A Bird in the Hand

You've heard the old saying, a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, right?  Well, if that's the case how much are half a dozen birds in a tree worth?  I think they're worth plenty, if you're looking for a fun project to help spice up your holiday decorations this year.

Start with your contrasting fabrics for the bird body and belly. This is another great project that puts all those great fabric scraps in your stash to very good use.  I made all of these birds out of old fat quarters and leftover fabric from various other finished projects.

My favorite fabric in all of this stash is the musical note pattern.  I just love the tone on tone musical notes.  It has such an old world, vintage look.  This same musical note fabric figures prominantly in another wonderful Log Cabin quilt that I made not long ago.  I'll share that quilt later in a different post.

Anyway, these little birds were equally easy to create in a snap.  The pattern only calls for three pieces-two for the bird body and one piece for the bird belly.   

This is also another example of how far a stack of scraps can take you.  A very small amount of fabric will produce a pretty decent size flock.

First, you'll need to create a little fabric strip for the loop out of coordinating fabric.  Then the bottom portion of the bird body is attached to the pointy, oval-shaped bird belly.  This step got a little tricky for me, because at first it seemed like the bird belly piece was too long to fit on the body from point to point.  You just have to work with the two pieces to ease them together so they eventually fit.  It will take quite a few pins.

Attach the second bird body at the bottom, leaving an opening for the stuffing.  Before sewing the top bird bodies together, slip your loop into the seam and slipstitch closed.  Leave a small opening in the bottom of the bird body for stuffing. 

These little bird ornaments are super simple to make and technically, since they don't have any wings-you'll never have to worry about these feathered friends flying away.  They'll stay right in your tree, exactly where you place them.

I drew upon one of the great patterns in the book called Last-Minute patchwork and Quilted Gifts by Joelle Hoverson.  This is the same book that had that really cute pincushion pattern that I shared here a few months ago.  Remember those? 

In fact, these cute birds on the cover are what prompted me to buy the book in the first place.  They're a lot of fun to make and take almost no time at all.  I'd say each bird took about thirty minutes to complete.   

I made these little birds for my kids to use to decorate their Christmas tree.   A few years ago, I decided to allow my kids to have their own miniature tree so they could decorate it to their heart's content and put any and all the decorations they wanted to put on it.

While my kids are decorating their tree, I get to dive into my own larger family tree with a special "back to nature" theme, complete with a range of unusual and delightful decorations that I've collected over the years.

This is such a great time of year and I love the sights, colors and especially the decorations of the holiday season.  It's so much fun to browse various blogs to see how people decorate their homes and trees.  Everything is always so delightfully festive.   

By the way, I'll post some pictures of my own "back to nature" Christmas tree next week.  I wouldn't call it a "traditional" approach to tree trimming but I think you will really like it. 

I also feature some feathered friends of a different variety as well as some items you might not typically expect to see on a Christmas tree.  Hope you check back to see it.

Until then, Happy holidays!

Comments

[ibor]

Hi, I enjoy to read this article, this is good article. Thanks for this post.

[Kimberly C.]

Your bird ornaments are very cute! I could do that! Thanks for the inspiration. Your tree is beautiful, as well.

[claire]

Your birds are lovely! I have the same book - I thought it would be great for a total novice but I am struggling! I look at yours and they're so neat - mine are raggedy! I would be SO grateful if you could post a picture of how a bird looks when you have just sewn the bird body sides to the belly, as I'm sure I'm doing something fundamentally wrong :-(

[M&Co]

Love the birds! And what a great idea to have a special tree for the kids!I'm really anticipating seeing your tree. Ibet its delightful, as everything you make! ;-)I hope you and your family enjoy the wonderful days leading up to christmas!!

[Anne]

These birds are on my list of things I want to still make, and now you have inspired me to attempt to make at least one. I love your fabric choices and I can't wait to see your tree.

[Angela (Cottage Magpie)]

TOo cute! This book is going on my Amazon.com list right now!
~Angela :-)

[Lori]

I love love your projects !!! it is so much fun to see what you have created !

[Lori]

I love love your projects !!! it is so much fun to see what you have created !

[the feathered nest]

Those birds are so cute! They would have been perfect for my tree. Maybe I'll sneak one more project in before Christmas! You always have the best tutorials!

Manuela

[The Inspired Room]

Those are adorable! Very sweet. Thanks so much.

Merriest Christmas to you Lisa!

Melissa

[sheila]

What an adorable touch for the holiday season.

[Gabreial]

Those birds are darling! I'll be back to visit you again soon!

[Katie]

Oh, I have to make some of these for next year!! Maybe even for my spring decorating... I have tons of scraps, and these are the perfect thing for them. Thanks for showing us how to make them! (This is my first trip to your blog...I love your stuff, and I will be back!)

[Suzanne]

Love the contrasting fabrics you used:-)

[Jen ~ ARTful Dreamer]

Lovely as always Lisa! You make all your projects look so easy. And they are so pretty on a tree. I'd love to tackle this project but I'm so afraid mine would come out looking like blobs rather than birds {I'm sooooo sewing challenged} LOL Maybe I can try something with paper - paper likes me - the sewing machine does not!

[jennifer Paganellli]

You make it look so easy..loving all your things for the holidays especially the pretty birdies...Have a wonderful Holiday season..all my best, Jennifer

[Liz]

Wow! These are really impressive, very adorable birds!

[Aina]

WOW!!! This is just fantastic, they look great!! I thought the same as you did, what a great cover, and I was tempted to buy it because of the little birds. I still haven`t bought the book but I soon will. I think the birds are adorable and can be used for so many things. LIke here, as a Christmas tree decoration. Lovely fabrics :)Wish I had the pattern so I could make a few before the Christmas..Hmmm..I could try to make it myself somehow..For now I am busy with a few cushion covers and a couple of Christmas Stockings. Finally, I got the time to make something just for me.

Happy days Lisa and enjoy the last week before Christmas!

[Elzie]

Those birds were just adorable. Liked the one with notes most.
Hope you have a great Monday.
Love Elzie

[Paige]

Sweet! I've been eyeing that book and those birds for quite awhile now - thanks for sharing, they're awesome. I'll be sure to come back and visit here again!

[Giabella Designs]

I have that book on my christmas list! Hoping I will get it to try all of the fabulous projects! Happy Holidays!

p.s. I did manage to make an apron for a secret santa party at work. Stop by sometime to take a look...giabelladesigns1.blogspot.com

[Dena]

What a sweet little project! Thank you for visiting my blog. I'm enjoying all of your creative ideas :)

Happy Sunday.

Dena

[Cora]

Another lovely project as always. I love birds and they seem to be the popular thing now. I'm going to have to find that book or better yet, I'm going to throw around some hints ;)

Happy Holidays.

[Tracy Whitney]

these are really pretty! thanks for sharing the idea.

Merry Christmas : )

[Betty @ She's Sew Pretty]

Oh no! Now I have another project on my to-do list. Those little birds are so cute!

[Katherine]

What a wonderful flock of fabric birdies! Very sweet.

[Tanya Whelan]

Those birdies are so sweet! Lisa, I so love that you've taken up juggling!! I just thought that was the coolest when I read it. I hope the balls work well in that capacity.

[Barbara Jacksier]

Hi Lisa

I'm so glad you stopped by my blog because now I've found YOU. I've been planning to do a feature on scrapbooking in January. Let's talk!

[paige]

just came by to visit and WOW!! i love your blog....so much creativity & i'm so inspired. the little birdies are so so sweet. little birdie is the nickname of one of my daughters...i will have to show her these!
can't wait to see the next post.
xo

[cindy]

I've been wanting to make those birds for awhile. My favorite has to be the one with the music notes. Very classic Christmas!

[Jennifer]

Love these! And it looks like something I could actually do. I'm gonna run out and pick up the book.

[jennifer davis]

Love these! I actually made some out of felt last year and used contrasting stitching for the wings, so fun to see this version! Love that musical note fabric too!

Have a wonderful weekend! =)

[Jen R]

What a great idea. I'm not much of a sewer, but I might give it a try.

[amyehodge]

I made a couple of these for my mother (alas, I have not accumulated enough of a stash of leftovers to have many good combinations). But I love your fabric combinations and was taken with that music fabric before I even saw that it was your favorite!! :)

[Rosie]

Those birds are so cute! I've been wanting that book...now I know I MUST have it! Have the Happiest of Holidays.....Rosie

[adrienne]

ADORABLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE this!!!