Here is the review I submitted for Hiya Hiya Puppy Snips ---
I bought a couple of pair to add to tatting exchange boxes. I like them, just because they're cute and tiny and different, but the little spring comes off too easily. If you were the recipient of a pair, please be advised:


Originally submitted at Alpaca Direct

Hiya Hiya Puppy Snips Only 1 7/8" when closed Assorted Colors (colors may vary)

Hiya Hiya Puppy Snips

Cute, but not for Kids!

By Tatting Lottie from Ocala, FL on 3/18/2014

3out of 5

Pros: Cute, Tiny, Different
Cons: Spring Comes Out, Easily Broken
Comfort vs Style: Comfort Driven
Was this a gift?: No

I wanted these tiny snips to use while tatting, thinking I could put a set on my key chain, in my tatting bag, etc. so that they would be handy. However, within two minutes of spotting a pair on my key chain my eight year old grandson opened them like scissors. Mistake! That instantly caused the spring to fly off. Yes, I put it back on, but I have to be very careful that it doesn't happen again. I think it should be secured better, perhaps with glue, or even better a hook that would keep both ends of the spring in place. So, I think they're great for grown ups to use as snips, but you do have to be careful with them.

(legalese)

Slow Here on the Tatting Front

Things have been pretty slow here on the tatting front.... not a lot accomplished to be honest.

I did get my four exchange packages to the post office on March 1st. I'm hoping that the recipients love the items I put inside! It was really a lot of fun putting the box together.

It's driving me nuts not to know that the packages are safely en route. USPS tracking tells me that one has been safely delivered (the only one with a US destination). One package is en route to Hungary, one to Singapore, and one to the UK. all latest whereabouts are unknown. Tracking stops at NY one one and Miami on the other two... I hope that the tatting Gods are watching over them and that the surprises make it safely.

I've started the Renulek's Spring Napkin three times. Each time I've gotten the tension either to tight or too loose my efforts haven't met to make a circle yet. Then I saw Grace Tat's beautiful rendition, (see it here) in yummy Easter-like colors, and I was glad mine didn't work out at first. I don't have those delicious colors, but I plan on trying again with something less boring than the plain yellow I started with.

The Doily is beautiful. Don't let the fact that it's in Polish slow you down any. Google Translate is amazing, and each step has been carefully diagrammed, making this complex and sophisticated piece doable for everyone!

Here is a link to step one -- Renulek's Spring Napkin (Doily) Part ONE

Today I took my granddaughter to the library. She chose six books a whole lot quicker than I thought she would. We even had time to relax outside on a bench so she could read to me.

Autumn loves the Fly Guy books by Tedd Arnold. I laughed out loud as she read two of them. Her favorite is the 12th book in the series, There's a Fly Guy in My Soup.

It was a happy few minutes outdoors with her .I can't ask for much more than that! Hopefully the respite will get the tatting juices flowing and I can get something created for a change!