Learning to Tat

I've decided that I didn't have enough to do so I've been learning to tat. Tatting is an ancient art and one that many fear will disappear. So I thought as a person who loves history, it was up to me to help save this wonderful artform.

Tatting has a varied history. Many people think it relates back to fishing nets. In the Victorian age it was considered unlady-like to sit idle. Ladies often occupied themselves with tatting or some other form of needlework. Tatting was easy to carry with them to visits and resulted in beautiful pieces of lace.

There are all sorts of styles and every country seems to call it by a different name. The German word for tatting is Schiffchenarbeit meaning 'the work of the little boat'. Since the shuttles used in tatting are boat shaped this makes sense to me. The Italians call it occhi meaning 'eyes',
referring to the rings which make up the lace; the Turkish say
makouk which is their word for shuttle; the French call it frivolite
and the Swedish word is similar - frivolitet.

But no matter what you call it - tatting is a wonderful craft to learn. I have an incredible teacher I meet with from time to time. Her name is Pru and she is one super smart lady. She has a passion for keeping tatting alive and I have great admiration for her.

Tatting requires a shuttle,
thread and a lot of patience. There are special ways to hold your hands and position your shuttle and thread, and of course there are specific patterns to follow and stitches to learn.






The result can be all sorts of projects from bookmarks to lace trim to clothing and










handbag decoration.

and today antique tatting is highly sought by collectors. Who knows maybe 100 years from now - collectors will be fighting to buy my tatting--but at this early stage of learning - I kind of doubt it.
God Bless You

How are you doing?

I've been getting asked that a lot in the last few days so I thought I would give everyone an update. It's been 3 wks since my lapband surgery and I'm doing awesome. The incisions are healed and my body is adjusting to a new way of doing business where food is related.

Some folks have asked for a before pitture and then a progress report picture so I thought I would throw a couple out there.

This photo was taken in September
and then in October I started to check out the lapband process and started the protein rich, low carb/fat diet on the 18th. Since then I've lost about 35 lbs.


35 lbs. doesn't show a whole lot when you are this overweight, but I feel great and have more energy. I think it really is helping where the MS is concerned as the energy level that was sapped due to the MS is improved by the loss of the weight.

So keep the prayers coming and I'll try to update you from time to time.

Speaking of prayers - thanks so much for the many you've said on my behave. I feel so blessed and cared for. The Lord has given such amazing peace to me despite the complications of life.

God Bless You!