Archive for October, 2008
Politics
I don’t like to talk about politics. Because it seems even normal people can’t discuss what they think or believe without it turning into a hate fest.
What is wrong with us? You may differ with our president and I do. But he is not some demon from hell. He is a human being and an American. There seems to be a lot of hate and nastiness going on in this supposedly Christian nation. 
When we dislike a politician’s actions, we elect a new person. We do not drive a stake through their hearts. And dance about in the dark enjoying their pain.
Every president elected has done the country wrong in one way or another. Do the words Vietnam, Watergate, Iran Contra, Monica strike a chord in your memory. All politicians come from us. And if they turn out to be slime balls, then we had better take a hard look at the society that elected them, instead of hurling mud at the other side.
I live in a so called “battleground” state. I have watched the politics get nastier and nastier. Are we proud of ourselves yet? People with political signs in their yards have had them ripped up, stolen and burned. Racial slurs sprayed on their cars and homes. Now we have the FBI investigating possible voter intimidation. I hope they catch the little shits and give them the scare of their lives. Because this is being done by kids. And just where did these idiot kids get these ideas from ?
This is how I feel about politics
For Love of Tatting
I don’t want anyone to think Paul is working for nothing. I am teaching him Yiddish Slang. This way he can shlep to Glasgow, get some gelt, maybe meet a Shikseh, and have a nosh. 
I got my domain name through my server. But you can buy a domain name from lots of places like Go Daddy. WordPress is easier to use then Blogger and has more options. At least so far.
Tatting shuttles are one of the most complex needle work tools around. Knitting needles and crochet hooks are basically sticks with either a hook at the end or a point at the end. Even Bobbin Lace bobbins are just weighted sticks. They are primitive compared to the simple tatting shuttle.
A tatting shuttle holds thread. That is all it does. Shaped like an oval with a block inside so the thread can be wound. The outer material must go over the block and curve down so it just touches the opposite side. The ends must just touch. To tight and not only can’t the thread be unwound, but it will fray the thread. Too loose and the thread will unwind when the shuttle is allowed to drop, and untwist the thread. It must fit easily between the index and thumb of the right hand. It should hold a fair amount of thread. It shouldn’t be heavy or bulky.
Tatting shuttles can and have been made of almost any material. Wood, shells, metals, plastics. As long as the material can hold its shape. Old shuttles which show up on Ebay of ivory and heavily carved were never meant to be used. Tortoiseshell shuttles also show up. If you can get past the tortoises being boiled alive for their shells they are very pretty. ugh Most old shuttles are only good as collectors items, as the points no long touch. A sprung shuttle can’t be repaired. Once that tension is gone, it is gone forever.
Over the years I have collected some tatting shuttles. And I have tatted with most of them. My favorite shuttle is a inexpensive plastic shuttle from France. Costing a whooping $2.00
This post is mostly eye candy. Some of the shuttles were gifts from my Mom. Some are from tatting conventions I went to. The sparkly ones are made in Alaska. The fish shaped one, and the one with the carved openings are from India. Carved by children. If I had known, I would never had bought them.
Welcome
First I would like to thank my dearest friend Paul aka Jasidog for helping me to set this up. While I run in tight circles yelling helppp. He goes “Suzann, push the green button.” Suzann? c-l-i-c-k t-h-e g-r-e-e-n b-u-t-t-o-n NOW An extremely patient man.
I have wanted to combine my tatting site and my knitting blog for a long time. There is more content to be added. But this is a start. You might notice some of the tatting pictures look a bit strange. When I created these web pages, the only way to get images onto your computer was to scan them. Yes they are that old. Those items I still have, I will take new pictures of.
I want to thank everyone who has encourage my efforts in knitting. You cheered me on, when I wanted to throw those 2.00mm at a dart board. Thank you all for being such good friends.