The Art of Tatting

I recently picked up tatting and wanted to share the art of tatting with you.

I have been trying to find out more about the history of tatting, but it seems no one really knows for sure.  There are many theories out there of how it first started.  There is one belief that sailors started tatting.  They used the same type of knots used in tatting for their nets and unique knots.  They would tie a masterpiece of knots to give to their girlfriends and wives when they got back from being at sea. 

For more information about the history of tatting, check out Wikipedia

I learned needle tatting from a video called "Learn the Easy Art of Needle Tatting and More".  It's made by Barbara Foster and is a funny video to watch.  They sure do love their tatted collars and tatted angels.  :)  Barbara is a great teacher though.  I tried to learn by reading a book, but it was too hard to get the concept by looking at a page.  I had to see it done.  

The only knot used in tatting is the double knot

 and to make a picket or a loop, you just leave a space between the double knot.  

 It looks really complicated, but is very simple.

 Here are a few things I have made over the past two days. 

This is my favorite.  It reminds me of an Irish pendant.

 My butterfly

 This is going to be a headband.

These are my new earrings. 

Tatting is so much fun and is such a beautiful art.  If you ever find yourself sitting, not knowing what to do, pick up a tatting needle, some thread and tat away. :)

Easy Homemade Pasta With Fresh Herbs (Vegan)

I received this beautiful pasta maker from my sister for Christmas and have been loving it!

After making pasta from this machine, I have decided there is nothing better than homemade pasta. 

 

My favorite recipe is from La Pure Mama.  This is her recipe but with my own touch (fresh herbs from the garden).

You will need:

2 cups semolina flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup, plus 1/3 cups warm water
2 T. olive oil

1 T. fresh chopped rosemary

1/2 T. fresh thyme

 

 Chop the herbs

Add your semolina flour, herbs and salt to a large bowl and stir together.

 

Slowly pour in 1/2 cup warm water.

 Stir in the water and then add the olive oil.  

If the pasta is too dry, slowly add more water.  You will want the dough to be stretchy.

  Kneed the dough for about five minutes, then form a ball. 

 

Place the ball on a floured surface and cut into fourths.

Put your pasta maker on a low setting at first (I start on a 2 and then roll out on a 6), then go to a higher stetting to thin out the dough (the higher the setting the thinner the dough).

 Now cut into strips.  I made fettuccine.

 Set the pasta out to dry for about 15-30 minutes. 

 Heat up a large pot of water.

 Once the water comes to a boil,

 carefully place the pasta in the boiling water.

 It took about one minute for my pasta to cook.  Keep a close eye on it because it cooks really fast!! 

Drain the water.  

Add olive oil and salt if desired and serve.  

You are going to love this.