Yesterday, I spent a couple hours sitting in the Mormon Handicraft room on the second floor of the Deseret Bookstore. It was 98 degrees, and my husband and son and I had just come from the Farmer’s Market in Salt Lake City. It was nice to be inside after our long stroll through the park. I felt a little uncomfortable at first, as I climbed the stairs, realizing that I had come here alone and feeling a bit nervous about conversing with a handful of strangers after becoming something less than a social butterfly from my two years of being a stay-at-home-mom. Still, sitting at a 8ft plastic table, in a matching plastic chair, surrounded by neat rows of coordinating fabric and fascinating women, I learned to tat.

This was my second class. I originally had been invited by my mother-in-law to attend with her step-mom, friend and herself. My husband graciously offered to watch our son while I was gone. This time I was dropped off at the store on Fort Union Blvd. and proceeded alone.

As soon as I sat down, I was relieved to see a new face and someone who was (I assume) close to my age. I didn’t feel quite so alone anymore. She took notes and I listened to how the teacher, Heidi Sugden, helped her to position the shuttle in her hands, wrap the thread around and make the first double stitch. That was me last month, learning how to take my first steps in tatting.

I was now anxiously awaiting my turn for instructions. All month long, I had been dieing to know the next steps to take so I could start a new project. When she got to me, Heidi patiently helped me through the process to join my stitches and start my first project…a small doily. I was elated, to say the least. I had learned a new skill. I had learned something that I could teach my grandma and not the other way around. I was proud!

So, all last night I stayed up and finished my first doily and started on my own pattern (that I found online, of course) to make a bookmark. I’m still working on it now, but I will post pictures as soon as I’m done. I can’t wait till the next class where we will be starting on snowflakes. If you are interested in joining the class, it will be held at 1-3pm on July 19th and August 9th at the Deseret Bookstore in Midvale: 1110 E. Fort Union Blvd. The best part is, it’s free of charge and all you have to do is call (801) 561-8777 to register (they will transfer you to the Handicraft room).

Hope to see ya there!