Happy Early International Tatting Day!

As promised, I have a pattern for you all. Consider it an early present for International Tatting Day, which is tomorrow. This pattern will also be shared with the online tatting class by Georgia Seitz, tomorrow at 3 pm and 8:30 pm ET.

To join the free online tatting classes, send your name, email address, home town and country to AKTATTER@aol.com. The regular class meets on Mondays 3 and 8:30pm ET (New York time.) The beginners class meets on Thursdays 3 and 9 pm ET. The question and answer session and needle tatting is at 2:30 and 8PM ET (1/2 hour before the regular class.) There is also a Spanish speaking class on Saturdays with Wally Sosa.

You may recognize this star pattern from this post. Georgia asked me to make it available for her class, so as a bonus you all get it too. I simplified it a bit, specifically the way the colors work, so hopefully it's not too confusing for anyone.

Here's the pdf:

[link removed; see below]

I was a bit rushed with this one, so if anyone finds any mistakes or has problems please let me know.

.:Sparrow

[ETA: There was indeed some issues with this pattern. See post here for more info.]

Staying Behind

Yet another year is going by, and I will be missing out on the Finger Lakes tatting convention. Were I going, this would be the day that I'd be leaving. Though I'm a little sad that I can't go, again, I wish all my friends (and family) who are going a wonderful time. I hope to be there next year, perhaps with more books to sell.

I do know that my great aunt, Ruth, will be taking along a few copies of my beginner's book to sell. So if anyone going wants a copy, but doesn't want to wait on shipping, she's the person to see.

And as a sort of consolation prize to myself, I suppose, I have a pattern to give you all later today. I'll wait until after my aunt stops through on her way to Hector before posting it though. She always inspires me, and I may have a multitude of other things to show you as well.

Until then I will have another cup of coffee [or two, or three] and try to wake up the rest of the way. *yawn*

Highest of Highs [no not that kind]

There's been a lot of really high highs, and really low lows this week for me. One of the highs: My book is up on Amazon! [link to Knots In Thread on Amazon] And I've even had a few sales so far, which makes me ridiculously happy.

Other good things this week include finally writing up a pattern that I'll be putting up for free here [so keep an eye out], making headway on patterns for the new book, the birth of a bonus-nephew, new dice, and a very, very excellent cup of coffee this morning.

It's DONE!!!!

I am so happy right now! I received my second proof three days earlier than expected. And it's perfect! (Okay, not quite, but I know it will never be truly perfect, so I'm calling it done.)

It will take about a week before it's available to purchase on Amazon. But if you can't wait, you can get it right now at my store on CreateSpace. :D

On it's way...

The second proof copy of my book is on it's way! This could be IT! I am hopeful that this means I will be able to have it for sale by March 19th. Why that particular date? Because I've agreed to be one of the "experts" at a local DIY fair, hosted by the library and the Arts Place Collective. The Arts Place is a very cool local organization that is sort of a cross between an art gallery and an art school. They organize all kinds of really great art and craft events. I've worked with them before to teach various types of classes at their center.

I've been to events to demonstrate tatting before, but never as the singular expert. I've taught several classes, both locally and at the Finger Lakes Tatting convention [which I've been unable to attend for two years now, sadly.] But somehow this event has me more nervous than any of the others did. The idea is to simply sit at a table, do my tatting thing, and talk to people about the craft. I'm comfortable with all those things, so I'm not sure what I'm so nervous about. At least I don't have to have a huge display of tatted items, so that's a relief. Wish me luck though! I may need it. :)

Proof!

I have the proof! The proof copy of my book that is. And I must say that it is really exciting to see all my hard work actually printed on the pages. Almost exciting enough to drown my frustration out. But not quite. Because I need to retake the photos. Again. Now, I'm no master photographer. And I'm working with a point-and-shoot camera and very little know-how. So there's been a lot of trail and error here. A lot. It's been a good learning experience, though. I feel confident that this time around will be it. Fifth or sixth time's the charm? At least for the next book I'll [hopefully] have figured it out enough to not make the same mistakes.

And speaking of the next book, I already have plans. See all that pretty new thread? Most of it was bought in preparation for my next adventure. I don't want to say too much, since I haven't actually started working on it, beyond what's in my head. But I will tell you that it's actually going to have patterns in it. So for those of you thinking "well, that beginner's book is nice and all, but I already know how to tat"... this ones for you!