Sewing birds have got to be my favorite Second Helpings objects to paint. I had no idea they even existed until a couple of years ago when my friend Marilyn brought me one she had for me to fancy up.
This is that first bird:
Your scissors make the beak and topknot, there are padded wings to use as pin cushions, places to put your spools of thread, and a little drawer for your thimbles or the odd button.
They’re so sweet they make your teeth hurt just to look at them!
I don’t find sewing birds very often but now I always buy them when I stumble upon one. I found these two at my favorite secondhand store soon after finishing Marilyn’s bird. Makes me wonder how many I missed before I knew to look for them.
Dagnabit.
You may remember my finding this tweetheart a few months ago when you see this BEFORE picture:
And here are the AFTER photos in sequence as I painted the entire bird with acrylic paint — including the felt wings which were painted with acrylic paint mixed with Textile Medium so the paint won’t crack.
When I was finished with all the colors and detail I wanted to add I sealed it with a coat of Minwax Polycrylic Sealer.
I even got a brand new pair of pink sewing scissors to complete the look! Who’s a fancy bird now!
So keep your eyes peeled for the odd objects, the misfit toys, the ugly ducklings — they make for the most spectacular transformations. And if you honestly don’t know what to do with them, just pass them on to me. I paint everything!
