Tatted Hanky for Grandma

I finished this just in the nick of time!!!  I ran into a number of issues with this hanky, but I am so pleased with the results.  This is most definitely one of my favorite projects and one I'll repeat.  The entredeux came apart from the hanky on the first one when I was about half way finished!  I cut through the entredeux and removed it then whipped it to a new hanky.  Then just continued from where I left off the first one.  Only someone who knew what they were looking for would ever see the difference.  Then I miscounted my holes on one side and had to totally undo all the tatting and start over.  For my very first one, I think it turned out pretty well.  The next time, I'll have to really clean up the corners.  Those didn't turn out quite like I wanted, but a good pressing tamed them a bit.

Here is another view.  I really love this blue tatting thread.

I made this for Rob's Grandmother, and she really liked it.  She is 83, and I told her I wanted to do something really special for her. 

I am a self taught tatter thanks to the help of a wonderful book I found at Handy Hands Tatting.  Barbara is a jewel!!  I called and emailed a few times on this and other projects when I ran into trouble, and she walked me right through it.  I couldn't have done this without her.  And how in the world she can look at email photos and tell me what I'm doing wrong just amazes me!!  It's probably a good thing I don't live near her!!!

Happy Wednesday!!
Angela

Smocked Slippers

Finally finished both yesterday.  The colors of the fabric really look better in person.  The camera is doing something funky with the colors.  These weren't hard to make, but I have learned some things while making this pair that will make the next pair turn out much better.  I'll also be looking for one of the hooked needles, so I won't have to use the jab method to attach these.

I would love a pair of these for myself, but I usually buy closed toed slippers because my feet are always cold - especially my tootsies!

These are for my dmil.  I made her a smocked nightgown last year, and these should match.  If I can find the same fabric, I may make her a matching robe for next Christmas.

With the completion of these, I believe I only have 2 gifts left to make for Christmas, and one of those is well under way.

Happy sewing!!

Angela

Sneak Peak

This is one of the smocked slippers I'm working on.  I will do these again, but I'll do them a little differently to tweak some things I don't like about them.  I found the pattern in a very old issue of SB.  The instructions for the whole idea really frustrated me.  I finally just did it my way, then found another smocking plate in an old issue of Creative Needle.

I should have the other slipper finished this weekend and will post final pics.  I may even do a tute on these after Christmas.  I still have a lot to do before Christmas.  If you want to know how to do these though, send me an email.