Such a Charming Bird

After two days of trying...I have actually gotten these photos on the blog!  Either I am even less tech savvy than I thought....or something has been wrong with blogger....either way...I am relieved to finally be able to show you these great and glorious birds!  A few months ago I ran across an artist from England and absolutely LOVED the work she was posting on her blog.  Along with beautiful mixed media paintings, she had posted several of these appliqued and embellished birds, presented on beautiful pieces of vintage quilts.  Well, isn't that right up my alley?  So, I was OVER the MOON about them right away.  And, now, I can say I own one of her pieces myself and I'm thrilled!

Here are several photos of "my" bird....isn't it just wonderful!!!  And, boy, I would love to have seen the quilt this little square came from.  I have never been an advocate of cutting up quilts....and would still never do it unless the quilt was already in shreds or pieces when I found it, so when I saw these birds on their glorious backgrounds....I began to hatch a plan to immediately go in search of some old delapidated quilts.  I have found a couple and bought them....have found a couple others whose colors just wouldn't work for my taste and didn't buy them.  I will have them as top priority when I go to the flea market as I have been inspired to try to do a few things of my own design on pieces of these found, and for all intents and purposes, discarded quilts. 

Just look at this face!!!!  Such a charming bird!  About now, I am figuring you want to know who made it and I'd love to share that with you.  Her name is Mandy, she lives in England, and you can go directly to her blog, called THREAD AND THRIFT  right HERE.  You will enjoy seeing what she is all about and you'll love her work too!  I visit her blog just about every day and enjoy seeing all the lovely work she is doing.  You will probably also want to visit her etsy shop....where birds and other beauties are available.  Click HERE to see what she has for sale today.  I also especially love the leaves and vine pieces she does! 

Look at this tiny flower.  So simple to do and to my mind....the most charming embroidery of all.  I always call this embroidery 'school girl stitching' because what Mandy does, and what I do. uses mostly all the stitches taught to small girls in days past.   Mandy's birds, however,  are quite a magnificent example of how those simple stitches add such a lovely touch to appliqued birds.  I LOVE them SO!!

Notice all the tiny pieces of the quilt square......I've no idea what the pattern of the quilt was....but love the way the quiltmaker used the least little pieces of fabric.  Waste not, want not, as they say!

 Love this bird!

And, once again, the whole picture!  This quilt square is mounted on mat board and signed.  I shall enjoy it for all my days!  THANK YOU so much, Mandy, for sharing your beautiful work with me.  Y'all visit Mandy, you will really enjoy seeing her beautiful creations!  take care out there, pat

PS.  Finally feeling better....hopefully you will hear from me again soon!!!

 Hi there!  Hope you are having a lovely Sunday.....we've 'almost' got a Spring Day here...still kind of cool, but the wind has stopped blowing so hard and to me that is a good thing!  Hopefully, Spring IS on the way.  I received an email this a.m. asking how I was....I'm sure because of the fact that I haven't posted in a fairly good while.  (Thank you, Pat!) I'm ok...have just been 'under the weather' and just didn't have the energy to spend any time in this cold studio...I don't heat it unless I intend to spend several hours out in it....and I felt the need to hybernate in the house while 'resting up.'  I bet you can understand that.  I have actually felt guilty in not posting....but talked myself out of feeling that way.  Being OCD, though, you know I had to have several 'talks' with myself.  Anyway...things are getting better, so today I thought I should post something...anything...just to say hi and yes, I'm still here.

I guess I didn't get my fill of Hearts in February, because all I could think of to show you today was more hearts!  Here is one next to the hutch in my kitchen.  I bought this mirror a couple of years ago.  The old navy man was with me as I made my rounds at the local flea markets.  This is something that rarely happens as he isn't all that crazy about wandering around these places.  I kept going back to see this mirror  and finally he asked if I really NEEDED it....of course, I said, "Oh, yes....I really need it...it's so perfect."  So, we bought it.   I tried to talk myself out of it...but when I read what was at the top...I knew it would go home with me.  It says:  "From your son in the Service."  Loved it!!

It is not in great shape...for fortunately for the mirror and for me.....I like things that have lived a long and 'pre-loved life.'  I often wonder about the son AND the mother to whom this meant so much.

If you look at that hutch....you can also see another of my favorite things...no hearts this time, but kitty cats.  This card was given to me probably ten years ago by a friend....and they've sat in that hutch having tea ever since.  Aren't they cute?   Everytime I think they should be 'retired' - I find I just can't put them away....

So....there now,  I managed to post something....I hope you have enjoyed this little blogging 'hello.'

And, just have to tell you.....my sister is coming today!  If you read my blog often...then you will know her husband passed away last summer just a very few days after they visited here.  This will be her first visit since then and she is driving herself from Texas to my house, something she has never done alone.  I will be happy to see her.....and Wednesday is her birthday!  She is ten years younger than I, but to me she is still a little kid!  We intend to talk our heads off....and knit!  She is staying a week, so I won't be posting until she goes home....but, come visit again after the 10th and I'll try to post something

interesting then....meantime, know that even though I'm not posting often right now...I DO think of YOU.  Take care, pat