MSED: Bird a Day #136 Sun Rise Rooster

In honor of today's glorious weather (including the sunrise) I give you Sun Rise Rooster

50 degrees and sunny, can't beat that with a stick!

MSED: Bird a Day #135 Peep Hole Owl

I give you, another puzzle piece.

It has been unseasonably warm these past couple of days and tomorrow it is supposed to reach the mid 40's It makes me long for spring even though I know winter just started and spring won't finally arrive until June or July ha ha.

MSED: Bird a Day #134 Green Nest

Here's today's puzzle piece.

I found a cool new pen. It's called Ink Joy by Paper Mate. I got a pack of 18 (10 different colors) for $3 at Target. They write liquid-y smooth and have a fine point (package said med point). Feels like somewhere in between a ball point and a roller ball.

At home in their jar.

Keep your caps on kids, it's cold outside.

And just writing with a pen with the word "joy" on it, well, it gives me joy.

Here are all the colors.

MSED: Bird a Day #133 The Ways of the Heart

Today was a perfect day to be at home to cook and craft and watch old movies. I did all three.

I am altering a puzzle for my next art project. Here is the first piece. There are 24 in all. The original puzzle came from the dollar store; it was Winnie the Pooh so this must be Owl.

Altered puzzle piece, acrylic paint, clip art, and pen

MSED: Bird a Day #132 Love Crows

Third Sketch in the sketchbook project sketchbook

Also I carved a stamp of Max; maximum dog in a minimal package.

It's been a very creative day

MSED: Bird a Day #131 Owl Stamp and Sketch #2

I carved an owl stamped based on this.

I would have liked to get more detail but the block was soft and crumbly. (Note: pink stuff is better than the white stuff) Still, I like how it turned out and I am "geeked"  to do more.

Stamped into my sketchbook

In the process of carving

Test print

I need to burnish the block  to the paper more.

So much fun! and easy to do!

MSED: Bird a Day #127 Reinbird/ First Sketch for the Sketchbook

My Dad's birthday was yesterday. Happy birthday Dad!
Every year on his kid's birthday my dad would proclaim that the Birthday Giraffe was here and left us a gift. "Dad, come on! There's no such thing as the Birthday Giraffe!" Even though we were pretty sure there was no such thing, as our friends never talked about it, we loved it!
So, in honor of my dad, who invented the mythical creature that took credit for his and Mom's gifts to us I present the Reinbird. (It makes more sense than flying deer I think.) I love you Dad!

First sketch in the Sketchbook Project sketchbook. Color pencil and pen

MSED: Bird a Day #125 Santa Bird

You think he'll ask for  a BB gun? And yes, the beard is real.

Pen and color pencil

MSED: Bird a Day #124 Little Notebook Bird

Remember my little Red Owl Notebook? Here's a little drawing for it.

Ink pads and black pen. With letter stamps too!

When I inked up the page there was a bird, this was not intentional just a happy accident.
I out lined it in pen. 

MSED: Bird a Day #123 Bird in a Box

Today's prompt: Make something in a box. So I took this tiny gold foil box.

and put a tree inside,

With a bird on top.

I wanted the tree to be taller but it barely fits in as it is. I would like to explore this idea farther though.

On another note, I received my Sketchbook Project sketchbook in the mail today. Now I have blank sketchbook anxiety! I don't know how to start or what to put in it! Yikes!

MSED: Bird a Day #122 A Block of Firds

MSED: Bird a Day #121 Among the Croton

Phew, that one took some time. I think I will try to do some quick sketchy birds in the next few days to see if I can get back on track with the bird a day thing.

Prismacolor color pencil on bristol board

MSED: Bird a Day #120 Cinnamon Ornaments

I'm back with some new birds! This project was way too much fun and it smelled fantastic! I used Martha Stewart's cinnamon dough recipe which is basically ground cinnamon, apple sauce and white glue. I rolled and cut out cute little bird shapes. After they were dry, I just used some craft acrylics that I had on hand and some glitter pens. 

These look better in person and I can officially say that I am not happy with my digital camera any more.  I was so much happier with my camera when I got it than i am now. when I bemoaned that fact to my sister she told me that digital camera's sensors go bad after a while, especially if you take a lot of night time pictures. It seems that in dim light the shutter has to be open for longer periods of time exposing this delicate little wussy sensor to too much exposing? I never knew. For as much money as they cost they should have tougher sensors that last. And that's all I'm going to say about that!

MSED: Bird a Day #119 Turkey Trot

I have a wonderful friend I would like to tell you about, Mary Katherine. She isn't making a big Thanksgiving dinner this year. This year she will be running her first 10k in the Chicago North Shore Turkey Trot. Two years ago she never would have thought that she could run let alone run in a 10K! She writes about how she went from couch potato to athlete, with the help of her daughter, Rosie, here - Mary Katherine's Musings. She is an excellent writer and I am a huge fan of her blog. It's very heartfelt and inspiring.

 Also she's not just running for herself, she's running for an excellent charity 

The Wounded Warrior Project. Their mission is to honor and empower wounded warriors. 

If you would like to help my good friend Mary in her efforts to support and help our wounded vets, go to her fundraising page and give from the heart.

While the rest of us our stuffing our faces on Thanksgiving Day, Mary Katherine will be making a difference in the world because, that's what she does!

Correction: I have just found out that MK IS making a Thanksgiving feast! I am in awe.

MSED: Bird a Day #118 Happy Birthday Mom!

My mom's birthday is tomorrow and she and my dad will be returning home from a trip they took to celebrate 50 years of marriage. I am so happy for them! This card and a pair of home knit birthday socks will be waiting for her when she comes home. Love ya ma!

I made this just for you! It's got glitter!

MSED: Bird a Day #117 Thinking of You

I have a good friend who received some bad news recently. I made her this card. I hope it cheers her up.

MSED: Bird a Day #116 - Guest Artist, Sarah

My daughter Sarah, had to draw some signs for work the other day. I think she thinks it cheating but, she gave me permission to use this one for my post. 

My Make Something Every Day project - My rules.

Now if I could just get her to bring home some of that pie...

Isn't that just the cutest little blue bird?!

MSED: Bird a Day #115 Tollhouse Duck

He lived a very short life. Rest in peace little buddy.

MSED: Bird a Day #114 Little Red Owl

The prompt I used today was to work with only red. I cheated a little and used black also, but that's how I roll. My mom and dad went to a wellness center open house and brought me back this cute little notebook. I gessoed over the logo and used red acrylic paint for the back ground. Now I have a cute mini art journal to fill!

Acrylic paint and Sakura Glossy 3-D Glaze pens

MSED: Bird a Day #108 Flying Geese

Here's a quick little doodle based on this tangle called Flying Geese (scroll down for directions).

I think is looks rather Christmas-y to me. I am also working on a bigger project, a real painting. Well see how it goes. I wish I had better acrylics...

Pen and gel pen on paper.