McBride House Ravens

The Ravens have full and truly landed at McBride House.  About 2 years ago I made my first needle felted Raven and titled it "The Celtic Raven".  I've made various pieces similar to it but the first one, the one pictured below, is still my favourite.  I took the picture in my favourite cemetery, the cemetery at the church that I was married at, my parents were married at and my grandparents were married at.  It's the first piece where I thought "Hmmm... do you think that maybe I am an artist?".  So below, are some of the other Raven pieces I've made since, and stay tuned, because I have plans for many more!

THE STORY: My name is Raven. As I sit upon my Ravenstone I ponder in my thoughts. Some consider me a bird of ill omen others a mediator between life and death. I am both the symbol of the sun, and the symbol of a moonless night. The Scottish Highlanders, a brave and fearsome people, once associated me with the second sight and prophecy. My image flew on the banners of the pagan Danes and Viking ships as tokens of luck on their voyages. I am, however, a contradiction in terms; I am thought of a as trickster and a thief, a representation of death and doom. While conversely others think I represent magic, creation, healing, wisdom, and protection. I am especially revered by the creative type as I was a favouite bird of the god Lludd, the Celtic god of artists and artisans. I symbolize the void - the mystery of that which is not yet known. S mis Fitheach. My name is Raven.

THE STORY: The mighty warriors. The great war has begun between the Ravens and the Chipmunks. Evil little creatures with sharp white teeth began attacking the Fortress of the Raven's at dawn. Not being able to defend their palace, the Raven's have called to arms the fae folk of the forest. Great warriors with the hearts of a lion prepare themselves with merely a sword, shield and great bravery. It should be a quick battle now that these two forces have come together.  

The Ravens swoop and dive in amoungst the trees while the fae quickly cut the branches out from underneath the vile vermin. Don't let their cuteness fool you. Those chipmunks will eat you out of house and home, all the while sassing you from high up in their tree top refuge. Soon the battle will be done and the Chipmunks will retreat deep into the forest where they belong. The fae folk and the Raven's will soon rejoice knowing that good will always conquer evil.  Click here to see more!

I love to do add little warriors, tombstones, etc to my ravens but sometimes, if you are lucky, you can pick up just a single Raven from my shop!  Did you know that ravens are one of the smartest animals and they can mimic human speech? I haven't had time to train this fellow to talk but perhaps if he comes to your home you can give him a few lessons? 

This lucky Raven found a new home in Wolfville, NS!  I was doing a show for Fibre Fest in Amherst, NS and just finished this piece minutes before it was time to pack up and leave so I didn't get very much time to become acquainted with him.  I'm really hoping to take a trip down to Gaspereau Valley Fibres to visit him this summer!

THE STORY: One wears white, the other one black. One enjoys the finer things in life, the other enjoys a simple country life. One soars high above the thermals, the other dodges in amongst the trees. Even though these two are complete opposites in life they come together twice a day, just at that magic moment where day blends into night and then when night blends into morning. For the white one soars through the night and the black one soars through the day. They spend these few precious moments sharing their adventures, wishes and dreams before one settles in for their sleep and the other lives it's life looking forward to those few magic moments that they will share again. 

 THE STORY: It's Christmas eve and the night is lit by millions of shining stars. The air is cold and crisp and has the lingering smell of snow. With only the constellations to lead his way the Christmas Raven makes his journey across the night sky carrying a very important package. Little whoops of joy can be heard high above the clouds as they swoop and swirl amoungst the thermals. It's a tradition these two share each year after the packages have been delivered. Not only do they enjoy the freedom of flight but the freedom of stress as their work is finished. Soon Santa will climb back up on the Raven's back and they will descend back through the clouds and make their landing. Until then, they soar.

 THE STORY: Deep in the forest, amongst the majestic oaks, stands an ancient stone column.  Over the many years the oak trees have grown up around it and encircled it as if nature is reclaiming the etched stone itself.  It sits alone and has been long forgotten.   In all the years that it sits in it's solitary splendor there have been only two visitors.  They swoop in among the tree branches and alight on the greyed stone. They sit, look about and contemplate.  They cock their heads to the side as if listening to the other.   As suddenly as they came, they fly away, their wings whisper in the air "Mo Anam Cara".  You are my soul mate.

This one was inspired by Aesop' Fable:  The Fox and The Crow

A Fox once saw a Crow fly off with a piece of cheese in its beak and settle on a branch of a tree.
"That's for me, as I am a Fox," said Master Reynard, and he walked up to the foot of the tree.
"Good day, Mistress Crow," he cried. "How well you are looking today: how glossy your feathers; how bright your eye. I feel sure your voice must surpass that of other birds, just as your figure does; let me hear but one song from you that I may greet you as the Queen of Birds."
The Crow lifted up her head and began to caw her best, but the moment she opened her mouth the piece of cheese fell to the ground, only to be snapped up by Master Fox.
"That will do," said he. "That was all I wanted. In exchange for your cheese I will give you a piece of advice for the future: "Do not trust flatterers."

THE STORY: The Royal Raven. He perches on the highest tree top in the vast dense forest, his cloak blowing in the wind as he surveys his kingdom. Not only is he the Royal King of Ravens he has also been elected Official King of Crows and Rooks for no other can surpasses his wisdom, and few dare to try. He does not live the life of the pampered Royal Ravens in the Tower of London but instead is out amongst his kind fighting to survive. He teaches his subjects the ways of the world, intermingling ancient secrets and modern technology seamlessly. He stands at attention ready to swoop down from his perch to aid a fellow compatriot. He is the Royal Raven.

And that are some of the Raven's to have descended on McBride House!  Hope you like them and if you ever have any questions or would like me to make you one of your very own, just email me!