How much fun am I having dreaming up these projects for you? I think I love this one too much. That little bird. O, little bird, I love you. And he even has a mate, though just a bit different. He's one half of a salt and pepper shaker set. Happy bluebirds that I couldn't live without. I've been watching them on my studio shelf, thinking, thinking. And I do believe this is a perfect perch. What do you have sitting around or hiding in the back of a cupboard? Any salt and pepper birdies?
Yes, to the project. The wreath is built from a styrofoam round wreath form. (You could also use a dinner plate and trace it to cardboard, cut out and cut away the inner round, traced from a smaller plate. I would add some quilt batting to build up the cardboard ring before going on.) First I wrapped the form in torn strips of old sheet music. I used pins and a glue stick to keep the paper wraps in place. They overlap, so it goes quickly. Scrunch the paper to soften the edges as you go. Then I got out the church sale doilies and wrapped those on too. (Don't cut them because you can always deconstruct the wreath later and reuse them for another project.) Pins anchored them easily. I like the mix of dark and light colors, snowy and antiqued.
It was really lovely at that point and almost anything decorative inside would have been pretty. An ornament, a paper house, a photograph, postcard, a flower. A mouse.
But for me, it was only about the bird. Some seam binding tape in those fresh, beautiful colors and a scrappy nest of crumpled, torn sheet music finished up. I had everything in my studio and total crafting time was about 15 minutes.
He looks awfully happy there. I think he lives there now. The bird, that is. (The mouse is off to Etsy some day soon.)
xoC
That is the sweetest little bird ever! You make such pretty things.
Posted by: Wonders Never Cease | December 10, 2008 at 09:56 AM
Love everything about it and, even better, I have everything I need right here in the house. Thanks for the lovely idea!
Posted by: julie thompson | December 10, 2008 at 10:04 AM
Birdie has such beautiful coloring, which you of course masterfully picked up with the ribbons :)
Posted by: Lilli | December 10, 2008 at 10:55 AM
Cute, Mom!!
Posted by: Maggie | December 10, 2008 at 12:07 PM
So pretty! What a great thing to do with all these doilies! Thanks for another great idea. And so glad to hear that Etsy will be infested with mice soon!
Posted by: Debe | December 10, 2008 at 12:44 PM
Very sweet & pretty. Thanks.
Posted by: Troy Louise | December 10, 2008 at 12:50 PM
Absolutely lovely. What a happy little project. Just the thing to make you think of spring on a cold day.
Posted by: paddywack designs | December 10, 2008 at 02:17 PM
Hmmm, while I admittedly love love love anything bird-themed, that pixie little mouse peeking out at us is too cute. Loving your holiday ideas! oo LindaSonia
Posted by: LindaSonia | December 10, 2008 at 04:25 PM
This is darling, and yes I do have a birdie S&P set. One flew the coup, but one is still fluttering around. I too have been cooking up idea's for a wreath this year, perhaps I'll try this one. Thanks for the quick and easy instructions!
Posted by: Dede Warren | December 10, 2008 at 07:08 PM
Oh!
Sooo very very cute!
I had just found a pair of salt and pepper blue bird shakers and set them on a small shelf. Now I know. They NEED a wreath to inhabit.
Thank you for the inspiration. Mine has dried up and fallen off.
Posted by: judy | December 10, 2008 at 09:39 PM
This is so cute!!! Loving your projects!! Keep them coming.
Posted by: Cindy (Junque Art) | December 10, 2008 at 09:45 PM
Adorable! I love this series! Thanks so much for your inspiratiton!!!!
Posted by: Doreen | December 10, 2008 at 11:12 PM
Ooooooh, Charlotte! I am in LOVE with this wreath. Thank you so much for the great idea!
Hugs,
Heather
Posted by: Heather - Speckled Egg | December 11, 2008 at 07:49 AM
Oh my gosh that is so darn cute! I can do this and I have the little bird in mind. I love the touch of sheet music. How clever that a little bird would make a nest from music. Nothing tops the sound of bird music. Thanks so much for another great idea.
Best,
Kathy
Posted by: kathy | December 11, 2008 at 03:05 PM
Oh how I love this, Charlotte! It's so pretty, and the simplicity of it makes it perfect for some last minute gift making too. Valentine's Day would be a wonderful time to make these for too.
I dropped by today to print out your cookie recipe. Ever since I've seen those sweet pink houses, I've been thinking about them, and the John Mellencamp song keeps running through my head! LOL! I found a house cookie cutter too!
Posted by: Lena | December 11, 2008 at 06:37 PM
Oh how I love this, Charlotte! It's so pretty, and the simplicity of it makes it perfect for some last minute gift making too. Valentine's Day would be a wonderful time to make these for as well.
I dropped by today to print out your cookie recipe. Ever since I've seen those sweet pink houses, I've been thinking about them, and the John Mellencamp song keeps running through my head! Little pink houses for you and me. I found a house cookie cutter too!
Posted by: Lena | December 11, 2008 at 06:42 PM