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!

Getting Set For The Weekend

As promised, here is an image of some of the foundations I tatted yesterday:

I used Valdani pearl cotton for all of these and did a few more in the Valdani silk.  You'll have to visit the blog next week to see the finished pieces! 

Today is going to be filled with more foundation tatting, accent gathering, and design sketching- all in preparation for a relaxing weekend of creating some (hopefully) great new pendants & brooches.

What are you, dear readers, doing?  Any special weekend plans?  You know what I'm doing.  Jim is gardening and woodworking. Jocelin is studying for her end of course testing.  Whatever you may be doing, I hope you enjoy it thoroughly.  Until next week~

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!



Spring Planting

We finally have done ALL of the Spring planting!  The vegetable garden is thriving and my little herb garden is planted, mulched and soaking up the sun.  Jim and I will need the rest of the week to recover from our weekend!

I tried to get some images of the herb garden, but the light was too strong on the light meter.  The images would have been way too bright.  I'll try to get a couple of shots this evening after the sun goes down.

We did have quite the flower show in the yard.  Here is a montage of some of my blooming beauties:

The lower right image is of the goodies I found Friday on the antiquing trip with my mom.  The Bavarian bread & butter plate is just beautiful, and I happened upon a selection of vintage florist cards.  I thought they would be great to use as earring cards.  There are a number of different cards with a variety of sentiments.

I did not do much tatting, but focused my energy on taking care of the gardening chores.  With all of those done, I hope to put much more effort into my tatting this week! 

 Well, I am off to the Atelier to dig through thread, beads and buttons.  What could I possibly come up with to share with you tomorrow?  Stay tuned for some tatting goodies and perhaps a surprise or two this week.

Until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!



Flowers, the Garden & A Day With Mom

Thought you'd like to see what we've been working on in the yard:

The upper left is the peach Gerbera daisies that have finally decided to bloom.  The upper right is the container of mini-petunia like flowers (I forgot exactly what they're called).  Lower center is my gorgeous bougainvilla.  The lower left is a shot of my "Contender" snap beans.  They are really taking off.  The lower right is an image of our "Jackson Wonder" speckled butter beans.  The corn, okra, purple hull peas, squash, turnips and tomatoes are all growing rapidly.  I hope our garden will be productive this year!

What are you doing today, dear readers?  I am getting ready for a special "girls day" with my mom!  It has been a while since we have had time together- just us.  We plan to go shopping at the nearby outlet mall and a few antique shops, then have an enjoyable lunch before picking Jocelin up from school.  With my mom along, you never know what goodies we'll find on our shopping excursion!  She loves antique/junque shops, too.

Mom will be expecting me soon, so I'd better hop in the Jeep & head that way.  May you all have a wonderful weekend doing whatever it is that makes your soul sing!

Until next week~

Happy Tatting!