Fall Ornaments, Part One

It was so pretty and crisp this morning that I decided to start on a "Fall Ornament" project. 

 The first thing I did was to wash & dry a few batik fabrics previously purchased from Hannah's Quilts.  I put a little white vinegar in the rinse cycle to be sure all the dyes were set properly.  You usually do not have to do this with most batik fabrics, but I have had a couple of lengths that wanted to run a little, so I always prewash, set with vinegar & dry before working with it.

After both lengths I had selected were dry, I ironed them with some Mary Ellen's Best Press.  This gives the fabric good body without the problem of starch or sizing flaking.

I then used a yellow (large size) Clover yoyo maker with Sulky Blendable size 12 quilting cotton to sew a yoyo.  Afterwards, I added a Czechoslovakian art glass button to the center. (Which is the first image featured on today's post.)  Now the ornament is ready for tatting additions, which will be featured in tomorrow's post.

This afternoon & evening, I will be spending my Halloween making more Fall themed yoyo ornaments while watching the monster shows on Discovery & H2 channels!

Have a wonderful Halloween full of tatting fun!

Until timorrow~

Happy Tatting!



Additional Harvest Event Images

I thought you might like some more detailed images of the fabric and Holy cards offered in the Piney Woods Harvest Event Giveaway.

I think that there are 32 of these 2 1/2 " fabric strips.

Some of the Holy cards seem older:

Some seem more modern:

But they are all beautiful!

I hope you are having a wonderful weekend full of tatting fun!  I am!!!

Until next week~

Happy Tatting!



Piney Woods Harvest Event

After bouncing ideas around, I decided to take Judy's advice and host a "Harvest" event.  So, I went into my atelier and proceeded to "harvest" more items from my stashes that need a new home.  Here is what is up for grabs this month:

Thread, fabric, tatting needles & other goodies...OH MY!

The thread haul consists of: 1 ball size 16 Finca pearl cotton color #1301, 1 ball size 8 Domino pearl cotton color #606, & 7 balls of Majestic size 80 tatting cotton in colors 800, 854, 852, 853, 849, 848, & 846.

I have also included a few blue and purple baroque pearls.

The lucky winner will also receive a selection of 2 1/2 " quilting cotton fabric strips (perfect for making small yoyos) and 6 size 9 (or there about- these are long size 10 beading needles with the sharp tip snipped off) tatting needles.

An assortment of 16 Catholic religious cards is included.  I am not a Catholic, but love the artwork on these cards that are apparantly given out at funerals.  (My Catholic friends, if you have any insight about these cards, please let me know more about them. Thanks!)  From time to time, I happen upon a lot of them and cannot resist.  These are lovely with tatted edgings around them.  I slip them in Christmas cards and frame them for gifts.

To be eligible for this giveaway, simply be a follower of the blog.  Not a follower???  Click on the google "Join this Site" button to the right just beneath the poll.  Deadline for following the blog is November 16th.  The winner will be selected by a random number generator and notified via email on November 17th.  I would like to get this giveaway shipped on November 18th so that it may possibly reach the winner before Thanksgiving.  Good luck!

Dear readers, I wish you a wonderful weekend filled with tatting adventures.  I will return Monday with new works to share and perhaps a new pattern or two next week!  Until then~

Happy Tatting!

Blue Mood

After doing the laundry and fixing supper last night, I settled into my tatting chair and dug through one of my project baskets.  I came across a few old photos of my grandmother, Leola.  She had the most vibrant, piercing blue eyes.  As I recall, blue was her favorite color. She is no longer with us, but she is often in my thoughts- especially as I do needlework.  I picked up a partial skein of Caron Wildflowers thread (sorry, I can't find the color number) and tatted a pendant and hair ornament in Mamaw's favorite color.

The pendant is enhanced with an Akoya pearl, purple rainbow seed beads, 3mm sky blue Swarovski bicones and a Mary medal.  Accents on the hair ornament are an Akoya pearl and 3mm sky blue Swarovski bicones.

I am still contemplating what to do for the November Piney Woods Event.  If you would like something particular, let me know before lunchtime tomorrow!

Well, I think I will get back to making out my next Valdani thread order.  Have a great day!

Until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting! 

Lavender Silk

As I mentioned yesterday, the Valdani Luxury Pearl Silk was tempting me!

This is what I am currently working on.  I don't know if it will be a pendant, a hair ornament or if it will morph into a larger doily piece.  The color I'm using is S208 "Forgotten Lavender".  The photo does not do it justice.  The Akoya pearl in the center picks up its lovely luster as do the Swarovski bicones.  I'll try to get a better image when I finish it.

This is how it started- just a simple motif of 6 interlocking chain-rings with Swarovski bicone accents that were later joined with a chain row.  Very easy to do.  The Valdani silk is such a pleasure to tat with!  While it is silk and does want to curl and slide some, it has a wonderfully tight twist that produces even, clean stitches. 

Okay, I admit it- I am a thread snob.  I love thread but am VERY discerning when it comes to what I prefer to tat and stitch with.  Valdani is one of my favorites and it keeps impressing me.  I am toying with the idea of ordering some of the Valdani silk embroidery floss and doing a mixed fiber art piece of embroidery & tatting.  What do you think?

Well, I had better wrap this up and get it posted.  Since I played this morning, I have to use this afternoon for mundane housework and the like.  Never fear- I am planning to play some this evening and hope to have something beautiful to share with you tomorrow.

Until then~

Happy Tatting!



October Event Winner

The October Piney Woods Event Winner is:  PlumJo!

PlumJo, please contact me with your proper name and mailing address & I'll get your goodies in the mail.

After cranking up the old random number generator and finding our winner, I strolled outside to sit & tat for a bit.

I made a couple of these bobby pins using Valdani size 8 pearl cotton in color O533.  They are enhanced with yellow rainbow size 11 seed beads and 4mm red Siam Swarovski bicones.  I really like these bobby pin findings because they have a loop where you can attach things with a jumpring- very handy.

The motif is just a simple interlocking chain-ring motif with a center accent and bit of extra tatting around the outer edge.

I have been thinking about what to do for the November Piney Woods Event.  Any suggestions?  Dear readers, your comments and suggestions are ALWAYS appreciated.  There are plenty of giveaway ideas in place for right after Thanksgiving through Christmas.  It is just this next event that has me stumped.  I know I'll come up with something, but it helps to know what folks are in the mood for- a tatted item, beads, thread, buttons, fabric, pearls, tatting accessories or misc. goodies...  Y'all let me know!

Enough of my ramblings, I am off to tat some more as it is a gorgeous day here in the Piney Woods and the Valdani silks are beckoning me with their tempting whispers of "tat me into something pretty".  Have a marvelous day doing whatever makes your soul sing!

Until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!



October Event Goodies

Today is the last day to "Join this Site" and have a chance to win these goodies:

Goodies include:  6 balls of Majestic tatting cotton, 1 spool of Trebizond silk, a tatted tac/pin, a variety of buttons, beads & pearls, a fat quarter of quilting cotton fabric and 17 (yes, 17) 10" squares of quilting cotton fabric!

I will be using a random number generator to select the winner about this time tomorrow morning.  The winner will be sent an email and also be announced on tomorrow's blog post.  To be eligible, one simply needs to be a blog follower.  Click the google "Join this Site" button to the right of the blog just below the poll.  Good luck!

Well, dear readers, what did you do this weekend?  I actually got some work done on my outdoor tatting areas!  As you know, Autumn is my favorite season.  I love the cooler temperatures, leaf and flower colors and just the general way it "feels". 

This is an old metal top kitchen table out by the screen tent where I often tat.  My husband showered me with mums, pansies and violas on Saturday!  I was so pleased!!!  Needless to say, I spent the rest of the weekend potting plants and doing lots of raking pine straw and pruning the mock oranges and roses.  I got very little tatting done, but now have a couple of  beautiful areas where I hope to tat lots of wonderful new goodies this week! 

This is a close-up of the gorgeous bronze mums Jim gave me.  Wouldn't thread in this color be fabulous!?!

This is a beautiful ruffled pansy that our daughter picked out for my tatting areas. 

Well, I am off to post notices of the deadline for this month's event on FB & InTatters.  I hope to get some tatting done later today so I have something interesting to show you tomorrow.

Until then~

Happy Tatting!



Antiquing Trip

Today was yet another fabulous Autumn day! 

 I woke up with a wild hair this morning and decided to act upon it.  After taking care of the necessary household errands and putting up the cold stuff from the grocery store, I hopped in my Jeep and took off for some good antiquing fun!

I found this lovely vintage poinsettia hanky and super-cool antique Czecho-Slovakia red glass buttons. 

The thread pictured above is from the Valdani "Two at Christmas" collection and are colors M26, M43, O580, & M41.  I will porbably use a couple of these gorgeous Valdani pearl cottons to tat an edging on the hanky.

The antique buttons are probably from the early 1920's.  The cards they are on are very fragile.  I saw these and could not pass them up!  Won't they make fabulous center focal accents for Christmas earrings, pendants & brooches?!?

Here is another image of the buttons against some Christmas fabric I will be using to make yoyo ornaments adorned with tatting.

While I did not find a lot of things I could use today, what I did get is going to be fun to play with.

This is the last weekend before the end of the October Piney Woods Event!  If you do not follow the blog, click on the google "Join this Site" button for your chance to win the loot I'm  offering.  Deadline is MONDAY, OCTOBER 24TH!!!  The winner will be picked by a random number generator and emailed first thing TUESDAY,  OCTOBER 25TH & announced on the blog later that day.  Good luck!

Well, I am now off to make my to do list for the weekend.  It will include:  cleaning my favorite outdoor tatting areas, tatting, cleaning house, and cooking for the week ahead.  May you have a marvelous weekend filled with lots of tatting enjoyment.  I hope to have some new things to share with you Monday.  Until then~

Happy Tatting!



Another Acorn Update

It was GORGEOUS again today!  Beginning with a brisk 38F temp this morning and it has only gotten up to 64F this afternoon.  I spent part of the morning sitting in the sun, tatting the next round on the "Acorn" project.  This is what I accomplished:

Not all that much, but it is a round that much could be added to.  I will contemplate what comes next this evening.

I hope to have more to show you on the "Bronze" project tomorrow.  I meant to spend some time on it today, but was distracted by the beautiful day in my Piney Woods!  I did make a list of things we need to pick up at the home supply store before the weekend- plenty of mums, birdseed, latticework (to replace the old on the front porch) and maybe a few pansies.  I really need to get my outdoor areas ready for cooler temps so that I may tat in comfort!  (Let's hope my husband buys that one!!!)

The October Piney Woods Event is still going on.  Deadline for following the blog is MONDAY, OCTOBER 24TH!!!  Click on the "Join this Site" button to follow the blog & be eligible for the goodies up for grabs.  Winner will be announced Tuesday, October 25th. 

And yes, I am already working on what the next giveaway event will be.  Let's just say that November's event will be MOST interesting!

That's all I have for you today, dear readers.  Until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!

Acorn Project, Part Two

It has been a GLORIOUS fall day in the Piney Woods!!!

The morning started out nice and cool (around 46F) and the day has progressed to a comfortable 62F.  Most comfortable, if a bit windy.

I did get some tatting done, but spent the rest of the day playing tug-of-war and scatter-the-leaves with my American bulldog, Lily Fey.

Here is an image of the Acorn Project I've been playing with:

The ring and chain round was tatted so that it made the interlocking chain-ring center stand up a little for a dimensional effect.  I reinforced it with my signature "over-tatting" and some Celtic chain weaving using Valdani size 8 pearl cotton in O178, "Tea Dyed Stone".

Here is a side view:

With the nice weather we're having, I do not know how much tatting I will get done tomorrow.  There is so much yard work that needs to be done and I can't resist a cool, sunny day.  I still haven't gotten any mums for my outdoor tatting areas, but plan to do so this weekend.   Mums always inspire lots of fluffy tatting to flow off my needles!

Another project on my needle is something with the Valdani "Bronze" thread.  I have tatted up a few components and have just a couple more to go before joing them to form the foundation piece.

This project will probably be  framed.  Although,  I don't know yet as there are several ideas bouncing around in my head as to what exactly I want to do with this thread.  Pictures do not do this particular colorway justice.  The browns look so much prettier in person than in my images!

The October Piney Woods Event is still going on!!!  Deadline is Oct. 24th with the winner notification on Oct. 25th.  Be sure to "Join this Site" by clicking the google button to the right just below the poll!

Hope y'all are enjoying as wonderful a day as I am!

Until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!

Acorn Project

I started a new project today.  It was inspired by the large white oak acorns my daughter loves to find in the woods.  I have found the perfect colors for this project- Valdani size 8 pearl cotton in colors  M1000 "Lime Sand" and  O178 "Tead Dyed Stone".  Pictured below are the materials I've gathered:

The spoon in the center was carved by my husband.  It's a Welsh love spoon.  And yes, it was carved out of a solid block of wood.  Talented, isn't he?!?

Here is the beginning of the piece:

And the second round:

We are finally getting some Fall temperatures around here.  It has been wet, damp and cool all day.  That means my finger joints have been giving me fits.  I was not able to tat as much as I would have liked.  Still, I made a fair start on this project and on another project using the beautiful bronze thread featured in yesterday's post.  I'll take images of that one and share at a later date.

Don't forget about the October Piney Woods Event!  October 24th is the deadline to follow the blog and be entered.  The winner will be selected October 25th!  Just click on the google "Join this Site" button- it's that easy!

I think I will go and make myself a nice cup of hot cocoa then get back to the tatting needles!

Until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!

Valdani Bronze Earrings

Congratulations go out to "Tatfully Yours", the winner of the weekend giveaway!!!

This morning I tatted a pair of earrings for myself.  I have used this general design for a number of years and it is one of my favorites.

Copyright 2001-2011 Rachel Colvin Jackson, Piney Woods Atelier

For these earrings you will need:

1 ball of Valdani 100% COLORFAST size 8 pearl cotton in P9 "Bronze"

1 size 8 tatting needle

4 Czech fire polish 8mm rondells

100 size 11 "root beer" Delica seed beads

1 pair of copper French hook earwires

You will begin with a foundation of 4 interlocking chain-rings.  String 12 seed beads and tat 13 - (with 3 seed beads) 13 CL.  This will complete your base for the earrings and they should look like this:

Use left over thread length to attach 1 rondell and 1 seed bead to center of base.

To complete the earring: string 12 seed beads and run needle through 2nd top cap of the ds to the left of beads of any base interlocking chain-ring.  Ch 8 - (long enough for a rondell & seed bead to be strung over it and secure earwire later) 8 CL + to corresponding top cap on other side of beads.  Ch 4 - (with 3 seed beads) 4 CL + to next interlocking chain-ring in top cap same as before, Ch 7 sm- med- sm- 7 CL +, continue around motif.  When you tat the last Ch 4 - (with 3 seed beads) 4 CL + to base of first Ch tatted and pull threads to back of work.  Tie & cut.  Add 1 rondell and 1 seed bead to larger picot and secure earwire.  Repeat for the second earring.

Hope you enjoy these!  I've done this particular design & variations of it for many years and still like to tat it.  It is an easy one to do whilst sitting outside, listening to the birds.  The Valdani variegated pearl cottons lend themselves especially well to this design.

The October Piney Woods Event is still going on!  Next Monday is the deadline to follow the blog & be eligible for the goodies!!!  Simply click the google "Join this Site" button to follow.  Good luck!

Treat Two

Happy Halloween & Autumn

Here is your special "Treat Two"!

I am offering a special weekend giveaway just for my blog followers!

Included in this Piney Woods event are:

40 various fresh water & baroque pearls

1 Osmina pearl cabochon

1 tac finding

4 pin findings

3 antique shell buttons

2 base metal filigree findings

and 1 blister pearl top drilled pendant

Plus, you never know what I may throw in before I pop it in the mail!!!

To enter, please leave a comment on this blog post letting me know how you'd use these goodies!

I will select a winner Sunday afternoon and notify said winner via email.  Good luck!

The Olive motif is still giving me fits.  I may need to take a break from it this weekend if I can't come up with another round that "feels" right.  Yes, I sometimes have bouts of what my husband calls "artistic frustration"!!!  This is one of those times.  However, I did finish the Valdani silk pendant last night.  Here is the finished piece:

I did find my Akoya pearls, but also found this marvelous little carved shell button.  It has a gorgeous brown/pink/green irridescence to it and looked so good on the tatting that I decided to use it and a green fresh water pearl for the center accent.

Pictured below is the second round of accent tatting:

Run the needle through the top cap of the 2nd ds to the left of the beads of the previously tatted chain-rings and CH5 sm- med- sm- 5 CL + to the corresponding spot on the other side of the beads, then CH 3 sm- 3 CL + to next chain-ring in the same manner as the first, continue around motif.  Please note:  it will curl on you!  After you have tatted around the motif, tie & cut your ends, then block & pin the piece. Lightly spray with Mary Ellen's Best Press.  This will very slightly stiffen the piece, giving support to the silk and shape to the finished motif.  Allow it to dry thoroughly and add the center elements of your choice and a pendant bail or jumpring.

And remember:  the October Piney Woods Event is still going on!  Deadline is October 24th.  To enter, be a follower of my blog by clicking the google "Join this Site" button located below the poll.

My weekend will consist of:  working on the inspiration piece I mentioned in yesterday's blog and possibly tackling the Olive motif.  I hope you have a wonderful weekend full of tatting pleasure & good luck on the weekend giveaway!!!

Until Monday~

Happy Tatting!



Oops & Ahhs

Today started off with lots of tatting, but after putting much effort into the next round on the Valdani Olive motif, I just was NOT satisfied.  It did not look as good as it should.  So... I cut the entire round off and am going to try a different approach.  I would not want to subject your eyes to the horror I had tatted.  It was not up to my standards and is now a pile of tiny pieces at the bottom of the trash can.  Not to worry- the first few rounds are intact and are on the blocking board in preparation for my next attempt.  If I do not have something to show you on it tomorrow, it will be completed over the weekend.  This was my "BIG OOPS".

On a positive note, I have been tatting with the new Valdani Luxury Pearl Silk.  Ahhh!  This is the most fantastic silk I have ever tatted with!!!  I am loving it.  It is pure tatting joy.  Since this put me in a much better mood, I decided to share one of my pendant/brooch/ornament patterns with you- step 1 of it today.

This is a motif of 8 interlocking chain-rings.  I used Valdani Luxury Pearl Silk in color S 49 "Subtle Elegance", a size 8 tatting needle, 8 fresh green silver lined size 11 seed beads, and 16 size 11 Ornela seed beads in cream pearl.  The counts are 17 - (with cream pearl, green, cream pearl seed beads) 17 CL.  Continue for a count of 8 interlocking chain-rings.  Step 2 (which includes the next round and center accents) will be on tomorrow's post as I have hidden my Akoya cultured pearls from myself- second "Oops" of the day.  I was planning to use one for the center accent of the pendant.  My bead boxes and cabinets will be turned inside-out tonight until I find them!

Tatting with this silk was one of my "Ahhh" moments today.

 And here is my other "Ahh"- the next inspiration for a larger tatted piece.  My daughter loves to collect large white oak acorns in our woods and is always bringing me "treasures".  I threw one in with my new thread order as I was taking images yesterday and was struck by how well the Valdani pearl cotton in M1000 "Lime Sand" went with it.  The antique button in the upper left is carved brown lip shell.  The pattern on it is similar to acorn caps.  This will probably be incorporated into the piece as well as some beads and pearls.  Between this project and the Olive motif, I think I have plenty to do this weekend.  Now that you know what I shall be doing- what are you tatting this weekend?

Let's hope I'll have more to show for my tatting time tomorrow than I did today.  The finished silk piece will be up and there may be another of my "treats" offered- who knows???

The October Piney Woods Event is still going on.  To be eligible you must be a follower of my blog.  To do this just click on the google "Join this Site" button to the right of the blog just below the poll.  If you have any problems, please contact me and I'll do my best to help.  Sign-up deadline is October 24th.  The winner will be chosen via a random number generator and notified by email first thing Tuesday, October 25th.  I usually notify the winner NLT 8:30 AM CST. 

Until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!

New Thread

My Valdani thread order came in today!

This is the Valdani pearl cotton collection "Two at Christmas".  It contains 2 each of the following colors: M 26, M 50, O 560, O 507, M 43, & M 41.  I am itching to tat some Christmas goodies now!!!

These lovely earth tones are: M 1000, P 9, O 574, O 178, & O 538.  Aren't they lovely?

Colors M 24, O 120, O 39, & O541.  Such beautiful shades!

And, oh, my goodness!  These silks are a dream to tat with!!!!  The absolute best silk I have ever used!  It is tightly twisted and produces nice rings and chains.  I have only tatted a test motif, but am MOST impressed with the results.  The colors pictured above are:  S 49, S 513, S 565, S208, & S 541.

As you can imagine, I have been busy playing with the new thread- tatting sample motifs to get a feel for the thread and color variegations.  I have not tatted much on the olive motif, but will have more to show you on it tomorrow.  If you would like to try these fabulous threads, check out the  Valdani website.  You may order directly from them or check their list of shops that carry their products.  Be sure to tell them where you saw their threads & that Rachel sent you!

The October Piney Woods Event is still going on!  Deadline is October 24th, so be sure to follow the blog for your chance to win!

Until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!

 

Dry Leaves

It has been so dry this year that we hardly have any brilliant color to our leaves.  Everything that remains on the trees is wilting and very pitiful in appearance.  Still, I am fortunate that my Piney Woods here in Louisiana have not burned like that of my neighbors in Texas!  Let's hope we all receive some rain soon!!!

Lack of glorious color has not stopped the tatting from flowing off the needle.  I will have some interesting things to share in the next few days if all continues to flow at this pace. 

The current project I'm sharing is the Valdani Olive pearl cotton motif.  This is where it is today:

What should this piece be called?  "X Marks the Spot"?  Any suggestions? 

 I am still perusing my stashes in search of just the right center accent piece.  I have some fabulous pearls, but also am considering a nice carved abolone shell button.  Then there are the Swarovski crystal beads that are whispering, "We're pretty, too!"  Hmmm...  Maybe I shall have to tat another round or two before I decide.

While walking through my woods today I snapped a few images.  As I mentioned, the color is not what is usually is, but the tallow tree is just starting to turn. 

Rather Christmas-y, isn't it?  Perhaps we will have some pretty colors a little later this month.

I leave you today with the reminder of the October Piney Woods GiveAway deadline:  October 24th!  To be eligible, you must be a follower of the blog.  Just click the google "Follow this Site" button located to the right, below the poll.  On October 25th, I will select the winner via a random number generator.  The winner will be notified and the goodies sent out promptly.  The haul may have a few more items added to it- you never can tell what I might do when I get to cleaning out the atelier!!! 

Until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!

Slow Start

Have you ever had one of those weekends that require the following week to recover from?  I had high hopes for this past weekend, but did not get much of anything accomplished, yet I am worn out.   Monday has been a day to catch my breath and try to get into a creative mood.  I had planned to spend the weekend cleaning and tatting, but was sidetracked by other pressing matters.

As my daughter was out of school today, we took care of some errands this morning then went to the park for an afternoon of tatting (me) & crocheting (her).

This is a litle motif I tatted using Valdani size 8 pearl cotton in color P2 "Olives".  It has size 11 matte seed beads in a coordinating olive tone for accents.  I'm not sure what this piece will be, but it seems to be turning out okay.

After we returned home I dug through my buttons searching for a neat center focal piece for the motif.  The carved shell butttons looked interesting, so I grabbed a few & headed outside to take an image.

I am still hunting for a center piece for the motif, but not to worry- there are many more button boxes, cabochon trays, and bead cabinets to look through.  Hopefully I'll have more to share with you tomorrow.

It's not as though I do not have plenty waiting for my hands to pick-up and do.  There are yoyos to be made, tatting to be completed, beading to be done and pine needle baskets to be coiled & stitched.  Maybe with the regular schedule resuming tomorrow, I'll get my groove back.

The October Piney Woods Giveaway Event is still going on!  For your chance to win, simply click the google "Follow this Site" button to the right of the blog just below the poll.  Current followers are automatically entered.  Deadline is October 24th.  The winner will be announced on October 25th.  Good luck!

Until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!

Bali Prints

I had a wonderful time at Hannah's Quilts yesterday!  So wonderful that I decided to go through my stash and pick out some of my favorite Bali prints.

This is just a small sampling of the goodies I've purchased from Marie.  The gorgeous teal is handwoven silk!  (Also from Bali.)  My favorite chatelaine is draped over the fabrics along with some Osmina pearl cabochons and an abolone cabochon.  Aren't these just fantastic!  This is one reason why I so highly recommend Hannah's Quilts.  Marie stocks fabulous fabrics you would not necessarily find elsewhere.  I love her eclectic & funky fabrics!

Aside from rummaging through my fabric stash, I made a list of needed items for upcoming projects.  I will be ordering a few goodies over the next several weeks and will share when they arrive & are subsequently used in pieces.

The plans for the weekend are: 

1.  Begin cleaning out and renovating my atelier.

2.  Fix up my outdoor tatting areas.  (I need mums & pansies!!!)

3.  Tat a goody for a "surprise" next week.

4.  Work on some pine needle baskets and trays.

5.  Bake some treats for the tatting week ahead.

NOTE:  the October Piney Woods Event is still going on!  To enter, click the google "Follow this Site" button just below the poll.  Current followers are automatically entered.  Deadline is October 24th.  The winner will be selected via a random number generator on the 25th & notified via email.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend full of tatting adventures.  Until next week~

Happy Tatting!

Hannah's Quilts

Today I would like to share with you the source for most of my fabulous fabric stash:

Hannah's Quilts & Crafts is located at 402 St. Peter Loop Road in Choudrant, LA, which is not far from my Piney Woods haven.  Marie Lee is the owner of this wonderful store and I cannot say enough good things about the store or her!  She has been a true blessing to me professionally and personally.  I get the biggest artistic boost of inspiration from the beautiful fabrics that grace her store!  Marie has been so wonderful encouraging Jocelin and myself in our fiber art endeavors.

Here are some of the batiks she carries.  You will not believe the fabulous selection she has available!

And lots of templates, books, notions, & gadgets!

This quilt is made with some of the Kaffe Fasset & Westminster fabrics. 

As is this one.  Aren't the colors fantastic?!?

You may visit Marie's online store at: http://www.hannahsquilts.com/ and email her via hannahsquilts@gmail.com .  The store itself is open Mon.-Fri. from 8-5, & Sat. 8-2.  The phone number is (318) 251-0314.  If you wish to find some fantastic fabric for your next project be sure to check out Hannah's Quilts & tell them Rachel sent you!

Many thanks to Marie Lee for putting up with me & my kid for so many years!  We greatly appreciate you & look forward to raiding your store again very soon.

And remember to enter for your chance to win the October Piney Woods Give Away by clicking the google "Follow this Site" button located just below the poll.  Deadline is October 24th!

Until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!