In January of 2012, my friends and I got together for a girls’ retreat at our dear friend’s bed and breakfast in Beaverton, northwest of Midland, Michigan. Luann opened her home to us and closed her business during that week so that we could visit as long as we wanted with no guests to be concerned about. We had so much fun catching up, staying up late, sleeping-in, eating, weaving, spinning, eating, knitting, sewing, baking and eating, crocheting, and learning to tat. It was hard to believe how fast the time flew by. Did I mention eating? Oh yeah, and the chores… feeding the animals, feeding the wood-burning furnace (thank you, Luann, for keeping us warm!!) and the shoveling of snow.
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As the video played on, I mentioned that “someday” I hope to learn to tat also, stating that it will have to be put off for another time since I have so many other projects going right now, but it's on my bucket list. Despite our distraction with the thread knotting and shuttles flying, I didn't realize Mary caught my comment. Within a month following our get-together, I also received a gift pack from Ms. Mary, my very own tatting kit!! Thank you again Mary, what a sweetheart - I hope to make you proud!
While testing my nerves with this craft, I realized all too well how my eye sight is not what it used to be and I became a bit overwhelmed with the vision issue compounded by the attempt to teach "my left-handed self" to perform right-handed shuttle tatting. Manipulating the shuttle over and under the thread while maintaining tension requires dexterity that my less-than-adept right hand can produce. It’s making me a little crazy but it’s better to force myself to learn this way since the majority of patterns are written for right-handed tatters. At this point, it’s a love/hate relationship. Several attempts at creating rings have produced little to no progress, certainly nothing worth picturing on the blog, so I have set the shuttle aside for another day……
Your ring looks great. Keep swimming. Its like exercise. Tough at first. Then all of a sudden one day, you realize that its coming more easily. You and Luann are my inspirations. Xoxo
ReplyDeleteYou will get it, Melissa. Keep practicing in the back of your mind. You don't have to physically be doing something to take steps to improve. You are so right, Mary. The ease does come suddenly. Just like with my spinning. I worked with the spindle, and during the week you two were here I suddenly went to spinning on the wheel.
ReplyDeleteYou're right! Slow and steady wins the race. I'll keep trying.
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