I haven't done very much in the way of needle felting. There's something about those needles, in particular, that scares me (for all my crafting, I'm actually rather clumsy. Do you know about my chronic falling-down-the-stairs problem? It's a problem that entertains my family to no end, I tell you).
But braving that, this spring's bird flurry inspired me to give needle felting a go. I used this Backyard Birds kit from Nancy's Notions, which includes all the materials needed to make four birds. I started with the bluebird, and after about two punches into the roving, I was hooked (or felted...or whatever the pun may be). It was so fun to make - the instructions were clear, the bird came together remarkably easy, and there was only a minor amount of blood (clumsy, I tell you). The kids were beyond thrilled with the results (and it's a good thing there are four in total to be made), and she now resides happily on our nature table, waiting for the other three to join.
Speaking of the birds, a new bird book has joined our Bird Book Box (say that ten times) - The Cuckoo's Haiku and Other Birding Poems by Michael J. Rosen. Perfectly timed for both the spring arrival of the birds and April's National Poetry Month, it combines lovely bird illustrations with haiku poems for some of the more common American birds, like this:
on a staff of wires
blue notes inked from April skies
truly, spring's first song
~Eastern Bluebird
Happy Birding to you!
