All Is "Right SIDE UP" With The World Again!

or what I really meant to say was: "FONTS and FLAKES"

Hi there! I am happy to announce that TattingChic is back in business! Woo Hoo! Thank you everyone who commented on my Technical Difficulties post! I really appreciate your warmth and support. Apparently, yesterday morning when I sat down on my couch to eat my breakfast (see what I get for not eating at the table?), I accidentally sat on my laptop. Mortified, I jumped up immediately as I realized what I had done. I looked at my desktop screen and it was

¡¡¡uʍop ǝpısdn

YIKES!

Hey, that reminds me of a little song:
(Feel free to click "play" if you're in the mood for Diana Ross)

Thank you, bpmandersloot!

I went on with my day and while on a break at work I ran into the IT guy. I mentioned my predicament and he immediately started to laugh. He did say that it was a challenge and he had never heard of it before. He told me he would research about it that evening.

Today I got an email from him. It said:

"Try this.

Some systems will invert the display when you press CTRL-ALT-Up Arrow or CTRL-ALT-Down Arrow. This feature is installed to allow you to fix the monitor upside down on the ceiling or other high surface - useful for public displays. To put things back the right way press CTRL-ALT-Up Arrow or CTRL-ALT-Down Arrow again."

So, upon arriving home I immediately tried it after turning on my laptop! Lo and behold! It worked! YIPPEE!!! Easy and free fix! THANK YOU IT Guy (and you know who you are, although, I'm pretty positive you don't read this blog, LOL!)!!!

WHEW!!!

Apparently I had sat on the exact combination of CTRL-ALT-Down Arrow which turns it upside down. CTRL-ALT-Up Arrow turned it right side up again.

All is right (side up) with the world again!

It is so good to be back in the saddle again! Sewmuchfun4, it looks like you were right on the money with your suggestion as it was right what the I.T. guy said, thanks to you, too!

Now...back to what I was gonna say earlier before all this crazy turning-my-world-upside-down stuff.
What I really meant to post about today was that you may have noticed some changes on my blog lately. I had changed the font style of blog titles. I wanted to share with you some info about that.

~*~

This cool blog called Kevin & Amanda

had this very cool post here:

How To Use A Cute Font For Your Blogger Post Titles

Feel free to visit this blog if you're interested
in spicing up your blog a bit with some CUTE fonts!
It's way cool!

Amanda even writes back when you ask her questions in the comments!

Thanks, Amanda!

~*~

I also wanted to show you that I received
the July snowflake from Fairiebees

Here's a link with all the snowflakes together.

Thanks Fairiebees!

I look forward to getting my
tatted snowflake in the mail
from you every month!
I'll be sad when the year is through.

~*~

Sorry, about all the distractions! I was feeling very discombobulated and I think it shows in this post! Isn't that a great word? I love that word... "discombobulated"! It just sounds like things are all jumbled up and a mess, LOL!

Okay, okay, I know, I need to "get a life" if I'm all worried about my computer being unavailable for a 36 hour period, LOL!

See how much you guys mean to me!?!

It's nice to have a visit from you! Feel free to say hello and stuff! I missed you guys while my computer desktop was upside down! LOL!

(((HUGS)))!!!

XOXO

Tat Like An Egyptian!

Do you recall that song "Walk Like an Egyptian"? It was really BIG in the 80's! Oh, the 80's!!! I was such an 80's girl...and if you've read this blog before you may already know that. This song was so much fun to dance to, sing about, and mimic while walking down the halls at school with my friends! This song has been going through my head ever since I got my order from Wally of Needles~N~Shuttles blog who spends part of her year living in Egypt!

Actually, Wally is from Puerto Rico. She is married to an Egyptian man and so she is "Egyptian" by marriage! When she lives in Egypt she goes to Cairo to purchase perle cotton threads for tatting and sells them in her shop, also called "Needles~N~Shuttles". She summers in Puerto Rico where it is quite a bit cooler than the Sahara Desert heat of Egypt! Wally met her husband while living in Egypt about three years ago. She has Lupus and works to spread awareness about Lupus and the effect it has on those affected by it. She spends her time tatting and making lots of designs. When I say "lots" I mean LOTS! She comes out with new designs CONSTANTLY! I've called her a "Tatting Machine" a few times because she seems to produce a voluminous amount of tatting...more than I've seen anyone else online produce! It's amazing!

~*~

So, after all that talk about Egypt

can you see how I had that song running

through my head!?!

I'd love to "Tat like an Egyptian"! She's amazing!

For those of you that need a little

refresher on that song, here it is:

Walk like an egyptian

Thanks, Steve!

Ah, doesn't that make you think of

Egyptian pyramids and the like?

I've got a photo right here of one.
Wh....what???

Okay, okay, it's an Egyptian Thread Pyramid,

but it still counts, right?

***

No?

***

Well, what if I showed you a close up on the

label of the thread?

Would you believe me then?

It still doesn't count as an Egyptian Pyramid?

***

Alrighty then, I'll show you a postcard

she sent me that is from Egypt that has a

picture of an Egyptian pyramid on it!
Is this better?

***

Welcome PFF'ers!

(I know, I know....it's Saturday....Shhhhh!)

***

Here's the back of the postcard along with some

goodies she sent along with my order as a surprise!

Thank you, Wally!

***

Inside the baggy of sequins was this beautiful

Mother of Pearl disc! Oh, the potential!!!

I could make a cool tatted pendant with

that disc attached!

***

Next is a sampling of her books.

I ordered these from her shop.

So, if you were wondering how do you

"tat like an Egyptian"?

Here's how!

This heart is from her book

"From My Heart".

*

It will count as

MOTIF # 7

in my 2nd round of the 25 Motif Challenge.

*

I made it with the pink perle cotton

thread pictured above.

This special heart pattern is named

after her husband "Hussein".

Awww....isn't that sweet!?

***

Now, if you are still in the mood for

some "Egyptian-ality"

Here is a very cool

Michael Jackson video I found!

Thank you JAYTONYNJ

~*~
Thank you for your art and talent,
Michael!
May you Rest In Peace.

~*~

Well, thank you for joining me in my Egyptian adventures in tatting today! I tatted that heart up just for this post because I thought you might wonder what "Egyptian Tatting" looked like, LOL! It pretty much looks like "Irish Tatting", or "Scottish Tatting", "Danish Tatting", and even "German Tatting" doesn't it? LOL!

Where ever it is that you hail from I'd love to hear from you. Be sure to say hello before you go off on your travels through the wonderful land of Blog! Oh, and Wally says that if you want to see some real Egyptian dancing watch this video! It's cool!

Love,

XOXO

Be sure to sign up for the giveaway

if you haven't already!

You have until 7/31/09 at MN PST!

"I Was Strolling Through The Blogs One Day...

In the merry merry month of May ...er...June...I mean July
I was taken by surprise
By a giveaway that caught my eyes!
In the merry merry month of July!"

How many of you remember that silly song from childhood called "While Strolling Through The Park One Day"? :) If you are not familiar with it I embedded a video from You Tube for your song learning pleasure. This little ditty above is meant to be sung to that tune, LOL!

Thank you, DiversiTune!

Ya gotta love that bouncing ball that shows you what words to sing and when! I have to admit, though, the cadence of the song makes it almost lullaby~ish. I'm used to the tune being sung with much more vim and vigor. You know, it's usually a little faster than this version here (but it gives you the idea if you are not familiar with this song).

~*~

Okay, back to my little ditty at the
start of this blog post. I know it's corny! LOL!
I've only claimed that I love to write poetry.
(See my blogger profile)
I never said I was any good at it, LOL!

***

So, here are some things I spied

while strolling through the blogs one day!

***

I found my way to a
Mad Tea Party
that was hosted by the lovely

Vanessa Valencia of A Fanciful Twist.

One of the party goers was
Chrisy of Sophism Press!
Later, I was surprised to see that I won this

lovely apron at her tea party!

Chrisy is a talented artist!
She also sent this lovely print

of her own artwork called "Star Gazing"It is available in her Etsy Shop

called Artdecadence .

Thank you, Chrisy!

***

Next, I strolled over to Angela's
at The Country Cellar! I was surprised to see that
I won this toile apron!

I think that toile is such a pretty fabric!
That pocket is perfect to slip some tatting into!
Thank you, Angela!

***
Okay, 2 APRONS in less than one month?
What is the universe trying to tell me?

That I need to start cooking more?
***

Next to be spied on my travels
was the Uber Amazing Blog Award from Snap!

Thank you, Snap from Tales From Twisty Lane!

The Uber (synonym to Super) Amazing Blog Award is a blog award given to sites who:
- Inspire you
- Make you smile and laugh, or maybe give amazing information
- A great read
- Has an amazing design
- Any other reasons you can think of that make them Uber amazing!

The rules of this award are:
- Put the logo on your blog or post.
- Nominate at least 6 blogs
- Let them know that they have received this Uber Amazing award by commenting on their blog.
- Share the love and link to this post and to the person you received your award from.

Who to share it with? This is never easy!
There are TOO many people to share it with.
I will share this award with:

1) Bella from Bella Sinclair

2) Ces from Ces and Her Dishes

3) Carolyn from Draffin Bears

It's only 3-I'm cheating! Shhhh!
Don't tell the blog award rules police!

No, wait I think I may just give it away
to the 2 people I just won giveaways from!
YES!
That gives me 2 more peeps.

4) Chrisy from Sophism Press

5) Angela from The Country Cellar

Okay that's 5...I'm getting closer.
Can you see how painful this picking
award winners is for me?
(I just don't want anyone to feel left out!)

I could just give it back to Snap!
Yeah! Snap, ;) right back atcha bloggy pal!
Okay that makes winner #6!
Well, watta ya know? I stuck with
the rules anyhow! LOL!

***

The final award was found when
I strolled on over to Ces'
place at Ces and Her Dishes
She mentioned to me that she had
an award for me!Thank you, Ces!

Here is what Ces has to say about
The Bella Sinclair Award:

"I designed this award to celebrate art in the blogs and to honor the value of friendship, sisterhood, sharing and caring. It is to be awarded to the gifted, accomplished, eloquent and talented blogger whose friendship and influence inspire us to do our best. That I named it after Bella Sinclair is because she epitomizes all of these things. She is an inspiration to many of us."


She also says,


"Ces created the Bella Sinclair Award in honor of Bella Sinclair exceptional woman and brilliant artist who epitomizes the concept of the artist as inspiration, of sisterhood, caring and sharing. It is symbolized by the Quercus lobata or Valley Oak, a handsome and graceful tree with a sturdy trunk, upto 5 ft in diameter and 120 feet tall, the largest western deciduous oak"

Some of you may recall that Bella Sinclair
and I are good friends and participated
in a friendship exchange earlier this year!
I am deeply honored that Ces would share
this award with me! You see Bella has
gone through a difficult time recently with
the loss of her dear husband only days before
a transcontinental move. I'd like to encourage
my blog friends to go to her blog post
about it here and offer your support.

*

I would like to share this award with
Enlightened By Angels
Okay, okay, I know she's my niece and everything.
Some of you may even see this as blatant nepotism :x
...and it very well may be, LOL! However,
I do think that in the short time (and two posts)
that she has been blogging with us she has
quickly embraced the value of friendships
in blogging and the sharing and caring that
exists amongst us here in blogland.
Go visit her blog! I think you'll agree!

So, Enlightened By Angels, I hope
you go and start "spreadin' the love" some more by
sharing this award with other bloggers!

~*~

Thank you for strolling with me through the blogs today! Ya know, it sure seems like I win a lot of blog giveaways. Is it just me that thinks that? Why do you think that is? Do I have extremely good luck? I wish I had this kind of fabulous luck in my 3-D life, LOL! Some of you have suggested that I buy lottery tickets. I want you to know that I'm seriously considering it, LOL! How would it be! What would you do if YOU won the lottery? I know I'd buy more tatting thread, (tee hee)!

Oh, I have a poll you can click on. It's at the top of my right sidebar {which becomes the top of the footer (bottom of blog) when you're on the main page of this blog}. I did the same poll when I first started this blog, but I'm doing it again just for fun!

So, as you continue on your stroll through the blogs in the merry merry month of May June July I'd love to hear from you, too!

Sincerely,

XOXO

Please Mr Postman!

Have you ever waited in great suspense in the hope that something would soon arrive in the mail!? I have! I just did, infact. My highly anticipated package arrived on Saturday.

Yippee!!!

It all started back in April when I did a blogpost about a certain pink teapot. An artist by the name of Deborah McNutt of The Painted Nest mentioned she would like the teapot. After conversing via comments and emails a private swap ensued. So, off went my tatted teapot to live with Deborah on the other side of the country! I had requested a bird's nest with robin's eggs and a robin in exchange for my teapot and Deborah complied most willingly. I have been so excited about the arrival of this bird's nest.

Well, I have to say, Deborah did not disappoint.

She SPOILED me rotten!

I am about to show you a fabulous package! Hold on to your hats, friends! It's going to be a long one! For your blogging pleasure, I have provided some postman music that I thought would be fitting with the mail theme of this blog post to entertain you. I hope you enjoy the following Beatles video I found on YouTube.

Thank you, cotizados!

Ya know, sometimes I wonder if my postman knows I blog about him sometimes, LOL!

Nah!

Okay, friends, grab a refreshing drink, get comfortable, and crank up the music 'cuz here we go!

~*~

I couldn't wait to see what was inside this box! OMGoodness~

Looky at what was on TOP of the packaging!

A Vintage Workbasket Magazine!!!

It's from January 1957! I collect vintage Workbasket mags! Woo Hoo! Good call, Deborah!

It even has some tatting patterns in it!

***

Okay, now, what's underneath this?
Oh, look at this divine tag!

Look at all these little packages and the Robin!

I think the Robin was kind of hungry from being in that box for so long because she flew right over to my angel birdfeeder to get a bite to eat! Can you believe it?

Hee hee, I think she felt much better after filling up on some birdie food.

***

One of the little packages had this adorable altered notepad in it.

There is a little vintage rhinestone right on the center of that silk ribbon bow.

It's embellished so beautifully!

Just look at the little acorn fashioned out of a real acorn cap and a green pearlescent bead!
This just so happens to be the cutest notepad EVER!

It also just so happens that I adore acorns, hee hee!

See how it opens up?Cute!

***

Okay, next is this lovely mini canvas of

....what else...

but a painted nest!

As luck would have it~it's the perfect size to fit on my mini-easel! Hee hee!

***

Ya know what else looks cute on my mini-easel?

The divine tag!

See the little bit of tatting she used to embellish it?

***
Another little package held these inside:

The cutest little bird tags EVER!!!

***
Next, is this pretty pendant that says TAT on it!

Here's a closeup.

Notice the cute little angel with the crown on it!
I love it because I think that Tatting is the Lace of Angels!

I thought this was the sweetest thing ever. It brought tears to my eyes knowing that she would take the time to make a pendant dedicated to tatting and angels just for me!

***

Next are these artistically wrapped packages!
What could be inside?

The littlest package had the three little robin's eggs in them.

Deborah molded these herself out of a porcelain type clay!
So cute! I love robin's eggs!
*
The last package to be opened was the larger blue one.
*
You will not believe what was inside of it!
This BEAUTIFUL embellished bluebird box!

Here's a view of the front side of the box.
Look at the little birdy charm!
The top of the dangles is a real acorn cap!

When you open it up the inside is just as beatiful as the outside!

At the bottom of the box are three little eggs that have a 3-D like effect. The eggs are handpainted on top a nest of grass! So very pretty and very detailed!
*
If you like this bluebird boxes, Deborah is planning on making
a series of them and selling them on her other blog:
The~Bluebird's~Song, so stay tuned!
*
Thank you, Deborah! I love the box so much!
I thought it would look adorable in a little vignette
under a glass cloche on one of my bird's nest cake pedestals!

I thought it looked so sweet grouped with the bird tags and TAT charm.
What do you think?
The doily underneath is a vintage linen center doily with a tatted lace edging that I once rescued from an antique store.


***

And last, but certainly not least, a little nest lay gently nestled at the very bottom of the box.

Just look at this darling nesty with the robin's eggs and Mother Robin!

I thought it looked sweet atop one of my cake pedestals.

Mother Robin is watching so dutifully over her eggs.

I love how the word "Family" is intertwined into the nest.
Just like these robin's eggs families are precious.
They are fragile and need warmth and protection.
A Family needs to be handled with great care!

Of course, I noticed the bit of tatting tucked
lovingly into the nest! So sweet!

Isn't that precious? Such attention to detail.

Deborah built this nest herself!

***

Thank you so much Deb!

I am so touched at all the little tributes to tatting in your art pieces for me.

I love all of my gifts and will treasure them always!
Be sure to stop by The Painted Nest when you get a chance!

~*~

It's such a pleasure to share my birdie treasure with all of you! Thanks for letting me play show-and-tell with you today! It's so nice to receive a lovely, heartfelt, and artistic gift from a talented artist and new friend such as Deborah. You should know that the thing that makes it even more special is that I have some place to share it with fabulous bloggy friends like yourselves! If you've made it this far in the blog post I'd love to hear from you so feel free to comment. I love hearing from my blog buddies ~ new and old alike~ ! Newcomers are always welcome, too, so don't be shy!

Love,

xoxo