Tuesday 25 January 2011

Third Degree (Robert) Burns

Being married to a bagpiper leads to a surfeit of invitations to Burns Suppers round about now.   We always go to the village one, which has few speeches, plenty of haggis and loads of Scottish dancing.   Some villagers even remember the steps from year to year.   Tonight we're going to some friends for another one.   This time - loads of speeches, plenty of haggis and hardly any dancing.  
This is the Supper that I made the two corsages for.   The girls are wearing their kilts and I've felted some merino with a touch of alpaca and silk to try and echo their tartans.  The top one is Ancient MacDonald and the lower one is Black Watch with my version of a Scottish thistle.    The photos don't really show the colours all that well, but everyone seemed more than pleased with them, which was a big relief.   It's aways slightly nerve-wracking making things specially for people.   But, as the owner's cat curled up on the Black Watch brooch, I felt reassured that it had at least one fan.

amo, amas, amat
Always feel a bit guilty about cutting up even old decrepit books but closed my eyes and punched some hearts out of The Oxford Book of Latin Verse.   (Thrifted, of course.)
Still got loads of brown wrapping paper from Amazon deliveries, so made a 
 bag with rows of layered hearts machined on


 a big 2" version with enough hearts to make a 3D bauble on red thread
 and a wee one on a tiny cream coloured tag
with a dangly red thread
Are you feeling all Valentinesey now?

OK, I'm off to practice my "Wee, sleekit, cowrin, tim'rous beastie" in case I'm called upon to contribute to the evening's entertainment!

               See you soon
Chrissie

17 comments:

Gina said...

I love your brooches especially the Black Watch one. The cut out hearts look so cute!

gerfiles said...

No, I don´t feel Valentinesey - but only because I never do - I feel in a good mood, though, after looking at your brooches and paperwork...;)

menopausalmusing said...

Another vote for the Black Watch Brooch! I particularly like the pale tufts at the top... they really "work"....... Love your hearts too. Thought the title of your post really funny...
:O)))))

LAC EMP 2020 said...

Brilliant title, very very clever. Love the felt corsages. Did you card the rovings to get those soft shades? They work really well and are sure to be well received. The hearts are fab too but did you have to remind me about Valentine's Day..... next thing it will be Easter Bunnies....... xx

Fiona said...

Love the title. And the brooches and hearts are great.

Su said...

I love them both, but I especially like the black watch one - the thistle is so clever.

Anonymous said...

ooohhhhh! So that's what the Burns supper is all about!
I love the brooches, and especially that thistle. You are amazing!
And the valentines.....what can I say? They make my heart swoon!
Wonderful post, thank you Chrissie!
Christine

silverpebble said...

I adore your valentine bags and tags - so beautiful! That black watch brooch is stunning - what a gorgeous felted thistle!

Jee said...

Love the brooches - we have a scottish surname (lovely to hear in a soft scottish accent, but otherwise freguently mispronounced)and a rather nice dress tartan attached to it, but we so far have not managed to trace the family back to its scottish roots.
Perhaps I shouldn't give husband one of those tags - he would be driven to distraction trying to translate the Latin. Enjoy the haggis.

Anonymous said...

Ooooooh - gorgeous corsages, gorgeous hearts. Yes, I'm feeling very Valentinesey now. Watch out hubby!!
Anne

Things Hand Made said...

The felted flowers/corsages are great. I like the little touch of red on the hearts.

Tracy Markey said...

your corsages are lovely, your friends' cat obviously has good taste!

hope you enjoyed your burns' supper :)

Tracy Markey said...

p.s. love the paper hearts too. i've bought several books now with the thought of doing some type of collage with the pages but still can't bring myself to start tearing/cutting!

Gill said...

I too love the corsages - especially the thistle - gorgeous!

JP said...

the corsages are lovely and I like the idea of latin hearts!

Uta said...

Hi ya Chrissie,
I'm still loving your creations :)

ELK said...

chrissie .. i do the same with the old books.. but have gotten to where I do nor feel as bad giving them a new life!!