Thursday, September 24, 2009

Card Parts & Bird Sighting

How many pieces do you see?*

Seems like all I've been doing lately is cutting paper and tieing ribbons. Pictured above are the pieces needed to make 40 card kits for one card design. Granted, the *320 pieces shown above are a bit outside the norm; most of the cards I design usually have four to six pieces each, not the eight pieces needed to create this particular card. All the card stock is cut, the ribbons tied, the kits assembled, and the non-kit supplies (stamps, inks and adhesives) gathered in readiness for tomorrow evening's Stamp Camp. My partner and I will have another session on Saturday afternoon. Fortunately, the cards will be the same for both sessions, so there is no more paper to be cut, thank goodness.



Bird Sighting: I spied an unusual visitor to my Safflower Seed feeder this afternoon. I tried to get a photo from inside the house, but the results were not good (I will blame it on the atmosphere; it's gray and rainy today, but it's really an 'operator problem') which I emailed to Gardening Daughter who tentatively identified the bird as a juvenile or female Lark Bunting,

the state bird of Colorado, and normally a resident of more western and northern states. I know that I have never seen one like it here before today; it must have become blown off course during the recent storms to have arrived in my yard. It spent quite some time stuffing itself with Safflower seeds; I think it must have been ready for something to eat. I was sad to see it leave the yard. Perhaps it will visit again before going on its way.

I would welcome a more positive identification from any bird-watcher readers. Inquiring minds want to know.

19 comments:

abb said...

Not a clue on the bird, and you cannot even imagine how much I admire your patience designing those wonderful cards of your. It is truly a talent not many of us have.

Snap said...

Do your hands have *cuters cramp*? !!!!! (Or do you slice and dice the card stock!!!!) Ack! Looks like a pretty card. Be sure to show the final!

Wow ... hope that was juvenile lark bunting and that he visits again before heading home.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Wow---I haven't seen that bird, Pat, so I hope he is a Lark Bunting... That would be neat!!!

You certainly are busy these days--with your card kits. That looks like alot of fun.

Hugs,
Betsy

Hilary said...

It's always exciting to discover a new bird in your space, isn't it? I can't help you with that ID though. Try Google images for Lark Bunting and see if its characteristics match up. I love the colours of your card stock and ribbons. I hope you'll show us how they'll look all assembled. :)

Marvin said...

If the bird were a bug, I might be able to help, but I'm no good at bird IDs.

It sounds as if you're keeping busy, busy, busy.

(A belated Happy Birthday and congratulations on being seventy-five years young.)

Jackie said...

You are so creative....and I am sooooo envious! :)))
Smiles to you from Jackie

Anonymous said...

Nice bunting shot.

rhymeswithplague said...

I believe it is either a Self-Actualizing Pileated Saffsucker or a Lark Punting....

Arkansas Patti said...

So nice of you to offer meals to wayward, blown off course travelers.
For a while my hummers disappeared,now I am getting the migrators. They are much more skittish.

Countrygirl said...

Enjoy your Stamp Camp! Not sure about your feathered friend either, he looks glad to have found your backyard - especially if he's from Colorado - as they got snow this week.

NitWit1 said...

You have the patience of Job with all that cutting!

I am not a bird expert. In my retirement (ha) maybe I'll take that up. I bet Abe Lincoln knows.

Hope your two sessions are enjoyable, and like others we'd like to see the finished product!

Carolina said...

Wonderful colours for the card. Will we get a glimpse of a finished product?
I thought you might have caught a bird on camera whilst you were up there in your beautiful balloon, but I understand the weather still isn't good enough? Oh well, if Pat doesn't visit the birds, the birds visit Pat ;-)

JC said...

Hey, it has been awhile since I've check in with you. Glad to know all is well and you are still making cards. I know those will be lovely. I still have my Christmas ones on my ref. so I think of you every day even though I don't visit often.

Putz said...

it is a west utar lark bunting specifically...he has been missing from my salfford seed feeder, so he must be with you for a while before he comes back to me

Putz said...

and rhymysee the lark is not punting so it can't be what you say....sheeeeeeez

rhymeswithplague said...

Putz, you don't have to get all literal on me. I was making a funny.

Kind of like you try to do on occasion.

You are my role model.

Suldog said...

I can only identify the more colorful birds - blue jays, cardinals, orioles... oh, wait, those are baseball teams.

Well, actually, if your lark is bunting...

Pat - Arkansas said...

SULDOG... you made me LOL! Bunting, indeed. Leave it to your quick mind to turn it to a baseball-related bird.

Thanks for the visit.

Sniffles and Smiles said...

You are a very busy lady!!!! Wow! But still you have time to notice nature's beauties! Thank you for reminding me to take time to notice the beauty around me!!! ~Janine XO