Lollipop, Part Two

The outer round of the Lollipop pendant motif is complete!  I am using Valdani 100% COLORFAST size 12 perle cotton in #M33 "Lollipop".  You will also need 24 turquoise size 10 seed beads. Counts are as follows:

Count two ds before beads on previously made round.  Run needle through top of bar of stitch just prior to these two ds and CH5 followed by 5 graduated -s 5 CL + to corresponding spot on other side of beads.  Ch 5 - with 3 seed beads 5 CL + as you did with the beginning of your work.  Continue around the motif, tie & cut.  The motif should resemble the above image.

Tomorrow the center bead and "over tatting" will be added.

In other news...  we have a WINNER!!!

Needledreams is the winner of the Halloween Give Away!

Congratulations!  You package will be on its way very shortly.

Does anyone have any requests or suggestions for future give aways?  I am busy plotting & planning the next event which will be in October.  As I have just done a Halloween theme, does anyone have another theme idea?  I had thought about tatting a fabulous Autumn pendant, brooch or earrings (one of my couture tatting pieces).  What do you think?

Well, I'm off to play... er, I mean tat.  Until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!



Lollipop Pendant, Part One

I have been playing with the Valdani 100% COLORFAST size 12 pearl cotton again.  This time I am using color #M33 "Lollipop" with a size 8 tatting needle.  You will need 32 size 10 turquoise seed beads.  String all beads onto ball.  Tatting counts and instructions for the foundation round are below the image.

R11 L- (pull up 8 seed beads onto this picot, leave about 1/2 the length of the beads in thread after pulling them up.  This will give you enough room for the remaining Rs.) 11CL RW

CH11 - (with 3 seed beads)11 CL RW

R11+ (before joining, slide 1 seed bead up to the base of the previously tatted R, then join.  You will work the remaining Rs in this manner, giving you a seed bead between each R.) 11 CL RW

Continue until you have a foundation motif of 8 Rs & CHs.

Tie & cut.  This completes step one.  Tomorrow will bring step two if you'd like to tat along.

The Czech buttons are still a work in progress and I have yet to get back to the necklace, but they are on my tatting tray- staring at me.  I just could not get into the right frame of mind for either project today, so I grabbed the first ball of thread that caught my eye and tatted the above motif.

DON"T FORGET:  HALLOWEEN GIVE AWAY DEADLINE IS MIDNIGHT TONIGHT!!!

The winner will be notified first thing tomorrow morning.  To enter, follow my blog by clicking the google "Join this Site" button located to the right just below the poll.  Good Luck!

Let's hope I have a more productive tatting day tomorrow.  Until then~

Happy Tatting!

Halloween Give Away Deadline

Deadline for entries into the Halloween Give Away is: midnight (CST) September 21st!!!

To enter, simply click on the google "Join this Site" button just below the poll.  If it does not appear, please refresh your page.

These are the goodies up for grabs:

1 ball of black Cebelia

2 balls of orange Majestic

1 ball of black Majestic

1 Osmina pearl cabochon

1 little Jack-O-Lantern for holding small thread balls

a bunch of vintage jet glass beads (I picked these off an antique beaded bag that was beyond repair)

an antique bone dish

and the Autumn tatted motif

The winner will be picked by a random number generator September 22nd as soon as I get breakfast fixed.  The winner will then be notified via email.  Don't miss your chance to get these Halloween goodies!

I have run into a bit of a snag with my latest Czech art glass buttons.  While they are incredibly beautiful, they are too heavy to use for a tatted brooch with only tatting for a foundation.  I have been brainstorming and think I have found a solution to my quandry, but will wait before I show you the finished results- my idea may not work at all.

As I was pondering the latest design snafu, I decided to peruse some of my previous work.  I found the following pieces in the recycle drawer of my large thread cabinet.  Hope you will enjoy the pics!

This piece was tatted with Dinky Dyes size 12 perle cotton.  I cannot remember the color number, but it is accented with cranberry rocailles and a Swarovski disc.  I have worn this as a pendant, an accent on a cloche, and on a hair clip.

This piece was tatted with DMC size 12 perle cotton and has been a brooch, pendant , & fascinator accent.

This piece has seen a lot of wear on my peasant blouse and red coat.  It was tatted with Oren Bayan size 8 perle cotton and size 20 white Cebelia.  The accent cabochon is denim lapis lazuli.

This simple design has been used for just about everything it could be adhered to.  I've done it in many different colors and have elaborated on it quite a bit.  This is the original prototype, circa 1996.  It was tatted with Domino size 8 perle cotton and size 12 DMC perle cotton.  The accent cabochon is unakite.

I hope you have enjoyed the eye candy and welcome any comments or input you may care to offer.

I am off to tackle the Czech art glass buttons AGAIN.  Maybe I'll actually make some progress to share with you tomorrow.

Until then~

Happy Tatting! 

Emery Cushions

I have had a few requests for more information about tatting needle emery cushions so I dug out my packages of emery powder and did a little research.

Pictured above is the package of emery powder I use to make my tatting needle cushions.  Mine was purchased from Pat at the Stitcher's Workshop.  Inside the bag is a very informative leaflet relating all sorts of info on emery.  Essentially, emery gets its name from Cape Emeri on the Greek island of Naxos.  It has been mined there for over 2,000 years!  Emery is basically aluminum oxide- it is non-toxic, yet very hard & abrasive.

Emery being used to polish and sharpen needles and pins is a relatively new usage that came into being with the invention of the steel needle.  Steel rusts, which presented problems for needle workers.  Today's nickel plated needles will also tarnish and have some discoloration due to natural body oils found on our skin.  Hence, the use of emery.

I am rather particular about my personal tatting needle emery cushions.  I use an inner pocket to place the emery in that is a very tight weave fabric & sew it firmly shut.  This inner pocket is placed within a larger outer pocket made of crushed velvet- the upholstery grade NOT the cheap stretchy kind.  If it is needed, I will fill the remaining space with polyfill or even cotton batting.  This produces a tightly packed emery cushion that is very efficient in cleaning my tatting needles.  I run the needles completely through and saw them back & forth.  (Whatever is needed to keep them clean & smooth.)  I prefer the crushed velvet as it seems to having a buffing effect on the tatting needles.  Hope this has been of help to those who have emailed and messaged!

I did have a nice surprise in the mail this afternoon-  the rocaille beads I need to finish the necklace project finally arrived!!!  I hope to work on the necklace some this evening and have the finished piece ready for your viewing by the end of the week.

This lovely spider was perched on a leaf of the hornbean by my outdoor tatting chair.  Isn't she pretty?  I wonder what kind of web she will be spinning in my piney woods.

SPECIAL NOTE:  Deadline for the Halloween Give Away is September 21st!!!

To enter for your chance to win, simply click on the google "Join this Site" button to the right just below the poll.  The winner will be picked by a random number generator & notified Thursday morning, September 22nd via email.

Have a wonderful day, until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!

Round Two

Round two of the Valdani Motif 3 is done!

Looks good for having been roughed-up and schlepped around in my purse all day!  The counts for this round may be found in yesterday's blog post.

This was just one of those hectic days when you run around like crazy and get very little accomplished.  My plans for the weekend are to play with the new Czech glass buttons and have some new eye candy for your enjoyment next week.

So, if you have not clicked on the google "Follow this Site" button for your chance to win the Halloween Give Away, please do so.   The winner will be selected by a random number generator soon!

I leave you this week with a closer shot of my "tatting bug inspector".

We have oodles of cicada shells on the pines and everywhere else.

May you have a wonderful weekend!

Happy Tatting!



Valdani Motif 3.2

While it has been a most comfortable day temperature wise, I have not gotten nearly as much tatting done as I had hoped.  Round two is in progress and looks like:

The counts for this round are:

R13+13 CL RW

CH5 followed by 11 even -s 5 CL RW

R13+13 CL RW

CH5 sm- med- sm- 5 CL RW

R7+7CL RW

CH5 sm- med- sm- 5 CL RW

R13+13 CL RW

Continue around motif.

Please note I wrote the above pattern to reflect the image.

Picutred below is a closer view:

You may be wondering why I have accomplished so little in the way of tatting.  Well, that would be due to the wonderful Czech art glass buttons that arrived yesterday!  I have been combing my thread cabinets and bead boxes looking for just the right fibers and accents to work with.  I took a few images to share with you.

Isn't this one vivid?  I am still hunting for just the right green to serve as a foundation.

This one has irredescent flashes of lavenders and pinks.

This little beauty has a neat glittery look to it.  It flashes fushia & amber.  What thread would best compliment this button?

And these sunflower buttons are just fantastic!  I can hardly wait to tat something fabulous with them!

Yes, I am easily distracted by shiny, flashy buttons & beads.  They just beg to be paired up with thread and fabric.  Not to worry, I will finish with round two of the Valdani motif this evening and begin with round three.  It will be up for your enjoyment tomorrow... unless the buttons drag me into the atelier and make me do something with them!!!!!

Don't forget about the:

Halloween Give Away!!!

To enter click the google "Join this Site" button to the right below the poll and above the list of current blog followers.  Current followers are automatically entered.

Until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!

Valdani Motif 3

Hello, everyone!  It's been a beautiful tatting day in the piney woods!

This piece was tatted in:  Valdani size 12 perle cotton #24 Fresh Grass & #73 Peach Orange Dark, 100% ColorFast & Hand Dyed!  Beads are Dynamite size 10 seed beads in Rainbow Peach.

After the rain we received from the tropical storm/hurricane Lee, the mushrooms have popped up everywhere in the woods!  Today's piece was inspired by the red maple leaves that are starting to turn and my hibiscus tree.  When I walked out to the tatting spot I passed an explosion of blooms on the little hibiscus tree my daughter gave me for Mother's day.  I plucked a bloom & a maple leaf and went to my thread cabinets.  Lo and behold- I have two Valdani perle cotton colors that are perfect!  Numbers 24 and 73 were just what I wanted.  Then the Rainbow Peach seed beads were beckoning, so I added them.

To begin this motif, string 72 seed beads on your main color thread and tat as follows:

R7-7-(add 3 beads)7-7CL RW

CH7-(add 3 beads)5 3 even picots 5-(add 3 beads)7 CL RW

R7+7-(add 3 beads)7-7 CL RW

Continue tatting until you have a motif of 8 Rs & CHs, tie & cut, hide ends.

Your motif should resemble the above image.

The next step is simple "over-tatting".  Join in contrasting thread to any joining - of foundation motif and CH:

17 CL + to next prev worked -, continue around motif, tie & cut, hide ends.

More will be added to this piece in future posts!

This morning's mail was filled with goodies!  I finally received the Czech art glass buttons!!!  Tomorrow's blog post will bring images of these new play pretties.  I can hardly wait to have time to make brooches!  Do any of you like to wear pins/brooches?  They are an especial favorite of mine. 

Dont forget: "Join this Site" to follow my blog and be entered for a chance to win the Halloween Give Away!!!

Well... I'm off to meetings & other boring things, so until tomorrow

Happy Tatting!!!

Helpful Hints

I thought I would share with you my favorite tatting "necessities".  Those who shuttle tat have a wonderful assortment of gorgeous shuttles made in a variety of materials- some are lavishly adorned.  As a needle tatter, I have my own collection of play pretties.  Some items are not exactly aesthetically pleasing, but they all serve a specific purpose.

Pictured above are a couple of emery cushions.  The long strawberry one was my great-grandmother's.  The little purple one was made using nylon for the inner part as this keeps the emery powder tightly packed and contained.  The outer covering is a piece of quilting cotton.  This is my small one that gets tossed in the portable atelier box.  Emery is used to polish and condition the surface of tatting needles.  Other needle artists use it to keep pins and needles clean and sharp.  The spoon ring is used to push through needles when the humidity makes tatting difficult.  Also pictured is my little magnifying glass chatelaine.  I use this to examine my work- especially when I am doing dimensional work or what I call "over-tatting".

Mary Ellen's Best Press is a wonderful stiffener and does not leave a flaky build-up on your tatting!  I rarely stiffen my work, but when I need to, this is the only product I will even consider.  The Gripper is what I use when the spoon ring just cannot manage to push the tatting needle through.  They are basically a pair of hemostats marketed to needle workers.  I have a beautiful adonized green pair somewhere, but they refused to come out of hiding for the photo shoot this afternoon!

My acanthus leaf chatelaine is to the left.  This is my favorite chatelaine!  I have an abolone shell emery cushion, a size 15 mini hook, and a thimble case that I keep rolls of cut up dryer sheets in on this chatelaine.  Dryer sheets are most useful to all tatters.  Cut a piece off and use it to condition your thread.  The thread slides smoothly off the needle and flips beautifully for the shuttle.  

Here is what is usually by my tatting chair:  my trusty "Quilter's Cut & Press 1" for blocking/pinning my tatting, long thin quilting pins for pinning & shaping work, a gripper for pulling stubborn needles, emery cushions for cleaning needles, dryer sheets for conditioning thread,   my magnifying glass chatelaine for when I need to double check my work (& for when I forget where I put my glasses), and a couple of my other chatelaines.  One item on my large clip chatelaine that is super handy is the "Star de Tailor".  It looks like a large needle threader with a star bead at the top.  This little do-ma-hickey is the best thing for hiding thread ends!  Truly a time saver.  One item any needlworker cannot be without is a pair of quality scissors.  I prefer Ginghers, but also like Dovo, & Sajou.

To find your own treasures, check out the selection of tools at Silent Stitches and Nordic Needle.  I have purchased several silver needlework tools from Silent Stitches in the past and cannot say enough good things about this company!!!  Their customer service is top notch and your orders are shipped most beautifully.  Nordic Needle has lots of neat tools (Star de Tailor) and one of the widest arrays of needle goodies on the web.

As you can tell, I love my silver needlework tools!  They may be pretty, but they serve their purpose. Dryer sheets are not pretty, but they are useful for so many different things.  What helpful hints do you have?  I would love to hear about others' needleart gadgets and helpful products! 

NOTE:  I forgot to mention on yesterday's post that there are some antique jet glass beads included in the Halloween Give Away!  If you are not a follower, click the google "Join this Site" button to the right below the poll.  And remember, if you are a blog follower, you are automatically entered.

I will have some new tatting to share with you tomorrow, so until then...

Happy Tatting!