Too Much

There's just so much going on that it's a bit overwhelming.  First of all, I visited (and joined) the Lacemakers and Collectors Exchange (L.A.C.E.) on Saturday in Clarendon Hills (near Chicago).  It was a lovely group of folks and I learned more in that afternoon than I've learned to this point, I think.  The program was an excellent overview of how to read the prickings (patterns), how to choose thread and pins and bobbins.  Although one person was doing the main part of the program, others were jumping in with their preferences and other tips and points.  It was so helpful to hear their thoughts since I'm so new to the discipline. 

The lady who was giving the program had a nifty little travel set so I thought the inevitable thought that takes up all your time over the next weeks that you think the thought:  "I could do that."

So here is my version. 

It's not finished yet but I'm really digging the way it's coming out.  I still need to sew up the pin cushion in the top (which will go into the bottom of the box for storage once it's all finished).  I also need to finish the "skirt" where the bobbins will rest as I'm working.  But I think it's going to work, I really do.

While I was up there, I decided to make a weekend of it but you'll have to wait until next week to hear the big news.

But I can show you what I found on the way home.  This was at a lovely antique shop called 2nd Time Around Antiques:

Tatted doilies.  You hardly ever find proper tatted doilies.  After I got them home, I realized that 2 of them are a smaller and larger version of the same pattern.  I've got this one written out and I'm making my own version of it.

Fab, no?