Bird Watching Baffle Card

Here, as promised, is another version of the baffling little hand-cut, hand-stitched, and cunningly folded card technique used earlier in this blog to produce the diminutive shop called Wings.

The same technique is used here to produce an interactive bird watching experience. I've included a link at the end that will enable you to download a 3-page PDF with the card template and detailed how-to instructions so you may, if you wish, finally figure out how this card works and create your own bird watching experience.

Front cover: lady with binoculars. Card is tied with hand-painted Chinese ribbon.

Card tied with green ribbon so you can see the lady with binoculars a little better

Back of card

Opening the card up

View from one angle (as you view from different angles, you see different birds)

Aerial view

View from another angle

And now it is do-it-yourself time. Be prepared to cut, fold, stitch, and glue. I've uploaded a 3-page pdf to Google Groups. Click on the following link and download your free copy. You may only use to make a bird watching card for yourself or to give away. No commercial use or selling.

The link: Do-It-Yourself Bird Watching Card

For free 3-page PDF to make your own card, click here or on link above.

Boro Bread, Sashiko Stitching

Sashiko stitching

There is a convoluted story regarding how these pieces came to be but to keep it Zen-simple, I just find the making and contemplation of these deeply satisfying. For earlier work in textiles that involves the Japanese tradition of boro mending and sashiko stitching see Uber Boro - Extreme Mending. This segue into boro bread just seems like the natural punchline at the end of a haiku.

Boro bread (materials: whole grain bread, white bread, embroidery floss)

Boro patching: bread slice and bread heel

Close-up of sashiko stitching

The final piece below is not from the boro tradition. Instead it is a simple mend using a blanket stitch - lovely in its own humble way.

Simple mend, blanket stitch

The Wing Shop

Introducing Wings, a little out-of-the-way shop where those in the know go to purchase a new set of wings. This little card combines collage, stitching, and a bit of cunning folding. See if you can figure out how it was done. I may do another version soon with instructions.

The front door (front of the card)

Back door, tradesman's entrance. Note a careless delivery person has left a feather by the gate.

The open shop from above

Shop display windows (click to enlarge)

Window close-up

Window close-up

Aerial view