Backwards Day

In spite of being carried forward with the rest of the world into a new year, I feel like we are moving backward today. Back to work, back to school, back to cooking and cleaning and avoiding laundry and all the myriad other things that are exactly like they were last year. How is that progress?
There is no point in committing to diets that I have no intention of keeping, or making grand resolutions that only incite my nature to rebellion. So, the plan for 2012 is the same as it has always been.

• Trust in my Savior's love for us and look for the print of His grace on my life.
• Emulate Him to the best of my ability by the power of said grace.
• Repent when I fail and receive the grace of forgiveness.
• Rinse and repeat.

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Still with me? Back to tatting then.

The first pattern that I chose from my new books was Snowflake 2 in Festive Snowflakes & Ornaments for Needle and Shuttle Tatters, edited by Barbara Foster (hereafter to be known as the Snowflake Book). I made a mistake with the pattern, but I bet it will take you awhile to find it. ;) It measures a smidgen over 3 inches in diameter and was done with size 20 Lisbeth White (It can be assumed from this point onward that if it's white, it was done in Lizbeth size 20). This will be Motif #1 for the second go-round of the Challenge.

Strangely enough, it's January 4th here in Northern Illinois and there isn't a snowflake on the ground yet.

This is the little fragment called Anniversary Motif in Mary Konior's Tatting with Visual Patterns. I added some frosty blue seed beads that I had on hand, and love the results. It is 1 3/4 inches square.

This is the pattern "Maria" in Lene Bjørn's Tatted Bookmarks--cross-shaped. It needs a tassel still, but already measures 6"x4 1/2". I used size 10 Lizbeth in Christmas colors. This will be Motif #2 for the Challenge.

Still in progress is Spinning Wheel Glass Mat from Mary Konior's book. My in-laws purchased my Christmas present from Handy Hands, who included a sample spool of Lizbeth "Jewels" variegated thread (#113). I love the combination of colors, and this seemed the perfect way to try it. The pattern is not difficult, but apparently, my brain does not think in spirals because I'm still needing to pay close attention to the instructions even after completing 5 of the 9 repeats.

Onward. Allons-y!