Feathering Nests

It's almost time to take down your bird feeders if you live in the Upper Valley (the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department recommends you don't feed birds between April 1 and December 1 since it can draw bears in), but it's also time for birds to start building nests.

If you have small amounts of leftover yarn, stuffing, or fabric, the birds might have a use for them. After reading many birders' forums, I've distilled these guidelines:

• Use natural fibers only.
• Cut yarn into pieces no longer than 6 inches (to avoid tangled-up birds).
• Cut fabric into strips no larger than 1/2 by 6 inches.
• Lay your offerings out on bushes and trees, or put them in a meshy hanging container such as a suet cage.

Note that dryer lint is not recommended. If the nest never got wet it might be fine, but it retains water a long time (leading to cold nests) and is crumbly after drying. Instead, use lint to stuff pincushions, or make it into art.

If you want more nesting-promotion advice without wading through forums, visit the National Wildlife Federation and All About Birds.

Pi Day Crafting

It shouldn't be news to anyone that if you type "pie" into the search function of Pinterest you get a whole lot of, well, pie. The edible kind, that is. But what I wondered is what types of crafts might be associated with this geekiest of holidays that celebrates the mathematical constant pi (3.14) on March 14th.

Pumpkin Pie Crafts has an easy and adorable kid's apron tutorial. And it gives me an opportunity for a shameless plug for my apron class on Saturday, April 5th from 10-12 at the Sew-op. It's a level 2 class (prior sewing experience helpful) that will teach you how to read and use a pattern, specifically a printable internet pattern, and create an apron. This past month at the Sew-op we've explored several different ways of making aprons and it's been a lot of fun.

Pumpkin Pie Crafts also has a quick tutorial for making a tie-front cardi out of a tee shirt. And a crochet flower headband.

A simple pi symbol on a tee shirt can be accomplished via sewing or painting or freezer paper stencil.

These patches remind me of these felt coastersfrom craft snob.

And finally, in honor of the edible type of pi or pie, my family's favorite pie recipe: Not Derby Pie.