No tatting to post

The last few weeks have been very busy ones. One of my courses this semester was an 8-week course instead of the usual 16. It ended last week, so I have a little breathing room in the remainder of the semester now that I'm down to only 4.

My Zoo Flakes Challenge project hit a snag. My goal for the design was a one-round, beginner-level flake. While it can be tatted in one round with rings and chains, it is more complicated to tat than I had envisioned. I'm going to have to put it aside until I can give it a large block of my undivided attention. That might be Christmas break.

I'm thinking what I need for the remainder of this semester is some easy tatting and I probably need a challenge to keep me focused. I joined the bookmark-a-month challenge at The Tatting Forums back in August. I've got a week to complete one for this month and that sounds like the perfect project. There is a challenge at InTatters to tat the same bookmark pattern in a variety of thread combinations using both solids and variegated threads. That one appeals to me as well. So I'm going to sign off and go review my pattern stash. Maybe I'll have something to show you by next weekend.

Zoo Flakes Challenge Progress

I took another step today in Isdihara's Zoo Flakes Challenge. I have a design drawn up, with stitch counts, ready to be tested. You must wait to see the design when it is finished. Anyone else joining the challenge? The ideas in the back of the book for creating a paper snowflake can be a great way to get your design started.

Tatting Tea Tuesday

I didn't manage to tat a single stitch today, but I found some time to enjoy your blogs and to check in at InTatters. The day got off to a good start with the arrangement of two thread exchanges. I'm excited about trying some new threads and sharing some of my favorites with other tatters. The mail service also brought me goodies today--24 Snowflakes in Tatting by Lene Bjorn! I've been admiring some of these flakes on other blogs and got an opportunity to add it to my library. AND Zoo Flakes ABC by Will C. Howell! Isdihara issued a design challenge at InTatters inspired by this book. The book shows you how to make a cut-paper snowflake using animal shapes. Isdihara has challenged us to design some tatted snowflakes based on animal shapes. I found a used library copy of the book being sold by a literacy program. It is a nice picture book that I will enjoy having as part of our family library. I have an idea for a design, but you don't get any hints.

One more day before I start college classes again, and I have a great deal to do. My Tat Do list is organized, and my blog is set up to follow what the rest of you are doing. My goal is to check in with you all at least once a week. I'll try to have some pictures of what I've managed to get done. Don't be surprised if a few are works in progress.

See you in a few days!