FIREWORKS! ! !

COLD AT Big Bear when it get's dark!
Left to Right: Trudy's friend, Trudy, Loyal (DH), and a bundled Bev...waiting for the light show to begin. WORMS? or Question Marks

This was very large and felt as though it was coming at one in 3-D.

What Do You See? I think it resembles a palm tree.

Beautiful Tatting Gifts, Exchanges

This bit of Sunshine brightened my day in a "Thinking of You" envelope. It is like holding the sun; from Steph Wilson.
I have the perfect 4", cobalt hourglass vase with fluted edge (circa 1940's) to sit upon a spot of sunshine!

Thank
you
my dear
tatting friends!

Butterfly design by Martha Ess

A Beautifully tatted Butterfly awaited my homecoming! DH was blown away by it's lacy, fragile beauty. It was Tatted by a new friend, and sister in Christ, Diane L. in Michigan. I've written and asked what thread size, colors. It is her exchange to me; and, I sent her a butterfly in her favorite colors! Green and lavender. I thought it was ironic that we BOTH chose to make the bodies of our butterflies in lavender. Hers in dark lavender and mine in light lavender.

I had a great deal of fun with DH taking photos of my Leprechaun, Donnacha. DH accidentally made a video with "Dom" and I...it is hilarious. But very few will EVER see or hear it! LOL
It was very hot driving across the Mojave and through Arizona. The top temperature was 115 degrees Fahrenheit when we stopped at a stand of Saguaro Cacti. You can read about some of Dom's adventures in the Leprechaun's Blog. DH received some mighty odd looks as he posed the small Leprechaun in various positions and places. However, since DH likes to take photos; he wasn't in the least fazed by their stares.
We had a very nice visit with old friends at our home church's service on Father's Day Sunday. Visited with daughter Kristen and went out for an ice cream treat.
Since SILove and daughter, BB, had fed us so royally on my natal; I took the "boys" out for a Father's Day dinner. We also were able to visit with each of our grandsons, individually. My, how they have grown...My Prince Christopher is now well over 6 feet! And Nate is just as handsome as ever. Tay came and we congratulated him on being accepted in the Architecture program at Cal Bear's home....Speaking of Bears...
Husband bought a carved Amber rose with sterling stem, leaves and r/w/blue dangly ear rings for the fourth, made of S. crystals; but, he also brought home a 21" tall carved, wooden (smiling) Bear for Donnacha to 'play' with and who will stand outside and guard our door/or welcome friends. Each time we've gone to Big Bear, Loyal buys me a bear and it ahs become a tradition. Usually they are small and carved in ironwood...We also went to an Arts and Crafts fair. My cousin gave me a beautiful reed constructed print of ginko leaves and koi fish. We sat and enjoyed barbcue and a live country western band while sitting in the shade. All in all it was a splendid vacation. We also 'scoped' out potential home site areas in Sacramento. Who knows? There may be a move in our future. We both felt better at sea level and I didn't have to take my oxygen into restuarants! I was free as a bird. . .

The Johnson Cousins

The Johnson Cousins: Trudy Brown (Johnson) & B. J. Davis (Johnson)
Trudy's father was my Dad's older brother and his name was Frank. My Dad's name was Ralph but Grandma Dora called him "Rolf." Trudy's birthday is July 2 so we made sure to be back to Big Bear, CA by June 1! This is a photo taken at Trudy's friend who has a home on the Lake...and we had front row seats to the fireworks on his deck. It became very cold after the sun went down....The host brought me a goose down quilt and a footstool for my Hairless Hobbit feet! The Host with the Most!

Trudy and I have known one another since she was an infant and I was 3 1/2! During the War years (WWII) Uncle Frank had a small ranch where he had chickens, rabbits; vegetables and fruit. Also real butter! We rode in a Parade together with Uncle Frank's horses when we were very little. Although my parents and I traveled a great deal in my Dad's work, I loved always knowing there were my cousins and Uncle Frank and Aunt Sophie (Panamanian) to visit. When my children were young I made sure to take them to visit Uncle Frank and see his trotting ponies, and menagerie near Corona, CA. Trudy was born in the Panama Canal Zone. Frank and my Dad worked there building a Dam in the late 30's. She has a brother, Frank and a sister Georgie...who live in So Cal. One of our favorite pastimes as young girls was flying kites; another was roller skating. Good times, good memories. And the joy is that we keep building new memories...Like sharing fireworks over Big Bear Lake on the Fourth of July.

The Gardner's Alphabet. Counted x-stitch by Bev for Cousin Trudy at Big Bear. (Framing by Elliot's Photography, Scrap booking and Frame Shop, Marysville, CA)

Sharing this with those tatters who have gone with me through the x-stitch journey! Thankfully, Cousin loves it!

On the road again ~ with Donnacha; aka "Dom"

This is how I roll. . .my person lets me out of the 'net' to ride here until we stop to walk that little dog and buy gas...this is on the way from Tehatchapi, CA; nearing Barstow turn off to Big Bear.

THIS is the traffic we've encountered on this stretch. It's overcast, as you can see, and the temperature at 10:30 AM was 98 degrees Fahrenheit. The day before in the San Joaquin Valley it was 109 degrees! Too hot for man nor Leprechaun!
We arrived at Big Bear at lunch time ~ so we ate and checked in at our digs; and took an afternoon nap! Tomorrow we surprise Trudy, on her birthday, with her framed counted cross-stitch that my adopted "mom" finally finished. I don't know if she'll get a picture of the finished piece or not...I guess we'll all be surprised. Oh well, it's NOT tatting! hehehe She might eventually have a picture of herself on this trip; although clearly, I AM the STAR.

Leprechaun? Butterfly? Oh Yes!

Butterfly Kisses with pearls. Tatted with a softer thread for the body (Valdini) in green and hand-dyed thread; Lavender Orchid as designed by Inga Maden. I tatted in East Sacramento while on vacation.
It's flitting to Michigan as I type! I had ample time for tatting since my daughter's work kept her busy during the day. But we had lovely mornings, evenings and week ends. I'm happy to report that I finished all my UFO's and am now moving on towards finishing my monkey!
I guess it has become the new UFO! Oh My! My block tatting, so far, has been improving and my third monkey leg (yes, I've restarted him 3 times! It's hard being an over achiever) is looking very good. At least this one ended up with the foot pointing the right direction!
Misfortune was my lot as I twisted my knee while traveling through Wickenburg, AZ and tore the miniscus in the knee (OWWWW) While it slowed me considerably, I'd brought my "in case" cane, so hobbled on to Sacramento. Two and a half weeks in bed, with my leg up; and, I was able to walk around the last of my vacation.

Butterflies love gardens.
Even city slickers ( and a former ranch gal) never outgrow their love for gardens and gardening. This is just a peek at ingenuity ~ tiny tomatoes, green onions, lettuce, Kentucky Wonder beans, squash, even a lemon tree...a month of great salads

There's a Leprechaun in the succulent garden... Donnacha discovered SILove's new "shoe" with a baby succulent ~ his favorites. Daughter loves violas, daises, and other fragile beauties.. This is where Leprechaun, and DH spent their summer vacation. Bev, unfortunately, was mostly in her lovely room, the trip did take its toll ~ but she was able to spend some time enjoying the beauty of the back yard and was treated to an amazing dining out experience on her Birthday followed by a visit to a Desserts Only shop! Yum. When you visit East Sacramento, be sure to drive over towards Fair Oaks to Scott's and dine! It's "way" beyond eating.

Next Time, Donnacha takes you on his travels to Big Bear, CA for the fourth of July! He'll report back after the fourth. So far he has escaped twice. Once at the Apple Shed eatery in Tehatchapi, CA; and once in East Sacramento. Ridgetatter's DH found him hiding in the foliage! Dom is a true escape artist and he hates being zipped into the net portion of the bag of many zippers; but, if Bev lets him peek out ~ he promptly escapes! At least now that Bev can walk fairly normal again, she'll be able to keep up with him! Leapin' Leprechauns.....

Vacation Bound!

Sutter Buttes ~ near Yuba City, California

For 34 + years the view from our ranch was The Sutter Buttes. We will be visiting daughter in nearby Sacramento for the month of June; and, visiting our friends who live near the Buttes. The Buttes are open at various times for Hiking, Biking, and Horseback riding groups. Also, Yuba College (JC) has treks for photographers, and students taking Geology classes. A favorite of mine was to take a 'quick' picnic and drive around the base...parking at an area view point.

The foreground is a rice field (paddy). Rice, Peaches, Plums and beef cattle being the main products of this area of Northern California. A lot of rice and miles of orchards. Yuba City has a population of about 80,000 + and is only 45 minutes from Sacramento. It is a nice place to raise a family with diverse cultural and ethnic population; good, family-oriented churches, cultural offerings: The Prune Festival, Annual Punjab parade and festivals, Bo Kai Parade (Chinese), the PrCA Rodeo, and Scottish Highland games. Oz Fest is held at the big amphitheater complex in Yuba County, across the Feather River.

While we won't be taking in any of the cultural events, I will be visiting with my daughters, perhaps a bass boat fishing expedition on the Delta, or even attending a River Cats game!

Mostly I'm looking forward to ~ Grass! Green Grass is scarce in the high desert with the cost of water...but my daughter has a lovely back yard with a Koi pond and pergola hanging with grape vines and plenty of green grass. Mostly, I think, I will be tatting; and, perhaps meeting other Sacramento area tatters if there is time. Just eating at our favorite restaurants will be a treat! I've heard rumors there may be a grandson or two around ~ and since Bekah is in the area ~ I'm sure I will see her on my birthday! This is a combination business/vacation trip.

Excitement nearer our present home includes armed security guards patrolling the perimeters of our property while we are gone. Seems there have been threats against our nearest neighbors (we share a low rock wall) because of the Copper Mines closing or laying off work force. The company has hired a security force to protect those in management ~ including our neighbor's family. It is surreal; like something from a TV program! It is worrisome for the neighbor, of course, but a curiosity up here on the ridge. They are a lovely family and I pray no harm comes to them!

I posted a copy of a card I made from a Practice Piece at the right side bar. I'm also working on Jane Eborall's, Funky Monkey and a couple of other projects; at least two butterflies (Including another Georgette's Butterfly, now that I have the complete instructions on how to do the 2 antennae in Victorian sets, using two shuttles that lead to a split ring! . . . and I must at least begin my first doily. After looking at Beatrice..it may be a second doily...as I want to tat the "Sheep May Safely Graze" for a daughter, if I can collect the thread size and colors and get them packed. I completed my UFO's, including the counted x-stitch piece for my cousin! I have less than 40 motif to go on the table runner; it should be completed by BB's birthday. Before I leave, there are a couple of envelopes and a box that I would like to get in the mail; but, that's rather dependent upon my DH who is my postal person. There should be more tatting posted by July!

Antlers and Lions and. . . Monkeys?

THIS SHUTTLE is from Randy Houtz of Shuttlebrothers fame. Randy exhibited amazing patience as my custom-order had added a piece of polished fire agate...but I could not find the slice I wanted to send. I knew I wanted deer antler, a porous element...presenting creative challenges. I wisely decided to forgo any decoration and enjoy the natural beauty present in the antler itself. Randy and I were both pleased with the result. In spite of my self-doubts ~ they were allayed as I followed the directions provided (through Jane Eborall) as to how to load thread and let out thread as I tatted ~ no problems at all!

The next hurdle was figuring out how to use the 'double' part of double shuttle. I tatted a few bookmarks using just one of the bobbins ~ to become accustomed to its weight and tension settings. I ordered Sheron Goldin's, Tatting with the Double Bobbin Shuttle Made Easy. The visuals, done by Jane Eborall, are great. I actually found all the information I really needed on pages 7 and 8; but, there are 'practice' edgings and a dearth of general information.

The original purpose of the double bobbin shuttle was to be able to introduce color on demand to the tatting. Of course, the same effects can be produced by using 2 or more shuttles; but, another advantage is that the two bobbins can be loaded with the same thread and one would have a quick method of adding thread, to a piece in progress, because the bobbin is at the ready.

The book also explains how to do SCMR, Split Chain, and Split Rings with the DBS. The book is priced at $16 plus shipping (4.95 priority) and Sheron takes PayPal; which was very handy for me.

Note: I realize that many regulars to Ridgewoman's blog, know this information about double bobbin shuttles; but for new comers this provides an introduction. I bought mine mostly to add to my collection because I had long wanted a shuttle made from deer antler (naturally shed) and decided on a double bobbin because I hadn't bought one. However, I do have a double post, ceramic shuttle (from LadyShuttleMaker's Etsy store) to keep it company.

Okay; so far, just the Lion has appeared!
Done in Valdini variegate with a dark blue/black Thread. Sorry can't tell you the name, it's a small ball that I received from Wickedtats in S'pore and the writing is in Chinese! This, too, is from Diane Steven's "Tatted Zoo" of bookmarks. A compilation of a number of well-known designer's critters. All this lion needs is starched ~ not the mane and tail but the split rings. The face was starched before I cut the picots around the head and softened the look by using a pin to get my 'fuzzy' mane and tail. He was very quick to make and a lot of fun.

I made this for my granddaughter's fiance, Omar. Bekah and Omar participated in The Great Race at Western New Mexico University. They represent the Alpha Omega Club composed of Christian university students. Rebekah made a medieval flag for the grand entry with the A/O initials and a very Scottish Lion, rampant. They won a trophy for having the best banner of all the Campus Clubs. And Omar won an award for being the most helpful and congenial of the contestants. Their team won a number of events and we are pleased to have their trophy on our mantle!

Now, the Monkey bookmark for Sebastian in Sweden. He is my friend, Oman's, son. I had begun the monkey in the Animal Zoo Book twice; but there is a lot of cut and tie...you know how tatters dislike C&T! And I have on hand a Monkey Head without a body because the pattern was too chopped up!

I've switched to Jane Eborall's inspired 'naked' monkey on her site ~ fresh from the 3d brain cell. They are so cute...check it out! There is a monkey with a top hat and cane, a Lady Monkey...too much fun. I've abandoned cut and tie for block tatting and now need to choose a new thread. I'm thinking my Middle Earth would be great...but it's silk..so I'm undecided. I'll post it as soon as it is finished. It needs to be sturdy for a young boy. The snake I made for Anthony went over so well...that I'm now intent on providing lads with animals to hide in their books! I can just see Anthony pulling out that snake from his textbook while in class! Anyone have an idea of what to do with a lone head of a monkey?