While on the trip to Nebraska I was able to get started on gift bag goodies for my Bird Song event in the Spring. The theme is nature and birds, so I thought these nest brooches made from felted sweaters and beads would be ideal to pin onto the gift bags that dearest Beth is helping me make.
Yesterday, she brought some examples of ones she made over here but, silly me, I forgot to get photos of them. We are having another craft day next week to make the bags and do taxes. There is nothing better than a BBF who is an accountant when tax season comes along. I'm not asking her to actually do the taxes themselves, but she is invaluable in helping me sort numbers and get stuff ready.
I didn't get to do much shopping while in Nebraska, but I did make a side trip to 2nd Chance in Omaha and scored a couple of hats covered in blooms. The other is small, white velvet flowers, just what I needed for the kits I am making for my class project for Bird Song. I'm making up overstuffed kits filled with vintage goods, enough so that no one will have to bring anything at all for the project, and they will have plenty of choices to personalize what they are making.
The students will have many options for making my project their own. I'm giving them plenty of ephemera and extra tid bits so that no two people will have the exact same creation.
No, this isn't our project for the weekend. This was my funeral craft project. Doesn't everyone have the family make crafts at funeral gatherings?
For Christmas, I'd made up a bunch of paper clay snowmen heads for all of us to work on while dinner cooks. But the day was hectic and most people were running late, so we never got around to making them. Instead of saving them for next year, I thought we'd make the heads into fairies and pixies.
So, while the house was filled with family staying with us for the funeral, some of us decorated these paper clay guys. For pixies or gnomes, we left the carrot noses as they were originally on the snowmen. For fairies, I snipped off and sanded the noses down smaller.
Most of the heads were sat on boxes that we decorated, some on spools. This one is just a decapitated head so far. I might build a paper clay body for her. Or maybe she'll just get a decorated spool.
Or maybe she'll just sit on my desk like this for a while. As a reminder of all the things I need to get done and can't quite catch up on. Oh, no, that would be depressing. I'd better finish her instead and let her be a good luck charm!
Oh! Your Spring thing sounds wonderful -- I haven't missed your announcement for sign-ups, have I? It sounds like too much fun! I like your felted birds nests!
Posted by: Laurie | January 26, 2011 at 08:51 PM
Karla...Wondering what are the exact dates for the event?
Posted by: Stephanie O. | January 26, 2011 at 09:00 PM
Love your little bird nest pins!
deb
Posted by: deb | January 26, 2011 at 09:17 PM
Your event is going to be so wonderful for the lucky women who will be attending. Heck, I'd be happy to just be there and watch or act as a gofer. I wish I lived closer than CA.
I love the pixie in the middle with the glitter!
~elaine~
Posted by: Elaine L. | January 26, 2011 at 09:48 PM
How cute. I love those little pixies. I also love the little nests. Your stuff is beautiful. Funeral crafts? No, don't think I ever heard of that. But to each her own.
Posted by: Gayla | January 26, 2011 at 10:57 PM
Karla those pixies and fairies are too cute. What a great idea to transform the snowmen.It sounds like your planning a really nice event,hope all goes well.
Posted by: Karen | January 27, 2011 at 12:45 AM
Everything is just so sweet. My favorite would be the birds nests. They are going to be quite the hit, Im sure.
Posted by: Cherie | January 27, 2011 at 01:52 AM
The nest are pretty.Would never have thought about a funeral craft day.Only you.LoL.They turned out whimsical.Warm Blessings!~Amy
Posted by: Amy | January 27, 2011 at 05:55 AM
YOU are too cool. Also it must be said again, THE craft QUEEN! "A snowman? No I think it will now be known as a pixie or a fairie." Thank you for sharing you great gift with all of us surfs(sp?)
Judi in Wahoo
Posted by: Judi Storm | January 27, 2011 at 07:31 AM
I am in love with your snowmen pixies- Karla---how cute they are-the green one is fantastic-..:)
xo Dorthe
Posted by: Dorthe Hansen | January 27, 2011 at 08:48 AM
Funeral crafting, now that is a first, I am sure it helped to have busy hands as a distraction. The snowmen turned fairies are adorable. Hope your day is filled with creative beauty.
Posted by: Sandy | January 27, 2011 at 09:37 AM
Hmm...Your's might be the only family that looks forward to family funerals--you make them so much fun, (next time can I come?) Just Kidding. But man what I wouldn't give to be at your session (like Elain)--too wonderful for words. BTW--in browsing your blog, I stumbled across your pix of you on the beach w/glowstix in your bosoms. I absolutely love it. We always have a family reunion in LaJolla,Ca on the beach. We've shopped, eaten, had hi-teas, learned bunco, sang together (many are guitar players), put on talent shows & skits, had fashion shows, but NEVER danced the nite away with glow stix. Why didn't we think of that? This summer, guess what I'm going to do?--Probably by myself. I have a feeling I won't be able to talk anyone else into it, but it looks so darn fun!
Posted by: Diana Connell | January 27, 2011 at 01:01 PM
Love the b-day cake one! So much good chunky glitter. I know what you mean about not getting things done. I've had a snow day today and only accomplished a small part of my list - I keep having to go outside and shovel - can't do it all at one time - too heavy!
Stay warm and have fun!
Leann
Posted by: Leann | January 27, 2011 at 02:55 PM
just cute!
great work!
Rosa
Posted by: rosa guerreiro | January 27, 2011 at 05:36 PM
I may be a little weird - but the darker more Elphba looking witchy is my favorite.
Hugs,
Penny
Posted by: Penny | January 27, 2011 at 06:22 PM
Those bird nest really do have a touch of magic to them!
Posted by: Ramsam | January 28, 2011 at 10:41 AM
They are all adorable! Love the birds nest,
Posted by: Granite Dining Table | January 30, 2011 at 11:42 AM