Still Here and a Little Better

    Yes, I am still here. It has been a few days since I posted so I thought I would update on the doily I am doing. I have not been going full tilt on it so my shoulder can rest a bit. I have gotten more done than I realized, though. No, I have not ironed or blocked anything yet.

     I am a little over halfway on round 8 of 10. I forgot to put the tape measure in the photo, but the doily measures 7 inches across for this round. Round 8 is not hard, but the one thing a bit "unusual" is that when you make a loop of 11 rings,  then you have a chain to connect to the next 2 picots. Because of the direction it curves, you make the last ring of the loop, reverse work and switch shuttles, letting the one you have been making rings with become the "ball" thread. Once that chain is done, switch back and carry on with the next loop of rings. I don't know about you, but I think little things like that make tatting more interesting.

Sugar and Spice

    I have not been tatting much this week. My shoulder has been killing me. I have had a hard time sleeping. I looked online at possible causes and the one that makes the most sense is an injury to a muscle or ligament. I put the shuttles down and let it rest. The pain has not gone, but it has lessened enough for me to sleep. Tatting seems to irritate it, sort of like repetitive stress syndrome.
    So, this morning I decided that I have been working getting my house cleaned out and such just way too much. I did something different. Have you heard of a website called "Replacements.com"? It turns out they are only about 160 miles from me. I left at 6:30.

    I went in with a list of what I wanted and they had it! They had it all listed online but I did not want to trust it to Fed-Ex. I arrived about 9:30 and left for home about 10:15. I got back at 1:00. I almost ran out of gas, but when I filled up, it turns out I had enough in the tank to go another 100 miles. (I love my Prius).
    So now have filled in and have a full service for 8. I needed the things in the picture, a few plates and a couple of bowls. I inherited the set from an aunt that died 35 years ago. It is Johann Haviland, Blue Garland. Not cheap, but worth it.
    Tomorrow I will be gone all day again. I will be tatting. We have a meeting of the Palmetto Tatters Guild. I can't wait!