Ahoy thar mateys!

Shiver me timbers!...and all that Yo Ho Ho!

I did finally finish my little pirate set of birds. I know its completely silly and fun but I have been wanting to do this since I started making these little birds. My daughters are completely in love with them as expected - pirates being a big hit around here.

Making these little things brings me back to the days as child when my sister and I spent hours making doll house furniture out of balsa wood for our little wood cigar box house. Carving with our exacto knives, a little glue, and fabric occupied hours of our free time. I just loved dreaming up things for that little house so its no wonder I had so much fun doing this little themed set. Of course I am a little more skilled than those days -- where did that come from? My daughter is always asking me how I sew such neat little stitches when hers are big and crooked -- the only thing I can tell her is practice. And I can picture myself at that age with the same frustration!

So here is a photo of the listing in my shop



Anyway I will leave you with this tune:

Fifteen men on the dead man’s chest — Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum!

Lost without LOST!

Well no not really. But I am looking forward to indulgently watching this show again. Life really has been too busy to miss it but there is something relaxing about being completely absorbed in a rivoting tv program. I have been thoroughly enjoying the Jane Austen movies on Masterpiece theater but Lost is just something that you have to pay attention to constantly so you don't miss some important clue.

The end of the month approaches and I am finished with one of my big custom orders -- a wedding set with bride and groom, maid of honor, best man, ring bearer, and three flower girls. They are all so sweet but my what an undertaking! The little birds are so difficult to work with given their smaller size. For this set the bride provided beautiful colored crystals for the eyes, fabric for the veil and bridesmaids, and tiny brightly colored mushrooms for the base. Last week I was out hunting through a birch forest deep in snow for the perfect branches with my hand saw in tow. I couldn't bear to cut down a living tree so searched out a bent or recently dead one still standing. I was definitely out of breath after that bit of adventure. The moss for the cake topper base was from Michaels.



I am busy working on a big set of my fabric birds as well as more pretty little wedding bird couples. I finally have my pirate themed wedding bird set almost complete. The birds I had finished before Christmas but I just wasn't sure what I wanted to do for the base. This isn't a custom order and I should be listing it in my shop within the next few days. Certainly it is a bit whimsical and I don't know how practical it would be for a wedding and yet I could help wanting to do something completely fun and silly! It is a little amusing that I have to use my "free" time to do these things while my "work" time is spent keeping up with my custom work. I never would have expected this when starting out last winter. Well its all good!

On being busy...

I guess there are advantages to being busy. (I'm looking on the bright side here!)

Too busy to wallow in winter blues
Too busy to watch the stupid tv
Too busy to waste hours online
Too busy to clean house much -- and I have an excuse
Too busy to volunteer for everything -- learning to say NO
Too busy to snack too much
Too busy that its ok if I make a few mistakes along the way -- missed appointments, etc

In any case January is racing by and February is on its way! And February means Valentines Day!

This is a Valentine treasury on Etsy that I love. My new pair of red birds are included.

It's Monday .... another snow day!

Yes, another snow day. Yesterday it was so warm you couldn't believe that snow was coming so soon again. As I was sitting at the table I felt for an instant that it felt like maple sugaring time. Then in dawned on me that in several weeks we once again will be starting this arduous process. It does make the lingering winter months go by so fast and is so much fun too. But as with many fun things the process takes a lot of energy and time. I guess one more reason to hope that winter holds on a little longer.

The kids were out early with snow pants over their pj's. When I looked out they appeared to be stuffing their faces with snow.

I was busy packaging up things to go out in the mail -- hopeful that the roads would clear up a bit.

Here are some of my latest creations ...



another photo of my blue birds



and a few lovely treasuries too..

Nesting....

Our little zebra finch pair has laid a little egg. The girls are so thrilled about this too! With only one little egg in their nest the finches are not yet "sitting" on it. The girls are busy checking up on it asking all those important questions (when will it hatch?, how does it get food?, ....) I love watching their excitement.

I was also outside collecting nesting material. Using some bittersweet vine, grape vine curls, and even some gourd plant curls I made a little rough nest for my latest pair of birds (for a custom order). Shown is the sketch I did and the actual pair of birds. I haven't worked out the beak color yet.

Feels like spring! I'm loving the sun!

What a beautifully warm day even with the snow so deep that its uncomfortable to walk in! I had to sit out on the porch and work in the sun for a while just soaking up its warmth. Sad to say a few honey bees left their hive today and didn't make it back. When they get too close to the cold snow I think their metabolism slows down and they can't fly back.

I wanted to share this little fun story by Lovebug on http://www.weddingbee.com/ about the arrival of their little wedding birds. Its just too cute! I'm so glad they are happy in their new home!

Quiet january....

I am a little blue that Christmas is over and the house is quiet again with the girls off at school. But there is little time for that with my busy schedule of custom orders and I am looking forward to working on them. Of course it won't be quiet for long as my youngest is reminding me that her birthday is coming up soon. With 3 kids I do feel that I'm reaching my "birthday party" limit with the youngest. I will do my best to live up to the past parties

I got a little note this morning letting me know that my little bird was included in this little Etsy treasury. Thank you!



This is another one from last week that I forgot to include. I love the black and white!

A new year ...

I am looking forward to another year with even more exciting creativity. Last year was a first with my newly opened shop in Dec 2006 and has kept me pretty busy. I had sold my work locally at shops and galleries but my shop on Etsy was all my own. I really do love it. Lets hope the next year is just as exciting!

My bird cake toppers are featured on Etsy Finds today too! Wow!



I did manage to get most of "presents" made for my youngest daughter to some degree. Its difficult to live up to expectations but one can only do what one can. "Rosie" is our new addition to my daughters favorite baby dolls. She is pretty much Annie Ootie's twin with a few minor exceptions. They do look cute together. I sewed two matching hats but never had time to finish mittens and booties on Christmas eve.



My little fairy house and acorn cap fairies (dolls actually) was an improvised affair. I was planning on a house made of either tree bark or log rounds but with all the snow I figured finding materials would be difficult. So I made a house from an old felted brown sweater. I only managed to make 3 little dolls and no furniture and I will have to leave my dreams of decorating the fairy house to a free morning. I want to add felt flowers and vines along the walls and roof.