Spring Doily 2015 update

Here is my spring doily after 4 rounds.

I'm using Omega thread in size 50.  The color is called "Natural" and looks like unbleached cotton, white, but not bright white.  It gives the doily a very old fashioned look.  I have actually finished round 5, but haven't scanned it yet.  So for the first time ever, I am actually caught up to the current round.  If you would like to join the fun, go to Renulek's blog (click on link) and scroll down till you get to round one.  She releases the pattern for each round on Friday.  It is great fun and tatters from all over the world are making the same doily in many differnt colors.

Doily Update

When Renulek started posting the pattern for her 2015 Spring doily, I really wanted to jump on board immediately, but still had not finished the 2014 Spring doily.  I told myself I would not start another large project until I finished the 2014 doily, so here it is in all it's glory.

It's not yet blocked and ruffles a little around the edges (which is my own fault because I misread the pattern somewhere around row 10 or 11, omitting a thrown ring all the way around, but I figured since the mistake was consistent, it wouldn't matter.)  Hopefully I can block it into submission.  I plan on sewing it to a piece of fabric and framing it, so I might be able to sew the ruffles down.
This is my first large project, and I learned a lot about myself as a tatter.  First, that it is okay to put the project away for awhile when I got bored with the colors or the pattern.  Taking a break with smaller projects gave me the short term gratification of completion.  Second, no matter how little I accomplished in one sitting, every stitch counts.  Some days I only managed to complete 2 rings and chains.  But there is a finite number of stitches to every project and as long as you keep at it, it will get done.  Third, the final product is worth the rounds of tedious repitition.  There were times when I wanted to quit because I was so bored with the same old stitch count.  But I stuck with it and am very proud of the result.  So it's on to the next doily.  This is what I have so far of the Renulek 2015 Doily.

I`m actually almost done with round 3, but haven't taken a picture of that round yet.  I chose a traditional off white color this time (Omega 50 Natural) because I have seen so many lovely doilies in a traditional solid color that are just beautiful.  Now, Omega is not my favorite thread.  It's a bit uneven in places a little softer than Lizbeth, but The Tatting Corner is having a sale on this thread, 50% off.  I cannot pass up a bargain, so I stocked up on the colors I like as this is a close out sale and will probably not be available anymore.

New Tatting Book

I purchased a new tatting book a couple weeks ago, as if I need another book.  It's called "Tatting Patterns 3" by Elaine Gan (not Grace Tan, sorry!!).  I'm always looking for small patterns to use up left-over thread on my shuttles, and this book is perfect for that. It contains mostly jewelry patterns.  Here are a few things I have tatted from this book so far.

As you can see, I haven't sewn in any of the ends yet, but you get the idea of what they look like.  The patterns are very easy to follow as there are in both written and diagram form.  The book is only in electronic format and you can purchase it here:  http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/jewelry/other/tatting-patterns-3/128457

Life has been pretty hectic lately and I haven't had much time to post to my blog.  I'm a little behind on Jane's TIAS but will post that when I'm done.  I've also started Renulek's Spring 2015 doily. So many projects, so little time.