sweater

Each year around Thanksgiving, a gal pal of mine heads to warmer parts of the world for the winter, and a few days prior to her departure we do a little nature-y, garden lover’s gift exchange.  One sweet thing I received from her was this bird hive roosting pocket.

©Linda Nelson 2016

Isn’t it adorable?  I hung it just outside my dining room window so that I will have the perfect view of my feathered little buddies taking shelter when those blustery winter winds arrive.  My bird feeders are also close by, making it convenient to fill them up and watch the feeding action.

Now, you’d think that I’d just leave it at that; however, that’s not my style.  Nope, the gears in the brain start turning, and the hands, heart and soul start creating.  That’s been a Linda trait as far back as I can remember.  I needed to make a roosting pocket, and I was going to call it a “backyard bird cozy”.  So, that’s what I did.  I scavenged my garage for some materials and this is what I made.

©Linda Nelson 2016

The tin was a yard sale find from this past summer, and the faux grass mat was a sample piece from one of my landscape supply vendors.  I wouldn’t be surprised if a squirrel tries to stuff its fat little body in there.   My squirrels are “shapely” because I don’t bother deterring them from the bird feeders.

Then, while rummaging through one of my fabric bins, I came across a sleeve from a wool sweater I felted a few years back.  I paired it with a dollar store child’s megaphone (they’re great mannequins for making cone templates!) and…….Voila!  Another little bird cozy was born.

©Linda Nelson 2016

Hey there moms, winter break is not too far off; this would be a neat activity to keep your kids occupied…….. at least, for a little while.

I’m not sure about leaving them up during the summer; they could become hornet or wasp cozies! But that’s too far into the future for me to think about.  First, I’ve got to get through snow shoveling season.