Getting a wee bit crafty...and more...

Trust that you all had an enjoyable Thanksgiving with family and friends.

We had a good time.Nice visit with some family members.

Plenty of food and then some..ha.

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I am trying to figure out what to do with about half of a ham left over.

This evening I used some of the ham..chopped up about 2 cups of ham..prepared some pasta noodles, then tossed it all with about 4 tablespoons of artichoke and tomato bruschetta sauce.

It was quite tasty.

I'll have to come up a few more fun and innovative things with what is left.

I'm sure I'll figure it out, and when we finish eating the ham..there will be a big ham bone left to prepare a big pot of bean soup with.

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Well..I wanted to share a few crafty things with you all.

I made a wee something for my husband for Christmas..out of wire.

I wanted to see if I could do this..and I'm actually pleased to say that it turned out pretty nicely.

And was quite easy.

It was a little wire sculpted bird.

To make this wee bird first you take some wire... start by creating the top shape of the birds silhouette first...then when you get to where the tail part should be you create a tail shape ..then come back to where the bottom part of the bird should be..twist about 5 twists of the wire and continue with the underside of the birds body.

When you get back to the beak portion give the wire a good 8-9 twists to form the beak. Crimp the sharp end over with your needle nose pliers.

You should have a flat looking bird body silhouette.

Bend the tail portion up as it should be on a bird..not flat but holding up on the body.

Now you have a general bird ouline but it needs to be "rounded out"

start at the head portion near the beak and start twisting about 4 twists of the wire take the wire over to the opposite side of the bird and twist about 4 turns. Keep working creating a "rib type " look on one side of the birds body..all the way towards the back of the bird..about 6 "ribs"

Press the "ribs" outward.

Turn the bird over and repeat on the opposite side.

You now have a bird shape that looks a bit rounded(has form/not just flat..now your birdy has a "body), minus the feet and wings.

Next you will want to sculpt the wings.

use about 6 inches of wire... fold partly in half..and make it have the shape as a wing would..give it a bit of curve.

Now weave some wire in a zig zag type way over the wing shape, twisting after each zig/zag.

about 6 lines across the wing.

Attach the wing to the top of the bird body by twisting it tightly to the body. Shape the wing out by bending it as a bird wing would look..give it a little curve up and out away from the body.

Repeat on opposite side.

Now for the feet...

get two pieces of wire about 6-8 inches long.

shape into an elongated heart shape with a tiny portion of the wire....pinch the heart shape to look more like bird toes. twist around the foot part.

Do this for each wire piece. Attach end of leg to underneath of bird body by twisting tightly.

Attach an organza ribbon to hang.

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Hope my instructions weren't too difficult to understand.

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Now that I have made one of these I certainly want to make more..and plan on making a few larger ones out of sturdier wire soon.

I used a light weight jewelry type wire for my first one.

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If you create one of these..please let me know..I'd like to see what you have made.

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I'd like to share with you a few things that my crafty daughter has added to her etsy shop at:

http://www.shesewsbytheseashore.etsy.com/

A really cute Graduation donkey..this little donkey is created using a pattern from about the 1940's.

My daughter adjusted the pattern and added a diploma and cap.

Too cute!

This is available in her shop for $24

This would make a great graduation gift..or a gift for that person who thinks they..umm "know it all"...ha

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Next ..she created a really darling purse from her own design.

Appliqued mushrooms on the outside. A darling red polka dot liner, and darling red polka dot accents on the handle.

Really sweet hand bag!
Only $17!

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Then she made a one of a kind apron!With a pattern she designed herself.

This apron is a pretty polka dot green fabric with hot pink accents.

Only $17 !

Isn't it awesome!

Hope you all have a great day!

Thanks for stopping by!

~The Garden Goose~