Celebrating a Chickadee

I hope everyone had  wonderful holiday celebrations. 

I have to show you my best, fun present. My daughter gave me a needle felting kit! I think she read my mind. Anyway, I had to get started on it right away, of course. I've never done it before, and the directions in the kit were a little vague, (not that it's complicated) so I took a trip over to Youtube, which was very helpful, as everyone knows.  I also looked at a few photos online, because I wouldn't have known a chickadee if it came and landed on the edge of my coffee cup.

It's a very interesting craft and you can get a fair amount of detail with shaping and shading.  The photos here make my bird look rough and fuzzier than it is in person. 

I have lots of fibre left for additional projects, besides that, I can always dive into my spinning fibre. Now I just need a new idea for the next project!

Ornamental

I'd like to share my two most cherished Christmas ornaments with you...

this little snowman, found at a thrift store years and years ago. 

         and this little fawn. 

I should correct myself. The ornaments I truly cherish are the ones my children have made over the years. You know the ones... made out of pipe cleaners, clothes pegs, construction paper and popsicle sticks. 

If your children are grown, and you want to remember those days, visit Lucy at Attic 24 and check out her post of Dec 14th. Precious. 

Now I see she's posted again,  something really amazing! I'm going back to look!  Bye

Baubles and Beads

So who says you're not supposed to wear a toque with a party dress? With fancy beads no less! I'm afraid the monkeys have minds of their own. 

I suppose that's why I like them... human rules don't apply!

 I've been bead shopping for the monkeys.

Ooh, look I'm getting Christmassy too. Run little gingerbread man!

What I wanted to show you was my growing bauble collection. Since I've been putting beads on the monkeys, I've been keeping my eyes out, while being thrifty.  See, being a thrift shopper from waaaay back, I find it hard now-a-days finding treasures the way I used to. But! It seems I've been overlooking old bead necklaces. So anyway, I've been getting some cheap thrills the last few weeks whenever I find a nice weighty, string of old, vintage beads.

  

See what I mean about following human rules? 

What monkey has to keep her legs together while wearing a dress!

Oh, by the way I've bought the only Christmas decorations that I'm going to this year. 

Up there in the header. I really had to have those! 

Monkey Business

I've been up to some serious monkey business and having a lot of fun! I'm still not sure why I've been so enchanted with making them. I did want a real monkey when I was little and I loved Curious George. Anyway, here's one of the girls in all her naked glory. I think it's time for a dress, don't you?

( I was inspired by her Elizabeth Taylor eyes.)

A little turquoise mohair and some beads to spruce it up...

OK, now everyone gets their portrait in the rocking chair. 

This gal is into pillow case dresses and rhinestone brooches.

She's not fond of a lot of makeup.

Back to you, violet eyes.

I don't think a toque goes with that dress. Silly monkey!

Last but not least. 

This lady is sporting a cotton shift with silver thread and a colourful shawl and wooly cap. 

Love those eyes!

And here are the girls together. They have a fourth sister, but she has one arm and no ears at this point. You can understand her hesitation at not wanting to be in any photos at this point.

So you can see I've been up to very important work lately!

Please let me know what you think!  

Cheers and Happy December!