An early spring

It’s only the middle of March and many of the trees are in bloom or finished blooming.  Every where you look there are beautiful flowering trees and plants.
Ornamental pear tree in bloom wandasknottythoughts
This ornamental pear tree is just down the road from our bank, one of many in the area. You would almost think there was snow on a lot of trees by all the white every where.
Blooming Ornamental Pear tree wandasknottythoughts
With the weather being warmer than normal it is tempting to stop and admire all the lovely blooms. So on the way to the bank I did.
Now we worry that we’ll get cold weather again and loose all the fruit and flowers that have bloomed. People with ornamental trees like this pear don’t have to worry about loosing fruit. People with actual fruit-bearing trees do.
The early spring has helped our contractor out a lot.  He can leave the doors and windows open while he works on our kitchen remodel.  I am looking forward to getting this completed.  Our kitchen is a bit of a mess right now.

We’ve been eating out a lot lately 🙂
The only tatting I’ve accomplished lately is a few buttons.  This is a good thing as I want to have as many as possible for International Tatting Day.  My problem now is that I keep giving them away.
“Our dilemma is that we hate change and love it at the same time; what we really want is for things to remain the same but get better.”
Sydney J. Harris
brainyquote.com

Pretty day

March 7, 2015 it’s sunny, about 70° F with just a slight breeze – an absolutely beautiful day in Kansas!
So pretty I sat outside to tat some, until I got too warm!
Okay, almost spring day 🙂
And for those that live in such places, don’t forget to Spring forward and set your clocks an hour ahead tonight.

A new edging

Hanging Basket Edging © Wanda Salmans 2012
This is the edging I was working on last week.  I finished tatting it but it’s not yet attached to anything.  If things go well I’ll have it done this week.  It’s made in Lizbeth #115 ‘Springtime’ size 20.  I’m very fond of this colorway, it really makes me think springtime, which somewhat surprises me as I don’t usually favor pastels.

When I started this edging I had only a vague idea of what I wanted.  I was happy with the first row though I knew it needed a second row to make it as deep as I was looking for.  The length of the first row worked out well, leaving just the right number of repeats so the second row fit – once I figured out what the second row was going to be. The first row has a SCMR and a thrown ring in every repeat but otherwise it is just rings and chains.  The second row is a little fiddly but not difficult, using only rings and chains though you have to switch shuttles for the ‘basket’ part. If anyone is interested I am sharing the pattern, it’s on the sidebar.

I’m not much of a garden person – I’m much too lazy to keep it weeded – but I do like to have a few flowers to brighten up the house.  While they look nice I’d thought I’d share a little.  I put these out a little over a week ago and they’re still alive(!) and look like they may stay that way a little longer.  It’s amazing how a few pots of plants change the whole feel of the entry way.

“In the spring, the carpet flowered amid the green,
and as wind blew, it looked like music on the ground.”
Timothy Egan

Spring has sprung…an Egg!

Spring has actually felt like it’s been here for weeks but finally my red bud tree is blooming.  I’m sitting outside while I write this enjoying the birds singing and the lovely flowers in my lawn (okay, they’re weeds, but at the moment they brighten  up the lawn).  A little while ago a wild hen turkey crossed our yard followed closely by a tom, eager to show her his lovely tail feather display.
I have done very little tatting this week, so have nothing to show. I did post the Easter egg pattern on the sidebar. Unfortunately, I haven’t had much time to work on it, either.  It’s mostly written out long hand, but does have pictures and general diagrams.  I wanted to get it out there before Easter even if it’s not quite the way I want it. I will be updating it when I have a little more time. It is mostly a ring and chain pattern with a couple of SCMRs. If you happen do make it and find any mistakes I’d be happy if you’d let me know so I can fix it. 
Though I haven’t done much tatting this week I do have tatting related news, I just haven’t had the time to work on the pictures.  Maybe I’ll have them ready for next week. 
Speaking of next week, April first is this coming Sunday – International Tatting Day.  I have a list of things I need to tat and am hoping to be able to sit and enjoy some chocolate while I work on at least one of them.  If it’s a nice day maybe I’ll try to go to the park or sit on a public bench somewhere and share it with the public (tatting, not necessarily the chocolate).
“Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine.”
Anthony J. D’Angelo
The optimist keeps his eye on the doughnut, the pessimist only sees the hole