The Power of Silence

I kept the stitching and beading for this months cougar pretty straightforward.  Thread embroidery was used to add texture to the branches and add detail to the cougar's face.   I used beads for the little bit of Ivy that climbs onto the piece on the left hand side.  I kept the beading on the cougar to outlining to keep with the refined look of the cougar.  I used a mix of beads to increase the shading effects possible.  My last steps were adding leaf beads to the trees and crystal sequin stars to the sky.

All of the stitching and beading for this piece was done on one of our trips to Philadelphia.  I have managed to accomplish a fair amount of beading on our trips there, between the drive up and down and the time here and there that I fit in I always seem to get a lot accomplished.

Cougars are expert climbers and swimmers and have 410 voluntary muscles. They are powerful, graceful, and stealthy in the dark. I am none of those things but sure is cool. Cunning, highly intelligent, with a strength of will, steadfastness, and intuitive abilities are often found in those with the cougar. Part of us is domestic and the other wild and primitive; we may dream of racing through the forest in the dark and dancing around a campfire. Cougars are primarily nocturnal.


Cougars help us to make quick decisive action and to measure or pace our movements according to the goal we are trying to achieve. Showing us how to grow and take charge they lead us to our own power. Guiding one to balance when to be gentle and when to assert oneself more forcefully the cougar can teach us how to defend ourselves and yet reminds us that there is strength and power in gentleness.. They remind us to use leadership wisely and without ego; balancing power, intention and strength. It may be a time to learn about power and to test your own. Assert your power, stretch your muscles and show your capabilities: bring out your power, fill your heart with it in a manner that will enable you to take charge of your life.

Cougars can move into different realities. As we peer into the darkness of the unknown the cougar can help guide us to the other side so that we can enjoy exploring the mystical side of life. Becoming more perceptive of our surroundings is something they can help us with so that we can achieve a heightened sense of spiritual awareness. They are a link between ourselves, Mother Earth, Father Sky and the Originator of All. Learning the benefits of concentration, deep contemplation, prayer and the power of silence will help those with the cougar as one of their animals spirits. They ask if we are empowering our lives the best way we can

I will write a post later this week with the start of my April piece and a photo of the first 7 months on the tree background.  I chose my Tree Spirit for April since I expect it will take a bit longer and I will be traveling to Iowa the last half of the month to visit my folks.  I should have plenty of time to bead.

I have recently changed my website up so if you would like to see all of the changes please visit Artistic Kreations and Passions.  If you want to see even more photos of my BJP pieces please check out my Web Gallery.  I have added photos of the box I started when I took a class with Robin Atkins when she visited Baltimore to my Web gallery so you can see them there or read about it on my Artistic Kreations and Passions Blog.