Metal Work Monday: Owls..so maybe I am trendy...

You can probably tell that I am not super trendy. Well, I didn't think that I was until the owl craze starting sweeping the nation. Freakin' hipsters.

I made this super cute owl bracelet, perfect for the fall. 

I ran a bronze ID tag and a silver disc through the Sizzix 

Big Kick to emboss the tree and owl.

I used my jeweler's saw to cut out the owl.

I used my Dremel and several files to smooth the edges.

I used some purple nail polish to give him some zest.

I sanded a bit off to really accentuate the details.

I used two brass eyelets to cold connect the two pieces.

It seemed perfect to make them his eyes.

I combined gunmetal and bronze chain for further interest.

Love at first sight!

Reboot

I am ecstatic. I have started again.

I have had a ton of stress lately. I know that everyone does, but it seemed like so many things were just piling up at once. I let it get me out of myself and out of my routine.

Things, mentally, came to a head yesterday afternoon. I recognized that I needed some time to actually reboot...restart...MAKE THINGS! So, I took two days off to do whatever I want.

This morning, I could have slept as late as I wanted, but I was naturally up at 7am. So, five mile run it is...then I decided to bake something and the day became a whirlwind from there: scones, stuffed mushrooms, zucchini and tomato casserole, banana ice cream, two bracelets, two tote bags...I AM BACK.

I now have projects and photos for several blog posts--regular posts starting tomorrow :)

Here's what I got up to today:

For tomorrow's Foodie Friday post: Maple Sugar Pecan Scones!

Picked veggies in the garden for dinner.

Made two grocery/gym bags from old t-shirts for
the Stitchy Saturday post.

Made a super fun owl bracelet for Metalwork Monday.

Lastly, made an awesome vegetarian dinner of onion/olive stuffed mushrooms,
zucchini/tomato casserole, and quinoa pilaf. YUM!

Sunday Funday: Getting back in the swing

Trying to become a regular blogger again has been a bit of a challenge. Given the absolutely gorgeous weather this weekend, we have spent the entire time outdoors, getting things done. Which means that I have done nothing to prepare for the coming week's blog.I also have made those pesky quilt blocks yet. Nothing has been made, much less photographed. 


Luckily, I did today's project just before the hiatus.


It is forecast call for rain tomorrow night, so I can buckle down and get things cranking again!

Bought these awesome bird patterns from So September.
LOVe Corrine's work!! Also, kind of in love with the colors that I chose.
And, yes, I am stitching on a fabric napkin that I picked up at Goodwill
for $.25. 

The finished trio on my inspiration wall. 

It's a lil bit fuzzy, but you get the idea!

Stitchy Saturday: Birdie Brooches

When it rains, sometimes it really pours. Right after getting over walking pneumonia, I had a show premiering and life was just a little bit overwhelming.


 I was really bummed that I had to take a week off, I was concerned that once I took a break that I wouldn't be able to come back with vigor. I admit that I lost my zeal for a little while there. I haven't made anything in over a week. That is rough. I signed up to do a quilt block swap this month (whoops!) and I have until Friday to design, make, and ship four blocks.Yikes!


 My sweetie and I went to a great plant sale this morning and spent several hours working on his plot in the community garden before he left for a business trip. I dropped a pretty sizable chunk of change on flowers, veggies and herbs for the many gardens that surround my home. Not one of them is ready for them. 


But, I will hit my stride again. I can finally run again, albeit in small amounts for now. I will come back, on the rad and in the studio.


A little something that I whipped up just before the show was a series of birdie brooches to spruce up my spring wardrobe. They will help me wing my way back to normal.

The supplies: felt, fun fabric,
embroidery floss, and a pin.

I cut out the pattern out of both felt and a fun fabric. I cut
the wing out of the same fabric.

I stitched the wing on with the back stitch, used the satin stitch for
the beak, and a couple seed stitches for the eye. I sewed the pin to the
right side of the fun fabric. I used the blanket stitch to connect the two
pieces (wrong sides together.) I love them! They are so quick and are
a great way to use small scraps.

Foodie Friday: Terra Cotta Roaster Chicken

Okay, so it is a tiny bit morbid to roast a chicken during bird week, but it is so delicious, I couldn't resist

To roast in terra cotta, you have to soak the lid for 15 minutes.

I stuffed my chicken with lemon, garlic, and thyme.
I also put some under the skin.
I roasted it in the terra cotta roaster at 425 for 9o minutes.
Both the temp and time are longer in the roaster.

To go with the chicken, I soaked some quinoa for 15 minutes and
cooked it in chicken broth for 30 minutes.

I added chick peas, sultanas, and sun flower seeds 
to the quinoa and served it with slices of chicken. Yummy!

Thankful Thursday: Upcycled Bird Feeder

I love the sounds of spring...the bird song, not the construction noises. I rummaged through the recycling bin to make an easy bird feeder. The project would be good for older kids, too!

Supplies: an empty peanut butter jar, a larger lid (for the perch),
Exacto/utility knife, eye hook, drill, hot glue gun, bird seed.

I drilled a hole in the lid and screwed in the eye hook.

Using the exacto, I cut several holes for the seed to come out.
This was the hardest part!

I glued the larger lid to the bottom with a hot glue gun.

Filled, hung, and ready to please!

WIP Wednesday: Teeny Tiny Birdhouses

Sometimes, you just make something because it is cute. Hence, these birdhouses.

Sweet tiny and sweet.

I used two tiny wooden houses, craft paint, an embroidery pattern
for inspiration, and sealant.

Base painted.

I drew the designs on in pencil and painted over them.

How Tuesday: Portlandia Bird Mobile

Today's craft--super simple, simply marvelous. Using the Portlandia bird, I created a mobile to jazz up my kitchen.

I downloaded an image of the bird used on Portlandia,
but any bird would do. I traced it onto card stock and cut it out.

I gathered some twigs from my yard and but an eye hook in  one to
hang from the ceiling and attach the other sticks.

I used 22 gauge wire to add loops to the other sticks and
attached all three with jewelry wire. I punched hokes in the birds
and hung them from the twigs with thread.

Metal Work Monday: Riveted Bird Cuff

So, another admission: I love Portlandia. Maybe a little too much...but when I was planning a theme for one of the busiest weeks of my year, they inspired me: birds. Yay! Bring on those chirpers and put a bird on it!


I had a challenging time with this first project. Initially, I was just going to connect separate pieces of metal with jump rings but that can be insecure. Then, I was going to re-purpose one of the straps of an old leather backpack. Nope-too thick for the snap or rivets. Okay, then I will try some thinner faux leather. The snap went on fine, but the rivets ripped right out. I had already done a cuff with pieces riveted to it, but thought that if I swapped the materials and did a few different techniques than the lace cuff that it would be okay. I have to say that I am pretty pleased. 

The embossing die that I used on several smallish pieces of aluminum.

I decided to use half with the embossing face up and half with
it face down. I then painted over all the pieces with an alcohol
dye for metals. I sanded over all with the sanding wheel
of my dremel. Not only did is strip off some dye, I gave the
pieces yet another texture.

I cut a six-inch long strip of 20 gauge copper.

After rounding the corners and sanding the edges, I decided
to texture the entire piece with my chasing hammer.
This was the longest, most tiring part of the process.

I applied a thin layer of liver of sulfur patina gel to it
 (after hammering) with a flux brush.

I am super-pleased with the base.

I added the aluminum bird plaques with rivets.
I used a combo of silver and copper.

I added four--two of each type to the center plaque and
then alternated in both color and layout.

I like the combination of both substantial and dainty.