"Soaring"

This is a quiet time in the woods for our bird population.  All nested up or having flown to warmer climates it is rare to see many birds around. 

But some flit by once in awhile.  Because they are rarely seen they become even more precious to me.

A bird outlined in a deep blue winter sky, or sitting huddled on the branch of a tree. Definitely winter treasures to be sought.

"Aerodynamically the bumblebee shouldn't be able to fly, but the bumblebee doesn't know that, so it goes on flying anyway". - Mary Kay Ash

Finding My Wings?

Prior to our trip out west I made up three 'Quietude' dolls.  I needed to create calm and peace as we made all of our reservations and went through the whole thing of getting ready to be out of town for two weeks.  I definitely needed a bit of serenity in my life.
  

My idea after getting home was to complete at least two more and then perhaps something else would pop into my head.  That completion project died a quick death as I fumbled around trying to find embellishments that would work and getting less and less interested each day.

While out on the desert we saw birds that we don't see here -- lots of them.  Magpies, which have a bad reputation but I love seeing them soar.  Quail are all over and always busily walking their grounds.  Just as perky and cute as can be.  

Then I came home to all the birds we have here.  And the thought came over me that perhaps I might make up some cloth birds.  Uh-oh -- the moment that thought came to me, my mind started churning with ideas: shabby chic? muted and mild? embellishments? shape? printed fabric or plain or both? eyes? standing or hanging or sitting - or all three????

And so I'll lift my wings and see what fun I can have.  Perhaps my summer will be completely devoted to bird watching.

"It's impossible to explain creativity.  It's like asking a bird, 'How do you fly?'" - Eric Jerome Dickey

"Earthbound"

I admit that my feet are firmly planted on the ground -- carefully taking life one small step at a time.  Sometimes I'm running, sometimes I'm walking and sometimes it feels like I'm crawling.  But this coming year I have determined to take flight -- even it only means starting out by hopping or skipping.  Perhaps I'll actually graduate to soaring before the year is over.

This wall hanging is my first attempt with no boundaries.  The name "Earthbound" came to me as I was working on it because I can see that I myself am still earthbound. But it seems a good first start on my quest.

I take a moment to thank  Barbara at PinelandsTreasures for gifting me with this lovely charm.  The brushed metal seems to go quite beautifully with the colors on this piece.

Okay, I'm off to polish up my wings and see what happens next.

 "Only from the heart can you touch the sky." - Rumi