Have you heard the sound of birds singing and sheep dancing on Planet Penny this week? It’s all because the sun is shining and I have finished my piece for the Norfolk and Norwich Open Studios Taster Exhibition at the Forum in Norwich….yippee! I’ve just looked back and found I published my Ta-daaa moment for the last piece almost exactly a year ago today, you can read it here. And I said “This has existed in my head for so long it was rather a shock to realise that I hadn’t actually made it yet, so I’ve been working on it all week” And I can say exactly the same this year. It’s amazing how a deadline focuses the mind!
But first, the sunshine. It’s still not very warm, but it was a relief to wake up yesterday morning and realise the wind was not whistling in the chimney which it’s been doing for days.
I’ve had the doors open into the garden for the first time this year (and kept my fleece on) to let some fresh air into the house and Henry and Higgins have appreciated being able to wander in and out as they please. Henry has a spot on a warm paving slab where in a few weeks he will be able to get spaced out on Cat Mint…
…and Higgins parked himself under the bird feeder to make sure no pesky birds could get at the little dish of water I put out for them. He found it was particularly delicious, so much nicer than the inferior water in the dog bowl!
There’s a lot of bare earth in the garden, even the weeds are holding back, but there are patches of Spring to enjoy…
And so to my big project for this week. I really wanted to do something completely different this time, to step away of the bright colours, the crochet, the small things. Also to challenge myself on the needlefelt front and make something much bigger than little birds and mice. So I’ve used a very subdued palette…
Natural Merino fleece with a background of charcoal grey.
So can you guess what I made? Well, of course it’s a sheep!
It’s actually quite hard to photograph and get the angle right…
It’s called ‘How to Knit a Sheep’… (but please don’t ask me for a pattern!)
The knitted part starts off as unspun fleece and gradually reduces in thickness until it becomes undyed 4 ply to knit the lacy part.
This has been a rare moment when the finished piece is almost the same as the picture in my head, hence the singing and dancing! As you can imagine, I haven’t done a lot else this week but there are exciting Planet Penny things in the pipeline which I hope to share with you soon.
It’s Handmade Monday again this week so I’m linking up with Wendy for Handmade Monday over on Handmade Harbour and I’ll be back very soon…x
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Stunning! What a beautiful representation of the world of fiber arts!! I stand in awe!
Exquisitely adorable-ly Ewe!!! ==¡==
That’s amazing. I love it. So clever and a great display of all the different phases of wool. Wonderful.
Penny…WOW! Just one big WOW! Simply incredible and so clever, WOW WOW WOW x
Brilliant!….and Higgins has a similar attitude to my Chihuahua! x
Wow is right!! That is incredible and so life like…you are beyond creative….an arteest extrordinaire!! :)Amazing!
That’s absolutely amazing. So creative and very life-like. You’re so very clever. I also love reading every blog and never miss one. Xxx
Amazing. If the sheep face wasn’t so clean i’d think it was a real one just stuck it’s head in to say hello!
As always I am totally go smacked ( excuse the word but it was the only one that perfectly described the condition!). You make such wonderful and inspiring things!! Lovely photos of he flowers and animals too. Thanks. Joan
Oh Penny, that is simply superb! You have surpassed yourself.
Wow, I just love the sheep! And the flowers are great too – I love seeing signs of spring, even if it’s still quite chilly 🙂
Penny, I’m almost wordless … gorgeus, amazing, beautiful, fantastic (do I know other great English words?)! I love your sheep and the idea of something starting with a wool and ends up fine knitted lace is fantastic! I would love to pin and tweet your talented work, but not without your permission.
I’m so happy to know such a creative and talented lady! x Teje
WOW. That is SO impressive! I am not surprised that you’re singing and dancing, it looks amazing 🙂 Well done you! Simmi x
Oh wow, you are clever, that is amazing!!!
Absolutely wonderful!
That’s a very cool sheep!
This is a BRILLIANT idea. I really like it on all levels! Enjoy the sunshine.
Spectacular! You did an awesome job!!
Just beautiful Penny.Stunning work. I love the sheep’s face. Have fun at the taster exhibition x
Wow!!! That is fantastic work, you are very talented.
I love the flowers, they are so cheerful.
Absolutely love the sheep! And the photos are great – makes me think of warm spring days?!
Our cat has been sitting in the sun spots on the carpets, or on the back of my dressing table! It’s so nice to open the doors and let the light in isn’t it?
Love your exhibition piece, very clever, isn’t it amazing like you say what a bit of pressure does to productivity.
Wow that is amazing. A real work of art.
Oh My Goodness, your piece is amazing!!! i have never seen anything like it, terrific job.
Meredith
I know that feeling very well – when something exists in your head so long you nearly forget to make it! But your sheep is amazing – the eyes are so well done. xx
Love it!
That’s really amazing!
This is so wonderful, I love the concept, the way it’s been ‘constructed’ and the finished piece. No wonder you are all singing and dancing.
Loving the flower pics too, a bit late but welcome never the less.
Jan x
My gosh! Awesome! I LOVE the concept. From sheep to shawl…
WOW !!!!
The sheep is so lifelike. It’s amazing. Well done you.
Oh wow! What an inspired and beautifully executed piece or art!! You have really out done yourself this time 🙂
Isn’t it lovely to have a few rays of lovely sunshine minus the biting wind! x
How TOTALLY cool!!!
Tremendous, sheep to shawl with style.
jean x
That is an amazing piece of art you made!! Glad Henry and Higgins are enjoying the outdoors ??
It was almost frosty here for the first time. Sprocket (the cat) prefers the watering can for really tasty water 🙂 He is also the reason for the gap in my window box.
Love that sheep!!!
viv in nz
Wow! It’s fabulous, I admire your imagination.
What a wonderful wooly creation, inspiring work!
Thanks for sharing x
Penny the sheep is FANTASTIC! I love the whole concept of it. It’s made my day! Very tempted to get to the exhibition…we’re only in cambs…
How fantastic! Really, really good and so life-like. Lovely spring flower pics and Henry and Higgins look good soaking up the sun too. Hope you have a good week.
You have such a wonderful imagination and some terrific skills to make the thought a reality…absolutely amazing piece of work. Oh, and the crocuses are gorgeous, if somewhat delayed.
wow wow wowza, that is amazing. I love the concept to. It looks amazing. xx
Penny- words almost fail me…that is wondrous!
Gorgeous project and a super concept 🙂
Janice x
The sheep is amazing! I’m so impressed with the idea and your ability to carry it out!
It’s amazing how happy and alive people become as soon as the sun comes out! Great sheep! Very life like face!
Love your sheep, Penny! Well done! Now for the rest of the flock???????!!!!!!
wow- that sheep is amazing! I have never tried needle felting but it seems to be a very exciting and pliable medium – I have seen quite a few wonderful creations out there in blogland etc.
And the knitty bit – brilliant idea!
thanks
Jane
Oh my goodness Penny, it’s wonderful!!!!!
That sheep is absolutely amazing – will post a link to this post on my FB page. x
That really is breath-taking, Penny. It’s awesome …. as the kids say. xx
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Oh wow, your sheep is amazing.
Lovely photos especially of Henry and Higgins.
Carol xx
Awsome! I want it! So well done! It’s even bit scary how real the sheep looks like! 🙂
Cool sheep Penny.xxx