A Partridge in a Pear Tree - Fun Holiday Decor

Easy to sew birds made with quilt fabric make fun holiday decor.

This year I made a few dozen holiday decorations for home and work.  I found a pattern in a quilting book for little partridges made from three different fabrics and stuffed with lizard litter, which is ground walnut shells.  The original pattern created little birds, I'm talking really little, so I made two larger sizes as well.

My six fabrics

I picked up six different fabrics, just 1/3 yard of each, at the local fabric store and went to work.  I created a template of the bird bodies and another template of the bird bases.  I cut out different fabrics for different parts in different sizes.  The cutting was easy and the sewing was easy, especially with my quilting foot to measure the quarter inch seams.  After sewing a number of birds together and leaving a small area open at the base, I was ready for the lizard litter.  It is strange stuff that reptiles love - think what is on the bottom of an aquarium that mimics the desert.  The texture is more course than sand but just as hard to clean up so I did this part of the project in my backyard.

Since I had made the birds larger than the pattern recommended, I realized that if I filled them with only lizard litter then they would be quite heavy and a handy weapon if needed.  Instead I stuffed the top half with polyester fill and then added the lizard litter and hand sewed the opening.  The change worked just fine and the birds were nicely weighted at the bottom by not too heavy.

Although they were quite cute at that point, the little partridges still needed a little decoration.  I added sequins for eyes and wool pom poms glued to sewing pins or jewelry wire to finish things off.

All told the project was fairly time consuming given the diminutive size of the results.  I think they would look good tucked into a holiday wreath, also I'm considering leaving one or two on a co-workers desk for a little holiday cheer.  Imagine adding a bird to a holiday gift basket or putting one on top of a gift wrapped in coordinating paper.

Maybe I'll think about making some pears in the same fabric.  Maybe next year.

Sweet Silver and Gold Necklaces

Christmas Gifts

A few weeks back I went to the Los Angeles Gift Show and picked up some supplies to put together necklaces for Christmas gifts.  My vendor came with a great selection of chain, supplies and findings.  I was excited to get home to start putting things together.

I picked up a few yards of chain in varying sizes and metal tones. That way I could mix and match it with the charms I was putting together.  Inevitably some of the decisions I make while picking out my selections change by the time the project is done.  My practice is to buy a little extra of everything, so I have the flexibility to make changes if I want to. Having a little extra also prevents extra ordering or trips to the vendor.

Three charms

 In addition to the necklaces, I made a few bracelets with some chunky rolo chain.  I like to use rolo chain in small or large gauge.

Bracelet for a dog lover

When I showed my purchases to my 12-year old niece and asked her to guess which things I selected for my two sisters, her aunts, she guessed correctly.  Not bad since her aunts both live many states away from her.  I'd say it is a testament to the time my sisters spend connecting.  I wonder if my niece could pick one for me.  That's easy because I like them all.

Sometimes I like to hang a few charms from one necklace.  Other times I like to mix up a few chains on the same piece.  Also I like to wear multiple necklaces with different length chains.

Looking for a gift this holiday?  Check my Etsy site for the necklaces above.
 https://www.etsy.com/shop/pearlscottage?ref=si_shop