Piney Woods 2013 Wreath Pendant FREE Pattern

Blog theme for November~
"Transitions"

Good morning, dear readers!  Hope everyone had a happy Thanksgiving.  Ours was blessed and full of good food and cheer.  Many folks are out hitting the "black Friday" sales, but I avoid them like the plague.  We are decorating for Christmas today.  Jim is putting the lights up on the exterior of the house and I am going through our ornaments and decorations.  There are lots of tatted tree ornaments that need to be blocked and freshened up a bit.

 

Well, I have a bit of Holiday cheer for you, dear readers- a FREE pattern!  Here is the Piney Woods 2013 Wreath Pendant Pattern:

 

 

It was tatted with a size 8 tatting needle using 3 different colors of Valdani Luxury Pearl Silk (S9, S39, S775) and an assortment of green silver lined Delica seed beads and cranberry Czech seed beads.  The following image is the foundation:

 

 

Using Valdani Luxury Pearl Silk in S9, string 60 seed beads onto needle in the order of green, red, green; then tat a foundation medallion of 10 Rs and CHs with the following counts:

R 5 - 5 - (with 3 seed beads) 5 - 5 CL RW 

CH 5 followed by 3 very small picots 3 - (with 3 seed beads) 3 followed by 3 very small picots 5 CL RW

After tatting final CH, join to motif body, tie & cut, hide ends.

 

Then next step will involve weaving chains using the groupings of 3 very small picots on each side of the beads on the CHs.

 

 

For the fluffy picot CHs on the left of the bead groupings, use the following counts:

Begin by running needle through the very first sm picot, pick up 1 green seed bead, then CH 3 followed by 11 medium picots 3 CL, + to the very first picot on the next CH previously tatted.  Continue around motif, join the last CH to the base of the first, tie & cut, hide ends.  Repeat these counts for the next two CH rounds on the left of the beads.  I used S39 for the first and third CHs and S9 for the second of this round.  As you tat the second and third CHs, weave them as you go.

 

For the CHs on the right side of the beads, I used zigzag tatting by using the first half of the ds for 10 counts, followed by the second half for the next 10 counts, alternating for a total count of 60, CL, then + to the corresponding picot on the next CH.  Continue around motif, join last CH to base of first, tie & cut, hide ends.   For the second and third CHs, weave as you go.  Don't forget to pick up 1 green seed bead with the needle after you join to the very small picots and before tatting the counts.  Again, I used S39 for the first and third CHs and S9 for the second of this grouping.

 

The last step is to go back to the center of the motif, using S775 (Turkey Red) string 30 seed beads onto the thread in the order of green, red, green.  Run needle through and picot joining the Rs, pick up 1 green seed bead and CH 6 - (with 3 seed beads) 6 CL + to next R.  Continue around motif, tie & cut, hide ends.  Now you have a nice pendant or ornament.  Hope you will enjoy the pattern! 

 

What Christmas tatting projects are you working on?  I am making a special heirloom piece for our daughter which I cannot describe in too much detail as she is online often and helps with the website and such.  Don't want her to know exactly what I'm doing! 

 

Well, I had better go- Rosie Fey is ready for her morning run.  She and Jim are waiting for me.  May you have a wonderful week full of tatting adventures.  Until next Friday~

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!

 

 

 

 

 

 



Playing with Muddy Bark

Olde West Inspiration

Good morning, dear readers!

 

I finally got in some decent tatting time yesterday after a long romp with Rosie Fey.  My goodness, that puppy could wear out the Energizer bunny!

 

Since the Olde West is my inspiration this month, I decided to work with one of my favorite Valdani Luxury Pearl Silks- S196 "Muddy Bark".  It reminds me of tintypes and sepia toned photographs.  The accents I used are 3mm Swarovski bicones in antique bronze and Delica seed beads in silver-lined dark brown opal.  This is the bare bones of the pendant-in-progress:

 

 

I am currently working on the additional rows to enlarge and enhance the pendant.  More images will be featured on tomorrow's post.

 

What are you working on, dear readers?  Do any of you have special projects in the works? 

 

Rosie Fey is wanting to go for a walk.  After I get her squared away, I plan to retreat to my Atelier and tat the day away.  Have a fabulous day full of creativity & fun.  Until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!

 

 



Playing Around

Shabby Vintage

Good evening, dear readers!

 

I have spent the day playing with various thread and bead combinations.  It is very helpful to the design process to test tat thread & bead combos.  Some beads are heavier than others and can cause your tatting to twist or pull.  Plus, I love to play with different color palettes.

 

 

Neutrals have always fascinated me with their understated elegance.  Pictured above is Valdani Luxury Pearl Silk in S514, "Wheat Husk".  I am test tatting a motif with silky brown satin Delica seed beads and cream pearl Ornella seed beads.  So far, so good.  I'm rather pleased with how the colors of the beads compliment the hand dyed Valdani silk.  I'll take some images of the motif when it is complete to share with you.

 

What color and bead combos do you like to use, dear readers?  I am always looking for new ideas to use in my work.  If you have a recommendation, please post it in the comments section.

 

The chicken enchiladas are done.  Time to take them out of the oven and eat supper.  Have a wonderful evening and until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!

 

 



Playing In The Atelier

Shabby Vintage

Good afternoon, dear readers!

Today has gone so much better that the two previous days!!!  Even though it has been rainy, I have accomplished a good bit in the Atelier.

 

 

Here is a lovely little pendant I'm working on using Sulky 12 wt. cotton in "Ecru" with satin silk sand and turquoise Delica seed beads.  The center will have a small sand colored button pearl accent.  I still have about 4 or 5 more rounds before it is complete.

 

And here is the other special project I'm working on:

 

©Rachel Colvin Jackson, 1993-2013

 

I have used crocheted lengths as foundations for couture jewelry pieces for years, but have never shown it to others before.  I crochet a foundation then attach pearls, beads, vintage items and such as well as tatting.  After adding the focal pieces, I then proceed to fill it up with copious tatting.  This piece is going to be for a very special friend who is going through quite an ordeal.  I just felt that she deserved a special little goody to lift her spirits.  I'll post an image when it is complete.

 

The new blog theme for May is "Shabby Vintage".   I love shabby vintage things and especially enjoy incorporating such elements into my tatting.  I'll have some interesting projects to share this month showcasing how to use treasured finds with your own tatting.  I hope that you'll enjoy it and share your efforts, too!

 

Well, Rosie Fey is ready for a walk now that the rain has slacked up a bit.  Have a fantastic day & until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!

 

 

 

 



Another Variation

Winter Blossoms

Good afternoon, dear readers!

 

I had a productive time in the tatting chair last night whilst watching Amish Mafia on the Discovery Channel.  After tatting my mom's birthday pendant, I kept having visions of an adaptation.  So, I picked up a spool of Sulky Blendables 12 wt. quilting cotton in color 4025 "Hydrangea", added some silver lined lilac rocailles and cream pearl Ornella seed beads and tatted this variation:

 

 

I'm not finished with it yet, as there are a couple more rounds in my head that I need to tat.  So... what do you think?  I think this makes a nice Winter Blossom motif 3 (or is it 4).

 

Well, I have lots of errands to take care of this afternoon.  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!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



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!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



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!

 

 

 

 



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!