Birdhouse Complete and One Still in Progress

 i started with this birdhouse.  It was originally a bright teal and after some Gesso and several coats of white paint i had a blank canvas.

Next i added some twigs:

i acquired these twigs from hiking trips and the opening is circled with Eucalyptus seed pods.  you can see  there are GLOBS of glue everywhere.  No matter!  My plan was to cover it anyway.

Here it is finished:

i added reindeer moss (from the the $1.00 store) to the roof, center and bottom.  The little nest is made from an acorn cap and the 'eggs' are pearls. 

i added a little chipboard bird, a little banner i made with twine, paper and Tim Holtz alpha stickers

My favorite part is these mushrooms!  i used a Martha Stewart mold (for jewelry) and then painted them.

This is the birdhouse still in progress:

this was after a coat of brown paint.

I used some crackle medium and then painted white.  I then 'rusted' the roof and once it had completely rusted (about 24 hrs) it was a bit orangey, so i added some rusted metal screen that i had and it gave me the look i wanted:

the fence was a wood fence that i 'rusted' and then glued on.

And now....i just have to finish it....i will soon.

But i did a few quick projects:

this is a little shelf unit i got at Michaels a long time ago.  I knew i wanted to store my growing collection of apothecary bottles (they have sand or dirt from places I've hiked). I painted it brown and then white and then sanded it.  i added some Tim Holtz paper to the back of the shelves, added my bottles and i was done.

This next project is for the same purpose as above.  I got this wood shadowbox at Michaels in the "as is" bin for $1.25.  it was a little banged up (a plus in my book), but otherwise in good condition:

i painted it white, then once dry i sanded it and then watered down some dark brown paint and brushed over the entire surface (wiping away excess as i went).  I would love to say i got this idea on my own, but i got the idea from Donna at one of my favorite blogs, Funky Junky Interiors:

http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.net

this is the completed shadowbox. Once again i added some Tim Holtz paper and then some washi tape i recently acquired from Hobby Lobby.

Speaking of Hobby Lobby, i have never been there until last week. there was never a Hobby Lobby in California (until now i guess, not sure when it opened) It's not really in my neck of the woods, it's about 60 miles from my house, but i tell you, the drive was worth it.  it's located in Temecula and i went up there last week for another reason and i saw the Hobby Lobby.  I had to stop.  several years ago i was going to drive to New Mexico, because i always wanted to see what it was like (hobby lobby AND New Mexico) and it was the closest one. I'm actually kind of glad it's not closer.  that place is dangerous!  There are so many fabulous things there!  I didn't even go through half the store, i had already spent over $40.00 and i knew if i kept going i couldn't be trusted to restrain myself.

One more thing, i have a love for bottles.  especially when they're cheap.  I recently got the ones below.  Not sure what i will do with them, but i know I will come up with something.

Jetty Cats

Last week i went on a walk near Mission Beach.  Normally i don't go down to the Jetty because it's usually crowded and the more people, the less birds i will see.  But this day there were very few people out.  I walked along the jetty (below) and i saw a group of Wigeons and Buffleheads.  

But then something caught my eye, something out of place:

Every step i took, i just saw another cat.

What were these kitties doing out here?  They were surrounded by the ocean and the bay, sleeping on rocks!  Then i started to notice, there were food dishes, water bowls, pieces of carpet and blankets.  Someone or many people were taking care of them.  They were clearly feral. While most did not run away due to my presence, if i tried to get close, they did move away cautiously. While they are feral cats they don't fit the general mold of a feral cat.  First, as you can see they all look VERY well fed. Also they don't dart away the second they see you.  Since they live on an area that receives a lot of foot traffic, i guess that would explain it.  they see numerous people daily, they're used it.  Just don't try to pick them up.  I was so worried about them, i went home and googled them.  I appears these cats have quite a following (they even have their own Facebook page) There are hundreds of people who have a hand in taking care of them.  They get veterinary care when needed (they've all been spayed and neutered), they receive food, water and flea control. But clearly this is not an ideal life for them. In a perfect world there would be homes for all of them, but apparently there are still people 'dumping' their unwanted pets on the jetty.  With that it will continue to be an endless cycle.  I don't wish a lot, but i really WISH i could take one or two of them.  But the truth is i simply do not have the space or the money to have another cat.  Plus i do believe, my young man Leo would not appreciate sharing his mommy with someone else. Soon as i have some spare funds i am going to donate some cat food to the ladies that care for them. Until them, i will go out with some food and see if i can make a friend or two.   But i will say knowing there are so many people taking care of them, it gives me hope.  When you have enough people that care, that makes all the difference in the world.

Santee Lakes

I have been going to Santee Lakes on a regular basis for the last two months or so. i have wanted to post some pictures, but i usually have SO many i just didn't know where to start.  So today i will share some photos from my last couple of visits.  Be prepared for a lot more from Santee Lakes.  it's clear this a major hot spot for resident and  migratory birds.

I love Cormorants!  And fortunately for me, they are quite plentiful here.

I love watching them dry their wings...

Look at those cute little feet!

This is a close up of a Cormorant's feathers.  While they just look black from a distance, as you can see, that is not the case.

this is "Ellwood"  the resident Great Egret

I'm unclear why this Great Blue Heron has a stick in it's mouth, perhaps it's nest building?

These two kept quite close to one another. I cannot tell male from female, but I have a feeling they are courting.  It's not often these magnificent birds hang out with each other.

Ring Necked Duck (male)

Ring Necked Duck (female)

Blue Winged Teal (male)

Male (back) and Female American Wigeon

I love these little winter visitors!  They have the sweetest little voices.

This is "Winslow"  he is the only male Northern Pintail on the lake.

Here's Winslow with a little female friend. (there are actually 2 female Pintails here)

Snowy Egret

Snowy Egret with a snack

One of my favorites here at Santee Lakes are the Osprey.  I have become familiar enough with them,that i can tell them apart:

This is "Pip" (the juvenile)

This is Mama "Grace" with a well earned fish

A seagull was actually trying to abscond with here fish, but needless to say, she won.

This is "Lucas"  he is the least camera shy of the group

Red Shouldered Hawk (he was unwilling to let me take a good picture)

Sweet little Woodies

Sharp Shinned Hawk (also a unwilling participant in my photo taking)

This just never gets old.  It always puts a smile on my face.

This Turkey Vulture stopped by last week and was very nice to allow me to photograph him.

These photos are just a few.  More often than not, when i go to Santee Lakes my camera runs out of batteries by the time i get to my car.  It's a great place to visit and each time i go, i see something i didn't see the week before.