February Goddess of the Month: The Cailleach

 I have started the hand embroidery for this month’s goddess for my A Goddess a Month project. I have chosen the Cailleach for February.

The Cailleach was the goddess of the cold and the winds. Sometimes known as the Veiled One or the Queen of Winter, the Cailleach determined the winter’s length and harshness. The Cailleach dwelled in Scotland, Ireland, and the Isle of Man, and many places remain dedicated to her within these regions. 

The goddess is being stitched on 100% cotton fabric with a tone on tone spiral print, I am using DMC 6 strand floss 157 for the flesh and DMC Etoile C798 for the Cailleach's mantle or cloak. I had planned to use the Etoile floss for the little bit of sparkle it has to give the appearance of ice on her clothing. Here is my progress so far, I haven't done the eyes yet I am trying to decide whether I will leave them blank or use a blue floss.

The photo looks as if the flesh is done in white floss trust me its blue. Once the stick and wash product is remove she will look less messy.  

A Few Books for the Witchy Reading Challenge

 

I picked up a few books from the library today and two of them will be read for the 2021 Witchy Year Reading Challenge.

The Daughters of Temperance Hobbs by Katherine Howe also wrote The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane which I read in April 2015. I'm not sure if the book is a series or just a follow up since both books have the same main character.

 I finished reading  Year of the Witch by Temperance Alden and also read a quick cozy mystery Charms and Chocolate Chips by Bailey Cates, its a Magical Bakery series brewing magically spiced treats with a coven of hedge witches, this was the 3rd book in the series, I started the 4th book Some Enchanted Eclair yesterday.

On the crafty side of life I finished the January Goddess for my Goddess a month for 2021 project.

 I began the hand embroidery on another Brigid's Cross piece and have to put the finishing touches of the sketch for the February Goddess.

There us quite a bit of detail in this design so it won't be ready for Brigid's day this year which is fine with me I just like having a few embroidery pieces reading to stitch.  

Peace Square and the Four Goddesses embroidered

4 Goddesses

Another hand embroidery piece has been hand stitched, now onto pressing and adding a simple border.

My Peace Square stitchery is done and also needs to be pressed and trimed to size then mailed off.

Peace square

I love working small hand embroidery pieces, it keeps my fingers busy and my stitching improves with each piece.