more birds, and by the seashore

So the bird embroidery does have a 'purpose' after all. It seemed only natural to share it with Adelaide - my little bird girl. So this is the start of her Corner of Birds, a space we are making for her to have of her very own - in addition to her forever-space in our family bed. She is very excited about her new 'bed' - even though for the past two months her 'bed' has consisted only of a frame while I decide on a mattress (I'm waiting for a magical, affordable organic mattress to somehow appear - it hasn't yet), and finish a quilt. Soon. 

I found this mourning dove drawing of Ezra's in the serious pile of bird drawings around here - it's one of my favorites. I know there are other ways to transfer drawings to embroidery, but my favorite is to tape the drawing to a window, tape the linen over it, and trace it lightly with a pencil. Easy. Calvin started a bird embroidery piece of his own that he'll add to the wall soon.

And continuing the embroidery ride that's happening here this week, I finished this piece this weekend as well. This one - inspired once again by the book (ISBN 4834724212) and the shore - now hangs on our sun porch wall amidst all the beach treasures that make their way home with us.

Comments

[Rosehip71]

Gorgeous! You family has such style and talent.

[Suzanne]

Amanda, I love the embroidery! And being a beach bum too the treasures are great:-)

[Amanda]

Have you considered a futon mattress instead? I think this is the compromise we'll make when little one goes to a bed. Here's a link-http://www.gotech.net/clients/SoaringHeart/productDetail.cfm?topCategory=naturalbeds&CategoryID=16&ProductID=37
You do have to get a note from your pediatrician to get it made green or organic, so hopefully you have a cool doctor who will do that. Otherwise I can send you another link to a company who does green but not organic and I *think* they don't require a note....

[Bex]

OK. That makes about the 100th book I've bought on your say so. THANKS! ;)

[amy]

I want that book :) I love the bird wall... I never really did learn the names of birds when I was a child and I feel as if I am learning so much from your kids!

[Madeline R]

Between the Ezra bird drawing turned into embroidery and the Dangerous Book for Boys I just noticed on the side, there is so much that I have to share here with my boys today.

[Julia]

I love that wall! I just bought "the stitches of creative embroidery" over the weekend and can't wait to try out some embroidery for myself- you've totally inspired me (again!)

[annette]

Been looking for affordable natural beds, too. Thanks to the above reader for this great link to Soaring Hearts (and through them, Night and Day furniture with really cool futons).

[anna]

If you get a wool-stuffed futon, it probably won't have to have all the stuff sprayed on. Ours were not much more $ than the regular futon mattresses.

[heather]

so sweet, it is just perfect amanda. and i am impressed (that doesn't seem like the right word) the two boys have already left the family bed... we are still waiting for total transition. i do treasure her time with us as i'm sure she won't require/want quite as much cuddling when she's 16! ;)

[erin]

i love the bird drawing turned embroidery! so cute! what is it about kids' artwork that translates so well to needle and thread? i just love it so.

[sarah]

Quote: "(I'm somehow waiting for a magical, affordable organic mattress to appear - it hasn't yet)"

Hmmmmm, me, too. I bet they must be on the same delivery truck, held up somewhere.

[Natalie]

Lovely!

[Stefani]

I think being in your home must be such a lovely, warm experience, with little bits of wonder around every corner. Thanks for sharing!

[Amy]

A bird corner! I love it! And, the drawing to embroidery is fabulous, of course. So cool!

[karol]

Beautiful wall of embroidery...how inspiring. Just got some items to transfer and start embroidering...not so sure how to do it, but will give it a try. Thanks for sharing what you do.

[bigbucketgirl]

OUr downstairs is an aviary of drawings and collages of what ours see in the garden, and DS#2 who is 2 next month has a giraffe wall of images and pictures that the older two have made for him. I'd take a picture but the camera is suffering from serious 'sand overload'!! I love your bird fabrics..still hunting for giraffe prints!
Happy beaching..you lot have been in my mind a lot lately as we seem to be living parallel beach bum lives!

[Lori]

what a sweet wall of birds in hoops...we tend to put our drawings that turn into embroidery on pillows. :o)
i love the little dolly on Adelaides shelf.....adorable.
Lori

[Shandy]

I love this little corner! The hoops look great with your old dresses and the wee doll! Did you make her? Every time I read about you turning the boys art into something I am so happy. It is such a special way to honor their art.

[Sarah B]

I'm a lurker - I'm constantly inspired by you and your family - gives me hope that I may someday learn how to find a creative rythym with my own daughter (20 month old Adeline - Adelaide is a great name by the way ;) ).

In any case, I wanted to pass on the link to www.whitelotus.net - they are a futon mattress company. They use all green cotton and wool, and will make an organic mattress with an MD's note. They are the most affordable I've found, awesome customer service, little company, handmade mattresses. We just bought a king size wool-wrapped cotton futon for our family bed, and love it. With the wool as natural flame retardant legally they can get away with not adding them.

Whew - sorry for the book-length post. Good luck on the mattress hunt.

[kate]

A few bed suggestions....First and Favorite (and so amazingly perfect) are the mattresses that Michelle with GreenTaraMama sells. She may have some ideas on ways you can build the layers affordably (relative, of course).
We have 2 beds from her and ADORE them, they are the best things in the house!

Also - I hear (but have never been able to confirm) that ikea sells beds that meet euro environmental standards and do not have the flame retardants and chemicals that most mattresses have. not sure though.

best of luck - I just love your site

[deerdominique]

Loving your embroidery! The Book! The Book! I'm just gonna have to get the damn book, I can't covet any longer (I'm speaking of the magical embroidery book, although I am chomping at the bit to have my hands on YOUR book.
I am so glad you raised the green/organic mattress issue, thanks to everyone's comments, I have a few new resources as we are looking for a King size for now and kid size for one day when our daughter departs the cuddle nest.
What is it with daughters and birds? My daughters first word was bird. She is intensely fascinated by them, call it love.

[Karen à Toronto]

what a great inspiration, thank you Amanda !!

and yes, futon is a nice alternative...

[hazeljoy]

why do you have to have a doctor's note to get an organic mattress?
cool birds by the way.

[Grace]

How lovely for her to have some space of her own! I just love all of those fabrics -- and Ezra's drawing-turned-embroidery is the best!

Good luck on your quest for a healthy mattress, and do let us know what you end up with! I'd like to gradually make the switch, as well, if only I could find affordable ones...

[Veronica TM]

a wonderful and magical corner for little bird girl a.!

[melanie]

These are gorgeous...they fit well together...what a lovely display!

[Marianne]

ooh a lovely cosy corner! The embroidered drawings are an inspiration!

[sally]

Beautiful birdy corner!!!

[Heidi]

Oh love, love!! So enchanting! Just curious, is Adelaide's corner still in the family bedroom? Or is it a different room? Just trying to collect thoughts on the slow transition from "always in the family bed" to "sometimes in the family bed"! Our little girl right now shows interest in the toddler beds at ikea, but I know it will be awhile before she is really keen on sleeping in one!

[melissa]

i love this post- the bird corner is so beautiful. and the beach embroidery- just perfect!

[Ilse]

you know, I've always wondered how you do those embroidery of your kids drawnings so perfect.

So thank you for giving back my sleep. Now I don't have to wonder anymore ( haha).

( so simple and so great) must try that to !!!

I love your little bird corner.

[maya]

I looked for this book on the SuperBuzzy website- is it no longer available?

[kate]

A~
I have a girl that loves birds too!
I love your bird corner, and I must recommend a beautiful children's folk CD by Elizabeth Mitchell called "You Are My Little Bird."
So amazing...some songs I have heard so many times before, but with Elizabeth's guitar and her daughters tender voice....it was like hearing it again...I got all teary (easy for me to do)
Have a listen on amazon....
Love and light to you
K

[Tara]

Your creativity is SUCH an inspriation! Absolutely beautiful, I love the Corner of Birds.

[Melissa R. Garrett]

Lovely! Your posts and photos are just beautiful!

[Tina Bacon]

YOU ARE SO TALENTED!!!!! I WISH WE WERE SO MUCH CLOSER IN TRAVEL.I WOULD TAKE YOU SHOPPING WITH ME, MOST DEFINITELY! YOUR SITE IS SUCH AN INSPIRATION. I HAVE 6 CHILDREN AND ONE ON THE WAY AND I AM VERY CREATIVE, BUT YOU HAVE REVED UP MY CREATIVE JUICES EVEN MORE. I AM SO AMAZED AT ALL THAT YOU MAKE AND CREATE WITH LITTLE ONES AROUND. YOU ARE AN INSPIRATION TO MOTHERS TO NEVER STOP CREATING. YOU GIVE US NO EXCUSE. THANK YOU FOR POSTING ALL YOUR CREATIONS. I HAVE SAVED THEM ALL TO PRINT OUT AND INSPIRE ME TO CREATE EVEN MORE IN MY SEWING AREA. (I HOPE THAT WAS OK) OF COURSE NON WILL BE USED FOR PROFIT ONLY INSPIRATION. TINA B.

[christina]

I love the corner you have set up. It is beautiful.

We just finally ordered Alena's mattress after months and months of research (and saving). Her bed was delivered in November and we have been researching mattresses every since. We were shocked to find that there was no place in town (Portland, OR) that sold them but instead went ahead with greenlifestyle.biz. They have a lot of options and the best shipping that we could find. We went with a mattress that was cotton wool blend. The wool works as the fire retardant and so you do not need a Dr. note. I hope this helps.

[nicolette]

I found your blog via Kirsten*can. I don’t know anything about mattresses but I do know I like the bird corner! I love the ‘frames’ and your blog!

[amydawnrose]

that mourning dove is simply stunning...

[Joanna]

I love the idea of hanging cool fabrics in the hoops. I am always so inspired by your site-do you ever get sick of hearing that? :) But it's true. I have a 7 year old boy and 1 year old girl, and I'm having the hardest time motivating my son to get his craft on. I can't believe I have to wait until next year to get your book!

[charlotte lyons]

love the bird corner....for the little bird girl. love it.

[Amber]

Lovely embroidery. I so remember our children's transition from our bed to their own. For my son there was so much emotional turmoil---both for him and for us. For my daughter, it was a breeze---but I think it was harder for me!

What a wonderful idea for a bird corner. I love that.

Good luck on your search---I'm doing the same over here...

[Lori]

The more I see these embroidery frames with fabric in them makes me want to jump on the bandwagon. Your stitching is divine.

[Kristy]

Hey Amanda, we bought Olive a futon from a company here on the other side of the continent that makes organic and natural futons (http://www.dreamdesigns.ca/index.shtm) - I bet you could contact them for some information on other dealers. The one made of organic cotton was a bit steep (I think it was about $700 Canadian), but the single with no sizing or fire retardant was $400 with tax and should last until she is a grown up gal. And it conveniently turned our queen sized family bed into the mega family room of sleep.

[karri]

I love the way you chose to display your childrens artwork. How creative and beautiful.

[RookieMom Whitney]

So beautiful! I love the hoops idea.

[ana paula]

lovely :-)

[ana paula]

lovely :-)

[kat]

oh my! those hooped birds are adorable and i love the one you made for the beach.

i have your book pre-ordered through amazon and can't wait, but where oh where did you find that japanese embroidery book?