Hurray Progress
I finally finished the row that seemed it would never end. I don't know why but this row just seemed to take forever and it was not fun to do which is unusual for me. I am looking forward to finishing this doily but there is still a ways to go so I have to remember patience, patience. I am really happy with the progress so far and it is going to be one heck of a doily.

Many Things To Be Happy About

We are finally starting to get some warm weather. Yesterday was the first day where you could go out and really enjoy the weather. It has been a long time coming. As readers who are familiar with my partners and I garden know we do not like your typical plants for example there are not to many people in Southern Ontario with Palm trees in there backyard during the summer. Well our latest find is a Gardenia standard that is 4 1/2 feet tall. The above picture is a bloom that has just opened on it and it is 3 inches across and the scent of the flower is totally intoxicating, one of natures marvels. It is a big deal here as they only sell small potted Gardenias for inside so this was a real find and will look wonderful in the gardens. Other good news is that I have ordered myself 2 shuttles from David Reed Smith if you have not seen his shuttles I suggest you take a look they are gorgeous and I cant wait for them to arrive. Lastly I am happy because the doily is at a point again where I am enjoying tatting it. There where a period of 2 weeks where not much got done because it just did not feel like fun but that has passed and I should be posting an update photo by the end of the week I hope. Happy Tatting everyone.

Yes I am still working on the doily. I just had to design a part of a motif for it as the center that the pattern called for did not look nice when I tatted it so I changed it and am much happier with the one I designed. Now about my thread problem. Thankfully Marilee (YarnPlayer) has offered to dye a batch of thread to match the Fern that I am using so I will have enough thread to finish my doily. It is by no means a small undertaking as I think I will use about 14 to 15 skeins of HDT which is a big investment but it is worth it as it is an heirloom to be passed on to my daughter.

Now for other news. We have a new member in our family. She is a 2 1/2 year old Indian Ringneck Parrot named Kiwi. She is settling in very well and is already playing favorites with Gregg. Our home is starting to sound like a jungle at times.

I am presently working on a very large heritage doily and was sure I had enough Hand Dyed Thread to finish the project but was sadly mistaken. If anyone has Yarnplayers Fern size 80 thread in there stash that they would be willing to sell me or trade for a different colour could they please contact me off list or I will not be able to finish this doily properly. Your help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Clyde
I can be reached at cepage1ca@yahoo.ca

A number of months ago there where a few people who where posting a Pay it Forward Challenge on there blogs and I signed up for the one posted on Laura's. ( Tattycat ) I had forgotten all about it until yesterday when I was surprised with a package in the mail that contained a thoughtful note and two items that she had tatted. The first was a beautiful square doily done in two shades of mauve size 80 and the second was a really cute cross that is about 1 3/4 inches tall, done in mauve and lime green variegated thread. Thank you very much Laura as I don't know about other tatters but the gift of tatting is special to me as I appreciate all the work and time that goes into it and I know how hard it is to gift a piece of tatting.

The doily is progressing but it is going very slowly right now. The row I am working on is another row of motifs and though they are not hard they are time consuming and I have not had much time for tatting lately. I have been suffering through a bad bunch of migraines the past 2 weeks and they have left me unable to do anything. I am hoping that this bad spell of them lets up soon. My next project will not be near this big. I think it may be time for some HDT bookmarks.

Well the doily continues to make slow progress but that is okay. I have promised myself that I will not work on any other tatting until it is done. I am the type of tatter that only likes to have one project on the go at a time and finish the job before I start a new one. I am really surprised that even though I am using size 80 thread this is going to turn out to be a big doily. Well back to my tatting.

Well spring is trying to break through and the first true sign of spring as far as the parks go is my partners' creation of the pansy tree. It is nice to see such a colourful and unique display to start the garden season. This year I am looking forward to mosaic sculptures of a peacock and a turtle. I will be sure to post pictures for those who may be interested.