Seed Beads Galore

Renovations

Good morning, dear readers!

I made it through taking the thread inventory.  That was a serious job!!!  You have no idea what a thread junkie I am- but I am most discerning when it comes to thread quality.  It has to be just right for my tatting or it gets tossed or gifted to someone who likes that particular thread.

 

Today I plan to tackle the massive stash of seed beads I've acquired over the years.  I have a dear friend who loves to bead, so my culled seed beads already have a new home.  Still, it is a daunting task.  I hope that after cleaning out the seed bead stash I'll have more room for Swarovskis and cultured pearls.

 

Rosie Fey is ready for our run in the Piney Woods.  Guess I'd better take care of her, then get busy in the Atelier closet and shanty bead chest.  Have a great day & until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!



Wheat Husk WB Motif

Olde West Inspiration

Good morning, dear readers!

I decided to take a break from working with the Muddy Bark Valdani Luxury Pearl Silk.  Instead, I picked-up a ball of size 8 Valdani Pearl Cotton in O514 "Wheat Husk", a few Swarovskis & seed beads.  The result is another variation of my Winter Blossom Motif No. 4.  Here it is:

 

 

I still have the last outer round of woven chains to go.  What about the center?  A pearl accent or a Swarovski rondelle?  What do you think?

 

Later this morning, I plan to get back to work on the Muddy Bark piece.  There is another design idea bouncing around in my head.  I need to tat a prototype or two, as well. 

 

Rosie Fey is ready for her walk & romp.  I'd better get busy!  There is so much to do today.  Have a great day & until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!

 

 



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!