I was working in my studio the other day and I was taking something out of a box.  Pip (the cat) saw the box and was trying to get into it. I didn’t want this to happen so, I distracted him by putting a paper bag down and open onto the floor. Pip was immediately drawn to it, and crawled inside–a relatively tight fit, and started to purr loudly. I got a camera and took these photos. He was a happy cat.

Enjoy!

Don’t you just love the color of my carpeting?!?!?  I pulled it out of a dumpster at work about 20 years ago!  It works!!!

Now that I have my 3 new ‘Fun with Split Ring Tatting’ books done I feel like I am on an downhill course.  I am actively getting ready to go to IOLI Convention in Iowa City, Iowa in a couple of weeks (first week in August).  My studio is a total mess, though I will have to say that it is a relatively ‘organized’ mess.  I have piles of stuff that I am amassing to go to Convention.  I’m teaching so I have had to get handouts and supplies for each different class.  I am also vending, debutting my 3 new books and my two old books as well as my copper-enameled and leather tatting shuttles.

The two photos above are the Leather Tatting Shuttles that I am making for sale in the vending room.  The top photo shows shuttles ‘almost’ done.  The bottom photo show shuttles ‘on the way’ to done.  When I get back from Convention, I will put them for sale on my Etsy store along with some enameled tatting shuttles and my 3 new books.  For a while, my 3 new books will only be available from me:

• Block Alphabets in Split Ring Tatting
• Quilt-Inspired Designs in Split Ring Tatting
• Patchwork Quilt Blocks in Split Ring Tatting

I really have only this weekend to get things done, because next Thursday I get on an AmTrak train here in Omaha, Nebraska to go to Grand Junction, Colorado for a vacation for a few days.  I’m looking forward to tatting (& talking to people about tatting) on the train.  Hopefully I’ll have pictures to share.

Tonight, friends are coming over to help my husband learn to brew beer with the kit I bought him for Christmas.  I have a bit of a secret:  I love a good (dark, flavorful) beer!  In fact, one of my favorite things is to sit on my porch, with my cats, tatting and a good beer.  I don’t drink usually more than one….too many calories and alcohol.  I’m really a cheap drunk!

I’m debutting 3 new books in my ‘Fun with Split Ring Tatting’ series at the IOLI Convention in Iowa City, Iowa the first week in August.

I have books being printed (as I type) and am hoping that barring any complications, I hope to  have my books in hand by the time I leave to drive to Convention.

After convention, I will make all my 3 new books available for purchase through my website (PayPal processing & free shipping to US addresses) or through my Etsy shop (which I am still setting up) before releasing through wholesale outlets.

What you see above is the front and back covers.