Tatting Tuesday and some free fabric!!!

I went to Tatting on Tuesday and several of my friends were there that hadn't been there in weeks.  Some of them have been sick, one of them had a house fire and the other two had moved from their houses and combined into one (they are sisters.) It was so good to see all of these sweet ladies. I have really missed their smiling faces.  Everyone that comes to Tatting is not just a tatter. Everyone does all kinds of different crafts. Some do jewelry, scrapbooking, photography, crochet, knitting...you name it and I bet these ladies have done it.  Every now and again, we like to clean out our closets. So, we bring stuff up to the meeting and put it on the table and anyone that wants it can have it.  That's what happened last night.  Two of the girls that had moved and combined households had a clear out and brought stuff up to share.  Everyone got some stuff and I got some great stuff. I got several patterns and some fabric too.  I got two pieces of fabric that is patriotic fabric and is perfect for the tablerunner I just made.  I'm going to use some of it for the backing and I have some ideas in mind for another runner for the rest of it.  I'm very excited!!!  It's fun to get others castoffs to see how you can play with it! 

We met a new tatter last night too. She found us from Intatters and came to our meeting. She is a needle tatter and just started tatting in January. She said she learned to tat from the internet and books.  She's done a lot of great stuff and was excited to find a group of tatters to belong to.  We only have one other lady in our group that is a needle tatter.  Everyone else uses the shuttle to tat.  I tried needle tatting and didn't like it too much but I never had any lessons or saw anyone else do it.  Now that she is coming, we can share our knowledge. I can see how needle tatting is done and she can see shuttle tatting.  We are really excited to have her as a new member. 

Here's the tatting I finished this week.  I made a cross. I love this pattern. It is fun, quick and easy.
I use this pattern alot for crosses.  It's one of those patterns you can make it and not have to think about it too much.    With the same thread, I made my other favorite pattern. The Spinning Wheel Glass Mat.  I haven't done one of these in awhile and it had been on my mind the last couple of weeks.  I'll be making more crosses and more mats all summer.  Easy tatting and great gifts. 

Here's the stuff I came home with. Some patterns and some fabric.  Most of it is scraps but there were two patriotic fabrics in this that I'll be using.  You'll see it soon!

Tomorrow is my small quilt group meeting so I'll be showing you what my group is up to.  Until next time, happy sewing!