Blog Giveaway - Silk Tatted Lace Bracelet

Yes, it's that day!  Blog Giveaway Day, and here is the item up for grabs:

This bracelet was made using Valdani Luxury Pearl Silk in color Wheat Husk.  It is adorned with Swarvoski Crystal Pearls, Swarvoski Bicones, and size 11 Czech glass gold seed beads.  It closes with a gold plated lobster claw clasp.  If you would like a chance to own this item, the rules are:

1)You MUST be a follower or subscriber to this blog, in order to be eligible. 

2) Just leave a comment on this post.  The comment could be about anything, the bracelet, what you're working on, or even how day is going.  :-)

3) I will leave it open for entry until next Tuesday, November 24, 2015 12pm EST.  So just leave your comment before then, and you are entered.

4) Once the contest is closed, I will write down all of the participants names, and put them in a hat.  My daughter will pull a name out of the hat, and that will be our winner.

Simple, and easy.  I really hope this bracelet finds the owner it is meant for.  I would much rather someone who was going to wear, or gift it to someone, have this, than for it to keep sitting in my stash unused.  :-(

I did finish the needle painted Rose, and have the piece soaking in cold water, and gentle detergent.  I plan to start the actual sewing tomorrow.  I will share some photos of the finished Rose tomorrow.

Today, I plan on working the Schwalm Sampler.  Maybe I'll even get it finished today.

Well, I have a hot cup of chai green tea waiting for me!  Good luck, and have a great day!

'Til Tomorrow

Happy Stitches!

Burgundy Rose Leaves

The Burgundy Rose on what will be a pincushion, is starting to bloom.  :)  Yesterday, I managed to finish stitching the leaves, and once again I have to mention how vibrant and fantastic the colors look against the snow white linen.  The colors that Trish Burr chose for this particular flower are somewhat reminiscent of a Victorian Christmas.  Here is a picture of the DMC floss required to stitch the leaves.  Pretty combination, isn't it?

 

After completing the stem and thorns, I outlined all three leaves with a split stitch.  I started with the smallest leaf, which wasn't difficult.  The stitches I made in order to use all the colors required for the shading were TINY!  I have really good vision, but even I had to break out the magnifying glass for this leaf! lol

I'm not 100% happy with the way the edges of the little leaf turned out, but all in all, I think it looks okay.

The second leaf was a little bit more difficult because of the turnover.  However, Trish Burr includes directional lines for the stitches in her outlines, so that certainly helps a lot!  Plus, the book is filled with hints and tips on how to change stitch directions, and work around curves.  Here is how the second leaf turned out:

The last leaf was the simplest, and I really love how the shading turned out.  In the book, Trish instructed to use a split stitch for the center vein, but I used a stem stitch instead.  I also added tiny little shadow stitches in the darkest green next to vein on the upper side of the leaf.

Last but not least, I added the stem that connects the two leaves to the main branch.  I also used a stem stitch for this.  I think the leaves came out well, and next, I get to the stitch the sepals.  They are pretty small, so it will for sure be more challenging than the leaves.

I plan on spending the afternoon working on the netting for the Irish Crochet Capelet.  I'll share some photos of it's progress tomorrow or Monday.  What are your plans for the weekend?

I've also decided on what item I will be gifting for my next Blog Giveaway, and here it is:

  

The bracelet was tatted using Valdani Luxury Pearl Silk in color S514.  It's a really pretty cream/beige/gold variegated thread.  The bracelet is adorned with 3mm Swarvoski Crystal Pearls, and 3mm Swarvoski Crystal Bicones, and closes with a gold plated lobster claw clasp.  The rules for the giveaway are simple.

1) You MUST be a follower of this blog to participate 

2) Just leave a comment on they days specified of the blog giveaway, and you will be entered.

3) After the specified time period is up, I will write all of the participants down and place the names into a hat.  Whichever name my daughter pulls out of the hat, will receive the gift.

I plan on hosting the giveaway early next week (Monday or Tuesday) and will leave it open for entry for a week.

Simple, huh?  Well, I hear my crochet hook and thread calling to me!

 'Til tomorrow

Happy Stitches!

Tatted Silk Cuff Winner

Good Afternoon!  Yesterday was a busy day.  We did some Spring cleaning, as well as some yard maintenance.  We are getting ready to plant some vegetables and herbs. . . I am so happy Winter is over, and I'll be able to start spending more time in the great outdoors.  :)

And of course, a winner for the tatted silk cuff was picked!  I wrote the names down, on carefully cut out pieces of paper (so they were the same size), and put them into a hat.  I had my 7 year old close her eyes, and spun her around 3 times, and pick a winner. . . 

Congratulations, JLH!  You are the winner of the tatted silk cuff.  I am so glad that this piece will finally have an owner that will love, wear and cherish it.  :-)  I am going to rewash and pin it today, and get it ready to send out to you.  Please email me at tatsallgina@gmail.com with your mailing info.  I will also send care instructions with the cuff.  Again, congratulations!

Thank you all who entered, and please don't forget there are lots more blog giveaways to come!  I will be hosting another one in the next week or so. :-)

Even with the housework, and gardening, I found time to play around with some Irish Crochet and Swarvoski pearls, bicones and Czech glass seed beads.  Here are some photos of the results:

Those are size 11, cream pearl Czech glass seed beads, and 4mm light cream rose
Swarvoski crystal pearls.

The little beaded center of this leaf motif was pretty simple to make.  I just crocheted a regular circle with a couple of rounds of single crochet stitches, and added the size 11 seed beads using a bead embroidery method.  I used size 100 Fincrochet in Ecru to sew the beads on.  I picked up 2-3 seed beads with my beading needing, layed the beads down to place them, and secured them with a backstitch.  Then I just sewed the little crocheted beaded circle to the center of the motif.  I'm not certain if this one will make it onto the capelet, as I am waiting for some size 15 rocailles that I ordered from Fusion Beads.  I think I will use size 11 and 15 seed beads to make these little beaded buttons for the capelet.  Here is a close up of the beaded center:

This little rose was super simple.  I strung 14 size 11 seed beads onto some ivory nymo beading thread, and kept threading through the beads until my beading needle wouldn't fit anymore.  Then I secured the thread ends with a square knot, and cut the tails off.  Then I made an Irish Crochet rose, starting with 5 chains, every two seed beads.

This adorable little flower is courtesy of Irish Crochet Lab.  I love this particular pattern, and will making lots more of them for the capelet.  I put a 4mm light cream rose Swarvoski crystal pearl in the center.

This little circle was made the same way as the seed bead rose circle, but I alternated 3mm Swarvoski light cream rose pearls, and 2.5 mm Golden Shadow Swarvoski bicones.  I attached it to the motif using couching stitches, and ivory colored nymo beading thread.

 And here is another rose made using a beaded center.  Those are 3mm Swarvoski light cream rose pearls, and 3mm Golden Shadow Swarvoski bicones.

It's been awhile since I played around with my jewelry making goodies, and I almost forgot how much I enjoy it.  I'll play around some more when my purchase from Fusion Beads arrive.

I spent the morning outside, so this afternoon will be devoted to some needle work.  Maybe I'll get a chance to work on some needle lace.  What are your plans for today?

Whatever they may be, I hope you all have a wonderful day!  'Til tomorrow. . . 

Happy Stitches!

Blog Giveaway - Silk Tatted Cuff

Good Afternoon, everyone!  Hopefully today will be the day that this silk cuff finds it's home.

I tatted it using Valdani Luxury Pearl Silk, in color Subtle Elegance, and it is adorned with size 11 opal silver lined delica seed beads.  If you would like a chance to own this piece, just become a member and follower of this blog, and leave a comment on this post and I will enter your name to be selected.  The winner will be selected on April 11, 2015 at 3 pm EST, and I will announce the winner on April 12.

I hope you have all been having a great day, and getting lots done.  I managed to finish  the little square Aemelia Ars motif for the handkerchief, and start the round one. . . I'm still not sure which one I will choose.

This little one was made using Fincrochet cotton size 50 in Ecru and a size 10 Piecemaker Embroidery needle.  All in all, I think it came out okay, and I can't get over how tiny and cute this little guy is. lol

The round motif is a bit bigger, so I decided I would use Fincrochet cotton size 30 in Ecru, with a size 9 embroidery needle.  I haven't gotten too much done on it, but I did complete one of the little loaves.

The rest of my morning was spent working on the Irish Crochet Capelet.  I've been sorting through my beads and pearls, to see which adornments will look best with the cream color of the thread.  I'm not sure if I want to keep it all cream, or add a little gold to the capelet.  I will take some photos of the different choices next to the motifs, and perhaps you will help me decide.

I've been looking through my stash, trying to decide what I should work on next.  I haven't made a Romanian Point Lace piece in awhile, and it's been ages since I tatted anything.  But I also want to practice my Venetian Point Gros, and try a Reticello tutorial or two. . . decisions, decisions. . . lol

Well, I hope you are all having a great day, and I really hope I find a home for the silk tatted cuff.  Have a wonderful day!  'Til tomorrow,

Happy Stitches!

Handkerchief Border Completed

Good Afternoon, everyone!  I completed the Aemilia Ars handkerchief border this morning.  I also picked out a couple of motifs to add to the center of it.  I kept to the loaf theme.  I couldn't decide on a round or square motif, so I prepared both patterns, and will make both of them.  They are fairly small, and I can always use the extra one for another project.  

Since the motifs are small, I will probably make 2 of the one I choose, and also add some drawn thread hemstitches to the piece, and perhaps some satin stitch eyelets.

After the stitching was complete, I had to carefully remove the fabric and lace from the pattern.  If I am careful, I can reuse this pattern again.  I use a seam ripper to cut the support stitches, and the stitches holding the fabric to the pattern, and very gently separate the piece from the cardstock pattern.  I use Hardanger tweezers to remove the threads and tufts from the lace, and the pattern.  If the piece were completely finished, I would have also removed the basting hem stitches, and carefully cut away the excess fabric, but since I am adding more lace to it, I left them in, as well as the stitches that mark the center of the piece.  The orange stitches will help me place the motifs evenly.

The border for the handkerchief is taught in detail in the Volume 1 Aemelia Ars DVD, as well as the rose motif on the cover.  It also comes with the printed patterns.  The DVD's are in Italian, but they also have English subtitles.  Along with the pattern tutorials, there is a section that teaches the basic stitches - Punto Smerlo (buttonhole stitches), Punto Chiaro (Venetian Knotted Stitch), Cordoncino (Overcast stitch), and of course, Picots.  It does have a section on how to change your thread, in different areas of the lace,as well as teaching you how to add support stitches, and lay the foundation threads (filo guida)

The Corso Base book is very well illustrated, but since it was written in Italian, and I had no previous experience with this technique, I had a difficult time following the instructions.  After purchasing the videos, and completing the projects, I am able to follow along and complete the patterns in the book (and there are quite a bit!)  I am also a visual learner. . . I learn better by watching someone do something as opposed to having someone explain it to me.

 The motifs that I chose for the handkerchief are from the book.  I printed out the patterns, cut them into circles, placed vellum paper over them, and whipped stitch them together.  Then I added the support stitches, and I was ready to start the lace.

They have a specific thread that they use for the support stitches, but it is not available in the United States, so if I can, I use a smaller size version of the thread I use for the lace.  For the motifs, I am using Fincrochet size 50 in Ecru, so for the support stitches, I used Fincrochet size 80 in Ecru.  This way, if any little tufts get stuck in the lace, it is not noticeable.

I did manage to get the little loaves done on one of the motifs this morning:

 I also managed to start the next band on the Schwalm Sampler, but I'll wait until I have a little more done to share photos of that.

I plan on working the Irish Crochet Capelet this afternoon.  I have the pattern fabric cut, and I will begin placing them to see how many motifs I will need before I can start the background netting.  What are your plans for the day?

And last but not least, be sure to come back tomorrow, as I will be hosting my first blog giveaway!  This will be the first piece featured:

Remember the rules to enter are simple.  Become a member or follower of this blog, and tomorrow just comment about anything that pleases you in the comment section of tomorrow's post.  I will write down the names of all entries, fold them, and put them into a hat.  My daughter will have the honor of choosing the winner.

I hope you all have a wonderful day!  'Til tomorrow.

Happy Stitches

Blog Giveaways and Schwalm Sampler Update

After writing about Organization and Storage yesterday, it prompted me look through my supplies, as well as through past projects.  I have quite a few pieces of tatted silk jewelry remaining in my inventory.  I love tatting silk jewelry, but sadly I don't really wear jewelry. lol

So I thought, why not try and find some of these things a new home where they might be worn, or gifted, or maybe even passed down to daughters and granddaughters.  The next few weeks, I will be hosting Blog Giveaways for the following pieces:

This tatted silk cuff was created using Valdani Luxury Pearl Silk thread in Subtle Elegance.  It is a gorgeous, gently variegated cream/ivory silk thread.  It is adorned with opal silver lined size 11 delica seed beads, and has a gold plated lobster claw clasp.

This tatted bracelet was also made using Valdani Pearl Silk thread in color wheat husk.  It is a subtly variegated thread using cream, beige and gold colors.  It also has 3mm cream rose Swarvoski crystal pearls throughout the bracelet, and rainbow lined gold czech glass seed beads, and a gold plated lobster claw clasp.

This Irish Crochet bracelet, is also silk.  The rose was crocheted using Purely Silk thread in Ecru, and the leaves were made using Valdani Pearl silk in Herb Garden.  The rose and the buttons (rings) are decorated with rose gold colored delica seed beads in size 11.  It also has a rose gold plated clasp.

 

And last, but not least this tatted pendant, which is also silk.  I used Valdani Luxury Pearl silk in a forest green color to tat layers of ruffles around the center piece which is a circle pendant comprised of white freshwater pearls and 4mm Swarvoski bicones.  The tatted ruffles are also adorned with 4mm Swarvoski bicones.

Now the rules for the giveaways will be simple.  Just become a member or follower of this blog, and leave a comment on the day of the giveaway.  I will write down the name of all entries, fold them and put them into a hat, and have my 7 year old pick the winner.  I will contact the winner, and put their goodies in the mail.  :)  I plan on hosting the first giveaway in the next day or two.  Hopefully, these pieces will find the home and owners they are meant for.  

Even with the inventory check (and Easter Egg hunting), I managed to get some needlework done.  I finished the Square Section of the Schwalm Sampler, and got a little more done on the handkerchief border.  Here are some photos of the Schwalm Sampler:

 For the left and right square, I left 6 fabric threads and removed the 7th both warp and weft.  The first square is decorated with kloister blocks similar to those in Hardanger. 

For the center square, I carefully removed all fabric threads. . . I just purchased a brand new pair of embroidery scissors, that I plan to use solely for removing and cutting small pieces of fabric.  This way I make certain the blades stay nice and sharp.  I prefer to remove all the horizontal threads first, then I cut the vertical threads.  I find I get a nicer edge when I do it this way, with minimal tufts of threads sticking out of the stitches.

I really enjoyed this square as it reminds of Reticello, which I have been wanting to try for awhile now.  After the fabric was removed, I layed 2 threads vertically, and needle weaved between them.  This part was simple for me, because there is quite a bit of needle weaving in Romanian Point Lace.

Then I layed 2 horizontal threads and repeated the needle weaving.  Passing my needle through the back of the buttonhole stitches, I layed three threads in the little quarter squares and needle weaved between those to get this:

The last part of this section were a few coral stitch tendrils, and it was done.

Today I plan on working the handkerchief border.  I did decide that I am going to make another small piece of lace to put in the center of the fabric.  I will look through the Aemilia Ars patterns that I have, and decide on a motif later today.

What projects or ideas do you have swirling around in your head?  It always seems as if there a too many projects, and not enough time doesn't it?

Well, it's time to make my girls lunch, and then after that, perhaps, I will have some time for a little needle work.  If you like, fill out the poll on what my next project should be.  I hope you all have a wonderful day, and don't forget to check back for the blog giveaways!

Happy Stitches!