The Littlest Birds (Sing the Prettiest Songs)

I made a new doll today...I woke up with this idea whirring in my brain:

I spent the afternoon figuring her out, and drafting a pattern. I have an immense fondness for the "bird children" vintage plates that we have hanging in the apartment, which I keep meaning to de-frame for a moment so that I can scan them for all of you to enjoy. Maybe tomorrow?
Anyway, she ended up having a touch of Hillary's wonderful birdies, what with the long legs and all. But I wanted her to really appear to be a human(ish) child in disguise. After many hours of experiments, here she is:

She is very hard to photograph in a manner that shows how adorable she is! I'm happy to have a little make-shifty pattern in case there are more of these little birdies down the pipe line. She's right here, for now.

I got some wonderful fabric in the mail today, and I have some more coming from the amazing but so pricey Kitty Craft in the next week or so! Also there is a trip in the works for tomorrow afternoon to the amazing fabric store that they shop at on Project Runway...I thought that you had to have a wholesale permit to shop there, so I was intimidated. Not so, my darling Sarah discovered this afternoon. Thank you for actually looking into it, sweet pea, instead of throwing up your hands like I did! I will report if the visit happens.

I've been thinking alot lately about making a whole slew of sweet little totes in more sophisticated shapes for the fall. This mostly arises out of selfishness, as I can't just carry a good old tried-and-true square one around town with my beautiful dresses all the time (though, if you look at the little note-pad sheet at the top, that IS the design I'm thinking of maybe having printed on the next round of black apple canvas totes!)

I want to make more bags that are nice and roundy round. I really like a few of the gathered, skirtish ones that I made a little while ago... I think I'll continue with that trend. They'll be pretty. And demure. And, oh, I cannot wait for fall. I know I'm alone here, especially when Miss Blair  and Miss Amanda seem to be posting all over the place about the sweet things of summer...but I'm an acorn, I have to just come out and say it. I would be loving the summer a bit more if there was grass to be had between my toes, and messy peaches and strawberries to gorge on, but my front yard is a concrete strip of sidewalk right now (or maybe it's my fire escape?) and the peaches aren't the same here. Country mouse alert.

Liz and I just got back from seeing M. Night's new movie "Lady in the Water", which has been recieved with horrible, horrible reviews. My only beef with M.N.S. is that he HAS to get a new advertising company to trailer his movies, because the trailers for both this and The Village were so deceptive...and that is why people get so mad about the movies. I liked the Village (I think I'm one of many 10 people, but then again, I took it as a period romance, not a horror movie) and I really liked this new one! It is a pure-hearted fairy tale fable-mixed-with-the-mundane-and-Paul-Giamatti, and I thought it was wonderful in it's way. It had this beautiful sort of optimism and unashamed whimsy that I just fell for hook, line, and sinker. Bryce Dallas Howard is so achingly lovely, and Paul Giamatti is always a charmer. Critics need to try to at least remember what it was like to watch movies as children do, especially when it comes to this sort of thing. That's my 2.5 cents.

I hope you liked little bird girl. I love her so.
Happy Weekend, chickadees!

Comments

[clair]

OMG. that is just TOO cute :)
Love her.

[Jessica]

I adore this little girl, she has so much personality like your artwork. The only thing I have with MNS is that you know there is always going to be twist, everything isn't always as it seems...I am waiting for the hook at the end, though maybe this new one is different. I just hope he isn't a one trick pony, though the trick aint all that bad.

[Lilli]

I love MNS stuff, but am too afraid to watch it anymore. I can't take horror and I hate having things jump out at me. The crop circles movie was the last one I saw. It had a great punchline, but I just can't afford to have vivid memories of aliens in my head! (I'm a delicate soul)

Based on what you say, I may give Lady a chance. Maybe...

I LOVE your bird child! So tweet :)

[Jessica Hood]

I feel so out of the blogland loop since I've been on vacation for a week! I'm glad to hear that you liked the M. Night Shamylan movie. We always go see his movies for my birthday - somehow they are always released around the beginning of August!? Looks like you posted lots of terrific artwork while I was away. I love the hedgies!!! Have a great week :)

[thebutterflycollector]

I love all of M.N.S. movies and I am really looking forward to Lady and know nothing about it! I stopped listening to critics a long time ago, I like to go in without being told if I might like something or not! His style is amazing and he knows how to tell a fabulous story! Love your birdie girl, her gorgeous little polka dot dress and lovely blue wings!I wonder where she might fly off to today!Maybe she'll make a beautiful nest in a grand tree with gorgeous orange autumn leaves?

[Remington Plum]

You've Been Nominated By One Of Your Peers For A Plummy Award

Hello and congratulations!
Someone you know (or don't know) is a very big fan of yours, and has nominated you for a Plummy Award for Excellence in Crafting. You have been nominated in the following category: Best Painting

Again, congratulations. The person who nominated you left the following comments:
I own a print of Stella the Mermaid, and I am so in love
with the little girls with fruits for hats.

If you think someone is deserving of a Plummy, please visit the website and nominate them. We're taking nominations through August 15th. http://plummies.plumofthemonth.com

Be proud! There's even a little button you can post on your MySpace, blog, or website to let visitors know you've been recognized. It's located here (feel free to hotlink) http://plumofthemonth.com/plummies/nominee.jpg

Have a plum terrific day,
Amy and Rachel of Plum of the Month

[Cate]

I loved the Village too. I'm so glad to hear nice things about Lady in the Water because I was kind of worried. Thanks for the review!

[risa]

i love the way you talk about movies. so true! i never would have considered seeing lady in water and now i can't wait. and i love the beautiful photos from your last post. gorgeous.

[Blair]

The little bird girl is beyond cute and sweet. How do you do it dear? That mind of yours is an amazing place, good grief!

[elizabeth]

IMPORTANT NEWS FLASH!
Malan has a blog.
http://malanbreton.blogspot.com/
heart.

[elizabeth]

I'm an autumn-loving girl to the core. you're not alone, dear girl.
xoxo,
your forever movie-date

[Diana]

I think the movies M.N.S. does are great. I think you should be able to go into one of his films knowing what to expect by now. Basically having almost no idea what it is really about from the trailers. He is not Mr Action Adventure. He is not is not a new guy anymore(as in we know what he is about) and his movies have his style and they have their own wonderfulness to them.

[Robyn]

Nice bird girl! Looking forward to seeing your new bags. And I really have to agree with you about. M. Night's trailers. I loved The Village. I really enjoyed what he was trying to do and say with that film. The Lady looks really bad, but I might just watch it when it comes out on dvd.

[robyn]

I love your bird girl and, oh, I guess I am another one of those 10 people that also liked The Village, and I would have seen The Lady last night but had to work a weird shift. I am glad you liked it, my heart sank when I saw one star, not that it would deter me from seeing it anyway.

[persephone]

I love your doll, so sweet and whimsical. And I totally loved The Village. I saw it in the theatre and people were grumbling about how stupid the movie was, blah blah blah. I guess they wanted more blood, guts, and killing. :P

[meg]

I do like the little bird girl!! She's adorable. Also impressive: how closely she resembles your original sketch. Well done!