Weekend fun

 

I tried something new this weekend. I made donuts for the first time. They were delicious. I did learn a few things. First, don't overfill the pan. The hole disappears, and they look kind of funny. Solution... I ordered another pan and pastry bags to fill the pans. Second lesson learned: spooning the batter into the pan is very messy! Third lesson learned: reading donut recipes can be lots of fun!

Remember the bejeweled trees I've been making? I've used tons of pearl head pins making them, and my favorite ones come on these little plastic disks. My sister Janet and I have gone through a tremendous number of these pins. We were just tossing the little plastic disks. One day, Janet said there must be something we could do with them. That got me thinking about what I've learned from making Dorset buttons and Teneriffe lace.

Daughter Alison is finishing up her master's degree in counseling, and we were talking about art therapy. I suggested warping these little plastic disks that her clients could use for weaving. Alison is giving a presentation to a group of counselors this week and asked if I would help her prep for the presentation. It only takes a few minutes to warp these little disks with crochet cotton.

A counseling session is typically scheduled for an hour. I needed to make sure that the activity wouldn't go too quickly. It also needs to be something that can be picked up during a later session.

I started weaving with embroidery floss, and then I switched to worsted weight yarn. The first side took me an hour and a half to weave.

For the second side, I used only worsted weight yarn. The process of weaving with a needle and yarn was very soothing, and I love the end result. 

I hope Alison's presentation goes well. Now that I know what can be done with these little pin disks, I may have to start collecting them. Does that mean more bejeweled trees are in my future? I think so!

Round 16

 

I just finished round 16 of Renulek's Spring Doily 2024. Now I have to decide which color to use next, and I'm really thinking about the orange. I think I'll leave that decision for tomorrow!

Round 15

 

This round was very simple, but it sure did seem to take a long time to get all the way around. It's time to move on to round 16 of Renulek's Spring Doily 2024!

Round 14

 

Happy International Tatting Day! I celebrated by finishing round 14 of Renulek's Spring Doily 2024. Yes, I nibbled on a little bit of chocolate today as well. How did you celebrate?

Round 13

 

Spring break has been pretty restful for me. Mom and I have been enjoying our crafting time. With no real obligations this week, I've been able to get a lot of tatting done. This afternoon I finished round 13 of Renulek's Spring Doily 2024. It's now 20" in diameter. I love the way it looks agains the wood of my dining room table!

Round 12

 

Last night I finished round 12 of Renulek's Spring Doily 2024 just before heading off to bed. There was much less tatting in round 12 than in round 11, but I just didn't find the time to get much tatting done last week. Hopefully, I'll do better this week. On to the next round!

Hmmm...

I did not finish round 12 of Renulek's Spring Doily 2024 this past week. I did not remember to attend our Tollway Tatters Zoom meeting. I did not do a lot of things that I thought I would. However...

I did start a new book, a gift from daughter Joanne. What could be better than an American girl trying to solve a murder in England in the 1920s?

I'm trying to use up my supply of pony beads and reduce my yarn stash, so I'll continue making these triangular bean bags. 

My sister and sister-in-law were here this weekend, so I was able to finish my Christmas trees for grandchildren. Another mission accomplished... my Christmas presents are finished!

I also finished a bejeweled spring tree... fun stuff!