Karen's Muse and Musings

Sing Little Bird

Here's my little Carolina Wren all set up in his new home. This is the sixth bird fabric collage I've put together in the last week and a half, but this one is smaller, about 5" x 6". I love this small size. Also, this one does not have the original painting, but a scan of my original painting printed on fabric. The wren is standing on a "branch" of wired ribbon that I ruffled. Now, unfortunately, I have to take a break from these because I have a couple of art swap commitments to fulfill.

A Bit of Whimsy

This is my whimsical rufous-sided towhee also called the eastern towhee. I was happy to find a use for those pretty orange buttons because they are pretty special, being vintage bakelite. I have decided not to put a twig at the top of this one, but I am not sure yet how I will hang it. I will think of something. The quote is from Emily Dickinson (who else?), and here is her complete poem.

A bird came down the walk:   
He did not know I saw;   
He bit an angle-worm in halves   
And ate the fellow, raw.   
 
And then he drank a dew
From a convenient grass,   
And then hopped sidewise to the wall   
To let a beetle pass.   
 
He glanced with rapid eyes   
That hurried all abroad,—   
They looked like frightened beads, I thought   
He stirred his velvet head   
 
Like one in danger; cautious,   
I offered him a crumb,   
And he unrolled his feathers
And rowed him softer home   
 
Than oars divide the ocean,   
Too silver for a seam,   
Or butterflies, off banks of noon,   
Leap, plashless, as they swim.

Soon I will be selling these bird fabric collages or quilties in my Etsy shop, but if you are interested in purchasing one, contact me.

The Chaffinch

Here's my latest fabric collage featuring one of my painted birds. This little guy is a chaffinch. Now this one will definitely not be showing up at my feeders because he is European. He's very common in Western Europe, and, according to Wikipedia, he's the second most common bird in the British Isles.

Baltimore Oriole Is Here!

Baltimore Orioles usually don't make it to our area, so I painted one. They are very handsome birds, aren't they?

Every Inchie Monday — Fancy

Fancy schmancy! That's the phrase that came to mind when I read the theme of this week at Every Inchie Monday. (Yes, I know it's Tuesday. I'm a day late — what can I say?) I chose this image from one of my vintage cabinet cards. This little girl was definitely dressed in some fancy finery. And it is only 1 inch square. I just didn't think you could see it at that size!

Fly, Little Bird!

Since I really need to start cooking dinner, I don't have the time to expound on this fabric piece I just finished. Hopefully, it speaks for itself. I will point out that the bird is a Lincoln Sparrow, painted by me.

High from the earth ...

I did it. I tore myself away from the computer and other distractions long enough to make this  project using the nuthatch that I painted on muslin. I cut it out and sewed it into this little fabric collage. The words at the top are from a poem by my favorite poet, Emily Dickinson. Here is the complete poem.

High from the earth I heard a bird;   
  He trod upon the trees   
As he esteemed them trifles,   
  And then he spied a breeze,   
And situated softly   
  Upon a pile of wind   
Which in a perturbation   
  Nature had left behind.   
A joyous-going fellow   
  I gathered from his talk,
Which both of benediction   
  And badinage partook,   
Without apparent burden,   
  I learned, in leafy wood   
He was the faithful father
  Of a dependent brood;   
And this untoward transport   
  His remedy for care,—   
A contrast to our respites.   
  How different we are!

I have to show you the back side of this piece because I like it almost as much as the front. My friend, Caryl, gave me some of this gorgeous mock suede fabric when she sent me my skinny book page.

Back to Birds

After being tied up for a few weeks with art swap commitments, I am back to painting birds. I am trying to do one a day so I will get lots of practice. Here are three that I have done recently.

Lincoln Sparrow

 

Eastern Bluebird

White Breasted Nuthatch

I am painting these on muslin and cutting them out to use in other projects. Hopefully I'll start on one of those projects this afternoon. That is if I can push myself away from this computer!

Every Inchie Monday — Pink

Think pink! This theme stumped me at first, so I just decided to play around with color and texture.

Making Art with Food

I admit it — I love to eat. Fortunately, I also love to cook. When I can cook something delicious and make something artistic at the same time, then I'm a very happy camper.

This is a Vegetable Tian, made from thin slices of red potato, zucchini and carrots, flavored with olive oil, onion, garlic and fresh oregano. Can you say yum? It was delicious. I recently discovered the recipe in an old Martha Stewart magazine that I had saved for the beautifully decorated Easter eggs on the cover. Click here for the recipe. My only comment on the recipe is that Martha Stewart claims that the prep time is 10 minutes. Ten minutes, my {omitting the more colorful words}! I wonder what robot could do it that fast! I used a mandoline to cut the veggies, but even so, I was cutting and arranging for at least twice that time. Still, it was worth the effort. Good enough for Warren and even the Queen, should she decide to pay us a visit!