Valdani Bronze Earrings

Congratulations go out to "Tatfully Yours", the winner of the weekend giveaway!!!

This morning I tatted a pair of earrings for myself.  I have used this general design for a number of years and it is one of my favorites.

Copyright 2001-2011 Rachel Colvin Jackson, Piney Woods Atelier

For these earrings you will need:

1 ball of Valdani 100% COLORFAST size 8 pearl cotton in P9 "Bronze"

1 size 8 tatting needle

4 Czech fire polish 8mm rondells

100 size 11 "root beer" Delica seed beads

1 pair of copper French hook earwires

You will begin with a foundation of 4 interlocking chain-rings.  String 12 seed beads and tat 13 - (with 3 seed beads) 13 CL.  This will complete your base for the earrings and they should look like this:

Use left over thread length to attach 1 rondell and 1 seed bead to center of base.

To complete the earring: string 12 seed beads and run needle through 2nd top cap of the ds to the left of beads of any base interlocking chain-ring.  Ch 8 - (long enough for a rondell & seed bead to be strung over it and secure earwire later) 8 CL + to corresponding top cap on other side of beads.  Ch 4 - (with 3 seed beads) 4 CL + to next interlocking chain-ring in top cap same as before, Ch 7 sm- med- sm- 7 CL +, continue around motif.  When you tat the last Ch 4 - (with 3 seed beads) 4 CL + to base of first Ch tatted and pull threads to back of work.  Tie & cut.  Add 1 rondell and 1 seed bead to larger picot and secure earwire.  Repeat for the second earring.

Hope you enjoy these!  I've done this particular design & variations of it for many years and still like to tat it.  It is an easy one to do whilst sitting outside, listening to the birds.  The Valdani variegated pearl cottons lend themselves especially well to this design.

The October Piney Woods Event is still going on!  Next Monday is the deadline to follow the blog & be eligible for the goodies!!!  Simply click the google "Join this Site" button to follow.  Good luck!

Dry Leaves

It has been so dry this year that we hardly have any brilliant color to our leaves.  Everything that remains on the trees is wilting and very pitiful in appearance.  Still, I am fortunate that my Piney Woods here in Louisiana have not burned like that of my neighbors in Texas!  Let's hope we all receive some rain soon!!!

Lack of glorious color has not stopped the tatting from flowing off the needle.  I will have some interesting things to share in the next few days if all continues to flow at this pace. 

The current project I'm sharing is the Valdani Olive pearl cotton motif.  This is where it is today:

What should this piece be called?  "X Marks the Spot"?  Any suggestions? 

 I am still perusing my stashes in search of just the right center accent piece.  I have some fabulous pearls, but also am considering a nice carved abolone shell button.  Then there are the Swarovski crystal beads that are whispering, "We're pretty, too!"  Hmmm...  Maybe I shall have to tat another round or two before I decide.

While walking through my woods today I snapped a few images.  As I mentioned, the color is not what is usually is, but the tallow tree is just starting to turn. 

Rather Christmas-y, isn't it?  Perhaps we will have some pretty colors a little later this month.

I leave you today with the reminder of the October Piney Woods GiveAway deadline:  October 24th!  To be eligible, you must be a follower of the blog.  Just click the google "Follow this Site" button located to the right, below the poll.  On October 25th, I will select the winner via a random number generator.  The winner will be notified and the goodies sent out promptly.  The haul may have a few more items added to it- you never can tell what I might do when I get to cleaning out the atelier!!! 

Until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!

Bali Prints

I had a wonderful time at Hannah's Quilts yesterday!  So wonderful that I decided to go through my stash and pick out some of my favorite Bali prints.

This is just a small sampling of the goodies I've purchased from Marie.  The gorgeous teal is handwoven silk!  (Also from Bali.)  My favorite chatelaine is draped over the fabrics along with some Osmina pearl cabochons and an abolone cabochon.  Aren't these just fantastic!  This is one reason why I so highly recommend Hannah's Quilts.  Marie stocks fabulous fabrics you would not necessarily find elsewhere.  I love her eclectic & funky fabrics!

Aside from rummaging through my fabric stash, I made a list of needed items for upcoming projects.  I will be ordering a few goodies over the next several weeks and will share when they arrive & are subsequently used in pieces.

The plans for the weekend are: 

1.  Begin cleaning out and renovating my atelier.

2.  Fix up my outdoor tatting areas.  (I need mums & pansies!!!)

3.  Tat a goody for a "surprise" next week.

4.  Work on some pine needle baskets and trays.

5.  Bake some treats for the tatting week ahead.

NOTE:  the October Piney Woods Event is still going on!  To enter, click the google "Follow this Site" button just below the poll.  Current followers are automatically entered.  Deadline is October 24th.  The winner will be selected via a random number generator on the 25th & notified via email.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend full of tatting adventures.  Until next week~

Happy Tatting!

Hannah's Quilts

Today I would like to share with you the source for most of my fabulous fabric stash:

Hannah's Quilts & Crafts is located at 402 St. Peter Loop Road in Choudrant, LA, which is not far from my Piney Woods haven.  Marie Lee is the owner of this wonderful store and I cannot say enough good things about the store or her!  She has been a true blessing to me professionally and personally.  I get the biggest artistic boost of inspiration from the beautiful fabrics that grace her store!  Marie has been so wonderful encouraging Jocelin and myself in our fiber art endeavors.

Here are some of the batiks she carries.  You will not believe the fabulous selection she has available!

And lots of templates, books, notions, & gadgets!

This quilt is made with some of the Kaffe Fasset & Westminster fabrics. 

As is this one.  Aren't the colors fantastic?!?

You may visit Marie's online store at: http://www.hannahsquilts.com/ and email her via hannahsquilts@gmail.com .  The store itself is open Mon.-Fri. from 8-5, & Sat. 8-2.  The phone number is (318) 251-0314.  If you wish to find some fantastic fabric for your next project be sure to check out Hannah's Quilts & tell them Rachel sent you!

Many thanks to Marie Lee for putting up with me & my kid for so many years!  We greatly appreciate you & look forward to raiding your store again very soon.

And remember to enter for your chance to win the October Piney Woods Give Away by clicking the google "Follow this Site" button located just below the poll.  Deadline is October 24th!

Until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!