Blazing fall colors, dancing peacocks, patchwork quilts turned wonky birds. This week at the cottage… Continue reading
Category Archives: Night Bird Creations
repurposing vintage textiles
qypsy queen
The sun came out and warmed all the raindrops still clinging to every object as far as the eye could see.
I headed out with my camera to soak in the sun and to find something interesting to capture with the lens.
As I passed by my studio I wondered what surprises I might find inside. My art creations have been packed away for several years now. My studio has been locked tight. Boxes are piled high with paths barely wide enough for me to squeeze through.
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follow your gypsy heart
Truth be told, my gypsy heart doesn’t wander too far from home.
It does, however crave change, no boundaries and open expression.
follow your gypsy heart note card by Night Bird Creations
As many of you guys know, I have been recovering from a cervical injury for the past year and half. I’ve made great progress, but I am far from where I should be.
My team of doctors and physical therapist, placed me on a 30 minute limit at any time to any activity including creating my art. That does not allow for me to get into my grove or to spiritually tap into the happy place that allows me to create.
There have been a lot of adjustments to my lifestyle and artless life. I’ve enjoyed living vicariously through my artsy fartsy creative friends, both in the real world and on-line world.
I have come to terms, (most days) with the fact that the kind of art I used to make, must change.
The passing of my mother in recent months has also left my heart empty and wanting.
I’ve had a lot of time on my hands to think about the direction my life is going and what the future will look like. While I don’t have all the answers, I do know there are oh so many changes happening faster than I can put my finger on.
Some – maybe 15 years ago, I discovered a photographer/artist that hand colored her black and white photography. I was awestruck with her work and have held on to the idea of some day exploring this media for myself.
Recently, I have found myself fulfilling that promise and I am now working with both vintage images and my photography. This is a process that I can happily work on for only a few minutes here and there, as it is a bit labor intensive.
hand tinting a vintage image with water-color and ink.
I use water-color, pencils, inks and dyes to transform images. I then scan the image into my computer and begin a little digital manipulation to combine the two.
My sunflowers were of great enjoyment this year, as well as spending time photographing them so it seems only fitting that they are the first images I am working with.
hand tinted photography – queen of the sunflowers a note card by nightbird creations
My heart says be brave, embrace the changes that are upon you and continue to dream…
Day 1 – October 8th our modern-day gypsy caravan arrives.
Almost 23 years of living at Coral Cottage – getting boxed up and ready to begin our next adventure.
You are invited on the journey.
Don’t forget to follow your heart.
See you later, Bye!
Kim
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Workbench Wednesday
On the workbench this week.
Playing with copper and silver for new jewelry designs.
Copper with patina, silver star.
Embossing on copper
Patina, embossing surface design
Jellyfish and starfish.
And a few hearts.
Copper + silver + flame – what more could a girl ask for?
The copper and silver will be incorporated with other elements and will become…
I’ll share the progress later.
See you later, Bye!
Kim
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fly strong
I’ve been waiting for my new year, one word mantra to come to me. I was afraid I wasn’t going to receive it. However, as I sat talking with my doctor last week, it hit me.
Strength. Strong.
1. The state, property, or quality of being strong.
2. The power to resist attack; impregnability.
3. The power to resist strain or stress; durability.
4. The ability to maintain a moral or intellectual position firmly.
5. Capacity or potential for effective action: a show of strength.
I want the whole package, Body, Mind and Soul.
My doctor says that my entire body has become unconditioned. That is a polite way of saying I am fat and out of shape.
I will be starting physical therapy again very soon, and then on to an exercise program. I am so looking forward to this.
Not because I am an exercise nut, no ugh I hate to exercise, but my body wants to be healthy.
My desire for myself is to become physically stronger, and for my creative endeavors to be reflective of this too.
I want to convey a sense of strength and fortitude, and the hope of what is possible, even when I create a gentle humble object.
Strength, strong and assured. On that note, a peak at a new design I have completed and added to my shop. I hope that it expresses the strength that is found in delicate beauty.
I have sewn vintage seam binding and new vibrant blue burlap together to form a background for the vintage image of a Lazuli Bunting. Remember those cigarette cards I scored the other week? I’ve transferred them to fabric.
I’ll apologize for the poor quality photos, it is dark and dreary today.
A twig, a wire nest with eggs and a feather for accent.
I have spring on my mind – can you tell?
See you later,
Bye!
Kim
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craft table
My craft table view
a very messy craft station
Wonder how this scary mess could turn into something productive?
We had snow again, during the night. Today is a good day to stay in and work on a few projects, including cleaning up this mess.
Window view
Cheerful – a bright red cardinal against the snow.
See you later,
Bye!
Kim
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daddy’s necktie – a creative process
Over a year ago, some friends and I went on a shopping venture, where they helped me nab a big stash of old neckties. I planned to repurpose them into something.
I’ve pulled them out from time to time and thought about making stuff with them, but as of yet nothing has come to me.
Or I just couldn’t bring myself to cut them up.
Or I had some kind of block, or I don’t know – I just wasn’t feeling it.
Recently my dad gave me a stash of his old neckties.
I got to work that afternoon cutting them up and repurposing them into their new life.
I think it was because I could feel a personal bond; I could remember him wearing most of them.
The creative gods said now is the time.
When I create, my heart is the leading force. I need the process, and the end result to be something that comes from my heart, and speaks to the heart.
Fabric cuff bracelets.
Yep, the old man’s necktie – one tie, three ways to smile.
This one I call sun-burst and stars.
I use lots of straight free-flowing stitching to achieve a simple style outlining on all the fabric patches. This is where my stash of fabric scraps come into play.
I added a few basic hand embroidery stars. Vintage buttons from the collection.
Old lace and dreams.
On this one, the necktie is layered several times with, lace, ribbon, free form stitching and dare to dream printed from the computer on muslin fabric.
A golden wing and a smoky glass bead for accent.
Believe features a sweet little key charm and a clear bead.
While I work on these pieces, I not only remember my dad wearing these ties, but I also think of the women in my life that influenced my sewing. My mom, she tried to be very disciplined in her sewing. She was a perfectionist that would spend many hours, tearing out her stitches and redoing them until she achieved perfection. I found her process to be un-fulfilling and swore I would never sew. My grandmother, sewed out of necessity. She repurposed and reused what she had on hand. I think her sewing sensibilities are what I feel the most when I sit down in front of my Singer.
What is your creative process? Do you have a special way of achieving your vision?
See you later,
Bye!
Kim
Visit Night Bird Creations to see more
Moonbeam catching * star wishing * soulful handmade *art for your heart.
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give away – as in free stuff
Know what?
This has been kind of tough week.
So I feel like doing something that would make me feel good.
I’m going to have a giveaway. I’m giving away a pair of my up-cycled wood tape measure earrings.
Keep them for yourself or give them away as a gift.
They hang from SS ear wires, they are made from vintage wood tape measure that I cut up, I’ve added an aqua color bead, and cogs from an old watch I took apart dangle at the bottom.
Easy Peasy to win.
If you are on Facebook give me a like on my Night Bird Creations page, leave a message saying you would like to be included in the give away.
Not on Facebook, then just leave a message here that you would like to be included in the giveaway.
Told ya it was easy.
Want to see another photo with description, go to my Etsy shop.
Good luck.
Winner announced on Saturday.
See you later, Bye!
Kim
