. It's when we put up our tree and decorate our home. I like lots of different kinds of creating and this is one of them. My grandson and I are having so much fun making little ornaments for his tree. I'll be posting his tree in the near future when we fill it up with our ornaments.

These are little refrigerator and/or message board magnets that I have created. I think I'll make more for little gifts. They don't take long and are very practical. If you would like to know how I made them, just message me and I'll share it. Happy Holiday Creating!!

Life's Situations

I have been absent for too long, I know. Our family has had it's share of heartache this year. First, my husband got sick and didn't get well for about 10 months. He's still not 100% but is much better and has now returned to work. He was out of work for six months--hardly ever missed a day of work in over 40 years. Then, my mom passed away in May. Now, my husband's mom has also passed on--two weeks ago. Hopefully, 2010 will be a better year for us.

Anyway, the only peace I have had is what the Lord has given me and my tatting and crocheting. I also enjoy working with the residents at Elmcroft Assisted Living. That has helped alot. Oh, and I should also mention my little grandson, Blythe, who lives with us. And yes, I am thankful for all my friends and their faithful prayers. And I know that having the peace that God gives is so much more than these other things . . . . but it all helps.

Despite everything, I still have much to be thankful for--as we all do. As my daughter's photograph depicts, life is a road that we travel. We do not know what lies ahead--and I'm glad I don't know. That way, it makes me rely on my faith more day by day. Dear Lord, thank You for everything You have given me.

My Detour

Well, I've taken a little detour from tatting and am into crocheting now. I won't be gone long, though. I love tatting too much. But I am trying to be practical and make little cleaning cloths with my crocheting. I am making them for the holidays to give as gifts and (hopefully) also sell. I noticed there are many, many on Etsy and people are actually selling them. And they clean very well! I cleaned my bathroom with one and it made the sink sparkle more than it ever has. And, believe it or not, that sink stayed shiney for almost a week! I guess the nubby texture is a good scrubber. They are also good for scrubbing and exfoliating our faces, but I haven't tried that yet. The secret is to use 100% cotton so they absorb the water. Well, you all probably know all this already.

I also put some of my things on consignment in the store that I use to own. Now, isn't that weird! I visited my old store, Little Lace Lady, on Saturday and while I was there, the memories came flooding back. In ways, I really miss it. Theresa, the new owner, still sells lots of lines that I sold and she has added some new ones. I know pretty much what sells in that store, so hopefully, my consigned items will sell.

I have joined a group on Twitter that has allowed me to be friends with several other tatters, and it sounds like it will be fun sharing with all of them, as well as all of you. I'm going to try to be more consistent with the blogging and twittering--it's funny, these are words I never heard of just a couple of years ago. I guess they weren't even words then, right?