Fairy Queen Pendant

Here she is:

 

 

And she took almost a full spool of Valdani Luxury Pearl Silk to complete!

Here is another image that will give you a better idea of the more dimensional center:

 

 

I went back and added 1 gunmetal seed bead in between the Swarovski pearls in the center.  This gives the pendant more stability as the silk is very soft and flexible.  The outer two rounds are tatted with the same counts and are joined between the 1st & 2nd, and 2nd & 3rd seed beads of the inner accent rounds.  Here is an image of the 1st complete outer round:

 

 

Run needle through (join at) junction of 1st & 2nd seed bead, CH 21 CL + at corresponding spot on next CH, (skipping the inner accent round with the seed bead, pearl, seed bead focal accent- these are meant to be left free of ornamentation unless you choose to add more rounds to the pendant) continue around motif.  Tat in the same manner around the motif between the 2nd & 3rd seed beads, weaving the CHs as you go.  Tie & cut, hide ends and add a jump ring.  NOTE:  I use a small dot of jeweler's adhesive to the silk before I cut it as it will sometimes slip out of a finishing knot.

 

I hope you have enjoyed this pattern and be sure to stay tuned to the blog this week as I plan to post another FREE pattern on Tuesday!  It will be tatted in a vibrant hunter orange Valdani Luxury Pearl Silk and feature some fabulous red/orange Swarovski bicones.  Plus, if I am blessed with abundant tatting mojo, there may be yet another pattern Friday!!!  Yes, I've been on a roll this weekend.  And not just with tatting.  I've been beading and working on making foundations for my tatting.  This is a necklace I strung Saturday:

 

 

The necklace is made of grey peacock Ornella seed beads, lavender peacock dyed freshwater pearls, and purple Austrian crystal rondells.  It has a lovely filigree clasp.  The glare was such that I couldn't get a good image with the clasp- sorry.  I think this necklace needs to be enhanced with tatting done in "Forgotten Lavender" Valdani Luxury Pearl Silk.  Should I add some more seed beads to the tatting accents?  What do you think?

 

Well, I have got to run.  The Saints are playing the Packers this afternoon and I have to get game food prepared.  Comfort food is more like it- I don't hold out much hope for my Saints in this one.  They're not doing too well this season and the Packers are a tough team.  May you have a wonderful weekend & until Monday~

Happy Tatting!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Almost Normal

Good morning!

 

I awoke feeling almost normal!  Other than sneezing a bit, I'm much better.  And I got some tatting done yesterday!!!  See...

 

 

There is what I call a foundation round under the interlaced chains that attaches to the Rs previously tatted. I had added layered chains around the perimeter, but was not pleased with the look.  After ripping that out, I decided that I should take an image to show you at least a bit of work.  I'm contemplating what to do next.  This piece is for a dear friend and I want it to be special, just for her.

 

The Fairy Queen pendant will be finished this weekend & featured in a special blogpost Sunday. 

 

Jim is taking today off for us to have a date day, so I do not imagine I'll get much tatting done.  I have no idea where we're going or what we're doing.  He said it was a "surprise".  Hmmm... I wonder.

 

Well, the kid is still snoring and will be late for school if I don't get her up soon.  Have a great weekend and don't forget to check out the blog Sunday afternoon.  Until then~

Happy Tatting!

 

 



Still Ugh, But Doing Better

Good morning, all!

 

While I thought I would be able to rest and relax in my recliner while tatting yesterday, all I did was snooze and finger the threads on the side table.  I picked-up the tatting needle a couple of times, but drifted off in the middle of things.  Allergy medicine always makes me so drowsy the first few days I start taking it.  The good news is I awoke feeling quite a bit better today.  The eyedrops have seriously helped, too.  Many thanks to those who have sent "get well" wishes!

 

After a hearty breakfast of scrambled yard eggs & toast with fig preserves, I plan to get to work in the Atelier.  The recliner may look inviting, but I will resist temptation and go directly to the Atelier and at least make some serious progress on those pendants.  If I do not get the rest of the Fairy Queen finished and posted by Friday, I will make a point of doing a special weekend post to get the pattern up in it's entirety.

 

Well, I'm off to the Atelier.  Have a great day & until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!



Ugh!

Good morning, dear readers.

 

I wish I had some gorgeous eye candy to share with you today, but, alas, I have fallen victim to seasonal allergies again.  After doing yesterday's blogpost, I headed outside as it was so pretty.  Jim has set up several nice areas for me to tat outside in our yard and in the Piney Woods.  I enjoy them greatly, but NOT when the ragweed and goldenrod are in full bloom.  We have had 4 days in a row of "exceedingly high" pollen counts.  It was a big mistake to sit in the sunshine & tat- my eyes have swollen up and I have some major sinus aggravation going on.  I should know better, but I can hardly resist a gorgeous day in the Woods!

 

Rest assured- my prescriptions have been filled and I am taking care of myself.  Today's activities include: parking my useless carcass in the recliner, watching Jane Eyre, tatting and more tatting.  I hope you have a marvelous day & until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!

  

More Rounds

Good morning!

 

Yesterday was fairly productive in the Atelier- especially considering how many projects I'm working on.  I finished the accent rounds of silk tatting on my friend's gift-

 

 

Now to add the outer rounds and a few more beads.  I'll be working on this in a bit.

 

And here is a view of the completed 2nd round of accent tatting on the Fairy Queen pendant:

 

 

I decided that I would go back in between the accent round with the 3 seed beads on each chain and add another round with picots:

 

 

The counts for this round are very simple:

CH 1 followed by 5 picots 1 CL + around motif

 

I'll try to get a clearer image of this round later when the light is better.  After working on the other pendant, I plan to tackle the outer rounds on this one.  If time allows, I may work on the earring design I've been playing with.  The counts just are not working on the earring project, but I think I've figured it out.

 

As you can tell, I've plenty of work awaiting me.  Have a fabulous day- I'm off to the Atelier.  Until Wednesday~

Happy Tatting!

 

 

 

 

 

 



Typical Monday

Good morning, dear readers!

The weekend was enjoyable, even though the pollen count was at "warning" levels.  I hate it when I walk outside, sneeze, and then am unable to breathe the rest of the day.  At least it was sunny and nice weather for getting some yard work done.

 

The only tatting I put much effort into was the pendant I'm doing for a friend- her birthday was Saturday, so I hope she won't be too peeved when she gets her gift a bit late.  It began like this:

 

 

I used a size 7 tatting needle with size 8 Valdani pearl cotton in "Primitive White" with "satin silk sand" Delica seed beads and 3mm "greige" Swarovski bicone accents to tat the foundation.

 

 

The next round of tatting was done with a size 8 tatting needle and size 12 Valdani Pearl Cotton in "Primitive White" with the same bead accents.  An antique carved shell button was added to the center along with a 4mm light grey Swarovski pearl.  I am going to add layered tatting in Valdani Luxury Pearl Silk in "Subtle Elegance" to it today and probably more beads will be featured in the final rounds.  I'll take an image of the finished piece and post it after presenting it to it's recipient.

 

Today's tasks include finishing the above pendant, working more on the Fairy Queen pendant and tatting another pendant design that had been floating around in my head this weekend.  For those who are following the Fairy Queen's progress, be sure to check out tomorrow's post- I hope you'll like how she is turning out!

 

Well, I'd better get busy.  Have a wonderful day & until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!

 

 

 

 



Fairy Queen Accent, Part Two

Good morning!

 

Hope you are all doing great.  I have the next step in the accent tatting for the Fairy Queen pendant ready:

 

 

This round requires 36 seed beads strung on the silk and 12 Swarovski 3mm light grey pearls kept to the side.  Run the needle through any - of the foundation (as shown above),  pick up one pearl with the needle, slide onto thread and tat CH 5 - with 3 seed beads 5 CL.  When you close, snug-up the pearl.  Watch your closing as the silk will sometimes want to twist with the weight of the pearl.  Run needle though the next picot and continue around the foundation.  Tie & cut, hide your ends at the back of the pendant.

 

This round is one that can either be smoothed close to the foundation or left up a bit to provide a dimensional effect.  If you wish, you can go back and tat another round in between the two accent/support rounds I've posted.  I've toyed with the idea of adding a chain round with small picots to give it a bit of fluff, but have not decided if I really want to do it.  I'm going to be adding more beading to the center this weekend and begin work on the outer rounds of the pendant.

 

This is my errand day and my list is so long.  I've got to do a grocery store run, swing by Office Depot, stop by a couple of anitque stores, visit Brenda at the Chartreuse Pear and shop for some new dress slacks for Jim.  I'm tired just thinking about it!  Hope you have a wonderful weekend and I'll have lots of tatting eye candy for you next week.  Until then~

Happy Tatting!



Fairy Queen Accent, Part One

Good morning!

Dad is still rather grumpy, but is slowly improving.  Many thanks for your prayers.

 

Here is the first bit of accent tatting for the Fairy Queen pendant:

 

 

You will need a size 8 tatting needle, & 36 seed beads.

String beads, cut a long length of thread that you will be able to weave through previous work and run needle through any - of foundation and tat as follows:

CH 7 - (with 3 seed beads) 7 CL

Weave CH through and + at next -, continue around pendant.

HINT- I use 2 needles (one at each end of thread as it helps to weave the CHs more easily).

 

This round is important as it will help support the pendant.  When working with pearls, you need to keep in mind that they will be heavier than seed beads.  Tatting sometimes needs a bit of what I call "support tatting".  In my designs, I use layered and accent tatting to add structural supports for heavier pearls, crystals and beads.

 

Oh, boy, is my husband on my VERY good list!!!  He dug through the camping equipment and found the mug I take on our outdoor adventures.

 

 

He bought this for me years ago as a Halloween gift.  It is large and wonderful for my hiot cocoa. 

 

I am off to the Atelier to tat the next bit of accent tatting after I fix a nice, big mug of hot cocoa & enjoy it on the front porch.  Hope you have a wonderful day & until Friday~

Happy Tatting!

 



Fairy Queen Pendant Foundation

Good morning, dear readers!

Dad is doing a bit better today, but has a long healing process ahead of him.  Many thanks for your prayers.

 

As promised, I am posting a new FREE pattern this week.  It is called the Fairy Queen pendant and is inspired by All Hallows Eve, when the sidhe (fairy folk) can visit our world through "thin" places.  Today's post is the foundation.

 

 

Supplies needed are: 1 spool of Valdani Luxury Pearl Silk in S93 "Silver Foam", 24 Swarovski 3mm light grey pearls, and 48 silver-lined gunmetal Czech seed beads and a size 8 tatting needle.

String all beads in the following order:  seed bead, pearl, seed bead.

Tatting instructions:

R5-5- (with seed bead, pearl, seed bead) 5-5 CL RW

CH 7 - (with seed bead, pearl, seed bead) 7 CL RW

R5+5- (with seed bead, pearl, seed bead) 5-5 CL RW

Continue tatting to form a foundation motif or 12 Rs and CHs.

 

Accent tatting will be the steps featured on tomorrow's post.

 

Let's hope today is more condusive to tatting than the busy, noisy hospital was yesterday!  I'm off to it, then.  Hope you have a great day & until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!

 

 

 

 



Dad's Surgery

Good morning, dear readers!

I am getting ready to head to the hospital shortly as Dad is having surgery this morning.  Please keep him in your prayers- my mom, too, as she has to put up with him afterwards!  I will let you know the state of things in tomorrow's post.

 

Don't worry- I have been working on a tatting goody to share with you very soon.  A new FREE pattern!  I should have plenty of time today to finish it while sitting in the waiting room.

 

Well, I'm off.  Have a great day and until Wednesday~

Happy Tatting!

UPDATE:
Dad came through surgery just fine and is in recovery.  We expect him to be able to go home later this afternoon.  Now comes the hard part- healing and physical therapy!

Many thanks for all the prayers- our family greatly appreciates them all!

And be sure to check the blog tomorrow- I'm planning on posting a special goody.

Tatting in Humid Weather

Good morning!

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend.  Mine was okay. 

Louisiana Tech won their first home game of the year. Jim & Jocie were very pleased.  While they were at the game, I was indulging in a spa evening at home.  It was nice to take time to pamper myself- I do so love my big garden tub!  After soaking I decided to go ahead and order a couple of mugs for my hot cocoa.  They should arrive within the next week or so.  Thank you kindly, dear readers, for your many suggestions!

 

The tatting did not go as well this weekend as it was SO humid.  Don't get me wrong- I am a life-long resident of the Deep South and know how to handle humid weather, but it is NOT condusive to tatting with silk.  Tatting with cotton when it's humid like this is okay, but the silk does not slide off the needle smoothly and I get frustrated quickly.  Still, I did manage to tat this:

 

 

I used Valdani Luxury Pearl Silk in "Herb Garden" with 3mm Swarovski bicones and antique beige Czech seed beads.  The foundation is composed of 8 ICRs.  I am considering what to put in the center- a pearl, Swarovski crystal bead, an antique shell button or a small art glass button are among the options.  Additional interlocking chains and overtatting will be added after I decide which direction to take this motif.

 

This is going to be a very hectic week, dear readers- please bear with me.  My dad is scheduled to have surgery Tuesday morning, so  I may be rather distracted.  It is nothing major- simply rotator cuff surgery.  Please keep him in your thoughts/prayers and let's hope he heals quickly!

 

I'm off to the Atelier to get more tatting done.  Perhaps I'll have something interesting to share with you tomorrow.  Have a geat day & until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!

 

 



Fantastic Vintage Find

Good morning!

Yesterday, I had the no-so-pleasant task of sending flowers to a friend's mom's funeral.  After picking out the bouquet and sympathy cards, I was in a very sad mood.  To lift my mood, I thought it would be nice to nip into my favorite antique shop for just a few minutes before heading home.  Well, I found a fantastic treasure:

 

 

A gorgeous 18" long, vintage rhinestone necklace in delicate jonquil tones.  And I had the perfect thread to go with it- Valdani Luxury Pearl Silk in "Sunwashed".

 

 

Here is a detail shot of the necklace.  There are so many anchor points for adding tatting!!!  I think I'm going to be busy adding tatting to this one for a while.

 

I am making a bit of progress on the blue MOP piece, but have not finished yet.  Think I'll wait until next week to show you the finished piece along with the gold pinecone pin.

 

Louisiana Tech has their first home game Saturday, so Jim & Jocie will be attending.  That means I will have some precious alone time at home.  My plans are to give myself an afternoon/evening of beauty treatments while I tat and watch a chick flick.  Any movie suggestions?  If nothing really grabs my attention, I'll pop in our Phantom of the Opera dvd.

 

Well, I am off to the Atelier to finish the blue MOP piece, do more on the green MOP piece and start on the rhinestone necklace.  Hope you have a wonderful weekend full of whatever makes your soul sing.  Until Monday~

Happy Tatting!

 

 



The Next MOP Project

Good morning, dear readers!

 

I am in the process of re-doing the next round on the blue MOP piece.  The counts were off and just did not work out to my satisfaction.  That will be my major project today, but I have rounded up materials for the next MOP piece:

 

 

I have had this carved Mother of Pearl piece for a while and just adore it.  It will be enhanced with tatting using Valdani Luxury Pearl Silk in S 9 "Herb Garden", some light green Swarovski bicones and olive green dyed freshwater pearls.  The image is not as good as I'd like, but it is darker in the mornings now.  Guess I'll have to make it a point to take images in the afternoon late the day before or set up the photography light system in the Atelier.

 

I am still looking for a hot cocoa mug.  There are so many wonderful ones on Etsy!  I love greens and blues for my mugs and just cannot make up my mind.  If I can't decide which one I want maybe I should just buy several!!!  Really, I just want one trusty mug, but Jim says I should consider two so I have a back up.

 

Well, I am off to the Atelier.  That darn blue piece had better co-operate today.  Hope you have a wonderful day & until Friday~

Happy Tatting!

 

 



A Little More Blue

Good morning!

I sure am enjoying these cooler temperatures.  Hot cocoa is my favorite way to start the day, but I did have a disappointment this morning.  The naughty dishwasher has struck again!  My favorite mug ( a lovely handthrown ceramic mug with a neat green glaze finish) was shattered in the top rack.  Anyone know of a potter who makes nice, bigger mugs for hot chocaholics- OOPS, I mean hot cocoa afficianados?  I need a new mug- the coffee mugs just don't cut it for me.

 

My finger is slowly healing.  It would be much better if I were not such a clutz- I keep bumping it.  I did manage to get another round of the "Aquamarine" Dinky Dyes accent tatted:

 

 

What do you think?  I am plotting the next rounds and hope to get more done today. 

 

Well, I am going back for cup number 2 of hot cocoa before settling down to tat in the Atelier.  Hope you have a great day & until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!

 

 



Next Step

Good morning!

 

I did not get much accomplished on the MOP thingy as my finger was VERY touchy.  The first bit of "Aquamarine" was all I managed to tat before I had to set it aside.

 

 

Let's hope that I get a lot more done today!  This darn cut is in the most inconvenient place and I keep bumping and aggravating it.  What do you think of the color?  I'm pleased with how it is coming along and want to get the other rounds tatted before the counts & ideas completely leave my head.  There are at least 3 more passes I plan to make on this round and the outer rounds are tentative counts in my mind.

 

I just noticed the date- this is the eleventh anniversary of the terrorist attacks. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family members of the victims.  May they have peace and comfort today & always.

 

It will shortly be time to take Jocelin to school, which will be followed by running a few errands.  Tatting time will be spent in the Atelier upon completion of the errands.  Hope you have a great one & let's hope I have a more productive tatting day!  Until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!

 

Recovery

Good morning, dear readers!  I hope you had a marvelous weekend.  Mine would have been better if the Saints had won- oh, well...

 

My finger is recovering from the paring knife sneak attack.  Let me tell you- I LOVE liquid bandaids!!!  This stuff is great.  It protects my finger and allows thread to slide over it without snagging it.  Thanks to the "Liquid Bandaid" I was able to return to tatting a bit this past weekend and did this:

 

 

I started with an antique MOP carved shell piece/button and tatted around it with Valdani Luxury Pearl Silk in "Subtle Elegance" and Czech seed beads in light cream pearl and translucent turquoise.  I have some "Aquamarine" Dinky Dyes pearl cotton that goes great with the turquoise beads and may do a few additional rounds with it and the "Subtle Elegance".

 

After my finger heals a bit more, I'll return to the other projects I have in the works, but for now, I plan to take it easy.  After a bit of tatting, my finger stings and gets VERY touchy.

 

Well, I am off to the Atelier to tat a bit, organize a little and enjoy a nice cup of gourmet hot cocoa.  Have a great day & until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!

 

 



Accident Report

Good morning, dear readers!

I had a bit of an accident yesterday.  While unloading the dishwasher, I slashed open a finger on a very sharp paring knife.  As you can imagine, I was not able to tat due to the fact that it hurt, bled whenever I bumped it and the bandaid did not want to stay put.  I'm feeling a bit better now, but have no idea how much tatting I'll be able to do this weekend.  Sorry to wimp out on you, but my finger says it needs to heal before I pick up the tatting needle.

 

 Since tatting will be VERY limited this weekend, I plan to watch the Louisiana Tech football game Saturday and the New Orleans Saints game on Sunday.  Hope you have a wonderful weekend and until next week~

Happy Tatting!



Vintage Brooch Enhancement, Part 1

Good morning!  Yesterday was SO HOT!!!  It was not a good day to try to tat outside on the front porch.  After moving inside to my comfy chair, I piddled with the pine cone brooch.  This was the first try:

 

 

I have since removed the first foundation round and am adjusting my counts so that the tatting fits the brooch better.  This was mainly to see if my general idea would work- it does, but needs tweaking.  I love the turquoise Swarovski bicones.  They seem to enhance the brooch stones nicely.

 

There was a surprise in my mailbox from a dear friend who owns an antique business.  She thought I might could do something with this:

 

 

The enclosed note read: "Now here is a vintage pin with PLENTY of places for you to anchor tatting to!  Knock yourself out!"

Gee, do you think there was a bit of sarcasm in that note???

Thank you for the gift of the lovely pin, BethAnne!  I will see what I can do.

 

Here is a closer view:

 

 

So, any ideas?  What color/type of thread and accents should I use to bling out this one?  Feel free to leave comments or email me with ideas.  This piece is NOT one I would have chosen, but does have potential.

 

Today is going to be a cleaning day.  The Atelier is a bit strown and messy.  I hate it when I have to spend all day to find what I want to work with, then have very little time to actually tat before something else demands my attention.  I'm sure you all know how that can be.  I hope to get the foundation rounds done on the pine cone brooch and will be awaiting any suggestions you care to throw my way concerning the flower pin.  Have a great day & until Friday~

Happy Tatting!

 

 

 

 

 



Next Brooch Project

Good morning!  It was nice to get back to my regular routine, although I did not get much tatting done.  I spent a good deal of time sifting through my junque jewelry stash in search of a part to repair a friend's brooch.  After doing that, I looked through the vintage pieces awaiting embellishment.  There is one piece that I've been wanting to enhance for a while, but simply have not taken the time to do it as it is a piece I intend to keep.

 

 

I love this little pine cone brooch and have been looking at it for a while- trying to decide what I should do.  I think I will embellish it with Valdani Luxury Pearl Silk (in Subtle Elegance), Swarovskis, seed pearls and perhaps some Czech seed beads.  The openwork pieces on the front could provide anchors for some ruffled tatting or special bead accents.  The back presents many anchoring options and I am contemplating which way is the best to go.  So... this is my project today.  IF I don't get sidetracked!

 

What tatting projects are you working on?  Anything special?

 

After getting the kid off to school, I plan to spend the morning on the front porch tatting on the pine cone brooch before it gets too hot.  The afternoon will be spent cleaning, brushing and plotting how to re-do my cloches.  I'm still mulling over adding the Parchment motif and accents to the brown one.  Hope you have a wonderful day.  Until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!

 

 



Parchment Motif-Pendant

Good morning, dear readers!  Hope y'all had a great Labor Day.

It was gorgeous at Corney Lake and Jim did a fantastic job grilling.  I finished the Parchment motif while sitting on a fishing pier.  Here it is:

 

 

What do you think?  One idea up for consideration is adding a couple smaller motifs of similar design along with some unifying

tendrils and beaded accents.  The resulting piece would then be sewn onto my brown cloche along with some complimentary feathers, of course.  Or, it could simply be a pendant or brooch.  Ideas anyone?

 

While the long weekend was nice, I need to get busy and plunge back into my daily routine.  The Atelier is waiting with plenty of threads, beads and buttons.  Until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!

 



Labor Day at Corney Lake

Good morning & happy Labor Day!

 

We are heading out to spend the day at Corney Lake- again.  We went up there for a while yesterday and it was so pleasant.  Today we are taking hot links and chicken breasts to cook out on the portable grill.  Jim will be in charge of cooking while I will be sitting in the shade- tatting away.  After a nice lunch we plan to play off-road in the woods.  What are your plans for the holiday?

 

This is the motif I began work on yesterday:

 

 

I'm using 12 wt. Sulky Blendables in the "Parchment" colorway with satin silk Delica seed beads.  Perhaps I should expand this motif a bit- fluffing it up, then add a couple smaller similar motifs to form a tatting ornament for my brown wool cloche.  What do you think?

 

Well, I've got to pack the Jeep for our day out.  Hope you have a fabulous day & until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!