Monday, June 22, 2009

Treasures in Blogland

Blogland is like an unexpected world just waiting to be discovered. Behind every nook and cranny, under every rock there are little treasures to be found! I've found a few such treasures lately! I'd like to share them with you, if I may.

~*~


In May I won a Birthday Giveaway
hosted by Carolyn of Draffin Bears!
I was one of 4 lucky winners!


***


Carolyn sent this pretty card and
sweet handmade dough ornament! She wrote the sweetest note inside!Isn't her hand writing beautiful!?
Thank you, Carolyn from Draffin Bears!
I am grateful for your friendship!


She makes the most adorable Teddy Bears


~*~


Next, from the talented Ruth Perry
I received this beautiful pink celtic style tatted bookmark.
Ruth tatted this herself.
Ruth also goes by her pen name Rozella Linden
and has written a many books on Celtic Tatting.
Celtic Tatting is a style of tatting where the tatting intertwines
as you make the lace. It's quite intriguing.

This type of tatting shuttle was made special for Ruth
when she published her "Celtic Tatting" book
through Handy Hands Publishing. Barbara Foster,
owner of Handy Hands Tatting, asked her if a thinner
shuttle would work better for this type of tatting and
so the Celtic Tatting Shuttle was "born"!
The Celtic Shuttle is thinner than a typical tatting shuttle so
that it will slide in between smaller spaces that
celtic tatting creates. Ruth tells me that the
following shuttle was the result of this design request. Can you see how it's long and skinny?
This shuttle, Ruth told me, was one of the first Celtic shuttles
ever made. She said she no longer has a need for it
and so she passed it on to me!


I am honored! I haven't learned celtic tatting yet,
so, no pressure there, LOL! I certainly will now!
I have many of Ruth's books!

You may be wondering how I happened to acquire such
tatting treasures from Ruth, a woman I have never met, but have admired her talent for many years.

It just so happens that she had a "yard sale" earlier this year which I participated in. It was like a grab bag where you made a bid and got some her stash of threads, beads, shuttles, and tatted bits. This is only some of what she sent me. I'll post more about this later.



~*~


Thank you for coming to see some of my treasures I've acquired in blogland! It's been a pleasure to share them with you. What sort of treasures have you come across in blogland lately? Feel free to share your thoughts with me. Comments are always welcome here! Don't forget, the friendships I've made with many of you are the greatest treasures of all!
Sincerely,


XOXO

51 absolutely fabulous things were said:

Tatskool said...

How do you come to win so often, you must have a fairy tatmother! Or maybe it's just your reward for all the hours you spend reading and commenting on all those blogs.
You are truly a blogging queen.

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Bonjour Madame!
What a lovely surprise to receive a message and visit from you! I have seen your name so many times; I am Nancy's sister-in-law (Nancy from FĂȘte et Fleur) and I noticed your name on her comments since I started blogging in January. My mother used to do tatting and she had the tool, but it got lost after she passed away; she would make beautiful collars and other wonderful things, but she never taught me how to do it. I see you like bunnies and kittens...my cottage is named "Rabbit Hill" because we ADORE rabbits and have many wild ones running around in our city and garden! Thank you for your compliments on my header. That castle and garden are in Marqueysacc France and it is my favorite garden. Please come again! Anita

Kathleen Grace said...

What beautiful gifts! I love how the tatting weaves in and out in the celtic bookmark. Tatting is so beautiful but that is especially lovely:>)

Singtatter said...

Wow, so pretty is the bookbook that Ruth tatted! Can't wait to see what other things she has included in the grab bag for you. Do give celtic tatting a try with that shuttle, the effect is worth the trouble. But sadly, I couldn't fully comprehend all the celtic patterns Ruth has written, and it is not easy to get someone to demonstrate to me here:(

CJ STITCHING AND BLOOMS said...

Good Morning Tatting Chic, This bookmark is very pretty, I especially love the different shades of pink and it looks like she even added some embroidery. Lovely Hugs Judy

Unknown said...

Very nice treasures Tattingchic and the shuttle is a big bonus.

artbeckons said...

That bookmark is gorgeous! And how special that she has given you her special shuttle. You sure are one blessed lady =)

shabbyfufu said...

Such Sweet gifts!

LadyShuttleMaker aka MadMadPotter said...

I like your signature Chicky....very cool. Also, how wonderful to receive such lovely items from Ruth. Those are definately keepers.

Fox said...

What great gifts! You do indeed have a fairy tatmother!

Clever woman! I was trying to figure out the signature thing and there you go - way ahead of me!
xxooxx Fox : )

Unknown said...

Thank you for your very nice comment, Tatskool. Nope, no fairy tatmother (although, that is a clever thought)...maybe it's the fortune from the fortune cookie I shared about a year ago, LOL! It had said "You will be showered with good luck". Maybe that's it, LOL!

Hi Anita, oh, thank you for introducing yourself. I had no idea you are Nancy's SIL. That is cool...Blogland is turning into a "small town", LOL! Rabbit Hill sounds like a lovely place to live and your explanation of the castle in the header of your lovely blog is amazing. What a beautiful place! I would love to visit there someday! Thanks for sharing about your Mother's tatting. I hope you still have some of her tatted pieces. If you do, I'd love to see them on your blog sometime!

Hi Kathleen Grace! I like how the tatting weaves in and out, too. It's a really cool design.

Hi Singtatter. I'm glad you like the bookmark. Oh, I definitely plan on giving Celtic tatting a try. I already have and found that my shuttle was too big, maybe that's why I gave up, LOL! A Celtic shuttle has been on my tatting shopping list for a long time, but I always end up buying tons of thread and other shuttles instead. I guess I have no excuses now!

Hi Judy. Thank you, I love the colors and embroidery, too!

Hi Clyde, and thank you. I am very pleased that Ruth gave me this celtic shuttle. Well, she didn't really "give" it...I did pay for it, but she could've given to any other of the grab-bag winners, but she didn't... she gave it to me and I will always treasure that.

Hi Beckie! It's funny that you would say I'm "blessed". I certainly think so, too, and I'm grateful for all my blessings. What's funny is that I almost entitled this blog post "The Blessings of Blogging", but I changed it because it sounds too much like "The Beauty of Blogging" which I've already used.

Thank you, Shabbyfufu!

Glad you like the siggy, Lady ShuttleMaker! I agree, the bookmark and shuttle from Ruth are keepers!

Hi there, Fox. You are too funny! It's not a race! It's actually quite easy to put a signature on. If you click on that signature it will take you to a place that makes them for free and walks you through it step by step. You ask for the "HTML code" when it gives you the options for which code and then you copy and paste the "HTML code" into your "HTML mode" when you are creating your blogpost! It will show up in "Compose mode" or "preview" when you are creating your next blogpost! Good luck! That's all there is to it...it's really easy.

Betty said...

You are one lucky person...okay, you are one deserving person! I've entered a few giveaways; but, so far, no good luck. I have, however, met some wonderful blogging people this way and that's a winner for me.

Lovely gifts!

Unknown said...

Hi Betty! Thank you for stopping by. I couldn't agree more about meeting all the fabulous bloggers out there. The friendships gained is the TRUE Treasure in blogging!

Fox said...

You are so helpful - again! I did it! I can't tell you how much trouble I had trying to do this silly thing! Thank you! Once more you have been an inspiration and a catalyst to my online adventures! Fox : )

Unknown said...

That is fabulous, Fox! I can't wait to see your new siggy on your next blog post. I just copy from each previous post's HTML and and paste into the new post I'm creating. You can do it that way or save a "Word document" with the HTML code on it. THat is probably the safest thing to do. Good for you for figuring it out!

Rosemary said...

Hi there!
Congrats again! You are a lucky girl!!!
Good for you!!
Have a wonderful day!
Rosemary

rochambeau said...

So many treasures in your blog chest!
All beautiful and heartfelt!
Yes, like Tatskool says you are a true blogging Queen!

xox
Constance

Anonymous said...

Carolyn's dough girl is really cute. Ruth's bookmark is beautiful! I love the addition of roses at the top.

Vicki Chrisman said...

I agree.. blog land is just a world of fun people and beautiful inspirtaion..isnt it?

Unknown said...

Hi Rosemary, thank you! I hope you have a wonderful day, too!

Awww...thanks, Constance! I appreciate your sweet comment. That was nice of Tatskool to say, wasn't it.

Hi Yarnjourney! I LOVE Carolyn's dough art girl! She is a multi-talented artist! Thanks for your comment.

Hi Vicki C, Yes, blogland is an amazing place. Thanks for stopping by today.

Susanne said...

Oh another special shuttle to add to your collection. Congratualtions.
Oh you're a very important part of the blogland being such a nice and funny place. Take care, TattingChic.

Southern Lady's Vintage said...

Beautiful gifts!

Victoria - Florence and Mary said...

I adore your bookmark! Such lovely colours.

Victoria xx

Ces Adorio said...

Hello TattingChic, How nice for you to receive such lovely presents. Blogland indeed offers a lot of fabulous surprises. Take care. Thanks for stopping by.

Ces

Free Art Printables said...

You always get such lovely things! I need your luck! But then again, you DO deserve them!

Reen said...

Wow! u are always so lucky. They are all lovely gifts. If u ever run out of space in your home, u can always fly it over the sea, land and to my place. Hahaha!!!

Jessica Rodarte said...

Oh, Carolyn is such a nice lady. Lucky you to win her giveaway. :) The bookmark is very pretty.

Unknown said...

Thanks, Susanne! That is a very generous thing to say! You just made my day...that rhymes! LOL!

Thank you, Southern Lady's Vintage!

Hi Victoria, I'm glad you like the bookmark. I think it's pretty, too. Ruth did a beautiful job!

Hi Ces! I'm so glad you came to visit. That is sweet of you to come on over. Have a fabulous day!

Hi Jen R, thank you for saying I deserve them. I don't know if that's true or not, but I have been lucky. I think all my bloggy friends deserve nice things.

LOL, Reen! Okay, I will keep that in mind...if you don't mind paying the postage...HA HA HA!!! I'll let you know if I need to de-giftify. Hey! I just made up a new word, LOL!

Hi Jessica, I agree. Carolyn is a very nice lady. I love her blog and I'm so excited that I won something from her. She's very talented.

LiLi M. said...

You are so right about blogland! I don't think that non bloggers ever will understand. You received some beautiful treasures. The generosity of bloggers cannot be compared with anything. Not only the treasures are beautiful but the whole generosity idea behind this makes them even more worth while.

Tracy said...

So many pretty treats... It is amazing how often you win goodies--hehehe! That bookmark is gorgeous! Your have many tatted bookmarks... do you display them somehow? That would make a lovely display, I'd think. Happy Day, my friend :o) ((HUGS))

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Bonjour Madame! Thank you for coming again to Rabbit Hill! Yes, my darling husband is Nancy's brother! Genius and beauty runs in their family, I tell ya'....I unfortunately don't have any of the beautiful laces my mom made! Things were divided out when she died and I was living out of state at that time and could not haul a lot of stuff back with me. If you go on to my Mother's Day post, you will see the one and only knitting project she left me that she made when she was literally dying of cancer. It is a little doll with a sweet little sweater and hat, but her earlier work was divine; the old doilies and collars were so special, and even as a child, I knew that this craft was quite unique. Thank you for keeping it alive! I live in the Twin Cities and there must be someone out here who still does it;this is a happening town in all senses, but in the arts? Superb. I shall look around on my many scavenger hunts during the summer! Happy tatting and let us meet again soon! Anita

Paula said...

My goodness... what beautiful gifts you've recieved! And no one is more deserving of all that love than you, sweetie!

Anonymous said...

those are some lovely goodies!

you are right, it is so nice to meet lovely people on here, from all parts of the world, that normally in every day life you would not get a chance to meet :-) there are so many lovely talented people on here! You included ;-)

Rose XXX

Celestina Marie said...

Hi Tatting Chic,
Oh what a lovely and thankful post. Carolyn is a sweetheart and her talents over flow. I love her bears and dough art. So creative.
And, the gorgeous Celtic tatted book mark is lovely. Ruth sounds like such a talent writing books and designing beautiful tatted treasures. The shuttle must be great to have. How special for you. I have no doubt you will learn Celtic tatting too.

Enjoy your sweet gifts and the gifts of friendship too. Everyone loves you and we are all blessed with your friendship.

See you again soon.
Hugs, Celestina Marie

Unknown said...

Such lovely gifts, it's no wonder that you win so many giveaways, you are such a generous person. I love each one, and that tatting is gorgeous.
Have a lovely day.

Karen

Suzie said...

Congrats on your win its very cute

Unknown said...

Hi Lili! I agree, most people who do not blog will not understand. I think that even in blogging we've come across a nice group of people. There are some scary blogs out there, LOL! It just seems like most of us who are into artsy things and making beautiful things with our hands have a lovely way of being generous. It's very refreshing!

Hi Tracy, thank you! No, I do not display the bookmarks. That is a sweet idea. I use them! I am thinking of making a scrapbook of all of my lace exchanges and stuff!

Hi Anita, that is a touching story about your Mom knitting the sweater for the little doll for you. Thank you for sharing such a sensitive story with me. That sounds like a precious treasure!

Hi Paula! Thanks a bunch! You are very sweet to say that and I appreciate it.

Thank you, Rose! I appreciate you thoughtful comment.

Hi Celestina Marie! Thanks for stopping by. Carolyn is multi-talented for sure. I love her work. Ruth does have a corner market on Celtic tatting it seems and I love her work, too!

Hi Karen, YOU are very generous, too. Your blog posts have so much art and heart poured into them. They are each a gift to blog land!

Thank you, Suzie! It's very nice of you to stop by!

Karen ~ Cider Antiques said...

Hi TattingChic, Love all your treasures :) You have done well. I tried to send you a PM but couldn't find a link . . . sorry the tatted tablecloth has sold. Thank you for your interest though :) Karen.

Linda said...

What neat treasures...our blogging friends are so nice and have wonderful talents...enjoy your sweet pretties. I loved the idea of a yard sale you mentioned...hugs, Linda

Anonymous said...

Hi, I am visiting you from Paula's (Fraker Farm). What lovely gifts you have received and shared with us today. Blogging has been a blessing to me too. Growing up, we had two little ladies (sister) who were talented at tatting. I wish I had learned from them. They would be close to 130 today!
I love butterflies and have had many blog friends to share butterfly phtographs with me over the past year. It was a real joy to visit your blog this afternoon.

sewmuchfun4 said...

Hello!
I love that doughy little face! The bookmark is beautiful and I have wished more than once that I had a skinnier shuttle (although I had no idea they were in existence). It is sa-weet!

I made a little something over on my blog. Your flitting butterfly analogy put a picture in my head, so I played around with one of my old photos.
Ann

Cathy ~ Tadpoles and Teacups said...

Such good fortune!
:)

Thimbleanna said...

You're like me -- you have such wonderful good fortune in blogland. Lovely gifties!

Lois said...

Congratulations on all of your wins! The dough ornament is delightful looking. Carolyn obviously took time in making it.
The bookmark is very pretty and the shuttle is something that you will use for many, many years yet to come. How very generous of Ruth.
Enjoy your goodies, take care and have a great week.
Lois

Unknown said...

Hi Karen, thanks for letting me know about the tatted tablecloth! I don't know what I was thinking anyway...LOL! I don't have an oval table. Oh, well, anything to get you to come and visit my blog, LOL! ;) (P.S. don't worry about not being able to PM me...if I wrote it in a comment in your blog I'm fine with an answer in my comments. Thank you!

Hi Linda. I'm glad you took the time to come and visit! Isn't a yard sale a good idea? It sounds like a wise thing for ME to do right about now, but in 3-D land, LOL!

Hi Mildred, I'm so glad you hopped over from Paula's blog! That is cool! I enjoyed hearing your story of the ladies who would've been 130 yrs old by now who tatted, LOL! Well, if you want to learn to tat, hopefully, you will find the person to teach you...or the right book. Right now there is one with a DVD!

Hi Ann, yes, isn't Carolyn's dough art doll adorable? Or should I say A-dough-able...har har har! Yes, get yourself a celtic shuttle, by all means! They are available at handy hands and Lacis! I've seen them other places, too!
I visited your blog and I thought the graphic you made was so sweet with the tatted butterfly and the flowers! Thanks for the shout out!

Thank you, Cathy!

Ha ha! I guess we are kindred spirits in good fortune, Thimbleanna! Aye?

Hi Lois and thank you for visiting! Yes, you can tell that Carolyn put some time into her darling dough ornie! It's cute.
Hopefully, I will put that Celtic shuttle to good use and not shy away from it. I think that this is just what I needed to push me a little further so I won't be too intimidated!

paperbird said...

Lovely treasures. Such wonderful friendships are made in the land of blog.

Unknown said...

Thank you, Paperbird. I appreciate your visit and comment.

talia said...

I am just drooling over that bookmark and shuttle! I better go get a washcloth to clean up my keyboard here, sheesh! What beautiful gifts!

Draffin Bears said...

Hi TattingChic,

Thank you for mentioning about my little gift I gave you and was happy to make her for you.
I love the tatted bookmark Ruth made you.
You will soon need a bigger house to keep all your gifts! hehe.
I enjoy your friendship and hope that you have a happy weekend.

Hugs
Carolyn

Dean Grey said...

I love that Celtic Bookmark, TattingChic!

Lucky you!

-Dean

Unknown said...

Hi Talia! Thanks for visiting! I hope your keyboard still works. I understand drool isn't very compatible with keyboards, LOL! ;)

Welcome back to blogland, Carolyn! I hope you had a fabulous time in Fiji, you LUCKY girl! Thanks for stopping by and I'm glad you got to see my post about your darling gift! Thank you so much.

Hi Dean! Thanks for stopping over to visit. Glad you like the bookmark. Isn't the weaving pattern cool?