Valdani Christmas Motif #1, Part One

'Tis the season to be tatting...

Today's post features part one of the Valdani Christmas Motif #1.

Materials used are:

a size 7 tatting needle

Valdani size 8 pearl cotton color O 560

10 Czech size 10 seed beads in Christmas Green

5 small jingle bells

1 small antique red Czech glass button

Thread tatting needle and string 1 green seed bead, 1 jingle bell, 1 green seed bead, five times.
This motif is made with a foundation of 5 interlocking chain-rings with the following count:
CHR 11 - (with 1 green seed bead, 1 jingle bell, 1 green seed bead) 11 CL
When you finish the 5th CHR, pull the thread ends to the front and tie- this is VERY important- leave ends long enough to later secure the button in the center of the foundation!

Next, you will be tatting chains around the foundation.  Run the tatting needle through the top cap of the ds next to the - of any CHR.  CH 21 CL + to the same spot at the base of the - of the next CHR.  Continue around foundation.  When you tat the last chain, run the needle through to the back of the beginning of your work, tie & cut.
Now, you will be doing the exact same thing on the other side of the - of each CHR.  This time, though, you will need to cut a fair length of thread so that you can weave the chains.  Tat your CH 21 CL + , pull the working thread through and continue tatting around the foundation.  The end result should resemble that pictured above.  Do not worry if your chains are a bit "wonky".  More is going to be added to this motif.  Part two will be featured tomorrow.

Oh- I almost forgot!

TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO "JOIN THIS SITE" & BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE PINEY WOODS HARVEST EVENT GIVEAWAY!!!

I will be selecting the winner tomorrow morning bright & early before breakfast.

Well, I had better go- the homemade chili is on the stove waiting to be stirred.  Have a wonderful evening. Until tomorrow~
Happy Tatting!

Simple Ring Wreath

I know it's not even Thanksgiving yet, but I have already started Christmas tatting.  Over the next couple of weeks, I will be featuring quick and easy tatting ideas for the holiday season.  The first project is one that I have used in beginner tatting classes for over 15 years.  It is a simple ring with picots and a bow adhered to the front.  These can be used as earrings, pendants, bobby pin and barrette accents, as well as card and gift accents.  I oftentimes add jingle bells and beads to the picots for that extra Christms bling.

R1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-CL, tie & cut.  Tie small red ribbon and glue. OR

R1 with 13-s CL, tie & cut.  Tie small red ribbon and glue.

The counts are just a suggestion. Vary the ds and - counts for different effects; add beads, jingle bells, charms, whatever your heart desires.  Have fun playing and creating.  The recipient is sure to be pleased with your efforts!

I am working on another variation to share with you tomorrow.  And I am bouncing around ideas for what I should tat to best accent the fabulous vintage Regency brooch pictured below:

I think a fluffy frame with the Valdani M 43 pearl cotton would be gorgeous.  What do you think?

AND REMEMBER:

The Piney Woods Harvest Event sign-up deadline is November 16th. Tomorrow!!!

To be eligible for my super giveaway click the google "Join this Site" button to follow the blog.  Those who are followers already are automatically entered.  The winner will be selected using a random number generator early in the morning onThursday, November 17th.  The winner will be notified via email and announced on the Thursday blog post.  Good luck!

Lily Fey is letting me know that it is time for her afternoon tug-of-war play session.  Guess I had better humor her so I can get back to tatting sooner rather than later.  Until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!



Harvest Event Reminder!

The Piney Woods Harvest Event ends this week!!!  Wednesday, November 16th, is the dealine to click the google "Join this Site" button to follow the blog & to be eligible for these goodies:

Fabric, pearls, Holy cards & fabric- OH my!

A few of the Holy cards...

Detail image of threads...

Pearls!

Tatting needles and 2 1/2 " wide fabric strips...

Fabric selection, view 1...

Fabric selection, view 2...

As you can see, there are lots of wonderful goodies for the lucky winner!  Those who already follow the blog are automatically entered.  Very early on Thursday morning, the winner will be selected via a random number generator and sebsequently notified by email.  Good luck to you all!  For detailed images of the Holy cards, please refer to the earlier blog posts for the Harvest event.

It has been a balmy, gloomy day in the Piney Woods.  Jim was off work again today and we worked in the woods to clean my tatting areas and prep them for cold weather tatting- cleaning out & spiffing up firepits, stacking wood, checking oil levels in torches, etc.

  I did not do much tatting as it was so very humid, but will be starting Christmas tatting this week.  I'll have some neat projects to share with you these next couple of weeks- all sorts of quick and easy gift ideas along with more detailed tatting patterns.

Well, I had better get back to the kitchen as I am in the process of making chicken dumplings, collard greens, speckled butter beans and biscuits for supper.  Until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!



Happy Veteran's Day!

It has been a glorious Veteran's day in the Piney Woods!  A multitude of thanks goes out to all who have served our country- you are greatly appreciated!!!

My day has been fantastic- I have spent it with my wonderful husband, Jim (who is an Air Force veteran).  We strolled through our beautiful Piney Woods and had a nice little picnic at what is the future site of my "tatting shack".  The weather was perfect- cool with gorgeous sunlight filtering through the woods.  Life does not get any better than this!

I did take a basket of thread, tatting needles and beads with me and tatted the foundation for a pendant out of Valdani Luxury Pearl Silk in S513.

This simple medallion is tatted with the following counts:

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

CH 7 sm- med- sm- 7 CL RW

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

Continue for a medallion with 12 Rs & CHs

Tie, cut & hide ends.

There is more to this pendant.  I will try to do a weekend post so you can see the finished product.

And remember-

The Piney Woods Harvest Event deadline is November 16th!!!

Click the google "Join this Site" button to follow the blog & to be eligible for the wonderful loot up for grabs.

There have been several readers who have asked about the Piney Woods.  I leave you this week with some random images from my sanctuary:

Fungi in the Piney Woods.

A splash of color.

It seems that my husband wasn't the only old man in the woods!  Doesn't this leaf remind you of a grumpy old man?

I'd love thread this color!

And this color!

May you have a blessed weekend doing whatever it is that makes your soul sing!  Until next time~

Happy Tatting!

More Camo

It actually feels like Fall today!  It is a nice, cool 59F this afternoon.  Fabulous tatting weather.

After washing and ironing my camo shirts, I decided there was a need for more color co-ordinated tatted accessories.  I then went through my Valdani stash and found the perfect color to go with my Mossy Oak camo- # O574.  As luck would have it, I had just the right color and finish of seed beads, too.  The label was gone on the little box, so I am not sure what the color is.  All I know is that they are Miyuki brand.

I gathered my materials, went to a favorite spot and tatted this:

This is the beginning of another camouflage pendant.  As mentioned, I used 100% COLORFAST Valdani size 8 pearl cotton in # O574, along with matte finish Miyuki seed beads, a vintage brown cowlip shell button, and green freshwater pearls.  I have not finished this piece, but wanted to show you what I've been up to this fine Fall day.

Don't forget about the Piney Woods Harvest Event!  There is only a week until the deadline of November 16th, so click the google "Join this Site" button for your chance to win.  Good luck!

I think I shall stroll back to my tatting haven and continue working on the new camo pendant.  Have a marvelous day!  Until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!

Enjoying Fall

The day's forecast called for rain, but it has turned out to be a gorgeous day- if a bit windy.  The trees in my Piney Woods are ablaze with vivid color!  As I was sitting in the woods, I sifted through my thread basket and found that my hand kept picking up Valdani size 8 pearl cotton in color O533.  This particular color really draws my eye!  And I had just the right beads-  two-toned 4mm Swarovski bicones, yellow rainbow finish size 10 seed beads and an 8mm bright red Swarovski bicone for the center. This is what I tatted:

This will be a pendant and I am thinking that I can make a smaller version of this that would be perfect for bobby pins and hair clips.  Here is another view of my "Vivid Autumn" pendant:

I am also preparing some free patterns that will be posted the week of Thanksgiving, so, dear readers, stay tuned for upcoming goodies!  Speaking of goodies:

The Piney Woods Harvest Event deadline is November 16th!  Click the google "Join this Site" button for your chance to win the loot!  Good luck.

I think I will head back out to my retreat in the woods and tat some more.  Have a wonderful day doing whatever makes your soul sing!  Until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!

   

Camouflage!

I am feeling much better after a restful weekend of recreational tatting!  Many thanks to my dear readers who expressed concern about my health.  It was just seasonal allergies and general fatigue.

Living in Louisiana, which is known as the "Sportsman's Paradise", you come to have an appreciation of a certain fashion- camouflage.  It is fashionable down here to wear camo year round. But especially beginning in September all through Winter, it seems everyone wears camo.  There are a myriad of patterns of camouflage- it all depends upon where you hunt or what your personal preferance is.  Still, most camo is a variety of browns, greens, and greys. And yes, I do have an assortment of pink camouflage, too.  Mostly though,  I possess a wide array of "standard" camo shirts (mainly my husband's cast offs once the sleeves shrink-up on him).  This weekend my husband pointed out that I do not have any tatted accessories that I wear with my camouflage.  Well, that was quickly rectified:

I tatted this little versatile piece that can be worn as a pendant, pin, or hat clip/ hair ornament using Valdani size 8 pearl cotton in color M78.  It began with an interlocking chain-ring foundation and was enhanced with accent tatting and 4mm light green Swarovski bicones and 3mm copper-rose Swarovski bicones.  Jim (my husband) particularly likes this piece in my red hair or on my favorite ratty, old camouflage cap.

Aside from doing the above and several other camouflage pieces for my personal use, I made lots of Christmas yoyos.  I sat in my recliner with Clover yoyo makers and fabric surrounding me while I let the allergy medicine do its thing.  Jim found my extra-large yoyo maker (which I had hidden from myself) and I made several larger yoyos for ornament bases.

As you can imagine, I am going to have some FABULOUS Christmas giveaway events!

Speaking of giveaways- the Piney Woods Harvest Event is going on!  Deadline for following the blog & being eligible for the goodies is November 16th.  Click the google "Join this Site" button for your chance to win.  Good luck!

It is a beautiful day outside and I feel like going out, sitting in the sunshine & tatting.  Have a wonderful day.  Until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!

Xmas Prep

As today was my errand day, I did not get much tatting done at all.  I did, however, pick up a few things for the Christmas giveaway events that are in the planning process.

I found these wonderful hinged tin boxes at a local dollar store.  They will be just right for holding some tatted ornaments and goodies!  Tatted ornaments were the top pick in the Christmas giveaway poll, so I had better get busy.

The fabric is a Robert Kaufman "roll-up" strip of Christmas fabrics- perfect for making yoyos that are embellished with tatting and Christmas bling.

Here is a closer shot of my goodies.  I also looked at the potted "living" Christmas trees at Lowes and may have to get one to use as a prop.

The Piney Woods Harvest Event is going on!  Click the google "Join this Site" button to follow the blog & be eligible for the cool items up for grabs.  Hurry!  The deadline is November 16th!

This weekend I hope to have more time to tat, but it feels like I'm coming down with a cold or something.  Not to worry, my husband will be home soon to pamper and spoil me- and make me take my medicine.  (He doesn't put up with my guff!)  Have a marvelous weekend doing whatever makes your soul sing!  Until next week~

Happy Tatting!



Fall Ornament, Part Four

After combing my thread shash, I found a couple of additional threads to use for the fluffy picot frame around the Czechoslovakian art button.  This is what came off my needle:

The threads I used are Valdani size 8 pearl cotton in color O507 "Rich Wine" and Dinky Dyes size 12 pearl cotton in color 35P "Madi's Rose".  Once I started tatting the picot laden chains, I couldn't stop! 

I am considering adding more tatted rounds to the perimeter.  What do you think?  Should I turn this ornament into a larger piece?

This afternoon and evening, I will be making some more yoyos and matching them up with thread for some festive fall ornaments.  I have enjoyed doing this one, but it grew larger than I anticipated.

Don't forget that the Piney Woods Harvest Event is going on!  Follow the blog by clicking the google "Join this Site" button for your chance to win the loot.  Deadline is November 16th!  Good luck!

Have a wonderful day doing something creative!  Until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!



Fall Ornament, Part Three

I have completed all 3 chain rounds for the ornamnet's perimeter and it looks like this:

The 2 rounds I added (one to each side of the previously tatted chain round) are simple with no picots and are a count of 19.  Very simple.  Just tat CH 19 CL + around the fabric yoyo.

The next step will be to add a fluffy "frame" around the button.  I am debating whether to use the same olive green variegated thread or another color.  Look for tomorrow's blog post to see where this folly takes me!

The Piney Woods Harvent Event is going on!  Deadline to follow the blog is November 16th.  Just cllick on the google "Join this Site" button.  This month's giveaway is full of wonderful fabric, pearls, thread & Holy cards.  Good Luck!

Have a wonderful day doing whatever makes your soul sing!

Until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!



Fall Ornament, Part Two

It's another gorgeous day in the Piney Woods!

After enjoying my hot cocoa, I went out to my favorite tatting area and did the first round on the ornament.

I am using a size 8 tatting needle and 100% COLORFAST size 8 Valdani pearl cotton in color P2 "Olive Green", a lovely variegated green.  To do this round, simply run the needle through the yoyo and tat chains with the following counts around the perimeter:  CH 7 followed by 5 graduated picots (very sm -, sm -, med -, sm -, very sm -) 7 CL + and continue around yoyo.

Here is a little helpful hint:  when I join the chains to the yoyo, I use my thumb as a guide for spacing and needle placement.  Just be careful not to jab yourself!

More will be added to this ornament in tomorrow's post.  I am contemplating a few different options before proceeding with additional tatting.

The Piney Woods Harvest Event is still going on!  To be eligible for this fantastic giveaway you need to be a follower of this blog.  To do this, simply click on the google "Join this Site" button to the right of the blog just beloww the poll.  Deadline for entry is November 16th!  Good luck!

Lily Fey (my bulldog) is telling me it is time for our run in the woods.  Have a wonderful day.  I will have more tatting goodies to share with you tomorrow.  Until then~

Happy Tatting!

Additional Harvest Event Images

I thought you might like some more detailed images of the fabric and Holy cards offered in the Piney Woods Harvest Event Giveaway.

I think that there are 32 of these 2 1/2 " fabric strips.

Some of the Holy cards seem older:

Some seem more modern:

But they are all beautiful!

I hope you are having a wonderful weekend full of tatting fun!  I am!!!

Until next week~

Happy Tatting!



Piney Woods Harvest Event

After bouncing ideas around, I decided to take Judy's advice and host a "Harvest" event.  So, I went into my atelier and proceeded to "harvest" more items from my stashes that need a new home.  Here is what is up for grabs this month:

Thread, fabric, tatting needles & other goodies...OH MY!

The thread haul consists of: 1 ball size 16 Finca pearl cotton color #1301, 1 ball size 8 Domino pearl cotton color #606, & 7 balls of Majestic size 80 tatting cotton in colors 800, 854, 852, 853, 849, 848, & 846.

I have also included a few blue and purple baroque pearls.

The lucky winner will also receive a selection of 2 1/2 " quilting cotton fabric strips (perfect for making small yoyos) and 6 size 9 (or there about- these are long size 10 beading needles with the sharp tip snipped off) tatting needles.

An assortment of 16 Catholic religious cards is included.  I am not a Catholic, but love the artwork on these cards that are apparantly given out at funerals.  (My Catholic friends, if you have any insight about these cards, please let me know more about them. Thanks!)  From time to time, I happen upon a lot of them and cannot resist.  These are lovely with tatted edgings around them.  I slip them in Christmas cards and frame them for gifts.

To be eligible for this giveaway, simply be a follower of the blog.  Not a follower???  Click on the google "Join this Site" button to the right just beneath the poll.  Deadline for following the blog is November 16th.  The winner will be selected by a random number generator and notified via email on November 17th.  I would like to get this giveaway shipped on November 18th so that it may possibly reach the winner before Thanksgiving.  Good luck!

Dear readers, I wish you a wonderful weekend filled with tatting adventures.  I will return Monday with new works to share and perhaps a new pattern or two next week!  Until then~

Happy Tatting!