I completed my cardinals on Saturday evening, but wanted to take photographs to share during daylight so you could see the actual colors. These are my finished pair, and I'm so happy with how they've turned out.
The branch turned out as I'd imagined, too. First, I stitched a daisy chain with all seven strands of floss to raise up the surface stitches. I added a knot and more branches along the branch than I'd originally drawn, and I'm very happy with the finished look.
I think I captured a lot of detail with the thread painting and stumpwork techniques I used. For reference, the total piece measures about 10" wide by 7" high. The female is about 5" tall and 3" wide. The male is about 3" tall and 7" wide. When I'm finished with the entire piece, it will measure about 24" square.
These are the fabrics I've chosen for the rest of my project, and I'll be working to complete the entire piece this week. Of course, you can count on me to share more photos as I work toward my goal.
I'm healing well, and will have the final surgery on October 27th. I'll have this piece well done by then. Thank you to all who prayed for me. I know your entreaties were heard, and my improvements are proof. I'm very grateful.
Tag will visit with you tomorrow while I cut and sew. Thanks, always, for stopping by to visit, and I always appreciate your notes to me.
Grateful hugs from me you!
Laura Dowdall ,Hi Donna, firstly I do hope your feeling better and well on the mend.Those cardinals are stunning ,beautiful work.We don’t have them here wish we did, they look lovely.Take care .❤️
ReplyDeleteHello, Dear Laura!
DeleteIt's so great to hear from you. Cardinals are a much-loved bird here in the states. They are active in the summer, but their colors against a newly fallen backdrop of snow is stunning. Wish you could see them yourself. I'm mending well, thank you. I'll be happy when the second part of my treatment is behind me. Thanks so much for leaving a note for me today.
xoxo
Donna
The Cardinals turned out beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see how you finish them.
Glad you are healing well.
Marilyn
Good morning, Marilyn!
DeleteI woke up to snow this morning, and was feeling shortchanged by Autumn. I'm not ready for this! I have yet to set up the barn girls for winter, so they've been in warm digs on the porch up to now. I'll be making their winter beds in the barn today (but once Handsome heads to Florida, I may just bring them in!) I'm doing well with my healing, and can't wait until I'm through with the second surgery on the 27th. Then I can heal in earnest, and be done with all this. Thanks for your note today, dear. Stay warm!
xoxo
Donna
Your cardinals are remarkable ~ so realistic. Grateful for your healing and recovery. Bonnie
ReplyDeleteHello, Bonnie!
DeleteThanks for your note today. I'm having great fun with this project and should finish it in time for my delivery deadline for the competition. I'm also grateful for the great doctor I now have, and both her knowledge and healing hands. I know the prayers have been helping. I hope you have a wonderful week ahead.
Hugs,
xoxo
Donna
Bea-u-ti-ful!
ReplyDeleteHi, Lois!
Deletehee hee. I'm so glad you like them! Thanks for checking in and leaving a note for me. Best wishes for a great week!
xoxo
Donna
Sherry of createology: These fabrics are sew perfect to go with your beautiful Cardinals. Grateful you are healing however another surgery is not what I expected you to say. You have really been a trooper through all of this. Enjoy Autumn while you can dear.
ReplyDeleteHi, dear Sherry;
DeleteI'm so glad you're liking my cardinal project. Sorry to disappoint about the second surgery. What was done in the last one was partially a permanent installation, and partially experimental to see if it would work. Now that we know it's working, the second surgery is to complete the permanent installation. I know that's kind of cryptic, but I'm concerned saying more may be TMI. It's been a stressful, frustrating, and painful two years because the first guy monumentally botched a relatively normal procedure. He did great damage that three other specialists have spent months trying to repair. My current specialist is a goddess in my eyes for the healing she has facilitated. I'd love to say I'm enjoying Autumn, but it appears it was only around for three weeks (max) this year. It started snowing last night, and continues today...bringing high winds on its heels. ugh.
Thanks for your concern, my friend.
xoxo
Donna
Oh yuck - snow?? Already????!!!! Noooooo - say it isn't so!!
ReplyDeleteGood thing we have beautiful cardinals to look at instead.
Hi MA:
DeleteI admit, I was quite distressed. I agree. Stitching is a great way to avoid the white stuff!
xoxo
Donna
Stunning as always. Glad the recuperation is going well. Thinking of you.
ReplyDeleteHi Marrianne:
DeleteThank you, my dear friend. I appreciate the compliment and the good wishes.
Much love,
xoxo
Donna
The cardinals are just exquisite! Hope everything is going well in the medical department. Many prayers went out for you.
ReplyDeleteHi Dear Carmen:
DeleteThank you so much! I'm greatly improved, dear, and appreciate all the prayers. I know they were heard by the results. Thanks for leaving a note. I'm so happy to hear from you.
xoxo
Donna