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I was excited when Chris announced her “I can make that!” Party a couple of weeks ago. I decided that I was in and started making plans. Did I do all of this because I am an extreme crafter that cannot contain the need to pick up a glue gun or a pair of pliers?

The answer to that question is no, it because I am a Procrastinating Crafter. I craft when there is an event, a deadline, or someone I need to give a gift to pronto. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy crafting. Well, I really enjoy planning to craft something, organizing those craft somethings and then going to sit on the couch to watch more HGTV. I own all manner of crafting goodness, but most of it is infrequently used. So, when Chris announced her party I thought this is a great way for me to commit to start some of the Christmas stuff I wanted to do.

And boy oh boy, do I have a list of things that I want to do. The thing about getting yourself into this whole DIY/decorating/crafty blogaverse is that you are inundated with ideas. Now I am not one of those people that “thinks” up crafty ideas. However, I am good at knocking off something that other people have done or combining other ideas that I have come across.

Case in point is what I have created today - Fabric Birdies in Thread Nests
The reason for this creation stems from the fact that my mother-in-law loves homemade crafty things and loves birds even more. She is a quilter extraordinaire, makes all manner of cute stuff and can even paint. She is of the Uber-Crafter variety of MIL.

So, when I first saw these vintage thread nests that Cathe made over at her blog “Just Something I Made” I thought those would be something to keep in mind for my MIL.
(photo credit – Cathe @ Justsomethingimade.blogspot.com)

Then last week, Edie over at LifeInGrace featured these precious little birdies in her 12 Days of Handmade Christmas. They were made by Denise (visit her at Living Life Creatively) and she has given Edie a great tutorial on how to make these lil darlings.
(photo credit – Denise @ Livinglifecreatively.com)
So I thought, Thread Nest + Fabric Bird = MIL loves Jess. (That is simple basic math right?)

Now, I did not have a bunch of vintage thread like what Cathy had, but I did have this cheap thread sampler I got for a $1 from a bucket at Joann’s.

I unwound a couple of complementary colors in groups.
Voila, thread nest. Read up on Cathe’s post to see how to get these babies to stay intact with a little embossing powder.

I then used the templates and instructions from over on Edie’s site to create the little birdies. I know I should have ironed the fabric first, but it ended up being ok.

Now, I used a slightly larger bead to make the eyes (cause it was what I had) and skipped the wire leg step. Each bird takes about 30 minutes to sew together and I stuffed them with cotton balls instead of polyfil (again, cause it is what I have). I glued the little birdie into its color-coordinated nest. Total cost of this project was about $5 because I did not have the embossing powder and had to go pick some up at Hobby Lobby.

Now I have the cutest little gifts for my MIL.
(I just hope she likes them. Please tell me if these are horrible so I don’t embarrass myself!)

Head on over to Chris’s at Just a Girl and see what other goodness has been crafted up.


P.S. I am also linking up with Kimba!


DIY Day @ ASPTL

12 frugal friends said ...

Christina said... @ November 9, 2009 at 7:28 AM

Those are adorable! I'm sure the MIL will love love love them. Are you giving her all three (like a flock)? It might be cute if you embroidered family names on them.

Unless she's going to use them as pincushions. Not nearly as cute if that's the plan.

Either way: good work! ;-)

Laurel @ Ducks in a Row said... @ November 9, 2009 at 8:17 AM

These are darling - and yes, I can make that!

jen said... @ November 9, 2009 at 8:52 AM

these are really really cute -- might have to give these a try!

Cathe Holden said... @ November 9, 2009 at 9:28 AM

I LOVE IT!!! Way to combine! What a sweet sweet gift. Thanks for sharing my nest project with your readers.

Astrid in Bristling Acres said... @ November 9, 2009 at 1:00 PM

Darling birds!!! I bet they'd be beautiful ornaments!

Beth@The Stories of A to Z said... @ November 9, 2009 at 3:15 PM

These are totally cute and would look great tucked in to a Christmas garland. I can see someone doing these in all burlap. Cute idea!

Jess @ Frugal with a Flourish said... @ November 9, 2009 at 6:49 PM

Thanks guys!
- Beth I like where you are going with the burlap!
- Christina she is getting all of them and I like the idea of the embroidery but I am not very good at it!
- Astrid I think I might try to make them into ornaments b/c the MIL has several trees including one that is full of homemade type stuff!

Corrie Howe said... @ November 9, 2009 at 7:27 PM

I think they are adorable! And seem easy enough to whip out a few for nice gifts.

edie said... @ November 9, 2009 at 8:51 PM

Oh too cute Jess! Love them and thanks for sharing.
Hugs,
edie

Anonymous said... @ November 9, 2009 at 10:19 PM

These little birdies are so cute on their nests!! I saw the tutorial and love them with their little feet but I think this is just as cute!!

Moore Minutes said... @ November 11, 2009 at 11:23 AM

I saw these and have been wanting to try them too! These are adorable. What a perfect gift. Well done.

Chris said... @ November 15, 2009 at 10:21 AM

I'm sorry, but you are just too talented for words. :) Great idea! Thank you for sharing!

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