Bird Feeder or Critter Cuisine?

For Christmas, my hubby got the girls make your own bird feeders. He thought it would be a fun project they could make together. Of course Katie had a blast helping daddy screw in the screws, and using a mini hammer to pound in the nails. Between spending time with her dad and creating something with her hands, she was in all her glory. She really is a hands on type of girl. After seeing a girl become so impatient with so many things, it is nice to see her shine in a certain area. Although I hate to admit it, I find myself struggling sometimes to see where Katie excels, and this just proved that she is good with her hands. Maybe she'll be an architect, engineer, or craftswoman. There are endless possibilities!

Kyra on the other hand wanted nothing to do with the project. She was perfectly happy to have her father construct the whole thing. Along with generally not liking to get her hands dirty, she received a couple splinters in years past and has decided wood is not her friend. So, she won't touch wood unless it has been properly painted or stained. Oh the joy of children's fears! Nevertheless, she did enjoy painting the bird house, and all three seemed to be really enjoying themselves.

After the feeders were painted and dry, they three got on all their winter gear and hung up the bird feeders. For days there were no takers. The girls would gaze out the window and see no sign of life. Then just a few days ago, the first birds began to appear!! Kyra and Katie have had a lot of fun seeing the feathered friends flurry about and tell their friends about the new source of food. We've been trying to identify the different types of birds and enjoy seeing the brightly colored blue jays or cardinals against the pure white snow.

Of course word spreads quickly, because it was not long before Mr. Squirrel found the bird feeder too. It took him only a day to figure out how to get the food for himself. He chewed the rope apart and down came the bird feeder. My hubs attempted to put it back twice now, but Mr. Squirrel prevails. Oh well, I guess now we can enjoy all the critters stopping by for cuisine. Now, if only we can get the dogs to stop from salivating from the windows!

Feeling Domestic

So, I must be feeling a little domesic these days because today I did a craft of sorts and yesterday was strawberrry jam. And typically that just isn't me. Anyhow, back when I was getting the material for the window valance that I made, I came across a free pattern for a purse. And seeing as how I have been looking for a diaper bag/purse for some time (I still carry this monster diaper bag for a 2 1/2 year old...I think the time has come for something a bit smaller), I grabbed the pattern with the idea that someday I might have the inspiration to try it. We have been to a number of craft shows with the cutest purses, but they cost an arm and a leg. I figured, surely I could make something just as cute for half the cost!

The other day we were at Hobby Lobby, a favorite store of mine, when I noticed they had great looking fabrics. I decided, why not, let's get some fabric and I'll try making that bag. Of course, I didn't want to try making it for the first time and possibly not like my own product so I decided I better make a tester bag. And who better to test the product on but, my daughter. Kyra has been needing a bag to put her coloring book and crayons in for church anyway. And she was delighted to pick out her own fabric.

The project looked simple enough, but then again don't projects usually seem easier then they really are? After all you put two squares together and sew, right? Well maybe for sewing comes easy for some, but other than making my curtains, I haven't sewn in years (like since home ec), and even those weren't simple. Plus the pattern I had was from someone who hand wrote pictures and directions, and I'm thinking she left out a few steps. Anyhow, I ended up sewing the wrong pieces together and then had to rip the tiny stitch apart from hand (with out a seam ripper). So, this 2 hour project ended up really taking more like 8 hours.

Of course, now it's done and I am pleased with the results. Of course I missed the opportunity to put some cute ribbon across the middle of the bag, but all in all I thought it turned out well. And I had a very happy customer as well. I am really glad I did a sample bag first however, because that should make the next time a little easier. Plus, if I do it again I will probably make the bag a different size, add some pockets, and different embellishments. Look out Coach, here I come!