Tatting Demo

Hi,
What a lovely day I had yesterday, the weather was at the beginning a bit of a problem. It was fine when we left home but as we drove nearer to Shepton Mallet it was raining, that put a very despondent mood before I even got there.
The shop (Shepton Cobbler) was having a mini craft day demonstrating what crafts there are and what the sell, this is something they have not done before and a nice way to promote craft. We each had a thin six foot table outside the shop which extended out each side of their double shop, (one half is a craft shop and then Jack the husband has the shoe repairers) the rain eased and although it remained cloudy with the sun popping out in the afternoon.
There was a lady spinning wool, a vast range of knitting and knitted items, Ruth was doing cross stitch and showing how to use plastic canvas with items that children could do. Grace was demonstrating card making. We had a lot of people stop and look watching different things.
I was delighted four ladies want to learn tatting, I had a woman beside me who had had a stoke but wanted to try, well done her, sorry I cant remember her name but I was delighted to help and give her the confidence of trying tatting. I sold quite a few items which was a bonus, I thought I might not sell anything but even better I never had to pay for the table, with the bonus of coffee (its the first time I have had more than one cup of coffee in a morning for ages) and a sandwich for lunch plus beautiful cakes. We were well looked after. They are planning to have another one and possibly once a month a demo of different crafts. I really enjoyed the day meet new people and came home with an order for a horseshoe.

This is a lovely horseshoe which I have been asked to make the pattern came from Nancy at Be-stitched
She has some beautiful patterns well worth checking out her site plus if you sign up for the newsletter there is a free pattern every month.

The cross at the top of the page is by Rachael called Split Ring Cross, her patterns are on "intatters", she is a lovely lady who is ill at the moment, she organised the Spring Bookmark exchange and is hoping to arrange another exchange soon. There is a link for "intatters" in my sidebar.
We went out last with friends for the first time since my op. That meal tasted even better as I had a pudding, Baileys Cheesecake one of my favorites, its been a long time since we went out and even longer since I had a pudding, oh it is so nice to be getting back to normal, just one blot on the horizon which I will take you about another day, but the mole hole is causing more problems.
I hope you are having a lovely weekend and until we meet again in blog land, take care.
Hugs
Margaret

Just a few Tatted items I did while I was ill/holiday

Hi,
Its a very cloudy day, we had some light rain early on but so far the sun has not put his hat on and come out to play. Many of the tatters in the USA are complaining its too hot, please can we have some of your heat, as its a bit chilly over here.
Today I am bring you some things I have been doing while I was not only on holiday, but I have done since while I was getting over the operation.
The picture above shows you my Cymbinum Earrings and matching bracelet, I have put them to hang like a charm bracelet. It was done in white and Lisbeth Pink Parade with pearls in the middle of the Orchids.

This Rose heart done in white no 20 is a pattern from be-stitched
I rather like this heart and the rose is very easy to do.

This is a pair of Cymbinum Earrings this time in Lisbeth Falling leaves thread that Fox sent me, I love this thread and when I order some more I will be adding this thread to the order.

Tomorrow I have been asked to do a Tatting demo in Shepton Mallet, I have made these two cards to show that tatting can be put on a card, unfortunately I don't think I shall have time to make any more. I have also written a piece for anyone interested in tatting given then a little insight as to the art.
Both cards have a butterfly on the first one is in Altin Basak Turkist thread and the other is in Lisbeth thread Turquoise Twist.


Another bookmark from the Wrought Iron pattern by Mary Konior this time in Lisbeth thread called Caribbean again No 20.

These are some more strips for card makers, this time they are half an inch wide in Braided edging pattern which I found in a very old book. These will be going in my Esty store next week at 75p per strip and for UK orders postage free.

This is the last item a white bracelet with red beads, I just played with a pattern and this is the result. This is will be going into my Esty store also next week along with the pink/white set above.

Close up

There are a few more bits but I think I will leave it at that for now.

I am getting better slowly but I have to go back to the hospital re my mole hole as Melissa calls it, I will post more about that another day.

I hope you are keeping well and until we meet again in blog land take care
Hugs

Margaret

Beautiful Venetian Masks and Murano Glass pendants

Hi,

Its was a lovely day yesterday with the sun has shining most of the day, except for a little cloud about 4pm when we had a few spots of rain. but this morning its dull and miserable looking but the sun has just come out since I started writing this.

Today I wanted to show these beautiful Venetian masks. These were in a shop in Limone, I brought a piece of Murano glass pendant which you will see further down the page. These masks were on show and let me photo them. They were so beautiful against the stone wall, the back of the shop was cut into the rock making a wonderful backdrop for these masks.

Their is a very long history of the Venentian mask going back to the carnivals in 1268 but today the famous Venetian Carnival starts on February 2nd and ends on Shrove Tuesday (Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras), the day before Ash Wednesday. Venetian Carnival re-creates the fantasy of the original event with food, costumes, Venetian masks music, Commedia Dell'Arte Theater, juggling and other spectacles. The Venetian masks and costumes are worn by people who often travel from all over the world to attend and perform (or parade) on renewed Carnival in magnificent city on the water, Venice. The elaborate costumes and masks are handmade by variety of Venetian artisans. Traditionally people were allowed to wear masks between the festival of Santo Stefano (St. Stephen's Day, December 26) at the start of the carnival season and midnight of Shrove Tuesday. As masks were also allowed during Ascension and from October 5 to Christmas, people could spend a large proportion of the year in disguise. Through the Carnival Venetian Mask-makers (or Mascherari in Italian) enjoyed a special position in society, with their own laws and their own guild.

Murano Glass, I brought the heart last time we went to Limone, and this time I brought this beautiful blue pendant. Murano glass is a famous product of the Venetian island of Murano. In the lagoon of Venice Italy, Murano has been a commercial port as far back as the 7th century. By the 10th century, the city had become well-known for its glass makers, who created unique Murano glass. While Murano glass makers have settled and operate elsewhere, some say authentic Murano glass is fabricated only in Murano. It is only Murano glass if it has Murano stamp in the glass at the back.
Now what do you think of these, I brought the leaves in Malcesine, she even took the bottom leave off as they are very long for me, but over night I had an idea, I then brought the ones on the right in a shop called Melissa in Limone I have some ideas for them by taking them apart and making some tatted jewellery with them.
I had to take a picture of this, in this country we just shove things people buy in a bag, and these days you don't always get a bag either, when I brought the leaf earrings this is what she did with the wrapping, they were inexpensive earrings costing 10 euros and she spent 2 Min's wrapping them up and adding the stamp with the shops name and a red rose, the orange bag is not paper but a waterproof plastic type material.

I hope you have enjoyed today's post, I have had Bethany my grand daughter over the last two days learning tatting at least the art of tatting wont be lost and can continue with a new generation.

Have a nice day and until we meet again in blog land take care

Hugs

Margaret

Day trip to Malcesine plus more views of Lake Garda

Hi,

I promised you some more about our holiday, we only took one trip over to the other side of Lake Garda to Malcesine. It takes about 20 Min's by boat from Limone.

We saw these statues as we walked into the centre of Malcesine, the boat docked in the Porto Vecchio which had great views of the lake and quite footpath to walk along the shoreline and a short walk into the centre. This was a family of swans and babies that we saw in one of the squares in the town, unfortunately I thought I had more pictures but I think the rest must be on the videos which I have not looked at yet. Having coming home and going straight into hospital, I have got behind with sorting out all videos.
Malcesine is a pretty small town on the eastern shore of the Lake. It's a picturesque tourist resort with cobbled lanes and the castle, crammed between the blue lake waters and the massive mountain ridge behind, Monte Baldo. In the summer months Malcesine is packed with tourists. Malcesine would make a good base for sightseeing with the cable car running up to Monte Baldo which is a magnet for cyclists, walkers and para gliders. We sat one evening watching the para gliders come all the way down the mountainside to the lakeside from the hotel terrace, the air was still and view clear, in fact you can see the castle of Malcesine from Limone.
Lake Garda is the largest lake in Italy, and Malcesine lies towards the narrow and mountainous northern end, and is on the main lakeside road connecting it with the other towns on that side of the lake, there is also bus service connecting it with Garda and beyond. The town is situated at the edge of the Veneto region, in the province of Verona. 'Malcesine' is a good exercise in Italian pronunciation: the name is pronounced approximately MalCHESinay.

The town is a lovely place to stroll for an hour or so, with picturesque medieval lanes winding up the slope from the lake. There are pretty little squares, cafes and restaurants, and shops selling designer handbags, shoes, and clothes.

Malcesine's most striking feature coming over Lake Garda is the historic castle, the Castello Scaligero. The castle takes its name from the della Scala family, who owned it and made alterations in the 13th and 14th centuries; the castle was used, restored and adapted for military purposes until the 19th century. Nowadays the castle is also used as wedding venue. The battlement fortress is open to the public as a museum, called the Museo Castello Scaligero.
There is a cable car to Monte Baldo we did not do this but it has great views of the Lake Garda from Monte Baldo it climbs from 100m to 1760m, it would be a great excursion, particularly on a hot day, as temperatures are lower and the breeze cooler than by the lake below. In winter this is a base for mountain sports. After the snows have melted, energetic walkers and mountain bikers take over. We were told the cable cars get busy so you should be prepared for queues. 45-people capacity cars run up to a half-way station called San Michele. The cars which continue the journey up to Monte Baldo take 70 people and are slower rotation so all can enjoy the views over Lake Garda and up to the mountain.
This is some views of the Lake on our way home to the airport

I hope you have enjoyed this next piece Lake Garda is a great place for a holiday, and of course the Italian food, local wine, where you go around this area of Italy you will see rows and rows of vineyards, even ordinary homes have a few grapevines in the gardens, wine is one of the exports of the region. I would recommend Lake Garda for a holiday to anyone young or old. I have something to left to post which I will do in a few days.

Until we meet again take care

Hugs

Margaret

Limone, Lake Garda, Italy and Hotel Splendid Place.

Michelle's gift

Hi,

A little while ago I said that my grand daughter Bethany wanted to learn tatting and that when I was better I would buy her a shuttle.

While I was away in Italy a small parcel arrived from Michelle for Bethany to start learning tatting. This wonderful box contained all these lovely threads and a metal shuttle which was given to Michelle from her great aunt who taught her to tat, plus a packet of clover shuttles. The card enclosed also contained a small tatted heart and bookmark.

Thank you Michelle for your very kind gift, it has been very much appreciated. Michelle has been reading my blog for sometime and wanted to send this lovely gift, it is so nice to receive gifts from someone who has enjoyed my blog as a thank you.

This is the link to Michelle's blog

I am very much behind with postings and hope to have at least one piece about my holiday in Italy on the blog by the end of the week. I am also trying to catch up with all the lovely blogs I follow so if I have not left you a comment recently I will try and catch up with your blog as soon as I can.

I hope you are all keeping well and in the meantime until we meet up again soon take care

Hugs

Margaret

Hospital Update.

Hi,

I just wanted to let you know that I had my Gall Bladder operation on Monday in the Royal United Hospital in Bath. I am now home, a little sore, tired but OK, I should have posted this a couple of days ago, but I have spent most of the time falling asleep, they say that's normal its the anesthetic that's causing it. Keyhole surgery is quicker, I have four holes that are starting to heal, I would like to get rid of the wind from the air they use to blow up so they see what they are doing. Hopefully when everything is healed I can get back to normal.

I would like to thank those who have sent cards and messages it is very much appreciated. Hopefully next week I will feel up to posting about our holiday in Italy.

Until we meet again in blog land I hope you are keeping well and in the mean time take care
Hugs
Margaret

Hi

This is a quick post to say Hi. We arrived back yesterday from Italy, I have a lot of photos of the holiday, I will do a post and show you where we were but I have to get ready today to go into hospital tomorrow (Monday).

We had lovely weather, it was very hot, three thunderstorms which you would think would clear the air but no it just go hotter. The final thunderstorm was on Thursday night, we had had dinner and was sitting on the terrace over looking the lake, it got blacker and blacker and then the lightning started, a few drops of rain and we went in and sat inside, some Germans came up from the restaurant and went and sat outside they said they would not get wet, funny that because suddenly after they got sat and comfortable the wind got up to hurricane force and the rain fell, there were several screams as they rushed in, tables and chairs flying in the wind, people were rushing back to their rooms as they had left towels on the balconies. The streets flooded and the whole resort was suddenly deserted. Friday the sun came out as if nothing had happen and it was even hotter.

My mole hole is healing so I hope it will not stop the op, a letter from the hospital has arrived while we were away saying they might need to take some more around the hole, they have sent the sample mole for a second opinion as is is inconclusive. The trouble we have had healing this up I don't feel I want to go though any more.

I am sorry I have not managed to catch up with all the blogs I follow, I had 93 e-mails to wade though, but I will when I am back to normal. In the meantime I hope you are all keeping well and thank you for your lovely comments you have left on my blog while I have been away.
Hugs
Margaret

A selection of cards

Hi,

Its time I put some cards on my blog, it seems ages since I posted some cards. This is another scheduled post so I hope they are coming out OK. These are a few new cards which I have made recently, This fan is a stitching peel off, stitched and beads added with a few beads thread at the base of the fan to made a handle

Close up. The beads are stitched on and fastened at the back with the thread.

This is another one again a stitching peel off, stitched and with beads added. The beads are stitched and fastened at the back with the thread


This card is made from the Royal Horticultural Society CD by Joanne Sheen, the image is backed with green miri board and the backing sheet comes with the image on the CD.

This is another card from the same CD, I have mounted it on embossed miri board in pink to match the orchid and added a pale pink ribbon finished off with gold peel offs



Just a simple card with a punch out strip of paper and an embellishment that I got free from Crafts Beautiful magazine a few months ago, I finished off this card with silver peel offs

This wedding card has a backing sheet of white roses, the image was a Charlies Ark with him holding two glasses, mounted on a silver miri board and finished off with white sheer ribbon and silver peel offs.


I hope you have enjoyed my last few scheduled posts and that you are keeping well, until we meet again in blog land take care.

Hugs

Margaret

Knitted baby clothes finished

Hi,
I have been doing some knitting for a Friend, this is the latest piece, it was knitted in Sidar Snuggly Crofter Baby Fair Isle effect double knitting wool. The pattern used is Sirdar 1893, I had enough wool left over to knit a matching hat, I used the number of stitches from the last pattern I did and worked the pattern for the caddie on it, it worked out very well, well I am pleased with it.
I am now lining a basket for her, but I am having a few problems doing it, when I have finished it I will post a picture for you all to see.
I hope you are keeping well and until we meet again take care.
Hugs
Margaret

Happy American Independence Day

Hi,

To all my American followers I wish you a very happy American Independence Day, Its my birthday today I am 21 plus plus not telling you my age but Janette worked it a few months ago when I posted about my story of learning to tat, I am at the moment I am on holiday.
I hope you all have a nice day.
Hugs
Margaret

Spring Bookmark Exchange

Hi

This bookmark arrived a week ago from Rachael, she organised a Spring Bookmark Exchange on intatters, but unfortunately my partner did not send a bookmark and has not been heard of since she agreed to do the exchange.

So Rachael made this bookmark for me so I would not be left out, that was really nice of her, as she is also ill herself and really suffering with her illness to the point she is now in bed all day. I really hope she gets better soon, her tatting is lovely. The card that came with the bookmark has a very small tatted heart on it, both are beautiful and will be quite for years to come, a real joy to receive.

I hope you are all keeping well,

take care

Hugs

Margaret