Baby birds

The weather has changed this week and it's starting to feel like summer is on the way!  Our garden is filled with birds at the moment.  We have at least 2 blackbird nests and we're waiting to see the when the babies leave their nest.  They've been more active the last few days and we keep seeing them peaking out from the hedge - we think there are 4 in here!

We also spotted a pair of goldfinches feeding their baby - I don't think I've ever seen a baby goldfinch before.  It looked like the adults except for having a brown head instead of the disinctive red / black / white.

Redwing

I spotted these Redwing birds in the garden yesterday - they usually only come when it snows.  We haven’t had any snow yet – maybe it will snow later today?!

Clockwork Black-Headed Gull

Edwin Cracknell's recent trip to Hytheby proved a good source of inspiration for his latest mechanical creation.  Among the masts and rigging of the fishing boats tied to the quay lives the noisy Black-headed gull which has now been made into clockwork form...

This illustration (Clockwork Bird No.26) was actually inspired by my visit to Blakeney.  I think the shape of their beaks makes them look like they are smiling - did you know their scientific name means 'laughing gull'? The things you find out on Wikipedia!

You can buy prints of this illustration from my shop... www.hazelfishercreations.etsy.com

Sewing Project: Clockwork Bird Purse

Following on from my last post, here is one of my latest makes... a coin purse and keyring featuring two of my clockwork bird illustrations...



I did a bit of research online to work out how to sew the lining and zip in (as well as making it up as I went along!)  The bird on the purse was printed on transfer paper, ironed onto white fabric, then machine stiched onto the dusky pink fabric (next time I'll get some transfer paper that can be ironed straight onto any colour fabric.)



I love collecting fabrics and thought something like this combines my artwork with sewing, so if I make some to sell they will still fit in with the rest of my art shop. 

Bunnies and Birds

Two Etsy treasuries my art work has recently been included in ...

White Bunnies In The Garden by rocketbetty - I love the fresh colours and cute bunnies in this treasury :) You can see it in full here: http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d8806000ada6d915da29495/white-bunnies-in-the-garden

From EUC Team Members 'Fly Away' by TreeCloudDesigns - lots of lovely bird items in this treasury :) You can see it here: http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d890bf7539c6d918fcfbf9e/from-euc-team-members-fly-away