A Different Kind of T-Bird

First of all, thanks to everyone who has visited my blog since I entered the One World, One Heart madness. I am overwhelmed by the response, and am thrilled by all I've seen and the wonderful artists I have met. Remember, to take part in my giveaway, you must comment on my OWOH post, which is just below this one....but don't let that stop you from commenting here too. Love to hear from people!

A month or so ago, while I was following along with Tim Holtz's 12 Tags of Christmas, I discovered a yahoo group devoted to Tim's products and techniques. Called, appropriately enough, All Things Tim. I joined, and have since become a fairly active member.

Someone in the group who was lucky enough to do a class with Tim, posted some pictures of the altered bird project they did, and there was an immediate frenzy on the boards. "Where can I get a bird?" "I need one of those birds." "I must have one of those birds." Tim's assistant Mario stepped in, and ONE DAY after I placed my order, my wooden bird was at my door. Hmm..wonder if he flew?

It is your garden variety, sit on a shelf and collect dust tacky painted bird. That's the fun. Take this thing of less than beauty and alter it.

Here is a photo of some of Tim's altered birds. Notice they are all perched on unlikely objects.

Some of the students used things like vintage telephones, which is very cool. I don't have such a phone, or a globe or an old camera. What to use????

Then I was in a discount store and spied a tea pot. That got me thinking. A bird on a tea pot. Huh! A tea bird...A T-bird....and there was born my idea for my T(ea)-Bird. I had a blast doing this project. Don't turn your nose up at those tacky decorative items you see at flea markets. They can be altered and become something quite unique. And here he is: