At last it's finished!

I thought I'd never get it done and spent hours stitching down all the little strips to hold them against the backing but to look as if they weren't stitched down! Please ignore the ugly bit of dowel rod - the proper batten will not be visible from the front, but I have yet to buy it.

I made a simple loosely twisted cord and couched it round the edge which was stepped along the bottom to make a more interesting shape. I used a soft sage green Colinette yarn and several very fine weaving threads to give contrast.

From each side at the top I knotted the cord so that a length hung down, and along that length I threaded a few handmade paper beads. I remember my original plan was to have about 15 strips! Thank goodness I didn't need all those - I'd still be making it. It was difficult to find a suitable place to hang it for photographing, and again today the light was not good.

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I was taking a breather the other day when there was a thud against the window. When I looked out I saw a tiny bird lying on the paving stones. I went out and picked it up, fearing the worst. It appeared to be breathing but it's neck was very floppy and as I looked at it it's eyelids closed and I said out loud 'Oh, don't die little bird'. It must have heard me as it's eyes opened and it flexed it's wings a bit but still lay in my hand. I dipped my fingers into the pond and let a drop of water fall on it's partly open beak, which it seemed to swallow. After a moment or two it stood on my hand, holding firmly onto one of my fingers. It was wonderful to be able to observe a bird at such close quarters and I was longing to fetch my camera but afraid that if I took the bird indoors it might fly about and bang against the window in it's efforts to get out. I decided that the covered bird table was the best place for it - out of the reach of cats, sheltered from the next shower of rain but open on all sides when it felt strong enough to fly off. I carefully placed it on the feeding platform and it just sat there, obviously still shaken but able to support itself. After a few minutes when I checked, it had turned round to face the opposite direction and a short time after that it had flown off. I checked the ground underneath the table in case it had fallen down, but no sign of it so I'm assuming it made a complete recovery - what a relief. It was quite a young bird and hadn't got it's adult plumage yet, but I think it must have been a great-tit as it was a lovely soft grey/green all over.

These birds are as much a worry as one's own children!