A few weeks ago, I was sitting in the dentist's office for a consultation for my daughter's dental surgery (which she had today). She and I were looking at a magazine called, "Family Fun." I had seen the magazine before at our doctor's office and ordered a subscription just recently because it looked like something my daughter and I would both get a lot out of. Anyway....while we were looking at the copy in the dentist's office, I found the craft section of the magazine and fell in love with the little birds that stood on paper clips. I was so fascinated by how cute they were and realized they'd super easy to make. I filed the idea in the back of my head so that I could remember it when I got home.
Taking my daughter to the dentist today for her surgery reminded me all about these little cuties and so I sat down at my desk when I got home and put 6 of these little birdies together and OH MY GOSH....I'm totally hooked and in love with them.
I created my own birdie stencil by drawing it by hand on a piece of cardstock and cutting it out. I can use it over and over again.
EDITED TO ADD: One of the girls over at SCS (hi Tigerlily55!!) found the original article over at Family Fun and there's a template that you can download with three different size birdies! YAY! Here's the links:
I used the Rythym Paper Pack from GinaK Designs to cut my birdies out of. I cut two birdies from each paper. I turned the stencil over for the second one so that they would match up when I put them together.
One of the cool things about this paper pack (besides the fact that the paper is texuredm, which I LOVE) is that it's double sided, so I got two complete birds out of one piece of paper, but two different designs.
Some of the papers in this pack have corner designs and just plain color in the middle. I cut two birds from the corner (like the one you see here at left) and got a unique looking bird. I then used the middle of the paper to cut another set of birds using the design on the other side of the paper.
Each bird takes two paper clips for the feet and are taped on the inside of one of the bird cut-outs. The second bird gets adhered on and it hides the paper clip ends. With all the different kinds of paper clip patterns out there (you can get all kinds at Staples these days), you can create some really funky feet on your birds.
Here's a view of all 6 birdies that I made. I just love them. Being that they were all made from paper from the same pack, they coordinate perfectly. I have them sitting on a shelf in my studio, all standing in a row and they're adorable.
Just think how cute they'd be with little names on them for placecards at Easter dinner!
And speaking of adorable hand made items, I wanted to tell you about a new website that I think so many of you are going to love! It's all about hand made, homemade, give-aways, reviews, going green, every day life, recipes, and oh, did I mention handmade??
I'll be a regular contributor over there and the team is full of amazing women that love homemade and handmade. Make sure you check it out over at Homespun Oasis! There's a give-away going on over there right now that you DON'T want to miss!
Happy Creating!
-Stampin' Mama
Those birds are stinkin' CUTE!! I'm going to go make some!!!
Posted by: flipflopmamma | February 05, 2009 at 09:19 PM
Love them! So cute. My husband calls me bird so i like anything birdie!
Posted by: bettyannmanghi | February 05, 2009 at 09:20 PM
I really LOVE family fun magazine. They have a great website too.
My only issue with family fun is that I sometimes feel that I lack original thought. I feel like every good idea I've ever had... someone had it there first.
Posted by: mamaholler | February 05, 2009 at 09:20 PM
OMG!!! These are the cutest things EVER! How perfect for Easter. Thanks for sharing! I'll be bookmarking this one.
Posted by: Tara D. | February 06, 2009 at 02:49 AM
Oh my, these are too cute for words!! I just love them and now I must go make myself some! :-) The paper is fantastic as well...now I also have to go shopping! LOL!
Posted by: Kim | February 06, 2009 at 08:18 AM
I'm SOOO not a fan of birds, but I have to admit, I'll probably make a couple of these. They are just so cute - I think what appeals to me the most is how you used printed paper and those paperclip feet!!!
Posted by: Krys72599 | February 06, 2009 at 08:46 AM
Seriously how cute are these! The the paper packs are perfect for them. Love it.
Posted by: asela | February 06, 2009 at 09:09 AM
OMGoodness These are just the sweetest things, Someone has way too much time on their hands to come up with these ideals. And I am just so thankful that they do. It makes it so much easier on us that are looking for quick ideals.
Posted by: Shelia | February 06, 2009 at 10:19 AM
would you be willing to post a template for those of us that are less artistic than you (which is most of us) and would never be able to draw our own little birdies?
Posted by: darcy | February 06, 2009 at 10:57 AM
How cute are these little birds?!? Thanks for posting this! These would be so fun to make.
Posted by: Gwen L. | February 06, 2009 at 12:22 PM
Hi Erika,
Love the birds and I am really enjoying Journaling 101.
Just to add something more to your busy life.
You've been tagged!
Here are the rules:
1. Go to where you store your pictures on your computer.
2. Go to the SIXTH folder and pick the SIXTH picture.
3. Post that picture on your blog along with a short story about it.
4. You know the rest, tag SIX people and leave a comment on their blog or email them letting them know you chose them.
Congratulations on your new home aswell. I hope you will all be very happy there.
Take care,
Ali
Posted by: Ali | February 08, 2009 at 04:57 PM
thank you thank you thank you, that's all i can say :)
You make me happy :-)
Posted by: Retro Jordans | September 03, 2010 at 09:46 PM