New and Exciting!

Finally took some pictures of the totes I made over the weekend and got them listed in my shop.

Rainbow Waves and Shells Tote

Shoreline Waves and Shells Tote

I also managed to list a crocheted business card pouch. I finally found a use for the little 1.5 oz hank of wool I dyed a few years ago as a demo at Michael's. They've discontinued two of the colors of Kool-Aid I used for it. I'd been saving it until I came up with thee perfect project since I loved it so much and could never recreate it. There was enough to make two business card pouches (one for me and one for the shop) and still enough left over for a felted flower or something else small. Want to know what it looks like? Well check out the one on my shop!

Also added a whole new section to my card shop! Friend Kards feature friendship quotes and some tatted flowers.

My hubby takes pretty good pictures. I might just have to get him to keep doing it from now on ;)

Happy Birthday ADA

I remember twenty years ago when my mother called me to come sit down so she could talk to me. She explained that something wonderful had happened. The Americans with Disabilities Act had passed. That meant that no one could deny me a job because I was disabled. It meant that public buildings would be accessible to me even when a few steps became a problem. It meant that I belonged to a group of people who would no longer be treated as second class citizens or a nuisance to the general public. It was more than just more handicapped parking spaces. It was change.

I'm not saying that the ADA is perfect. There is no way to mandate compassion. So while it may be illegal to discriminate against me because I can't walk up the stairs, it doesn't mean that people don't still roll their eyes at me for being slow. It doesn't mean that people stopped parking in handicapped spaces because they're "only going to be a minute" or even that fines for parking in such spaces are more readily enforced. It simply means that we are people and we deserve to be treated as such.

So today, I thank all the people who drafted the ADA, all the people who supported it. Everyone who made what my mother had always dreamed for me a reality.

Is It Fall Yet?

I am officially over summer. It's hot. It's sticky. It's buggy. I can't stand to go outside long enough to take pictures of new items to list in my shop. It would mean leaving my air conditioned sanctuary. Actually, the air conditioner is having some trouble battling the heat sneaking under the door.

I'm tired of heat. I'm tired of it being so bright I can barely open my eyes. I'm just tired. Heat makes me tired.

So really, can it be fall now? I'm ready to move on to a more hospitable season.

My Husband Thinks He's Funny

Yesterday we were driving behind a car with a plastic kiddie pool balanced on the roof. There were two passengers in the backseat, each with one arm out the window holding the pool so that it didn't fly off. My response was to say something about the fact that this is the south and I don't see how there's anyone living in this area of the country that doesn't at least know someone who knows someone who owns a truck. Why not get a friend or a friend of a friend with a truck to bring the pool to your house instead of making idiots of yourself?

My husband responds with a perfectly straight face "They're just trying to get in the car pool lane."

Sigh.

Random Musing

Perhaps you should wait until the lead paint advisory and removal notice is taken down before you put up your apartment available sign again. Just a thought.

In the works

I know, I know, I fell off the radar again. Well, lots of projects going at the same time don't tend to leave me much time for blogging. So, what am I up to you ask? Lots of things!

I have a green and brown scarf on my needles at the moment. Pictures will come when it's all done and ready to list. I'm also working a shawl with my pineapple shawl pattern in a laceweight virgin wool yarn I picked up in a thrift store a while back. This is in addition to the Queen Anne's Lace doily I'm still working on, the needlepoint homework I'm not quite keeping up with, being driven mad by a handful of fruit flies, and continuing a little story writing on the side.

See, I'm not ignoring my blog, I'm just a little busy. As usual. Stupid crafting ADD. One day, I'll only have one project going at a time.

It could happen! Stop laughing at my pathetic attempt to control my wandering mind!

Ok, I need to stop lying to myself. I'll never stop trying to learn new crafts, I'll never stop reading two or three books at the same time, and I'll never have just one project. That reminds me, I really should get started on Halloween costumes soon. Maybe I'll be able to get a sewing machine set up and working soon and even get a little money set aside to buy fabric. Here's hoping!

Summer's Colorful Snowfall

I named the pendant pattern I created a few days ago Neige because it looked like a snowflake. Well, there's a sprinkling of more snow around here!

Neige Soleil Pendant

Admittedly, that's where my memory of French classes gave out and I didn't feel like looking up translations, so . . .

Neige Tropical Punch Pendant

Those are the only two I've listed so far, but there are two and a half more and I've still got lots of interesting thread colors! I need to write this pattern down soon so that I don't forget it. That means I have to figure out where my tatting journal has disappeared to. Why do things always run off and hide when I need them?

Playing with new techniques

I checked out a new tatting book from the library the other day and started playing with some new techniques. I always seem to find that things I think are going to be difficult never turn out to be in the end. After some frustration and confusion, I finally mastered the Dora Young knot, in spite of watching a YouTube video that had it completely wrong. One of these days, I might have to do some of my own videos, but that's a project for another time. Anyway, after playing with using the Dora Young knot to cover some small plastic rings I had lying around, I ended up creating this stunning new pendant:

Neige Noir Pendant

It still boggles my mind that I covered that ring using the shuttle when the shuttle can't fit through the tiny little ring! If I hadn't done it myself, I wouldn't believe it was possible. I still almost don't. I see many more pendants with that pattern in my future.

Between continuous thread technique, the Dora Young knot, and split rings, I worked the whole thing without breaking the yarn until after the very last chain. I'm sure that for any readers I have that don't tat, this is all sounding like a lot of nonsense. To you, I'll just say, look at the pretty pendant, and don't worry about it.

Comments

Okay, just to let everyone know, yesterday I changed the settings for my blog. I now have to review all the comments before they post. I was tired of the random links being posted to strange sites that have nothing to do with me, my blog, or my interests. I'll do my best to check in and review comments as often as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

Etsy Love

I don't just sell on etsy, I buy and trade as well. Today seemed like an excellent day to share a little etsy love and pass on info about some great sellers and products.

Normally, for some reason, I seem to have a neon sign over my head only visible to all the biting nasties in the summer air proclaiming "All You Can Eat!" But this year, I've kept them at bay with some wonderful handmade soap from my friend SmileyMoo

Bugs Be Gone Soap

This soap smells great to me, but not to the little buzzy guys. It's a great way to shut down the buffet and feel clean and fresh. No more spray on repellent for me! And as a bonus, Smiley also has the best lip balm I've ever used!

When I finished a prayer shawl for a good friend, I decided I wanted a nice shawl pin to go with it. OutNumberedNovelties has so many beautiful wooden pieces in their shop, they were the first ones I asked. I was not disappointed in the least! Through a series of convos, we collaborated on exactly what the finished product would look. (I'm not going to share the pictures of the one I got, because I still haven't sent it or the shawl off and I'd like a little surprise left) Much like me, making one just wasn't enough for Out, so there are more in their shop, each one totally unique.

Wooden Shawl Pin and Ring

One of the favorite things in my jewelry box is a pair of earrings that belonged to my grandmother. They are a pair of little gold wire birds' nest with tiny pearl "eggs" inside. I have loved them ever since I was little, but I never wore them. They always seemed too casual to wear any time I might wear a string of pearls and I just didn't have any other necklace to wear with them. I found the solution in the fantastic shop of thecuriouscupcake.

Cupcake and I traded the pendant for a pair of tatted earrings. This little baby may be all mine, but there are similar ones left and loads of other cute items!

So what are you still doing reading my blog? Go shop and find yourself some great items, too!

I also want to note that all the pictures above are from the individual sellers and I only borrowed them to show you all some of the amazing things out there ;)