Orchard and Lace Quail

Twice a day, the quail would venture out from the blackberry bushes and come up through the orchard to feed at my mother-in-law's well stocked bird feeder. There was a lot of underbrush near her feeder, so the quail, along with their chicks, must have felt safe and protected there.

Orchard Quail was inspired by those daily visits from the quail. The antique black background suggests that feeling of closed-in safety that surrounded the feeding quail. Orchard Quail also has an autumn feel for me, maybe because of the fall colors of red, orange, and warm browns spread throughout the design in the berries and mounded border motifs.

The second quail pattern, Lace Quail, is a spin off design from Orchard Quail.

I was asked to recreate the same feel, but instead of an oval format, they wanted the finished piece to be a rectangle. It was a fun challenge to revisit and hook a quail incorporating a lace-like oval shape within the rectangle. I framed it in an aged barn wood frame. The soft grays in the quail beautifully play off the frame's color and rustic look.

Orchard Quail and Lace Quail are available in my Etsy Shop!

Hooking Lace Quail on the Oregon Coast.