Needle Felted Green Men

One of my favourite things to make are Green Men.  Wanting to make more than just the traditional greened leaved green man I've expanded my line to include all four seasons.  Below are just a few of the green men that I've created over the years!

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 spread their leaves to the skies above. Sun will soon pour down on his secret nest and awaken him to the songs of 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.

A horned version of the great man.

A purse version that went to a very lovely and excited woman from the Amherst, NS Fibre Fest sale.

A little brighter version make with merino wool.

This one is currently available at my shop!

The very first one.  This one will always hold a special spot in my heart as he was bought by a very great man who will be dearly missed.

The days are getting longer and little bits of green are beginning to spring forth from beneath winters weary carpet. There is a feeling of renewal coming that is simmering just beneath the surface. The sap is flowing in the trees, maple buds are beginning to show their red tips and the geese fly overhead morning and night.

Soon laundry will be flapping on the line, children will be jumping in mud puddles and skipping with their new skipping ropes. And deep in the woods the Spring Green Man watches it all unfold.

Now the days are getting shorter and the leaves are beginning to change from their luxurious greens to the most spectacular reds, oranges and purples. There is a crispness to the air and even though it's the end of the summer it feels like the beginning of something new.

Flannel sheets will soon go on the bed, kids are anxiously awaiting the first day of school and the apples are red, ripe and ready to be picked. And deep in the woods the Autumn Green Man watches it all unfold.

 I always loved the expression of this one!

 This is the first Fall Green Man I made.  I had the idea and he came to life on a bus trip to Quebec City.

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.

This is a newer version of the Winter Green Man and he is available at my Shop!

The Owls Have Landed at McBride House

The owls have descended onto McBride House in all shapes, colours and functions.  This little one is a staple at McBride House and has had a few sisters created in her likeness.  So far we have had Owlene, Owlese, and this little one is Owlette.  She's a pretty little owl. She spent hours getting her bow on just right, asking me time and time again to adjust it just so. Standing in front of the mirror primping and preening she finally decided that the bow is perfect and it's time for her portrait. She stands and looks up at the light knowing this is her best side. Click, click, click goes the camera all the while her little tail feathers quiver with excitement.

Next is Darby McBride who is a St Patrick Day Owl.  He's quite the dapper fellow who is a very quiet owl that just loves to sit and watch the goings on. He requires very little maintenance and would make a fantastic house owl.

 In the same bred of owls, comes these two.  Another St. Patrick Day Owl but with a little rider!  And guess what?  They did it, they did it! They found the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow! Mr. Leprechaun proudly hugs his treasure knowing he is safe and secure riding on the back of his pet owl. What the two of them will do with all of this gold I do not know but I'm sure with the influence of a wise owl, they won't spend it frivolously.

 

Next is the Book Owl. Did you know that back in the deep recesses of the London Library lives a whole family of owls? This particular owl is named Darby and he and his siblings fly about at night putting all those books away that the librarians cannot reach. They twist and turn about the tight corridors all the while looking for the perfect matched hole for their books. Once they find the correct spot the mice take over and slide the book into it's own spot... but that, my dear friends, is another tale.

It's an exciting day for Mr Owlistare and his son, Hoot. They've waited and practiced all year and today is the day. They gather their belongings and Mrs Owlistare, or better known as Luna, lovingly wraps a scarf around each of their necks and gives them a peck on the cheek as she bids them farewell.  You can read a lot more about these two and their grand adventure HERE.

 

Owlivia is a pretty little owlet that dreams of becoming a ballerina but knows with her centre of gravity being what it is, tap is more up to her skill level.

To see these owls and other creations come on over to my shop, McBride House!

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!

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.

Rare Wildlife Captured....

 As I was walking by my window this morning I stopped dead in my tracks.  What was that lump in my crab apple tree?

 Much to my surprise it was my adorable little Frosty!  No reason for him to be up there that I could see.

 He was just hanging out.  Checking out his domain....

 Oh!  He notices me taking pictures of him.  Time to come down.

Do I hear "treats" being rattled in their bag?  We call this little guy our "little crazy white monkey"... do you see why?

First Snowfall of the Season

I awoke to the most wonderful thing this morning... the first snowfall of the season.  Just enough snow to make everything sparkle with the anticipation of the company season.

 And when the sun finally shone on our winter wonderland it was too beautiful to stay indoors.

 Mom and I bundled up like a couple of pumpkins and went for a walk, breathing in the freshness of the air.

 We weren't the only ones out this morning.  Who says deer don't cross bridges?

 The bridge crosser?

Does it get much better than this?  Three deer laying in amongst the snow and trees trying to find a patch of sun to keep warm.

 And what better sculpture than this to list today!  Santa and his new little friend.

 He always knew from a young age that he loved Polar Bears. Every waking moment was spent studying, observing and wishing one was his.

Then, one fateful day, it happened. A baby Polar Bear wandered into Santa's village and from that moment on he knew he would never again long for a bears friendship, he would never be lonely, he would never be cold again. Companions forever.

Snow and More Needle Felting

Life lately consists of snow, needle felting, snow, needle felting, snow.... well you get the point.  It's been a tough winter this year and there just doesn't seem to be an end in sight.  Just when we think it might be at the turning point, BAM another snowstorm.  But that means lots and lots of time to needle felt and to day dream of new ideas.

One of my newest sculptures in my Lion Gentleman.  He quite fancies himself after his hero Einstein.

He even combs his hair the same way!

Alistair was a chubby child and was teased as a little boy.

 As he grew up, however, he became the handsome Elephant Man that he is now.

 Considered to be the envy of his peers he constantly sports a tuxedo, top hat and cane. Nobody is teasing Alistair now!

 Now for the snow.... lots and lots of beautiful snow.

 See that little bump behind the icicles.... by the trees... that's the picnic table that I mentioned in the previous post!

 This is what I see when I open the front door.

 My favourite bird.... the chickadee!

 Look at my clothes line!

 And finally, a little touch of spring.