Wednesday, April 23

A Bird at the Birdfeeder

First, this is the next birdfeeder on our assembly line. Yes, we are just cranking these on out! This is a great springtime project and Earth Day project (we are using old paint in the garage for this one). It appears to be puce but actually has a gorgeous pale green tint to it (some colors just do not photograph well).

After we put up the first birdfeeder last week Hubby would rush to the window to see the feasting feathered friends - only there were no shows. It was as if we had opended a bird diner and no customers were coming in. He was so disappointed - so - I, very sneakily, ran out and put an adorable little chick (fake of course!) on the feeder as if he were perched there (with the help of some 'duck' tape).

I did have to contain the guffaws as Hubby went to the window and saw this little sweet fellow indulging in some bird seed. Hubby was so excited and ran out there only to discover my ploy. Later that day some real birds did end up eating at the birdfeeder.

That is good as we are working quickly to get the second feeder out there.

He is hanging on even with a strong gust of wind!



Wednesday, April 16

A Birdfeeder

We completed this Gazebo Birdfeeder. This was one long project but well worth it. This has taken all our creative energies this week, now with this done I can concentrate on some upcoming swaps!



Thursday, April 10

More Birdhouses!

My Hubby saw the blah birdhouse I redid for the Bling Your Birdhouse Blog Party. He was so impressed he got out some wood and made several more.
A Lavender one and...


Here are four more posing in a line up. He is cranking these on out. Hey, uh Dear, what am I going to do with all these birdhouses? How about making something else?


Our little garage workshop...he started a birdfeeder - a Gazebo Birdfeeder - something I have always wanted.


I am painting this soon-to-be Gazebo Birdfeeder green to match the trim on our house. The birds will be dining in high style.

Lumber is super cheap now due to building taking a back seat in this economy. This is so much fun to do and I am getting out there in the garage workshop also, learning a few power tools.

Friday, April 4

Faux Fur may not be Fake

Ugh, I could have sworn that sometime last year I heard someone utter be sure you buy fake fake fur and not ‘fake’ fake fur. Horrors, it turns out some faux fur has been actual dog fur. I am not talking about a canine cousin of dogs as in dog raccoon but domesticated dogs. Seems this was easier to ‘produce’ than any synthetic fur.

I was actually going to get in a supply of fake fur for any Santa’s I would make for the holidays. Not now. When you get respected news organizations reporting on this you know something is going on. This dog fur is coming from China (hmmm, they seem to be bringing us so many chest clutching scares – what with the lead toys and dog food scandal).

And on another note about dogs – today (April 4, 2008) Oprah has a show devoted to her beloved dog Sophie who passed away recently. In this tribute show she is revealing what goes on in puppy mills. This is a topic near and dear to me as I have a puppy mill rescued dog named Silkey.

Both of these important dog topics are something that we don’t just wring our hands about and wonder what can I do? Being consumers we can make all the difference by being informed and making purchases based on information.

We don’t buy pet shop puppies (there are so many wonderful pets at your local shelter) and now I will be very careful to buy fake faux fur. One exciting trend…faux fur from organic cotton – and this stuff looks fantastic, would make a fabulous trim on a Santa’s coat. But, do I tell Hubby now that a faux fur Jacket by Loyale at $340.00 would be bought to cut up for my fake fur stash? Maybe I better not! Or maybe I should find a cheaper way to get the organic cotton faux fur.

Seems now the key thing is to specify what type of faux fur you want. I do not want any fur in my faux fur.