Friday, May 2, 2014

A stormy morning and another Max nesting ball

It is 8:30 in the morning and there is a big storm raging outside.  The skies are dark, the rain pelting down against my windows, the street lights are still on.  Gosh I love a morning like this.  Well I love it until I have to go out in it.  My teenager is at school, my husband at work, Little buddy is still sleeping and so is Mr 20 year old.  I love having them safely tucked in, safe and sound, just where they are supposed to be.  The thunder is loudly crashing, but the boys keep sleeping, even Max.  I have canceled therapy for Little Buddy, he was grumpy yesterday, almost falling asleep in his lunch, he took a long, long nap and still seemed a bit on edge.  I am not taking him out in this weather to get soaking wet and possibly sick.  No, he can keep sleeping and wake up on his own.


Yesterday Max and I made another nesting ball from his fur.  I know you have seen these before, but I am posting about them again because I had to delete my previous post due to all the spam I was getting on it.  Do you have one or two posts that get a ton of spam?  

Grab a grapevine ball, collect lots and lots of dog fur.  This was most of his winter fur, Max sheds less in the winter so it took a while to get enough.   Collect all your ends from all your yarny projects in a jar.  Grab some yarn and twine and you are ready to go.

Mix your yarn ends with the fur.  It is a bit like going down memory lane, look there is the red I used for the Ohio State scarf for my son's friend, the grey was my Bella Sweater, the dark gray my ruffle shawl, the cream was used for my tree decorations.

Stuff all the hair and yarn bits into the ball.  Tie on lots of ribbons, twine and yarn and you are good to go.  Max wanted to make this for his Aunt's who are returning to Wisconsin this weekend after six months here near us in Florida.  How fun to think that Max's hair might be in bird nests in Door Co, Wisconsin. And even if the birds don't use it, this nesting ball will hang on a tree in gorgeous Wisconsin reminding two Aunt's that Max loves and misses them.

Max wanted no part of the photo shoot.  Come on Max!  Let us see your beautiful face.

A profile shot was all he would give me.  And look who he was looking at, Little Buddy in his car saying, "cheese" for the camera.  He is certainly not as shy as Max.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend.  I am about to try and make some agave sweetened, apple cinnamon muffins, as per requested by Mr. 20 year old, wish me luck.

36 comments:

Amy at love made my home said...

There will be little pieces of Max all over the country! Buddy looks so happy in his photo shoot, but definitely a day for staying home judging by all that rain! Not nice. Hope that it clears up for the weekend. xx

Stins said...

Haha, little buddy is so funny :-)!
Such a nice idea to use max's fur as nesting material,
lucky birds.
Love from Mirjam.

Sandra said...

Buddy look so happy as Max looks on adoringly. :o)
Love your creative venture, I'll be passing this idea along to others.
I too love stormy weather, it shakes up the energy, clears the air and just sounds fabulous.
:o)

serendipity said...

That looks like a pretty bad storm. Don't blame you for staying indoors. Love the nesting ball, I've put lots of woolly bits out for the birds, but they seem more interested in pulling apart the coir window box liners! xx

Anonymous said...

Little Buddy looks like he's having a great day. What a sweet young man.

Are his glasses bifocals? I went into bifocals young and sometimes felt I was the only one.

Vera said...

Great picture of little Buddy Meredith -- he is always looking so, so happy. I put out ends of embroidery threads for the birds, but between rain and wind I think they are all gone:( I'm not sure if the birds would appreciate fur from our cat though...that might bring a bit of discomfort to those creatures! Enjoy your rainy morning -- great day to sleep in for sure.

Bridget said...

I forgot about this idea, I'm gonna try it this year!

I love the "money" shot of Max, and I love seeing Little Buddy smile. I hope they are good friends.

Have a lovely weekend!

linda said...

I don't blame you for staying home, in that weather. I'm sure Max's nesting ball will be very well received. Did you know that you can get rid of all those spam comments Meredith,that's why I like the comments moderation you can get rid of them as they happen. Little Buddy is looking so happy and well. Have a great weekend. xx :)

Erika said...

Thanks for sharing this project with us. Love this idea a lot better, than just putting the strings in a wire grate and it's much prettier this way. Never thought of adding dog hair to it, but I will try that now. Have lots of it from my Shih-Tzu and my cat.
By the way, your little guy is just to cute and that smile can make ones day.

Needles and Wool said...

That is such a cute idea and it looks great when it is done! its a nice blend of colors. I like storms when I am inside looking out as well they make me feel so cozy. It is also nice when your family is all safe inside as well and you don't have to worry about anyone.
Have a nice day!
Lisa

Susanne Tyree said...

I have been saving bits and pieces of yarn from projects for quite some time now. I did buy one of those twig vine balls at Walmart in their silk flower isle. I have yet to put it together since I really don't think I have enough, but it just dawned on me, do you think cleaning the hair out of my hair brush could be added to the stuff I already have? or, do you think they would shy away from it if there is a human scent? My hair is down my back, just about to my waist, so I would probably have to cut it in smaller portions. I know humming birds also use spider webs to build their tiny light weight hanging nests. How cool is that!
(((HUGS))) Susanne :)

My Garden Diaries said...

That is so cool!!! I have never seen one of these before! And that smile on Little Buddy is just precious!! Wishing you a lovely weekend!! Nicole xo

Susanne Tyree said...

Just a note to let you know I commented on a couple more of your past posts. As usual, I'm so far behind again. Just can't seem to catch up.
Susanne :)

Suzan said...

What a beautiful smiling face from your Little Buddy! Such a neat idea, those nesting balls!! I have been saving Augie's hair/fur now for the past 5 years so I can have it made into yarn. But can't find anyone to process it! Do you know of anyone who makes their own yarn?? Anyway, if I can't find someone - we may have LOTS of fur balls hanging in the trees around here :-}}.
It is wonderful having all your Babies under one roof!! Enjoy having your 20 yr. old home and I'm with you - "tomorrow is another day" for therapy!!! Have a wonderful weekend!!

Acorn to Oak said...

I never thought about using dog hair. We sure have plenty of that around here! The grapevine ball is a good idea too. Thanks for sharing. Have a great weekend!

My Little Home and Garden said...

I hope all that sleep restores your youngest to his cheery self. He has a killer smile!

Karen

kathy b said...

I love to be safely inside for storms too!

Little buddy is too dang cute.
You know I love the balls of fur and string for the nesting birdies.

I have to add some cat fur to mine outside …!

kathyinozarks said...

I just Buddy's smile-and I agree I wouldn't go out in bad weather either if I have a choice.
Love your nesting balls-I need to make me one of those, I don't have Nikita hair any more but I do have allot of wool fibers.
Happy weekend to all of you

Judy S. said...

Your Max has a great profile, and I think he knows it! :>) Good for you, cancelling the therapy; sounds like he really needed the extra sleep. He's a cutie, that's for sure!

Teresa Kasner said...

What a cool looking nest ball.. they'll be some happy birds for sure.. and the baby birds will like the soft yarn for a bed. When we were at Beacon Rock yesterday an Osprey flew low over us with nesting material in it's beak. How cool! Enjoy your biggest to your littlest boys. Happy momma. Good for you knowing that Lil buddy needs to chill.
((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Joyful said...

Little Buddy looks happy today. I guess he needed a good sleep. You have a gorgeous dog. What a nice profile he has too. I love your idea for nesting material. Have a great weekend. Xx

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

There is something in your settings that won't allow spam comments. Another blogged helped me when I was getting so much and it fixed the problem completely. But just can't remember what it was. Although I have to say, those spammers sure are getting smarter -- ever once in a while, something will get through and it will sound like a genuine comment but where you are taken to isn't a real blogger at all. Crazy what people out there will do. Don't quite get it. Hope the rains have ceased. I do love a good rain, just not in this country. Makes everything a mess. But when you are surrounded by green and trees and grass, it can be quite pleasant. Glad you decided to stay home. Love those nesting balls. And love that Max. And Buddy! Such sweeties. Jingles always turns her face when she sees I am trying to take a picture. I have to be sneaky about it. Wishing you a wonderful weekend. Hugs and blessings, Tammy

Joy said...

Definitely a good day to be home indoors - and also a good day to be sleeping off any virally type of thing that might be trying to grab hold of sweet little Buddy; there's nothing like a good sleep to ward off sickness! Dear Max, he's so gorgeous and obviously very taken with his new Buddy mate! Sorry to hear you're having trouble with spammers, Meredith, and hope you can soon stop the rubbish coming through! Happy weekend to you and your loved ones my dear!
Joy xoxo

Betsy said...

It sounds like the perfect day for sleeping in and baking. That nesting ball is beautiful. Max will be happy, mowing his fur is helping to keep baby birds safe and warm so far away. Great pictures of Little Buddy and Max. They look like they love each other a lot.
Blessings,
Betsy

moonstruckcreations said...

Looks like exactly the sort of day for staying snug indoors!

Hope Little Buddy is soon back to his usual, smiling, happy little self.

Helenxx

Mindy said...

That's so interesting--I've never seen that before! Yay Wisconsin! ;-) We love Door County.

gilly said...

What a great idea! Instead of constantly hoovering up my pups fur , I should gift it to the birdies. Thanks for sharing your "how to"
Your little man is just sooo cute, I bet you just want to cuddle him all day. Hope the weather abates soon, and have a happy Sunday.
Hugs xx

Stitchy Mc Floss said...

Awww Little Buddy is always so happy...he makes me smile every time I see his sweet little happy face. Max is adorable, too of course. :)

Oh the lovely rains of Florida....everything green, humid and wet. Gosh, I miss that place so much!

Hugs to you sweet friend.

Sweet Posy Dreams said...

I put out a suet feeder of yarn bits this spring, but I'm not sure any birds have used it. I'm hopeful though!

Faeryfay said...

Max and Little Buddy are both gorgeous:) Fayxxx

RURAL said...

I think that the nesting balls will be a welcome sight for those poor soggy birds.

Jen

EMMA said...

Goodness look at that rain!
Love the nesting ball idea.
Max and Little Buddy are handsome pair - I bet they are the best of friends too.
Hope the little guy is feeling better after his rest.

Handmade and off-centered said...

What a great idea for the birds. My Esja is starting to shed her winter coat and I always just tossed it in the garbage bin. No more. We have very big crows here and they would just love colorful yarn ends. They have been known to snatch hats off of kids and anything that glimmers. I think it would be so much fun to stumble upon a colorful nest with yarn bits and doggy hair!

Buddy is so adorable by the way...as if you hadnt noticed ;)

Have a good week.
Birgitta xx

Jill at emeraldcottage said...

I never heard of a nesting ball before, I was intrigued reading your post to see what it would turn out to be! What a great idea :)
Jillx

RedSetter said...

That rain looks pretty spectacular and just right for avoiding. Thanks for doing the nesting ball tute again. I recalled you had done one ages ago and I have a whole pile of fur, mainly from Magic, that I wanted to put out for the birds but couldn't remember how to do it.

Max is gorgeous, as always, esp his eyelashes! As for Little Buddy, is he just beginning to look a little more grown up or is it that he is looking more confident and secure with you and the family.

elns said...

Love the photo of the storm outside. Looks like it's allowed for some fun times with fun people :)