Hydrangeas W.I.P., a butterfly chaser and a magical bee
Annie
I knew it was silly to say out loud that I was hoping for a few quieter weeks! Doh!
So I have not finished my hydrangea picture but I have made some strides into it. It’s sitting on my table at the “messy middle” stage and you’d be forgiven for thinking a colourful whirlwind had passed through for there is not an inch of floor or desk to be seen due to it all being covered in fluff and fibres and fabrics!
Next job is to clear down so I can see the wood for the trees then work on the contrast in the picture and bring some clarity to some of the shapes so it can be read more easily.
I decided not to stick to only hydrangeas, although they will be a main feature, but also to add a hanging fern and some smaller flowers etc to make a display of pot plants and cut flowers in vases. There isn’t enough room in the layout for everything I want to do, so I may need to make another one!
Here are a few W.I.P. photos. I’m away for a few days, and forgot to measure it, but my guess is about 80cm x 60cm ish (32” x 24” ish).
Lyn
“The Butterfly Chaser” – a picture made using scrap felt.
I cut a paper pattern of a bird in flight and a butterfly then cut the pieces from some lightweight scrap felt.
I made a base from four layers of white merino wool fibres then made it into soft pre-felt. I then placed the scrap felt pieces on top.
I covered it all with net then wetted and soaped it. Using a small sponge I gave the scrap felt some gentle persuasion to sink into the white base a little. After some careful agitation I turned the whole thing over and replaced the bubble-wrap that was underneath with another piece of net. I worked the felt, between two pieces of net, from the reverse side until the felt was done.
Then I added an outline and detail with needle felting.
Inspiration for a picture can come from the strangest places.
Annie bought me a desk calendar for 2026 that has a different word and explanation of it on each day. I keep it by my pc and look forward to tearing off a page to reveal a new word. Apparently ‘Dumbledore’ isn’t just the name of a fictional wizard – it’s also an old word for ‘bumblebee’.
My imagination went into overdrive. Can a bumblebee wear a wizard’s hat and cloak? Would he have a wand? Would a bumblebee visit the plants in Hogwarts? Yes, because the flower of the ‘Mandrake’ plant attracts bees. Harry Potter fans might know the plant from the herbology classes in ‘The Philosopher’s Stone’.
I gathered up bits of fabric and some iron-on double-sided fabric adhesive. A bit of cutting, cussing and sticking and I ended up with this whimsical picture.
What’s the most unusual source of inspiration that you have found?
24 thoughts on “Hydrangeas W.I.P., a butterfly chaser and a magical bee”
It wasn’t difficult to tell that the first part of the post was Annie’s – what an explosion of colour – Annie’s work always makes me happy & smiley. I’m looking forward to seeing more of these hydrangeas.
Your bird and the butterfly are equally joyful Lyn, though I hope that the bird doesn’t catch the butterfly! That piece of prefelt is so beautiful I’m surprised that you had the strength to cut pieces out of it.
Dumbledore does sound bumblebeeish. Though how he manages to fly in hat and cloak I’m not sure. Apparently aerodynamically bumblebees aren’t capable of flight, even uncloaked! Perhaps there is a bit of wizard about them after all – a wave of the wand and he’s off. I hope he finds some pollen and nectar in the mandrake flower.
Ann
Thank you Ann. If you could see Annie’s workspace you would know that ‘explosion of colour’ is a good description – wool and fabric everywhere but she somehow makes sense of it all and her pictures are beautiful.
I was precious about that piece of pre-felt and found it difficult to use – only a little bit left now – and I can’t remember how I made it – I should have taken process photos.
Don’t worry, I saw the butterfly dodge out of the way just as the bird’s beak snapped shut 🙂
When you watch a bumblebee fly he looks so heavy that you do wonder how he does it. He must be magical after all.
Another wonderful color filled post! I’m looking forward to seeing the finished hydrangeas. The addition of the ferns is inspired. The bird and the butterfly gives such a sense of motion, I can almost see the beak snapping. I think we all need a bumblebee wizard, it seems he would be so useful. You could wish for spring and flowers and sunshine.
I agree Ruth. Annie’s idea to include ferns is inspired.
We could do with a magical dumbledore here to wave his wand – after just a few days of spring weather the rain has returned to drown the colourful blooms that had appeared.
The butterfly chaser was a joy to felt – making simple pictures using inlays with both wet and needle felt is fun:)
I want that calendar Lyn! I have absolutely fallen head over heels in love with Dumbledore, my eldest, John, recently took up bee keeping and I have to send the picture on to him. (Along with a new word of the day).
Once again, your colourful hydrangeas and flowery friends have cheered me up no end and the idea of seeing it in future posts works for me.
Butterfly chaser is gorgeous – another great reason for me to smile.
Hope you enjoyed your few days away!
Helene x
Sorry Helene – forgot to use ‘reply’
Helene – I can just imagine the journey in the car 🙂 It’s good that the bees are now settled. Many people do not appreciate just how important bees are to our survival … and they are cute. Give it time and you will be enjoying the honey.
Ann – I know just how you feel about the bee losing its stinger. According to the sage Mr Google it’s only honey bees that lose their stinger – all other bees don’t.
Thank you Helene. The calendar is fascinating and today’s word is fibre related – ‘tenterhooks’. Freshly milled cloth is stretched over a frame called a tenter and tenterhooks hold it in place while it dries. As the cloth is held in a state of tension we say we’re ‘on tenterhooks’ when we’re in suspense.
How wonderful that John is learning bee-keeping – I hope you get some honey!
We’re happy that the colours in the post made you smile 🙂
You had best be careful Lyn or you will find yourself promoted to ‘the word of the day’ slot. Very interesting etymology on tenterhooks.
John finally took charge of his own hive last year. He transported the hive in the back of his car which, of course, had his mother freaking out but unlike me, he is a very calm person. It’s been an interesting learning curve. They became very aggitated and ‘stingy’ for a long time – they could sting through his suit – it turned out they were a little too much in the shade in our neighbour’s field, so they had to be moved. You probably know this already but when moving a hive, it has to be moved either 3 feet or 3 miles, otherwise the bees cannot find their way back in. So it took a long time to get them into the sun (and lots of stings!). They have settled now and they over-wintered well – they had packed sufficient provisions for the winter so John did not have to feed them. He always has the best of stories when he comes back from visiting them. Now that the weather is getting warmer, they are beginning to stir. This year should be an interesting one now that they are settled. We might just get a little honey but once they have enough for their own needs John is happy that they are working hard in the countryside.
How interesting to hear of John’s hive Helene. I remember my first introduction to a bee hive when I was a child. I was looming over the glass inspection area (it was in school) and at least one bee must have thought I was a bear after its honey, because it stung me on the top of my head. I immediately burst into tears, but not because it hurt (it did) but because I knew that now the bee was going to die. It still brings tears to my eyes to think about it! 😢
Ann
I know what you mean Ann. Poor little bee. The beehive hierarchy is fascinating too and, if I have this right, the worker bees’ lifespan is 4 to 6 weeks. If they die in the hive the bees will tidy up and remove them so that the hive stays healthy. One other interesting experience John reported, when the bees got angry about their placement in the field, initially they attacked him to tell him all was not well. He could not figure out the issue and over the following weeks they became more aggressive. Finally, he got the scent of bananas which he had luckily read about. The bees produce a pheromone which smells like bananas and it’s a warning signal that they are about to swarm. He got out of there fast. A few experts from the bee community came over and helped him. They are always happy to pass on knowledge to the next generation. So it was a happy ending for all concerned (most especially the bees!).
Such a fun filled delightful picture. Gorgeous colours.
Love the bee with his jaunty wizard hat, and the beautiful bird chasing a butterfly.
Thank you Marie! We love lots of colour … and quirky stuff sometimes 🙂
Sometimes??? 🫨😜
Annx
Delightful post! I love the black and white bits in Annie’s piece as well as the explosion of color! Looking forward to seeing how this one progresses.
And that bit of felted scrap for the bird and butterfly! Luscious and precious little piece of felting Lyn! But good use of that scrap. The magical bumble bee is so whimsical. I look forward to seeing the bees flitting about very soon in my yard and hope I remember this guy when I do. I’m sure it will bring a smile to my face!
Tesi
Thank you Tesi – the black and white helps to make the colours pop doesn’t it?
Oh I wish I had yards more of that colourful scrap – I only have a little bit left now.
When the bees come to the flowers it’s a magical sight and you can’t help but just stand and watch them for a while.
Hi both….a delightful smorgasbord of colour which could only be from you two! I, like the others above, have read your post with an increasingly bigger smile as I progressed.
I look forward to seeing the progression of the hydrangea piece with its ferns. I’m so pleased to hear that the butterfly chaser missed! Edging the bird & butterfly really make the colours pop. Oh and Dumbledore bumblebee is wonderful, you’ve captured the image beautifully particularly his hat.
Like Hèlene, I’m fascinated with your calendar – I’m now wiser on two words….just think how much wiser I could after a year! The only problem would be trying to remember them all 🤪 Please let us have details of the calendar.
Xx
So pleased that the post made you smile Antje 🙂
I really like the addition of the ferns and other details to the hydrangea picture but who knows where Annie’s creativity will take the picture to.
Yes, edging the bird and butterfly really brought out the colours and it also enabled me to add details such as legs etc.
I was pleased with Dumbledore – I just had to make the picture because as soon as I read the calendar that day my imagination really fired.
Here is a link for the calendar:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Word-Nerd-2026-Calendar-Fascinating/dp/1524898473
Thank you for the info.
X
The black and white zebra print caught my eye too, made me feel like David Attenborough, getting a peek of Zebra through dense, exotic vegetation!
The bee is so adorable too, the blue starry background is just perfect for this magical creature!
Thank you Teri! I like your description of Annie’s fibre jungle 🙂
Happy that you like the bee. Finding the perfect background fabric is justification enough for having a large stash that my OH regards as hoarding – I rest my case.
Annie’s piece is going t be wonderful, I love the fern. and maybe more pieces of a bigger picture. I always end up want to add more than will fit in the picture.
the butterfly chaser is wonderful and the black outline sets it off. I do love the bumble bee wizard. Could it be someones other form?
Sorry Ann – I forgot to hit ‘reply’
Thank you Ann – the addition of the fern has proved popular – Annie will be pleased.
You asked about another form for the bumblebee. It was originally going to be in the form of a wet felted picture. The plan involved a lot of new pre-felt making and a detailed background plus some stitching but unfortunately I wasn’t physically up to all that at the time so I made do with cutting and sticking 🙂