When I first introduced my What A Hoot series in 2020, I showcased SIX counted canvas owls! Last year I introduced two new colour combinations, Eurasia and today I’d like to share Pharaoh.   

If you purchased Theros then you will recognize this pattern.  It is always challenging to choose colour palettes for a project, especially when a project is not fully designed.  As always, there are so many options, sometimes too many SO I had to create a new palette for Theros.

More About What A Hoot Pharaoh

Pharaoh is a species of owl, an eagle-owl with mottled plumage and large orange-yellow eyes.  The head and upperparts are tawny and densely marked with black and creamy-white streaks and blotches while the underparts are pale creamy-white.  Naturally our version of Pharaoh is far more colourful!

Once again, the kit contents include the pattern (PDF), eyes, beak and all custom dyed threads to complete Pharaoh.  AND remember, whatever threads are remaining once you complete him could be used on the backside to create a double-sided owl (hint – mobile-ready)! 

I have several customers who have managed to complete both sides of the owls in the threads provided in the thread kit….

• each owl measures about 4 inches square – they are small!!
• a variety of stitches in each owl
• an additional skein of thread is included to create the braid for finishing purposes

I hope you like Pharaoh!   

This is a “limited edition” kit so please shop early to avoid disappointment. AND, there are a total of seven owls available.

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Meet Screech!

If you are visiting for the first time, my What a Hoot series is a collection of six owls!  All are counted canvas versus painted canvas.  And, if you are looking for all six, they are available in my shop. 

Screech is the fifth owl in the series.  He is my Halloween themed owl which I’m sure you’ve already guessed.  I specifically wanted to include witches boots with striped socks which was the starting point for the design!  I have fond memories of those boots under the house in the Wizard of Oz! 

The colour theme for Screech was a palette of purple, turquoise and lime green with a hint of orange.  A bit different than the usual orange and black.

When the series was designed, I thought it would make a great mobile for a nursery or children’s room but I knew customers who purchased the owls would likely finish each owl differently depending on their preferences.  I’ve been looking forward to seeing how customers are finishing their owls.    

Patti recently shared the photo above as she has finished Screech as a stand up. 

Don’t you love him?

Thank you so much Patti for sharing.  I can see Screech displayed each Halloween!

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Owl I want for Christmas

is Joy! Or, perhaps owl I want for Christmas are SIX OWLS! They would make a great Christmas gift for anyone who enjoys counted canvas.

I must admit, I’ve been wanting to use this expression since I first thought of these owls. I simply couldn’t resist!

Joy is the sixth and last owl in my What a Hoot series.  We are celebrating the Christmas season with a traditional red and green colour palette.  As with Screech, Joy will be a bit more challenging to stitch but lots of fun.  A great variety of stitches and seasonal elements. Don’t you love those snowflakes?!

The kit includes the pattern (PDF), eyes, beak, snowflakes and all custom dyed threads to complete Joy.  AND remember, whatever threads are remaining once you complete her could be used on the backside creating a double-sided owl (mobile ready)! 

• each owl measures about 4 inches square – they are small!
• a variety of stitches in each owl
• an additional skein of thread is included to create the braid for finishing purposes

ALL SIX owls are now available in the shop, link below.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Kam for designing this fantastic collection.  We hope you have enjoyed the What a Hoot series.  What would you like to see next year?  Send me your ideas to info@colourcomplements.com. 

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I am SO excited to introduce Screech, the fifth owl in my What a Hoot series! 

If you are visiting for the first time, my What a Hoot series is a collection of SIX owls!  Each owl is introduced in my newsletter at the beginning of each month ending in September.

Why Screech?  When I was researching I found that “screech” owls are a genus of owls hence the name.  Besides, it worked for the season too – bonus!

When Kam and I started discussing the owls, I think the first thing, or almost first thing was I told her I wanted a Halloween themed owl.  AND my owl must have witch boots with striped socks!  What can I say, I like striped socks and besides, I kept thinking about the house falling on the wicked witch in the Wizard of Oz with only her boots sticking out!!!  I am amazed at not only the boots but all the different elements Kam managed to squeeze into the design.

What about orange?

Naturally I could have chosen orange BUT instead I have opted for a palette of purple, turquoise and lime green with only a hint of orange.  I simply had to be a bit different.

I have been receiving a lot of positive comments about the series and Kam and I are thrilled you are enjoying our owls.  Screech will be a bit more challenging to stitch so take your time and enjoy the process.  Now, let’s take a closer look at the palette 

As with all the owls, the kit contents include the pattern (PDF), eyes, beak and all custom dyed threads to complete Screech.  AND remember, whatever threads are remaining once you complete her could be used on the backside creating a double-sided owl (mobile ready)! 

I did want to mention that dye lots can vary slightly as many of you know. This is particularly true with hand-dyes. The turquoise floss that I dyed for the stitched sample may be slightly darker in value than what I dyed for the kits AND the lime green silk perle is a little more lime!

• each owl measures about 4 inches square – they are small!
• a variety of stitches in each owl
• an additional skein of thread is included to create the braid for finishing purposes

All FIVE owls are available in the shop.  I hope you are enjoying the series.  We are starting to think about another series for next year – what would you like to see?  Email me at info@colourcomplements.com with your ideas. 

Next month is the last owl.  Can you guess what season we will celebrate?  Until then

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Meet Athene, the fourth owl in my What A Hoot series.

My What a Hoot series is a collection of SIX owls!  Each owl is introduced in my newsletter at the beginning of each month ending in September. 

Did you know that Athene is a genus of owls – I didn’t!  They are small owls with brown and white speckles, yellow eyes and white eyebrows.  Well, I didn’t think that brown and white would be a particularly pleasing palette SO opted for brown and cream with a hint of blue/gray.  Sort of owl colours don’t you think?  AND this palette celebrates the fall season.

Once again, the kit contents include the pattern (PDF), eyes, beak and all custom dyed threads to complete Athene.  AND remember, whatever threads are remaining once you complete him could be used on the backside creating a double-sided owl (hint – mobile ready)! 

I have several customers who have managed to complete both sides of the owls in the threads provided in the thread kit….

• each owl measures about 4 inches square – they are small!
• a variety of stitches in each owl
• an additional skein of thread is included to create the braid for finishing purposes

From what my customers say, they are FUN to stitch!

I especially love the eyes on Athene – what do you think?

I can hardly wait until next month – it is my FAVOURITE owl!  A wee bit more of a challenge!!

Trust me, you won’t want to miss it!!

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Welcome Theros in my What A Hoot series.

What a Hoot is my new series, a collection of SIX owls!  Each owl will be introduced in my newsletter sent out early in the month through September.

Some of you may be wondering where the name Theros came from.  Well, Kam thought of this.  It means summer in Greek.  We both felt that this particular palette of colours screamed summer!

Once again, the colours are BOLD.  The focus colour in this palette is Colour #3 which is a blend of green, coral/orange and pink. Here is a photo of the kit threads

The kit contents include the pattern (PDF), eyes, beak and all custom dyed threads to complete Theros.  AND whatever threads are remaining once you complete her could be used on the backside creating a double-sided owl (hint – mobile ready)!  Each owl measures about 4 inches square – they are small! 

Please note that there will not be enough threads provided in the kit to finish the entire backside, but certainly a good portion of it.  You can always substitute existing threads or buy additional colours through my shop to complete the backside to your liking. 

Each kit contains an additional skein of thread to create the braid that outlines Theros for finishing purposes.

If you recall, Kam has designed the series to become slightly more challenging with each owl.  This provides a good progression.  There are a variety of stitches in each design.   

We don’t think you will get bored!  I could envision all six as a mobile for an owl-themed nursery!

Kam and I hope you like Theros!

AND, remember next month I will be introducing a NEW owl!

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Welcome Winky in my What A Hoot series.

If you missed last month, my new What a Hoot series is a collection of SIX owls!  Each owl will be introduced in my newsletter email at the beginning of the month through until September. 

Kam and I are delighted with your response to Fleur and hope you like Winky too!

I opted for a BOLD collection of colours focusing on turquoise and lime green.  I have no doubt you will figure out why I named this one Winky!  Here is a photo of the colour palette and threads

The kit contents include

• the pattern (PDF) – emailed on receipt of purchase
• eye and beak
• custom dyed threads to complete Winky

AND whatever threads are remaining once you complete her could be used on the backside creating a double-sided owl (hint – mobile ready)!  Each owl measures about 4 inches square – they are small! 

There will not be enough threads provided in the kit to finish the entire backside, but certainly a good portion of it.  You can always substitute existing threads or buy additional colours through my shop to complete the backside to your liking. 

Each kit contains an additional skein of thread to create the braid that outlines Winky for finishing purposes.

If you recall, Kam has designed the series to become slightly more challenging with each owl.  This provides a good progression.  There are a variety of stitches in each design.   

We don’t think you will get bored!  I could envision all six as a mobile for an owl-themed nursery!

Kam and I hope you like Winky!

AND, remember next month I will be introducing a NEW owl!

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Introducing my What a Hoot Series.

Meet Fleur – my first owl!

If you recall, I mentioned in my last post that all the owls in my What A Hoot series have names.  After Kam and I decided on owls, she said, “Lorraine, they all need names”!  Well, I hadn’t considered this at all.  AND, I’ve always been terrible at naming my quilts etc.  So, dilemma.

Then, it came to me one day – brilliant – or at least I thought so at the time!  Well, as it turned out I ran the risk of copyright infringement SO my original idea was nixed!  Plan B?

When I started selecting colour schemes for my owls I decided to select colours celebrating the seasons – spring, summer, fall etc.  So, I named my first owl “Fleur”.  Fleur means flower in French and I thought it worked well considering the chosen spring palette. You can see the colours below

Now let’s get to Fleur?

What is in the kit

• eyes and beak
• all custom dyed threads
• PDF pattern (emailed once payment is processed)

You will need to purchase 18 count mono canvas.

AND whatever threads are remaining once you complete her could be used on the backside creating a double-sided owl (hint – mobile ready)!  Each owl measures about 4 inches square – they are small! 

Please note that there will not be enough threads provided in the kit to finish the entire backside, but certainly a good portion of it.  You can always substitute existing threads or buy additional colours through my shop to complete the backside to your liking. 

Each kit contains an additional skein of thread to create the braid that outlines Fleur for finishing purposes.

As the series moves along, each owl will become a little more challenging.  This will provide a good progression.  There are a variety of stitches in each design.  We don’t think you will get bored! 

I could envision all six as a mobile for an owl-themed nursery!

Please note that the pattern is not sold separately.

Kam and I hope you like Fleur!

AND, remember next month I will be introducing my second owl!

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My What a Hoot series began as an idea last year. 

For years I’ve admired painted canvas designs, particularly the series or clubs I see advertised by designers through needlework shops.  BUT, I have rarely seen similar series in charted canvas designs.  Yes, some but not a lot! 

Late last year one of my customers, Kam Wenzloff had her Rainbow Ribbons design published in Needlepoint Now.  Although Kam and I had corresponded a wee bit prior to publication, I really had no idea of her background until I read the article.  Kam has worked in the needlework industry for over 45 years.  She owned and managed a retail shop, taught classes, designs both painted and charted designs and created an embellishment business selling her designs. These days she mostly designs for herself while enjoying being a grandma!

Once I completed reading the article, I sent Kam an email asking if she may be interested in creating a series of charted canvas designs for Colour Complements.  Lucky for me she liked the idea!  From there we started corresponding and chatting on the phone, discussing various ideas, options etc.  Over the course of several weeks we came up with What A Hoot.   

I know you are asking, what the heck is WHAT A HOOT?

What a hoot is a series of six owls.  Why owls – I’ve always been quite fascinated with owls.  In fact, my desktop screensaver is an owl!  Totally a coincidence that I really didn’t think much about until I came up with the owl idea. 

• Each owl is a different design celebrating bold and vibrant colours
• Each measures about 4 to 4 1/2 inches size finished – tiny beauties!
• All six are charted designs
• Exclusive to Colour Complements

I will be introducing one each month from April through September.  Each owl kit includes the PDF pattern, threads, eyes and beak.  

How does it work?

Each owl will be announced in my newsletter at the beginning of the month.  Kits will be available for purchase and a link will be provided.  Remember, each owl is a different design and they are sold as a kit. 

The patterns will not be sold separately at this time. 

All you grandma’s – I think all six would make a great mobile for a nursery!

Kam has done an incredible job designing these beauties.  Far better than I ever anticipated!  I am so excited, I can hardly wait to introduce you to “Fleur”!

Did I mention, YES, they each have names! 

Well, that’s a story for another post!

What A Hoot is coming Friday so stay tuned….

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