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 12, 2024

Those pesky squirrels!

 Over the weekend I suffered from an extreme case of procrastination over starting the new landscape and instead these happened... 



I've never ventured into felting using those instruments of torture they call felting needles but I was gifted with a fun kit to attempt to make this little snowy owl for Christmas.  I mustered my courage and had a go.  Not perfect but I like him (and, remarkably, my fingers are still intact!).  The kit was this one....




Then another squirrel went scurrying through my sewing room and I ended up creating a a book of samples of all the fancy stitches on my Janome sewing machine.



There are several pages similar to this.




- THIS is a rather different design that I really like.  Might have to make one or two of these for the Christmas box.

- I'm not a shawl person but I might be tempted by THIS one.  

- If your wooden spoons and cutting boards are in need of a little lovin' perhaps you'd like to make some of THIS (would make great gifts too!).  Finding that little gem led me to finding THIS too. (never let it be said that sometimes you find the oddest things when you explore these links!)

- I thought THIS was an interesting article.  Another of those 'who knew?' things!

Today's quote..."The reason most people fail instead of succeed is that they trade what they want most for what they want now"



22 comments:

  1. What a cute Snowy Qwl you've felted!! I have never tried needle felting--though it dies look fascinating...good job...hugs, Julierose

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    1. Needle felting isn't something I expect to take up but it was fun to play with this little guy. I'm wondering now if I could attempt needle felting onto one of my landscapes if the situation warrants it.

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  2. The wood preserver idea is great. I usually oil wood furniture with olive or avocado oil, but I will now add in the chunk of beeswax from my embroidery supplies to make a new supply. I have several desperate looking pieces to oil.

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    1. I don't know if the wood preserver actually works but it seems like it should. Will definitely be trying it here too.

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  3. Anonymous10:58 AM

    He is so cute!

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  4. Your snowy owl is a charmer!

    The shawl link, that's a nice pattern. I use shawls indoors, and, when it is really nippy outside, I sometimes have a shawl around my shoulders under my coat. It is amazing how the extra layer on my upper back keeps me warmer.

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  5. For some reason blog-grrrrrrr is pitching a small fit and won't let me respond individually to your comments....so....thank you to the Anonymous commenter and to Salty Pumpkin Studio - thank you. The wee owl is a little on the thin side - poor thing hasn't been getting enough to eat. I like the shawl but I don't wear them but it would surely make a nice gift for someone who does.

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  6. Those pesky squirrels. Amazing how much they get done. Love, love the cute owl.

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    1. Yes, those squirrels get me in more than enough trouble!

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  7. I envy those who do felting. So many wonderful things like your owl can be made. Nice book of those fancy stitches.

    God bless.

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    1. I enjoying making the owl but felting isn't something I expect I'll take up in the future. I don't need another stash of 'stuff'. I might try using the technique on one of my landscapes at some point, just to see if I can.

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  8. I have tried needle felting also, It's not for me, but I enjoyed doing it. Love your owl, you did a lovely job.

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  9. Your owl is so cute!

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  10. Blog-grrrr has something stuck in its craw again. I could respond directly to two comments and now it's gone buggy again. So... Thanks Gill - I'm glad I tried felting but I don't think it's my forte. I'm too darned scared I impale myself with those sharp needles!
    And thanks Vicki - I rather like him too.

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  11. The stitch book is a great idea, and very neatly done. I like your little owl, too. I needle-felted buttons for a knitting project once, and was pleased with the colors and the process. But I needed more practice - ended up with 4 buttons of different sizes :)

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    1. I can see why it wouldn't be hard to get buttons of different sizes because I had an awful time getting the eyes even on the owl.

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  12. Anonymous8:50 PM

    Sherry of createology: MA your felted Owl is precious! Amazing your fingers survived. I only made one felted hedgehog for a friend and it was my last one. You are very smart to make the journal of decorative stitches for your sewing machine. Thank you for then links and quote. Happy Valentine’s Day tomorrow.

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    1. Yes, my fingers actually came out of felting unscathed. I was surprised.
      I think the stitch journal will be used a lot so it was worth the time to create it.

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  13. That is a very respectable first felting project! He's a cute little owl. And your stitch book is a great idea. Are you enjoying your Janome?

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    1. I was pleased with him - for a first try I didn't think he turned out too badly. And yes, I certainly am enjoying my Janome. Well worth waiting for!

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  14. I love snowy owls and yours turned out great! I know what you mean about those needles being treacherous. I think I only got myself once when I did my little bird kit I got as a gift. It is fun to do but I'm not jumping into more of it until I use up some of what I already have. That stitch book is awesome.

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    1. I love snowy owls too (any owls, really) so it was fun to work on this one. I was very mindful about those treacherous needles as I worked and count myself lucky that I didn't do any bloodletting.

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