by Susan | Oct 3, 2020 | Bird Patterns, Felt Patterns
Welp, I’ve pulled the trigger, and my second pattern book, Downeast Thunder Farm Backyard Birds I: Felt Ornament Patterns, is now available for pre-order. This book has been in the works since February. You’d think COVID-19 quarantine would have given me...
by Susan | Apr 10, 2016 | Felt Patterns, Shore and Wading Bird Patterns
Last evening, I stumbled across this wonderful video about a stork pair in Croatia. The female was injured and cannot fly, yet her mate returns from his winter home in South Africa every year to nest with her – for fourteen years! Of course I had to sit down...
by Susan | Mar 27, 2016 | Felt Patterns, Waterfowl and Seabird Patterns
One of the enduring signs of spring (if you’re paying attention) is the return of the Wood Duck to the ponds and rivers here in Maine. I was reminded of this when a friend shared a picture of a lone Wood Duck swimming on his pond this week. I find Wood Ducks one...
by Susan | Mar 6, 2016 | Bird Patterns, Felt Patterns, Shore and Wading Bird Patterns
The inspiration for this pattern came from a news story I watched on television this morning about the migration of the Sandhill Crane. These graceful birds are making their way to their summer breeding grounds in Canada. It must be a sight to see when the stop over...
by Susan | Feb 6, 2016 | Bird Patterns, Felt Patterns, Waterfowl and Seabird Patterns
I’ve been thinking about drawing this Snow Goose since last spring when I spied a lone snow goose swimming among a flock of Canadian Geese. It was my first sighting of one and he looked entirely out of place! He was a good project for a snowy day. Right click...
by Susan | Nov 30, 2015 | Odds and Ends, Projects
I’ve run out of time to make birds! The WHRL’s Christmas Tree Festival is tomorrow evening and I’ve finished my tree with only 14 birds. I’d hoped to do more, but the clock is working against me. This year’s tree is a Maine Backyard Bird...
by Susan | Nov 29, 2015 | Bird Patterns, Felt Patterns, Owl and Raptor Patterns
My Christmas wreath this year features my Great Gray Owl along with her babies. Here’s a quick pattern for some gray owlets! Right click on this link and select “save link as” to save this PDF baby owl pattern to your computer.
by Susan | May 16, 2015 | Bird Patterns, Felt Patterns, Owl and Raptor Patterns
Ospreys have been a theme in my life lately. They first appeared on my radar a couple of weeks ago when I photographed a pair of nesting osprey. Then, on three different occasions, I’ve spied a pair of them in town, diving for fish in the river, or simply...
by Susan | Apr 14, 2015 | Bird Patterns, Felt Patterns, Shore and Wading Bird Patterns
You’re lucky if you spot red knots as they stop briefly on their way from South America to the Arctic tundra. The trick with this ornament is trying to find colors that do justice to the subtle colors of this little bird. Have fun! To download the Red Knot...
by Susan | Jan 4, 2015 | Bird Patterns, Felt Patterns, Owl and Raptor Patterns
Native to Alaska and Canada, the Northern Hawk Owl has occasionally been spotted in the northern reaches of Maine. He’s been on my drawing board for quite a while. I’ve started him so many times only to abandon the pattern because I didn’t like the...
by Susan | Aug 12, 2014 | Bird Patterns, Felt Patterns, Perching Bird Patterns
This little indigo bunting is for Lea, who won the drawing on Your Mist Wished for Bird Pattern. I’ve not seen one on the farm, but friends nearby report many sightings. The biggest challenge with this bird is finding felt “blue enough” to do him...
by Susan | Jul 18, 2014 | Bird Patterns, Felt Patterns, Hummingbird Patterns
The Calliope Hummingbird is touted as the smallest bird in the United States. I think the the male’s pinkish-red beard is perfectly endearing! Hope you enjoy this new hummingbird! Right click here and select “save target as” to save this free PDF...
by Susan | Jul 5, 2014 | Bird Patterns, Felt Patterns, Perching Bird Patterns
There’s nothing like the remnants of a hurricane to keep me indoors on a holiday weekend. It gave me time to create this little scarlet tanger without feeling as if I ought to be outdoors. I’ve only seen this bird once and the sighting was so fleeting that...
by Susan | Apr 6, 2014 | Bird Patterns, Felt Patterns, Perching Bird Patterns
While hauling in maple sap, I heard the distinctive song of the Phoebes. They’re back for the season! I had such fun watching them last year and their nests are still tucked up near the rafters of the lean-to. Right click here and select “Save Target...
by Susan | Mar 21, 2014 | Bird Patterns, Felt Patterns, Waterfowl and Seabird Patterns
What’s peculiar about this pelican? No self-respecting pelican would be caught on this freezing windswept beach in Downeast Maine! Right click here and select “Save Target As” (on a PC) to download this PDF pelican pattern to your...
by Susan | Mar 14, 2014 | Bird Patterns, Felt Patterns, Perching Bird Patterns
In Maine, the snow bunting is a winter visitor who will soon be returning to its favored arctic region – a sure sign that spring is on its way! Right click here and select “Save target as” (on a PC) to save this PDF snow bunting pattern to your...
by Susan | Mar 7, 2014 | Bird Patterns, Felt Patterns, Perching Bird Patterns
This meadowlark was a recent request. I confess, I’ve never seen one before – probably because I don’t have a meadow tucked up here in the woods the way were are. But, he’s a pretty little songbird worth the effort. Right click here and select...
by Susan | Feb 21, 2014 | Bird Patterns, Felt Patterns, Owl and Raptor Patterns
This burrowing owl was inspired by a picture snapped by a friend during her recent trip to Florida. I don’t imagine any self respecting burrowing owl would be caught in the this much snow. They’re smart enough to fly south for the winter! Right click here...
by Susan | Feb 16, 2014 | Bird Patterns, Felt Patterns, Perching Bird Patterns
The red-winged blackbird is one of the most abundant birds – found virtually everywhere in the United States. He’s also been very popular in the request list. Enjoy! Right click here and select “Save Target As” (on a PC) to save this free...
by Susan | Feb 14, 2014 | Bird Patterns, Felt Patterns, Perching Bird Patterns
Another snowy day, another project! Eastern Maine may be a little too “east” for the eastern towhee, but he’s such a pretty bird. His distinctive pattern makes it easy to create his likeness from felt. Right click here and select “save target...
