the birds return

After my screen printing weekend, I've been aching for more. Carving stamps are the perfect remedy for the time being. I'm dreaming up big stamp plans... I'm thinking different series. I'm currently consumed with birds... an annual spring fascination. Birds are a classic favorite for so many of us, and right now they are filling the skies as they fly home to the northeast. Stepping outside my backdoor, I'm hit with the sheer volume of their calls and announcements. I live in the country, surrounded by fields and forests... we have a lot of birds! We've taken out our binoculars and bird books and we're welcoming our feathered friends back by name.

It will be a while before we see a swallow... one of my favorites. I love my tree swallow print, but I started wishing I had one of a barn swallow... which has special significance to me. When my mother and I first toured the upstairs of her barn (pre-renovation), the hayloft... soon to be art studio, had broken windows by the roof. Swallows were soaring in and out, nesting in the rafters. Seeing them swoop in, silouhetted by the streaming sun, was like something out of a dream. So this next stamp was an obvious choice.

After I tested it out on linen with textile paint and fabric stamps...

I felt compelled to sew something delicate for spring. I love scarves during this time of year more than any other season. I wear cozy ones in the fall and winter, but I'm not much into fashion during that time of year... just serious warmth. During the spring, it's such a joy to have something new and fresh and light to accessorize with.

This is made with linen in natural and Michelle Benscko's (Cicada Studio) Dogwood fabric. I was so happy to find it locally at Quilter's Corners and immediately bought a fat quarter, not knowing what it would become.


The bottom is trimmed with more vintage pillowcase trim. I think I have a crush on my own scarf... crazy!
Well, that was way too fun, and I had to make another one...

More linen, cotton crochet and thrifted mini black plaid. I made them up as I went along and just pieced together randomly.


I love them both. They were going into my shop, but I haven't made up my mind if I can part with them. When my husband saw them (and he doesn't usually notice clothing) his first response was "keep them!" The beauty of a stamp: you can always print another!