Wool-less Wednesday: Feathers and Fur But No Fiber

Well, it's that time of year again when I set up the birdfeeder for the winter. Watching birds feed outside my kitchen window in the winter is something I've done for about 10 years. Whatever the weather, I'm sometimes still in my pajamas on cold winter mornings making sure these delicate creatures are fed.

This delicate creature is my cat. I also make sure she is fed but not with feathers! She too loves to watch the birds at the feeder. However, I think her motivation is a bit different than mine.

Whatever creatures you may watch...

Happy creature watching!

Color Inspiration: Mother Nature

What are your color inspirations for your fiber art creations? I often turn to mother nature who is the ultimate colorist. My passion for birdwatching at my feeders in the winter led me to wonder at the perfect color combinations in the feathers of the birds visiting my backyard.

The black, white and grey feathers of this chickadee against a blue sky gave me the inspiration for a crocheted handbag's colors. The blue grey wool is the wing feathers of the chickadee. The blue lining echoes the sky. A shiny black button is inspired from the curious dark eye of the chickadee.

Do you notice the beige in the chickadee's breast feathers? How could you work that into a color combination with the black, grey and white?

Of course, not all of my color inspirations come from nature. But my camera is not far away when I'm walking in the woods, strolling along a beach , or admiring my flower garden. It's amazing what great color combinations I find days or weeks later while reviewing my nature snaps.

If you find yourself with fiber artist's block, look to mother nature for inspiration.

Interested in what color combinations you may see at your own backyard bird feeder visit Cornell's Lab of Ornithology.