10.28.2008

A Few Words On The Birds

bird brain: a person with confused ideas; incapable of serious thought

Yes, that seems about right today. Might have something to do with staying up waaaay past my bedtime last night, knitting and watching a movie. Can't say I won't do it again tonight, though; it was awfully fun.

I'm seeing a lot of stuffed birds of the non-feathered variety popping up here and there (in fact, go here to enter a contest to win a bird and a very cool family cookbook). Just thought I'd pass on a few bird related tips and show you what I've been doing with my little birds.

First of all, a little tip when sewing your birds:

basting the bird tail

Sew a basting stitch 1/8 inch from the edge of the tail before stitching the sides and beak of the bird. The basted stitch will make it easier and faster to turn in the seam allowance and stitch up the tail.

I've been exploring different combinations of fabrics and textures, including this little bird.

ribbon bellied blue bird

His belly is made from a beautiful ribbon I picked up from the thrift store a few weeks ago.

ribbon bellied blue bird

Oh the possibilities!

Here is another perch option:

birds in a vase

Sticks in a vase. This was my original idea for displaying the birds before I stumbled upon the perfect branch to hang on the wall. I think a bird bouquet would make a perfect gift.

Wondering what to do with all those scraps from cutting out little birdies?

bird nest

Make a bird nest! I used a plastic bowl turned upside down and simply dipped the scraps of fabric in watered down glue. I applied the first layer facing down so that the right side of the fabric lined the nest. After the first layer dried I applied a second layer, right side of fabric facing out. Clear as mud?

making of the bird nest

bird nest made of scraps

Voila! A bird nest made from scraps. I thought about making some fabric eggs for the nest, but lost my ambition. Perhaps you'll pick up that torch and run with it.

Lastly, I wanted to show you my new to me apron.

bird apron

Imagine my glee when I found this little beauty at the thrift store for a dollar. You could have knocked me over with a feather. Just the right thing to wear while crafting little birds and thinking confused thoughts with my bird brain.

I currently have dough in the bread machine for pumpkin spice bagels. I've never made bagels before, but am anxious to give it a whirl. Tomorrow is Aidan's field trip to the pumpkin patch, and what could be better than a pumpkin bagel with cream cheese in his brown bag lunch. I'll let you know how they turn out.

Don't forget to enter the pant-wearing chicken contest if you haven't already. Just two more days!

38 comments:

  1. That apron is awesome! And I love the birds! I can't quite wrap my brain around actually making one though! My brain has a hard time visualizing the pattern! And I can mostly sew in straight lines, so I may not be able to pull this one off! LOL

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  2. I haven't jumped onto the bird bandwagon yet but you're pushing me closer and closer. I especially love the ribbon belly.

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  3. One dollar?? Waaahh. I swear, I'm going thrifting with you. I stink at it.

    You know how much I love that blue bird. So perfect.

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  4. Thanks for the inspiration! I'm working on a flock :)
    Jeanne

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  5. I'm going to have to try those bagels! I can't wait to hear how they turn out!!

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  6. i am about to die over that bird bouquet! and the scrap nest...oh so sweet and perfect!

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  7. wow. bird brain is right! i LOVE that apron, and the birds in a vase is such a great idea!

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  8. Molly,
    I love all of your new birds and their homes. That ribbon belly is quite stunning. I like the tail tip, too! I'm still looking for my dream branch. Looks like YOU found my dream apron, so I'll stop looking for that :) Let us all know how the bagels turn out. I made them from scratch a few years ago, what a genius you are to make the dough in the machine. I was just thinking TODAY, that it was time to dust the ol' bread machine off and make the house smell terrific. Hope you have sweet dreams and an earlier night.

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  9. Thanks for the basting tip on the bird! I will be making some of these this weekend for a wreath I'm working on for the library....should be interesting!

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  10. I agree, I love your bird towel find! And your birds are very creative!

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  11. No way! I bought that exact same apron a couple weeks ago at an antique store! I paid a lot more than a dollar for it though, bugger. :) I love it. In fact, I wore it tonight!

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  12. SWEET find and $1!!!!! all the better. i love that apron and those bird mobiles and the nest. gosh you are SO creative.

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  13. SWEET find and $1!!!!! all the better. i love that apron and those bird mobiles and the nest. gosh you are SO creative.

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  14. you are too much.
    i love it!!!
    maybe the eggs could be what fling you into the felting world?

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  15. omg that apron is fantastic!! :^D)

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  16. All these birds are making me ga-ga, I am inlove!!

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  17. Wow Molly - adorable birds and apron, but I LOVE your nest! What a great re-use. Back in March we did a "Lovebirds" theme shower for my sis/husband...see my birds and nest here:
    http://ourgreennest.blogspot.com/2008/03/lovebirds-event-decor.html

    I love birdies and nests (obviously:)...I think "our green nest" needs a fabric scrap nest though too (and more birds)! :) Tu for the inspiration!

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  18. molly, how do you find these things? are you spending hours at the thrift store? how do these things come to you without need for scissors or stain remover or at least $3?

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  19. Thanks for the bird making tip--I printed out the pattern a couple of days ago and I'm wanting to get started on making some birds!

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  20. I have some wooden eggs that would be perfect for that nest - I think I'll revisit this idea this spring.

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  21. More lovely birds...hooray! Such fun variety! I especially love the chocolate one and your sky blue one is just striking. I am having visions of birds to make and the little perch I am going to let them swing on in my window (love birds of course), but have yet to find the time. Eventually....I hope!

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  22. The bird with the ribbon from the thrift store is soooo cute. And I love your apron!

    Eggs made from your new favorite material....

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  23. the ribbon belly is so stinking cute and i totally going to make that nest too. you rock, molly.

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  24. Wow, Molly, way to extend your original idea!! I love that whole process of finding a design that really speaks to you and taking it in so many different directions. You definitely go deep, and I love that about you! I'm envying your birdie apron. It looks very Ed Emberley.

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  26. that ribbon belly bird is adorable!

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  27. OMG!! I thought I had the only vintage green and orangey bird apron!! I love mine and wear it all the time,even out in public!

    Thanks for all the bird making tips, my flock is growing!

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  28. I am quite jealous of that apron!

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  29. Wow, so many birdie ideas! That apron is super cute. And good luck with those bagels. I've never made them either, and think it would be fun!

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  30. Count me in on the bird wagon. It seems like we have been bird obsessed around our house for most of this past year. Here's a felted bird I made for my mom. But your fabric ones are now on my "to make" list and I love the fabric scrap nest.

    http://bagelsandcrawfish.blogspot.com/2008/05/mothers-day-2008.html

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  31. p.s. you are no bird brain. you are one tough hen, ruler of a roost.

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  32. That nest is blowing me away - just beautiful! And I often wish there were a loud speaker at my happy place thrift store so when I find those treasures I could scream it to the store!

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  33. Molly, I swear my mom had that same apron in the 70's. In fact, (knowing my mom) she still has it tucked away somewhere. I loved it then and I love it now.

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  34. Ok Molly, did you read what MamaB said? She wears her apron in public. I know you want to.....

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  35. Haven't been over for a visit in awhile~ The birds are so stinking cute!!

    Oh...and the birdy apron; my granny had that very one. I have had my eyes out for one also.. What a score indeed.

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  36. I only just found your blog. Thank you for caring about the things that matter to you. I enjoy your thoughts, as well as the crafts, knitting and creative frugality. I re-read posts back through about August, trying to read between the lines... Foothills of California but within a day's driving distance of the beach? That rules out the Sierra Foothills. Calistoga in Sonoma County? Cobb Mt in Mendocino County?
    I have a magazine picture I'd like to e-mail to you, you'll totally get a kick out of it. Leslie

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  37. Love your birds. I went crazy making these this summer, too. Made a mobile for my stepmother's 70th and have put the rest all around the house. By the time I was done I was making them so fast! But the basting tip is great because my ends are NOT pretty!

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