A new block kit, representing a new bird will fly into members' mailboxes each month. Make them, collect them, then use them in quilted projects. You can find a lot of the particulars here.
Today, I thought I'd tell you a little more about why this project is so important to me, with all its intricate blocks and details.
The Birthday Bird
I guess you can say that I've always been a bird person. I'm gonna place some of the blame on my sister.
On her 14th birthday she received a pet Quaker Parakeet (named Phoenix) in our formerly pet-free home. This crazy little bird changed our lives as a family.
A pet bird can be noisy, destructive, and messy (they like to toss aside seed shells when looking for the best tidbits). But they are intelligent, endearing, and very fun!
These days, I share my home with three birds (as well as my husband, Dave), or perhaps I should say they share their home with us!
First, there's Peaches, a 34-year-old Blue-Fronted Amazon parrot. Yes, she talks, but mostly she likes to sleep, eat, and sit on my knee while I write patterns and newsletters (she's sitting on my knee as I write this note!)
Then we have Woodstock (a Jenday Conure) and Doodle (a Sun Conure).
Woodstock is a picky eater. Doodle is a feathered garbage can. But they both agree that orange juice is delicious any time of the day!
While birds are 'trainable,' Woodstock seems to be a little slow on that score, so Dave (who is her main human) (all three birds are girls) must always check his shirts for . . . a-hem. . . accidents.
It has been said, that if a bird poops on you, you are lucky. Dave and I must be the luckiest people on the planet! But we adore these girls.
It Doesn't End There
When I travel, I'm always on the lookout for bird things to do.
Last year on a weekend outing to Niagara Falls, Canada with my good friend Brenda Miller, I was thrilled that we were both interested in visiting the Bird Kingdom!
Who wouldn't, right?
And it doesn't stop with birds in cages, exhibits, or zoos.
From Maine . . .
This was our vantage point from Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park this past fall.
Dave and I participated in the annual Hawk Watch. The Park Naturalists and many other birding enthusiasts set up shop on the side of the mountain to watch, and count, migrating raptors.
The view was stunning, but the breeze was quite stiff - and chilly both days we were there. Dave and I were amazed at how skillfully some of the participants spotted and identified various hawk species (at least a dozen different species) as the gusty winds swept them right by us before we could even catch them in the binoculars!
. . .To Alaska
I seek out activities that will integrate birds, bird-watching, or bird interaction while on the road.
This Bald Eagle greeted a cruise ship back into port in Seward, Alaska. The main reason I took the tour this summer was to see Puffins. On the trip, I saw Puffins, Kittiwakes, and more. Plus some mammals, too!
Are you starting to get the idea? I'm obsessed with birds as I travel.
No Place Like Home
However, by far, my favorite place to see and experience birds is in my own backyard.
Dave is the gardener guy around here, and he likes to plant things that draw in birds.
This Pileated Woodpecker found something fascinating about our young oak tree.
Two years ago, it was Dave's crazy idea to dig up the front yard and install a small pond. In the summer this is my most favorite place to work.
I set up my laptop on one of those lap desks and sit on the front porch where I have a perfect vantage point to one of the favorite bathing spots in the pond's stream. On a hot day, it is THE place to find a variety of birds in the yard.
Goldfinches, robins, sparrows, doves, and these Cedar Waxwings are only a few of the bird species that stop by to distract me from the computer work.
With all these visitors, you would think I'd never get anything done! But it seems just the opposite. The sound of the water and the feathered visitors only add to the experience of the tasks at hand. I am a very lucky girl! The Gray Catbird is one of my favorite visitors to the front porch.
We added a feeder with dried mealworms (I know it sounds gross, but it's all dried up). The birds, like Mr. Catbird, can't resist. And the catbirds in particular don't seem to mind that I'm working only inches away.
Crafty Birds
I think you're getting the picture. I really, really like birds! All these birds, and all this observation, only make me want to know more about these creatures.
And they are the perfect subject for a quilt.
It's not uncommon to find birds featured in competition quilts like this beautiful piece that was on display at Houston Quilt Market and Quilt Festival this past year.
Keeping Up Appearances by Jan Reed
Quite a few quilt applique patterns are available depicting some of the most popular songbirds species. But there are very few realistic pieced patterns for bird quilts or blocks (at least that I'm aware). After all, birds have some unique challenges when it comes to quilty shapes. They have a lot of wings and tails, heads and beaks, feet and feathers, that don't necessarily translate to four-patches and half-square triangles.
Here's WHY
I like applique, but I'm a traditional piecer at heart. And I don't mind complexity - I look at each block as a puzzle to solve.
I decided to combine precision laser-cut pieces, detailed, sometimes really detailed, patchwork shapes and build a series of quilt blocks one bird at a time. And not just popular birds like Cardinals and Blue Jays - although I'm sure they'll show up in the block kits - but a variety of birds from any where in the world.
That's The FLOCK, in a nutshell
Along the way, I want to share my love of birds with you, and learn some things, too!
In a way that only quilters will understand - Hands on. At the sewing machine.
The piecing will not be limited to standard shapes--that's why the kits are pre-cut and the pattern includes no cutting instructions.
I hope this explains where this crazy idea came from!
Want to join me on this journey?
All you have to do is click here to learn more, and click here to join The FLOCK.
Happy Stitching. . .and Birding!
Merry Christmas!
Joan
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