2020 Fourth Quarter Challenge

[cindy]

Thank you all for the kind words.

i would also like to say “way to go Alex” on that great Christmas stocking!!  Merry Christmas! Cindy

[Ann @ frabjous fabrica]

I thought perhaps I should show you why I didn't actually get round to joining this challenge.  I was searching my mind for what to do for the challenge when I was asked by my nephew to make something for him to give to his wife for Christmas.  He had seen the needle felted otter which I made for my late sister for her birthday in June last year (unfortunately I omitted to take a photo before I gave it to her).  He was so taken with it that he wanted me to make him a highland cow for his wife as she loves these animals.  
I do too, so said yes.  However it took me a lot longer than anticipated to finish - almost up to Christmas week.  These are a couple of links to photos: www.dropbox.com/s/6z2zc9u1sgvwjhq/Highland%20Cow%201.jpg?dl=0 and www.dropbox.com/s/2snml1l46cxx6q4/Highland%20Cow%202.jpg?dl=0 
Apart from the pipe cleaner armature, the wooden plinth and wooden beads for eyes, it is all felt.  The horns were shaped with the needles, then soaked in PVA glue, shaped again and dried.  Then, after smoothing with a file and painting with acrylics, painted with several coats of the glue again.  The grass under hoof has embroidered flowers - and a turd - for realism.

So I didn't really have time to take up the challenge.  I did think that I could perhaps cheat and enter the snowflakes I had been making while looking after our museum shop over the previous 2 years.  I had been crocheting the stars with a view to selling them in the shop for Christmas 2020!  Well I stiffened them anyway (with good old PVA of course) and hung them at home in our hall.   Links for these here: www.dropbox.com/s/4q11zlge2kud0qf/snowflakes001r.jpg?dl=0    www.dropbox.com/s/i095svhchhz2ldt/snowflakes004r.jpg?dl=0
www.dropbox.com/s/d4wxj55gq1id7uf/snowflakes005r.jpg?dl=0

Now I've got to get the thinking cap on for this year's First Quarter Challenge.

[lyn]

Ann - your snowflakes are gorgeous and perfect for the 4th quarter challenge! They look so good on your banister garland.

The highland cow is so sweet and I'm sure your nephew's wife loved it.

[Shepherdess]

The cow is wonderful. I bet she was surprised and happy when she unwrapped it.

The snowflakes are beautiful. Your stairs looked very festive.

[lindsay]

The snowflakes are great. I’ve tried making those and it’s harder than it looks (all that pinning out!) so well done.

Gorgeous cow. What sort of response did you get?

[MTRuth]

I'm sure the cow will be treasured. The snowflakes are wonderful and fit the challenge which was to show either what you made this year or for years past.

[Pandagirl]

The snowflakes and cow are wonderful!