Tuesday, November 13, 2012

*** BIRDS ***
--------------- they're everywhere! ---------------
or at least, they will be
 

My favorite magazine in the world arrived with a cute birdie on the cover...



...but the instructions to make them were way too much trouble for me.  So I re-invented a process that suited my lazy style


Instead of carving a linoleum and printing it on some kind of
 fancy paper I have no clue about, I used printed scrapbook papers (a cardstock weight) and did a little greeting card recycling as well for my papers of choice.   



I don't make for a happy hand stitcher so I used a machine blanket stitch to hold them together.



They of course started out like those in the magazine...


...but soon I decided they needed tail feathers.




They also soon lost their button eyes for sequin and glass bead eyes...ahh...shiny!




...shake your tail feathers!...

 
I'm trying to get their wings to stick out a bit by gently curling them without creasing the paper.

 
These stuffed paper birdies have been awfully fun for me to make.  I'm not sure yet whether you'll find them hanging all over the house or hanging all together on a cord.  Or both! 

 
I started thinking I needed some Christmas birdies for the holidays, but they might not happen.

Take creative flight!
Annie

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25 comments:

  1. KarenNovember 13, 2012 at 6:34 AM

    they are so cute! love them! the tail feathers work perfectly - bet these would be great in fabric too

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  2. West Michigan QuilterNovember 13, 2012 at 6:58 AM

    I love your birds. You are so creative. You should do a tutorial. I'd love to have them hanging in my house all year long!

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  3. RachelNovember 13, 2012 at 7:29 AM

    You have done it again. Oh, so cute!

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  4. Daryl @ Patchouli Moon StudioNovember 13, 2012 at 7:50 AM

    I haven't seen the issue yet of cps, so I don' t know what the magazine ones looked like, but I love your birds! Just reading about the easier way you made yours sounded better. Sometimes I think instructions can way too involved and like you, I always look for an easier and usually better way of making something. Your birds are just fabulous, like you!

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  5. Judy D in WANovember 13, 2012 at 8:20 AM

    OMGosh, how cute are those!!! The tail feathers just send them over the top. :)

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  6. ellen gets craftyNovember 13, 2012 at 8:37 AM

    It's always fun to take an idea and redesign it into your own creation. Love your tweetie birds!

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  7. RobinNovember 13, 2012 at 9:01 AM

    your birds are very cute I can see them hanging on the Christmas tree or a wreath on the front door, wherever you put them they will bring a smile to some one

    Robin in Washington State

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  8. Cindy SharpNovember 13, 2012 at 9:31 AM

    Wonderful!

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  9. GillNovember 13, 2012 at 9:41 AM

    Gorgeous Annie!
    I will look out for that issue of CPS in the UK!

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  10. carolNovember 13, 2012 at 10:29 AM

    Looks like there are plenty more of us bird brains out there all waiting to join you making these darling birdies! I think they'd look neat on a Christmas tree....only don't get them too close to the lights.

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  11. johannaNovember 13, 2012 at 10:54 AM

    fantastic birds! and CPS is my fave mag, too...

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  12. sheila 77November 13, 2012 at 1:42 PM

    CPS is my absolute favourite magazine too, in fact I am in the process of re-reading them backwards to the first issue (about half-way through). Your birdies make a lovely flock, you do have fun with your art.

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  13. bohemiannie! artNovember 13, 2012 at 2:00 PM

    The mark of a good artist...in my opinion...is to use what you have and make 'it' your own...which you've done brilliantly!

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  14. PattiNovember 13, 2012 at 4:00 PM

    So wonderful, and all birds need tail feathers to preen!

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  15. LesleyNovember 13, 2012 at 5:13 PM

    Annie, your little birds are priceless and ingenious! Love the way you put your own stamp on the little birdies with their feathers and machine stitching! Way to go!

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  16. RamonaNovember 13, 2012 at 6:29 PM

    I'm thinking they may be taking up nests in your holiday tree! Very cute - I could totally see some in holiday wrappers - even swagged on your mantle - who needs little triangles of fabric when you can have birds!

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  17. BeezusNovember 14, 2012 at 1:36 AM

    Oh, these are cute, Annie. I'm actually thinking of taking a lino class in the spring - the guy who teaches my drawing class also teaches that one. But yeah, I am like you. If there is an easier (cheaper?) way to do something, then I'll definitely steer that way! :)

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  18. MicheleNovember 14, 2012 at 5:43 AM

    Really cute flock.

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  19. SnoodlesNovember 14, 2012 at 8:45 AM

    Oh, Annie, you made my morning! I'm trying hard to smile, and your birdies did the trick. They are so cute, and the tweaks you made are perfect. What are they stuffed with? They're just wonderful - thank you for sharing them.

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  20. legato1958November 15, 2012 at 10:21 PM

    Your little aviary collection is totally cute and precious!! They each have their own little personality!!

    susie

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  21. Lori SaulNovember 18, 2012 at 4:44 PM

    These are fantastic- so expressive and so beautiful to hang anywhere- love your imagination and creativity Annie!

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  22. BarbNovember 18, 2012 at 6:01 PM

    Those are adorable...and nothing like making it easier....I am up for easy!

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  23. Lori SaulNovember 18, 2012 at 8:11 PM

    Annie,

    Thanks for dropping by my other blog- I turned off the word verification- thanks for letting me know. That challenge site is long over but I do leave the blog open for viewing. The word verifications were a lot easier 2 years ago when I opened that blog. Now they are a pain!. Again thanks for looking and your lovely comments!

    Lori

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  24. CarolNovember 29, 2012 at 2:50 PM

    Hi, I made one of these last night, and it worked out great! I now have to make 23 more. I've been invited to a party on Dec. 12th at 12:12 p.m., I was assigned 2 turtle doves as my theme for a favor. There are 12 people attending the party, so I'm making 24 birds! I will get to keep 2 for myself! These are perfect! Thank you for the inspiration!

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  25. AnonymousDecember 5, 2012 at 7:25 AM

    Finally just caught up with your blog...these are such cuties! Now you need a little tree branch to hang a bunch of them from!

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Who doesn't love comments and inspiration?!