French Bower Bird :: Ta-dah!

It seems like quite a long time since there was any decent Ta-dah-ing in the Attic doesn't it? I think it might've been the May Rose Wreath which was way back at the beginning of the Summer, crikey, I really do need to be more productive. How very slack I've been this year!

I've been SO looking forward to sharing this little project with you, as a lot of heart and soul has gone into it's creation.

Working to a deadline is not something I'm used to, neither is making something specifically for others, so this project had me a little nervous at first. Like many of my projects, I've had the idea spinning around in my head for quite some time, and suddenly this seemed like the perfect opportunity to coax it out into reality.

I ended up working quite hard on it in the weeks before I took it to Provence, and it was not as straight forward as I had originally anticipated. I had to sample and re-sample the various pattern parts until I was completely happy with it all, and it took a lot of faffing. Lots went wrong. Lots ended up in the bin. It's one thing to come up with the idea, but quite another thing altogether to create a good pattern for it. However, this kind of design work is soooooo interesting and exciting to me, I absolutely adore the process.

Ok, so you must've read the title of today's post, and know that this project involves a bird? That's it above in it's flattened out component stage. I originally tried to design and work a three dimensional bird in amigurumi style (a little like this one), but after a few failed attempts and a lot of frustration I realised that I was simply not capable of doing it. I am not a Three Dimensional Thinker. No. I do best with Two Dimensions, with simple, uncomplicated flat shapes that don't require stitch markers and ooodles of counting.

Right from the start I wanted this project to be very decorative. I really love combining wool embroidery with crochet (do you remember the babushkas?), and this is definitely something I would like to do more of in future.

I kept the decorative stitches simple, using mainly straight stitches.....

....and was really happy with how it came out. I really hoped that the ladies in Provence would enjoy the stitching too as I know it's not everyones cup of tea (I can tell you they did, they stitched their birds so beautifully, I'll show you in a bit)

This was the Communal Yarn Heap I took with me to Provence for us to work from. It's a mixture of DK merino wools (Debbie Bliss baby cashmerino, Rico essentials merino, and Lang superwash merino). I wanted the ladies to feel the happy rush I get when faced with a whole heap load of colour, so I stuffed a large bag full and took the whole lot with me. I wanted for them to be able to play with the colours, line them up, compare and contrast, pick and choose. The yarn stayed on the coffee table in the villa for the duration of the week and provided a great working palette as well as a jolt of colourful inspiration each day.

During the week, I made up another bird in shades of blue.

It was really interesting seeing which colours were chosen by everyone, and how each bird began to take on a new personality when it was made with different colours. Dani chose tropical bright greens with contrasting orange details....

....and Sue's bird (destined for her seaside-inspired summer house) was made in calm shades of blue.

Sitting outside in the warm October sunshine to crochet was one of the weeks highlights for me. The intense light made the colours seem even more rich and vibrant, and it was incredibly relaxing to sit working with the sun so warm upon us. Sometimes I think that a spell of  warmth and sunshine at a normally chilly time of year is the greatest luxury and gives so much pleasure.

Do you know, when I planned the project and thought about how everyone might take to it, I hadn't anticipated how I would feel about it. It was such a super-good experience to watch people actually at work with my ideas, kind of like my blog come to life in a way. It made me feel soooooooo happy! I felt like I might burst with pleasure actually!

These al-fresco-hooky pictures were taken in a beautiful spot just outside Roussillon where we stopped to have a lovely picnic lunch (with the giant tomatoes, remember?). It was really quite hot on this afternoon, but with a strong breeze blowing.

Just behind where we were sitting there was a pretty little oak tree, it's branches and leaves rustling in the breeze. I thought it might be a nice idea to hang my bird in the tree to photograph it.

Want to see?

Ta-dah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lets have a  closer look >>>>>>>>>>>

There, that's better, there she is, my little French Bower Bird sitting in her pretty flowery bower. She was being blown about in the wind a lot I have to say, and it was quite tricky getting an in-focus picture of her. I did try!

There....she's landed! I love her beady little eyes and the way she perches so sweetly as if just about to burst into song.

I wish I had taken more work-in-progress pictures during the week to share with you as it was really great watching the projects take shape. The time we had to crochet at the villa was quite limited and mostly in the evenings, but there were a couple mornings where we were "at home" and could spread out on the table after breakfast. On these occasions, we had the most incredible pastries to nibble on, and of course that divine milky coffee (mmmmmmmmmmmmm!). It was all rather blissful.

I was so pleased that everyone managed to finish their bower birds in time for them to travel home.

This is Sue's beautiful bluebird.....

....and this is Dani's happy tropical bird.

And this pretty little cutie belongs to Petah (the wonderful Aussie lady who organises Provence Temptations tours).....

....here she is on the last evening before we sadly had to pack everything away. Petah tells me she has now added some flowers to her bird bower, although I do quite like the simplicity of it without.

My French Bower Bird is very at home in the Attic, I love seeing her there keeping watch on us all.

Every time I walk past her I get flashes of bright sunshiney warmth and colour and a flood of happy memories.

This could very well be the end of the Bower Bird Story, but if you hang about a little bit longer, I'd like to show you a bit more.......

The grey bird I made before I left home was given a slightly different vocation in the end. Rather than sit idle in a bower of flowers, he had his tummy stuffed with gloriously fragrant Provence lavender and is now keeping my Cath K pillowcases smelling divine. I so wish you could lean forward, give him a squeeze and inhale the amazing scent, it is incredible.

While I was making the above birds and bowers at home and in France, I had a PiNg of an idea. I figured that the stripy ring cover could easily be made to look like a rainbow, and instead of a heart hanging down, I could somehow come up with a design to make a sun!! Wouldn't that be sweet?

So last week I started work on the idea, and hooked up a rainbow.

The idea worked a treat, am so happy with how it turned out.

Just want to mention about the rings that form the base for the crochet, they are marvelous and not very much money to buy. They are designed (I think) to hold and frame stitched pieces of work, so they come with a lovely little metal hanger on the top. They are called "Flexi Hoops" and come in lots of different sizes, the ones I used for this project are 7" and came from Ebay (see here and here). Modelled for your appreciation by Little B. He who Has To Be IN on EvErYtHinG.

The other thing I bought new for this project were some shiny little beady safety eyes, and I couldn't believe how much character they gave to the birds. The ones I used  are 6mm ones, you can find them for sale here, along with many other shapes and sizes.

This was me this morning, sat in my pyjamas in the dim light of the bay window (it's been raining all day here today, and I've been in my pyjamas all day!), adding the decorative stitching to my rainbow bird.

It's not a bad work space I don't suppose, although a little bit cramped on the arm of the chair and the windowsill. Plus is does leave me very exposed to the attentions of a certain Little Boy who was practically sat on top of me for much of the time.

I enjoyed doing the embroidery on this little bird soooo much, it's quite a knack to know when to stop. I wanted to smother her in little lazy-daisy flowers with french knot centres, just for the joy of stitching.

I have to confess, I feel really proud of this simple bird design. It comes together quite quickly really, once the main body part/tail has been made. There are two wings to stitch on, and then an underside/gusset piece which gives the bird a nice rounded tummy and three-dimensional shape (who needs amigurumi?!)

The sunshine turned out pretty good too, and was very easy to make. I made two of them and simply stitched them together with a little bit of stuffing inside to give it shape.

Awwwwwww! I love this little pink bird, I think she is my favourite of the four I've made so far.

I went up to the bathroom shelf to take a few photographs, but the light today was very low and grey, so apologies for the poor quality. My little garden flowers look bright and cheerful though don't they, I picked them yesterday and think they may be the last now (boohoo).

I've got lots of ideas brewing for these sweet little birds you know. I want to make a seagull type one to sit in a deckchair-striped bower hung with mini bunting for my bathroom. I also had an idea to make some slightly smaller/fatter ones in jewel colours which I could stuff with christmassy spices to nestle in the branches of the Christmas tree this year. And perhaps a Festive Bower Bird, sitting in a ring of holly and mistletoe? Or maybe a Snowy Bower Bird in frosty blues, silvery greys and whites, surrounded by crochet snowflakes? Sooooooo many ideas!

....but for now I need to find a home for Miss Rainbow. I'm thinking Little Lady's bedroom might be the perfect place for her to go to roost.

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ps :: have just received this gorgeous photo from Dani...after returning from the tour, she made these Love Birds as a wedding gift for her friend, don't they look amazing? The sight of them has made me feel rather ridiculously happy! ♥

pps :: this beautiful picture has just come through from Petah! I am in love with her finished French Bird in his bright flowery bower, huge heart swells here! ♥

                           

ppps :: Sue's Bluebird has landed! He looks right at home inside her new seaside summer house, so happy to see :o)

x

 

 

Comments

[The Cogaroo]

Oh, I love these sweet birds! Please please please can you do a pattern? It doesn't even have to have pictures! I am completely smitten and must make a flock. :)

[Pauline McDonald]

Hiya Lucy,
I am absolutely in LoveLoveLove with your blog and simply HAD to post a comment for the first time in my life:)))
I've sewn, knitted, crochet and too many other crafts to mention since I was impossibly and possibly precociously young and, having spent the past 20 years raising four offspring of the Pink Variety all less than 4 years apart, I have recently made an ecstatic rebirth of my Inner Creative Goddess and along with my Dearest Friend rediscovered the Utter Joy that is crochet(insert Enormous Smiley Face that is filled with Yummy Peace Love and All things Wonderful). As such, when I literally stumbled upon your happy, glorious World of Colour and Crochet Enchantment, I find myself revisiting simply to experience the Giddy Addictive Rush that is the result of browsing through your cherished world and am filled with Gratitude for the wonder that is the Internet and the beautiful things I now greedily peruse:) Am TRULY hoping you can find the time in your very busy days SOON(!??!) to publish a pattern for this delightful little Bower Bird as I can already see one sitting happily in my new little craft "studio" ( I emptied out the tiny little walk in wardrobe, painted it my favourite colour(teal) and made it into MY space)
A now off to encourage the aforementioned offspring to eat as much tuna as they like so I can continue making beautiful jackets for the tins to adorn my new shelving and fill with Buttony Treasures:)))))).
Thankyouthankyouthankyou for brightening my days.
Pauline

[Rahmahmajid]

Dear Lucy,
I just stumble upon your blog page attic24 and was so u happy and mesmerize with your creation and colors choice. I really love to make the bower bird can u please post the pattern. Thanks a millions.

[Vivi gonçalves]

muito lindo, amo seus posts!! Vic Brasil

[Carys]

I love these gorgeous birds! Especially with the wonderful colours you use! When will you be releasing the pattern - I really can't wait to make a flock of them! ♥

[Sonia]

hello! I fell in love with your christmas wreath but i'm lacking the bird pattern. do you think you can give it to me?

keep doing what you do marvelousely!

sincerely

Sonia oliveira

[Kelly]

I have been scouring your blog trying to find the pattern for the bird. Did you ever post a pattern?

[Sayda]

Adorable! Love your awesome crochet masterpieces. Would love to make a swap with you :). Thank You very much for sharing your work with us.

[Laura]

Just Lovely! I love your blog!! Thanks for sharing with the world.

[anne-lise]

Hello Lucy
Iwish you a good and wonderful year 2013 for you and all your family
I am always waiting for the tutorial french bowerie bird !!
Is it possible or not ?
Can we have an answer please ?
Thank you very much
AL

[Jackie Tessendorf]

Hi Lucy
my name is Jackie,I live in Durban South Africa.I so enjoy your blog you are a wonderfully creative generous person who has helped inspire me to pick up my crochet hook after years of dormancy and try out your ideas.Thank you.Will you be doing a tutorial for your bowery birds? I would love to try one of those.I wish you and your family a happy healthy prosperous New Year.

[Denise]

Lucy I love all your work and the fact that you are willing to share all your ideas.

Any idea when the tutorial for the Bower Bird will be available?

[DUVERT AnneLise]

What a pitty.
no pattern . To late for a christmas gift. I love it
so i try it myself
Happ y new year from provence

[Jeannine]

Would you please tell me which camera you use?
I have a crochet project that I want to post on YouTube, so it has to have a movie/video function. Still pictures will be included with the step-by-step instructions.
Researching cameras has only lead me to be more confused!
Then, ta-dah!, I realized that I could ask you which camera you use.
Please tell me which camera you use.
Thank you ever so much!
Jeannine

[Catherine Lutes]

I love you bird and the little sun. Would love, love, love to see a pattern for both!! What a wonderful idea for Christmas gifts for friends and family who are hard to buy for. I am going to try and figure them out by looking at your pictures, but a pattern would make life much easier! Thank you for your wonderful talent!

Catherine in Southern California

[Angeles]

Wow that looks great, I wonder if you have the attern of that sweet bird, lots of love from Tenerife

[anne-lise]

Hello, so sad, no pattern for this french bower bird
I'm waiting but ...............nothing
May be one day !!
Thanks

[Sophie]

I love your birds and decided to make a couple of my own. I had no patience to wait for a how-to-do-post so I took a good look at you birds and headed straight into the making of them. And the results are not to bad if I may say so myself! Due to the very grey November weather the picture are not making them justice, but there it is. November is an utterly unnessecary month if you ask me. But the birds make med happy, hanging there in the window!

[Travis]

Definitely very talented. Nice work

[Debi Lord]

Hi Lucy! I fell in love with your birds so today on my day off, I attempted to copy your little lovelies. If you care to look how he came out, take a peek here:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3958250158563.2142919.1349534089&type=1
Thank you so much for the beautiful inspiration! I love your blog :) Debi, Missouri, USA.

[melissa]

Wow, i just happened upon your blog while looking for easy crochet flower patterns and i am so taken back by everything you got going on. The colors are so bright and cheery and just what i need in my life this time of year as everything gets so dreary. Thank you so much for sharing your talents - it really brightens my day and it's so inspiring... now to get crocheting...

:) melissa
p.s. do you have a book? you are simply amazing!

[Carol]

Lucy, I love these little birds. Oh dear, every time I read your posts, more "must do" things are added to my list. In fact, I've been working on a hexagon blanket since Christmas last year, after being inspired by yours. I recently went to a weekend craft retreat where I continued to work on it. The Crafty Mummy wrote about the retreat here http://thecraftymummy.com/2012/11/creative-craft-retreat-2012/ and hey presto there were my hexagons in the very first photo. I'm hoping to have it finished by the end of this year... Thanks for the continued inspiration. I love reading about what you're doing on the other side of the world.

[Summer]

I absolutely love the little sun! Any chance you could do a tutorial? Thank you so much!
Summer x x x x

[Janette Bennett]

Yes I too love this project. A great one to take away to do on a holiday. I would happily pay for a pattern. I'm sure you would do well selling it via Etsy, Raveli, etc.
Enjoy your blog every day, my first foray into blogs. What an addictive habit it has become!
Fond regards,
Janette (from Geelong Australia)

[Glauce Fraga]

Hi Lucy, Good Night
I'm a Brazilian artist and I love your blog. Almost always give a look to admire your work and the beautiful pictures (I travel with them !!!). I loved the birds, beautiful, I'll try to make one. If I can, show you, Ok?
Regards,
Glauce Fraga