Extra Thread is for the Birds Part 2

What do you do with your left-over pieces of thread? Today I was reminded of a post I wrote over three years ago about how I leave my scraps of thread and fabric out for the birds. Note: I have since learned to run my rotary cutter through my mounds of thread and thin strips of scraps, making it much easier for the little birdies to grab and carry the pieces away. I also have added leftover batting to the mix, again pulling it apart to make easy access for my fellow birdies of residence. I probably refill this feeder three times through the Spring and Summer months.

So imagine my surprise as I was just busily mowing the yard, when right in front 

of me on the ground, I found this wee little nest, small enough to fit in the pawn of my hand:

Upon closer inspection I began to find pieces of thread, batting and...

...as I turned it over, strips of Mary Engelbreit fabric weaved among the many twigs, pine needles and pieces of straw. (Atleast  I now know for sure why the feeder continuously needs refilling.)

I felt so bad for the little bird I imagined was in frantic search for it's colorful, cozy nest. So I carefully placed it back into the tree above,  in hopes it's momma will return...

Special Happy Mail Arrived!!

This week I received happy mail that would truly brighten anyone's day and I couldn't resist sharing it with you! Willit who blogs at Will It Never End?, made me the cutest Needle Book in hopes to brighten my day while recovering from the ol' gallbladder surgery last month. Brighten my day she did! Is this not adorable!?!?

It measures 5"x 6 1/2" closed.

And look at all the creative surprises inside! 

I thought the needle holder was a cute idea with all it's little buttons. 

 And the thread holder spools labeled with my word be the year: 

"Just Be" was such a thoughtful, personal touch.

Thank you for truly brightening my day Willit, from your side of the world to mine!

         

Tuesday Archives #6: Bindings & Birds

Welcome to the linky party that rejuvenates your old quilting/sewing posts! 

Click here to read more about this linky party and I'd love for ya to help spread the word by adding my button to your blog.

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This week is all about  BINDINGS and everything and anything BIRDS

BINDINGS

I love quilt bindings. I have fun picking out fun unique bindings that really "pop" or "accent" the finished quilt and I've noticed a lot of you do too!

 I also enjoy sewing my binding down by hand. It really is one of my very favorite parts of quilting. But I've noticed many of you prefer (and do a beautiful job of) sewing your bindings down by machine. 

Just know, whatever your fancy, I'm looking forward to seeing your favorite bindings,     quilt rolls and tutorials this week...

BIRDS

We quilters sure love birds don't we! LOL! I smile as I start to hear them chirp in the morning and enjoy watching them begin to nest in the birdhouses around the yard. So whether your birds are appliqued, black birds, chickens, crows,  fussy cut, owls,  parrots, paper pieced, quilted, wacky, wrens or even made of wool,  do share!

Oh Happy Day! (Blogger's Quilt Festival)

Okay! So when I read about The Blogger's Quilt Festival hosted by Amy at Amy's Creative Side I knew immediately the quilt I wanted to share with you!                    
 (Also, welcome if you are new to my blog). Here it is:

If someone where to ask me: "Val which quilt have you made represents your heart?" This would be the one! And....ironically, THIS is one of my very first quilts!!! (I kid you not!) It started from a spontaneous visit to a mall bookstore which inspired this sketch:

It was the Fall of 2010 and I had just starting quilting. I wanted to quilt but I was struggling. I  was taking classes at the local quilt store, but found I really hated precise 1/4" seams (though I totally admired the workmanship of others ...I felt like something was wrong with me because I didn't care if my seams where precise!! But I couldn't tell anyone that!) I was also bored  following patterns and I was always the one who kept changing things up in a class. LOL!! Then one day, walking around one of those big mall bookstores, my daughter brought me to a section of "creative quilting"...let the sun beams shine out from behind the clouds! THIS is what I want to do! I immediately bought numerous books and starting sketching! I was inspired! I found my quilting  genre!

This inspiration was followed by a weekend retreat that found me equipped with 2 yards of black fabric, a crate full of scraps,a  purchased rainbow of fat quarter bright tone on tones, and a sewing machine I literally bought at a garage sale! (I was a little embarrassed once I got there...but I didn't let it show! LOL!). You guys, I literally was the last "woman sewing". As others were closing down their stations...I was exclaiming: "Just one more bird!"

I got lost in creating birds 

with long polka dotted legs...

Small birds with floral wings,

And lets not forget about butterflies...

Bumble Bees...

and Turtles! (I mean who could stop!?)

Oh and don't even get me started on how much fun I had creating the border of this quilt when I got home! (My studio had fabric flying!!! And I loved it!!!)

Wonky Stars!!1

Fussy cutting

THIS QUILT REPRESENTS ME FINDING MY STYLE AND FALLING IN LOVE WITH QUILTING!!!

Quilting love!

So there ya go! I've entered this in the Wall Hanging Quilt Division because truly every morning I stumble out of my bedroom in my flannel polka dot jammies and head down this little hallway to the bathroom and....

...it always makes me smile and reminds me that every day is truly a....HAPPY DAY!

Life can not be better than this! 

Thank  you so very much  for stopping my blog and reading my story,.

In appreciation, and as always, with smiles!

Val:)

My quilt stats:

Title:  Oh Happy Day!

Made by: Me: Val Reynolds

Size: 55"x57

Category: Wall Hanging

A BIG Thank you to Amy for creating such a very 

cool festival of quilting inspiration!!!

Extra thread is for the birds!

This morning I was cleaning out our birdhouses from the Spring.

Imagine my pleasure when I found some of these scraps 

and threads I leave out for the birds:

In here: 

 Serious!! I cracked up when I immediately saw the red poka-dot scrap! As I took a closer look, I found my colorful thread leftovers interwoven throughout, along with candy wrappers, grass, feathers and twigs of course! (Top left...there's even the paper from a almond chocolate kiss!!)

For some reason, this just made me happy today!

Val:)

PS: I have since modified my "feeder" by actually running my rotary cutter through my bunches of thread first to create shorter pieces for the birds: