Crafty!

For the past couple of weeks I've been working on a fun little craft project for the baby's room.  This all came about when I was cruising Pinterest for mobile ideas that I could make myself, when I was having a hard time finding a cute one we both liked.  Obviously, we found one:

But I don't think it's possible to really have too many cute things for her to look at, and I thought this "mobile" could be good for over the changing table.  Here's the inspiration:

It really annoyed me that people were taking this craft project, which really did not involve much effort at all, and selling it to people on Etsy for $125 or more, so it almost became a challenge for me to see if I could make something just as cute all by myself. 

So here's the play by play.  Honestly, if you didn't do it in 1-2 hour increments in front of the TV like I did, you could finish this project in one weekend instead of a month.  

First, start with a handy pre-made pattern from the internet.  Here's the link: bird pattern

Then you need some really pretty fabric.  I found this pack of quilt squares on amazon for about $20.  I only needed about 9 of these, and I got 40 or so, so maybe I'll start making birds and selling them on Etsy, too?!

I love the colors! If I had a sewing machine and knew how to do anything more than simple hand stitches, I would make a quilt out of these!

Fro was very helpful in the process and also very attracted to the red/pink colors.

Then, the annoying part.  This was really the hardest part of the whole thing - tracing and cutting out the pieces.

I ended up making 9 birds.  Once I got father in the project, I probably could have done with about 6, but I really liked the fabric, so I couldn't stop.

Then you have to sit in front of the TV for a number of hours and stitch them together according to the pattern.  I hand-sewed mine.  You could PROBABLY use a sewing machine, but I think it would be kind of difficult since you have to sew them just right to make two pieces into a 3-D bird.  Also, I really liked them inside out with the rough edge.  I think maybe if I did this project again, I might consider just hand sewing them right side out and letting them look a little rougher.

Once they're sewed together, you have to flip them right side out.  They're really narrow at the tail, so it wasn't the easiest thing, but I used a knitting needle to help push them through.

Now the birds are ready to stuff!

I recommend stuffing the birds with some help from furry friends.  Also, it helps to put a marathon of something on TV so you don't have to change the channel ever.  I think I was rewatching season 1 of Game of Thrones while I was stuffing the birds. 

Once they're stuffed, you have to attach them to something.  I thought about the sticks, but that seemed dirty and all of my trees are covered in snow.  Also, I didn't want to deal with having to balance the mobile.  Then I was cruising pinterest and saw someone with fake birds in embroidery hoops.  Cheap and easy - sold!

Here's the finished product (hanging over the dresser/changing table):

I repositioned them so you can see that some of the hoops have two birds in them...

And then I had an extra which I hung up on the other side of the room.

So there's my project! I think they turned out awesome! The whole thing cost about $40 including fabric, the hoops, the stuffing and the hooks and fishing line to hang them from the ceiling.  I like that they add a little girly touch to the room and give you something fun to look at.  Now I need to start mass producing them and make my fortune!