It’s been snowing here off and on for the last few days and there have been lots of socially and family activities happening so I’ve not been working much in the shop. Today Heather and I hosted another family art project and this time we did a traditional English tea. Our family here is a creative bunch and every two or three months we get together for a meal and a little art project. This time we were painting the birds I cut on the scroll saw. We got eight of them painted, and I have seven more to cut that we’ll paint another day. First here’s what the weather’s been like (as seen from the shed):
Here are the eight birds we did get painted.
Here’s a close up of one of the birds:
Not exactly the colors that Sheila Landry called for in her design, but I think they work. Our family is a bit uncontrollable when it comes to these projects and like to do their own thing. I did provide the picture and guide for staining, but at the moment they sit down to work, I know I’ve lost all control. Still they always manage to do great work so it’s fine.
Finally, as my contribution to the tea food I made cheese straws.
They are almost British – well, I watched a YouTube video of a British guy making them so I’m hoping that counts.
Well, that’s it for this week and likely until the New Year. The next couple of weeks are fill with family activities and social outings so shop time will be limited.
If you need me – I’ll be in the kitchen.
Andrew's View of the Week 
The birds are lovely. And IS there anything you can’t do?! 🙂 Merry Christmas again, BBB! 🙂
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Jiu-jitsu – can’t do that. 😉
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Maybe I’ll teach you a little bit on an episode of our talk show. 😉
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That would make a great visual for the talk show – sign me up (and get extra insurance).
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I’ll just need you to sign a liability waiver first.
(Which is something I had to do before my first class!)
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Hi, Andrew! I am late to ‘tea’ I am afraid! I have also been busy doing some online classes and stuff and have tried to stay off of social media as much as possible. I kept your blog posts in my mail when I had time to sit and read and enjoy them at my leisure. 🙂
All the birds came out awesome! I love that your family members chose their own colors. Instructions are really just ‘suggestions’ and I think that things come out more unique when we go our own way with things. I rarely follow instructions to the letter, if at all. I am so happy to see that you chose one of my projects for your gathering. Thank you. You all made them beautiful.
The cheese straws look ‘SCRUMMY!’ (a British word my friend from the UK uses often!) 😉 I am going to have to go and look up that recipe.
I wish you and your family a wonderful and Merry Christmas. Please stay safe and healthy. Take care.
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And a Merry Christmas to you too! We loved painting the birds. I have a few more to cut from the second set – it’s been a fun project.
and yes, scrummy is right – they were great.
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Beautiful birds and yummy cheese straws – happiness times two! Very nice. 🙂
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The birds are turning out better than I expected.
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The bird ornaments are gorgeous, Andrew, and the cheese straws look delicious!
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It was a great day.
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Such a lovely idea all around, Andrew! The Birds are absolutely beautiful… Thanks for sharing!
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They did a great job of painting them.
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Colourful job, and those cheese straws look delicious!
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The birds look great and all the food was yummy.
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The bird ornaments turned out beautifully. And the cheese sticks look yummy.
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I like how this project turned out and the cheese sticks are yummy.
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How very fun. I’ve made something like the straws–breadsticks. They are always a favorite. Good one, Andrew!
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Cheese straws are just breadsticks with lots of cheese inside.
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You and your family are really talented. The birds look great!
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We have nine completed and love all of them.
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Cheese straws British? Why, we practically live off them. The bird making and painting is really good. You are all lucky to be so skilful.
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My wife still raves about her mother’s cheese straws and having them for the tea just seemed required. We have a creative family here.
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