I was stalled on this project for awhile, but have picked them up and been working on them the last few days. (Click photos to see larger slide show).
I just put this Cardinal on a block last night. I'm mostly happy with it. He will be sitting on a large branch, I think.....so I can avoid doing anything about feet or legs. None of my birds so far have legs :-)
I have been adding to the Goldfinch block. I felt it needed more white on the wings and tail, but think I over-did it. I like the wings, but may take a black marker and do away with most of the white on the tail. I just added the thistles in the lower left....one of the Goldfinches favorite flowers :-) I gave him a sunflower, too above him and wheat to sit on (without any legs :-)
This has been my "stumbling block"....best name I can give it! I made the pansy and didn't like it. Stared at it for days trying to figure out what to do to like it better. Then I added a hummingbird....didn't like it either! This block has been a cursed one....and cursed often. I've been adding thread to the hummingbird to give him texture and shiny highlights, and like it better, but this photo doesn't show it very well. Maybe if you click to make it bigger. Did more work on the pansy, too and begin stitching the seams to draw the eye away from both of them!! Sigh...this will be the block I never like, I am sure.
The woodpecker block....I began embellishing it. I found the neatest book about embroidery and tried an idea from it...the circle thing. The book is by Brian Haggard and he has a blog. I also tried to make it look like the woodpecker was pecking a hole...so-so, but acceptable. Stitched a few seams. I now have seven blocks out of the twelve started! I think a raccoon block will be next to give me another mammal to go with my squirrel block. Since I just photographed a raccoon family, it seems fitting to make one on a block.
I do enjoy working on this and am glad I got (sort of ) past my "stumbling block"...a.k.a. the "pansy and the hummingbird". I'm looking forward to seeing what I decide to do with these block eventually. I'm thinking a black fabric to sash them and borders. Will have to start looking for pretty floral black fabrics or what ever I think might look good with these......oh, boy.....a shopping trip!
