Christmas list.

I thought it might be apropriate, since tatting is one of the less commonly known arts, to post a small wish-list of items that would make apropriate gifts.....for me of course. :-) My dear husband has to deal with our anniversary, Christmas, and my birthday all within about 30 days. I like to drop him a hint just to help him out of course.

First up is this lovely handmade shuttle by Mr Cua, inlaid with golden mother of pearl. Absolutely scrumptious. I've recently held one similar to this, and it seems like it would be perfect to tat with. Available from Handy Hands.

Next up, handmade shuttles from David Reed Smith in the following woods- Pommele Sapele, Sycamore, or Walnut. The 2 inch size with wooden spike please.....and be sure to order early as they are custom made.

I'd also love to have one from The Shuttle Shop. Original style with point, in Tulipwood, with the lace engraving art design.

I'd also adore a copy of this book from Handy Hands.

This one as well, the only place I've seen it recently is at Zigzag corner's website.

Thread of course would make a superb stocking stuffer. My favorites are hand-dyed threads available on ETSY from Lady Shuttlemaker and Yarnplayer. Anything in a size 20.

And of course if this is all too confusing, a gift certificate from Handy Hands would always do :-)

(special note for hubby- I've linked all the pictures to make things easy, just click a photo to go right to the apropriate place. Aren't I the nicest wife?)

More surprises

Well, first off let me say that I've seen some of the flutter about Shuttlebirds, and I am going to see if I can't make it next year. It would be simply divine to meet some other tatters and learn new things......Mama needs to get away every once in awhile, right!~

Anyway, I did receive another tatting surprise this week. I have a Grandfather in NY who I don't see often, but we have kept in touch as my kids are his first biological Great grandkids. They Love to send packages, and I get some of the most random but interesting things. I do try to send hints as to what we can use and what we don't need, they love to go to estate sales and flea markets and whatnot. So, recently I put them on the trail of tatting supplies, not knowing if him or his wife knew what tatting was in the first place......

And Lo and behold---today arrived a shuttle and some copies out of an older needlework book. No information about eather was presented, but it's always nice to get tatting surprises!

I was hoping someone might know something about the shuttle. It looks like the cheapo Susan bates bobbin shuttles, but it says made in Germany-I thought someone out there in tattingland might know what particular brand it is. I don't know anything about bobbin shuttles, never got used to them I guess.

In other news, here is a shot of some of the patterns I received for the baby shower.
They were published by Ed Morin, who I beleive did the Jiffy tatting books that are out there. I'll have to look into it further, I don't know yet if "jiffy" needle tatting uses different techniques than regular needle tatting, or what size the needles are.

Anyway, there are some nifyty looking patterns. A few of the techniques that are mentioned are unfamilliar, so it will keep me busy investigating for a little while. I do have plenty of tatting to keep me busy right now, an Iris N. doily in the works, the projects in my TAT program, and I want to make some more earrings so I can perhaps open an etsy after baby is born. Busy busy busy!