Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Oh Deer!

Since this crazy quilt block is about January reflections, I wanted to include one of the other friends I frequently see in my yard during that month...


And she, of course, had to have a mouth full of plants.

Just like the owl, I googled a picture of "deer face"...And then I shrunk the picture, playing around with the size until I find which one fits best in my space. In this case, I think it was 1".


I then traced the outline of the deer's features and cut out my shapes from felted sweater bits...


This time the pieces were so tiny that I did use interfacing on the backs of the pieces in order to hold the sweater fibers together as I cut them out. I then either use a hoop with water soluble stabilizer or tear-away stabilizer to assemble and embroider my deer.

And my favorite discovery?

Deer have really, really looong eyelashes...anywhere from 3"-4" long!


Who knew? I noticed them when I was googling deer faces...which led me to google "deer eyelashes". [Don't you just love google?]

That's how I found out that deer eyelashes are so long because they act as "feelers", providing sensory input to the deer about the proximity of branches or leaves that might damage their eyes while their feeding on my plants. Isn't that cool? [The eyelashes. Not the feeding on my plants...]


So I went in search of some false eyelashes I've had in my bathroom drawer for years that I keep threatening to wear but never have...and I stitched them on my deer.

So now, I've got quite the long-lashed, plant-eating, bush-hiding deer to keep my shaman-owl company.


Isn't that deer?

Happy Tuesday Fellow Needle People!

38 comments:

Rachel said...

Absolutely the dearest deer I ever did see - you've done really well with her!

Shirlee Fassell said...

deer...dear...deer what a sweet deer! Great job!!

Peggy said...

I have been following you since Audrey got her hair LOL, and though this project has been amazing so far, it is the addition of the deer peeping from behind the branch (with those EYELASHES!!!) that brought tears to my eyes. The beauty of this piece overwhelms me. Sorry for sounding so sappy, but I am truly in awe of your talent. Thank you for sharing it with me and the world.

Susanne said...

Wow Susan,
the deer is absolutely fantastic and so cute!
Hugs,
Susanne

Cari said...

Dear Deer Indeed !! You are so very, very talented !! I love watching this piece come together. GREAT !!!

Sun City Stitcher said...

The deer and the owl are fantastic. You do such great work! Thanks for sharing.

Sheila said...

Dearie me!

What will you think of next?!? I love it. Might those plants be roses? It's one of those long eye-lashed hussies who usually gets my mom's flowers.

MargB said...

Absolutely gorgeous! This is a tremendous piece of work I think the deer's eyelashs are magnificent- and love that wise old owl.

Miriam said...

Your deer is amazing, Susan! He looks very life-like!
Gorgeous eyes and eyelashes!!!

Wendy said...

Your deer is just stunning! I have a friend who raised a deer from a fawn (mother hit by a car) and she has the longest lashes. She is so gentle and loves to be brushed down. Your little deer made me think of her today. Thanks!

Nancy said...

Love your deer! She is beautiful! Love the new fact about the eyelashes!

Judy S. said...

I'll never forget the deer that ambled through our yard and daintly nipped off every tulip bud! We sa2w 3 of 'em strolling through our n'borhood Sunday afternoon....sure are cute, but oh so destructive.And then there's the bunnies....I guess your owl'd take care of them?

Your dear deer looks great, BTW. How'd you create the shiny eyes and nose? Your block just keeps getting better and better~

Glenda said...

I'm so enjoying watching this piece progress, and appreciate you explaining your process as you go along.

Genius idea to use the false eyelashes! They're gorgeous. And I love the little pink tongue.

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

Fantastic!! This deer has so much personality, as does the owl.

You, dear lady, are so talented.

Thank you for being the inspiration that you are.

FlowerLady

gracie said...

Amazing! I love the deer....

Ann said...

What a sweet face on the deer! Just love it. I didn't think this block could get any better, but it is.

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

Your deer is sweet and the perfect compliment of the owl. She has that "caught in the act" look.

I think this was a really fun block for you. It shows.
xx, Carol

deb said...

This block is amazing! Thank you for sharing your work. I think we are all in awe.
You had better not wear those eyelashes now! You might look a bit lopsided!!

Gerry Krueger said...

I love the eyelashes... inspired and the deer is fabulous... A lot of his cousins live in my forest and visit my garden... even though I have a sign that says: "Not tonite, deer!" Ger

Lorraine said...

The eyelashes are to die for! Great job!

Carol E. in AZ said...

You are such a talented lady! I love the little deer and owl. Thank you for sharing your talents with us!

Anonymous said...

Stunning - I love this block! Your deer is delightful.

WandarArt.Stitch said...

Susan, this is beautiful, I imagine the whole was your art. of work.
You used false eyelashes great and everything is doing great your creativity, and great learning for me, what is so sweet like a real pet! , Thank you greet!

Robyn A said...

This work is just beyond words, wow! I know they can be pesky but my only sighting of real deer was one magic night in Rochester in the snow, a group of them just wandering as the soft snow fell. It was wonderful especially for my children who had never seen a deer since we don't have them in Australia (as natives).

coral-seas said...

Your deer is fantastic! I love the expression on her face "Me, eating the flowers? Not me, honestly!"

Some mornings I don't mind if there is a queue of traffic on the way to work, it gives me a chance to scan the fields for deer and I am often rewarded with a glimps of them.

The block keeps getting better and better.

Anonymous said...

First time commenter here. This actually moved me to tear up. Your work is beyond amazing!
Big smiles!
Kelly Feraro

Anonymous said...

I am so admiring of your work it is really very beautiful. I am Belgian and do not speak English good(well), that's why I do not often put a message.
Mercedes.

Anonymous said...

you had me at Tree...wonderful

Unknown said...

Doe eyed beauty......so well done...we see lots of those in our yard as well...with mouths full of plants....love the information about the eyelashes...we also see the beautiful faces of raccons!!!
Nydra

Susan said...

Your work is incredible. What a talent you are.

FLOWER FRIEND said...

Deer Susan,I wondered how you had done the lashes and then my question was answered.Such a pretty face she has too.

Alisa Noble said...

One word...
Amazing!

Createology said...

Once again your attention to detail and research has achieved perfection. This little deer has such a sweet face and those eyelashes are exactly like real life. Yes, they eat all of my landscaping but they truly are sweet and they were here first! Beautiful stitching Dear...

Catherine said...

Just when I think your finished ~ you go and do this ~ and once again, you work your magic! This now reminds me of the woods where I grew up!

Mary Ann Tate said...

Wow....what a sweet little deer face. The eyelashes are a perfect touch.

verobirdie said...

So beautiful: you made her so alive

Elizabeth said...

Exquisite! Enchanting!! Amazing!! What Eye lashes!!!!! WHO KNEW????? Thanks for the lovely pictures and the stitching and the eyelashes!!!! looking so forward to seeing you at Margo's class in 2 days!! YEAH!!!

crazypatch said...

Ce bloc est une petite merveille et je suis heureuse que le CQJP me permette de découvrir votre blog... gorgeous.

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