Arlington in April

Thanks to everyone who stopped by the "Arlington in April" festival today! We were sad that it was shut down due to weather. We will be posting feeders for sale online soon! So please keep checking our blog and we'll also let you know where we will be next. It was nice visiting with everyone today! 

Booth Banner!

Our banner came in today and I'm super excited!

Another work day

Yesterday was another work day. We had stuff scattered everywhere.  I've been decoupaging and stenciling to give some variety to the feeders.  I was pretty happy the way the Mountain Dew feeder came out.  I think it's pretty cool!

 

 

 

 

 

My husband is making a St. Louis Cardinals feeder.  He said we need some "manly" feeders amongst all these "girly" feeders! Hey, I'm all for it! I think his feeder will look nice when it's finished!

Wine Bottle Feeder finished - Finally!

We finally completed our first wine bottle feeder! We have learned quite a few do's & don'ts during this project! So this one isn't perfect but I wanted to post it for a preview! I'll post some more pics after we present it to the birds! After all, they are really the ones that have to approve! But, I think it came out pretty good! What do you think?

Awesome Live Eagle Cam!

You have to check this out! East Tennessee State University has an Eagle Cam that is incredibly fun to watch! I should've posted this earlier in the month because they just had an Eaglet hatch this past Sunday! However, now you can watch them feeding the lil eaglet! Very adorbs! I'm not sure if there are other eggs waiting to hatch or not. Click on the link below and watch the Johnson City cam. I think it's the best. Super fun & super addicting! Absolutely beautiful birds! 

http://www.etsu.edu/cas/biology/eagle-cam/cameras.php



Red-bellied Woodpecker

 

  We got mail! A reader sent in these awesome pics of a red-bellied woodpecker!!! Madison spotted the red-bellied woodpecker while hiking a trail in Missouri! I haven't spotted any woodpeckers yet so, this is so awesome! 

I do have a little confession, Madison isn't just any reader....she's my 16 yr old niece! I was excited when she told me to check my email because she was sending me a surprise!  These pics made my night! She has a really nice camera that she got for Christmas and she takes wonderful pictures! She has a very good eye and captures beautiful moments in her pictures! I'll have to send her a feeder so she can start snapping pics right in her backyard!

 

 

Picture by Madi

Picture by Madi

Here's an interesting fact about the red-bellied woodpecker: they are attracted to noises that resonate. The male will tap loudly on metal gutters, aluminum roofs and even vehicles to attract a mate. Wow, that sounds annoying! I bet the females are like...."Okay, we hear you! You wanna date, we get it! Now show me why I should pick you!"

Thank you, Madi! I love that my family supports my bird addiction! Actually, bird watching is a very popular hobby among people of all ages!

6 Weeks until our 1st Craft Show in Arlington!

We are about six weeks from our first craft show so, yesterday was another project day! We had pretty weather and we spent most of the day outside! My husband drilled holes and I measured chain, glued, and took pictures!  

Below are just a few of the feeders that we'll have available at the craft show.  We're still trying to get the wine bottle feeders perfected! They are tricky! I'll be posting a pic soon! Be sure to comment on which one is your favorite!

 

Mission Impossible!

I had a little fun with the 'slo mo' on my phone today & I capture this lil guy bouncing around in the tree! I wish I had "Mission Impossible" music!
 

Our future Billion Dollar Birdfeeder Business!

Yesterday, we committed the whole day to working on our newest project.....bird feeders!  We are making custom bird feeders out of whatever cute stuff we find including wine bottles! The hardest part of the wine bottle feeders is drilling the glass!  So, that's where my husband comes in the picture!  This was the first time that he's drilled glass and he did it! First time and didn't fracture the glass at all!  We heard that it's a little tricky and yes, it takes a lot of patience! That's why he's doing it and not me! I'd probably break bottles right & left! It did take quite a while to drill one hole.  So, I'm not sure how many wine bottle feeders we'll have ready for the show but, we're going to do as many done as possible. I told him we probably need to drink a bottle every other night for next few weeks! He said how about you go ask some restaurants for their empty bottles! Yeah, I guess that would work! Here's a few pics from yesterday. I figured I should post some pics to give him credit because this is the hardest part of the project. He deserves a big 'thank you' for his expert work!

 

 

 

 

Later in the day, we took a break from drilling to take some marketing pics and see if the birds like my first feeder!  It turned out awesome! Bonnie & Clyde showed up to pose for pics with the feeder! They are super models!  Clyde showed up way before dark so his pics came out the best.  Bonnie came right at dusk so her pics were too dark. To be honest, I think Clyde hogged the feeder a little too long! He doesn't dine well with others.

 

This is my first feeder that started my big idea
of selling custom bird feeders.

 

 

 

My Newest Bird-Brained Idea!

Wow! Where does the time go?! It's been a couple weeks since I've posted anything. It's been one thing after another! So, I made a little time to 'pound the keys' to share my new brilliant idea! (Yeah, that's what my husband said too, "Oh boy, what now?!")

I'm going to make bird feeders!!! 

and if they turn out pretty...I'm going to sell them at the spring festival in our town! What I'm going to need from you is comments and feedback on my feeders! I've started one feeder and I should finish it tonite or tomorrow. I'll post the finish product and you give me your opinions! 

Now, of course I can't do this project all by myself! I have to get my husband on board because I need holes drilled and he doesn't like me messing with his man toys! I keep telling him this is OUR project/business but he says "Oh no, it's YOURS! I'm just doing the drilling so you don't hurt yourself!" What?! I've never injured myself while attempting a DIY! No matter how he sees it, we are doing this together! We're spending time together and he likes it! He can keep telling himself it's all me but he's enjoying it as much as me! 

The craft show is next month and we have lots to do! I think I'm going to name our booth "The Backyard Bird Boutique"! How does that sound? Let me know what you think of the name & be sure to check back for pics and I'm begging for your feedback and suggestions! Thanks, Friends!

The Great Backyard Bird Count was today!

What a great day today for bird watching! Today, I counted five different kinds of birds at our feeders! I submitted my count to the project and I was very happy since this is my first time participating! The morning started off at 6:45am with a blue bird sitting on the feeder closest to my window!



"Hello, it's me
I was wondering if after all these years you'd like to count me
in the #GBBC
Hello can you hear me
I've been out here chirping loudly
Hello from the outside..."

Female Cardinal

Male Cardinal

House Finch

Song Sparrow



Addicted to bird-watching!

I've decided that I'm going to create a "bird sanctuary" in my yard for wild birds! I really love wild birds because there's not a lot of commitment involved and I don't think they should be caged up anyhow!  Not to mention, I don't have to clean a cage full of poop and seeds! I can put a feeder and a house in the yard and watch from the couch or my front porch! Easy as that!   They have their space and I have mine! It's perfect!  Of course, I have to create a place they want to come and spend time! So, I'm going to have to add a few things to the yard and that means I need to tell my husband. He's already limited me to 2-3 feeders and 1 birdhouse.  He doesn't want us to look crazy and he definitely doesn't want to be "the guy that's married to the bird lady!"  Soooo, I told my husband:

 

Me:  Hey, ya' knooow....birds need food, and water, and shelter, right?

 

Husband:  Yeah, and why do we have to provide for them? We have kids and we have each other! We have a family!

 

Me: Yes, but we just do! It's nature! They're God's creatures! 
Now, STHU...I want a bird bath!

 

Husband: (Shakes his head and smiles at me....
because he loves me!)

 

Me:  "SAY HELLO TO OUR LITTLE BIRD SANCTUARY!!!

(We got a bird bath!!)

 

I encourage you to put a feeder up and just watch the birds that show up! Be sure to post on my blog - I'd love to hear all about it! 

 

I'm a BIRD NERD!

"Clyde, you're a charismatic bird!"

I'm becoming obsessed with looking out the window in the morning and throughout the rest of the day to see if my feathered friends are stopping by my feeders! And they have! Bonnie & Clyde both stopped by this weekend to dine in my "tree-eatery". The funny thing about Clyde, the Cardinal, is that he likes to park his big tail right in the middle of the feeder! He doesn't stand on the edge or hop around the feeder---he just plops it right down in the middle as if to say "I'm here! Leave me the (chirp) alone!" He cracks me up! I will say he is a bit of a gentleman when it come to Bonnie! He lets her eat first or he will leave and let her eat while watching her from a neighboring tree. He's very protective of her! I love this sweet couple!

 



"Simply Birdie!"

Yes, that's right.....I'm feeding the birds!

I picked up a small window feeder last week & filled it with a "Songbird Mix". I had birds within a few hours! Then, I hung a platform feeder in a tree and we've had some chickadees and a male and female Cardinal. Cardinals especially like platform feeders and this couple have been visiting for about a week now. I'm hoping they stick around for a while. I'm becoming a bit attached to them. In fact, I've named them "Bonnie & Clyde"! I'll keep you updated on these two birds! We're expecting warmer temps and I'll be home during the day to do some bird watching! 

Oops, one more thing...I'd also like to give a "shout out" to my son for the awesome pics! He's really captured some great pics of our new lil friends!