BON JOUR MES AMIS

Hello Violets!

Sorry for the long delay - yet again in blogging. 

You may remember when Jo was doing her bird project I made this little birdie, the Lesser Spotted Tattered, with the crazy red eyes .......

Does it still sit on your desk Jo?

Last week, from Tuesday to Sunday I was at Les Soeurs Anglaises with Becky, Jone and Oolie for a few heavenly days of R&R.  More posts will follow from us all about our makes and the fun we had - it was a truly uplifting, inspiring few days that we shared in the lovely studio L'Espace - many, many thanks to Katie and Mike letting us have the use of the studio and rooms for our stay.

Amongst some things I took to finish off was a donkey brooch I made whilst on the second Hens Teeth workshop at Weston Park, near Stafford - I cant recommend Viv's workshops enough,
its such a great day out, sewing in a lovely 'hice' in lovely 'grinds' with a great bunch of women each time - and as if thats not enough, theres cake!  Here is the finished brooch ....

I just posted my second lot of haberdashery brooches and another little paper mache donkey -  on tinkeringbythesea.blogspot.com - please take a look.

Hope everyone is well and happy!  Taylor, sorry not to have been in touch since West Dean, its been a crazy busy time as you can imagine but I did enjoy the time spent with you on Julie's course.  Im getting back on track and have sent a bijou treat for you home with Jone so expect mail soon.

As soon as I have sorted out pictures will post my french finds and the things I made last week and Im sure Becky, Jone and Oolie will be doing the same.  We thought of you in France.

Love to All

xx Di

A FINE PAIR .....

Hello and Happy New Year everybody

Though i have not blogged in a while - i have not been idle! Here are two birds I made over the holidays ...

Broadly speaking they are like the Lesser Spotted Tattered but in different colours. The red one is using some of the seriously antique french linen i got from the antique fabric lady as LSA and some french general prints. The peach coloured one is a lovely vintage paisley - very tight woven and again french general prints. Both have leather beaks this time which i think works well. One has diamante eyes and one pearls.

I just bought a book called ' Little Birds' which has several interesting examples so expect more birdie news soon!

xxDi

THE GREATER CRESTED SHOCKER

Here for your further amusement is a previously unspotted bird!

Made from felt this time; the belly of the bird and some of the feathers taken from a small scrap of needle felt I made in the 'Wild Women' workshop ages ago - combined with angelina - fusable fibres - for the remaining feathers. A bit of angelina cut 'a la danielle' for the crest together with some crochet cotton and sewing thread - a black felt beak and a couple of vintage bead caps for eyes and 'voila'. Its remarkable what you can make in an evening with the scraps left from other projects - its more satisfying than therapy and a much cheaper alternative! I'm hooked. My sister has machine sewed some bodies for me so my flock is set to increase - be prepared!

Love to All

xx

DI

THE LESSER SPOTTED TATTERED!

Here we have an example of the Lesser Spotted Tattered!

This rare bird is about to migrate to Australia to join Jo's project and will eventually nestle in a tree top far away!

I didn't pink the edges of the fabric feathers so its fraying gently, the thread plume is also rather haphazard and the red eyes give it a slightly alarming look!

Made from part of a pillowcase from Katie's pile at LSA and bits of my French General stash - odd bits of crochet silk and cotton and the mad red eyes are vintage diamonte in a metal fitting the name of which escapes me!

Hope you like it Jo! It will be winging its way (well via airmail!) to Aus today! If I get chance I'll make another and send before your deadline of December.

Love to All

xx

Di