Getting Creative with a Bird Bath

I received this beautiful bird bath for my birthday last month. It is pretty awesome because it allows you to plant flowers in a ring at the bottom so the entire piece can brighten up a corner of your world.

I also received a small batter-operated "water wiggler" (see photo) which keeps the water moving, making the bath more attrative to birds and less of an egg-dropping spot for mosquitoes.

So far, though, we haven't been abale to attract any birds to the bath. I placed it right next to the hummingbird feeder so that the littlest birds would see it and use it to drink and bathe. No such luck.

We also placed the entire bird bath on a small table to raise it up in the corner of the deck so birds might feel more comfortable stopping by for a drink. We plan to build a small structure in the deck corner out of some leftover bricks to set the bird bath on so it is raised.

I am also trying another Plan B, which has me hanging a tray of bird seed directly next to the bird bath to see if the birds will stop to nosh and notice the bath. A titmouse (the most curious of backyard birds I think) was checking out the seed yesterday, so I am hopeful this will work!

The Most Beautiful Time of the Year

I was out yesterday with a friend buying annuals to plant around my house. No matter how much I see them, I can't believe how vivid and colorful the flowers are. I bought these geraniums and dahliettas* to place on my front steps because there they will receive sun all afternoon.Now if I remember to water them, they should flourish!

Such a beautiful time of year for creatives. Mixing and matching flowers for beds and pots unleashes all of our creative energy. It can be so hard to resist overbuying and planting, but that could be a good problem to have.

I hope you can find time to wander through some greenhousess this weekend to inspire projects in your piece of the planet.

* Dahliettas, part of the dahlia family, provide "charming, profuse blooms in a wonderful assortment of flower forms and colors. (They) add a splash of color to the garden, combination containers or summer bouquets. (They) attract butterflies (yeah!) and are fun and easy to grow.

Paths less Traveled

The other day I had the opportunity to walk with a friend along a river trail in Pittsburgh, where I live. I have driven by this trail hundreds of times on my way to other places, but never really spent time on it.

Seeing the city's Downtown area from a completely different angle was really inspiring, and spending time on the Allegheny River, one of three large waterways around the city, was very relaxing.

I took the shot above from a lookout point on the trail and realized I had never seen this vista before.

I have promised myself to spend more time on this trail, and seek out any others I haven't had the pleasure of meeting yet. Sometimes being creative means just spending time in a place you haven't been before, even if it is in your own backyard.

Chimney Swift Tower, river trail, Pittsburgh

Hearts to Hands

Our extended families have been growing lately, with several little ones being born to our nieces and nephews. Such joyful occasions! My sister-in-law found some things that I had made for her children about thirty years ago and has given them to her son's twin boys to use now.

I recently came across baby blankets my mother-in-law had made for my sons when they were babies. I also have a small quilt and a couple of wall hangings that I made for the boys when they were born and am holding onto those for grandchildren of my own.

I was thinking that I don't really have any toys or equipment left from the days of babyhood, having given it all away for someone else to use. But what we did hold onto were the handmade items.

How wonderful to be able to pass these things down to a new generation. They have held up through the years of use and being packed away and can now be used by new young families.

Next time you think about making a handmade gift for an expected little one, I hope you will do it. Future generations will thank you!

Penguins on Parade!

We rushed to the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium in the middle of March hoping to see the penguins released from their homes to walk along the outdoor sidewalks with us regular folks.

The zoo had been parading the penguins for a few weeks and the weather had not been cooperating. Of course the birds didn't mind the cold but we were a little more wary.

Finally we were able to get there on the weekend to see the march. But alas, there were so many people lined up with little ones and strollers and other vehicles along the parade route that we couldn't get near enough for me to even snap a photo of the pens as they waddled by.

We did go inside to visit with the penguins who had been left behind in their enclosure at least on this partciular Saturday. No one was paying attention to these guys who were doing their penguin things in back of the glass and in the water. My husband shot this great photo of one of the penguins preeening for the non-audience.

Maybe next year! But I couldn't help but think about how many people had paid to come into the zoo just to show the walking penguins to their children. What a great marketing strategy! We even ended up becoming members of the zoo (as a senior couple, no less, which was really reasonable!).

Kudos to whoever came up such a creative way to get folks into the zoo during the inclement months. I know we will be back several times in the next year to use our membership

Now our attention has to switch to the other Pittsburgh Penguins as they get ready for the NHL playoffs.

Creativity Tip No. 44

Turning Vintage Ephemera into Something New

I have been on a search lately for old post cards and greeting cards. The artwork on these gems reminds me of days past and inspires me to do something creative.

Alas, it is hard to find these treasures anymore and harder still to find them at a reasonable price. But I will keep on looking because they give me such joy.

Check back to see the greeting cards I will fashion from these postcards and notes. I have been turning ideas over in my head and can't wait to get started. Today, which I thought was going to be so sunny and warm, has turned cold so I am indoors getting ready to work.

Andy Warhol and the Car

I adore the car. It's much better than a work of art. ~~ Andy Warhol

What to do on a wintry day in Pittsburgh? Visit museums, of course.

On Saturday we had a chance to visit the Andy Warhol Museum  where the featured exhibit focuses on the artist's love of cars. With the widespread appeal of his soup cans and shots of celebs like Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor (and the VW bug!), Warhol's artwork featuring cars is not as widely- known.

But sitting smack dab in the middle of the first floor exhibit hall at the museum on the city's North Shore is one of the commisioned BMW Art Cars painted by Warhol in colors and strokes to replicate movement in the 70s. Warhol insisted on making all of the brush strokes himself so this car is genuinely one-of-a-kind.

The exhibit runs till May 13. If you live close enough, jump in your own art car and ride on down to the museum. So much creativity in one spot!