Big Thread Bookmark

I've been making bookmarks lately. I have taken this project as a good opportunity to use up some spools of sample threads that I received in the past from Handy Hands.

This bookmark was done in Lizbeth thread size #3. (I believe the color is Ocean Sunset. Please correct me if I'm wrong.) With such a large thread I finally got a chance to use a larger tatting needle. The piece tatted up rather quickly.

I will admit that I really do like tatting with larger thread. A couple of years back I received a generous gift of ten cones of size #10 cotton crochet threads. No one wanted it, as most tatters prefer size #40. I have enjoyed every minute of tatting with the thread and have even gone out to buy more in various colors.

While the smaller threads make gorgeous work with the tatting looking as if it were made by angels, from time to time I do like the "wow" factor that comes from larger scale pieces. A dainty doily that is normally tatted in size #40 thread, becomes this larger then life show-stopper when tatted in size #10.

So, this bookmark will be added to my ever growing collection. I'll fill you in on why all the bookmarks soon. But for now enjoy the final pic:

Morning Sunflower

I have been working on a sunflower design this past week. It's my first major project since getting back into tatting. (Still trying to figure out why I ever stopped.)

I found the pattern online at the Needle Tatting Board. It is called "Dresden", by Roger aka Freedman.

I was looking for a sunflower pattern as this will be a gift for my sister in law who loves sunflowers.

The materials I'm using are Aunt Lydia's size 10 cotton crochet thread and a size 5 tatting needle.

Goodies from Handy Hands

So a few days ago I requested a catalog from Handy Hands. I use to order from them a lot, but stopped during what I will just call my year long tatting exile.

Now that my exile is over, I figured I'd better start on restocking my pathetic looking stash of thread.

Well, needless to say I was delighted to see the package in the mail containing my new catalog. But I was even more surprised to find all of this stuffed inside the envelope:

Handy Hands Catalog and other goodies

Yup, that's a catalog, a sample newsletter and 3 LIZBETH THREAD SAMPLES!

Have I ever told you just how much I love free samples of thread? If there was a place where I could sign up to be a tatting thread tester, I would do it in a heartbeat. You wouldn't even have to pay me. I'd just do it for the free thread.

If you're curious about the colors I get to play with, here they are:

Lizbeth Threads from Handy Hands

From left to right: #155- Ocean Sunset in size 3, #104-Summer Fun in size 10, #139- Fruit Fizz in size 20

Most tatters are ashamed about how big their thread stash is, but I'm actually the opposite. I have very little in my collection. Maybe I'll take a picture of it to show you just how small and inadequate it really is.