Showing posts with label Elizabeth's Garden. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Elizabeth's Garden. Show all posts

Tuesday, December 5, 2023

Just a Couple of Birds

Design - "New England Reindeer Sampler"
Designer - Elizabeth's Garden
Fabric - 36 count Creme Brulee R & R linen
Fibers -Needlepoint Silks - 1 stand over 2 threads
Started - 30 December 2011
Completed - 24 January 2012 

Just a couple of birds to share today.

A male Hairy Woodpecker.

There's the red on the back of the head.

Meanwhile, a small female Downy Woodpecker waits her turn.

Monday, December 21, 2020

Reindeer and Woodpeckers

Design - "New England Reindeer Sampler"
Designer - Elizabeth's Garden
Fabric - 36 count Creme Brulee R & R linen
Fibers -Needlepoint Silks - 1 stand over 2 threads
Started - 30 December 2011
Completed - 24 January 2012 

A few woodpeckers
Male Downy

Male Acorn

See all the holes in the tree? 

Male Flicker

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Rain and Reindeer

Design - "New England Reindeer Sampler"
Designer - Elizabeth's Garden
Fabric - 36 count Creme Brulee R & R linen
Fibers -Needlepoint Silks - 1 stand over 2 threads
Started - 30 December 2011
Completed - 24 January 2012

The design called for two strands of NPS, but I decided that looked too bulky with the 36 count linen.  I used one strand over two threads, and am pleased with the coverage.  I think this is an extraordinary design.  It uses just two colors - and repeats motifs over and over - and manages to create a wonderful bit of thread art!  I guess the symmetry of the piece is pleasing to my eyes.

Well, the rain began at 4:30am Tuesday morning, and it hasn't let up since.  You'll need a raincoat and wellingtons if you're going to join me on today's walk.

Unlike the other Oaks on our property, this small Oak has kept its leaves all through the Fall and into Winter.  I've walked over to look at it a couple of times and it is alive.  It must be some kind of hybrid pin-oak.  I wonder what critter dropped the acorn and from whence it came.    

The Hazel Catkins flutter in the wind and rain.

Besides the catkins, the Hazels are forming buds.

On a rainy gray say, this patch of chartreuse moss glowed.

The Osoberry (Omeleria ceraisformis) is one the earliest plants to bloom in the Spring. It too is setting buds.  Last year it was in bloom in April - you can see a photo with this link. 

The Pussy Willow is also forming buds.

I think this small bunch of moss and lichen would make for a charming hummingbird's nest! 

The Green Tree - Leafless but green!
This Ash tree is in dense shade.  Moss has covered all but the tips of the branches which still retain seeds.

That's it for our walk today, it's time to come in out of the rain.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

A Snowy Stroll...A Winter Walk

With the Wintry weather of late, I decided to concentrate my efforts on "New England Reindeer Sampler".  I've finished up the center of the design and am almost done with the remaining olive colored motifs on the outer perimeter.  Then, just a few more reindeer...  

Put on your mittens, let's take a Snowy Stroll.

Monday morning we awoke to the signs of a Stealth Snowfall.

The trees, small and tall were freshly coated with white.
The sky was blue-gray and the temperature cold - 22F.

The cold temps crusted the snow and made for a perfect surface to record tracks.  Here you can see the bird tracks beneath our Big Bird Feeder. 

The snow caught in the Pines branches...

...and the Fir boughs.

Nature can 'flock' a tree to perfection!

I liked how the snow delineated each and every branch.

This set of tracks was my Big Find.

They began in one of our lower meadows, and strolled up our driveway, to the Big Bird Feeder where I lost them.

Based on their size, and my sister hearing a 'close-up' coyote earlier in the morning, I decide these are coyote tracks.  He was probably hunting an early morning bunny or quail.  The coyotes are one of the many reasons we attempt to make sure our two Outdoor Cats are inside from dusk to dawn.

The teasel looked pretty with snow...

...as did the spent Cow's Parsnip.

See, if you don't take down your Christmas lights, sooner or later you are rewarded with a lovely Winter scene!

Well, I'm cold and my nose is red.  I think a cup of Hot Chocolate is calling my name..."Beth....Beth".  Yes, I hear it!  Would you like one too?

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Reindeer Love Frosty Mornings

...at least I imagine Reindeer like cold, frosty mornings, wouldn't you?

I've worked a bit on "New England Reindeer Sampler".  It is stitching up pretty quickly, I'm just not working on it much.  I'm suffering from my usual "Project in Progress Fatigue Syndrome", whereby I'm much more interested in buying the chart, the fibers, the linen, and starting the project; than actually stitching it- because by then my attention has moved on to 1/2 a dozen other 'more interesting' stitches!

Sunday morning was a frosty one.  I'm not sure I've ever seen frozen dewdrops on the grasses before.

Frosty mornings appear to equal puffy quail.

Here are close-ups of my three bunnies.
Bunny #1

Bunny #2

Bunny #3.
All are big, healthy bunnies.
Tom-Cat and Parvati - let's make sure they stay that way!
No food with faces!

Monday, January 2, 2012

Frosty Morning

I've done a bit of work on "New England Reindeer Sampler" - one of my 2011 Stitching Goals pieces.  It uses only two colors of NPS, and goes faster with fewer colors changes.  I like the geometric nature of the design.

We ended 2011 (Saturday) with a very frosty morning.
The birds were puffed with down.

Junco

Chickadee

Big Bunny and his Quail Groupies.

The rabbits were snug in the briers. (Yes, three of 'em!)

The deer were shaggy-coated.

The cats...were inside!

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Christmas Chaos

Never let it be said that I can't multitask!  While in the midst of a wrapping frenzy, my mind was occupied with December cross stitching.  

I decided to change my December 2011 Stitching Goals piece to Elizabeth's Garden "New England Reindeer Sampler".  I've been on a reindeer rampage so thought this was fitting.  Will it be done before December ends?  Probably not, but that's just the way it goes.

Due to extreme Christmas panic frenzy chaos disorganization time constraints, I am postponing this week's Wednesday Walk.  I hope to have a post ready for Thursday.  But first I've still gifts to wrap!

As you've probably figured out by now, with my many 'collections', I could have my own episode of "Hoarders".  Have I mentioned salt and pepper shakers?

This is a group of Fitz & Floyd salt and peppers shakers.

The top row has Fitz and Floyd Santas, the bottom row has an assortment of Snowmen salt and pepper shakers. 

This time of year my Grandmother's hutch turns into "Snowman Central" with a mix of tins and salt and peppers shakers.   

Again, the top row has Fitz and Floyd Santas, the bottom row has an assortment of Snowmen salt and peppers shakers.

...and yet more Santa salt and pepper shakes.

No, I've never counted them - it would probably frighten me if I did.  And inexplicably, I've managed, year after year, to avoid buying a duplicate set.