Kopachuck

Little L and I found ourselves without the boys today and decided to go for a picnic and one of the local state parks.  I admit I gripe about our gray days a lot, but there can be beauty in the infinite shades of gray.

On the other hand all this gray makes a million shades of green, even on a gray day in early autumn.

Not a bad way to spend a few hours. 

Sometimes you want something sparkly

Yesterday I finished a couple large, annoying reports that had prevented me from stitching much for a few days. When that weight lifted, I thought to myself, now I need to make something shiny.  Rooting through the stash, the silver thread and the navy fabric jumped into my hand and out came this jellyfish.

I still find it amazing how sometimes inspiration strikes and something I am proud of can be made in just a few hours, while so often the finished product takes months.

The "head" of this jellyfish is Angelina fibers and the background fabric is a gorgeous 35 ct HDF linen, which is now discontinued.  I really wish I had purchased more of this wonderful color when I had the chance.

 

The guts and tentacles are a big variety of silk and synthetic fibers.  With a few glass beads thrown on because there just wasn't enough sparkle.

My favorite part, besides how quickly this came together, is how it looks like a mess close-up but becomes a "thing" at arm's length.  It also really looked much more like a mushroom cloud during the middle stages but I decided not to take a picture of it at that point...maybe that could become a running game for the late-nite shows, "jellyfish or mushroom cloud?" ...maybe not, and these thoughts are a sign that I should go have that second cup of coffee... or just look at the sparkles some more...

Tidepool

Last night I put the final beads in on the sand around this crab.  I've "finished" this one three times, but have kept being unhappy with the result, but I think this time it is really done!  (Largely because I don't think I can cram any more stuff onto the fabric, haha).