Right around the middle of February, the winter blahs set in. It's mid-winter here, with another 6 weeks or more of the cold, the grey, and the snow.
So, to add a bit of brightness to last week, I began stitching in colour. At my local Embroidery Guild, we're creating felt works to sell at the annual Fiber Fest, raising funds for a local charity.
Introducing Cora Crow, a large, felt, pin cushion. She certainly has attitude, and I had a lot of fun embroidering and embellishing her.
I wanted to have her finished by Wednesday morning's Guild meeting.
Happily, one of the members fell in love with Cora and she's already sold. ;-)
I discovered, though, that I am allergic to the wool felt: every time I worked on this lady, I'd get blurry eyes and headaches.
Don't you just love those eyelashes?
Some more additions to the Wedding Piece. Nine more leaves and grape clusters were created, and I'm placing them on the right side.
I extended the main branch with tatted, curly stems.
More of the smaller leaves in subtle colours are needed, along with some tendrils and curlicues.
The top portion is almost finished.
Hope you've had a creative week.
Thanks for visiting.
Have a Happy Valentine's Day!
Hugs from Suz
So, to add a bit of brightness to last week, I began stitching in colour. At my local Embroidery Guild, we're creating felt works to sell at the annual Fiber Fest, raising funds for a local charity.
Introducing Cora Crow, a large, felt, pin cushion. She certainly has attitude, and I had a lot of fun embroidering and embellishing her.
Happily, one of the members fell in love with Cora and she's already sold. ;-)
I discovered, though, that I am allergic to the wool felt: every time I worked on this lady, I'd get blurry eyes and headaches.Don't you just love those eyelashes?
More of the smaller leaves in subtle colours are needed, along with some tendrils and curlicues.
Hope you've had a creative week.
Have a Happy Valentine's Day!
Hugs from Suz
I hate February, so it's a good thing it's a short month. Cora is very elegant, but so sorry she made you allergic. Can you get a synthetic felt if you make any more? Where (and when) is the Fiber Fest?
ReplyDeleteHi MA! I don't know about using a synthetic felt: I might just use fabric to make another. It means seams, but.......
DeleteFiber Fest is Saturday March 21 in the downstairs auditorium at the main Library in Peterborough. Last year there was a $2 charge to get in. Let me know if you need any more info. Maybe I'll see you there? Thanks.
Hugs
Cora is Fabulous and so happy she has a good home to go to since you are allergic to her. I remember all the cuff bracelets you made last year for charity. Bless you Dear. This wedding heirloom is truly coming together. You have poured your labors into it and the results are stunning. February is quickly waning...
ReplyDeletethank you, Sherry. Cora was fun to stitch...well, except for the allergy...lol! So glad you're getting some rain.
DeleteHugs
Cora is adorable! I'm sorry to read that she caused you so much trouble. The wedding piece is beautiful! It almost makes me want to get married again (have I posted that comment before?).
ReplyDeletelol! Several people have hinted they might marry again just to get a Wedding Piece.....! I may be tied up for a while on these...hahahaha. So glad you like Cora! Thanks Diane.
DeleteHugs
I love Cora the Crow, she is so bright and beautiful. Such a shame you are allergic to the wool felt Sue. Your wedding piece is growing more beautiful with each addition of your work. I love the finished heart, and that lace above it is gorgeous and very appropriate for its setting.
ReplyDeleteThank you Shirley for those lovely comments. Cora was fun to embellish, so I may make some more out of cotton. I am in love with the Wedding Piece......and I want to keep it.......sigh.
DeleteHugs
Cora would brighten any winter day! The wedding piece is just beautiful.
ReplyDeleteShe certainly brightened mine while I was stitching in those colours! Thanks, Jane.
DeleteHugs
I too love your crow and am sad you are allergic to the felt.
ReplyDeleteMe too, Penny! It's wonderful for crafting and not having to allow for seams. Oh, well, there are worse things to be allergic to, like chocolate! lol
DeleteHugs
Love your crow brilliant work, what a pity that you found out you are allergic to felt.
ReplyDeleteYour stitching is gorgeous, I can understand why you wanted to do some colourful work, It's another grey day again today.
Margaret
We've had quite a few grey days, but today the sun was shining. Mind you, it was cold and windy......The bright colours make the grey days more tolerable. Thanks Margaret.
DeleteHugs
Cora is wonderful, colorful and happy.
ReplyDeleteI just LOVE your wedding piece. Just exquisite. I am inspired looking at it. What a keepsake.
Happy Valentine's day ~ FlowerLady
Thank you, Lorraine. I had fun with Cora's colours. I'm making more progress on the wedding piece. ;-)
DeleteHugs
Cora...now that is a bird of a different feather! What a cutie and will be a pincushion that will not be misplaced! Those bright colors will be hard to hide in the messiest of sewing rooms.
ReplyDeleteThe wedding piece continues to grow in elegance and beauty!
xo,
Deb
Well, that's true, Deb, Cora is not a shy crow, and I think it would be hard to miss her, even in a murder of crows. I think I like her eyelashes best. Thanks
DeleteHugs
Cora is such fun! Do you embellish before or after stuffing her? Your wedding piece gets more and more stunning each time I see it!
ReplyDeleteThanks Janet! I embellish each piece before I stitch them together. I did add a couple of things once Cora was put together, but that can make hiding and securing all the threads a bit tricky.
DeleteHugs
Cora is a beauty! pretty eyelashes :-) Love your wedding piece Suz..so many elements to admire in this beautiful piece,great job!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Anita. You know, I think the eyelashes are my favourite part....... ;-)
DeleteHugs
She is so beautiful! Too bad you are allergic to working with the wool. Your wedding piece is coming along nicely.
ReplyDeleteThanks Wendy! I think Cora is a little bit sassy, too. ;-)
DeleteHugs
Cora the Colorful Crow is a delight indeed. How do you make out in the frozen North without wooly things to keep you warm? I'm allergic to it too! But I still have to wear thick woolen socks to keep my feet warm - just have to wear cotton ones next to my skin:) and the wedding piece is truly stunning.
ReplyDeleteThanks Starr! I stay warm with layers.......a cotton teddy under a cotton undershirt under a sweatshirt and long undies under slacks. Furry socks and shoes worn in the house. Sometimes I add a neck scarf, and when I'm really feeling the cold, I might add a hat, too. Thank goodness for central heating! Today it is bitterly cold -24C this morning and the wind chill factor means it feels like the -30's or -40's. So when I go out this afternoon, I'll add my hat, gloves, and maybe a scarf to my big, fake fur, winter coat. Sometimes a balaclava, if I'm staying out for a while, to protect my face. This winter, though, I'm not doing any shovelling or playing in the snow because of my knee, so it's mostly from the house to the car and the car to the store, unless it's out feeding the birds. Glad you like Cora!
DeleteHugs
Suz,
ReplyDeleteYou've won the blackwork class at needlenthread giveaway. Haven't you contacted Mary? I am asking since she mentioned it in today's post.
I meant to congratulate you on the same day it was announced, but somehow missed doing so..
Congratulations!!! :)
Love,
Deepa
Thanks Deepa. I did send her a message last week, but she didn't receive it. Now I've sent her several more--I don't want to chance missing out on that fab class!
DeleteHugs f
6 weeks, oh, you'll need to make your own color then! She's lovely. When I use up all my small pieces of fabric or rip some up & stitch away I get a runny nose, how can we be allegic to our work!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Emma! Cora was fun, but my eyes and head are glad I won't be playing with more felt. Darn! Yes, it is terrible to be allergic to those things we want to do! Here's to happy creating.
DeleteHugs
Cora is a very fine lady indeed!! I hope you had a lovely valentines day...twelve sacks full of cards at least!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Karen! No sacks of cards, but lunch out and sharing a Lindt Chili Chocolate bar made for a nice Valentine's. What about you?
DeleteHugs
What gorgeous work, such a shame you are allergic to the felt. Cora would brighten any winter's day! I hope the snow stops soon, we are waiting for the winter to arrive here, just to be rid of the very hot weather we are having! Chers
ReplyDeleteRobin, I'd be pleased to send you some of our cold weather, but it's been frigid. -24C again this morning. With the wind chill effect, it was like -41C! Brrrr. The snow has stopped for now, thank goodness. I'm not sure if there's more in the forecast for the next few days. It has been sunny, though, which is nice. Thanks for the lovely comments! Hope it cools down for you soon.
DeleteHugs
I love everything about Cora, Suz. Not surprised she was snapped up. The stump work is a credit to you. Such a fine job you re doing creating this heirloom.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Dianne! I am enjoying the process on the wedding piece--just wish I was making more progress. I need more stitching hours in a day..lol...
DeleteHugs