Back to a Normal Routine

Olde West Inspiration

Good afternoon, dear readers!

We had a wonderful Independence Day & long weekend.  Jim really knocked our socks off with his grilling skills!  The meats and veggies were all so delicious.  And our play time in the Jeep was a blast!  It was difficult to get up and going this morning.  None of us wanted to go back to our regular daily routines.  Oh, well...

 

Here is an image of one of the little pendants I tatted whilst watching Lonesome Dove:

 

 

I used Sulky 12 weight thread and light cream pearl Ornella seed beads.  The center accents will be a Swarovski rondelle with a single seed bead atop it.

 

And here is one of my favorite little nifty gadgets:

 

 

I purchased this needle minder at the Stitcher's Workshop in Norphlet, Arkansas.  Be sure to visit Pat's shop soon as she will be closing in August.

 

This afternoon I will be working on another pendant idea that has been bouncing around in my head.  I hope to get more tatting done this afternoon and evening than I did this morning- Rosie Fey's wild Catahouligan switch was flipped and she wore me out!  Guess I'd better get busy.  May you have a great day & until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!

 

 



Disc Pearl Pendant

Shabby Vintage

Good morning, dear readers!

 

Just got Jim off to work for the day and thought I'd go ahead and do my blog post before I get busy with the day's activities.  I was sifting through my pearls this weekend and decided to do a little pendant with one of the gorgeous disc pearls I purchased several months back:

 

 

It was needle tatted with Valdani Luxury Pearl Silk in "Herb Garden" and is accented with silver-lined forest green Ornella seed beads and 3mm crystal AB Swarovski bicones, along with a little pinecone charm.

 

This is how the piece began:

 

 

I beaded around the disc pearl and securely knotted the thread before commencing tatting.

 

 

This is the first round.  It was inspired by a design I did a few years back using some handmade dichroic glass disc beads.  I personally prefer pearls, but the dichroic disc beads were lovely.  Wish I had some more of them.

 

Well, I had better get myself together for the busy day ahead.  Rosie Fey is scheduled to have her stitches removed and I can finally bathe her this evening.  Believe me, she needs it!!!  Jocelin and I have some shopping to do for her summer classes and I need to pick up more chicken feed.  May you have a wonderful day full of creativity & until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!

 

 

 

 

 

 



Winter Blossom Motif No. 4

Winter Blossoms

Good afternoon, dear readers!

I finished the Winter Blossom Motif No. 4 last night.

 

 

It makes a nice pendant, doesn't it?!?  I am considering doing a few of these in different threads with assorted accent beads for the Atelier Shoppe.  What do you think?  Several folks have asked me to do an Etsy store, but I am not so sure.  I know some people who have had their original work ripped off from their Etsy store listings.  Not sure I care to have that headache- I'm VERY protective of my work.  Especially OOAK couture pieces!  Do any of you, dear readers, have an Etsy store or insights you'd care to share?

 

The FREE pattern is still on my to do list.  I was not happy with the counts on the second round and have ripped them out & will re-do it this weekend.  Please check back early Monday morning for the next FREE pattern post.  I think you'll like the design.

 

I don't know about y'all, but I am so ready for the weekend!!!  Jim, Jocie & I plan to spend some quality time at home.  Things have been very hectic and stressful this new year and we need to have a quiet family weekend.  I plan to tat to my heart's content, cook a huge batch of venison chili, and finish a couple of hand embroidery designs I've been working on.  What are your plans?  Anything interesting???

 

Well, I'm off to the grocery store for the necessities.  Have a wonderful weekend and be sure to look for the FREE Winter Blossom pendant pattern on Monday's post.  Until then~

Happy Tatting!

 

 



Almost Normal

Good morning!

 

I awoke feeling almost normal!  Other than sneezing a bit, I'm much better.  And I got some tatting done yesterday!!!  See...

 

 

There is what I call a foundation round under the interlaced chains that attaches to the Rs previously tatted. I had added layered chains around the perimeter, but was not pleased with the look.  After ripping that out, I decided that I should take an image to show you at least a bit of work.  I'm contemplating what to do next.  This piece is for a dear friend and I want it to be special, just for her.

 

The Fairy Queen pendant will be finished this weekend & featured in a special blogpost Sunday. 

 

Jim is taking today off for us to have a date day, so I do not imagine I'll get much tatting done.  I have no idea where we're going or what we're doing.  He said it was a "surprise".  Hmmm... I wonder.

 

Well, the kid is still snoring and will be late for school if I don't get her up soon.  Have a great weekend and don't forget to check out the blog Sunday afternoon.  Until then~

Happy Tatting!

 

 



Here is the bronze colored pendant I'm working on:

The thread I've used is Valdani pearl cotton in color P9.  Center accent is a Swarovski disc and Czech seed bead.  Outer accents are 3mm & 4mm champagne colored Swarovski bicones and matte brown Czech seed beads.  I plan to add another round or two to this pendant and will post images of the completed piece later this week.

This afternoon I plan to rummage through the Atelier for more goodies to include in the upcoming giveaway event.  I do believe that my button stash may need to be reducced.  The bead & fabric stashes were raided yesterday.  I've selected some really gorgeous items for this event!  Now... what shall I call it? Hmmm...

Guess I had better go and take some more Tylenol.  My raging sinus headache is returning with a vengeance!  Have a fabulous day & until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!



Weekend Creations

This weekend was a productive one.  I spent most of it on my front porch, tatting away and enjoying the gorgeous weather.

Here is a peek at a couple of my newest creations:

This pendant (which is in progress in the above image) is tatted with Valdani pearl cotton.  I tatted another round and added a jumpring.  Let's hope the wind lays down later today so I can take images of the finished pendants!  It is VERY gusty out today.

Here is the Valdani Luxury Pearl Silk pendant I did:

After looking at it for a while, I went back and took the tatted accent off of the beaded bezel.  Again, I'll try to get an image up a little later this week.

As you can see, I was on a green kick.  Sometimes I just cannot help myself- certain colors really appeal to me and that's all I want to tat with for a while!

What did you, dear readers, do this weekend?  What tatting projects are you currently making? 

I am working on another pendant today, but it is in a lovely bronze color.  Images of it will be forthcoming soon.

It has been a bit since I've done a special giveaway event.  According to the poll, folks would like a "goodies" giveaway.  Guess I had better go dig in the atelier and see what I come up with.  Be sure to watch the blog this week for the event announcement!  Have a great day, everyone!  Until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!

Tatting More Foundations

I have been busy this morning tatting more pendant/brooch foundations. 

The goal is to have a fair few of these done so I can focus on embellishing them over the weekend.

I have been uing various Valdani pearl cottons and silks with a wide assortment of vintage buttons in all sorts of shapes and sizes.

The pearls and Swarovskis in my Atelier are all neatly lined-up on the design table.  The Czech seed beads and art glass buttons have also been arranged in the watchmaker tins.  It takes more time than you would think to get all of the things I use for accents rounded up and laid out!

Many thanks to my dear readers who have offered name suggestions and kind words about the pendant featured in yesterday's post.  I am still contemplating a new name and will let you know soon!

Well, I had better get back to work tatting those foundations. I'll be sure to take an image of some of them to share with you tomorrow.

Oh- please vote on the poll as I am considering what the next Piney Woods Event will be!

Have a fantastic day doing whatever makes your soul sing!

Until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!



Subtle Elegance Pendant

After posting the foundations yesterday, I added a bit more to the first one:

The center accent is a 6.5mm Akoya pearl surrounded by beige Czech seed beads.

A few extra rounds of overtatting and chain weaving were added for good measure.

All I need to do now is attach the jumpring finding and perhaps add a "bead dangle" to the bottom-  one of my sterling silver or pewter pine cones. 

Here is another view of the piece:

Doesn't seem so subtle, does it?  Care to suggest a new name for this pendant anyone?

I think I shall see what I can do with the other foundation.  It may be altered a bit before I start adding accents.  There are a couple of design ideas floating around in my head and I am debating adjusting my counts.  Hmmm... decisions, decisions.

The beads and pearls are waiting so I'd better get busy.  Have a great day!

Until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!



Subtle Elegance Pendant Foundation

I began work this morning on a Valdani Luxury Pearl Silk pendant.  The color is S 49 "Subtle Elegance".   I rarely tat with any white as it just is not me, but I do love the slight color variations in this lovely silk.  The name certainly suits in this case.

Using a small 4-hole vintage button, the counts are as follows:

R5-5+ to button 5-5 CL RW

CH 9- (with seed bead, 3mm Swarovski, seed bead) 9 CL RW
R5+10-5 CL RW

Continue around button alternating R counts, joining every other R to button.  Final count is 8 Rs & CHs.

Tie & cut, hide ends.

This piece is now ready for further embellishment.  Additional rounds will be tatted and a center Akoya pearl accent will be attached.  I'll post the finished piece later in the week.

The above is the sort of foundation I use when adding more rounds and layers of tatting.  It provides more support and places for anchoring tatting.

Here is another option for a pendant using the same Valdani silk:

This uses an identical button and has the same number of Rs & CHs.  The counts for this option are:

R9+ to button 9 CL RW
CH 9- (with seed bead, 3mm Swarovski, seed bead) 9 CL RW

Continue around button, joining each R to button. 

Tie & cut, hide ends.

The second option is the foundation I use when adding lots of picot laden chains to form a fluffy center.

I hope you enjoy these foundations and add to them as it suits you.  Use your own creativity to produce something amazing and unique to you!  Everyone tats a bit differently from others and that is one of the things that makes it so beautiful and fascinating.

If you would like color suggestions, I really like this Valdani Luxury Pearl Silk in S 49 "Subtle Elegance", but also recommend the Valdani colorfast hand-dyed pearl cotton in O 538 "Cottage Smoke".  These two colors are the whites I use in my tatting.  Neither is actually white, but rather soft, neutral variegations.  For a full view of the Valdani threads and color selections, click over to their website.  You will find a wonderful array of threads and colors!

Guess I had better get back to the pendants.  The beads, Swarovskis and pearls are out and waiting to be added in additional rounds.  May you have a wonderful day doing something creative!

Until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!



Progress

Even though it was rainy and dreary yesterday, I managed to get in some tatting in between cleaning and cooking.

The blue pendant was completed and tweaked a bit along with the neutral variegated pendant.  More was done on the peach brandy pendant and I started another brooch foundation.

Here is a better view of the pendants.  Both are accented with Akoya pearls and Swarovskis.

The peach brandy is coming along nicely and I had to start another brooch foundation with this marvelous Valdani pearl cotton- LOVE this purple color!

The peach brandy pendant would not lay flat long enough to get a good shot.  It will look better once the round I'm working on is complete & the piece is blocked.

So, what are you working on, dear readers?  What is on your Spring tatting list?

Well, I have procrastinated long enough.  I've got laundry to hang out and more serious cleaning to get done before the weekend.  We are putting in my herb garden Saturday and I need to have all of my housework done.  I'm also cooking a bit extra along this week so all we have to do is heat something up.  Hope you have a marvelous day!

Until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!



Rainy Weather

The rain has settled in for the day and it is dark and dreary out.  Still, the tatting must go on!

I fixed myself a cup of hot cocoa in a pretty mug and snuggled into my favorite tatting chair to finish the Valdani blue silk piece.  Here it is:

Sorry the image is not up to my usual standards, but I had to improvise with the weather.  The center accent is a 6.5mm Akoya pearl.  It turned out okay, but I think I will try a couple of the variations to the foundation that came to mind as I was completeing the outer rounds.

There are several other foundations that are waiting their turn next to my tatting chair, so I had best take advantage of the day and hop to it.  Have a wonderful day doing whatever makes your soul sing! 

Until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!

 



Meet Penelope

Good morning, dear readers.  This is "Penelope":

She was tatted with size 5 DMC perle cotton in color #4120 and is enhanced with a small vintage button and 6.5mm fresh water pearl.  The rose is from one of my Jackson & Perkins English rose bushes, although I can't remember the name of the rose.  It is one of my favorites beacause of its glorious color and scent- it's delightfully spicy.

I will be busy winding more skeins of thread onto cards today and making lists of all I need to restock the Atelier.  This is something I really want to get done this week as Jocelin is on Easter/Spring break next week.  I'd like to have plenty of time to spend with my girl doing all sorts of fun stuff.  Don't worry- I have been busy planning interesting posts for you.  There may even be a few free patterns coming soon!  Be sure to keep your eyes open.

What do you, my dear readers, have planned for April 1st?  This is International Tatting Day- a day when we all celebrate and share our love of tatting.  Will you be teaching, demonstrating or sharing your tatting?  I strongly encourage you to share your gift of tatting with someone.  You never know what you may start!

Well, I am off to get those skeins wound onto cards.  Have a marvelous day!

Until Friday~

Happy Tatting!



DMC Pendant In Progress

The last time I visited the Stitcher's Workshop in Norphlet, Arkansas, I picked up several skeins of size 5 DMC perle cotton.  This particular color variegation reminded me of the roses in my front yard- which are about to bloom very soon.  I had to play with it this morning and this is what I've done so far:

This piece will eventually be a pendant with a button center.  I haven't decided whether I'll use a carved MOP button or a Czech art glass button. 

Don't forget to leave a comment on the "Easter Event" blog post for your chance to win the fabulous goodies up for grabs!

The winner will be announced tomorrow morning!!!!!

Good Luck!

Well, I had better finish the pendant so I can post the completed piece tomorrow.  Have a wonderful day!

Until Wednesday~

Happy Tatting!



Mardi Gras in North Louisiana

Happy Mardi Gras, y'all!

I got busy this morning with the tatting needles and cranked out an original pendant:

This is "Rust Fancy" - a pendant tatted with Valdani size 8 pearl cotton in H201 "Rust" from their Heirloom Collection.  It is accented with an antique carved shell button and "Copper Rose" Swarovski bicones.  I believe this little creation will be placed in my upcoming online Atelier Shoppe.

It's "Fat Tuesday" and all of Louisiana is celebrating.  Of course, New Orleans is the hub of the carnival season, but up here in North Louisiana, we celebrate in our own way.  I have been busy gathering all I need for our special Mardi Gras supper.  The Jackson family will be dining on: lean pork loin roast, greens (collard & turnip), speckled butter beans, green onions & sliced tomatoes, cornbread, sweet tea and my own version of a king cake.

Here is how I make a king cake: 

Spray a bundt cake pan with non-stick cooking spray and layer two cans of unrolled cinnamon rolls in it, hiding the plastic baby within as you layer it (the person who finds the baby has to make the king cake next time).  Bake according to the directions on the can, keeping a careful eye on it- you may need to let it go longer, depending on the oven and how big the cake pan is.  After the cake is done, allow to cool, then ice with cream cheese icing and sprinkle with sugar glitter in Mardi Gras colors.

Jim is off work today and is busy in his woodworking shop.  Guess I had better get busy in the kitchen for the feast this evening.  Have a wonderful day & until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!

Off Week

This has been one of those weeks that just feels "off".  For some reason, I can't get into a good tatting groove.  Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of ideas bouncing around in my head- maybe that's the problem...  too many ideas bouncing around and my fingers don't seem to be able to settle long enough to get the ideas from my head to needle & thread.

I do have one work-in-progress to show you.

This is a pendant in progress tatted with Valdani Luxury Pearl Silk in color S 506 "Washed Cinnamon" & is accented with a small, antique brown lip shell button & a 4mm "Copper Rose" Swarovski bicone. 

While mulling over another idea today, I sifted through the button stash.  Here is a lovely little selection that is now by my tatting chair, waiting to be worked into various designs:

Tomorrow may or may not be productive, tattingwise, as the kid is on holiday from school until next Tuesday.  Who knows what we may do- fiber art at home, shopping, or even a trip to Norphlet, AR, to our favorite thread/needlework shop.  Or we may just curl up on the couch and watch chick flicks & eat chocolate all day.  So long as I have time with my girl, it's wonderful!

Until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!

  

Pendant In Progress

This morning started off great.  I got up and had some time to get a bit of tatting done before the daily household activities began.  Good thing, because as I was on my way home from taking the kid to school, I was rear-ended while stopped at a red light.  My Jeep seems to be okay, but I'm still VERY shook-up.  My tatting tension is ridiculous!!!  I think I'll leave the tatting needles alone today and try again tomorrow morning.

Well, here is what I started on earlier:

What do you think of this pendant-in-progress?  I'm using the same Valdani pearl cotton that I used on the "Awaiting Spring" pendant.  This colorway is becoming a favorite.

I'm going to take a couple more Advil and lay down for a bit before going to pick-up Jocie.  Sorry for the short post, but I'm having a stressful day.  Tomorrow is bound to be much better.  Until then~

Happy Tatting!



Awaiting Spring Pendant

My tatting needles were busy this morning in the Piney Woods.  After a nice cup of tea, I ambled off into the woods with the new Valdani pearl cotton and was inspired to tat this:

This pendant was tatted with size 8 Valdani pearl cotton in color O559.  They call this color "Watery Weed".  I think this color should be called "Awaiting Spring" as it is the colors one often sees in my Piney Woods just before all the plants start budding out for Spring.  The pendant is accented with Swarovski crystal bicones in "Grass Green" and a shuttle shaped antique MOP shell button.  I don't know if I will sell this little beauty or keep it for myself as I am awfully fond of the colors.

To tat this piece, I began with a foundation of 6 ICR (interlocking chain-rings) with counts of 15 - with 4mm Swarovski bicone 15 CL.

The next step was to use the ends to secure the button and a 6mm Swarovski bicone to the front of the base.  I then pulled the ends to the back to tie, cut & hide.

Next, I commenced with the additional chain work around the motif to form the finished pendant.

This afternoon I hope to find a couple of tiny buttons to use as bases for earrings to possibly make a demi-parure with this thread.

Who knows what I may find in my button stash.

What are you, dear readers, tatting?  Any special projects or undertakings?   I think I'll put up a new poll about this in a minute.

It's another beautiful day and the woods are calling me again.  I'm off to play for a bit before picking up the kid from school.  Have a great day & until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!



Giveaway Addition

For some reason, it seems you folks really like the pendant in the "Be My Valentine" giveaway event.  With that in mind, I tatted another pendant of the same design for prize option number 3.  Yes, there will be 3 winners selected!!!  The first selected gets first choice, the second selected then chooses and the third gets the last prize option not claimed. 

So... here is prize option number 3:

This pendant was tatted with DMC pearl cotton in color #4025 and has an antique carved shell button as the center focal accent.

Hope you all like this one as much!

Just remember to comment on yesterday's blog post and/or the Facebook postings I did on this event.

Winners will be selected on Tuesday, February 7th, 2010.

I hope to get some more tatting design work done today, but am also cooking a few things for the upcoming "Superbowl Sunday".  What are you planning this Sunday?  Who are you rooting for?  To be honest, I really do not care as my beloved New Orleans Saints did not make it to the big show this year.  Still, that is no excuse not to cook up some goodies- according to my husband, anyway!

Have a wonderful day doing whatever makes your soul sing!  Until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting! 



Be My Valentine Event

Announcing the Piney Woods "Be My Valentine" Event!

This time there will be 2 different prizes and 2 different winners.  The first winner (selected via random number generator) gets first pick.  Here is what's up for grabs this time:

Prize option number 1 is a small heart bowl with 3 balls of siz 8 Valdani pearl cotton (colors H204, O507 & O775), an assortment of vintage buttons and a variety of beads (seed beads, Czech fire polish & freshwater rice pearls).

Prize option number 2 is the DMC pendant I tatted.

To be eligible: leave a comment on this post and/or on the Facebook posts (which I will be putting up in a little bit).  The winners will be selected via random number generator on February 7th, 2012.  Good luck!

The DMC pendant is very similar to a pendant from my upcoming "Romance of the Piney Woods" collection, so I will wait until closer to the debut before I put them up on the blog- but don't worry, the counts will be up soon.

I've got to run- it just started to rain & I have towels on the clothesline!

Have a wonderful day.  Until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!



DMC Pendant

Here is the finished DMC pendant:

It began as a simple ICR foundation of 4 and was filled out with accent tatting and a center focal of a 6mm "Siam" Swarovski and maroon seed bead.  Do I need to post the counts?  If enough folks are interested, I'll put them up later.

I have been thinking of different options for the next giveaway event.  As Valentine's day is fast approaching, I'd like to use that theme.  If anyone has any suggestions, comments are always welcome!  March's event is already planned.  I just love St. Patrick's day & have a wonderful event already put together.  But for Valentine's day, there are so many options.  Should I do an event with tatting needles & thread, an event with a special tatted piece, or an event with various creative bits & pieces?

It's time for my manicure, so I'd better hop to it.

Until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!