Taking Inventory

Blog theme for January~
"New Beginnings"

Happy New Year, dear readers!

I hope that you all had as fabulous a holiday season as we did.  It truly was the best one we've had in years.

 

As you know, I am in the process of many renovations and changes concerning my website, blog and tatting pursuits.  This week, I am going through all of my threads, pearls, beads, vintage goodies and supplies.   I am weeding out what I do not plan to use or will not use, along with preparing supply orders.  Here are some images of a few strands of cultured pearls I've recently acquired:

 

 

 These light blue cultured pearls will be worked into a few of my new bridal line designs.  I thought they would make a lovely "something blue".

These are just various strands of cultured pearls I've lucked up on.  They will make their way into OOAK pieces.

Well, I had better get back into the Atelier and try to make more progress with my thread, pearl & bead culling and sorting.  After I finish with that, I plan to sit down with my pearl supplier's catalog and make out a pearl order, then move on to making out the Swarovski crystal order.  At some point within the next couple of weeks, I really need to go junquing in search of vintage treasures.

I will be debuting the new Piney Woods Atelier website in February along with several OOAk pieces, so be on the lookout for special "sneak peeks" between now and then.  Until next Friday, may you all have a great New Year &
Happy Tatting!

 



Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas

from the Piney Woods!!!

 

Good morning, dear readers!

 

 I am finally feeling much better.  Being sick around the holidays is no fun.  At least I'm over it and feeling back to my somewhat normal self.

 

This will be the last blog post until after the New Year.  Jocelin will be off at college next year so we decided to make the most of this year's holiday season.  I plan to take her shopping, antiquing/junquing, do some festive baking and crafting.  You know- special mama/daughter time.  Jim plans to give her more off-road driving lessons, target practice at the rifle range, and take her hunting.  We also plan to have a number of movie marathon days!

 

I am working on several OOAK pieces that will debut after the New Year on a revamped website.  The other thing I'm looking into is possibly moving the blog to my website host.  Lots of things are happening in the Piney Woods!

 

Here is an image of some button brooch/pendant foundations I'm working on.

 

 

And here is a special OOAK piece-in-progress:

 

 

Oh!  I almost forgot to tell you about our newest family member!  A few days ago, when it was rainy, icy & nasty, we had a male kitten wander onto our front porch.  He actually got on well with our dogs, wasn't hissy or anything like that.  He was almost starved.  You could see and feel all his little bones.  Since I didn't have any cat food, I scrambled him a couple of eggs until Jim could run to the store. Well, he just kept rubbing, loving and purring on all of us- including the dogs- so we "adopted" him. 

Dear readers, here is "Biscuit", the feline mascot of the Piney Woods:

 

 

Jocelin adores him and he certainly seems to love all of us.  This is the best image I have of him as he is always purring and rubbing.

 

Jocie and I will be heading out on an antiquing/junquing jaunt shortly, so...

May you all have a lovely Christmas filled with joy!

Until the New Year~

Happy Tatting!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Turquoise and Pearl OOAK Piece

Blog theme for November~
"Transitions"

Good morning, dear readers!

It is still rainy here in the Piney Woods.  We enjoy a pretty Autumn day or two, then we're back to rainy, grey days.  That's okay because I get more tatting time in the Shanty or Atelier with Rosie Fey at my feet and a mug of hot cocoa or tea on the side table when the weather is disagreeable.

 

Here is an image of a OOAK piece I tatted last weekend featuring original needle tatting done with Valdani Luxury Pearl Silk in S49 and size 8 Valdani Pearl Cotton in M49. The eternity circle foundation is comprised of turquoise beads and cultured pearls.

 

 

There are also antique sandy beige Czech seed bead accents on some of the tatting.  I beaded a necklace with various and sundry beads that were in my stash.

 

Well, I have some great news- Jocelin received a VERY high score on her ACT & is eligible for several scholarships at her chosen college.  We are so proud and thankful!

 

Are you working on Christmas projects yet, dear readers?  I am in the process of designing the next FREE pattern for your pleasure and hope you may find it useful for the holiday season.  Let's hope I have time to finish it this weekend so I can proof it during the coming week.  Thanksgiving is less than a week away and I have oodles of cooking to do!  Then, on the day after Thanksgiving, we put up the exterior Christmas decorations while everyone else is at the stores for "Black Friday" shopping. 

 

Rosie Fey is ready for her run in the woods and I need to take more Godiva cocoa to the Shanty.  May you all have a wonderful week and blessed Thanksgiving!  Until next Friday~

Happy Tatting!

 

 

 

More Playing with Valdani

Blog theme for November~
"Transitions"

Good morning, dear readers!

I have been busy in the Atelier making new OOAK pieces for the Atelier shoppe.  They will debut AFTER the new year.  We simply have too much going on with homeschool and family activities for me to be able to get the new lines ready for the holiday season.  Here is a little peek at the progress of a piece I've been playing with featuring Valdani Luxury Pearl Silk and Pearl Cotton with a Swarovski crystal chaton and champagne pearls:

 

 

Additional rounds have already been added, but it is hard to take images when my favorite places to lay work are wet with rain.  It has been very wet down here and I am ready for a dry spell! 

 

Jocelin and I are having a Mama/Daughter day today.  I plan to relax and take a break from the Atelier and tatting shanty.  Rosie Fey will be accompanying us as we shop for a doggy sweater/coat for her.  After we get Rosie Fey taken care of, we are headed to our favorite local Mexican restaurant for lunch, then the antique stores better be ready!  Jocie and I are on the hunt for vintage goodies!!! 

 

Well, I had better get some tatting done before we head out for the day.  May you have a marvelous week ahead.  Until next Friday~

Happy Tatting!

 

 



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!