Bookmarks

My aunt Bonnie told me that my cousin Luke goes through bookmarks like crazy. She's going to the bookstore and paying $5-8 for each bookmark- that's insane! So I told her I would make up a bunch. He's a teenager so I don't want them to look girly and they need to be simple because he's gonna lose them. So I've been experimenting. I'm using the DMC thread that my sister bought at a yard sale last year. It was a bag full of and because its a larger size the bookmarks are a decent size with very little work. There's a few other designs but I haven't scanned them yet.

I've also make a few hearts for my aunt as well. This is the same heart that I used in the snowflake doily I made a few months ago. I call them droopy cheek hearts because the lower chains looks like its drooping a bit.

Rings and more rings

Ever since I covered one in the spring I've been crazy about covering cabone rings. Then I saw these cute gold rings at Michael's and had to have them. I just knew that I could make something fun.

Obviously I couldn't cover all that goldy goodness with tatting. So I pulled out those ugly plastic cabone rings that I could hide under some fun thread. Then I started with a simple pattern and this is what I got:

I'm almost done since only 10 gold rings came in the package.

Update on my sewing machine...

Good news! I didn't have to take my sewing machine to the repair shop. My mom fixed it in about 2 seconds. She took the spool off and found that the thread was wound around the base. Mmmmm I tried re-threading the machine but didn't think of taking the spool off. She tested it by sewing a few items and everything was fine.
What I know about sewing couldn't fill a thimble...but I can now finish my pillows.

Summer fun

Its finally become a little summery here in Ottawa! No rain in sight today (it rained more in July than EVER on record). To celebrate the arrival of some warm weather I'm giving you something to do while basking in the sun. Add a little sparkle to you summer by making this fun summer bracelet!

Supplies
size 20 thread, 120 size 10 beads
bangle bracelet

W- wrap (see http://victats.blogspot.com/2009/03/more-fun-than-it-looks.html for instructions on how I recomend you encapsulate the bangle)
B- bead, number of beads indicated by the number of Bs

*R 4BB4
W 5
R 4+ (btwn Bs on prev ring) 4BBB4BB4
W 5
R 4+(btwn Bs on last beaded picot on prev ring)4
W 5BBB5*
* repeat from * to * around bangle ending where you began.

You can make several and wear them stacked together for effect!

Looking for something to do?

If you are looking for something to do in September (maybe a "destination vacation") I strongly suggest visiting the lovely South Carolina. What better way to spend a weekend...
..and since you're in the area, why not head out to the White Oaks Convention Center and sign up for the Palmetto TAT DAYS! If you go to their site at http://www.palmettotatters.org/index.shtml you can get all the details as well as see pictures from previous years. The projects are great and there's a wonderful cast of teachers:
Vicki Clarke (me)
Hope Green
Sharren Morgan
Jane Eborall
Erin Holloway
Karey Solomon
Martha Ess
Nina Libin
Riet Surtel

I'm excited to because I not only be attending but teaching a few projects! I thought I would share a few sneak peaks of the projects I'm teaching:

The Culprit
Fall Flower Broach



A closer look at one of the flowers.

Rosette Sachet (variation below)

Wine Charms/Magnets

I'm terribly excited about this weekend and I hope to see you there shuttles, needles and thread in tow!