Happy Halloween!

Good morning & happy Halloween!

 

As promised, here are a couple of small FREE patterns for your Halloween treat:

 

 

Both motifs were tatted using a size 8 needle and Valdani Luxury Pearl Silk. They can be used for a myriad of purposes- scissor fobs, brooch foundations, pendant foundations, ornament foundations, etc.  Check out tomorrow's post to see how I further embellished each motif!

 

Motif 1 using Valdani Luxury Pearl Silk in S153 "Golden Moss":

 

 

You will need a small 4-hole button, 8 3mm Swarovski bicones and 16 size 11/0 seed beads.  With a size 8 tatting needle, tat as follows:

R 5 - 5 + (to button) 5 - 5 CL RW

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

R 5 + 10 - 5 CL RW

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

Continue around button until you have 8 Rs & 8 CHs.  Tie & cut, hide ends.

 

Motif 2 using Valdani Luxury Pearl Silk in  S244 "Love of Life":

 

 

A small square, 4-hole button is needed along with a size 8 tatting needle.  Tat as follows:

R 7 - 7 + (to button) 7 - 7 CL RW

CH 5 very small - 3 followed by 3 graduated -s 3  very small - 5 CL RW

R 5 + 10 - 5 CL RW

Continue around motif until you have 8 Rs & 8 CHs.  Tie & cut, hide ends.

 

PLEASE NOTE: The patterns that I post to my blog presuppose you already possess a basic knowledge of needle tatting.  Shuttle tatters usually are able to tat my patterns, but if they encounter a problem, I will do my best to help. 

 

Well, I am off to the Atelier.  My hot cocoa is waiting and I have a few more embellishments to finish on one of the motifs featured above.  I need to get the tatting out of the way so I can prepare for our family Halloween celebration.  We are going to have a nice campfire in the woods, toast marshmallows and enjoy a few treats from my kitchen.

 

Hope you all have a wonderful All Hallow's Eve!  Until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!

 

 



Working Working

Good morning, dear readers!

 

Sorry, no new images today.  I am working on those special "treats" I mentioned in yesterday's post. Since one of the "treats" will be the pattern of the small button piece previously featured, I decided to wait before revealing more of it.

 

Yesterday was just gorgeous and I spent most of the day outside.  Some tatting was done and I managed to dye some yarn for Jocie.  Other than that, I was occupied with getting the last of the purple hull peas & speckled butter beans shelled.  The fall garden is not doing very well this year.  Our collard greens are pitiful looking, but the mustard and turnip greens seem to be okay. 

 

Well, I am going to take Lily Fey on her run, drop the kid off at school and get busy on those special "treats" for y'all.  Have a great day & until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!



Busy Weekend!

Good morning, dear readers!

Whew!  We had a busy weekend full of all sorts of things- family activities, general Autumn chores, and even a bit of tatting.

 

We had an unexpected visit from my great-uncle Jamie.  He likes to surprise us occasionally, but probably got more than he bargained for this time as he was roped into helping us get firewood cut, split and stacked for my parents.  It was good to see him again.  Still, every time I look into his bright blue eyes, I see my grandmother (his sister).  I miss her so very much!

 

The only tatting I did this weekend was with some cute little buttons and Valdani Luxury Pearl Silk.

 

 

I'm using "Golden Moss" Valdani silk in the image above.  This was the only image I could capture before my light was totally caput.  I'll get more images today of this piece when I complete it along with the others.  Here's a little hint:  there may be a couple of FREE patterns later this week!!!  Be sure to check back and see what I've got planned as a special Halloween treat for my readers.

 

Sunday afternoon late I went for a stroll in the Piney Woods behind the house.

 

 

These yellow mushrooms had popped up along the sides of my paths.  They are so pretty and bright.

And I found another "treasure" next to the old homeplace ruins.

 

 

I call this the "ruffle tree".  It looks like a frilly tiered lace skirt.

 

With the cooler temperatures, we enjoyed an evening fire outside and toasted marshmallows.  Lily Fey was a shameless marshmallow moocher!  Even after we put the bag up, she kept begging.

 

Today promises to be gorgeous and I hope to get lots of tatting done.   I do have a request to make of you, dear readers.  Please keep the folks in the path of Hurricane Sandy in your thoughts and prayers.  It looks as though they are in for a rough time of it.  May you have a wonderful day full of creativity.  Until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!

 

 

 

 

 

 



Square Component, Part 2

Good morning, dear readers!

 

The re-doing is slowly starting to work out the way I envisioned it in my mind.  I hope to have some new pieces to share with you very soon!

 

I also did a bit more on the square component:

 

 

What should I add to the center?  Frothy, picot laden tatting or some pearls and beading?  Perhaps a vintage shell button?  What do you think?

 

I have also been working on the gorgeous Juliana brooch, but it is taking a while as it takes time to VERY carefully weave and pull through the silk thread to the various anchor points.  It is looking good, so far, and I hope to share the finished piece next week.  Let's hope it continues to tat up smoothly!

 

Well, I have got to get ready for the weekend.  We have a number of family activities/get-togethers going on and I doubt I'll get much tatting time in.  May you have a marvelous weekend and until next week~

Happy Tatting!

 

 



Square Component, Part One

Good morning, dear readers!

 

I got all my errands out of the way yesterday morning and spent the afternoon playing in the Atelier.

While I made little progress with the re-working of those pesky pieces, I did play with some of the square components I received from Fire Mountain Gems a few months back.  (Sometimes things sit in the Atelier for a bit before I get around to them!)

 

 

This is the very beginning of a "surprise" piece.  The thread I'm using is size 12 Valdani pearl cotton in color O 565 "Primitive White" along with 3mm "Powdered Almond" Swarovski pearls and antique beige Czech seed beads.  So, what do you think this will end up being?

 

Lily Fey is at the door, holding the leash in her mouth whilst staring at me.  I think she is letting me know it's time to go for a run in the woods.  Guess I'd better take care of that then get down to some serious tatting in the Atelier.  Hope you have a marvelous day & until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!

 

 



Not Much

Good morning, dear readers.

 

Well, I sniped, clipped & re-tatted a couple of items and am simply not happy with them.  What was in my head did not work out in the actual tatting.  Guess it's back to the drawing board.

 

After running a few errands, I plan to work on a new tatting project before picking up the pieces that need re-touching.  Perhaps I'll have better luck today.  Well, I'm off to do my grocery store run.  Have a great day & until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!



Candy Apple Pendant

Good morning, dear readers!

I am feeling much better today- the allergies are under control for the moment.

 

It was absolutely gorgeous yesterday!  The sun was shining and there was not a cloud in the sky.  Whilst I did manage to take a few images yesterday, I noticed that a couple of pieces would look better with some slight changes.  I can't help it- sometimes I look at a piece through the camera lens and see what I could do different to make it better and when that urge hits, I snip, clip & re-tat.  Oh well...  Anyway, here is an image of the finished Candy Apple pendant:

 

 

This pendant was tatted with Valdani Luxury Pearl SIlk in color S534 and is accented with bronze freshwater pearls and red volcano Swarovski bicones.  The colors of the silk made me think about the candy apples Jocie and I made last week.  They were yummy!

 

Here is a closer view of the pendant:

 

 

This morning I plan to finish re-doing the other pieces, take new images of them and hopefully have them ready to share tomorrow or Wednesday.  I am also working on another FREE pattern to share in the near future and am test tatting a couple of variations.  As you can tell, my tatting day is going to be very busy. 

 

Guess I'd better take Lily Fey on her run then head to the Atelier.  Have a great day & until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!

 

 

 

 



Weekend Review

Good morning!

Hope y'all had a great weekend.  Mine was terrific- mostly.

 

I got a fair amount of tatting done Friday & Saturday, but was sucker punched Sunday by my seasonal allergies.  Perhaps playing in the Jeep with the top off whilst ragweed and goldenrod are blooming is not the smartest thing for me to do.  I spent the majority of Sunday with swollen, itchy eyes and a very stuffy head.

 

I do have a few images to share with you:

 

 

This is the begininng of a pendant using Valdani Luxury Pearl Silk with bronze freshwater pearls and red Swarovski bicones as accents.  I've done more rounds on this piece, but have not taken images as every time I go outside my eyes start giving me fits.  (One of my goals today- to take images of my recent work!)

 

Jim and I had a wonderful time clearing brush in the Piney Woods and cleaning up the outdoor living areas on the back acreage of our property.  With the recent light rains, the mushrooms and fungi have shot up all through the woods.  They are so bright & pretty.  I took some images as we went about our outdoor chores:

 

 

There are oodles of these red mushrooms along the paths.

 

 

And I'm not quite sure what this fungi is, but it sure is pretty.

 

Well, I am going to head to the Atelier with Lily Fey and savor my hot cocoa while getting in a bit of tatting before taking images later in the day- providing the weather cooperates and my allergies behave.  Hope you have a marvelous day & until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!

 

 

 

 

 

 



Vintage Juliana Brooch

Good morning, dear readers!

 

Guess what was in my mailbox yesterday... THIS:

 

 

A lovely vintage Juliana brooch with molded art glass navettes and wonderful cat-eye/moonstone like round orange accents.  This brooch has so many interesting anchoring points!  I can hardly wait to dress it up with tatting.  The orange Valdani luxury pearl silk looks fantastic with it, but I'm thinking about going with the subtle elegance as it would allow me to wear the brooch with more garments.  And yes, I'm keeping this one for myself.  It is a rarer Juliana piece and I do not think I could stand someone else having this beauty! 

 

 

Here is another view.  Ahh, yes, I am so looking forward to tatting in the Piney Woods today!

 

Jim is taking today off & we're going to be in the woods working on my tatting shanty.  I'll have to take the Juliana brooch and work on it whenever I get the chance. 

 

This weekend I will be finishing up several pieces and taking images.  I hope to have some "tattilicious" eye candy for you next week.  Hope you have a marvelous weekend full of creativity!  Until next week~

Happy Tatting!

 

 

 

 



Autumn Valdani Silks

Good morning, dear readers!

It is getting more and more fall-like down here.  The mornings are starting out nice and cool in the 50 degree range, but it warms up to the mid-70s, so really, I guess we're just getting a hint of Autumn.  It still makes me want to tat in gorgeous, rich colors.  Here are some fabulous Valdani Luxury Pearl Silk spools in some of my favorite Autumn colors:

 

 

Pictured from the bottom up are:

S534, S780, S153, S5100, & S513.
I am tatting with these colors and a few others at the moment.  They are so pretty and tat up smoothly with very little twisting (unlike some other silks)- I just love them!

Click on the Valdani logo link to the right on the blog to get your Valdani pearl cotton & luxury pearl silk.

 

You may have noticed that I've not posted much in the way of my tatting projects.  Well... I am working on another collection of OOAK pieces and will be debuting them on the blog soon.  Please be patient and I will gladly post LOTS of new eye candy very soon.

 

There is quite a bit of work to do in the Atelier today.  Jim and I are planning on spending Friday in the woods cleaning up and working on the tatting shanty, so I had better get plenty of work done today.  Perhaps I'll have a little sneak peek for you tomorrow- who knows!

 

Well, Lily Fey & I are off for our run.  Take care & until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!

 

 



Coin Pearl Bracelet

Good morning!  Hope you all are well.

Yesterday was an okay tatting day.  I got a fair bit done on several projects, but do not have anything significant to show you other than this bracelet I made:

 

 

Coin pearls and Swarovskis with a pretty silver filigree clasp.

I plan to add tatting to this bracelet to "flesh" it out and make it more romantic.  What do you think- should I add tatting with Valdani Luxury Pearl Silk in "Subtle Elegance" or should I go with a colorful pearl cotton or both???

 

Lily Fey is rather anxious to go for our morning run in the woods, so I'd better put on my crosstrainers and head out.  After our run, I plan to sip on my hot cocoa before settling in for a day of tatting in the Atelier.  Have a wonderful day and until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!

 

 



Intaglios

Good morning, dear readers!

I have hit a bit of a design snag with the AT brooch and am re-evaluating what I need to do to finish it off to my satisfaction.  Stay tuned later in the week for the finished piece as I am determined to complete it.

 

After ripping out a couple hours worth of tatting on the AT brooch, I decided to dig into my box of vintage goodies.  I had begun work on an intaglio brooch earlier and picked it back up.  It is being enhanced by a layer of tatting with Swarovski bicones and will be further accented with more expanded tatting.

 

 

Anyone have a name suggestion for this one?

 

Another intaglio beauty I discovered in my stash is this pendant:

 

 

She has a bezel of light topaz rhinestones and a wonderful filigree frame that is begging for loads of tatting.  Of course, I will have to add pearls to her.  Maybe some Swarovskis, too.  How about a name suggestion for her as well?

 

Hopefully, today will be a more productive, creative tatting day.  I don't know where my head was yesterday, but my work was just off.  Here's hoping today is better.  Well, I'm headed to the Atelier with hot cocoa in hand and a sweet bulldog at my side.  Have a great day & until Wednesday~

Happy Tatting!

 

 

 

 



Early Morning Musings

Good morning, dear readers!

I hope you had a fantastic weekend- we did.  The Piney Woods are a joy this time of year.  We've been fortunate to receive enough rain to really bring out the foliage colors.  I love taking hikes in the woods and picking up little nature treasures- and that is just what I did this weekend.  Gathering up goodies for tatting inspiration took up much of my time.

 

After giving myself a mani/pedi with the Lollia handcreme, I tatted a bit on the Autumanl Transitions brooch.  This was the progress as of Friday:

 

 

I am in the midst of tatting the next part and am trying to decide which idea will work best.  Something else I'm considering is whether I should add some fluffy tatting to the center of the pin- what do you think?  Hmmm...

 

Well, I had better get busy working on the AT brooch.  I got up very early (even for me) just to get in a bit of tatting before the chaos of shooing Jim & Jocie out the door.  Lily Fey & my hot cocoa are waiting in the Atelier.  Have a great day & until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!

 

 

  

Lollia!

Good morning, dear readers!

 

My Lollia order came in!!!  I am one happy girl who will be spending the day pampering herself with a luxury manicure and pedicure before heading into the Piney Woods to tat.

 

 

Here are my 3 handcremes (Believe, Breathe, & In Love) and soap (Breathe).

It all smells so wonderful!

 

 

I've mentioned on the blog before how much I love this handcreme, but really... words do not do it justice.  It moisturizes hands beautifully without leaving a residue, which of the utmost importance to anyone who works with thread and pearls.  I have tried MANY "luxury" and "salon quality" handcremes, but they do not hold a candle to my Lollia.

 

 

Here is my little splurge item- the soap.  I received a small bar as a gift earlier this year and adored it.  When I placed the handcreme order, I thought I'd indulge just a bit more.  Decadent of me, huh?!?

 

Well, the hot cocoa is waiting & Lily Fey is giving me her most pitiful puppy look.  Guess I'll get started on that mani/pedi after enjoying the cocoa, then hit the Atelier.  I'll be finishing up the Autumnal Transitions brooch this weekend, so be sure to check out Monday's post.  Have a great weekend & until next week~

Happy Tatting!

 

 

 

 

 

 



AT Pearls Addition

Good morning!  I am so ready for cooler temps- it has warmed back up and I miss those mornings in the 40 degree range.  Hot cocoa is so much better when it's cool out.  (Not that the warmer temps will keep me from my cocoa!)

 

I have been adding a round to the Autumnal Transitions brooch with pearls using Valdani Luxury Pearl Silk in color S154 "Antique Gold":

 

 

This is the round-in-progress.  More will be added to each side of the pearls to "fluff" the brooch out a bit.  I am also contemplating additional outer rounds, but am torn between two ideas.  Think I'll tat a bit of each on opposite sides of the brooch in order to determine which will work best.  Let's hope I have more to show you tomorrow!

 

The coin pearls are calling me!!!  I have been toying with a necklace design and will work on the prototype this afternoon- IF my morning tatting goes smoothly.

 

I am looking forward to tatting away today, but must admit to being anxious for my Lollia handcreme order to arrive.  It is scheduled for delivery and I am almost in desperate need.  My last tube has been rolled and squeezed as much as possible.  Well, I'm off to the Atelier, hot cocoa in hand with spinning American bulldog Lily Fey leading the way.  Have a wonderful day & until Friday~

Happy Tatting!

 

 



New Pearls

Good morning, dear readers!  Yesterday didn't exactly go as planned.  Despite the very best of intentions, I got very little tatting done.  After talking to my mom, I went to the nearest Michael's store and purchased more yarn to crochet Dad another shawl.  He recently underwent rotator cuff surgery and for some reason, the shawl I did for him a while back is just right for easing the aches in his healing shoulder.  As a matter of fact, my mom can't get it away from him to wash- hence the need for another.  The trip to the store took most of my morning.  Upon returning home, I had a wonderful package waiting on the porch-

 

NEW PEARLS!!!

 

 

Here are 3 strands of bronze rice pearls.

 

 

3 strands of olive rice pearls- LOVE this color!  These look fantastic with "Golden Moss" Valdani Luxury Pearl Silk.

 

 

And 3 strands of varying sizes of coin pearls.

 

I spent the afternoon and early evening admiring the new pearls, figuring out what threads to pair them with, and sketching out several design ideas.  The remainder of my evening was spent crocheting the shawl for Dad.  I made a good bit of progress on that project.

 

The main goal for today is to do more on the Autumnal Transitions brooch.  Perhaps I'll even get around to prototype tatting one of the design ideas I sketched out utilizing the coin pearls.  Well, I'm off to the Atelier.  Have a wonderful day & until Thursday~

Happy Tatting!

 

 

 

 

 

 



AT Brooch Progress

Good morning!  Today promises to be another gorgeous early fall day.  I love these cooler temperatures!  After tatting a bit yesterday, I spent the majority of the day checking out our various outdoor spaces- picking up fallen limbs, making lists of repairs and needed items, filling bird feeders and playing with the dogs.

 

Here is the progress so far on what I call the Autumnal Transition brooch:

 

 

 Valdani Pearl Cotton in M80 ("Distant Grass") looks very nice with the AB stones of the brooch.  I plan to add more accents in M80 and S154 ("Antique Gold") Valdani Luxury Pearl Silk.  The pistachio-bronze freshwater pearls pictured above will more than likely be used as accents on the outer rim of the brooch.  What do you think do far?

 

Today I plan to work on the Autumnal Transitions brooch, fiddle with another tatting design idea and work on cleaning up my favorite outdoor tatting area in the woods.  Have a fabulous day & until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!

 

 



Early Autumnal Transition Inspiration

Good morning, dear readers!  Hope you all had a wonderful weekend.  Mine was full of creative stimulation and inspiration.  It is that time of year when my Piney Woods begin the transition into Autumn colors.  Leaves are just starting to get a tinge of color.  With each walk in the woods, my mind whirls with tatting design possibilities and color inspirations.  After a stroll, I went into the Atelier and grabbed several balls of Valdani pearl cotton and luxury pearl silk along with several vintage jewelry pieces.  One color caught my fancy- M80 "Distant Grass".  It perfectly reflects the initial transition colors of my Piney Woods.  Then, I was fortunate to have a gorgeous vintage Tara aurora borealis brooch that seemed to be just what I needed for the next project.

 

 

The brooch is exceptionally sparkly, making it difficult to photograph.

 

 

Here is an example of why I chose this particular thread color.

 

 

And another example.  This was taken at the entry to one of my trails into the Piney Woods.  There are lots of these little yellow flowers mixed into the grass and pine straw on the ground.

 

My suggestion to those of you who have asked about creative development advise:  look around you, become more aware of your surroundings.  What catches your eye?  What are you drawn to?  Be inspired by the everyday things you might normally overlook or ignore.  Each day presents you with unlimited opportunites to explore your own creativity.  Take a chance and play.

 

Well, I am off to do just that- play in the Atelier.  My hot cocoa is ready; the dogs are spinning at the door, ready to run in the woods ahead of me and my fingers are itching to get back to work on that brooch.  Have a great day & until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!

 

 

 

 

 

 



Pumpkin Doodle & Pumpkin Blossom Earrings

Good morning!  I sure do enjoy these cool mornings in my beautiful Piney Woods!  It has been very good for my tatting mojo.  I have a couple more goodies for you before the weekend:

 2 FREE earring patterns!!!

 

Meet Pumpkin Doodle

 

 

and Pumpkin Blossom

 

 

Both of these earring patterns begin with 5 ICRS

 

 

Using Valdani Luxury Pearl Silk color S244 (Love of Life) and a size 8 tatting needle, string 15 size 11/0 Delica seed beads (transparent rainbow tangerine) and tat 5 ICRs with the following counts:

11 - with 3 seed beads 11 CL

 

To complete Pumpkin Doodle, you will be tatting two rows of layered tatting between the seed beads

 

 

Between 1st & 2nd seed beads, CH 17 CL + at next bead juncture and continue around.

Repeat the same counts in between the 2nd & 3rd seed beads, weaving the chains.  Tie & cut, hide ends.  Add a 4mm Swarovski bicone to the center of each earring motif using the ends left from the ICR foundation and an earwire jewelry finding.

 

To finish Pumpkin Blossom, string 30 seed beads and tat as follows:

 

 

Between 1st & 2nd seed bead, CH 3 - with 3 seed beads 3 CL + between 2nd & 3rd seed bead.

CH 5 - with 3 seed beads 5 CL + between 1st & 2nd seed bead, continue around motif.  Tie & cut, hide ends.  Add a 4mm Swarovski bicone to the center of each earring motif using the ends from the ICR foundation and earwire jewlery findings.

 

I will be adding more to these earrings to make them more unique.  They were designed to be embellished further, if desired.  When have you EVER known me to leave well enough alone???  I have to expand, embellish and enhance until something inside me "clicks" and I feel that a piece is finished.  These will be just a part of my weekend tatting line-up.

 

WOW- I just noticed that I've posted 4 FREE patterns in one week!  See how much I love cooler weather.  Autumn brings out my need to tat and design in a major way.  Hope y'all don't mind.

 

I'll try to get some better images of these earrings posted either on the blog or Facebook tomorrow.  I didn't get around to taking images until the outdoor light was rather pitiful yesterday. 

 

My hot cocoa is beckoning.  I'm going to savor it and then get busy tatting.  May you have a wonderful weekend & until next week~

Happy Tatting!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Tatting Component Dollar Deals

Good morning, dear readers!

 

Given the tight economy, I have recently had a number of questions about how to find tatting components that are more affordable.  While I frequent antique stores, estate auctions and the like, I also scour dollar stores, flea markets and miscellaneous mom & pop stores.  Let me share with you a few finds that were only $1.00 and that lend themselves very well to tatted embellishment:

 

 

These buttons were in a small ziploc bag in a local antique/junque store and were priced at $1.00.  The majority are shirt buttons, but all can be used with tatting.  And the bonus items: 2 shell buttons were mixed in!  The 2 hole abalone button would cost around $2 or $3 and the small MOP 4 hole button is easily worth $1. 

 

 

These earrings were found at a local accessories specialty shop.  They were only $1.00!  Each earring consists of 5 different parts that can be used- that's 10 components for $1.00!!!   Thought I did good with that one until I saw these:

 

 

Each earring has 9 parts and a crystal dangle.  Again, only $1.00.

 

 

And these already have a crystal accent in the center and 4 parts on each earring that can be used.  So, what do you think of these $1 finds?  So much is out there that can be enhanced with tatting for very little money.  I am probably going to use these components to make Christmas tree ornaments, pins for my daughter's teachers, tatted jewelry foundations, and who knows what else my tatting obsessed mind may come up with.

 

Oh- I just realized... this is my 300th post!  WOOHOO!  Well, I am in the middle of several tatting projects and my hot cocoa is waiting.  It's off to the Atelier for me.  Have a great day & until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Interesting Components

Good morning, dear readers!  I hope you are enjoying all the FREE patterns I've recently posted.  I am working on another, but the stitch counts are not quite working out to my satisfaction.  Once I get it, I'll post another "goody" for you.

 

On a recent trip to Michael's, I found some wonderful filigree jewelry components.  Some tatters refer to components as "doodads".  There are many wonderful filigree options out there that lend themselves wonderfully to tatting enhancement.  Here are a few of my finds:

 

 

These are adjustable filigree finger or toe rings.  The package contained 6, (2 each in copper, silver & brass finishes) for only $2.99.

 

 

Again, for only $2.99, I found this chain of filigree links.  They can easily be taken apart and you can also reuse the jumpring connectors.

 

 

These are my favorites- dimensional flower shaped "bead caps" that would be so pretty with layered tatting accents and cultured pearl centers.  These were $3.99.

 

If you would like to try tatting on filigree components, visit your local craft store, or go to

Fire Mountain Gems and check out their selection.  Also, antique stores are a great source for vintage jewelry that can be accented with tatting.  Be brave and explore different options.  You never know what fantastic treasure you'll create!

 

I am off to the Atelier.  There are so many projects waiting for my attention, I scarcely know where to begin.  Have a great day & until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!

 

 

 

 

 



Pumpkin Pie Pendant

Good morning!  Are you ready for another goody???  How about a little bit of Pumpkin Pie?

 

 

A size 8 tatting needle with S244 "Love of Life" Valdani Luxury Pearl Silk, 5 4mm Swarocski bicones, 1 6mm Swarovski bicone and a number of Delica seed beads were used to tat this pendant.

 

 

Begin with a foundation of 5 ICRs (interlocking chain rings) with the following counts:

ICR 13 very sm - 3 - (with seed bead, Swarovski, seed bead) 3 very sm- 13 CL

Repeat 5 times, leaving a bit of the ends as they will be used later to anchor the 6mm Swarovski bicone.

 

 

For the next step, string 15 seed beads on the silk, + to very sm - to the right of bead set and tat as follows:

Pick up 1 seed bead with needle, CH 3 - (with 3 seed beads) 3 CL

+ to next very sm -, pick up 1 seed bead with needle, CH 5 followed by 5 graduated picots (sm, med, lg, med, sm) 5 CL + and continue around motif.  Tie & cut, hide ends.

NOTE:  when I tat with any silk I use a small dot of jeweler's adhesive to secure my finishing knots!

 

For the final two rounds:

Outer round 1- run needle through seed bead cluster between the 1st & 2nd seed beads, CH 35 CL + to corresponding spot at next seed bead cluster.  Continue around motif, tie & cut.

Outer round 2- run the needle through seed bead cluster between the 2nd & 3rd seed beads, CH 35 CL + to corresponding spot at next seed bead cluster.  Continue around motif, tie & cut.

 

Using the center threads, add the 6 mm Swarovski bicone to the center, running the threads to the back, knotting them and securing with a dab of jeweler's adhesive.  Add a jumpring and you're done.

 

 A Facebook friend who has a tatting group assigned an October project (which is to tat something in orange and/or black). I was inspired to tat Pumpkin Pie.  I've done this design for a number of years & thought it was time to share.  It is easy & quick to tat up,  & works well with a wide variety of threads and beads.  Hope you enjoy it!

 

I'm off to the Atelier- no telling what I'm going to get into today!  Have a wonderful day & until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Rain & Roses

Good morning, dear readers!

 

I had a wonderful long weekend.  Jim had Friday off and took me on a day date to Louisiana Purchase Gardens & Zoo in Monroe, LA.  We packed a picnic lunch and enjoyed a gorgeous day at the zoo- the boat ride was especially nice.  It drizzled all day Saturday, but I got a lot of tatting and beading done.  I posted the final rounds to the Fairy Queen pendant yesterday and am working on another FREE pendant pattern to post for you tomorrow.  What did you do this weekend?

 

As it rained all day Saturday & Sunday, my roses decided to bloom like crazy.  Jim went out in the rain and cut me a few bouquets.

 

 

Wasn't that sweet of him!

 

 

 

If only you could smell how spicy my roses are.  This variety is very aromatic- wish I could remember what it is.

 

Well, I am off to the Atelier to put the finishing touches on a couple of projects.  Be sure to check the blog tomorrow for another FREE pattern.  Have a wonderful day & until Tuesday~

Happy Tatting!