Tag Archives: whimsical

Winging It

I have been hand stitching and beading two wings for a second bird for an online class I’m taking with Kelli May Krenz.

These two wings are for my Wide Winged Bird:

I still have to complete the body but I just love how the wings turned out so I had to show you!

And speaking of bird wings, did you know there are 4 general wing shapes for flying birds?

According to The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, these wing shapes are:

Passive soaring wings – These wings have long primary feathers that spread out, creating “slots” that allow the bird to catch vertical columns of hot air called “thermals” and rise higher in the air. Examples of birds with this wing type include eagles, most hawks and storks.

Active soaring wings – These wings are long and narrow, allowing the birds to soar, or fly without flapping their wings, for a long time. However, these birds are much more dependent on wind currents than passive soaring birds. Examples of birds with this wing type are albatrosses, gulls and gannets.

Elliptical wings – These wings are good for short bursts of high speed. They allow fast take offs and tight maneuvering. While they allow high speed, the speed cannot be maintained. Examples of birds with this wing type are crows, ravens, blackbirds, sparrows and thrushes (such as the American Robin).

High-speed wings – These wings are long and thin, but not nearly as long as birds with active soaring wings. As the name suggests, birds with this wing type are incredibly fast, but unlike those with elliptical wings, these birds can maintain their speed for awhile. Examples of birds that have this wing type are swifts, ducks, falcons, terns and sandpipers.

I hope you enjoyed this little lesson about bird wing shapes!

Spread your wings and soar today!

Note: Still more stitching and beading of the bird’s body so stay tuned for a future post!

Happy Wednesday!

Cheers! πŸ˜ƒ

Bob The Blob Bird

Today’s weird bird is definitely WEIRD!

Bob The Blob Bird

I started Bob with a blob of paint.

I saw another bird in the blob:

This blob is the one I went with:

I then added some collage papers for the wing, tail and beak. Next, I added some details with acrylic paint pens and finished with a black sharpie.

Sometimes it is fun to just PLAY!

How many weird birds can you find in the paint blob?

I recently read a book called, A Street Cat Named Bob by James Bowen. (Hint: This is where I got the idea to name my bird, Bob).

The book was an easy read and very uplifting. Bob the cat had quite the personality. If you are looking for a book to read about cats, you may enjoy this book.

Wishing you a happy weird bird Wednesday!

Cheers! πŸ˜ƒ

Building A Wardrobe

Today’s weird bird is part Canadian Warbler from this photograph:

I then had fun building a wardrobe for a Warbler using an old dress pattern:

And some of my Gelli Plate printed papers for outfits:

Which “style” is most becoming on this wild Warbler?

A new twist on “paper dolls!” Lol

Happy Weird Bird Wednesday!

Cheers! πŸ˜ƒ

P.S. I’m sure you will see this Warbler again in a future post!

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! 🌸

Squeeze The Day!

I saw some cute paper napkins with lemons at the grocery store yesterday…

It was my inspiration for today’s weird bird:

Squeeze the day!

Something silly to brighten your day!

Happy Weird Bird Wednesday!

Cheers! πŸ˜ƒ

Hamming It Up?

Today’s weird bird is hamming it up!

I have several old cookbooks that came in handy for today’s collage…

I was inspired by this children’s card game: CREATURE CLASH

You match a front, middle and back card to create a weird creature like the one I did below:

Part Hammerhead, Platypus and Flamingo, it’s a HAM-TY-GO!

Sounds like ordering a ham sandwich to go…

I must be hungry! Lol!

Happy Weird Bird Wednesday!

Cheers! πŸ˜ƒ

A Nudnik Bird

Today’s weird bird is rather dull…

It is a Nudnik bird!

Nudnik (nood-nik) – a persistently dull, boring pest.

Sometimes I feel like my weird birds are a little boring or maybe I just need a break from creating them for awhile.

So I have decided to take a blogging break and enjoy the lake for the summer.

Happy Weird Bird Wednesday!

Cheers! πŸ™‚

A Puzzler

Did you know that January is national puzzle month?

I have completed one 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle with Happy Buttons:

And I am working on a second one with Houseplants:

Sometimes my weird birds start out like a puzzle:

I started this trio in watercolor. Then I added a little paper collage:

Next, some details with color pencils:

And finished with pencil shading:

What kind of puzzles do YOU like to work on?

Happy Weird Bird Wednesday!

Cheers! πŸ™‚

Jingle Jangle

Two little birds flew in to jingle jangle their bells last night…

Hoping your holidays are a delight!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Friends!

Cheers! πŸ™‚

A Moose Goose?

This weird bird flew out of my imagination!

I started with an eyes closed drawing and discovered what looked to me like a moose! So I added a little collage:

A blue Moose Goose is on the loose!

I hope this silly bird gives you a smile today!

Happy Weird Bird Wednesday!

Cheers! πŸ™‚