What do I do when I have too much to do? I get all consumed by some totally irrelevant brainstorm and ignore everything else. It's crazy. It's birdbrained, but that is what I do.A week or so ago Jane Ann commented that my world looked so serene. A couple of days ago Reva commented, regarding the house remodeling, that I was not communicating any sense of chaos or panic. Yesterday I had my annual checkup and my Dr. noted my nice low blood pressure and said, "no stress in your life!" Boy, can I fake it!
Things are piling up around here. I am not ready for Christmas—not even a little bit. I have done no decorating. The pumpkin is still sitting on the porch. I am ordering tile and choosing windows. I am driving between the new house and the old house way too often and falling behind on project deadlines. Oy, what's a girl to do?
Build a bird.
Last week when our STASH group went to the Contemporary Craft Museum I saw some little ceramic birds that had designs on them that looked like fabric patterns. Those little birds have been flitting around inside my head ever since. Last night I decided to see if I could make a little bird from fabric. For several hours all those unbought Christmas presents and undecorated tree and mantel and unordered tiles did not exist. It is what I do. It's an odd coping mechanism, but there it is.
I like my little bird, but I think it can be improved upon. I'd like the beak to be a little pointier. I think the red breast doesn't start high enough. The beads I used for the eyes aren't quite right. But that's a project for another time. I have too much other stuff to do right now.
P.S. Since a couple of people have asked: the bird's legs are made from florist's wire and then wrapped with brown stem wrap tape—that stretchy, waxy, sticks-to-itself stuff.
Oh ! I love your little bird. Now I might just have to try my hand at making one too ! Wonderful !
ReplyDeleteOooh, he's beautiful!! I love this little bird, Terry. I'd love to make some , too.
ReplyDeleteDitto the above! It is wonderful. I think with the stores going Xmas early, I get lulled into the "lots more time" state. So, the tree is half decorated and some handmade gifts are now going to be Valentines gifts.
ReplyDeleteI actually quite like the beak just as it is...an excellent little bird.
ReplyDeletejoan
You make lovely things even when you are prostinating. I've been doing plenty of my own prostinating lately also.
ReplyDeleteI love this little bird. Wondering how you made the feet?
ReplyDeleteAs coping mechanisms go -- it beats the heck out of some! Love the bird, and hang in there with the holidays and the new house.
ReplyDeleteWhat a cool bird! It could very easily be considered perfect by those of us who aren't intimate with the warts and bruises only its "mom" would see.
ReplyDeleteSo, are congratulations appropriate for the low stress level, or do you feel a pretender to the throne? You might think that you should be stressed (in case everyone hasn't already reminded you), but if you can get through this stage in your life without wigging out, why wouldn't you?
(Oh, and are the birdie's legs wire? Covered? Nekkid?)
Excellent coping mechanism. Isn't it great that we artists can escape life without going anywhere farther than the "studio?" I like the bird as-is, but am secretly wishing more stress in your life so you'll go make one with the improvements! ;-)
ReplyDeleteHi, I just love your bird, if it's helped, it was worth it, let it fly free and enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteI drop by often and enjoy your blog and I love your bird!
ReplyDeletethe little bird is so sweet. Glad you're able to handle these bumps in the road with such grace. I find when things are too crazy to contemplate-I disappear down the black hole that is the internet for an hour. It's like some sort of mental eraser. After that there's room in my head for more "stuff"
ReplyDeleteThe bird is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteIt is wonderful knowing that someone else copes in such a way. It makes me feel better about doing some of the things that I do to cope. However, none of my off-the-wall projects are as cool as that bird. You do have a "certain" way with birds -- one to be envied.
ReplyDeleteKnowing you as I now do, I find this to be a perfectly normal Terry thing. And I love the bird. You know how much Iloved the birds at the CCM!
ReplyDeleteabsolutely lovely bird! your procrastination technique sounds familiar, maybe that's why my decorations aren't up yet either...
ReplyDelete"And a partridge in a pear tree ..." You cope wonderfully well. Happy holidays!
ReplyDeleteI think you have to get this horribly deficient prototype out of sight as quickly as possible; I'd be happy to assist a friend in need.
ReplyDeleteI have serious lust in my heart for this bird! Perhaps you'll go into limited production? And offer them for sale? All in the name of procrastination of course. It's my pleasure to do anything I can to help further that admirable goal. Especially if it means I can acquire a bird...
ReplyDeleteOh, Terry! I love your little bird! What a GREAT use of time -- far better than putting paper on presents so it can just be ripped off again! Keep making them... it's WONderful.
ReplyDeleteGreat coping mechanism! I usually just want to sleep when the going gets tough. Never came out with such a great little bird or anything beyond pillow creases.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to add to your list of fab comments too. The bird is wonderful!
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