One of those "just can't resist" projects

Last Thursday, I met my friend Sue for some quilt store shopping and lunch.  I fully intended to just browse when we went to one of my favorite quilt stores in Denver--The Great American Quilt Factory.  Really, that was my intention.

Naturally, that meant that I had to fall in love with something.  Or, several things, as the case may have been.  There was a really delightful Christmas print:  old postcards and a black background.  Yes, that jumped into my hand, especially as it was on sale.  And, I'd already decided to buy a book:  "the artful bird" by Abigail Paner Glassenberg (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1596682388/1n9867a-20).  Cute little stuffed birds.  How could I not like it?

While I intended to finish the charity quilt before beginning to make the birds, the birds won out last night.  Using some scraps, I started making my first one.  The head didn't come quite right, but I decided to keep going.  I got it stuffed, and then got stuck.  The wire I had on hand was just not strong enough to support the roly poly little fellow.  So, I started a second one.

Today, I went out and got some wire, and some small pins for the head.  You can't really tell from the photo on the right, but I bought some pins that they sell for sequins.  Each pin is only about a half inch long, and really tough to pick up.  But, it did make putting in the head gusset much easier for me.

The two birds (the first is the brown, the second is the yellow) are still works in progress, but it is time for me to get ready for the work week after being on vacation for just over a week.  They are stuffed, the legs are finished (although, I learned an awful lot about what I'll do differently--including following the directions in the book more closely especially with respect to the length of the wire!!), and the wings are now in progress.

I have definitely learned that this is one of those projects that looks easier than it is.  But, if you are in the market for a new project:  I recommend this book.  The directions are easy to follow (ahem, when I remember to follow them), and there are plenty of types of birds to choose from.  I can't wait to finish these two and move on to the penguin!  And, I've already designed a couple of new ones in my head for once I've mastered these!