Bird visitors

The problem with taking pictures of birds is that one picture will pretty much do for all of them! One individual seems to pretty much look like another individual to me. At this point at least. However, I did get pictures of 2 more visitors to a quiet backyard in Southern Indidan.


A woodpecker has found the suet. Actually two of them, this is - I think - a red bellied woodpecker. It doesn't ahve a red belly so I am not sure about that. I am still resisting a bird book, preferring to bug Patty. The other woodpecker is a black and white one, litle guy, maybe a downey woodpecker, have not yet been able to capture a picture of him/her.

While my Cardinal guy here is a gorgeous color, he is not quite in focus. He will have to do, though, since I have plenty of pictures of lady Cardinals but the guys don't seem to be frequent visitors yet. I am still trying for a sharply focused picture of a Cardinal guy! Difficult for me in the best of times but a challenge is always good.

Birds....now beads! For the Beady Eyed Bunch!

It has been quite some time since I have posted anything Beady-like. How many crocheted and Ndebele bracelets can you look at? I have to admit, the shield earrings are cool and there will be more of them but no need to post them here - just the colors changes.

Wait - one more Ndebele!

Quite different! A little spice added to the now familiar stitch!

So what is new? I am so happy to show you!

First - the problem: I often have 3 or 4 beady projects going at one time, all lined up on my table. I keep my thread/nymo/fireline very long because I don't like having to stop and add new thread/nymo/fireline. Some beaders use shorter lengths and don't have to stop and untangle as much. I like a good tangle and I am good at untangling!
Unfortunately, when I went back to a project it was very hard to find the needle at the end of that length of thread. Then several threads for several projects became tangled. Then Mini the nosy Chihuahua girl became entangled in a couple of them. Time to do something - thus, the Needle Finder (aka pincushion) was born!
Very small - about 1 1/2 inches - here is a quarter next to the first one I made:



Each project has it's own colurful needle finder - so I can find the needle! I could have used several regular pincushions and/or a brightly colored piece of cloth but where would be the fun in that? This is more congruent.


I found the patterns years ago on Suzanne Cooper's website. They are part of her Really Really Round Peyote Mandala necklace patterns.
http://www.bead-patterns-24-7.com/e-books-beads-round.html

There is a whole lot more to her website - this link takes you directly to her Really Really Round Peyote designs - and check out those little hats! In other pages she has small boxes, even a shoebox.
Here is another one I have made- Flames:


The pattern for these is similar to the very first pattern you learned - the round peyote Christmas earring! That was a beginning pattern, this is a fairly advanced pattern, needing pretty darned good pattern reading skills!


Happy Beading! I hope we can have a Vernal Equinox beady celebration - doesn't get much more exciting than beading and standing eggs on their ends!

I caught Bird Fever!

Patty and Rose gave me a bird feeder and pole for Christmas. Looking back, I can see their diabolical plot, although I was just an innocent at the time. I did hear them laugh and mutter 'the first one is free'.
Looking back to July, 2010, I can see where they set their plan to capture their next vitim by flashing shiny safflower seeds, making wild promises of Cardinals flocking to my back yard, lots of Cardinals! I have the proof, too. Innocent that I was, I took a picture of Pusher Patty and her 'wares'....


To show you how fast the addiction progresses.....I now have a taller pole, two suet cages, and a truck bed full of bird food. I have no need of sand in the back of my truck for winter driving, I have 2 big plastic boxes. One is filled with food for big birds and Cardinals, the other....devoted to the little birds and filled with thistle. Lots of thistle.
I sneak around, sitting very still with my finger on the shutter button....trying to shoot through a window and screen! How far and how quickly we fall.


Like heroin, I have to maintain a supply of my addictive substance. I have to fight other addicted beings ...here is a picture of my new competitor for Birdy Love! The rotten squirrel is sitting on a pole, waiting patiently......

I am watching you, Squirrel!!!
And I have greased the bird feeder pole with 1/8 inch of vaseline! That took care of the little buggers. They easily shinnied up the pole and ate my bird seed. Not any more....Fie on thee, Squirrel!


Some of my new best friends. I don't really know what they are but I get even with Patty by sending her instant messages and texts about what I am seeing and asking her what kind of birds those are. She is getting desperate, suggesting that I get a bird book. Hah!!! Not likely. She must pay for this!
The little green ones kind of look like malformed parakeets, the other one has pretty rose colors on him/her.

The Cardinals do visit, lots of lady Cardinals visit. And sometimes the feeder is just one big pile of birds. Until Squirrel makes his appearance.
Now, of course, I have my camera on a tripod on my desk, next to the window....waiting for that next shot! I need a better webcam, I am sure of it. My video is too indistinct, to feed my addiction I am now cruising bird cam websites, trying to see what they are using!
Thank you, Patty and Rose!