Bobbin Lace

No I do not know how to make lace using bobbins, but I was privileged to look at some lace pricking patterns today made from some ancient documents. It would be amazing to know where they originally came from and what the document that they were cut from actually said.  All you can imagine is that they were made in the days before electricity and running water, when women sat in the evenings with just candle light to illuminate their work.

And some old lace bobbins, although not as old as the patterns

They were brought in by a member of our Computer Club and were her mother's who died about 5 years ago in her 90s.

On show again

It seems so long ago since I designed the button necklace (which is on the side of my blog) I have made quite a few over the years, but there are still many hidden away in my stash.  Last week I decided to wear one as it went with a particular top.  I was surprised and delighted with the attention it got from people and might be inspired to make another one, especially if I need a necklace to match another top.  My problem is that over the last few years I have almost abandoned wearing any jewellery as just could not be bothered. 

What I enjoy most about making these necklaces is playing with different coloured beads and buttons.

Thanks for all the kind comments about Renulek's doily, I have now started the final round and all is going well, hopefully can show you sometime next week.

Another round completed

The last round I tatted seemed to take ages and I was really frightened that I would run out of thread, and have to cut it all off and start again!  It was very nerve racking especially as I did not enjoy tatting this round anyway, so the thought of starting again, was just too awful to contemplate!  Fortunately I made it to the end with a bit of the thread to spare.  As you can see I have started another colour which hopefully is neutral enough to blend in with a Lizbeth thread very close to the original maroon colour.  I intend to use both the colours on the last round but it is hard to see if it will work at the moment.

Needless to say I will be so pleased when this doily is finished!

Still tatting the doily!

I am making very little progress on Renulek's doily, because I have very little time to sit and tat it!  However, I am a little further on than this picture shows, a quarter of the way along the next row.   

The round is complicated so making even slower progress.

The pop-a-bobbin shuttles continue to sell well and I am hoping that now the weather is warmer more can be made in the garage.  

Cats

I have finished the cats,  the pattern is from Inga Madsen's book Tatted Animals.  At last I can go back to my doilies.

The weather is improving again in England and so hopefully the garden will get some attention this weekend. 

Shuttles in a basket

Sorry to say that these shuttles have been in this basket for over a week now and I must let everyone know about them!  Especially those who have requested to buy some.  Firstly though I have to finish the cats.

Actually I did sell a shuttle this weekend, someone who lives only 6 miles away from me bought one.  We had never met before and she just came along and bought one after seeing them on the internet.  We had a quick chat before she headed home, her husband was in the car and so did not want to hear 'tat chat'.  Wish every sale was so easy!

Cats and shuttles

So many people have been asking about the pop-a-bobbin shuttles over the last month or so that I have lost tract of where I have seen most of the inquiries!  A lot of shuttles have now been made but I can't find enough time to actually let everyone know and start the process of packaging them and posting them!  In the meantime someone has asked me to make four cats and I am using the pattern from Inga Madsen's book, Tatted Animals.    They want them in size 40 thread which seems very fine to me, I am a 20's kind of gal!  

I tried to delay this request for the cats, but sadly was unable to. Have not touched a doily for weeks, which is a shame as I look forward to doing something relaxing of an evening.