Lots of Tatting, Less Blocking

I have been tatting a lot, just haven't blocked anything in a while because I wasn't feeling well and then I just put it off. I don't know why I do that. It's not like it's very hard to do these little bits of tatting.  I just steam iron them and it only takes a few minutes to do each one.  And I actually enjoy the outcome.  I'm just a procrastinator sometimes. It's on my to do list for the next few days and then hope to have pictures up soon! Lots of pretty things finished including motifs from Jon's Elegant Tatting Gems, some small motifs from Mary Konior's Tatting with Visual Patterns, and a few other doilies that are quite nice.

I want to use some of the smaller motifs for cards so may make a trip to the craft store for some supplies.  I used to do some stamping but we moved to a new house in November and I have no idea where my stamping box is. Well, I do know where it is--it's in the garage somewhere and I have no desire whatsoever to go hunting around in there right now, even though it's fairly organized.

I want to make some jewelry for Christmas gifts for a special relative.  Maybe an earring, necklace, bracelet set in black.  She can totally pull this off and would love it. Then some ornaments for a few other appreciative recipients.  I may do the bulb ornaments I've got several pretty patterns for.  (Put those on the list for the craft store!) I also knit, crochet, and used to do a lot of detailed cross stitch work.  My usual Christmas ornaments were cross stitch but I haven't done them in the past few years so this year I may change it up. My great grandmother was the tatter in our family and my mom is thrilled that I've started tatting again so she'll love it.  She's already put in a request for a wedding handkerchief for my 13 year old niece.  Getting a little bit ahead of yourself there ma. I guess this gives me plenty of time to find the perfect antique handkerchief to attach the lace to, since that's what I'd prefer to do if I can't buy a new one that fits the image in my mind of what it should be.  When I got married, I carried one of my great grandmother's tatted handkerchiefs and it was really special to me.  I'm lucky to live in a family that appreciates the time and love that goes into hand made things.

Ok off to put "BLOCK YOUR TATTING" on my calendar for tomorrow.  Accountability is the key.