A DAY FOR A WREN

Supplies are gathered.  No paintbrushes.  No pens.  Today is a day for a wren!

A favorite textile artist, Abby Glassenberg, has made available some patterns for her own version of the beautiful little wren.  So, today, a friend and I will be doing our own version of this bird using vintage handkerchiefs - just in time for Valentine's Day.

Abby Glassenberg Design

 It's only January, but I'm looking forward to spring and the return of birds to our frozen state.  

There are so many great children's books and poems written about birds.  I think maybe the wren could be great inspiration for a children's story . . .

Just one little sampling of good, old-fashioned children's poetry involving birds:

There was an Old Man with a Beard

BY EDWARD LEAR

There was an Old Man with a beard,

Who said, "It is just as I feared!—

Two Owls and a Hen, four Larks and a Wren,

Have all built their nests in my beard.

I would love to see some children's illustrations for this one!

Thanks for looking today!

Nan

VALENTINE'S DAY IS FAST APPROACHING

We're almost halfway through January and this is my first post of 2015!  I think I got pretty burned out from the pre-Christmas painting/drawing frenzy and needed a little break.

  So today, with a fresh dusting of fluffy snow on the ground and really cold temperatures again, I'm staying home ALL DAY LONG.  Time to get ready for a Valentine's Day craft night with these ideas from Pinterest.

And on my own . . . some paper mache/hand painted teacups using a pattern from one of my favorite folk artists, Ann Wood. 

Ann Wood