Tuesday 20 July 2010

At last it's finished!

I thought I'd never get it done and spent hours stitching down all the little strips to hold them against the backing but to look as if they weren't stitched down! Please ignore the ugly bit of dowel rod - the proper batten will not be visible from the front, but I have yet to buy it.
I made a simple loosely twisted cord and couched it round the edge which was stepped along the bottom to make a more interesting shape. I used a soft sage green Colinette yarn and several very fine weaving threads to give contrast.

From each side at the top I knotted the cord so that a length hung down, and along that length I threaded a few handmade paper beads. I remember my original plan was to have about 15 strips! Thank goodness I didn't need all those - I'd still be making it. It was difficult to find a suitable place to hang it for photographing, and again today the light was not good.

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I was taking a breather the other day when there was a thud against the window. When I looked out I saw a tiny bird lying on the paving stones. I went out and picked it up, fearing the worst. It appeared to be breathing but it's neck was very floppy and as I looked at it it's eyelids closed and I said out loud 'Oh, don't die little bird'. It must have heard me as it's eyes opened and it flexed it's wings a bit but still lay in my hand. I dipped my fingers into the pond and let a drop of water fall on it's partly open beak, which it seemed to swallow. After a moment or two it stood on my hand, holding firmly onto one of my fingers. It was wonderful to be able to observe a bird at such close quarters and I was longing to fetch my camera but afraid that if I took the bird indoors it might fly about and bang against the window in it's efforts to get out. I decided that the covered bird table was the best place for it - out of the reach of cats, sheltered from the next shower of rain but open on all sides when it felt strong enough to fly off. I carefully placed it on the feeding platform and it just sat there, obviously still shaken but able to support itself. After a few minutes when I checked, it had turned round to face the opposite direction and a short time after that it had flown off. I checked the ground underneath the table in case it had fallen down, but no sign of it so I'm assuming it made a complete recovery - what a relief. It was quite a young bird and hadn't got it's adult plumage yet, but I think it must have been a great-tit as it was a lovely soft grey/green all over.
These birds are as much a worry as one's own children!

12 comments:

Maureen said...

That is a lovely piece of work Heather, I think you must be really pleased with it. Don't forget with your promarkers start with the paler colours and build up.

Carol Q said...

what a stunning piece of work Heather. it's gorgeous. reminds me of a sampler. love all the different tonal and textural variations.

Robin Mac said...

Heather, your hanging is stunning, I am sure you will love it when you have the final rod in place. What a huge effort you have put into this. We have had quite a few birds fly into our windows or doors over the years and they always seem to recover after a short while. I can only remember one small finch which died after flying into an upstairs window. I suspect it fell too far, onto hard pavers, and that was that.
Thanks for your comments on my latest blog. Cheers, Robin

Gina said...

The hanging is beautiful Heather. Lovely colours.

Heather said...

Thankyou all, for your kind words - very encouraging. I expect I'll like it again when I can put it away for a while!

Unknown said...

Congratulations on finishing your hanging Heather,it is beautifull love the soft colours.

Julie said...

Your hanging is beautiful Heather! What a privilege to hold a young bird like that. I'm glad it recovered.

The Weaver of Grass said...

We often have birds hitting the windows this time of year Heather and we always presume they are young ones who have not learned that glass is hard! Rarely do we have one die, they usually recover. Lovely story.

I love your allotment hanging - I wondered how it would turn out and really it looks jolly good. Well done you!

sharon young said...

Your hanging is beautiful, Heather, such a wonderful tonal and textural surface, superb.
What a great ending to your tale of the bird's accident, so glad it recovered.

Anonymous said...

Fabulous hanging Heather, love all the shades of green and all the different textures.

Ro Bruhn said...

WOW, this is fantastic and so much beautiful intricate work. I love it.

Linda Vincent said...

Now that is a real work of art Heather....I'd love to see it close up.
Glad the fledgeling survived....you have the magic touch!
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