Icy Day Birds

It's being a real winter in our corner of the world. Our first snow/ice storm came along today. I hear there may be more on Friday.
Anyway, while I was shoveling, I noticed that for the first 45 minutes or so, I didn't hear any birds. It was quite silent. Then as lunchtime drew on they started moving in. First I heard the red-belly woodpecker, then the downy; next came the nuthatches and the titmice. It wasn't till I got inside and was eating my own lunch that I saw the little guy above at the feeder - the red breasted nuthatch.

This is a Great Kiskadee. He's from Latin America, and shows up in south Texas, too. I love his coloring and markings, so I had to make him. This time of year, when I don't have a lot of shows, is a great time for me to felt whoever I want!

Snowy Day

We got more than 12 inches of snow in the last 12 hours, so this little birdie is perfect for the day. My aunt used to call them snow birds (their real name is dark-eyed junco), and I love them. Even though they are gray, somehow they brighten the snow - maybe by the stark contrast.

Here's what it looked like here after we shoveled. We got it done early because the Man was supposed to go to work for 1 pm, but it was still snowing. After we finished shoveling he got a call that the office would be closed all day. Ah well, now there are only an easy couple of inches to finish off, and the Man, the Boy, and the Girl are playing Monopoly while I work uninterrupted (gotta love it).

Here's a skirt I made for Kathie from The Proud Peacock

to give to her sister. I love to do custom work; it challenges me to do styles or color combinations that I wouldn't think of.

Wherever you are I hope you are warm and safe!

Baby Cashmere Skirt

This week has been an interesting one. There is so much that needs to be organized, sorted, cleaned...
We went through the process of buying a new vehicle (it's the new Bethany Homecrafts-mobile)...
I had a wicked week of PMS...
So trying to get work done has been like pulling teeth out and scratching fingernails on a chalkboard all at once. Sigh. Fortunately the week is over, the car is in the driveway, and the PMS is done. I can smile again (my dear one commented on that, so I know it's been a while!).

Not a lot of work has gotten done - or at least not a lot of things were made. I've also been trying to get back to the computer work: loading things into my Etsy shop, and onto my Facebook page, and into my Ravelry page (if you're a Raveler, I'm Thanksforwool). But here's a skirt that got put together.

It's entirely cashmere, and made to fit a little one between maybe 9-18 months old.

The top of it is a cashmere turtleneck, very soft and stretchy, thus the wide range of ages it can fit.

Like all of my twirly skirts, it's a full circle. They are absolutely adorable on the baby, and are the sweetest thing ever to hug a baby in, they're so soft! (Sorry, I usually don't toot my own horn, but I love these skirts.)

Have a great weekend!

The Birds Are Returning

Now Christmas is over, and time is less at a premium, I've had a bit more time for needle felting. Here are the ones I've worked on over the past week or so.

Red-Wing Blackbird

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Chipping Sparrow

I'm back to putting things into my Etsy shop, so it's not the boring place it has been over these last months!