Bears Have Come to McBride House

Winter has been very long in this part of the world.  He's been patient. Oh so patient. In the fall, when the first nip of snow is in the air he happily settles down for a long winter's nap. His bed, made from a large dug out tree in a secret location, is made with care and he looks forward to settling down until the snow of winter magically evaporates. The snow comes and he lumbers in, lays down, rests his head on his paws and sleeps. He sleeps, and sleeps, and sleeps until finally his internal clock awakens him and he raises his great head, stretches, shakes and sticks his nose out the hole.

WHAT?! Why is there still snow, not only on the ground, but covering every shrub, rock and tree in sight? He shakes his head and ambles back in and sleeps some more. This happens again, and again. Finally, long after the first day of spring has arrived, he dons his warmest scarf, packs his bags, and says "I'm outta here." Where is he going I do not know, but it's got less snow than here.  To see more pictures click HERE.

And then there is this very content bear with this winter.

He is a bear of great determination. Having seen the need for his fellow bear population to produce their own honey, he sets his mind to figure out the mystery behind it. There has long been a rift between the Bee Clan and the Bear Clan and Mr Bear is tired of getting his paws stung while trying to obtain the delicious elixir of life called honey.

He reads the books, studies the plans but alas, he should be reading a book on how to "mend fences" instead. I'm afraid making honey is simply for the bees, and not for the hair covered bear!

Here Be Dragons.... Needle Felted Dragons That Is!

I grew up reading about King Arthur, the Knights of the Round Table, and... dragons!  Oh how dragons fascinated me!  Small ones, large ones, kind, evil, it didn't matter, I loved dragons!  Luckily today I found a medium to express my still love for the great winged beasts.  Above is Winter Sun.  He flies only on the those rare winter days when the sun sets pink and dances like stars in the bright white snow. He sweeps and swerves in the sky knowing he is but a speck in the glow of the sun. He comes from a rare breed of dragons who make their home in the Northern hemisphere and not only like but thrive in the cold frigid temperatures.  You can read more about him here.

Next is Wegelagen.  He is a rare breed of German Wall Dragons. Roughly translated, his name means ambush, and that is exactly what he will do. He is a protector. Silent by nature but deadly by force he is meant to deceive any intruders of the house. Be it that sneaky little mouse or the ill behaved dog, Wegelagen will watch over and report back to you all that he sees is amiss. Be careful though.... he is not shy and will gladly tell you when you too have been naughty.  You can see more pictures of him on my Etsy shop here.

This is another favourite that I created.  His name is Bracken and he comes in silently, barely rustling the leaves as he glides through the trees, gently landing on the soft forest floor. He is what the Norse people once referred to as a Foliage Dragon. Unlike his fiery brethren he does not breath fire. This, however, must never be mistaken for a weakness, for foliage dragoons are fierce hunters and do not like to be crossed. Normally shy by nature they are camouflaged perfectly in amongst the vegetation of the wild. More than likely you have come across a Foliage Dragon without even knowing it. That little tickle at the back of your neck while you are walking, that sense that someone is watching you? That, my fine friend, is a Foliage Dragon watching over his Kingdom.

 On the more whimsical side is this Book Dragon.  He sits. Hours after hours he sits in silent splendor. He has hidden himself amongst the vegetation on the mighty cliff in which he resides so that no one will disturb his reading. His mind races to keep up with vivid images of King Arthur and the Knights of the round table.  He sits. Hours after hours he sits in silent splendor. He has hidden himself amongst the vegetation on the mighty cliff in which he resides so that no one will disturb his reading. His mind races to keep up with vivid images of King Arthur and the Knights of the round table.

He is enthralled with the tales of noble knights, brave steeds, and lovely maidens. His great ancestors paint the pages with their fiery breath and their tales of glory. He longs to be part of their legacy. He is the keeper of the books, the keeper of legends. He alone is responsible for keeping the tales alive. Some day, perhaps sooner than later, this little brave Book Dragon will inspire great legends of his own. For now he is content with his cliff and his books. What more could a Book Dragon ask for.

These are just a few of the dragons that I've created over the years since I started needle felting so feel free to check out my Etsy shop, McBride House, to see some of these dragons and don't forget to look at the sold section to see more.   And please feel to to custom order a dragon too!  I would love to take your vision and bring it to life!

Something Wicked This Way Comes- Needle Felted Jack-o-lantern

Something Wicked This Way Comes... I simply wanted some pumpkins of my own for Halloween this year. As I watched them grow each one turned out cute and round and full of promise.... except for one.  Something went terribly wrong with this seedling. As it grew it became more and more gaunt, it's lines began to set in deep furrows.

What did I do wrong with this pumpkin? I talked to it, encouraged it, just like I did to all my other pumpkins. Feeling like I had failed this little seedling I hung my head and went into the house for the night. The next morning I went out to the pumpkin patch hoping whatever was wrong with this guy had righted itself.

I was wrong. In front of me sat a pumpkin with an evil grin and teeth baring at me. Fearing what he was going to say to me I braced for the worse. His lips pulled back with a creaking moan and his black eyes bored a hole in me.

Finally he spoke "Ummm... would you mind chasing this spider off my stem? His feet are very furry and he's tickling me!" Lesson learned; Never judge a pumpkin by his grin.

  I would like to introduce to you the County Fair blue ribbon prize winners for the category of cheer leading...

 Gordon Ramsey, Hamilton Pig and Sir Clucks-a-lot!

 An unconventional group of cheerleaders but with a baa here, an oink there and a little clucking these three rose to fame with their famous interpretation of the cheer leading pyramid!

 To see more about them click HERE!

Needle Felted Green Man

 Deep in the woods there awaits a special soul ready to emerge from his sleepy winter slumber.

 He dreams of the time of year when the buds will burst, the flowers grow and the trees to spread their leaves to the skies above.

 Sun will soon pour down on his secret nest and awaken him to the songs or robins, singing his name to help bring green back to the barren earth.

Yes, soon the Green Man will rise and Spring will be here again.

My Name Is Raven

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. 

Spring is here, Spring is here!

I planted some seeds that I found in a long neglected package. I really didn't know what they were but I thought I would give them a chance to see life and grow.

I watered them and took care of them. Most of the seeds turned out to be spindly things that immediately went out into the compost to live out their lives. But one seed was special. I watered it daily, talked to it and generally took great care of it.

It grew and grew and finally a bud began to form. Each day I waited with baited breath wondering just what this little treasure would grow into. Finally one morning I came down and what should I see but this beautiful red bloom smiling back at me!

He spoke with such ease and elegance and thanked me for taking such good care of him. He reminded me we all need to take care of one another. If we do then beautiful things will come from it. Well said Red Bloom, well said.

To see more about him click HERE!

Needle Felted Tudor Tree House

 As the leaves start to fall an amazing site is revealed in the large oak tree bordering my property. Each day I make the journey to the tree and tip my head back to the heavens and gaze at the curious site.

 As the days pass I realize it's a tree house. And not an ordinary tree house. It's a stunning Tudor style house built with such precision and love. Who on earth built it?

 Day after day I sit quietly under the canopy, barely breathing hoping to catch a glimpse of the skilled carpenter but alas, I have not been blessed by his presence.

Perhaps I will catch him doing maintenance this Spring. For now, I sit and dream of living in such a splendid house.

Click HERE to see more!

The stars are bright, the night is crisp and Old Man Winter is over looking his domain.  

 In the morning every branch will be coated in a soft layer of snow, the ground laden with the white stuff.

The kids will awaken to frosted panes of glass on their bedroom windows and will excitedly peer out them wondering if it will be a snow day.

 The parents wonder what will be in store for them; a day of sliding, skiing, snowshoeing?

Perhaps it will be a day curled up by the fireplace sipping hot chocolate and reminiscing about their own childhood memories of winter.

Regardless of the days event, one thing is known for sure...Old Man Winter sure does know how to make this world we live in a little bit more beautiful.

Once upon a midnight dreary... Edgar Allan Poe

 This is my tribute to the great Edgar Allan Poe.  Even though very dark at times, a master of the written word.

"And the raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting
On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door;"

 "And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming,
And the lamp-light o'er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor;"

"And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor
Shall be lifted - nevermore!" Edgar Allan Poe from The Raven

More details to come... stay tuned but for now check out the rest of my items at McBride House.