I'm A Happy Girl!

Romantique

Good morning, dear readers!

Guess what!?!  My brand new iPhone 5 just arrived from Apple!!!  My first iPhone 5's camera froze up- the shutter would not open and it would not switch to the camera on the front of the phone.  Anyhow- Apple replaced it and I'm a happy, happy girl!!!

Now to restore it and set it up- which will take a while.

 

I had planned to do one more FREE pattern for this month, but it just is not working out.  How about if I take the original design and tweak it for March's theme?  Give me the weekend to get it together and I'll have it up on Monday.

 

Rosie Fey is settling into her new home and received a clean bill of health from the vet.  She is just what we all needed- especially me.  I typically keep my blog free from any advertisements or the like, but I have included a widget on the right side of the blog for 4Paws.  This is where we adopted Rosie Fey.  They have recently acquired land and are raising funds to build a larger facility.  If you are so inclined, please click on the widget to donate.  Thanks!  Rosie Fey will be donating some puppy food and volunteer time very soon.

 

Well, I am off to get the iPhone set up to my satisfaction.  May you have a wonderful day & many thanks for your patience during my multiple technical difficulties!  Don't forget to check out the blog to see what the March theme will be.  Until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!

More Technical Difficulties

Romantique

Well, it seems that efforts to upload images from the DSLR camera to my Picassa account are not to be.  It is supposed to connect and upload wirelessly, but for some reason hangs up in the middle of image transfers.  Guess I'll have to try using Jocelin's iPhone later this afternoon.  Sometimes technology and I do not geehaw!

 

Rosie Fey is going to the vet for her exam this morning.  Afterwards, she will get to meet some new friends and shop for a dog bed.

 

I'll get new images taken and uploaded this afternoon.  Between Jocie's iPhone & Jim's, something will work.  Sorry for the delay!

Rosie is ready to go out, so have a great day & until later this afternoon or tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!

 

 

 

 

iPhone Difficulties & Such

Romantique

Good morning, dear readers!

Boy, did I have a full day yesterday!!!  Jocelin was/is having serious allergy problems as the pollen counts are so high- she was home with me.  Then my iPhone camera locked-up AGAIN.  We purchased new iPhone 5s about 2 weeks ago.  Mine has always had a bit of a problem with the camera function.  Well, as I was about to take images of another FREE pattern, it totally locked-up and would only show a closed shutter.  I took it to the AT&T store and they kindly helped me contact Apple to fix the problem.  The only thing is I'll be without my trusty iPhone for 3-5 days.  I do appreciate the service from the store manager.  She was very conscientious, professional and kind.  Thank you Ms. Celeste!

 

It is not as though I do not have plenty of digital cameras.  I do love to play with my DSLRs, but have become spoiled to the iPhone camera & apps for all of my web imaging needs.  Guess I'll have to improvise, adapt and overcome.  Jocelin has offered me the use of her iPhone camera for the time being.  Isn't she sweet?!?

 

I also had to reschedule Rosie Fey's vet appointment due to all of the iPhone and sick kid drama.  Rosie will get her general check-up tomorrow morning.  She is quite a little character.  The toy lamb & duck are her favorites.  She brings them to me and demands to be played with.  If she is ignored, she lets loose a bark and gives me a most reprimanding look.  I look forward to watching her little personality emerge.

 

The Atelier is waiting with lots of work so I'd better get busy.  I'll try to have more eye candy up for your enjoyment tomorrow- especially if I finish the next antique cameo.  It is coming along nicely, if I do say so myself.  Have a great day and until Wednesday~

Happy Tatting!



Romantique Motif No. 4 FREE Pattern & Surprise

Romantique

Good morning, dear readers!

I had a fantastic weekend, which I'll tell you about later after I post the Romantique Motif No. 4 FREE pattern.  This little heart is a variation on the 3 ICR hearts I've done for years.  Hope you enjoy it.

 

 

This motif is tatted with a size 8 tatting needle and Valdani Luxury Pearl Silk in S78 with 8 cranberry Czech seed beads.

 

Thread needle with 6 Czech seed beads the tat the ICRs with the following counts-

ICR 9 long- med- sm- 11 CL

ICR 9 very sm - 4 - (with 3 seed beads) 4 very sm- 9 CL

ICR 11 sm- med- long- 9 CL

Ch 4 sm- 35 CL

+ to very sm- of 2nd ICR, pick up 1 seed bead then Ch 5 CL

+ in between 1st & 2nd bead of beaded - of 2nd ICR

Ch 4 - (with 3 seed beads) 4 CL

+ between 2nd & 3rd seed bead of 2nd ICR

Ch 5 CL

+ to 2nd very sm - of 2nd ICR, pick up 1 seed bead then

CH 35 CL + to - of first Ch, Ch 4 CL, pull both threads through center of ICRs, tie at back, place a dot of jeweler's adhesive on silk, hide ends & cut.

 

An earwire or jumpring may be added to the - which joins the Chs.  I've varied this design a lot and place beads at different places and tweak my counts.  It's a fun design to play with.

 

Now, for the surprise- I have a new puppy baby!!! 

As many of you know, when my sweet Lily Fey died, it broke my heart.  This Saturday, while doing a Tractor Supply Store run for chicken feed and new boots, we were adopted by Rosie Fey- a lovely 6 week old Catahoula cur mix.

 

 

Our local no-kill shelter was having an event with lots of babies hoping to find their forever homes.  I did not even want to look, but Jim called me over to one of the puppy pens.  This gorgeous little spotted baby crawled up, wrapped her little paws around my neck and pressed herself to me.  She claimed me just like Lily Fey did when we rescued her!!!

  Rosie Fey rescued us.

 

You may wonder why we've named our last two girls "Fey".  The name means strange, unusual, or otherworldly.  Lily Fey was a brindle striped American Bulldog.  Her coloration was considered by many as unusual or strange.  She reminded me of a Tiger Lily- hence her name.  Rosie got her name because as soon as we got home, she went straight to my rose garden and proceeded to play.  Since she is a speckled Catahoula, we thought "Rosie Fey" was perfect.  And she is just that- perfect for me and our family.  She already LOVES the Piney Woods and is ready to go for a drive in the Jeep the moment I pick up my purse.  You will be seeing LOTS of her in future posts.

 

I had planned to finish the embriodery project, but was sidetracked by Rosie Fey.  I'm taking her to the vet today to have a general check up and to schedule her next round of shots and micro-chipping.  Perhaps she'll let me tat for a bit this afternoon when she takes her nap.  Well, I'd better get busy- today is full of many errands and Rosie Fey is ready to go out.  Have a wonderful day & until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!

 

 



Foggy & Rainy

Romantique

Good afternoon, dear readers!

I waited to see if the weather would co-operate for images, but, alas, it is worse today than yesterday.  We had a fog advisory this morning and let me tell you- it was very thick.  I could hardly see the vehicles in front of me while taking the kid to school.

 

I have another FREE pattern to share with you as soon as I get the images done along with some new eye candy.  The weekend is supposed to be sunny and pretty, so I plan to take lots of images and get everything ready for several image laden blog posts.  Sorry for the delay, but I am extremely picky about how I present my work.

 

Well, I am off to the Atelier to continue work on the embroidery/tatting/beading project.  Have a great day and be sure to check out the blog Monday for a new FREE pattern and possibly a surprise or two!  Until Monday~

Happy Tatting!



Rained Out

Romantique

Good morning, dear readers!

It is pouring down rain in the Piney Woods.  Again.  And is supposed to continue all day.

While this is fine weather for playing in my Jeep, it is not conducive to taking images of my work. I have a couple of pieces to share, but would like good natural light conditions to help catch the subtleties of the colors used.  I guess this will be a day for me to retreat into the Atelier and work on more projects- especially the embroidery/tatting/beading one.

 

Well, I am off to make a cup of hot cocoa, light some candles and pick a playlist for tatting in the Atelier.  Have a great day & until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!



Valdani Embroidery Project Beginnings

Romantique

Good morning, dear readers!

It is another dreary, overcast day in the Piney Woods.  But the Atelier is full of activity.  I've got the Piano Guys music playing on my iPod, scented candles from the Chartreuse Pear burning, a cup of herbal tea and some Dove chocolates to my side and a tatting project in my hands.  Life is so good!

 

I am also in the midst of working on a special project.  It combines hand embroidery, beading and tatting.  Here is an image of some of the materials I'm using:

 

 

Valdani 6-ply cotton floss in O526, M60, 8102, 8103, & 8101; Valdani Silk Floss in O519 & O86; a Czech art glass button, lilac fresh water pearls on Osnaburg fabric.

Also used in this project, but not shown are satin beige Delica hex seed beads, Valdani Luxury Pearl Silk in Forgotten Lavender, and crystal AB Swarovski bicones (3 & 4mm sizes).

 

I am working on this multi-fiber-media project off & on, but hope to finish it this weekend.  Perhaps I'll have it finished and ready to share on Monday's post.

 

Well, I am sorry, tatlyn, but as I've not heard from you, another winner has been selected.  Since Mary Kay from the last giveaway did not receive her pendant (it was "lost" in the mail- even with a tracking number) I offered her the Romantique Motif No. 3 pendant and she accepted.  Many thanks to all who entered!  I will be hosting another event in March, so be watching for the next goody opportunity.

 

The Atelier is calling and I'm ready to get back to tatting and embroidering.  May you have a fantastic day full of creativity!  Until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!

 



Playing With Neutrals

Romantique

Good morning, dear readers!

Yesterday was quite enjoyable with my girl.  She had a ball trying on clothes and shoes.  The only bad thing about Monday was the high winds we had to contend with. We made it home safe & sound, but still, the winds were a bit scary.

 

I still have not heard from tatlyn! 

 

If I do not have a reply by this evening, another winner will be selected via random number generator.

 

Well, here is a bit of what I've been tatting:

 

 

Neutral variegated threads are such fun to tat with.  I've been experimenting with different bead accents and Swarovski crystals.  What is your favorite thread color group to tat with?  Whilst I do love to tat with colors, there is just something about earthy neutrals I adore.  The upcoming Olde West Collection will feature original OOAK pieces tatted with neutral and earthy foundations.  Some pieces will have pops of color, but most will be neutral and earthy.

 

Well, I am in the middle of a hand embroidery and needle tatting project.  Guess I had better get back to the Atelier and finish the outlining stitches.  Have a great day & until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!

 

 



Happy Presidents Day

Romantique

Good morning, dear readers!

 

And Happy Presidents Day to those in the USA!  Jocelin is out of school today and we are travelling to a nearby town with lots of outlet malls for a grand shopping excursion.

 

I still have not heard from the Event Winner, tatlyn.  Please be so kind as to contact me ASAP and I'll get your goody in the post.

 

Well, Jocelin is waiting for me to get a move on.  Have a great day & be sure to check out the blog tomorrow for new eye candy.  Until then~

Happy Tatting!



Romantique Motif No. 3 Event Winner

Romantique

Good morning, dear readers!

I hope you all had a wonderful Valentine's Day- we did.

 

And now, here is the big announcement...

The winner of the Piney Woods Romantique No. 3 Event is:

 

tatlyn

 

who wrote:

"Rachel, I love seeing your beautiful designs. They are inspiring. Thank you for sharing so many of your patterns with us. Have a wonderful Valentine's Day!"

 

Please be so kind as to click the "contact me" button to the right of the blog with your pertinent info, tatlyn, and I'll get your goody in the mail ASAP.  I'll be making sure to go to the actual post office for all of my future mailings as the local mailing outlet has "lost" a number of my packages. 

 

Many thanks to those who commented.  I appreciate all of your kind words!!!  You keep me motivated and going more than you know.

 

What are you tatting at the moment?  Any special projects on your needles/shuttles?  I am working on a potential FREE earring pattern to go with the Romantique theme and am looking at a beautiful antique cameo that is begging for pearls and tatting.

 

Well, I had better get this posted and get on with my tatting for the day.  May you have a creative weekend doing whatever makes your soul sing.  Until next week~

Happy Tatting!



Romantique Motif No. 3 Event

Romantique

Happy Valentine's Day, dear readers!!!

 

I have a special ONE DAY ONLY event for you-

The Romantique Motif No. 3 Giveaway

 

 

This is the finished piece.  It is needle tatted with Valdani Luxury Pearl Silk in S775 and is accented with a button Akoya pearl and Czech seed beads.  A jumpring will be added before it is shipped to the lucky winner.

This is a ONE DAY ONLY event.  To enter, leave a comment on this post.  A winner will be selected via random number generator and announced tomorrow morning at 9 AM CST.  Let me know how you like the blog or if there is a particular piece you fancy- whatever comment you feel like leaving.  Good luck and thanks for following the blog!

Well, I am off to enjoy Valentine's Day picnic with my husband.  I've got to load the Jeep up and take off.  Have a fantastic Valentine's day & until tomorrow~
Happy Tatting!
 

 



Hectic Day

Romantique

Good afternoon, dear readers!

No, I've not forgotten you or the special Valentine's Day event.  I'm having a VERY hectic day & do not have much time for blog posting.  Please be sure to check out the blog tomorrow for a very special Valentine's Day surprise.  Until then~

Happy Tatting!



Romantique Motif No. 3 Progress

Romantique

Good morning, dear readers!

It was a rainy, nasty day yesterday- perfect weather for playing off road in my little Jeep Wrangler.  Jim and I had a ball.  The Jeep may have to have the mud pressure washed off.  We caked her up pretty good.

 

Here are images of the next couple steps in the Romantique Motif No. 3-

 

 

Just a simple bit of accent tatting and extra beads.

 

 

Another round to expand and support the next bits I've planned.

Now to block it and spritz it a tad with Mary Ellen's Best Press.

 

Check out tomorrow's post for more progress and be sure to catch the Valentine's Day post- there will be a little something extra special for you then!!!

 

Well, Jim and I are off to the cell phone store- it's time to upgrade our phones again.  Have a great day & until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!

 

 

 

 



Romantique Motif No. 3 FREE Foundation Pattern

Romantique

Good morning, dear readers!

Hope you had a good weekend.  I spent the weekend tweaking the FREE pattern.  Without further ado, here is the Romantique Motif No. 3 Foundation Pattern:

 

 

Materials needed for this motif foundation:

1 spool of Valdani Luxury Pearl Silk in S775 (Proud Turkey), 2 size 8 tatting needles, 1 4-hole 1/2" button, 12 burgundy rainbow Czech seed beads and 6 antique beige Czech seed beads.

 

Begin by threading one needle, then pull off a long length of silk thread from spool.  Thread second needle.  Tat as follows:

Run needle one through any hole of button,

CH 7 very sm - 4 CL,

 using needle two tat FLR (floating ring) after picking up 1 burgundy bead, 1 beige bead, 1 burgundy bead 9 - (with seed beads) 9 CL,

 using needle one CH 4 very sm - 7 CL.

Join by running needle through next hole and tat again as above.

After joining, use needle one to CH 11 very sm - 4 CL,

using needle two, add 3 seed beads, tat  FLR 11 - with 3 seed beads 11 CL,

using needle one, CH 3 CL.

Using needle two, pick up 3 seed beads and tat an INTERLOCKING FLOATING RING (please refer to earlier blog posts for instructions on this technique) 15 - (with 3 seed beads) 15 CL,

using needle one CH 3 CL.

With needle two, pick up 3 more seed beads and tat the last interlocking floating ring of 11 - (with seed beads) 11 CL,

using needle one, CH 4 very sm - 11 CL.

Join to last hole in button and tat a chain with floating ring using the same counts as the first two holes.  After you close, carefully join to base of first CH, tie silk and place a dot of jewelers's adhesive before hiding ends and cutting.

 

  This is only the pattern for the foundation!!! 

I will be hosting a special Valentine's Event with the finished piece, so be sure to check out the next few blog posts for all of the details.

 

Jim is off today & tomorrow for Mardi Gras, so we are going to be out playing in the Jeep.  Hope you have a wonderful day & until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!

 

 



Heart Yoyos

Romantique

Good morning, dear readers!

I am off to a late start today, but that's okay.  Jocelin is home from school as her school's basketball team is gone to a tournament in South Louisiana.  Since there were few students not going, the ones opting to stay were given a holiday.  We plan to have a nice Mama/Daughter day doing our favorite things.

 

I took some images of the fabric yoyos I'm planning to use in a few prototype designs:

 

 

This ivory sateen one looks nice with the Czech art glass button, doesn't it.

 

 

Here are some others- brocade, velvet and sateen.

 

 

 

This is a little project I'm planning for March.  An ivory sateen yoyo with a Czech art glass button and tatting with Valdani size 8 pearl cotton in O 543.  Now I just need to sift through the pearls and beads to find the rest of the accents.

 

Well, Jocelin and I have a full day of antiquing/junquing, make-up shopping and lunch with Big Daddy.  Guess we'd better hop to it.  Have a wonderful weekend and be looking for a special goody on Monday's post!  Until then~

Happy Tatting!

 

 

 

 

 



Playing Around

Romantique

Good morning, dear readers!

It is yet another foggy morning in the Piney Woods.  I must say, it really annoys me when people do not turn on their headlights in this weather.  Especially when they are driving a gray, silver or white vehicle- you can hardly see them.

 

I spent yesterday playing around with a few projects.  During the afternoon, I tweaked the counts of the piece that will be the FREE pattern for this month.  It's almost ready.  The evening consisted of playing with some new Valdani Luxury Pearl Silk.

 

 

This is a Winter Blossom motif tatted with S514 "Wheat Husk" Valdani Luxury Pearl Silk and is accented with dark cream pearl Ornella seed beads.  This piece is just the foundation to a larger idea I had.  If it turns out, it will be part of my upcoming Olde West collection.

 

This morning will be filled with hand embroidery design, FREE pattern tweaking and more tatting on the pictured prototype.  Hope your day is full of tatting goodness!  Until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!

 

 



Romantique Motif No. 2

Romantique

Good morning, dear readers!

It is a super-thick, foggy morning in the Piney Woods.  Taking the kid to school was rather hazardous as we could barely see the traffic lights.  The light outdoors finally got to a brightness where I could take some decent images.  Here is "Romantique Motif No. 2" -

 

 

This motif was tatted on a vintage 4-hole button with Valdani Luxury Pearl Silk in S204 and is accented with a large Akoya button pearl, burgundy Czech seed beads and antique pearl seed beads.  When the weather is not so humid, I plan to adhere this motif to a bobby pin for Jocelin.  It will look beautiful in her dark golden blonde hair.

 

 

Here is another view of the motif.  I may add more rounds, then again, I may not.  It depends upon what Jocelin wants- she requested a pretty hair accent for her Valentine's Day treat.

 

I am still working on various other projects using the vintage goodies featured in yesterday's post.  This month's FREE pendant pattern is coming along nicely and will be ready for posting soon.  Think I'll fix myself a nice cup of hot cocoa, head back to the Atelier & get busy tatting.  Have a wonderful day & until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!

 

 

 

 



Vintage Romantique Goodies

Romantique

Good morning, dear readers!

I have been busy working on a few projects, but have not reached a point where they are ready for sharing.  Since the projects are still in progress, how about a peek at some of the accents and foundations I'm using?

 

 

Here is a selection of vintage celluloid flowers I acquired from a friend who recycles vintage jewelry of all sorts.  I'm still trying to talk her out of the celluloid magnolia blossoms!  But the ivory roses and cinnabar lillies are pretty.

 

 

These are a few of the vintage buttons I'm using as foundations for Romantique motifs.  They all come from my great grandmother's very large button stash.  I don't think she ever threw away a button, hook & eye or snap.  Now, I'm reaping the benefits of her treasure boxes!

 

I am still hunting for my deep burgundy velvet fabric length.  It has hidden itself some place and I am at a loss.  I'd really like to use some of it to make some yoyo hearts.  I did find the ivory watered taffeta, red silk shantung and pink satin.  There are even some brocades tucked in the misc. remnants drawer that may make good yoyos.

 

Well, I am getting back to tatting and beading.  Hope you have a wonderful day full of tatting goodness!  Until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!

 

 

 

 



Romantique Motif No. 1

Romantique

Good morning, dear readers!

We had a weekend full of yard cleaning, cooking and fun.  Jim can sure grill some fantastic hot links and chicken!

 

I had a very productive tatting weekend.  Here is the finished Romantique Motif No. 1:

 

 

I am considering doing one more perimeter round and have not decided what to use a the center accent.  A Swarovski rondell or an Akoya pearl?  What do you think?

 

Today, I am working on a couple of pendants that feature button foundations.  They will be revealed later this week.  One may even be the next FREE pattern.

 

Well, I need to get the kid to school and get on with my tatting.  Hope you have a great day & until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!

 

 



Romantique

Romantique

Good morning, dear readers!

 

February is here!  The theme this month will be "Romantique".  I am very much a romantic at heart who loves to express romantic whimsies with my tatting.  Festoons of lace dripping with pearls, beads, Swarovskis and such are going to be featured.  And of course, there will be more tatting with antique MOP buttons- I already have 2 designs in the works with some gorgeous buttons!  I have even dug out the Clover yoyo makers shaped like hearts along with some velvets and romantic print fabrics.  Be sure to watch the blog for all sorts of goodies this month!

 

 

Here is a little something I began last night using Valdani Luxury Pearl Silk in S14 (Roses) with burgundy rainbow Czech seed beads and bubblegum rocailles.  I'll finish fleshing this one out today and work on a few other projects this weekend.  Even with the SuperBowl on Sunday, I plan to get a lot of "Romantique" tatting done.  What are your plans for the weekend?

 

Well, I have some buttons and pearls waiting for me in the Atelier.  Time to get busy tatting!  Have a marvelous weekend & until Monday~

Happy Tatting!