Harry the Crow
Harry the Crow is finished, and I’m delighted to share him with you today. I’ll be linking up this post with Texas Quilt Gal for her To Do Tuesday linky party, too, and I’ll share a bit about my weekly progress later in this post.
I’m sure some of you are wondering why in the world I decided to construct a crow. Well, simply, because I thought it would be fun to do! We also have crows in our backyard, who completely fascinate me. I’ve named one of them Harry and we’ve been chatting now and then while I’m out on the deck in the warm weather. I am convinced he recognizes me!
Anyway, Ann Wood Handmade designed the crow pattern and then offered a sew along, so I joined in. Other than the stitching on the tail, Harry is hand sewn. He was fun to work on at a slower pace. His body came together pretty quickly.
Then came the legs and beak, which took a bit longer. The beak is a stick from my backyard, carved into shape with an Xacto knife. The legs are fashioned with paper-covered wire and floral tape.
The wings and tail were fun to construct, using various fabrics for the feathers. While the photos don’t show it, one of the black fabrics has a sparkle. The other black has tiny gray skulls in the design, my nod to Poe and The Raven, just for fun. The other fabric is a blue, black and gold batik.
The ruffle at the top of the wings is a ribbon I found and stitched to the shoulder area of the wings. All that was left after that was to put him together.
Here’s another view, so you can see the wings and tail a bit better.
A few of you wondered what Wilbs thinks of Harry. He has not been entirely keen of all the attention I’ve been giving Harry, so he’s been more than helpful. While trying to hand sew that dark black fabric, good lighting was a must. Wilbs thought that light was just the perfect thing to walk under for a good rub or two, back and forth, all while I was trying to sew. He found the black sparkly thread far too much fun to play with. Here he is, giving Harry the final sniff test. Harry will have to find a place to roost away from Wilbs, I think!
Will I be making another crow? Not at this point, but maybe in the future. In the meantime, my daughter and I are going to join in another sew along from Ann Wood Handmade – this time it will be an owl! So stay tuned, for more bird craziness!
Well, Harry was on my to do list from last week, so let’s see what the rest of the list looked like:
- Cookie Exchange Blog Hop project – almost finished
- Firm Foundation block cutting – Nope
- Construct Harry the Crow – Done!!
There have been a few squirrels playing around in my quilt room, so more about those later. One of them popped over from the Passport to Quilting fun – have you joined in on that? Today is the last day, so check it out. Free downloads of holiday patterns from a group of designers, but only until the end of today.
This week, I’ll be finishing up the Cookie Exchange project, and then I really must get those Firm Foundation blocks cut!
I’ve been making a little music in my quilt room, too, and I’ll be sharing that project in tomorrow’s post for my day on the Music Blog Hop.
I hope you stop back to take a peek at my project, as well as the others who will be participating in the Hop. More information in tomorrow’s post! The Hop kicked off today, and here is the list of bloggers if you want to see their musical projects:
Monday, November 14th
Just Let Me QuiltQuiltscapes
Words & StitchesSelina QuiltsMs P Designs USAHomespun Hannah’s Blog
Thanks for stopping by and taking a peek at Harry the Crow. I enjoy reading your comments and responding to them, so feel free to leave a comment and let me know what you are working on this week! I hope to see you back here tomorrow!
Wendy
Thursday Thoughts
30 Comments
marissthequilter
Thanks for the detailed account of The Making of Harry the Crow. He has stolen my heart and I can see why Wilbur is less than enthusiastic about his joining the family. I trust you have given him a safe perch! You must be very proud of yourself, Wendy. Well done.
Cocoa Quilts
Wendy you are doing great with projects and getting them finished. I’ve been watching the progress on Harry and he turned out beautifully. Nice work! Will be looking forward to seeing your owl.
Cindy Pieters
Harry rocks! I love him, what an amazing work of art!
texasquiltgal
Harry has his very own “Hollywood Star” now that you have celebrated him in fabric! He is quite handsome. I’m amazed at your detail. Love reading about Wilbs’ assistance. 😉
I’ve decided there is something wrong with me, because although I am grateful for the free patterns and discounts, I am underwhelmed (for the second year in a row) with Passport to Quilting. I did download a couple of things though, and your PP reindeer is spectacular!
Vicki in MN
Holy cow-I mean crow, he’s just fantastic! I love him sitting by your pumpkins. Yep you will have to put him up high, somewhere that Wilbs can’t jump to!! Great job, the owl should be fun too.
Helen
Well, Harry’s just about fabulous!
Preeti
Oh my goodness, Wendy! Harry lends a very authentic and scary vibe to the Halloween pumpkins. Wilbur is definitely intrigued. Have a great week!
Karen
I think Harry is delightful – and just shows how much artistic talent you have!
Texas Quilter
I admire you for doing Harry the Crow! Great job. Hugs
Barbara J Stanbro
He turned out great. Wilbur thinks he looks delicious!
Nancy @ Grace and Peace Quilting
Interesting how you made the feet! Ann has so many neat free patterns on her blog!
Kathleen McCormick
Harry is just gorgeous. I can see why Wilbur had to keep a close eye on him. I am reminded of the line in one of the Disney movies “Don’t play with your food!” I don’t think they are for me, but boy there are tempting little projects aren’t they? I look forward to seeing your owl, too!
Diann@ Little Penguin Quilts
Harry turned out wonderfully, Wendy! He looks like a challenging project, but you nailed it. I love hearing those big crows in our yard, too – I always wonder what they’re saying! How fun to continue on with an owl – so neat that your daughter wants to join in, too.
Sandi
Harry looks very regal!! I love him. I love Ann Woods blog too. Hugs,
Rochelle Summers
Harry is fantastic!! It’s wonderful that you have crows in the backyard to talk to. Of course Wilbur is jealous because Harry looks so life like. A job well done. Thank you for all the info about your process.
Laura
Absolutely love Harry! The ruffles on the wings are an elegant touch, and the feet look so realistic! Can’t wait to see your version of the owl! 🙂
LA Paylor
I like all your design decisions! I might being a beader have added a lot of beads, lol… I love the textures and legs/feet especially, Paper covered wire…. hmmmm and isn’t he grand standing by himself. One year I worked on a tumbling block quilt over the holidays. My poodle cole watched closely and I didn’t think about that. We went on an errand one day, and when I came back Cole had torn apart lots of diamonds, and eaten a few I’m afraid. We thought he’d wondered what my fascination was with the blocks. Keep the crow safe! LeeAnna
quiltinggail
Harry is beyond fantastic!!! Thanks for sharing a few of the techniques!
Yvonne @Quilting Jetgirl
Harry is so delightful; you chose such lovely fabrics to give him a beautiful sheen and shimmer. I think that crows and ravens are really smart, and I’m sure that your backyard Harry really does recognize you!
The Joyful Quilter
SEW glad to hear that you had fun making Harry the Crow (enough to do an owl class next!) I think I’ll stick to quilty things. :o))
Quilting is in my Blood
Harry is absolutely amazing and I’m so glad we’ll be seeing another bird creation in the future!
Mari
Yikes! He’s way cuter than the crows that hang around my house, and certainly better-looking than any raven I’ve ever seen. Congrats on a happy finish!
rl2b2017
Hi Wendy! Harry turned out great. I especially love his tail! That dark blue fabric is just such a great choice. It’s an amazing project made with hand sewing. {{Hugs}} ~smile~ Roseanne
Sandy Panagos
I’ve really enjoyed watching Harry come together. Thanks for sharing the process!
Kate
Love your fabric nod to Poe’s the Raven. Harry turned out nicely, a very dignified crow.
Vicki Welsh
Harry is fabulous!
Peggy
Congrats on fininsh Harry. It seemed like a pretty complicated project. Can’t believe you are going to dive right back in to make an owl. Good luck this week!
The Morning Latte
Harry is magnificent (“Harry the Magnificent”??)! I can’t imagine the patience required for that kind of project but I think I’d love to pick out the fabric. Your choices are perfect for him! I just put a black binding on my Juniper quilt and YES, I had to put the light a little lower down on it–so hard to see! The owl!? Oh I can’t wait! And I’m a little jealous. Squirrel envy, or something like that.
Chrisknits
Oh My!! He is stunning!!! Can’t wait to see the owl. Great job.
Janine @ Rainbow Hare
Harry is fabulous – he has such character. I love him! All your fabrics work together just perfectly 🙂