My Thread Stash

Dear Gentle Reader

I'm sure everyone faced a dilemma when starting a new craft and asked the same questions, do I build up a stash or buy stuff I need as I go. Decisions, decisions.... BUT whatever your answer is to your dilemma tour stash will grow overnight like mushrooms after the rain. Then as it grows another dilemma hits you out if the blue.... Where do I store and how do I store my threads and stuff? With stuff other then threads it's easy.... Drawers, plastic containers (it helps. If they have wheels) or other storage spaces come into play here. With threads are a different story.....these colourful little balls of thread delight are a real challenge of you're sanity when they get tangled into a Gordian knot..... Yaikssss.....we all love our threads too much to just chuck them into the bin and be done with. And here come in play hairpins, elastic bands, all sorts of wonder tapes, specially designed thread ball holders, plastic or organza balls. In the last ones I store my threads. Here you can read more about storing cotton threads at home and why.

My threads are organized by size in each drawer, with their labels so I know the name, code and size. This is important for when you need to order more. 

However my practice/waste threads are chucked in a container, their ends well hidden, but sometimes the thread pixy gets mischievous and magically with surgical precision unravel those ends causing drama in the box. (please insert here a long sigh). 

However on a happier note among my cotton threads I have poliester threads. These were recommended to me by a good friend and trusty me they are amazing. They are strong and waterproof and mostly they are used for jewellery making. You also need a thread zapper because when cut with scissors those ends will get fuzzy and that's not good. Read all about this thread here. 

And then I have some hand died threads.... They are awesomeness of the thread world, gorgeous to tat with. You can also follow The Online Tatting Class YouTube channel, where the teacher(s) will give you tips and advice about threads. 

There are many designers or just common people who just like to play with colours and threads. I'm one of those and who knows, maybe one day I'll end up dying my own thread.....nothing commercial, just for myself 😜

The ideas I shared with you here are not solely mine, I'm sharing what I heard from other people or read in magazines. 

All the best 

Annamaria 

A new way of making lace - Cro-tatting :)

Dear Gentle Reader, 

I've been flirting with cro-tatting for a while now, until the day I ordered 2 tatting needles with hooked and I gave this lace making techniques a try.

Was a bit tricky at the beginning but then like a light bulb my hooked tatting needle behaved and we created the 1 motif that put a silly grin on my face. Cro-tatting might not be everyone's cup of tea, but I had fun creating this motif. 

Cro-tatting, or crochet tatting, is a lacemaking technique that combines tatting and crochet, using a tatting needle with a crochet hook on the end instead of traditional shuttles or large hooks. The process involves making stitches on the needle, similar to needle tatting, but using a tool that resembles a crochet hook. This technique creates more intricate, detailed lace that is more flexible than traditional tatting, and can be used with thread for delicate edgings or larger yarn for wearable items.

Tools and Materials 

Cro-tatting needle/hook: A specialized tool with a long, straight shank and a hook on the end.

Yarn or thread: Cotton-based threads are preferred as they don't stretch as much.

Technique

Making the stitch: The thread is manipulated around the fingers and slid through the stitches on the hook. 

Creating rings and chains: Rings and chains are formed, similar to other forms of tatting. 

Joining elements: The completed rings and chains can then be joined together to create larger, more complex designs. 

Key Characteristics

Flexibility: The technique offers a more flexible lace than shuttle tatting. 

Error correction: Unlike shuttle tatting, errors can be easily corrected by unfolding the work. 

Versatility: It can be adapted for various projects by using different sizes of hooks and threads or yarns.

This is what happens when doodles just fit into eachother

My 1st cro-tatted Daffy Doodle.... How cute is that!! 😁The middle is something that should have looked like something else I was working on, but it curled up, so in my frustration I just chucked it on my craft table and it landed right next to the round motif. Then it caught my eyes and after a few seconds I was grinning ear to ear because I just knew it was fate or providence or some other magic that brought these 2 elements together. Not only that it brought them together, but made them look cute too 😁😜😂

My Garden - September 2025

Dear Gentle Reader

September is one of those brrrrrrr months that with every day that passes draws closer to the end of the year. Kids go back to school, some go back to work from their extended holidays or start a new job or a new crafting challenge, who knows? New season, new start? However, whatever that is I hope this month goes well for you all. 😊🍁🍂

Slowly Autumn creeps into my garden too making the dog rose hips blush with it's cheeky antics. Fruit and nuts give their best, the last push of bounty from everything before frost stills growth and time.

As the weather slowly changes, days gets peppered with sunshowers and heavy downpours one is looking for some comfort food. Stewed apples, apple crumble and such are a good choice.

Today (21st) I thought I check on my pears to see if they are ready to pick. As I was walking in the biggish grass I saw a few on the ground and that's when I knew it was time. So armed with a bowl I went back out and picked 12 gorgeous, sweet smelling, juicy pears. The pear growing guide said after picking to out the fruit on a sunny windowsill so it can ripen further. So I did. But there was one that had a little mark that was surgically removed, cut into wedges and handed out to be taste proofed. Bobbing heads from hubs and father in law proved me that my pears are a success. Can't wait to enjoy their delightful juicy flesh in a few days. My one and lonely apple still hangs to dear life onto the branch blushing every time I go out checking if it's ready and it's stubborn clinging to the branch says "not yet". All right then, I shall try again. Honeycrisp apples are typically ready to harvest from mid to late September, extending into early October, but the best indicator is to taste one: it should be sweet, crisp, and juicy with a creamy or white flesh and brown seeds. Also, check that the apple's background color is a creamy or yellow hue and that it releases easily from the tree with a slight twist or tug.  Knowing this I move on to the Hazel nut tree checking if there's any nut left for me to harvest. Zero. All the nuts vanished, gone, evaporated, vamoosed. Birds? Rodents? Squirrels? Who knows? Oh well, bit disappointed, I shall live in hope that next year's harvest will be better. As you can see this day ended with a gorgeous sunset, however the weather hadd been totally disappointing, more showers then sunshine, tad bit chilly, but we are in the first brrrrrrr month, so I wouldn't have expected less.

On my way to work next day I noticed this sicamore tree in the car park that has been changing it's colors since August. The autumnal pallete always amazes me, each year at this time is the same, yet so different. I think the colors are more vibrant this year then the year before. The deep and then suttle pastels are just fabulous.

All the best, enjoy the season

Anna