My latest project

The thread is a mixed bunch, purchased in a single ball - it is called Bohemian in Orange!

I did need to add a few more bobbins, so there are some cream/white in the mix.

 this book is the source of the idea and pattern.

Short and sweet :)

My Fantastic Weekend

This beautiful book was the last gift from my greatly missed Mother-in-law.

It has been the soure of the best weekend I've had in a very long time.

Let me explain...

The Australian email ring Gumnuts called for participants to a workshop, in Melbourne, Victoria.

The workshop tutor was to be Yvonne Scheele-Kirkhof - the author of this book!

LOML knows that I love this book and suggested that I find out more about the workshop

- an invitation that was never going to be ignored!!

And so, my Christmas pressie has been attendance at the workshop in Victoria ... yaayyyyyyy!!!!

Let me show you the progress on day 1!

Not much, I hear you say???

Well no...but there was a lot of mind-bending happening and many new techniques learned...I have never made Withof lace before, you see.

Here is the result of the 2 days!

Not perfect, I know, but with practice, this type of lace will become a favorite.

I feel it in my finger bones :)

Travelling to Victoria meant 2 hours on a plane, 20 minutes on a bus, 40 minutes on a train, an evening in a motel room, and several hours hanging around in airpot lounges

- What is a girl to do?!?!?!?

TATTING of course!!!

Bookmarks 15, 16 and 17 for my 25 motif challenge!

(You thought I had forgotten, did'nt you Sharon VBG)

This is one of Lace Lovin' Librarian's favorite patterns at the moment, and I have discovered why!

It is "Stumpy"

I have made them all in perle 8 verigated thread - just odd bits left over from some bobbin lace projects.

Throw in meeting 4 Gumnuts among the 11 Victorian Lacemakers, an entertaining evening with one Gumnut and her husband and watching Yvonne throw the bobbins as she demonstrated various techniques and you may understand why this post is thus titled!!

Happy lace making to all my bloggy friends...hope you are enjoying your lace as much as I do at the moment!

Crafty post

This lap-weaving rug was made by my Great Uncle in 1946-7. He made a pink one and a blue one. My Mum and her cousin were born on the same day, but he found out about Auntie Helen before mum, so she got the pink one. Mum got this blue one. After mum (and probably my uncles) used it, I used it as a dolls cot cover as a child. After a discussion on Gumlace (the Australian Email ring for lace makers) I remembered and unearthed it. As you can see it is showing it's age, but I still can picture my Uncle's active hands, salty tobacco smell and rich warm voice ringing through my childhood memories.

Above is the wrong side of the cot throw and below is the top side.
This is even less lacey, but I was given 2 such kits for my birthday. They are both Mill Hill Tiny Treasure Diamonds - this one titled Holiday Cardinal. It was quick and easy on an evening where I just wanted to chill!

My wire lace project is now completed! I love this design and it was great to make. Now I am going to try designing a couple of my own patterns :) I have also aquired a couple of patterns from another designer - so watch this space :) This one is 'Paduan' by Britt Fairchild of Stitchetty Grub fame...

This is one of my current projects. Not really sure where the pattern came from, but 3 of my lace group are in the process of making this fan. I am using Guttermans quilting thread, but think it should have been a tad finer...non the less, I am happy with the result. Now I have to have it completed in the next 2 weeks so I can scan it and take the pricking and scan to our Lace Retreat to order the sticks from John Beswick of Torchon House.

Despite my highlighting my Barbara Fay catalogue in bright pink highlighter, including the ordering process, then opening the computer to the appropriate page, LOML did not order the lower book for my birthday :(

But, with an extra universal cash voucher from DSIL, when the newsletter arrived, I was able to order both the desired book AND the new Cluny de Brioude book Yay!!!!!!!!!!!

I guess it is no secret that I love Beds/Cluny lace for those who have followed my blog.

I just can't wait to get into these books - but where to start?!?!

Finally, this was the view from our Lace meeting place on Saturday. The snow on Mount Barrow is not as stunning in the picture, but it was rather lovely on Saturday, with the crisp blue sky making a beautiful backdrop. While the snow stays that far away, I am totally happy. Mount Barrow usually only gets a smattering of snow a couple of times a year, usually in early September. Ben Lomond is our "famous" ski mountain, with great views from the other end of the city.

Treasures

Dear friends,

Please allow me to share some treasures with you.

Here are Quanti snowflakes number 6 (with a new edge), 7, 8 and 9 toward the 25 motif challenge! The blue, white and gold combos are cotton and candlelight metallics. The green is perle 8 reel left overs.

Porty is also making progress! The children at school will be pleased to see he now has a beak and will soon have eyes. It will then be up to them to complete the right flipper, body and filling. He has an appointment for the 7th of August, but I will only be at the school on Fridays so I hope he makes it!

On Saturday, the calender ticked over another year for me :)

Apart from the usual (and very yummy) chocolates and meal out - counter meal at the local pub - the best in Lonnie for sure :) and text messages from a couple of my children, here are the treasures that came my way. LOML bought me the Pandora style bracelet - he knows I love these, and as I helped him pick a plain bracelet for his DD's birthday a month or so ago, he decided I could have the same :) The book is from his sister and family. She decided to have a change from lace books this year, but I am not complaining :)

So, after a rummage through the markets over the weekend I had enough materials to go to work!
Here is lesson 1 x 2 from the above book!

And up close!

The next lesson is my signature rose - I am really looking forward to that one!!

Also at the markets I found this pair of bobbins. The Wood Turners Guild of Tasmania meet at the Exeter Showgrounds and coincide with the local market. Members demonstrate the skill of wood turning throughout the day, and each turner may sell items to the public. There was a lovely bucket full of bobbins, but I fell in love with these ones! After some discussion, I found the gent who made the bobbins and he showed me how to make the loose rings. Our conversation was very interesting, and I was invited to go back, maybe join the Guild and get some more tips for my bobbin making :)

That's enough waffle from me! Thank you for reading, and don't forget to share your thoughts too. I love reading what my bloggy friends have to say!

Hugs,