Pre-New Year Cleaning

Good morning, dear readers!

 

I have been dragging my feet today.  Not with the cleaning bit- I've done 3 loads of clothes and have been attacking the piles of design journals and notebooks next to my tatting chair and those in the Atelier.  With the New Year fast approaching I thought I'd better pick up & organize the mess before to moving forward with newer design works and ideas.  The blog almost slipped my mind as I was concentrating so hard on how to best catagorize my notes.

 

How do you plan to ring in the New Year?  I plan to be in the Piney Woods by a roaring campfire next to my husband.  He will be grilling for us later today- venison steaks, chicken breasts, and hot links.  I'll add to the meats he grills today for our New Year's Day dinner.  Cornbread, purple hull peas, collard greens, and a homemade poundcake are on my to-do list.  The other thing on my list is to finish the little design I'm working on for New Year's Day.  It may be a little later, but I WILL post on January 1st!

 

Well, I had better get back to the cleaning.  Have a wonderful New Year's Eve- stay safe and ring it in responsibly!  Until 2013~

Happy Tatting!



Finally!

Good morning, dear readers!

 

Well, we FINALLY have our power back on.  It went out very early this morning during another thunderstorm.  The rain doesn't bother me, but I hate when the power goes out.  I did have some new tatting to show you, but have not had the chance to go outside to take images.  Guess I'll wait til the rain quits to do that. 

 

Thanks to those who have voted in the poll.  I am still contemplating several options and have something to run by you.  What about a monthly "theme" for the blog?  The FREE pattern will be something inspired by the theme.  Just an idea... let me know what you think.

 

Well, I had better get off my duff and cook some brunch for Jim & Jocie.  Have a great day & I'll take those images as soon as the weather permits.  Until later~

Happy Tatting!

 

Planning

Good morning, dear readers!

 

I was so busy planning projects, playing with potential website updates/upgrades and such that I almost forgot to do today's post.  It is my hope to get a bunch of patterns with links posted to the FREE pattern page on the blog before the New Year, and to update the Piney Woods Atelier website.  All of my one-of-a-kind pieces are now unavailable.  I plan to tat more OOAK pieces and expand my lines.  An Etsy store is in consideration, but I am not sure if that is the way for me.  I do like my exclusivity and worry about knock-offs.

 

Something else I just realized- 2013 will be my 20th year offering OOAK couture tatting!!!  WOW- have I really been at it this long?!?  Perhaps I shall offer something special later in the year to celebrate.  Something like a OOAK piece giveaway event... what do you think?  Would this idea be well received?  You know, I thought the same thing over 20 years ago when I did a special set of tatting for a bride- my first bit of true couture tatting.  Wish I had images I could share of it.  I did a large tatted motif embellished with pearls and crystals that was sewn onto the bodice of her wedding gown, along with veil accents and a keepsake motif for her bouquet.  It was very well received and started me off in the same direction as my grandmothers.

 

Many thanks to all who have voted in the poll!  Please be sure to do so if you've not already and let me know what sort of goodies you'd like to see on the blog.

 

Well, I am going back to my webserver and looking into more upgrades for the Atelier.  Hopefully, I'll get in a couple of hours of tatting time this afternoon.  There are several projects I'm preparing for 2013 that need some attention.  Have a great day & until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!



Help Requested

Good morning, dear readers!

 

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas- we did. 

 

Yesterday afternoon, as I sat in my comfy chair reading, I pondered what I'd like to do on the blog in 2013. A idea began to percolate and I'd like YOUR input.  Each month, I would like to present a special pattern.  So, dear readers, what shall the theme for my special monthly FREE pattern be?  I have set up a poll to the right of the blog.  Please vote there and/or leave a comment on this post if you've another idea or just want to voice your opinion. 

 

Well, I need to get busy cleaning this morning.  Please think about what you'd like to see in a pattern series on the blog and let me know all about it.  Have a great day & until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!



Santa's Snowflake FREE Pattern

Good morning, dear readers!

 

As a special Christmas surprise, I present for your pleasure another FREE needle tatting pattern featuring the fabulous Valdani Luxury Pearl Silk (in S775)-

"Santa's Snowflake"

 

 

To tat this pattern you will need: a size 8 tatting needle, a spool of Valdani Luxury Pearl Silk in S775, 13 4mm red Swarovski bicones, 1 crystal AB Swarovski rondell, and 60 silver lined clear Czech seed beads.

 

 

To begin, string a series of seed beads and Swarovski bicones in the following order:  3 seed beads, bicone, 3 seed beads.  Do this for a total of six sets.  You are now ready to tat the foundation of 6 interlocking chain-rings (ICRs).

ICR counts are:  11 very small - 5 - (with 3 seed beads, bicone, 3 seed beads) 5 very small - 11 CL.

Pull both threads to front of motif and leave some length to later attach the center accents.

 

 

Next, you will string a series of seed beads & bicones in the following order:  2 seed beads, bicone, 2 seed beads, for a total of 6 sets.  Begin tatting this round by running needle through very small picot to the right of any previously tatted bead set as follows:

CH 2 very small - 2 CL

+ to next very small -

CH 7 CL + between seed beads & bicone

CH 5 very small - 3 - (with 2 seed beads, bicone, 2 seed beads) 3 very small - 5 CL

+ between bicone & seed beads

CH 7 CL + to next very small -

CH 2 very small - 2 CL

+ to next very small -

Continue around entire motif.  After joining last CH, tie ends, add a dot of jeweler's adhesive, then cut.

 

 

The last round is very simple.  Begin work by joining to very small picot of previously tatted CH 2 set.  Now you will continue around the motif by tatting:

CH 11 CL + to very small -

CH 21 CL + to next very small -

CH 11 CL + to next very small -

CH 11 CL + to next very small -

Continue on around.

See~ it's a very simple round.  After tatting the last CH, tie, place a dot of jeweler's adhesive & cut.

The finishing touch is to place the Swarovski rondell and bicone in the center.  Pull both thread ends through rondell and then pass each thread end through opposite ends of the bicone.  Using your tatting needle, poke each end through rondell and through to the back of the motif.  Tie and place a small dot of jeweler's adhesive before cutting.  Now all you have to do is add a jumpring for a pendant or a hook if you plan to use it as an ornament.

 

Enjoy the pattern & may you have a blessed & merry Christmas!

Until Boxing Day~

Happy Tatting!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Spa Day!

Good morning, dear readers!

 

I am waiting for my sleeping beauty daughter to rouse from her slumber so our annual "Spa Day" can begin.  So far, there have been no sounds from her room- I may have to send in the dogs to bounce on her bed & lick her awake with the added bonus of a frenzy of wagging tails.  She has until I finish this blog post (insert a gleeful, yet evil laugh here)!

 

I have put a small bag with a travel tatting project in my purse & will tat whenever I get the chance today.  How much will I be able to get done in between a haircut, manicure, pedicure, facial & massage??? 

 

Are you ready for the holidays, dear readers?  I have finished with all of the cooking, gift wrapping & shopping that I plan to do this year- with the exception of our Christmas Day meal.  On the menu this year is:  a large venison roast with veggies, homemade rolls, collard greens, candied sweet potatoes, creamed corn, sweet tea & a chocolate pie (my grandmother's recipe).  After we gorge ourselves, we plan to go see The Hobbit.

 

Guess who just got up!  Yes, Jocelin finally made it into the livingroom and the dogs are in full "good morning, we haven't seen you in a year" frenzy.  Well, I had better bring this to a close so we can get on the road to our favorite gourmet coffee house for breakfast.  Jocelin loves the coffee; I love the tea.  The freshly made pastries are another favorite, too! 

 

I will be posting a special goody on Christmas Eve, so be sure to check out the blog!!!

 

Have a wonderful day & until Christmas Eve~

Blessings & Happy Tatting!!!

Not My Week

Good morning, dear readers!

 

We sure had some very strong winds last night.  Our yard is littered with fallen branches and tons of pine straw.  Early this morning, when I usually sit down to do my blog posts, I noticed that I did not have internet service.  Our phone lines were still working- but no internet.  I guess this is just not my week for blogging.  Today I will be cleaning up the fallen branches and getting ready for Christmas.  I still have housecleaning and cooking to do.  Tomorrow is our annual "Mama/Daughter Pre-Christmas Spa Date".  Jocelin and I will spend the day being pampered & getting pretty for the holiday.

 

Well, the downed limbs aren't going to magically pick themselves up and stack themselves on the burn pile.  Guess I'll get to it so maybe I can have some time this afternoon for tatting.  I hope your week is going better than mine!  Until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!