Rosalie FREE Pattern

Good morning, dear readers!  It has been a while since I posted a FREE pattern.  So... here is the Rosalie pendant from my Romance of the Piney Woods collection:

Rosalie is tatted with Valdani Luxury Pearl Silks in S204 & S78.  She is accented with six 4mm light rose Swarovski bicones, numerous matte burgundy Czech seed beads and a 6.5mm freshwater pearl.

This is a very easy pendant to tat.  It begins with a foundation of 6 interlocking chain rings:

Beginning with a size 8 tatting needle, Valdani Luxury Pearl Silk S204, 6 Swarovskis and 12 seed beads (which are strung in the following order: seed bead, Swarovski, seed bead) tat 6 interlocking chain rings all with the same count of:

11 very small - 3 - (with seed bead, Swarovski, seed bead) 3 very small - 11 CL

When you have tatted all 6 ICRs they should resemble the image above.  Tie a knot and leave a moderate length of both threads as you will be using these thread ends to anchor the pearl later.

For step two, still using Valdani Luxury Pearl Silk in S204, string 18 seed beads onto silk.  Tat as follows:

Run needle through very small picot to the RIGHT of bead cluster of ICR round.

CH 3 - (with 3 seed beads) 3 CL + to next very small picot and CH 5 very small - 3 small - medium - small - 3 very small - 5 CL + to next very small picot.

Continue around motif, tie & cut.

SPECIAL NOTE: before cutting the silk, you need to put a small dot of jeweler's glue or clear finger nail polish on the knot to prevent the silk from unraveling. Allow to dry, then snip.

After I cut the thread, I took the time to block & shape the motif.  This is a step that really helps keep your work neat and tidy.

Using Valdani Luxury Pearl Silk in S78, string 18 seed beads onto silk.  Tat the following to complete the pendant:

Run needle through very small picot to the RIGHT of the previously tatted picot set, pick up one seed bead with needle then

CH 5 - with 3 seed beads 5 CL (this will snug the seed bead to the base of the CH.  You may need to use your fingers to position it to your liking) + to next very small picot

pick up one seed bead with needle CH 25 CL

Continue around motif, tie & cut (remembering to secure knot with glue BEFORE cutting).

Now- to secure the center: using needle, thread one end and pull it to back of center ICR founation.  Unthread needle, then rethread it with the other thread end.  String on pearl and one seed bead.  Run needle back through pearl and center of ICR foundation.  Snug up pearl and seed bead to center of ICR foundation.  Flip pendant over, tie ends, secure with dab of glue, cut.  Add jump ring or pendant bail & voila~ Rosalie!

Well, dear readers, I have another goody for you.  A new giveaway event will be announced tomorrow and it will feature Rosalie- sort of.  I am going to expand her a bit and put my special Piney Woods touch on her.  So how do you like this idea?  I'm still contemplating the particulars- be sure to check out tomorrow's post for all the details! 

 Until then, enjoy the pattern &

Happy Tatting!

Frosty!

It was so nice and frosty in the Piney Woods this morning!  I awoke to a cool temperature of 26F and a beautiful frost covered everything- even the chicken coops.  For the first time this Fall, I had to scrape the windshield of the Jeep and warm it up before taking off.  I LOVE this time of year- Christmas music on the radio, cool temps, hot cocoa and busy tatting needles!  Yes, dear readers, I am in a great mood today.

I played with the Violet Meadows thread this morning and tatted this:

Here is the completed foundation with a simple chain round tatted after the ICRs.  When you tat more than 8 interlocking chain-rings, it really wants to twist on you.  There are 12 in this foundation, but I managed.  A little helpful hint is to block the ICRs and spritz with Mary Ellen's Best Press before proceeding to the additional tatting.

Believe me, this is really helps!

I was digging in the atelier and came across my box of Czech art glass buttons.  This green one looks nice on the Violet Meadows foundation.  I know it covers up the ICRs, but what do you think?  Should I include the button in the design of this piece?

The ICRs provide a good base for the button as it is quite heavy.  I had originally planned to make this a larger doily-like piece, but am now considering making it an accent for my grey wool cloche and doing another larger piece with the other balls I have of the Violet Meadows.  Comments???

By the way, I am still looking for those tiny mother-of-pearl buttons and can't find them for anything.  I wonder if the kid has been plundering in my atelier again...hmmm.

Don't forget to leave a comment on Tuesday's post or the Facebook post for your chance to win the Piney Woods Stocking Stuffer Event!

It's time for me to take Lily Fey for her run in the woods, so until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!



Puppy Dog Tails

I had planned to tat peacefully all day, but ended up untangling LOTS of thread and saying very unladylike things about my puppy dog's tail.  Lily Fey usually lays at the side of my tatting chair and only moves to give a warning bark to intruders or have her large head petted.  Well, I made the mistake of talking sweet to my daughter's dog, Harry. Lily Fey had to jump up, wiggle and vigorously wag her whiplike tail to show me how cute she is, when disaster struck...  her tail hit and knocked off my tray of bobbins (which are wound with Valdani 35 wt. and Sulky Blendables 12 wt. quilting cottons).  They crashed to the floor and bobbins came out of their little slots and unwound themselves all over the place.  I have spent the morning untangling said bobbins and wishing I had a couple more of the Clover bobbin towers (which are the most nifty-neato way to store your bobbins- I have 2 already).

As you can imgaine, my tatting mojo is almost non-existant today!  Lily Fey is sulking on her pillow, giving me her most pitiful "I'm sorry, Mama" look.  She is forgiven, of course, but she sure did put a huge kink in my plans.  Oh, well... at least my dog loves me.

I leave you today with an image of a work-in-progress:

Not much progress, but I did start the foundation of interlocking chain-rings before our "mishap".  This piece will be made using Valdani size 12 pearl cotton in M40 "Violet Meadows" and the planned accent pieces include 4mm Swarovski bicones in "Purple Velvet", Czech seed beads in "Matte Olive" and a selection of olive green dyed freshwater pearls.  Updates will soon follow.

SPECIAL NOTE:  Don't forget to leave a comment on yesterday's post or on the facebook post about the Stocking Stuffer Giveaway for your chance to win some nice tatting goodies!

Until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!



Preparing for Thanksgiving

I have been busy getting ready for Thanksgiving.  The kitchen is a mess- pots, pans and such are scattered everywhere as I've been preparing our goodies for tomorrow.

I did sit down for a few minutes this morning and tatted this:

It is a pendant tatted with Valdani Luxury Pearl Silk in color # S541 "Mauve Orchid" and is accented with a dyed fushia freshwater pearl, size 11/0 Czech seed beads in "purple/aqua" and 4mm lavender Swarovski bicones.  The center is an interlocking chain-ring foundation of 6.  This piece is a gift for an exchange partner.  I hope the recipient will be pleased!

The only other tatting I've done today has been to refurbish and repair some ornaments that have been in the family for many years.  I hope to get back to my Christmas designwork this evening.  Perhaps I shall have some new motifs to share with you soon and you just might want to be on the lookout for the first of my Christmas giveaways!

Well, I had better check on the pies in the oven- they smell like they are close to being done.  May you have a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with all that makes your heart sing!  Until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!



ICR, Part Two

For your enjoyment today, I have slightly elaborated upon the basic interlocking chain-ring motif featured in yesterday's post.  I used a size 7 tatting needle and Valdani size 8 pearl cotton in color M26 "Green Grass" (it was one of the colors in their fabulous "Two at Christmas" collection).  For accent beads I used 10 lime green size 11 Czech seed beads and 5 green AB finish Czech fire polish beads.  A medium sized gold jingle bell was used as a center focal accent.  The counts for the ICR foundation are the exactly the same as yesterday's motif:

R11- add beads 11 CL 5x for the foundation of piece.

To tat the accent round, run needle through top cap of ds to the left of the beads, CH 7 sm- med- sm- 7 CL + to the corresponding top cap on the other side of the beads.  CH 4, CL + to the top cap of the ds to the left of the next set of beads, continue around the motif.  After tatting the last CH, run needle from the front of the motif to the back.  Tie, cut & hide ends.  Add the jingle bell of other focal accent of your choice, or simply pull the ends through to the back, tie, cut & hide ends.

As you can tell, ICR foundations are easy to tat and offer a plethora of design options.  I enjoy using ICR foundations for pendants, brooches, doilies, and ornaments.  I hope you have fun playing with ICRs and would love to see your efforts.

Well, I must run- there is a break in the rain and I have many errands to see to.  Until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!



Interlocking Chain-Rings

After receiving several inquiries concerning the interlocking chain-ring foundations I use in many of my designs, I have decided to post a few images of the way I tat them. 

The example will be a 5 ICR foundation motif. 

The thread used in my example is size 5 DMC cotton perle in color #4025.  I used a size 7 tatting needle and 5 small silver jingle bells.

All rings are made with the following count: R11 very small - with bell 11 CL.

Thread your tatting needle and add 5 bells.  I am working off the ball of thread, but you may cut a long piece if that is more comfortable for you.  Tat as listed above.  Now we are ready to move onto the 2nd ring.  Place the needle tip through the R just made and tat the counts, LEAVING A SMALL SPACE OF THREAD BEFORE THE FIRST DS.  This allows the 2nd ring to wrap around the first ring and lay nicely.

Onto the 3rd ring, tatting as you did for the 2nd ring- LEAVING A SMALL SPACE BEFORE TATTING THE FIRST DS.  You will be leaving this space between all the subsequent rings.

The same for the fourth-

And the fifth-

The 5th ring is the last in this motif, so you will be closing it by sliding the stitches off your needle and BEFORE closing the ring, run the needle through the first ring made and close.

Pull the ring snug and shape the motif with your fingers.

Cut a medium length of the working thread and bring to the front of the motif and tie.  You may either run the threads to the back of the piece and hide the ends or leave the ends at the front for securing buttons, beads or whatever strikes your fancy to the front of the motif.

Shall I expand upon this little motif and add more to it for tomorrow's post?  Let me know if you would like this expanded into a larger motif!  I'd be happy to see what I can come up with.

I hope this has been clear and easy to follow.  If anyone has any further questions, I will do my best to help.  Another great source for tatting information is the Online Tatting Class conducted by Georgia Seitz.  There are also several online groups that are always willing and eager to help fellow tatters.

Well, I had better run- my husband (who is on vacation this week)  is on the back acreage of the Piney Woods working to clear the site for my future "tatting shanty".  I had better go take him a large glass of ice water and see what I can do to help.  Have a great day!  Until tomorrow~

Happy Tatting!