I made this bookmark called Filigree from Christmas Angels and Other Tatting Patterns by Monica Hahn for my daughter Shannon who is away at university so she can keep track of where she is reading and be reminded each day that her Dad loves her. It is made from Oren Bayan Perle 12 in colours 864 and 865 with a burgundy eyelet ribbon woven through the middle. I think it will make a nice surprise for her when she receives it in the mail.

Well the decision has been made. I decided that if I continued on with this doily it would get to big for it's intended purpose and after looking over the rest of the pattern I was not crazy on how it ended so here it is. This is the new home for the rather large piece of green calcite that we have. I am really happy with the way the two shades of green in the doily blend in with the many shades of green in the green calcite.

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Well it seems like it has taken forever but I have finally finished row #10 of this doily. It is big enough now for the crystal that is going to sit on it so I have to decide if I want to add the last 7 rows. Right now the doily is about 14 inches across if I add the remaining rows I think it will end up being about 24 inches across. If nothing else I am real happy with the way this is turning out.

H.D.T.A.

Well she has done and done it again. Marilee better known as Yarnplayer has come up with a new Hand Dyed Thread called Tourmaline which I personally think could be the best colour combination she has dyed to date. I can see the threadhttp://yarnplayertats.blogspot.com/ made into a lot of different tatted items but if you want some I would suggest you order it as soon as possible because I think this thread will sell out very fast. I know I have ordered mine already. By the way for those wondering what H.D.T.A. stands for it means Hand Dyed Thread Addicts.

I was asked by a fellow tatter for a few reasons I much prefer hand dyed thread the following where some of the reasons that rolled of the top of my head and I thought I would share them.
1. The dyeing process seems to make the thread stronger yet it does not lose its softness.
2.The colours available for any tatted project are only as limited as the number of people who are hand dyeing thread.
3. The variations of the base colour bring a special and unique quality to the item you are tatting.
4. I see the world in many shades of colours as I see auras when I am getting my daily migraines so to see something made of one shade of colour just does not seem right to me.
5. I love the new dimension it adds to the older art of tatting.
6.I love the colour because when I show people my tatted items made with hand dyed threads they are always amazed and happy for at least a short period of time and we all could use a bit more of that.
There are other reasons but they do not come to mind right now but I hope this gives you some insight into my passion or what some call addiction of hand dyed threads.

Well there has been no progress on the doily this week.Not that I have not worked on it but I just could not make heads nor tails out of the pattern for row 10. I think I started it about 10 times and even got as far as 5 inches and then realized it was not right so I would cut it off. Last night I finally got it figured out. Sometimes it is a bugger being a perfectionist.

Well I am a true believer that for tatting there is no thread like hand dyed thread. Some would call my love of hand dyed thread an addiction but the way I like to look at it is, if I am going to spend all that time tatting something I want it to be unique, colourful and something to be cherished for years to come. I am not saying that you cannot do that with plain thread but with hand dyed thread it comes alive. As a special gift to myself I pooled my Christmas money and ordered 12 skeins of hand died thread from Marilee also known as Yarnplayer. If you have not tried her hand dyed thread yet you must treat yourself to at least 1 skein just to experience the pleasure of the way the colours blend to add extra dimension to your tatting. You will not be disappointed, but beware this thread has been known to become addictive. A link to Yarnplayer is listed under my links for handy reference.

The doily is coming along very nicely and I have just finished the ninth row. It is now to big to scan. Only 8 more to go if it ends up full size. Each row takes more tatting and more time but it is going to be worth it as this is going to be one beautiful doily when done.

Well I have been tagged again this time by http://tattyhead.blogspot.com/ so here we go. Here's the rules:1. Link to your tagger and post these rules.2. Share 7 facts about yourself: some random, some weird.3. Tag 3 people at the end of your post and list their names (linking to them).4. Let them know they’ve been tagged by leaving a comment at their blogs. Here are my seven facts
1. I am addicted to hand dyed threads
2. Tatting is not an addiction it is a way of life
3. I do rug hooking, needle point, Japanese silk embroidery, sewing, knitting, macrame, cross stitch, painting, wood carving, and numerous other crafts.
4. I have 2 children a daughter who is 18 and a son who is 16.
5. I like to play darts
6. My partner and I hope to retire to Hawaii in 7 years.
7. My kids think I should be world famous for the way I cook my roast beef.
I think everyone I know has been tagged at least once so I tag no one.