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All your birds are to die for, but this little crane is mind-boggling!
You're so right about the importance of pattern on the little 'uns. I do mice, not birds, but the same applies. The gusset is a killer, so I'm working on a different sort of head, one piece with darts.
:crackup: I can't believe that a pregnant lady actually got a seat!
:clap: Well done, Smudge--there's a bunny with Rabbitude!*
I'm going to miss that post you deleted, Kelly. 
*The snarkiness of the true rabbit, as opposed to the soft and cuddly hype.
When it was my Hubby's turn, he always took the Little Darlings with him to do some shopping at the local fruit stands and delis.
This was about 25 years ago, when you rarely saw a Daddy pushing a stroller, so rarely that some of the shopkeepers assumed he had to be a widower. He was famous . . . and probably considered highly eligible :crackup:
When I turned up with Wee Three at the local cheese shop, the lady behind the counter asked me, "Are you the girl who looks after them?" :crackup:
They'll grow . . . you'll be back!
Lisa, I can't imagine how you get anything creative done whilst caring for three little girls!
I more or less waited until mine were grown up.
Your story of Daddy's initiation into Mommyhood reminds me of the first afternoon my son-in-law spent alone with our little grandson. Mommy returned to find little Jason tear-streaked and red-rimmed, and Daddy shell-shocked, with shoulders up to his ears. :crackup:
Not to put any pressure on you, but Is he done yet? Is he done yet? Is he done yet? Is he done yet?
I hope your English exam went well!
It's the best!
Somehow this little dude seems to sum up and enclose the whole family in one rosy little bundle. 
Don't leave us completely behind, Lisa--
I'd love to hear about your new ventures, and we all gotta do what we gotta do. :dance:
I AM SO GREEN--what an incredible experience!
:dance: How wonderful to be looking forward to TWO!!
I think you'll know when the time is right--I've kept coloring my hair for the sake of various family members plus one dear but opinionated neighbor, but I've had it.
Besides, past a certain point, dark hair doesn't really doesn't seem to work. So by the time my present (shortened) thatch grows out, I should be pure silver! Which is actually the closest I'll ever come to being a blonde . . .
I know I'm soooo lucky to have a grandchild nearby.
His other first-time granny lives in British Columbia--she's visits, but she's trying hard to sell her house and move back to Toronto. Pictures are no substitute for those sweet fat cheeks!
I've just told my daughters to expect pressure from me, but to ignore it and do their own things . . . just not for too long! It was the best I could do . . .
I am IN LOVE with your tiny penguin!
Marion--
I've got to admit that after a day with little Jason, my baby-hoisting muscles are very sore!
:dance: Don't give up, Marion and Christine!
In honor of my new status, I'm letting my grey grow out.
Right now it looks awful, as if I'm wearing a bird's nest on my head. :(
Thanks, all--he is adorable.
You're right Dilu--some nurses don't believe it, but babies smile!
Hang in there, girl--I had to wait until I was almost 64 for my first grandchild. I'm shamelessly lobbying for the second!
This little guy has been smiling at us since he was about 4 weeks old. When he has a gas pain, he turns purple and SCREAMS.
He's now practicing what his mommy insists is a laugh--it sounds like a series of little coughs!
Border Collie Bear loves him. We allow a lick here and there, but what Bear really wants is to lick him all over 'til he's sticky.
Did I mention how incredibly cute he is?
I love this list (just look at my number of posts), but I've been absent for a while.
Here's the reason--I'M A GRANDMOTHER!! :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance:
Little Jason Baird Winter is now 3 months old, and the light of my life. I get him all to myself two days a week, huzza, so my daughter can work at home . . . at least that's what I told her.
He is so ultra-delicious!
I don't want to give him back.
Well, yeah . . . they are a bit spawn-of-the devilish, but hey . . .
How can you not love a critter that figures out a new garbage-pickup schedule before the residents do? That figures out how to open a state of the art rac-proof garbage container before the garbage collectors do?
Actually, my husband and my dog Bear would agree with you. Bear was snuffing in some bushes last summer, and came running out with a raccoon wrapped around his head. I freaked, but couldn't get them separated. Bear finally killed the raccoon, but it left him with a few scratches on his scalp and nerve damage around his lips. For about a month, he couldn't keep food in his mouth long enough to swallow it. I had to be his cheeks, and/or retrieve the slop he dropped!
Sadder note--Someone has been poisoning dogs in our local park, putting antifreeze in the off-leash area's water dishes and leaving antifreeze-soaked bread in the area. Two dogs have died, and many others are very sick. The same person, or someone else of the same vicious persuasion, has been killing raccoons and squirrels and leaving them in strange "poses," according to the police--bouquets of flowers in their paws, embracing squirrels, etc. The police believe these acts have something to do with recent debates between dog owners and the loonies who run the park, and want to see nothing there but plants.
I'd off these sicko people before any raccoon I've ever met!!
:crackup: Wow--I thought I'd seen HAIR!!
Kelly and Judi, I admire your collecting passion. I collect cool natural stuff for much the same reason that Kelly does--a neatfreak, ultrasqueamish mother. Which also explains why, when my kids wanted a lizard, they got it.
So far I've got 2 raccoon skulls (one slightly nibbled by my Border Collie, Bear) a bunch of beautiful bird nests, a bag of raccoon tummy fur (pushed out of old nests}, a shed snakeskin, assorted evergreen cones and shells, horse-hoof trimmings, and a whole mess of feathers.
I use the eraser ends of (cheap) pencils, which I buy at the rate of a dozen for $1 at the dollar store.
The eraser ends really grip, twist and pack the stuffing, and the pencils are long & narrow enough to reach into small areas.
It does help to trim the eraser to about half height to prevent it breaking off.
Even so, my birthday's coming up, and I'd love to own a real ultimate stuffing stick!
But what on earth do you do when your Hubs retires? Mine is threatening . . . .
Samantha,
I just checked out your show website--you've done an incredible job of setting up and promoting. If I could get myself across the pond, I'm sure I could find my way there on the first try! Feels like home already.
Wish I could be there!
Gemma,
These ARE confusing instructions. What part of the bear would you be making here?
The instructions are intended to produce concentric circles, starting at the 2nd chain from the hook.
Anyway, it looks as if you're using the 2nd chain from the hook as the center, or ring of your first round. Once you've made 6 SCs all in the same hole, you then fan them out as a circle, ready to begin your second round by crocheting into these 6 SCs.
The second round instructions ask you to make two SCs in the first of those 6SCs, one in the second, two in the third, one in the fourth, two in the fifth, and one in the sixth. By now you've increased your stitches from 6 to 9.
For the third round, you crochet one SC into each of these 9 SCs.
The fourth round is like the second--make 2SCs into the first of your 9 stitches, one SC into the next, etc., which should increase your stitches to 14.
Eventually, this will produce a sphere, possibly a spherical head!
I hope this helps!
I'm with Bobbie! My idea of a perfect vacation is sending the family away and having the house all to myself!
:crackup: :crackup: :crackup: All too true, Dilu . . . where do I sign up?
