Sew Bird Crazy

Fall Bird Migration

Sniff, Sniff... It has begun, Fall bird migration. Soon my backyard bird scene will change, my chipping sparrows will be replaced with flocks of House Sparrows and Juncos. The only good thing about migration, I might get a chance to see a bird that I normally don't see everyday. Today the feeders were especially busy, lots of chickadees, downy woodpeckers and quite a few goldfinch spend the day here, not sure why. So I decided to try out our Sony Handycam, to see if it took decent pictures, since I got sand in my camera at the beach and it just wont zoom anymore. While I was trying it out, a female Rose Grosbeak stopped by to pig out and another bird, with a pale green to yellow plumage stopped by. I picked up my handy Pennsylvania bird guide, but after looking and looking I still couldn't identify this bird. It hung out for a short time, landed on the bird feeder hanger probably to see what all the fuss was about, but never had a bite. Must be a bug or berry eater. I only got 2 shots of the bird before it left. Here is some photos. And from the looks of it, I'll be buying a new camera, this Handycam takes horrible pictures.

   

Rose Breasted Grosbeak (female)

Pixie Dust Decor Fabrics, Thank you!

How can I say thank you enough to Stacy McCallum of Pixie Dust Decor fabrics for sending me three yards of her new fabric line Luxembourg? This fabric is absolutely adorable I love the garden, birds and puppet scene. You can see and feel the quality. I was having a horrible day till this showed up and it put a smile on my face, restoring my faith that good people and good companies still exist. What will I make of this? I still haven't decided, but I do know it will be something special. You can find this fabric online for purchase at Pixie Dust Decor. Thanks again Stacy!

Pixe Dust Decor: LUXEMBOURG by the yard

via pixiedustdecor.com

A favorite of mine, Pixie Dust Fabrics they have great fabrics for kids and baby decor. Even better the fabric is made in the USA. Check out all the gorgeous fabric they have to offer, even if you don't sew they offer adorable items for children like aprons, bibs, blankets, crib sets and my all time favorite, the tuffet floor pillow.

Paper Flowers and Fabric Leaves Tutorial

 I finally wrapped up this fabric leaves and paper flower project I had going on. It was actually quite easy, the leaf pattern tutorial I found on Amy Butlers website in her free pattern section. Of course I didn't follow the directions correctly and sewed my leaves on upside-down, I didn't even notice until my Mother pointed it out, thanks Mom. The parchment paper flower tutorial, I found on Etsy's How-to-Tuesday. I opted not to use the parchment paper, to boring with no pattern and no texture. Instead I picked up a scrapbook paper tablet by Martha Stewart, the paper is a little stiffer, but worked out great. I did buy floral tape like the tutorial says, but instead of wrapping the stems I picked up pre-packaged floral cloth wire. You will still need the floral tape for wrapping the hook section of the stem and taping your flower in place. The extra scones I picked up at Michaels as well, just to add some omph and texture.

 

 

 

Pocono Antique Mall

Gold Mine! On my way home from NJ yesterday we decided to punch in antique on the GPS. We stopped at what I thought was a small place to have a quick look around, boy was I wrong. A quick stop turned into hours and I still didn't see the entire place or all the treasures it holds. It was 90 degrees yesterday and the place has no air conditioning, I highly recommend going, but choose a cooler day. I almost passed out from the heat, but what can I say, I'm a die hard.

I found a vintage tea towel, vintage rooster fabric, a vintage tablecloth and (of course) bird salt and pepper shakers.

The tea towel, I'm going to transform that into an apron, but the fabric, I'm undecided on. I'll find something for them eventually.

 

 

I love coming home to....roses

I love coming home from work to find roses waiting for me, thanks honey, love ya.

Honey Bun Lampshade and Tutorial

Finally finished the lampshade and here it is.

 

Turned out pretty well and it wasn't that hard either. Sewing the strips to the paper was easy, but the quilt basting spray wasn't to fun, smells horrible, doesn't dry to well and it gets all over your hands, I recommend wearing gloves and using it outside. I chose not to use the whip-stitch in the tutorial and secured the overhang with a hot glue gun instead, much easier and much faster. Iron your fabric and use a good starch, this is a good time to find out if you missed any stitches, I always miss one because I refuse to use pins unless I have to. I still have lots of honey bun left over, so maybe I will make a pillow or cover another shade. Overall it was a good tutorial and a great way to customize your decor. Thanks P.S. I Quilt.

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