Great Start to the Holiday Weekend

Shabby Vintage

Good evening, dear readers!

 

I have had an absolutely wonderful day!  After a leisurely morning of project organizing in the Atelier, I met my handsome husband for a lunch date at our favorite local restaurant.  Then I spent the afternoon shopping with our daughter.  We especially enjoyed visiting with Brenda & Travis at the Chartreuse Pear.  They never fail to have oodles of wonderful goodies and inspirational eye candy!  My current favorite product they carry (aside from the fabulous Lollia hand crèmes) is "French Velvet" linen spray.  You can use it on your linens, but it deodorizes like a dream!  Even wet doggy odor!  I spray it in my Jeep after taking Rosie Fey to the park.

 

After picking up a few items at the grocery store and seeing to Rosie Fey, I finally picked up the tatting needles.  Here is the next step on the motif I'm experimenting with:

 

 

I'm pleased with its progress, so far.

 

Kelly commented on my previous blog post concerning the thread/bead experiment about using beads and variegated thread.  This can be tricky to do, design wise, but should not hinder one from trying.  Pay careful attention to the intervals of color changes within the thread.  Some machine dyed threads are very regimented in their variegation, which I personally find repugnant and totally useless for my purposes.  Valdani threads are all ARTISAN HAND DYED.  This makes all of the difference.  There are also some gorgeous HDT to be found on Etsy- check out LadyShuttleMaker and YarnPlayer!  They have beautiful threads.

 

Another factor to consider is what size beads you choose to use.  With the silk thread, I am using size 11/0 seed beads.  These are small, light weight and are in colors that compliment the thread.  A contrasting color combination would look nice, too.  My advise it to tat with threads and beads in colors that make YOU happy. 

 

This is Memorial Day weekend here in the USA.  We take this time to remember all of those who have given their lives for our freedom.  Our family will celebrate by remembering the fallen heroes/heroines, cooking out and exercising our freedom by shooting on the target range and off-roading in the Jeep.  I hope to fit in some tatting time, too.  May you have a wonderfully creative weekend & until TUESDAY~

Happy Tatting!

 

 



Homemade Goodies

Shabby Vintage

Good evening, dear readers!

 

Jocelin and I had a special "spa day" at home today.  We watched chick flicks, ate chocolates, played gin rummy, and enjoyed facials, manicures and pedicures.  It was so nice to spend some quality down time with my girl!

 

A few months back, I found a wonderfully useful pin on Pinterest for a homemade sugar hand scrub.  Jocie and I made a batch this afternoon.

 

 

You just need sugar (your choice of granulation) and add something like Palmolive dish washing liquid, stirring it in to the consistency you prefer.  I added a small container of rose scented cuticle oil, too.  To use, wet your hands and scoop out an amount and scrub.  It feels wonderful!  Then rinse.  Your hands will be soft & smooth.  I also use this on my feet.  Down here in the Deep South, we wear flip flops and sandals most of the year, so as you can imagine, we need extra TLC for our feet.  Please note that I follow my mani/pedis with Lollia hand crème- it is my absolute favorite!

 

The other homemade goody I made today was dishwasher powder.  I use a double sifter and mix with the ratio of  1/2 washing soda and 1/2 borax.  For my rinse aid, I use white vinegar with lemon juice.  I plan to make up a batch of liquid detergent this evening.  The internet is full of neat homemade cleaning solutions.  I'm always on the lookout for new ideas.

 

Well, Rosie Fey is spinning at the door.  Guess I'd better tend to her before there is an "accident".  Have a great evening & 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!