MAGPIE'S MUMBLINGS

A blog about my interests, which include fabric landscapes and various and assorted other artsy pursuits and sometimes known to contain mumblings of a random nature.

Monday, February 28, 2022

Tah and Dah!!!

A finished landscape!

I introduce 'Cobwebs and Splinters


FOR SALE!



I decided as I worked on this one that I would attempt to keep loose track of how many hours I put into it and you might be surprised to learn that it comes pretty close to a hundred hours.  And they say I'm possessed!


I know we all feel pretty helpless to know what we can possibly do to show our support for the Ukraine.  Prayers, of course - but there has to be more.  Reading THIS post made me stop and think about the fact that we can help support a fellow artist in that country by purchasing their designs.  Yes, perhaps it's a mere pittance but if enough of us supported people in this way it would make a difference.  I am trying to decide which patterns I will purchase and make for our grandies.  Remember - if this particular artist isn't your 'thing', look for others who live in the Ukraine and do your best to support them.  (UPDATED TO ADD: I visited the designer and placed my order for several of her patterns.  Go HERE if you want to see the possibilities!).

- If you need to convert different embroidery flosses to another brand, THESE charts will be invaluable.

- THIS is rather pretty and could be created in a multitude of different colourways.

- Have a scroll through THESE - who knew paper could be so pretty!

- It's hard to believe that THESE are made from paper.





28 comments:

  1. Very nice!
    Great idea to support artists
    Paper quilling, great link

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you.
      And yes, there's not much we can do as individuals to support the people in the Ukraine but if we can purchase patterns online from individual artists at least we're helping in a small way. I know they can't mail anything through the postal service right now, but downloads are certainly doable.

      Delete
  2. What a beautiful finish on this (100 hour!!) piece of work!!
    I love the afghan project on your link up.
    We all would like to do something to help out Ukraine--thanks for the link hugs, Julierose

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Julierose - this landscape was definitely lots of fun to create.
      As for support for the Ukraine - I just finished ordering several of this designers patterns and will be stitching them for adding to the Christmas box over the next few months.

      Delete
  3. Ta Da! I love the title you chose. I was just reading another post somewhere about supporting Ukraine by purchasing digital files too. I think that's great that it will go directly to the artist instead of through another organization. I've been following All Things Paper for a long time - it's amazing what you can do with paper isn't it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know it's maybe a small thing to support one artist/designer but at least if it helps her buy food for her family it's a good thing. I know there are many more designers in the Ukraine, not just this one, and they all need our support.

      Delete
  4. I like your practical idea on how to help Ukraine. They have a huge tradition of embroidery and illustration, too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's not my original idea - but nevertheless I think it's a good one. If enough of us purchased digital downloads it would help at least some of the people there.

      Delete
  5. Your latest landscape is wonderful. Love the corner detail.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Mary Anne - it was fun to work on for sure.

      Delete
  6. Your landscape is absolutely gorgeous!! We used to keep old newspapers in our outhouse...all you had to do was crumple it up a bit to make it softer! LOL

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Old newspapers and the mail order catalogues - I guess we were lucky because I don't remember having to use either.

      Delete
  7. Very fitting name for your landscape. Great job too! And yes, I believe the number of hours you've spent on this piece as I've racked up many an hour on my work too.
    I think the people of Ukraine are in most people's thoughts. My sister-in-laws grandparents were from there.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The name suited, I thought!
      And yes, we can't help but think of the people of the Ukraine and what they're going through

      Delete
  8. Your finished landscape is amazing! I particularly love the whimsy of the embroidered flowers and sweet birds in the lower left corner. Fabulous name! One never quite knew what one was going to find when one hesitantly entered the "Thunderbox" as we in Australia called the outside "dunny". As for Ukraine, yes, I agree we all feel rather helpless watching the horrible images on TV. I love the idea of finding a Ukraine artist and purchasing something they have created.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Kim - I simply can't help myself and have to add embroidery somewhere on every landscape I do and flowers seem to be 'it'. Love the terms 'thunderbox' and 'dunny' - both terms I'd never heard here.
      I'm sure there are numerous designers in the Ukraine that we could help support right now. I ordered several patterns from the one I mentioned - can't wait to get started! Haven't done any cross stitch for quite awhile so I'm looking forward to it.

      Delete
  9. No doubt about it MA, you are brilliant at creating fabulous scenes. Love the pointer to the Outhouse.
    Love the purple border blending with the sky. I recall cut-up phone books when I was little... and 'Gusunders' in the house for night-time. I have a painted relic from several generations back but not in use now.LOL

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There's another new-to-me-term (gusunders) - in our household those were called 'cookie crocks' (no idea why or if it was a term only used in our family). I still have one and it serves as a plant holder.

      Delete
  10. Cobwebs and Splinters is fabulous! You have such a talent for these landscapes! xo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Awww - thank you Cathy. Methinks I'm just a tad obsessed.

      Delete
  11. WOW!!! Cobwebs and Splinters is your best landscape yet!!! So reminiscent of my youth. A true Labor of Love. Keeping track of your hours is a great way to shock even yourself. Quilling and I never got along well. I could curl those little strips of paper but then they never stayed shaped to create anything decent. These artists are amazing. Is Spring peeking anywhere near you?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Sherry - kind words indeed! Yes, I admit I was a little shocked when I totaled up the hours I spent. I know it's a lot but didn't realize it was that many.
      Quilling didn't work well for me either, but it is a beautiful art form.
      And no - there's absolutely NO sign of spring here yet!

      Delete
  12. I am not at all surprised that it has a hundred hours in it. It's beautiful! So much great texture and little details.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know each one takes a lot of hours but this is the first time I've attempted to actually keep track.

      Delete
  13. I was in here earlier in the week, but got sidetracked looking on Etsy for Ukrainian vendors. I forgot to come back and let you know your latest landscape quilt is stunning, Mary Anne. In the close-up I see what looks like embroidery floss laid down and stitched over. That wasn't obvious to me in the other pictures, even though I could see that bright orange color in the border. I love how it looks, and wonder if I'm seeing that correctly.

    Brava! Another beautiful creation.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think what you're looking at is pearl cotton (a bit heavier than floss) and then whipped with either floss or more peal cotton to give it more thickness and colour depth.
      It's easy to get sidetracked when investigating links (don't I know it!!)

      Delete
  14. Absolutely beautiful finish Mary Anne and what a good idea to support individual artists in Ukraine. It is hard to know what else one can do to help. Hugs Christine xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Christine. I like the thought of helping to support an individual in the Ukraine - yes, it's just one person (family) but if we all helped one or two people it would go a long way.

      Delete

Thank you so much for leaving comments! I appreciate you taking the time out of your busy life to talk to me. It's wonderful to know that someone is actually reading my mumblings and even more fun if I can connect with you and visit your blog.