Birthday "Party"

This Saturday is our birthday party and we will, as usual, have our pot luck luncheon.   Please bring something yummy to eat.  If we end up with a mountain of desserts than we'll have a lot of sugar for lunch!

Don't forget your show and tell items.

We will work on pin cushion and have a little craft.  You'll need a size G crochet hook.

See you then!

Keeping the Bobbins Organised

Bobbin management is as much an act of desperation as feet of ingenuity.  Being faced with a pillow over full of bobbins I began a search for bobbin holders to suit my needs.  I really didn't want to re-invent the wheel and knew I'd find the help I needed online.

I was surprised, however, to find that my answer came in a chance glance at a pillow in a picture on Pinterest.  I work in Spangeled Midlands mostly now and while my Bobbin holder is billiant for my needs it will not work with any other style of bobbin.

So here are the option I've found.

First off is my brilliant discovery; the giant coil-less safety pin, AKA the knitting stitch holder.   You just put the pin through your spangle loops and move the whole thing out of you way till needed.  They are around a dollar in price and come in 3 sizes...and best of all can be found at the local craft store!  I have yet to find a reason not to love this solution.

For other bobbin styles you'll need other options.  I found the following while looking to solve my problem.

The crocheted style:

* Instruction can be found here (It's in French) or on the Ning site for IOLI.

Or these home made versions found here.

And this little version with a dowel and a screw.

Don't forget there are spring loaded and wooden stacker variations available from lace suppliers.

So find the ones that work for you and if worse come to worse a zipp-lock bag works in a pinch.

January Meeting

Hello lacers,

Next week is our first meeting of the year.  We will be starting out with two Valentine's Day projects for you to choose from.  A bobbin lace heart and a tatted heart (this is also the start to a lovely winter tree if you're not into hearts).

For the bobbin lace you will need 8 pairs.  Either in in one color of your choice or 7 pairs in in one color with one pair in a metallic/alt color for the edge.  Thread is Size 80 cordonnet or equivalent.

For the tatted heart you will need thread sizes of your choice and 3 shuttles.  If you've never used more than 2 shuttles this is a super easy pattern to lean on.

**** Convention Info****

Please bring all pincushions you may have in ANY state they are in.  We really need to see what we have.  If you have any of the miser bags bring those too.  We think we have enough of those at this point, but please do bring them if you have them done.  We are also in need of more 60's; So please consider making one - anything will help.

If you don't get the Bulletin from IOLI please know that Winter 2013 has gone out with all the convention info. Feb 1 is the "start" of registration.  If you want to go, but are not an IOLI member know that the forms are available from Beehive Lacers site.

See you next week!
Robin

Christmas Meeting

See you all Saturday at Marie's house.

October Meeting

Tomorrows meeting will be the usual stuff.  Bring your own project or help out with the convention items.  We'll get a convention update and chit chat about the Nov/Dec meeting.

See you there!

Fall into Lace - lost idea

Have you ever been inspired to take up a lace project only to be unable to becasue you didn't bookmark the page?  happens all the time I'm sure.

As fall descends from the mountains I had wanted to share a simple lace making project with the readers.  It was a set of tape lace leaves that had been sewn onto a fall quilt wall hanging.   Unfortunately I can't find the project to share so I will simply have to inspire you all to take up a fall project.  Or if you are really on the ball a winter one.

National Lace Day

October 1 is National lace day. I do hope that everyone has had a chance to work on a project today. If not, there is still time. Below is a free pricking for a doily.  Enjoy and happy lace making.

 

When using thinner yarn 5 or 6 pairs.