UNDER THE NEEDLE

I have been quilting the grasses on this piece for a couple of days now.   When doing this I have to take breaks as it is very tedious and there is a lot of eye strain involved.   I am almost finished and hoping to finish all of the grass by tomorrow morning.   I am using two different variegated threads one dark green and the other a tan light green.  It is working out nicely.

Grasses & A Couple of Labs

 Productive weekend due to rain rain rain.  2 inches last night...2 more tonight...flood warnings out...but we are high so no worries for us.   Then it changes to SNOW!  It better melt right away because tulips and daffodils are up now and grass is slightly on the green side.

So worked on the grass beyond the barn ...then the cultivated field...adding some lumpy dirt.  Next came the chopped grain stalks left due to flooded field.

In this process I thought this scene called for the two dogs who live here.  They are both Labs, Sophie and Tristan.   Although not in the original plan...you must admit they have added a great feel and a bit of charm to this piece.

Building

I have finished the basic parts of the boat and put it in to the scene in order to start  putting in the reeds and grasses around it.  Once those are quilted in I will return to the boat for some more of the details.  The idea of it is to look abandoned amongst the water plants so we will see how that works out.  But a good start.

Tomorrow we are going out on Crystal Lake with friends in their pontoon boat.  Crystal Lake is only about 5 minutes from us and is just like its name...crystal clear.  After our "cruise" we will go out to dinner.

Gotta love retirement!!!!

"Hootlet"

 "Hootlet"

17 inches X 26 inches

Rawedged fused applique

Machine Quilted

 This was quite the journey making this short eared owl known as a short eared Hootlet in Scotland.

 They like to make their nests low to the ground in grasses so my guess is he was guarding his territory.  I wanted to be sure his stare translated into that intense warning he was giving my brother, the photographer.

I am particularly happy with my bark on this stump.  It took lots of different scraps of greys and browns but I was happy with the results.

Hope you enjoyed this journery constructing this piece with me and watching "Hootlet" come alive.