Away too long

No, I haven't been on an extended vacation. I wish! I've just been MIA for awhile. Isn't this the cutest photo? It was on a Hallmark card that I received for my birthday awhile back. I haven't any recent art work or projects to show, but I hope to get back into it again. I miss my friends from Mystic Paper. Gotta get in there soon.

Cards...sending and receiving

I used some random stamps and a bird gift tag from Cavallini & Co. to make this card. I've had these tags forever, but I've been hoarding them. I also parted with a Tim Holtz metal tag. I love them, but I'm reluctant to use them, too. I wonder why I do that? I must be afraid that if I use them all up, I won't be able to admire them in my never ending stash of supplies. Makes no sense. I received the card below for my birthday last week from my niece. I had to show it off because it's just very cool. We are both into "stern looking woman with crowns", so of course, I love it. It opens up in a neat way to display a pocket holding a tea bag. Very clever.

Another fowl post...

I have to share a couple more pictures that I took the other day. I walked out the front door, and saw the ducks in the front yard. They were just walking around and checking things out. I sometimes see them in the lake on our community golf course, but never in our yard.

That same day, I saw the baby hummingbird in the back again. This time Mama was nearby, and I luckily caught a feeding. I'm sure that there's a nest somewhere, but I haven't found it yet.

My feathered friends.

Look who has taken up residence in our grapefruit tree. It is a very fragrant place to be this time of year. Nothing smells sweeter than citrus blossoms. I hope mama dove doesn't have allergies like me. I love spring, but it doesn't like me. Every bit of new growth in the yard reeks havoc with my sinuses, but who can stay inside when it's in the 80's?

I also spotted this hummingbird just hanging out. I must have taken twenty pictures and he/she just sat there unconcerned. I've never been able to get this close before, and they are usually flitting around looking for nectar. I love making these discoveries.

Nest

While watching my husband do yard work this morning, I discovered this bird's nest in our tree. Isn't nature amazing? It actually looks like it would be quite cozy inside. As you can see, the trees are budding and it gives me plenty of allergy issues, but I love spring. The color of the new leaves is one of my favorite shades of green.

I edited my original post because we believed that the nest belonged to a hummingbird. After hearing from my sister that it looks more like a finch nest, it probably is that. We have mostly finches at our feeders, so that would make sense, although we do have hummingbirds, too.

I finally made something

It has been forever since I made anything altered or as a collage. It felt good to finally play with paper again. I am so divided between my art and my stitching most of the time. I need to sometimes take a break from one to enjoy the other. I've been lucky enough to take two soldering classes taught by Josie Cirincione at Mystic Paper. It seems like everyone is soldering these days and it is lots of fun. Josie is a terrific teacher, so if you ever have a chance to take one of her classes, do it. Here is a necklace charm that I made for a friend. It's reversible, of course. The key can hang on either side as well. I originally wanted the key to hang from the bottom, but I couldn't get it to look right, plus I burnt my finger, so it's staying like it is. Those jump rings aren't my favorite thing to solder.

Back in the saddle

or should I say driver's seat? I've neglected my poor "Ruby" blog for so long. I have been so preoccupied with getting my Etsy shop opened and keeping it stocked. I've enjoyed painting again, but I'm getting the itch to start doing some collages or something with the vintage images I love. Don't give up on me. Here is a picture I took of the girls the other day. They were making themselves right at home on our bed, as usual.

Spoiled rotten and loving every minute of it.