Haunting Elegance Treat

Blog theme for October~
"One Of A Kind"

Happy Halloween

from the

Piney Woods!!!

 

Here is a special treat for my dear readers:

 

The Haunting Elegance Give Away

 

 

 

To win this OOAK pendant, leave a comment on this blog post before the witching hour (midnight CST) tonight!

A winner will be selected via random number generator and announced on a blog post this Friday.  The winner will then have until Monday afternoon to contact me with their particulars or another entrant will be selected.  Good luck!!!

 

I have done a bit more on the cameos and other prototype, but am waiting on a bead and findings order to arrive.  It was scheduled for delivery yesterday, but was later listed as "delayed".  I'm going to be busy trying to track it down today and find out when exactly to expect the order.

 

Hope you all have a wonderful Halloween!  The winner will be announced tomorrow morning.  Until then~

Happy Tatting!

 



A Wonderful Weekend

Blog theme for October~
"One Of A Kind"

Good morning, dear readers!

 

I had an absolutely wonderful weekend!  The tatting mojo was flowing and I got quite a bit of work done on many OOAK projects.  I guess we have my super-hubby, Jim, to thank for it.  He kept me happy with campfires, walks in the Piney Woods and fantastic grilled foods. 

 

Here are a few things I tatted on Sunday:

 

 

As you can see, two are antique cameos that are in the beginning stages of being "dressed".  Any names you'd care to suggest for the newest ladies, dear readers?  And the other is a design prototype I'm playing with using a Swarovski chaton, champagne pearls, Delica seed beads, and Valdani Luxury Pearl Silk and size 12 Valdani Pearl Cotton.

 

 

This is what it looked like when I placed it aside last night.  There is much more tatting to do on this one!  I will most likely add lots of beads and am contemplating some Swarovski bicone additions.  What do you think?

 

Today I plan to finish the "Haunting Elegance" piece and dress the cameo ladies.  What are your tatting plans?

 

Well, Rosie Fey is ready for our morning run.  Have a fantastic day and be sure to check out the blog on Halloween for a special "treat"!  Until then~

Happy Tatting!

 

 

 

 



Working On A Goody

Blog theme for October~
"One Of A Kind"

Good morning, dear readers!

Here is a little sneak peek at "Haunting Elegance"!

 

 

I have done quite a bit more to the piece, but this was the best early image I had of it.  There will be a lovely Swarovski chaton added along with more tatting and Valdani Luxury Pearl Silk.  The foundation was tatted with size 12 Valdani Pearl Cotton in 0 538 "Cottage Smoke".  Be sure to check out the blog on Halloween for the debut of the finished piece and a "surprise"!

 

We are finally enjoying very comfortable weather down here- and it has been very conducive to tatting and designing.  I had planned to post more OOAK pieces on the website and blog, but have had several custom pieces that have taken up MUCH more time than I had anticipated, so I will have to alter my schedule. 

 

The Piney Woods Atelier website is going to receive a facelift soon and I am contemplating waiting until after the new year before I debut new work.  With the holidays fast approaching, I have custom orders to complete along with family obligations, homeschooling, and lots of other things that demand my time and energy.  I will still blog once per week, but do not see how my schedule can accommodate everything I'd like to do.  BUT, I do have some wonderful new OOAK pieces that are coming along nicely, albeit slowly.

 

Well, dear readers, I am off to go on a run in the woods with Rosie Fey.  She has already brought me her leash and is patiently waiting at my feet as I type.  May you all have a marvelous weekend full of tatting goodness!  Until Halloween~

Happy Tatting!

 

 

 

 

 

 



My Personal Pendant

Blog theme for October~
"One Of A Kind"

Good morning, dear readers!

I have been busy working on a number of different OOAK pieces, but decided to share one I recently did for myself:

 

 

It is embellished with Valdani Luxury Pearl Silk in S 565, size 8 Valdani Pearl Cotton in O 538, several 4mm Swarovski bronze bicone crystal beads, and a bezel of champagne freshwater pearls.  I probably will add more silk tatting and Swarovskis, but plan to wear it around for a bit as is.

 

The pendant was purchased from Jenn, of the Etsy shop cellsdividing .  Jenn was kind enough to do a custom order for me with one of my favorite scriptures.  If any of you, dear readers, would like a special pendant you can accent with tatting, take a look at what she has in her shop or place a special order.  She was so nice to work with and was most expedient in creating my requested piece and shipping it right on out.  Thanks, Jenn, for the pendant!  I adore it.

 

 

The image above is the pendant before embellishment.

 

The special surprise is in the process of being created!  Our Halloween treat will be entitled "Haunting Elegance".  Be sure to check the blog next week for a peek and make double sure you see what I have in store for you on Halloween!!!

 

As there is much work for me to do, I had better get hopping.  May you have a wonderful week full of tatting joy.  Until next Friday~

Happy Tatting!

 

 



New Threads and Design Elements

Blog theme for October~
"One Of A Kind"

Good morning, dear readers!

For those who won a button package in the give away event:  your buttons were sent out Wednesday and should reach you by this Saturday.  Hope y'all will enjoy them!

 

My latest Valdani thread order came in this week!  Yep, I am a happy tatter!!!  I love to get in thread, even if it is a color I work with a lot.  I spent Thursday organizing my Valdani Luxury Pearl Silks and Pearl Cottons.  Here is an image of one of the silk thread trays in my thread cabinet:

 

 

I also received the Swarovski order.  Here are images of some of my new design elements:

 

 

These rectangular chatons will be so much fun to incorporate into designs!

 

 

And these round chatons will look so nice as center accents for ICR motifs.

 

There are several works-in-progress in the Atelier, but as I was waiting for this Swarovski order, I have not been able to finish them.  I'll try to have some tatted eye candy for you next Friday!

 

Other than tatting and waiting for supplies, I have been busy airing out and cleaning our pop-up camper so we can head out on some Fall outdoor adventures soon.

 

 

We're going to Scotch Guard the exterior this weekend and hopefully have everything prepped for our next excursion.  Rosie Fey didn't know what to think of it at first, but has since learned to love "helping" Mama in it. 

 

As we are finally experiencing cooler temps down here, I am really ready to get in the woods.  (Where I do my best tatting!)  I need to repack the portable Atelier this weekend, too.

 

So, what are you working on, dear readers?  Any fantastic Fall themed projects being tatted out there?  I am working on a special goody just for y'all!  It will be featured on the Halloween post.  So, which "theme" would you prefer for the goody:  "Haunting Elegance" or "Harvest Pop" ?  Be sure to vote in the poll or leave a comment so I'll know what to focus my tatting energies on!

 

Well, Rosie Fey is staring at me and huffing impatiently.  Guess I had better stretch and take her for a run.  May you have a marvelous week and until next Friday~

Happy Tatting!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



How To Begin Designing

Blog theme for October~
"One Of A Kind"

Good morning, dear readers!

 

Our blog theme for October is:  "One Of A Kind"

This is my favorite type of work to do!  I love creating original, one-of-a-kind tatted pieces and plan to focus the majority of my tatting time on this sort of project.  I hope you will enjoy seeing the featured pieces over the next few posts.  Oh- I also have a special treat planned for y'all on Halloween!  Be on the lookout in future posts for "hints".

 

 

(Here is a lovely vintage Whiting and Davis topaz colored intaglio pendant dressed up with turquoise beads and Swarovski crystals that is ready to be enhanced with tatting then added to my Olde West Collection as a OOAK piece.  If I don't decide to keep her for myself!)

 

 

Recently, I have received several inquiries regarding how to begin designing.  While I have done a previous post about my personal creative method, I decided that I would write a post with general, common sense advise on this topic.  It seems to be especially appropriate given the blog theme this month.

 

1.  Perfect the basic skills and execution of your chosen method of tatting, then move on to learn more advanced techniques.  Play with patterns, threads and such.  Keep a journal/notebook to record what does and does not work for you.  It is a good idea to figure out a consistent count and pattern annotation that you are most comfortable with.  Some prefer to use schematics but this is not something I enjoy.  Anything that takes away from my tatting time is frustrating.  The computer does not always co-operate with me; therefore, I use a shorthand method and rough sketches in my design journals.

 

2. Identify what inspires you to create and helps said creativity flow.  For me, this is a complicated mixture of various elements.  Environment is very important.  I am most fortunate to have several dedicated workspaces and an Atelier to create my art.  Each is special in its own way.  Obviously, the woods around my home are a key inspiration.  I love nature- walking in the woods, off-roading in my Jeep, camping, etc. Having my Rosie Fey near is required for maximum flow of tatting mojo! I also love certain scents, tastes and sounds.  Gourmet hot cocoa, a nice sangria, dark chocolate bonbons, candles from the Chartreuse Pear, and my favorite tunes on the iPod all contribute to an atmosphere that allows the tatting to flow off the needles. But this is what works for me.  You may prefer a quiet environment, or a coffeehouse full of activity.  Simply find what stimulates and inspires you to create.  Bring this into your workspace and have at it. 

 

3.  Experiment- A LOT!!!  Find your own unique style.  This takes time, patience and oodles of practice. 

 

4.  Be sure to keep notes.  I know this was mentioned in step one, but it is so very important.  Notes are invaluable to your design process.  I keep copious notes and images of my pieces.  While I freely share patterns on this blog, I vigorously and aggressively protect the integrity and copyright of my OOAK artworks.  Protect yourself and your work.  Document your work for your own personal benefits and to protect your designs.  Consult a copyright attorney if you need help or clarification on your rights and what can be done if an infringement occurs.

 

5.  Above all- have fun!  Enjoy what you do.

 

I hope this is helpful to those who had questions about dipping their toes into designing.  An abundance of threads and accents are out there waiting for someone with a brilliant idea to incorporate them into something fabulous.  Have fun and play!  I do- every day.

 

(This is a OOAK Eternity pendant in progress.)

 

(And here are a couple of Eternity foundations awaiting their turn for embellishment, along with the current work-in-progress.)

 

The above images are what I am playing with today and this weekend.  What are you working on dear readers?  Any interesting projects being tatted out there?  I'd love to hear about your current works!

 

Well, Rosie Fey is really ready for our morning run in the woods.  She has brought me her leash and keeps nudging me with it.  Guess I'd better take the hint.  May you all have a wonderfully creative weekend!  Until next Friday~

Happy Tatting!