Christmas comes too quickly...

So Christmas is nigh and I'm wondering where the time went. Its definitely past time to draw a name from those who helped me with pattern suggestions. I got the most honest person I know our clinic director Hafeez, to draw a name out of a pile and he pulled out Connie. Connie can you send me your address information and fave colors? I was so happy with all who responded that if you email me at victats@gmail.com with your address I'll send you a thank-you gift!

More answers...

I've gotten a few more answers...

Sally's favorite was Jane's butterfly but since her sister Jane already chose that she went for her bauble at: http://tatsheaven-churchlog.blogspot.com/2009/12/christmas-baubles.htmlchurchlog.blogspot.com/2009/12/christmas-baubles.html . To find the pattern look in the right column, they're so fun. Its so nice to see sisters getting along and sharing, the same situation with my sister would result in a death match! (just kidding)

Isdihara's favorite pattern at the moment is Wendy Durell's 4 ring snowflake. The pattern can be found at http://www.durell.me.uk/Tatting/4%20Ring%20Snowflake%20diagram.pdf

Connie's contribution was "Erin H. tatted last year in church and is one of today's online tatting class patterns that she so kindly donated and named Connie's Snowflake. (I liked it even before she named the snowflake) You can find this snowflake at: http://www.georgiaseitz.com/2009/erinsnowflakepattern.html"

Gina thought about it for awhile then came up with her answer:
"Okay.....one year I was in a Christmas RR tatted ornament. I used it as an excuse to tat the motifs from Pam Palmer's Tatting Treats. I think that collection is my most favorite of all. The rocking horse, the teapot where you can put your own motif in the center(I used a holly sprig), the Christmas tree, the caroling mouse, a bell....and fairly easy. I also LOVE the chain tree from Sue Fuller's Potpourri of Tatting. So easy, so fast and so pretty. I've also done a wonderful tree by Julie, an Australian tatter who doesn't show up much these days. Can't say I have a favorite snowflake. Have never tatted a snowman. Not that keen on tatting wreaths. " You know you see these books but you just don't know if you should buy it. I'm going pick up Pam and Sue's books the next time I've got the chance.

Trayna said...
My favourite Christmas tatting pattern (thou I haven't done it this Xmas & can't do it now ;( ) is Jon's Rings Only Snowflake with beads http://tatsaway-patterns.blogspot.com/2008/08/rings-only-snowflake-with-beads.htmlI love the way it looks and how it flows as you are making it.See Jon's photo on my bloghttp://trayna.blogspot.com/2009/12/secret-santa-update-vics-bribe.html

So here's my additional bribe, forgive the picture quality. The last bit of incentive is a doily similar to the one in the picture. The colors are yet to be determined but its about 12 inches in diameter. If you are wondering what I'm talking about check out my previous post at http://victats.blogspot.com/2009/12/favorite-christmas-patterns-and-bribe.html)

A few great answers...

I have been asking everyone's favorite Christmas/seasonal patterns and offered a bribe in my last post as an incentive. (check out the post http://victats.blogspot.com/2009/12/favorite-christmas-patterns-and-bribe.html) A few of you have thought my question and shared:

Tatskool: "My favourite at the moment is Third day of December by Lene Bjorn in 24 Snowflakes in Tatting. I have blogged about it here: http://tatsakoolchallenge.blogspot.com/2009/12/third-day-of-december.html." I'm really happy to see someone else do this pattern because now I know that the rose in the middle is supposed to be 3-d. When I made it a few years ago I thought I was making a mistake.

HJ's favorite was Susan B. Taliaferro's Christmas Chain Wreath with beads, found at http://www.susansplanet.bravehost.com/ChristmasChainWreath.htm. I couldn't get the picture to copy over but you can check it out yourself.

Kook Vee: "My ultimate favourite Xmas pattern to tat up would have to be the Holly Garland by Pam Palmer which can be found on page 18 of Tatting Treats 3! It's fast to do up for last minute gifts and just so darned cute. I've made it into cards, brooches and even earrings. I love it =)."

Jane's Current favorite is her butterfly on her site: http://www.janeeborall.freeservers.com/butterfly2009.pdf. I'm kinda partial to her snowsettia pattern at: http://www.janeeborall.freeservers.com/Motif2009.pdf. I have to warn you if you stop at her pattern site make sure you have plenty of ink in your printer. There's so many great patterns!

Thanks so much to Kook Vee, Jane, Tatskool and HJ for writing down their faves. To the rest of you out there, I can see that I may have to offer a little more incentive...I'm working on it!

note: none of the pictures in this post are mine; they come from the sites noted beside them.

Christmas Patterns and The Bribe

Seeing all the different projects that people are making has given me an idea. There's just too many patterns and books out there to see what's available for Christmas. So I'm going to cheat and ask everyone to share their favorite Christmas tatting pattern. I'd like you to write in the comment section your favorite pattern, the creator and where it's found i.e. book, website, CD...

This seems like work and I hate work so I'm giving you an incentive. If you share your fave then I will enter you in a draw. If you write about this quest and share a picture of your fave pattern on your blog I'll enter you a second time (please let me know in the comment section). If your favorite thing isn't tatting (I don't know how that could happen), you may need a Shrink but you can still enter your favorite non-tatting Christmas pattern and the same rules apply.

THE BRIBE:

My copy of Tatting for the Tree by Karey Solomon which is currently my fave Christmas book. You can see a few samples of her patterns in previous posts. A tatted lavender sachet and a pair of pointsettia earings tatted by me. As well as a few other goodies that I'll throw in for fun.

How did she know?

Have you ever received a gift and wondered how did they know you would like it?
My sister finally gave me my Birthday gift when I was at her house on the weekend. It was a coat but now just any coat! Its one of those old black coats with the fur collars and I think the material is called Persian wool. I don't think these coats have been sold for a long time but its in such good condition that I almost thought it was new. Anyways, I don't think I've ever told her I love those coats. She won't tell me who it came from but assured me that they were clean (seniors can't always see the dirt due to eye stuff). It just amazes me that she picked that coat out for me. I'm very happy.

The Talk

So I've been giving this talk all week to patients as they come into my clinic with their shoulders up around their ears and hunched over like Mr. Burns. Its getting closer and closer to Christmas and many (including me) are frantically trying to finish gifts. Please don't end up like that. Here are the 2 essential things you need to have to minimize the damage:

lighting, lighting, lighting- if you are finding the you are squinting to see your work, bent over nose to the table, or you are holding your work up right in front of your nose then you don't have enough light. Its best to use natural light but most of us don't have that so OTT lights rock! (no affiliation)

Egg timer- not just for perfect soft boiled eggs anymore. Set the timer for 30 minutes. When it goes off the 1st time you need to look up from your work, roll your shoulders, stand up and basically squirm around a bit in your chair. Reset the timer to another 30 min.
The second time the timer goes off you know its been an hour so you have to take a break- 5 minutes minimum. I know, I know you are in the middle of something and you'll finish it any second but get up anyways. "Finishing in a second" can turn into hours. You need to get up and move around to get blood flow (which will make the cloudiness go away) and to give your muscles are rest. Its easy to let a lot of time to go by without a break.

Doing these 2 things are a big start in avoiding that cramped, pressed down feeling you get when you work for hours. A few moments of prevention go along way. On the other hand Chiropractors, Massage therapists and Physiotherapist all need to make money for Christmas so maybe just ignore me- you'll be done in a second anyways. (just kidding)

There's only so many places it can go

Don't you hate it when you clean up, tidy or declutter? I do. What's wrong with a little organization is what many of you maybe thinking but it tell you its evil, evil, evil!

For the last 2 weeks I've been trying to locate some beads I purchased. I know I bought them because there is half a necklace on my tray. I have no idea where those beads went. They couldn't have gone far- I work in the same area and store my stuff in the same spot. How can I so totally lose something in such a small area? Mmmm let me think...that's about the time I thought my mom and sister were coming for a visit. What did I do that day? Oh yes, ran around trying to pretend I'm not a slob by cleaning frantically.

To be honest, this is not the first time I've lost something by cleaning. The last time I organized/cleaned I lost my cell phone in one of the tubs of thread. It was only by fluke that I found it the next day because I SWEAR I LOOKED IN THAT TUB! I'm not that good at organizing my stash. I probably should just let it go and the beads will show up...but the necklace is taunting me. Bad necklace, I think it has some evil Mojo- I'll have to give it to someone I don't like.

On a happier note, I'm once again wowed by the effect packaging/presentation has on a product. I know that's not terribly eco-friendly but its true. I made some bookmarks, stuck them in a resealable bag and voila! Instant value upgrade. A friend is giving them to her son's teachers at the snotty private school he attends for Christmas.