In need of some ZZZZ's (1/25)

What do you think this is supposed to be? No prize for the winner. I'm just curious how close it resembles what I'm trying to make.


Speaking of winners. I have some packages that need to be mailed out to the winners of my baby giveaway. They have been sitting on our desk for a few weeks. I apologize to the winners, but lugging a car seat and a toddler to the post office hasn't happened yet. I will try and make it very soon though.

The above image is supposed to be a Z. Does it looks like one? Any ideas of how to modify it to look more like a Z? I'm trying to make a wedding present for a friend and tat the first letter of the surname with a border around it similar to what I did here. I know there are other letters out there, but for some reason I really like this for my purpose. Many of the other alphabets are too feminine for this purpose---at least to me.

The baby mouse is getting big and doing very well. She is sleeping okay, but feels the need to check just to make sure that mom is still around during the night. She is more clingy than the kitten, so it makes for less tatting time. I bought some new thread for Christmas and really want to see how it will tat up, but I haven't found the time yet.

I've also been practicing shuttle tatting a bit--I'm very slow at it. Oh and I'm very exciting because it looks like I'll be teaching some homeschoolers to needle tat in the fall. I'm sure that I'll be asking for some ideas in the future--I would love to be able to give some history of tatting as well.

I've been reading blogs some, but haven't had much time to comments. There have been some lovely items tatted and my to tat list is growing!!!