I’ve been trying to resurrect my creativity and enthusiasm for some time now. I know folks have been looking for more felt designs, kits, and books, but I’ve been struggling. I’ve gotten pretty good at setting boundaries and at saying “no”. Here we are–another summer–another Women for Healthy Rural Living Silent Auction. Earlier this year, I said I wasn’t going to do anything for it, and I didn’t sign up. Yet, now as the auction approaches, I’ve somehow created two items for it.

The theme this year is “For the Birds.” Paul built 20 birdhouses with lumber donated by Viking Lumber. Twenty artists claimed a birdhouse to design. I didn’t sign up. But there was an extra. So I quietly brought it home and created “The Navigator’s Nest.” I made no commitments, so there was no pressure.

I stuck with my theme from past years, using a NOAA navigational map custom printed on tissue paper.

With this project, I also learned some new decoupage tricks. For example, instead of Mod Podge, I used indoor/outdoor polyurethane, which let me glue and seal the paper to the wood at the same time. Misting the back of the tissue with water before placing it on the wood gave me the smoothest finish yet. This discovery opens up so many possibilities.

Then there’s my “Sunflower” bird house. Last fall, during a visit to Dad’s, Hannah and I stopped by Meadowbrook Gourds in Carlisle, PA. I bought this dried gourd already set up for a birdhouse—the entry hole, drainage holes, and the hanger were all in place. After purchasing it, I promptly forgot about it until I stumbled across it during my staycation last month. Recently, I’ve been drawing basic, relaxing lines in the evenings—using neurographic art to help smooth my rough edges. One of those drawings was a sunflower, which inspired this design. I used creamy acrylic brush pens by Grabie and outlined the petals with a pigment marker.

To add even more personality, I included a few busy bumble bees on the back. While there was a bit of a learning curve working on a curved surface (pun intended), I’m pleased with this first effort.

Meanwhile, Hannah had already committed to a birdhouse before I sent out the sign-up. She decided to experiment as well. Typically, she collages with paper that she paints with watercolor. For this project, she tried painting tissue paper with acrylic paint. Drawing inspiration from the coastal marshes where we often see great blue herons, she adorned her house with cattails and a butterfly.

But the showstopper is the great blue heron—placed on the back, of all places, because it offers the largest canvas. While I’m not sure she’ll ever work with tissue paper again, I love it!

The “For the Birds” Silent Auction begins on July 21st and runs through the 26th. Items can be shipped, and you can see more of these bird houses, as well as 19 additional options, at https://whrl.org/auction/.