Here's the big year end post that will hopefully catch me up a wee bit with folks. I've been doing more things and computering less - I found that I was in a spot where I either had time to play on the computer or make things, so I actually did some things instead. Did that make sense?

This past spring I did the Tom Lynch thing. I also did some painting over the summer. Here is a posting of the three 15"x15" roses I did. One was a gift for my sister's friend (and in-law), Sue.





One ended up with my other sister, Amy,

















and the third needs further work or cropping.




Amy and I made egg ornaments for the nieces and nephews before Christmas. This was our first foray into egg art. I am using the term "art" loosely here. We had a delightful time making these. We did them at my mom's house and made what is quite possibly the largest mess ever made in her kitchen. Egg flew everywhere. Glitter flew everywhere. We laughed hysterically, too.

Here are the not quite complete fruits of our labor.












Keep in mind there are only twelve of the 36 we did pictured here. We got glitter-happy, to say the least.




Hope, this next picture is for you. Little Nedsel in all his glory.

Egads! I have bats in my belfry!

Ruth Perry has done it again. This is her "Tootie the Frootie Bat" which can be found at Ruth's Blog. She also shared it with the online tatting class. Such fun!

Oh, Sherry. . . .

Bliss.

Mark made the neatest bag for Sherry. He used traditional bobbinlace technique, but a very nontraditional fiber. Sherry looks so proud.






But Mark looks funnier with it.







And here Sherry shows off her tattoo of Keleigh the Keltic dragon that graced the cover of the IOLI newsletter a while back. Or would that be a tat-too?

Now I'm confused!

So here I am again. I have tons and gobs of pics from Palmetto Tat Days that I haven't posted at all. I am sooooooo bad. Sherry came down to visit a couple of days beforehand. We had such a gooooooood time! Sherry, you have to come back!



Here we are in our festive hats. Sherry's is actually tatted. Mine is pretend. Or at least that's what it looks like next to hers - heehee!

Mark was such a sweetie - he brought me the most incredibly beautiful cookie pillow! Now I can start my manufacture of Bimboburg Lace! I was so joyously elated I did a little dance for Mark and Sherry (Raymond recorded for posterity in photo-form).




And what did I give Mark in return?






Closer look for the myopic. . .

Here's a little painting I did for my sister's birthday. It was much fun to do!

Hi, Sherry. Here it is.

I've been working on Jade Starmore's Beadwork sweater for a little while. I'm using Harrisville Design Shetland wool in Purple Haze. It's a lovely color. I did swatch to gauge using size 2 needles. Here's the back thus far. Sorry for the crappy photo, but this is the best I could do inside at night.

I took a pic of Raymond, too. He's been "pumping metal". Can you tell? Hopie, this is for you:

And I have a picture of me modeling the sweater thus far. Dig that schoolteacher arm thing I have going on - it counterbalances the post-afternoon-walk-in-90-percent-humidity frizz thing I have going on. My, I'm frightening.

Okay. I've been away way too long. I just spent half an hour trying to log into this blog - yikes.

Here's a pic of my nephew and Mattie. Gee, wonder where he gets that hair?

Woohoo! Two posts in one day after two months of nothing. Well, I'm just trying to catch up on all the excitement and lovliness that was my holiday.

My secret santa as you see below was very generous with chocolate, bath salts, soothing accoutrements and a beautiful doily she picked up in Aruba! Santa's been to Aruba. Hmm. There's a big hint. Oh, and Santa is from Canada.

From my dear pal from across the pond I received the sweetest unexpected gift - these dainty ear bobs! And they're pink! Those bells may look small, but they've got a loud jingle! I love the clever way she tatted on a headpin that holds the entire business together. Makes the earring much sturdier. Since they're pink I can also wear them for other events like Arbor Day! Thanks so very much, Sue!

Hey - you talkin' to me? You talkin' to me?

Yes, that's little Nedsel who isn't quite so small now. Oh, they just don't stay babies long enough. But he still looks pretty retarded hanging out in the bathroom basin. He still likes to help in the mornings whenever someone has to do something like brush their teeth or wash a face or hands.

I think I may finish up my Christmas tatting soon. Then it'll be time to start it all over again. Heidi, one of the Tattinggoddess goddesses, informed us a day or so ago she just finished sending out her Christmas cards and took down her tree. Heidi, don't feel badly. I still haven't finished with either yet. In fact, I never really finished getting all the Christmas decor up. Some of the items came downstairs in their boxes where they still sit. Oh, geeze. Well, I just had some things happen which had higher priority. That's life. And so it goes.

I haven't shared all the beautiful things I received for Christmas this year. I participated in the "Secret Santa" exchange on Tattinggoddess. What a wonderful group of people. I'm still trying to figure out who my santa is. She's certainly got a sense of style and humor! I love what she made!

She sent some beautiful candles for the tree. They don't show up so well here, but they're simply stunning.

















On the right is the wildest pink ball - I love it! It speaks for itself - and the ribbon rosette on top for a hanger is genius. Ms. Santa also sent some very lovely bells she made from golden thread, and a gorgeous little sachet (smells so sweet, too!) with beautifully tatted roses.

You can see I'm not the only tatting fan here.