Elsy Menko – C
Curlew
My chosen subject for this year is nature. As a bird lover what comes to mind first is birds. In The Netherlands we used to see many curlews in the farmland close to our home. I cannot remember having seen one here in Israel, such a pity, they are beautiful.
It was a joy to work on this assignment. I took a picture from the internet and for the background worked with strips of cotton, silk, organza, some polyester silver netting to attain some shimmer, tule and palm fibre. The bird is handstitched.
Original photo:
FIFTEEN BY FIFTEEN 
I too love curlews, so a great choice of subject and beautifully stitched! I really like the way the piece is constructed and the difference in texture between the different areas. Well done!
Great choice Elsy ! I like the green sripe on the left, it gives balance to your piece. Very good colour harmony.
Such a lovely background. I like the palm fiber between the water and the sky. The green part gives something extra to your quilt. I really love the hand stitched bird. Bravo!
You made a beautiful bird and I love how you constructed the background with all the different colors blue.The palm fiber is very special. Great work.
This is a wondeful addition to your nature series. The handstitching was an inspired decision, adding texture and detailto this bird.
This is a very vibrant piece! Love your bird and love the texture!
A lovely depiction of the curlew and well thought out background that gives the texture of the rocks and water. I like the way you have added hand stitchng to bring out the character of the bird.
A delightful subject love the browns and contrast to the blue.
What a beautiful, life like bird!
I love the curlew too and am excited when I spot one in the fields. Your surely managed to create it in a natural background, and your technique is great. Good idea to make the darker piece on the left side of your work, it gives gripp.
A beautiful depiction of a beautiful bird. The background sea is effective and the green border sets it all off nicely.
A well balanced composition and beautifully stitched curlew!
I love the textures you show in this piece, beautiful technique and nice composition. Bravo.