Thanks for all the kind words everyone, I appreciate them!! Hubby cut a base for me out of butternut and routed around it, it's looking very nice, I'll put up a picture when it's all finished.
Yes Chris, the chickadee is from Roz Daisey's book and what a great book it is! I'd highly recommend her books to anyone, the directions and pictures are excellent.
When I asked about making a branch Al mentioned about using wire and also about Taxidermy supplies. I got a catalog from Hide and Beak, talked to a nice man there about a Habitat book they had. He actually looked through the book and said no, it wasn't what I was looking for but told me about using manilla envelopes to make the needles.
The book Woody suggested actually showed how to do that, step by step and also how to do the branch. Without the suggestions and encouragement from them I never would have even tried it. Like Al said, it's very satisfying to have done it myself...especially since it turned out so nicely!

Thanks again guys! Callynne