Lost and Found

Several years ago, I had started on a tatting project that was meant for my sister-in-law. It was the Pretty Petal Doily pattern that was published in the, "Traditional Tatting Patterns", book edited by Rita Weiss.

I had worked all the center pieces for the project in purple size 10 crochet cotton. But somehow in one of our military moves I had managed to lose the pieces that I made along with the thread. Eventually I would end up misplacing the book as well.

Over the years I would find the book, but would be missing the pieces. Then there were moments when I would rediscover the pieces, but misplace the book. Finally the gods have shown mercy upon me and allowed me to find the pieces and the book together.

Now I am working on finishing the doily. It was the project that I worked on during Lace Day.

( Side Story- At Lace Day a lady approached me and complimented me on the doily I was working on. She said that seeing the pattern brought back strong memories for her. She had made the same doily for her mother years ago. Her mother loved it so much and displayed it in a place of honor in her home. She would mention to everyone that her daughter had made the lovely doily for her. As her mother began to suffer from Alzheimer, she started to forget everything, even her own name. But she continued to remember the doily that her daughter had made for her. Even near the end, her mother still joyfully remembered the doily. I thought it was such a touching story. And it shows just how meaningful even the small simple things can be to the people we love.)

For the doily I decided to work the outside row in a lovely raspberry color which I think goes well with the purple. I have hardly let the doily out of my sight since I found the pieces. I take it would be in my purse and work on it while standing in lines or when I'm waiting at my doctor's office. It's only about 50% finished, yet I am getting a lot of compliments on it every time I pull it out to work on. I can't wait to see it finished and blocked.

Lacey Ladies of Arizona 27th Annual Lace Day

I am a member of this wonderful guild. I thought I would share with you one of our upcoming events. I will make sure to take lots of pictures and post them both here and on my Instagram page. You can find me on Instagram @Joioflace. If you are in the area, please feel free to stop by. I will be demonstrating bobbin lace and needle tatted lace all day.

A delicate European art form thought to be all but extinct is not only alive, but thriving in the Valley of the Sun.

27^th Annual Lace Day Hosted by the Lacey Ladies of Arizona

Phoenix, Arizona, Saturday, November 17^th, 2018- Lacey Ladies of Arizona will once again host their annual Lace Day.

The purpose of the organization is to promote interest, exhibit, study, and preserve old laces. We also demonstrate lace making along with learning and sharing our knowledge with others interested in lace. And this year we continue our mission with another wonderful day of lace.

A free family event, the annual lace day is filled with demonstrations, exhibits, vendors and door prizes. Each year we provide a presentation on a lace topic along with the opportunity to take lessons in various forms of lace making.

Come watch lace being made, shop for unique and hard to find crafting supplies, and learn how and why this delicate art form continues to inspire and enchant a new generation of lace makers.

Saturday, November 17^th, 2018

Doors open at 10:00am with the special lace presentation at 10:30am

Location: Beatitudes Life Center

1610 West Glendale Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85021

10:00am – 4:00 pm Free and Open to the public

Lacing It Together

On Saturday, I got to spend eight hours of my life surrounded by lace. Lace presentations, lace demos, lace supplies, lace making and lace conversations filled my day. The 20th Annual Lace Day was a blast and lucky for you I remembered to take some pictures.

[caption id="attachment_1174" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Setting Up for Lace Day"][/caption]

I arrived around 8 am, well before the event started, in order to help with set up. I came armed with my lace pillow along with everything lace related that I own. I also brought a pound cake, whipped cream and sliced strawberries. If I couldn't win anyone over with my lace making, I could always bribe them with food.

[caption id="attachment_1175" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Lace Makers Setting Up Their Sations"][/caption]

The Lacey Ladies of Arizona had no problem putting me right to work. I helped unload cars for vendors and put signs out telling people where to turn to get to the event. Throughout the morning, I started sounding like a broken record as I answered the same questions from the various members- 'What's your name?' and ' How long have you been making lace?'

[caption id="attachment_1169" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Recent ribbons won by some of the members"][/caption]

The event officially started at 10 am and there was no shortage of people coming in to ask questions, get advice and watch lace makers at work.

One of the members gave an awesome presentation about the history of pillows used for lace making. Basically, every country that makes lace has their own style of pillow that sets them apart.

[caption id="attachment_1168" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Chart showing where different laces originated"][/caption]

Lace makers are a very talkative group and were happy to dish out their advice to me. I got three book suggestions and a really good tip on preserving my prickings- cover your pricking with contact paper and you can use them again and again.

[caption id="attachment_1170" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Display of various lace making pillows"][/caption]

The book recommendations were, " Bobbin Lace Without A Teacher", by Betty Alderson. It is sold through the company Snowgoose, which happened to be one of the vendors there. The other books are, "The Bobbin Lace Manual" and "The Practical Guide to Bobbin Lace". Both books can be found on Amazon or Ebay.

[caption id="attachment_1171" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Close up of one of the display pillows"][/caption]

Being a short black girl with dreadlocs really made me stand out in the crowd of sliver-haired grandmothers that made up a good percentage of the people there. My oddity always turns out to be my asset as a number of people came and asked how someone like me got into making bobbin lace.

[caption id="attachment_1172" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="My own lace pillow"][/caption]

Oh, here's something you may not have known. When you get a chance, look up the name Simon Toustou. Who is he, you ask? He is the maker of what is considered the BMW's of lace making pillows. His pillows are to die for. Or at least to save few hundred bucks for. (Santa, if you're listening, I want one!)

I did some shopping and got four new bobbins, some neat thread and a few thimbles that were begging to come home with me.

[caption id="attachment_1173" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Close up of my lace work"][/caption]

Overall, I had a wonderful time and can't wait for next year's event. I already plan on volunteering for any upcoming public demos. Don't worry. My bobbin lace won't interfere with my sock knitting. There are places where my pillow can't go, but my needles are always welcomed.

Lace Day, Here We Come!

Tomorrow, the lovely Lacey Ladies of Arizona will host their 20th Annual Lace Day event.

If you happen to be in Arizona, I am personally inviting you to attend.

Here is the 411:

20th Annual Lace Day presented by the Lacey Ladies of Arizoan

November 12, 2011

10:00 am to 4:00 pm

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

There will be lace making demonstrations, vendors, exhibits, door prizes and more! You may also purchase a commemorative bobbin at the event.

Location: Community of Christ- Phoenix Central Congregation

4224 North 44th Street

Phoenix, Arizona 85018

Classes start at 11:00 am

The price of each class includes kit usage and lesson. The following classes are:

Bobbin Lace: $20

Needle Lace: $15

Netted Lace: $15

Tatting: $15

If you bring your own kit the class only costs: $5

I leave you now with some more bobbin lace goodness.

Bobbin Lace Fast Fingers

Since this weekend marks the 20th Annual Lace Day hosted by the Lacey Ladies of Arizona, I figured I'd celebrate with blog postings this week that pay respect to the beautiful art of Bobbin lace making.

Behold, I give you a YouTube video of a very talented quick-fingered lace maker. You may need to play this video twice, because if you blink you might miss a whole section of lace.