Hungry Birds

We've been putting lots of feed out for the birds this week.  The fountain in the tiny pond near the feeders was frozen, so I poured some hot water on it to get the water going and melt some of the ice so the birds could get a drink. 

There was heavy traffic at the feeders yesterday and quite a variety of birds.  They are very busy this morning looking for the seed, which is covered by last night's snow, so I'll go out and uncover it and fill the hanging feeder.  I don't know how many hours I spent standing at the window watching them yesterday.  It was impossible to walk by and not stop to look.

   

Quilters Guild of Dallas Meeting This Week

I'm so happy to be invited back to my hometown guild to give the program and workshop this week.  The guild meeting is Thursday night (January 6) and the two-day workshop is Friday and Saturday.  For information about the guild, go to http://www.quiltersguildofdallas.org/ .

Twisted Stitchers Ornament Exchange

WOW!  What a treat it was to come home from our Twisted Stitchers party with a bag full of fabulous handmade, unique ornaments!  Thank you, Sandy, for another great evening at your lovely home.

Becky's fused glass trees.

Julie's chenille stem trees.

Sharon's "world's tiniest table runners"

Tonya's amazing variety of felt and metal goodies.

Judy's handpainted glass ornaments. 

Sandy's Zentangled stocking and my felt and metal snowflake.

Juanita's vintage tin houses.

Pillowcases for Christmas

It seems like children get way too much stuff for Christmas.  So much that they are overwhelmed by it all.  Hmmm, I'm sounding like a...grandma, which I am.  I'll bet my own grandparents said the same thing when my cousins and I were little.  My maternal grandparents gave each of us cousins a paper sack with an orange, an apple, some nuts and candy and $1.00.  But that was when a dollar would buy five gallons of gas!  My paternal grandparents were more indulgent, as I was an only grandchild on that side for a long time.  Dolls--I still have Daisy--and other toys, until I began reading, and then every year I received a subscription to National Geographic.  I loved every issue.  Anyway, this year we got simple gifts for the six grandkids and grandniece and nephew, but I made everyone a pillowcase and put them on pillows.  Here are five of the eight that I made.  They loved them!  I think I'll do this every year.

Teensy Tiny Green Friend

This little guy didn't seem the least bit afraid to pose on my finger.  I found him climbing on a sunflower in the back yard.  What a cutie!  I made a giant iguana quilt--maybe I need to make a tiny little green lizard quilt.

Fun In Austin

The Austin Area Quilt Guild is a wonderful group and they made me feel so welcome.  On Saturday and Sunday of last week, we had a two-day workshop.  Everyone brought their drawing or photo and I helped them with construction techniques and design decisions.  Getting started is definitely the hardest part.  It's so much fun to see all the different subjects that people select for their quilts. 

Finally...

Several friends asked me to post a how-to for my little Christmas trees made from chenille stems (f/k/a pipe cleaners).  I tried to find instructions for a tiny tree like this but the only one I found was about 10-12 inches tall and took about 24 chenille stems.  The assembly was awkward, too, so I decided to try to make my own version.  This tree measures about 4 1/2" with the stand. 

Supplies:  Needle-nose pliers, wire snippers, eight chenille stems, ruler. 

1.  Fold one chenille stem in half, wrapping it around the tip of the needle-nose pliers to form a tiny loop at the middle (in case you want to hang the tree on a tree).  Make a couple of twists.  This is the "trunk."

2.  Cut two 1" pieces.  Arrange into an "X" and twist half a turn.

3.  Hold the trunk with the two loose ends up and place the "X" over the two chenille stems.  Push the "X" snugly toward the top and hold it there while you twist the stems one time.

4.  Cut two 1 1/2" pieces of chenille stem.  Hold in an "X" shape and make a half twist.  As you did in step 3, place the "X" between the two stems of the trunk, then twist the trunk tightly once or twice.

5.  Cut three 2" pieces and six 1" pieces of chenille stem.  Twist a 1" piece about 1/2" from both ends of each 2" piece.  Pinch the twisted spot with the needle-nose pliers to secure.  Hold all three of the completed 2" pieces together so that they cross at the middle (looks like a snowflake).  Hold with both hands (three pieces in one hand, three in the other) and make a half twist .  Place over the two stems of the trunk as before, and twist the trunk stems twice.

6.  Cut three 2 1/2" pieces, six 2" pieces and six 1 1/2" pieces.  Near both ends of each 2 1/2" piece, twist a 2" and a 1 1/2" piece (the shorter pieces nearer the tips).  As in step 5, pinch each twist with the pliers, arrange as a snowflake, make a half-twist, place on the trunk, and twist the trunk twice.

7.  Last set of branches:  Cut three 3" pieces and twelve 2" pieces.  Twist two 2" pieces near both ends of each 3" piece, pinch with pliers, arrange as a snowflake, half-twist, place on trunk, twist twice.

8.  The tree stand:  Mike cut slices (about 5/8" thick) of large dowel rod (1 1/2" diameter) and drilled a small hole in the center.  I painted them white, poured a puddle of glue onto a piece of aluminum foil, plus a pile of white glitter nearby, placed the point of a pencil in the hole and rolled the outer edges of the dowel in the glue and then in the glitter and placed it on another piece of foil to dry.  After the edges dried, I put glue on the top and sprinkled more glitter on.  The hole is just large enough for me to push the trunk of the tree into it, but if necessary, you could glue the tree trunk into the hole.  The trunk will be a little bit too long when you finish.  I usually trim it about 1".

Arrange the branches realistically (HA HA) and you're done.  I found it easier to arrange and bend the branches with the needle-nose pliers.  If you're really obsessive, you can make teensy beaded ornaments for your tree, or how about a garland of seed beads?  Fun!  One last word of advice:  I have used lots of different types of chenille stems.  If you use the metallic, sparkly ones--they remind me of vintage aluminum trees--wear gloves while you are making them.  That stuff is hard on your skin!