The Fabulous Force Field of Friendship

Hello there bloggy friends, pals and buddies! Newcomers are also welcome!

Some of you may have noticed that I haven't blogged for a little while! It's true... I haven't, LOL! You are very observant if you noticed that! I'd like to thank all my bloggy friends who left comments or sent an email! Thank you so much for your virtual friendship, love, and support!

The truth is, I haven't been feeling my best. I cannot tell you how much your comments and friendships mean to me! Each one has helped me feel a boost of loving energy that I have needed from time to time.

Today I wanted to share a very special gift that a very special lady has shared with me!
Some of you may know Marie Antoinette of Dolls by Marie Antoinette. She makes the loveliest dolls and often creates a very special vignette with those dolls. Well, this special lady was kind enough to share her very lovely talent with me in the most generous gesture! She is giving one of her dolls to me!

I just happened to be reading this post on her blog which tells about her dogs, the T-shirts she makes, and her Christmas tree creation. This is one multi-talented lady, let me tell you! Well to my utter surprise somewhere in the middle of the blog post I read something that said:

"Attention TattingChic!!!!"

This was followed by 4 lovely photos of some of her dolls with an explanation that she was giving me one of those dolls of my choosing! I was blown away! Thank you, Marie Antoinette! WOW!

Well, if you go over to her blog and look at those dolls you will see 4 beautiful dolls in 4 lovely vignettes and, I have to say, it was a very hard decision! They are all so lovely!

Below you will see the doll I chose:

Isn't she lovely? I love the wicker chair, the white dress, the kitty cat, and the gazebo style of the area she is sitting it with the beautiful vines covering it. It's a peaceful area in a lovely garden scene! There are also so many sweet details (if you click to enlarge the photo) like the birdie in the top left corner of the roof of the gazebo and the kitty cat resting leisurely at her feet! It's so sweet!

Marie Antoinette, I cannot thank you enough for your kindness and generosity, not to mention your loving and suppportive emails! Thank you so much! Your kindness has meant more to me than I can say and has really helped me during a time where I am not feeling "up to par".


Thank you, bloggy friends, for stopping by to say hello! As you may already very well know comments are always welcome here at TattingChic! Hope you have a fabulous day and thank you for letting me share my special gift from a friend with you!

Oh, and one last thing:

May the Force be with you!

♥

XOXO

Tatting from Canada, AYE?

Now, that I've shown you all Danish tatting, Irish tatting, Scottish tatting, and even German tatting it's time to show you some Canadian Tatting! ;)
Actually Jeff from Bridge City Tatting and I had planned a bookmark swap clear back in early October 2009 (just 3 months ago, LOL!) and the actual swappage occurred sometime in November.
Jeff's request was that I not make his bookmark look too "girly" since he is probably well aware from my blog how much I like pink! LOL! I assured him I would do my utmost to make his bookmark as masculine as I possibly could!
My request to Jeff??? PLEASE make it a girly-girl looking bookmark! That is what I LOVE about tatting! I think both of use were quite curious how our gifts to each other would look!
That was the fun of it all, I think!

~*~

Well, look at this beautiful, delicate, lacy tatted bookmark I got from Jeff!

It's definitely feminine, don't you think?

I thought I'd share the
Canadian postmark
for 2 reasons:
1) I don't get mail from Canada everyday!
2) I wanted to participate in this week's
Postcard Friendship Friday!!!
(She says even stamp images count!)

The theme is
"God Save the Queen"
Well, Canada is part of the British empire, right?
Aaaaand this bookmark looks like
it's fit for a queen, right?

Well, just look at it!

Oh! Oh! and Jeff says that the designer of
this pattern is Mary Konior!
She's a tatter from ENGLAND!!!


Here's a closeup of it!
The design is called "Patchwork"
from the book Tatting With Visual Patterns

Isn't it pretty?
I definitely think it looks girly!
You can read more about it on
his post by clicking here!
I love the colors.
Jeff used Lizbeth size 40 thread
in color #120 called Denim Whisper

Jeff is a man of multi talents!
He also does chainmaille and sells
it on his Etsy shop called Redeye!

He sent me this WAY cool scissor fob in silver and PINK!

Cool, aye?

~*~

Now, for my bookmark to Jeff!

Much to my relief he said in an email:

"I officially declare it a manly bookmark"!

WHEW!

Here it is:

This is the front of it.
You can see a close up of it below.

It's a celtic style design called
"Celtic Bookmark"
by LaRae Mikulecky.
Thanks for finding the lost link again, Jeff!
You can read Jeff's post about this
bookmark on his blog by clicking here.

This is the back of it above.
There is the close up below.

I used 3 colors. A lighter blue (denim) and a
darker blue (medium blue) and a green.
They are all Lizbeth threads size 20.

Thanks for the swap, Jeff!

~*~

Thank to you for stopping by! The thing that makes this blog so enjoyable are all the fabulous visitors and comments! Thanks for all your fun comments and joviality! It makes my day! Well, it makes my whole week! My bloggy friends are awesome and new bloggy visitors are always welcome.

♥

XOXO

The Leprechaun Has Landed!

Ever since I saw this post on the blog called It's A Leprechaun's Life I had been secretly hoping for something to arrive in my mailbox. You see, Tatskool (Pamela) of the Tats A Kool Challenge tatting blog has been making and giving hand stitched leprechauns to a few lucky recipients each year! The previous recipients have had the most delightful adventures with their leprechauns and then they post about them on the leprechaun blog! Sometimes when two or more tatters who own a leprechaun are going to be at the same tatting event they will bring their leprechauns to the event so that the leprechauns can "meet" each other! The meeting isn't complete until there are photos taken and a blog post about it! It's quite fun to read about it in the leprechaun blog! Apparently the most recent batch of leprechauns had to undergo some grueling interview questions. The questions were asked in order to find those most capable of going out into the world to spread cheer, joy and mischief to whomever they were assigned to! This was quite an ordeal according to Tatskool! So, it may not surprise you that deep down inside I was quietly hoping that my name was on the list of this year's recipients!

You can imagine what I was thinking when I recieved a package in the mail last Friday, December 11th that had these stamps on the top of the padded envelope!
These beautiful irish stamps that say "ÉIRE"!


My heart skipped a beat when I saw that the return address said "Cork, Ireland"!



Further investigation revealed a brightly wrapped Christmas package!!!Something was just a little odd about this package! You see, it was squirming! Yes! The package was wriggling around and then I heard mumbling as the paper began to tear open by itself...or so it seemed!


To my delighted surprise a cheerily dressed leprechaun emerged from the gold and red wrapping paper!

Stiofán had arrived!He held in his arms one of Tatskool's most popular HDT's (Hand Dyed Thread) called "Rainbow Bright". He offered it to me rather ceremoniously, telling me that this was mine and I could tat a lovely bit of tatting of whatever I chose. I thanked him graciously, of course!


He was kind enough to pose for some pictures. When I mentioned to him that he is quite photogenic he surreptitiously agreed. He then went on to explain that he had done some modeling in Ireland for an exclusive magazine for leprechauns called "Leprechaun's Quarterly". He said he even made the cover once! I asked him why he was acting so timid about it. He admitted that he didn't mention it during the interview with Pamela's lep, named Fergeal, for fear he might be taken as a shallow leprechaun and that it might hurt his chances for traveling abroad. After this was revealed he did seem more at ease when he saw that I was not the least bit phased by his confession. In fact, he agreed to pose for more photos! He even did some close ups!

He said this one looked a lot like the photo that made the cover for "Leprechaun's Quarterly".


In his right hand he holds an Irish penny that says "éire 2003".


His festive red belt is festooned with a chain of lucky green tatted clovers and beautiful green glass beads!


What I really wanted to show you was the painstaking detail that has gone into Stiofán's creation!

Note the tiny hand stitched threads that make the detail of his face!

He even has a twinkle in his eye!


One of the first things that Stiofán did was teach me how to pronounce his name properly. He says it is a name from the Old Irish tongue and is pronounced thusly:

"Shtee-oh-fawn"

He even showed me a website that has the pronunciation key for Ancient Irish pronunciations! What a clever fellow...er...leprechaun!
Stiofán is the Old Irish equivalent for the modern English name of Stephan (Steven).

When he looked around my living room he asked me what all the stacks of books were for. You see, currently I am in the process of creating an alphabetical index of my personal tatting library. I have all of my tatting books in stacks according to the letter of the alphabet the title begins with.

He marched over to the tallest stack...the "T's" [of course (T is for Tatting)]...and began his climb to the top of the stack. This was quite a feat for the little guy seeing as the stack was well over a foot high! Well, of course I had to take a picture of him once he made it to the top!Can you see that mischievous look in his eye? Doesn't it look like he's going to hurl that penny at me? He swears he was just waving, but he has that gleam in his eye! LOL!


Well, before Stiofán and I bid you farewell for the evening I'd like to invite you to be sure to say hello! I know it's been a while since I posted, but I have not disappeared from bloggerlandia completely! I promise that! I have lots to blog about so stay tuned!
♥

and Stiofán, too!

XOXO

A Pleasant Surprise

A big envelope came in the mail today! I was a bit suprised because I hadn't ordered anything so I wasn't expecting anything! Imagine my surprise when I opened up the envelope to find a gift from Heather who is also known as The Tarnished Tatter!

✿Thank You, Heather! ✿

You see, Heather sent me her new book called "Tatted Earrings and Things". She had asked me some time ago to test tat for her. Somehow I never had time, never had time, and then again...I never had time! She probably thinks I'm the worst test tatter ever, sorry Heather! She had said she would send a book to her test tatters so I completely expected to get nada, nothing, zip, zilcho...

but no!!! Heather kindly and generously not only sent me her new book, she sent me some of her lovely pink HDT called "Pink 4 Link" in size 20!

Let me show you!

❧✿❧
Here is the cover page with the
HDT peeking in from the side of the photo.

I'll bet you can't guess what I did today...
(sheepish grin...the pink hummingbird is a hint)

✿❀✿

I "test tatted" her pattern!
(Yes, I know, this usually happens before the book comes out)

✿❀✿

I will count this as a motif for my 2nd round of
The 25 Motif Challenge!

Motif #16 Hummingbird Pendant

This is her hummingbird pendant in her
size 20 HDT "Pink 4 Link"

What do you think?

❧✿❧

Here's hoping you are having a fabulous weekend! Thank you for the suprise, Heather! It made my day! My tatting budget is a little tight with no new books and goodies it is fun to get a tatting treat in the mail!
I'd love to hear from my bloggy friends so be sure to say hello! Have you had a pleasant surprise lately?

♥

XOXO

Swap de Jessica

In the last blog post a sneak peek of a swap was shown.

I promised to do the "Big Reveal" when my swap partner, Jessica of "Kids Napping? I'm Scrapping!" received my swap gift. I'm happy to announce that Jessica did indeed get her package from me and now I can share our swap with you!

You see, in bloggerlandia I have had the good fortune to make blog friends, win a giveaway or two, and do some fun swaps! From all of these packages and cards I have a pile of addresses building up in a shopping bag that is out of control!!! I need somewhere to put all these very special addresses. For some of you, the solution might be to just put them in your computer, but for me I need something more aesthetic than a computer! I need a pretty address book...and not just any address book...a pretty one made with heart! I got just what I wanted in my swap with Jessica!

Jessica wanted some tatting for her fabulous scrapbook projects. I wanted a special address book. Boy, I had no idea that I was in for a real treat!

~*~

Just look at this darling
address book that
Jessica sent me!!!

Look at it! Isn't it cute!?!
It even has T-A-T-T-I-N-G on the cover!

***
Squeeeeeeeal!!!

***

OH my GOODness!
Look at the cute stamped alphabet tabs!

I can't believe she found some tatting to put
on the cover! It's PERFECT!!!

Each page has a different piece of scrapbook paper
adhered to some vintage ledger paper! It's awesome!

The spaces on the right of the address labels are just
the right size for me to put interesting postmarks
from my international friends!

YIPPEE!!!

~*~

Oh, did I say something about a
"Big Reveal" earlier?

I guess I better 'fess up, right?

~*~

Jessica wanted a tatted edging
and some tatted hearts and flowers
for her portion of the swap from me.

Here are some of the round motifs I sent her.

Going clockwise from the top left:
1) "Fleur de Jessica" design by TattingChic
2) Josephine Wreath design by Mary Konior
3) A flower (title unkown-help me out here) design by Mary Maynord Maynard

I am going to count some motifs
tatted for this swap for
my 2nd round of the
25 Motif Challenge!

Motif # 9 Josephine Wreath

The "Josephine Wreath" (Motif No. 9) is from
Mary Konior's book called
A Pattern Book of Tatting.
It is out of print now and hard to find,

but it has some real gems in it.

Motif # 10 Fleur de Jessica

This motif is one I made up or modified
from another pattern.
I called it "Fleur de Jessica" because
Jessica wanted tatted flowers for her scrapbook
project and I couldn't find one I really liked
so I made it up especially for her.

Motif # 11 (title unkown-help me out here)

Here is Mary Maynord's Maynard's design on the
left (motif #11) next to my modified
version, 'Fleur de Jessica" (motif #10). Mary Maynord
Maynard has a book called
"Tatting Rings of Flowers".
It is a book I do not own. I was lucky enough
to happen on this one pattern from the book
so that I could tat the flower on the left.
My modified version is on the right.
If my version is just like one in the book then
that is a coincidence since I have never
actually seen inside Mary's book.

If one of my fellow tatting friends has the book
and knows the name of the flower on the left
please let me know and I'll edit my blog post!

Here's a bunch'a flowers sent to Jessica all together!

***

Motif # 12 Peacock Heart

Here's a motif I haven't shown on this blog before.
It's called Peacock Heart designed by Birgit Phelps.
Jessica requested some tatted hearts as well as
tatted flowers for her part of the swap.

Here's 2 of the "Peacock Heart" motifs shown together
with some "Ruffled Heart" (design by Vicki Clarke)
motifs that were sent. I've shown the
"Ruffled Heart" before.

***

Motif #13 Cloverleaf Edging

Lastly, Jessica also requested a tatted edging.
I picked a cloverleaf edging. I love cloverleaf edgings.
They are so simple that a beginner can do them and
they are so elegant! Who says simple can't be elegant?

An edging similar to this one is found at
The Antique Pattern Library
in the Priscilla Tatting Book pg 5
(which is pg 7 of the scanned pages)

All motifs were done in DMC brand "Cebelia" thread
size 10, color 818 (a very pretty pink). I thought
the "chunky" size 10 would look cute for
Jessica's fabulous scrapbook projects.

~*~

Thanks for stopping by and letting me show you my super fabulous swap with Jessica! It was fun. She is one of the nicest bloggers out there! Stop by her blog post on our swap! She loves buttons and scrapping and swaps! Be sure to say hello here before you run off to Jessica's! I'd love to hear from you!

♥

XOXO

In The Pink

The saying "In the Pink" means in perfect condition, especially of health. Some of you may have noticed that on occasion I have mentioned, though briefly, that I've had some health challenges. I am happy to say that I am getting closer and closer to that state of being "in the pink"! Let's hear it for good health!

Pink is also one of my most very favorite colors. If I am forced to pick a favorite I will usually choose pink, but I love other colors, too!

PINK!

It's girly ~ I'm girly. It's feminine ~ I'm feminine. It tends to work well with my skin tone. I could think of a million other reasons why I like pink and why it's a perfect color for me!

I'd like to show you some fabulous blogalicious, tattalicious, and pinkalicious goodies!

~*~

Look at this beautiful pink box
that arrived in the mail from
Celestina Marie!

The box was a total surprise!
Look at the darling pink rose on the
pink background with white polka dots!
I am swooning over the pretty pink
and white stripes on the side of the box.

Just look at the beautiful white trim
on the side of the box lid!

Let's peek inside, shall we?

What's this peeking out of the pretty pink
sheer bag and rosy tissue paper?

It's a LOVELY painted tatting shuttle!
Look at the inside of the box, too!

Okay, now I did say that the box was a surprise.

The shuttle was not!

We had made arrangements earlier for her to
paint her beautiful shabby chic roses on a
wooden tatting shuttle for me.

I sent her this tatting shuttle
(that I purchased from Sistermaide's Etsy Shop).

And she sent it back looking like this:

Swoooooooon!

Oh, the photo does not do it justice!
It is beautiful with it's white background
and pink rosebud with pink polka dots!

Here's another "before" shot of the
tatting shuttle on it's side:

after:

She painted the sides pink and the post pink
with white inside the blades of the shuttle!

***

Accompanying this lovely shuttle was
this pretty card:

It says, "The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart."

The flipside had a personal note on it:

Thank you so much, Celeste!
I LOVE it!

Celeste is getting a tatted bookmark from me.
I told her I was going to wait until I had it done
to post it. As you can see, the shuttle is so
very pretty that I simply couldn't wait!

Edited 8/31/09:
You can see Celestina Marie's
blog post on the
shuttle by clicking here!

***

Next, I'd like to show you that I got
some pink hand knitted house slippers
from Twyla of Two Crazy Crafters!

Aren't they cute?

Finally, an obligatory blogger foot photo!


They are comfy, too!

You know, I have always wanted a pair of
hand knitted house slippers and now I have them!

Twyla had a birthday giveaway and I was
one of the lucky winners! YAY!

Thank you, Twyla!
They are warm and cozy!

***

Now, just in case you were wondering...
this is not just a blog about some gal
who "gets a lot of stuff from other bloggers"...

I do tat, too!

See!

Wink, wink, Jessica!

This is a sneak peak for all of you of some pink
tatting for a very special bloggy pal
(and you know who you are)!

~*~

Thank you for visiting my blog today! Whether or not you like pink I do hope this blog post finds you "in the pink" yourself! Please say hello and let me know how you are doing!

♥

XOXO