Spring Is In The Air!

Is there anything that heralds the arrival of spring more than seeing your first robin? I don't think so! The other day I had a flock of them on my front yard, talk about inspiration. Here are my first two needle felted American Robins. They stand approximately 3 inches tall and span 4 inches from head to tail.  The little one with the turned head was my first. When he was done, he seemed to need a friend so I made him one. Now they stand together.

Birdie: Vintage Spirit #5

Birdie is finished! What a joy she was to create- she really evolved in the process to become this somewhat warrior like creature. She has a vintage rhinestone feather pin synched at her waist; two birds on her label; a needle felted bird on her finger; and of course her signature shell bird hat that ultimately required the addition of blue plumage. Her auburn hair extends beyond her waist. I had to decide whether or not to show the wefting and, although it usually is not shown, on this piece I secured the hair with the wefting visible because it created a smoother hairline at the back of the neck and eliminated all the hair ends from sticking out. Also, the wefting was very neatly done so I think it looks fine. I did cover all the words on her label because it is not vintage. I needle felted the little bird on her finger- very small at only a bit over an inch from tip of beak to end of tail. In the end, I am pleased with her- my fifth Vintage Spirit!

Birdie Gets A Body!

Naked as a Jay-bird but at least she has a body! The arms are pinned at the shoulders because I haven't worked out the details of her costume yet. She has her left arm extended to hold a bird on her finger. I will be needle felting the bird. Next step is to color her hands and fingernails. Back to work....

Vintage Spirit # 5 - Birdie

Bird hat placed on head (temporary).

Close -up shot

I finished obsessing about the face and actually made four more "interesting" faces- no beauties in the bunch but compelling none the less. I have also decided which bottle I am going to use first- the newer one- Covey Run. This bottle was given to me by a friend plus it has a beautiful bird label that I am anxious to duplicate in the costuming. Actually, I have already started with the hat. These Vintage Spirit dolls are all about their hats!! I made this hat from a seashell I picked up on the beach last summer. The bird's head is the shell as it curves at its joint. I deepened the color at the "beak" and added the dot eyes and Voila! the shell becomes a bird! It had a bit of a crack in it which made the process of creating the hat more interesting. The additional wing adds vintage lace/beading and completely covers the crack.  So..long story short..it is now a beautiful hat. I will be adding a tie ribbon on it to hold it on the doll's head later, but for now, along with the label, it is my inspiration for the rest of the costume.