bird by bird…

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Yes that does happen to be the title of one of my favourite books by Anne Lamott, recommended to me by sweet Kylie some years ago while I was writing My Heart Wanders. It helped tremendously as I had spent many days sitting looking at a blank screen, wondering how to start the mammoth task of writing a memoir of that time of my life.

But I digress! Do you recall this bird mobile I made for Laly’s room, which I featured in Little Treasures: Made by Hand? It’s on pages 208-211, with reference to Spool sewing who released the pattern some years ago. I made the birds using the pattern then attached them to some twigs with ribbon, and embellished the mobile with vines and dried fern fronds. It hung above Laly’s cot for many months, but once she began to be able to stand – and reach up to the birds – I took the mobile down. The birds were added to her toy basket until a few months ago when I found an abandoned birdcage. I gave it a good clean and then Laly and I painted it in an array of her favourite colours. I let her paint it in her way (mixing colours together, with big dollops of dripping paint). We added a couple of twigs inside the cage et voilĂ , the birds have come out again to play…

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I’m thrilled to have found a way for the birds to be played with again, relevant to Laly’s new skills: She’s right into inventing her own games and role play. To decorate the cage we went out to forage for some vines and ferns. Of course I had plans for her to be part of the photoshoot for this blog post, but she didn’t want to and I’m doing well now to let her make her own decisions when it comes to play. So while she was out with her Papa I took the opportunity to play with the birds and cage in my own way…

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Happy weekend mes amis!

xx

PS new music on the way, I hope you’re enjoying my growing collection so far. Thanks for your downloads and encouraging comments thus far, so appreciated.

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11 Comments

  1. Pipi says

    Hi Pia
    What kind of paints did you use for the birdcage? We are in the exact same process with birds e cage and think the painting of would be a lovely addition.
    Many thanks, Pipi

    June 6th, 2014 | #

  2. pia says

    Hi Pipi – nothing fancy at all – just Laly’s washable water soluble paints that she uses to paint on paper. Obviously no good for using if you have real birds.

    June 6th, 2014 | #

  3. Sophie Isobel says

    Oh Pia, this looks just so gorgeous! I love Bird by Bird too, always an inspiring read. I made a few little birds to stand on a little birdcage to decorate Tallow’s room. Now I’m feeling inspired to add some to her toy basket. They are so cute! Have a beautiful weekend. xx

    June 6th, 2014 | #

  4. pia says

    I’m loving this stage with Laly Sophie, she’s getting right into creative play, and I get to make and create things for her (and me!) – you’re going to love it when Tallow gets to this age too I’m sure. Have a fab weekend xo

    June 6th, 2014 | #

  5. Pink Ronnie says

    This is so very beautiful, Pia! So happy that you shared this with us.
    Ronnie xo

    June 6th, 2014 | #

  6. Ula says

    I got your book “My heart wanders” from my friend from London…I fell in love with it….keep going what you’re doing …You simply make the world more beautiful. Thank you…greetings from Warsaw..

    June 6th, 2014 | #

  7. Sharon Tomlinson says

    Hello,
    I’m new to your blog and love love the cloth birds and what you did with the cage. First, great inspiration for painting an old bird cage and second I have a love for cloth birds. So much so that I have a Pintrest board for them. I’m new to Pintrest too. Anyway, I would love to pin your cloth bird photos with your permission.
    Thanks for sharing,
    Sharon

    June 6th, 2014 | #

  8. pia says

    Hi Sharon, thanks so much for your lovely comment. You are welcome to pin my photos, thank you very much for asking – all I require is that the images are credited with my name and a link to my post is added in the description. Thanks Sharon! Pia

    June 6th, 2014 | #

  9. pia says

    Thank you Ula!

    June 6th, 2014 | #

  10. pia says

    Thanks Ronnie! X

    June 6th, 2014 | #

  11. The Daydreamer says

    And this pretty much shows that with creativity, no toy is confined to its primary role and can evolve together with the life and character of its owner, hand in hand. I’ll look at my babies’ toys in a different way from now on thanks to you. Hugs from Paris!

    June 16th, 2014 | #


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