MSED: Bird a Day #106 Happy Halloween

I just can't leave that scribbler alone!

scribbler!

MSED: Bird a Day #105 Bird Feeder

I've had this project book marked in my to-do file for so long I forgot about it. Today it all came together like that! I just love when that happens.

2 liter bottle, wooden spoons, small eye screw, string

My new winter feeding station

I didn't take long before my first curious visitor arrived; less than 15 minutes!

Checkin' things out.

Digging In

In my opinion...

...there's nothing cuter than a chickadee

MSED: Bird a Day #104 Regression

For today's bird I regress way back to age 14, to one of my favorite childhood memories. Over three decades ago I submitted my art to a feature in the local paper called Buds Corner and my art was printed.  If your art was selected to be printed in the column, a staff artist of the paper would send you 2 free movie theater tickets and a very nice hand written letter full of encouragement; "... Much luck to you in the future as you pursue your art interests" Signed, Gyanne Smith, Staff Artist. All I remember was how proud and excited I was to be selected. I still have my letter, I found it today along with the column. I am so impressed with the letter, more now then I was back then. Thank you, Gyanne wherever you may be, for your wonderful words of encouragement to the awkward little kid I was.

That's my art at the top!

I went to see a movie I think was called "Ants!" or maybe "The Ants" You know - Giant mutant/monster man eating ants. My mom took my friend Karen and I to the theatre and dropped us off, which also thrilled me to pieces as it was the first time I was without adult supervision in a public place. I felt so grown up.

Redbubble Sale!

Thank you to whoever bought my art on redbubble! It's very exciting for me!

Gina, was it you?!

MSED: Bird a Day #103 Napkin Bird

This is the napkin I will use with lunch today. Then I am off to hide it for someone to discover. That crazy Noah Scalin and his prompts!

Flying South for the Winter - Pen on paper towel

MSED: Bird a Day #102 Palindrome Bird

Today's prompt; write a palindrome. Bonus: Illustrate it!
It took me almost as long to come up with one as it did to illustrate it. But what fun!

MSED: Bird a Day #101 Book Quote Bird

The prompt for today was to flip to a random page in a book at hand and make something inspired by the first sentence you read. The book on hand was one that was recommended to me by a dear friend, called; Dear Heart Come Home, The Path of Midlife Spirituality by Joyce Rupp.

Ink on bristol board

I was playing around with the idea of adding color but know I don't know if it needs it. What do you think?

MSED: Bird a Day #100 When Birdy Spoke

Woo hoo! #100! Seems like I should have some spectacular piece of creative to show on this day. But in real life it hardly ever happens that way.
This little ATC (2.5x3.5) of a willow beetle is bird like in title only. It was inspired by this poem When Birdy Spoke. I loved the poem and using the prompt: Use the world of insects as your inspiration today, I think it works.

Watercolor pencil on bristol board

MSED: Bird a Day #99 Happy Anniversary to Us

Here is the little note I stuck inside My hubby's lunch today. I love you babe!

 4x4' marker, pen and gel pen on bristol board

MSED: Bird a Day #98 Small Things ATC

Have a happy Tuesday!

MSED: Bird a Day #97 Repeating Pattern

 First I drew this little drawing

pen and watercolor pencil on paper

Then I followed the directions here How to Make a Simple Fabric Repeat (scroll down to see the directions) to make a tile.

Here's a shot of my desktop with my new pattern!

MSED: Bird a Day #96 Barry

Here is my ten word science fiction story.

No one saw it land. No one knows it's here.

It has been written for a while but I just got around to illustrating it. I was inspired by a photo that my sister took (have a look) "Berry" I'm sure this is not what she had in mind at all, but I can't help it, I sees what I sees.

Pen and watercolor pencil on mix media sketch pad

MSED: Bird a Day #95 B Bird Tee-Shirt

Way back in high school graphic design class, Mr Jameson let me silkscreen a version of this bird on a tee-shirt. I wore it for years.

B Bird, Derwent Inktense pencil on paper

Now thanks to Redbubble I can wear him again! I can even get all different colors and there is a hoodie version. Oh and stickers too! Have a look. http://www.redbubble.com/people/marikamakes

MSED: Bird a Day #94 Junk Drawer Birds

Most of this stuff comes out of my husbands pockets after work. Today's post is the reason I have not thrown any of it away since we've been married. I just knew this stuff would come in handy after all these years.

MSED: Bird a Day #93 Chicago Birds

Birds where everywhere on my trip to Chicago this past weekend. Here are a few.

Wall decals at this cute little shop we were in.

MK and I with Chilly Willy

Rosie's coffee mug

Front of the card Rosie gave me

The beautiful necklace Rosie gave me. The other side is a really pretty purple stone.
And just look at what is dangling on the chain...

Tweet tweet!

Crippled pigeon in front of Barns and Noble. Poor little guy was limping all around.

Pretty little tray that I gifted to myself.

MSED: Bird a Day #92 Marathon Bird

This weekend I was privileged to travel to Chicago by train with my very good friend, MK. Three of her children live in Chi-town. And, Oh the things we did! When we arrived Friday we took a cab to her daughter, Rosie's office for a tour then met up with her son John, had some lunch and headed over to Millennium Park to watch the swearing in ceremony of her son, Frank to City Year (what an awesome organization). After the ceremony and checking out the cool sculptures in the park we headed off to pick up Rosie's and John's marathon packets. YES! My friend MK has two children that ran in the Chicago Marathon this year! This is a sign I made for Rosie to cheer for her on the sidelines. I didn't get to do one for John because I didn't realize he was running until it was too late, (sorry John). MK's daughter Nancy drove up with her husband Trevor and their new baby Jack. And Maria (cousin/room mate) was our tour guide and helped us navigate the trains and the buses. I had a marvelous, fun filled time with some of the most amazing people you could ever get to know. Each one of these people is super intelligent and accomplished in many different ways (I could go on and on) but that's not what makes them so special. What makes these people stand out is the love and caring they have for one another and everyone around them. They all, every last one of them, are a reflection of the love God for us. They all made me feel so welcome and part of their wonderful family. (hey, no pressure guys)

Acrylic and pen on cardboard

I'm Flying The Coop!

I am so lucky! I am going on an adventure! I am taking the train to Chicago for an extended weekend. I will not have access to any technology while I'm there, so bye bye birdies for now. But I have 3 bird projects in the works and one finished that I will share when I get back.

MSED: Bird a Day #91 Bird from Mexico, Maybe

On our way to visit our daughter we stopped at this cute little Mexican restaurant. They had a couple of these giant parrots. Do they make them in Mexico; I don't know. They also had the best chicken enchiladas!  Yum! But,I learned an important lesson: Don't stuff yourself with a plate full of chicken enchiladas while on a road trip. I had heartburn for two days.

I don't know if I really learned my lesson. In the same situation I might just do it again.

Marika Makes: MSED: Bird a Day #90 Tiny Knit Chick

I got the pattern for this tiny chicken from Craft: Here is the link to the free pattern in case anyone would like their very own itty bitty chicky http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2011/08/project_excerpt_teeny-tiny_moc.html I altered the pattern slightly, I made mine wave "hello" and I didn't give him feet. I used some really nice wool/silk blend yarn that I had left over from some mittens that I never finished. I stuffed him with part of a cotton ball. It only took me one episode of Breaking Bad to finish him. Gotta bounce.

"broooawk"

Marika Makes: MSED: Bird a Day #89 Imagination Bird

Today kids we will use our imaginations. Can anyone see a bird? Come on anyone? Well I did, that's why I took this picture driving down the highway at 75mph. Honest, it really looked like a bird.

Calligrams

Take a look at this cool Etsy shop I found this morning
http://www.etsy.com/shop/jonijames
Joni has some really cute calligram prints like this chihuahua.

 I love me some chihuahua! :) My childhood dog was a chihuahua poodle mix and to this day I believe she was the best dog EVER (and I've know some really great dogs)

I didn't know when I created this little bird that it was a calligram. This bird a day project has me learning new things all the time!