Wide Winged Bird

I finally finished stitching the body of my wide winged bird! Below is a close-up:

I am very pleased with how this little bird turned out and plan on framing it.

The beading and stitching were very meditative for me. I’m not sure what my next stitching project will be… but probably not a bird! Lol!

I am thankful Spring is FINALLY here and the birds are back singing! Hoorah!

Have a happy Wednesday!

Cheers! 😃

Bird On A Wire

Today’s weird bird has EXCELLENT balance!

After all, it is from the Tightrope family…

It is a bird on a wire! And it is ready for Spring!! 🌷

Did you know…

Why don’t birds fall off wires or branches?

When a bird places weight on its feet, the muscles in the leg force the tendons of the feet to tighten, keeping the foot closed. This gives the bird a vice-like grip around any wire or branch it may be resting on, so the bird doesn’t fall off.

Why do birds all face the same direction on a telephone wire?

In windy conditions, you’ll notice all the birds are facing the same direction – into the wind. That keeps their feathers from getting blown out of place. On windless days, birds will sit any way they like.

How do birds sit on high-voltage power lines without getting electrocuted?

Electricity flows along the paths of least resistance and power lines contain copper wires that encourage steady transmission. Birds can perch on electrical lines because they don’t conduct enough electricity to disrupt the current. The electricity flows through the birds and back to the wires.

I thought this information was interesting and I hope you will too!

Happy Weird Bird Wednesday!

Cheers! 😃

What’s Blooming?

Today’s weird bird is taking time to enjoy Spring’s blossoms:

We have had an unusually cold Spring so we are behind schedule…

Our crabapple tree is just starting to display its glorious bright pink blooms:

And the lilac is filling the air with its heavenly scent:

What’s blooming where you live?

I hope you take time to smell the flowers!

Happy Weird Bird Wednesday!

Cheers to Spring! 🌸

Bird Watchers

I discovered two weird bird watchers when I was watching birds at the lake last weekend…

One was high on a branch with his binoculars close by:

The other was well hidden and appeared to be wearing a disguise!

At least he had his camera ready!

I saw several “normal” birds too! All in one day…

2 Rufous Hummingbirds

4 Blue Jays

4 geese and their fuzzy goslings

1 Cooper’s Hawk

It was a successful bird watching day, I’d say!

Happy Weird Bird Watching Wednesday!

Cheers! 😃

P.S. I’d love to hear what birds you see today!

A Blustery Day…

We have been having a lot of wind lately…

It inspired me to create this weird bird:

Sometimes a good scribble feels good on a blustery day!

What is the weather like in your neck of the woods?

Rain or shine or wind… I wish you a happy Weird Bird Wednesday!

Cheers! 😃

Fancy Pants

Spring has arrived in the Pacific Northwest where I live. Hooray!

I saw Mr. Robin out strutting his stuff yesterday…

I did a double-take when I saw his fancy pants!

Happy Weird Bird Wednesday!

Cheers! 😃

Signs Of Spring

I saw a Quail in my yard the other day poking around underneath a fir tree.

Our snow is melting and lately we are having warmer temperatures in the 40’s. It felt like signs of Spring and inspired me to create this mixed media collage in my sketchbook:

I know the male Quail has the top plume but I couldn’t resist giving him a dress! I drew the Quail’s head and feet.

I was also inspired by the collage artist, Katherine Streeter. I hope you check out her art at KatherineStreeter.com She is also on Instagram. She has a playful style that I really enjoy. She helped me “think outside the box.”

Happy Weird Bird Wednesday!

May you be inspired to create something different today!

Cheers! 😃

Spring Has Sprung!

The sun has been shining in the Pacific Northwest where I live and the birds have returned to sing!

Spring has sprung!

The rhubarb has sprouted, always a sure sign that Spring is on its way, hooray!

I printed my background and the paper for my weird birds all on the Gelli-Plate.

Below is my background without my birds:

If you are interested in learning more about Gelli-Plate printing, Carla Sonheim is teaching a live, ZOOM class this Saturday, March 27th. She will be focusing on landscapes. The 3-hour class is only $45.

For more information, you can watch a short video at CarlaSonheim.com and go to “online classes.”

I hope you will be joining me in the class… It will be a blast!

Happy Weird Bird Wednesday!

Cheers! 🙂

First Blooms

The Buttercups are in bloom!!

My husband picked these flowers from the forest near our home.

The arrival of sweet, golden Buttercups must mean Spring is on its way in the Pacific Northwest. Hurrah!

I wrote this haiku to celebrate these first blooms in my art journal:

Golden petals show,

Announcing Spring’s arrival,

A forest treasure.

Next, I added quick mini collages. I enjoy experimenting with color combinations, texture and balance.

I was able to get outside and take two short walks this weekend. My hip is doing great!

I hope you are all staying well.

Cheers! 🙂

Illustrated Recipes

I’m enjoying the assignments for Carla Sonheim’s year-long class, Words and Pictures.

This assignment was especially fun because I enjoy cooking. 🙂

My hubby helped me make this recipe in the crock pot last week since I get tired standing fairly quickly with my hip. I cooked it on low for 8 hours.

We made it without the wine and just added more broth. It was really delish!

For the second recipe, I experimented with tissue paper and gelli-printed papers. Plus, a few other scraps of purchased paper:

I look forward to Spring and fresh rhubarb in my yard so I can make this recipe.

Do you have a favorite recipe you like to make in the Spring? I’d love to hear about it!

Cheers! 🙂